Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 7261, Josias Ferguson, Penn.
Page 1

[notecard]
[upper left]
SERVICE
Penn.
[center]
Ferguson, Josias
Josiah
Mary G.
[upper right]
NUMBER
W.7261
Page 2

1887 April 5 Dr W S Long history pwr

New Jersey 706
---------------------------
Mary Y. Ferguson widow of Josiah (or Josias) Ferguson
who died on the 16th March 1836 of Middlesex in the State of N. Jersey who was a Captain in the Company commanded by himself of the Reg't commanded by Col. Johnson in the Pa line for 15 months

Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey at the rate of 300 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.  amtp? to 16. March 1836 to be directed
------------------------------------
Certificate of Pension issued the 6th day of April 1837 and sent Rev'd A Alexander Princeton N. J.
----------------------------------
Arrears to the 4th March 1837                    $1,800.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept[ {1837}      150.00
                                                                        $1,950.00

{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act July 4, 1836,       }
Section the 3

Recorded by D. D. Addison Clerk
Book A Vol. 1 Page 146
Page 3

18926
New Jersey

Josiah Ferguson of Middlesex in the State of New Jersey who was a Captain in the Comp commanded by Captain ____ of the Reg't commanded by Col. Johnson in the Maryland line for 15 months

Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey at the rate of 300 Dollars ____ Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 24 day of Oct: 1833 and sent to Hon. J. F Randolph

Arrears to the 4th of October '30          $750
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mos         150
                                                               $900

{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act June 7, 1832.      }

Recorded by G C Stiles Clerk,
Book E  Vol. 2,  Page 111.

The widow - Lett. to Rev'd Arch'd Alexander, Dec'r 7th 1836.
Page 4

State of New Jersey 
Middlesex County ss:
On this Eleventh day of September Eighteen hundred and thirty two before Rob't McEveney Esquire and others, judges of the court of common pleas now sitting others: now with in and for the County of Middesex personally appeared Josiah Ferguson a resident in the township of West Windsor in said County aged eighty five years last March, 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 June 7, 1832, that he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.

He was born in the month of March 1747 - in the County of Bucks, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, his age was recorded in his fathers family bible and he has copied it into his own family bible, which he produced before the Court. he moved in the year 1774 from Bucks to Pipe Creek Hundred, in the County of Frederick, State of Maryland - and lived here when he entered the service.  He lived here till 1779 - when he returned to Bucks County his birth place where he staid [sic] till 1798 except one year when he resided in Philadelphia.  In 1798 he moved [continued on next page]
Page 5

moved to Princeton New Jersey - where and in its immediate neighbourhood [sic]  he has continued to live ever since.  His entering the service was after this wise - a draft of the militia was required to come into New Jersey - and such a draft was made some from Colonel Bettes men some from Colonel Johnson and some from Colonel Bruce a company was thus made upon and this applicant was appointed and commissioned the captain of it by the Governor Col. Johnson.  The company of this applicant marched and staid [sic] a day at Little York Penn'a - they next marched to Lancaster and then to Philadelphia.  Here they found General Putnam, who seemed to this applicant to have the command.  The Hessians taken at Trenton were at {illegible} and this applicant received orders to take them to Lancaster & which he and his company and Captain Papple and his company did - and placed them in the barracks.  The officers there this applicant does not recollect - we staid [sic] a night at Lancaster and then marched to New Jersey - crossing the Delaware river at Beatty's ferry. and marched to Ringoes - and so to Basken ridge in the County of Somerset and he and his company
Page 6

were quartered at Baskin {illegible} and its neighbourhood for six months.  While there the British were at New Brunswick in this State and General Washington was at morristown.  This applicant returned to Frederick some time in may - the six months serving there expired.  He had been at home but a little time when an express came from Colonel Bittre to this applicant to conduct the Hessians over the Potomac on their way to Winchester, and this applicant went and guarded the Hessian over the Potomac.
In 1778 he was appointed by Governor Johnson teacher of the manual exercise and then gave up his commission as captain of the militia which is the reason he cannot now produce it - he held the commission of captain from may 1776 to may 1778 - he continued as teacher of the manual exercise one year and in 1779 - the night before Christmas he returned to Bucks County - Penn'a.
In the month of may 1780, he was commissioned and appointed a captain of the seventh Company of foot in the first Battalion of militia in the county of Bucks - which I {illegible} produce here in Court - and was always ready to defend the country there was a family in the county
Page 7

Bucks of the name of Dones - who were robbers and plunderers - and annoyed the whole neighbourhood - and the militia were called out and I have been frequently out.  I am unable to detail the time and places of my services as a captain of militia during the revolutionary war and have no other documentary evidence further than I have furnished - but I am fully persuaded that I spent at least two years in faithfully serving my country during her struggle for independence.  I do hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
Josias Ferguson
Sworn & subscribed the day & year fore'd
Robert McChessney
Page 8

10.200
Josiah Ferguson
Middlesex County
N. Jersey

Returned no

Certificate to be sent to
Princeton N.J.
Admitted
Captain of Infantry 15 mo
12 /240
20
15
100
20
500
James F Randolph
[James L Green - Struck Thru]
B.
N. Jersey
Page 9

War Department,
Pension Office,
15th May 1833
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 your case in a 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 complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.

A Statement, shewing the Service of Josiah Ferguson Middlesex Co. N. Jersey
Period when the service was recorded. {illegible} 1776 
1778  {1 year}  May 1780 {2 years in all, rank of capt}
Duration of the claimant's service.  Years. __ Months. 6 Days. ___ 
Rank of the claimant.  capt
Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. ___
Names and Rank of the General and Field officers.  Col. Johnson
Battles in which the applicant was engaged. ___
Country through which he marched.  Pa - N J -
Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period.  85 -  Pipebreak Hundred Maryland
Evidence by which the declaration is supported.  Documentary Traditionary

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. Edwards,
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 10

2 


REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 5, 1932.

The following regulations have been adopted: 
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the State 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:
1. 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, musicians or privates, will in the first in stance, 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, County of, or District of } ss.
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared
(a) before _____ A.B., a resident
(b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged
(c) _____ 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 provion made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year 
(d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ 
(e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers: 

[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 (fi any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid, _____ A.B.

[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.
I _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify 
(h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings 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: 
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C.D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____ 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 day 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 also signed the same 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 commissions, 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 alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
Page 11

8

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. An 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 he 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 enquiry 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.

[footnotes in small type at the bottom of the page]

[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 t he rule laid down for his guidance.

[b]T he 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 loss 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 of 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 directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase [italics] about three or four months [end italics], 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, &c. 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 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 fix 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 attained 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 landing 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.

[drawing of a hand pointing to the right] The notes from [a] to [i]  to are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops, The proof required by rule in note [j] 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.

[signature] R. Newman
Page 12

Adams county Penn's Ss
Personally appeared before me the subscriber one of the Judges of the Court of Common pleas for said County, Mary Paxton who on her Solemn oath doth say.  That she was well acquainted with Mary Grier & Josiah Ferguson, that they were married in the year 1779, that she this deponent acted as Brides Maid & was present when the ceremony was performed which was done by the Rev James Greer at the Deep Run Church Buck County Pennsylvania of which He was then the Pastor &who afterwards became the Husband of this Deponent, That there was never any record of this marriage kept by the said James Grier to her knowledge or belief-the Said Josiah Ferguson was the Brother of this Deponent.  He served in the war of the revolution after he was married to Mary Grier.  The said Josiah & Mary removed to New Jersey, where the said Josiah Died, & that his widow Mary G Ferguson now resides in Princeton New Jersey. and further this deponent saith not.
Sworn & Subscribed
this first day of March    Mary Paxton
A. D. 1837 Before Me
W McClean
Page 13

State of Pennsylvania
Adams County, Ss

I Bernhart Gilbert, Prothonotary of the Court of Common pleas of Adams County do certify that William McClean Esq. before whom the forgoing proceedings were had is one of our Judges of the Court of Commonpleas of Adams County duly qualified and that the signature purposing to be his is genuine.
In Testimony where of I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the Seal of the said Court at Gettysburg this 1st day of March 1837
B Gilbert, Protoy
Page 14

State of New Jersey
Middlesex County  Ss

On this twenty first day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight Hundred and thirty six personally appeared before me one of the Judges of the Superior court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Middlesex aforesaid  Mary G Ferguson resident of the town of Princeton County & state aforesaid aged seventy six years who from age and infirmity -is unable to attend Court to make this declaration, who being first and duly Sworn according to law doth upon her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by Act of Congress passed July 4th 1836 to wit, That she is the widow of Josiah Ferguson ( his rank the nature and extent of the services rendered and all pertaining there to &c will appear from papers presented by himself when he obtained a pension under the Act of 1832) She further declared that she was married to the said Josiah Ferguson on the twelfth day of March Seventeen Hundred and Seventy nine, that her Husband the aforesaid Josiah Gerguson died on the sixteenth day of March Eighteen Hundred and thirty six and that she has remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereunto annexed -She further declares that she has no recollection of and does not believe that there ever was a town or Church record of her marriage, that her marriage was originally recorded in a small family Bible which has been lost

Sworn and subscribed before me Jared J Dunn
One of the Judges of the
Superior Court of Common
Pleas aforesaid the day & year above
written
Jared J Dunn
Judge                              Mary G Ferguson
Page 15

State of New Jersey Middlesex County {illegible} office ss.
I Nicholas Booraem Clerk of the County of Middlesex aforesaid and of the inferior Court of Common pleas in and for Said County (the Same being a court of record) do hereby Certify that Jared J Dunn before whom the within declaration as deposed of Mary G Ferguson was made or taken was at the time of the making or taking thereof a Judge of the inferior Court of Common pleas aforesaid duly commissioned and Sworn, and that his name Subscribed thereto is in his own proper hand writing
In witness whereof I have hereunto Subscribed my hand and affixed the Seal of Said County this twenty third day of December A D 1835
N Booraem Clk.
Page 16

Revy  WIDOW, &c.
---
File No. 7261
Mary H. Ferguson
Wid of 
Josiah Ferguson
Capt. Pa. Line
---
Act: July 4 1836, Sec 3d
Index: --Vol. A, Page 233

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 17

State of New Jersey}
County of Middlesex} Ss:
                                             On this first day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three personally appeared before me John S. Van Dyke one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Middlesex Josias Ferguson a resident of the Township of West Windsor in the County of Middlesex and state of New Jersey aged eighty six years last March who from bodily infirmity (being confined to his bed and not able to rise therefrom without assistance) and who is consequently unable to appear in open Court who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following amended declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832
I was in the year 1777 in the first part of the month of September drafted into the service in which I continued for six months, three months of which I performed as the substitute of my Brother he then having a growing family. I acted as the Captain of the men then drafted. I had a regular commission therefore which as I have already stated in my original declaration was given up and cannot now be produced and served out said terms of six months under Major Samuel Shaw. Col. Johnson the name of the General I do not recollect, in guarding the outpost and preventing the escape of the British who were then in New Brunswick this tour was performed out and near Morristown Basking Ridge Quibbletown and other places in
Page 18

that neighborhood, and it continued from the first of September [inserted year] 1777 until the last day of February [inserted year] 1778 During which service I was not engaged in any civil employment but was wholly devoted to the public Service. The next term of service I performed was in the Spring of 1778 & the month I cannot recollect at Taneytown in the State of Maryland as a teacher of the Manual Exercise. I was appointed to this task by Governor Johnson for one year. In consequence of the cold weather of the succeeding winter I was unable to teach and consequently I was obliged to make it up, the whole term for which I served as teacher of the Exercise was twelve months and during this term of service I was not engaged in any civil pursuit. This term of service was performed under the order and command of Col Bettie. I returned home from this service to Bucks County Pennsylvania on the twenty fourth day of December 1779.

In the month of May 1780 I was commissioned and appointed a Captain of the seventh company of foot in the First Battalion of militia in the County of Bucks in the State of Pennsylvania which commission I now produce before the said Judge and transmit with these declarations and papers to the Department This commission I held for two years — the term of my actual service during this period I am not able precisely [inserted] to state as we were called out frequently and at short periods to repel the incursions of robbers and plunderers which infested that neighborhood. This whole service was done in the years 1780, 1781 & 1782 in Bucks County Pennsylvania where
Page 19

the command of Col. William Hart. during[sic] the whole of it I acted as Captain, but was not exclusively employed in it. I know of no living witness who can testify to the term of my services as Captain nor have I any documentary evidence of the time I served I do further state that I was born in the month of March 1747 in Bucks County Pennsylvania that my age was recorded in my Father’s family Bible which record was copied in my own family Bible which is now in my possession and produced before the Judge before whom this affidavit is taken—that I lived in the County of Frederick Pipe Creek Hundred and State of Maryland at the time I entered the service. I have lived since the war in Bucks County Pa. & in Philadelphia and now reside in West Windsor Township County of Middlesex and State of New Jersey-that I was drafted into the service and served one half of the first tour of six months as the substitute of my My[sic] Brother John Ferguson. I have forgotten the names of the Regular officers except Col Bruce and Col. Bettie. I do not recollect the continental & Militia Regiments in response to the ?6th interrogatory I have ansered[sic] above and the names of the persons to whom I am known in the neighborhood have been given above and appended to my original declaration- to wit George S. Wood - James Carnahan- John Maclane[sic] Saml Miller and A. Alexander- who
Page 20

here testified to my character for veracity and their belief of my services as Captain as a soldier of the revolution-
       Josias Ferguson

Sworn & subscribed}
before me John S Van}
Dyke the day and      }
year first above          }
written-
       John S. Vandyke[sic]
one of the judges of the inferior
[underlined] Court of Common Pleas in and for the county of Middlesex

     I do hereby certify that Josias Ferguson who hath sworn and subscribed the above declaration for a pension is from bodily infirmity (being wholly confined to his bed) unable to attend Court.
      John S. Vandyke
       Judge. &c &c—
Page 21

rcv: [Illegible]
10.206
Middlesex County
application of Josiah Ferguson Esqr for a pension
under act of June 1832.

James F Randolph
Present.
Page 22

I, F. S. Vanarsdalen, clerk of the Court of Common Pleas Pleas of the County of Middlesex do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Josiah Ferguson Esquire for a pension.  In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the said Court this eleventh day of September Eighteen hundred and thirty two.
F. S. Vanarsdalen Clerk

State of New Jersey
Middlesex County ss
I Nicholas Booraem Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the county aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing {illegible} the original and amended proceedings in the matter of the application of Josiah Ferguson for a pension that Robert M Cherney be such whom the original declaration was made and Thomas Heuce & Jacob M Cherney who {illegible} the Late Robert M Cherney certified to the accuracy of the {illegible} in the original application were at the time judge of Said Court of Common pleas and that John S Van Dyke before whom the amended declaration was taken was at the time a Judge of the Court of Common pleas in and for said County all of them duly commissioned & Sworn as Such and that the names of the said Robert M Cherney Thomas Heuce Jacob M Cherney said F S Vanarsdalen subscribed to the foregoing declarations and depositions are in their respective proper hand writing. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal office this 2nd day of July A D 1833
N Booraem Clerk
Page 23

Note the name of "Charles M Campbell Justice of the peace was by me named and the name of "John S Van Dyke Judge of the Court of common pleas" {illegible} by me
July 2nd 1833.  N Booraem Clerk
Page 24

Adams County Pennsylvania Ss
Personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Adams in and state of Pennsylvania, Mary Paxton who on her solemn oath doth say that she was present at the Marriage of Marry Gerguson now of Princetown New Jersey and widow of Josiah Ferguson, and that the said Mary Ferguson was married to Josiah Ferguson in the year one thousand and seven hundred and seventy nine and that her Husband the said Josiah Ferguson served in the Army of the Revolution after his marriage to the said, Mary 
Sworn and subscribed in my 
presence this 27th day of Oct 1836                                   Mary Paxton
J F McFarland

State of Pennsylvania
Adams County Pa,
I, Bernhart Gilbert, Prothonotary
of the Court of Common Pleas of said 
County Do Certify that John F McFarlane Esq., before whom
the foregoing proceedings were had is one of our
Commonwealth Justices of the peace duly qualified 
as such and that due faith & credit is given to all his official acts and that the signature purporting to be his
is genuine.
In Testimony whereof I have here unto set my
hand & affixed the seal of said office at Gettysburg this
27th day of October 1836
B Gilbert, Prothy.
Page 25

750. 3 Sec
Mary Ferguson
Widow of Capt Josiah
N. Jersey

adm
15 Mo. Capt
300$
old case - deduct.
died 16 March. [Illegible]

Recd A. Alexander
Act 4 July 1836
Page 26

State 
of New Jersey } Ss
On this fourteenth day of November personally appeared before the Justice of the Peace of the County of Middlesex Mary G Ferguson, resident of the State of New Jersey aged seventy six years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4, 1836; That she is the widow of Josiah Ferguson (his rank, the nature & extent of the services rendered & all pertaining thereto &c will appear from papers presented by himself when he obtained a pension under the act of 1832).  
She further declares that she was married to the said Josiah Ferguson on the twelfth day of March seventeen hundred seventy nine:  that her husband the aforesaid Josiah Ferguson died on the sixteenth day of March eighteen hundred & thirty six; & that she had remained a widow ever since that period, as well more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed.
Sworn to & subscribed on the day & year above written before me Ralph Lansbury on of the Justices of the Peace in and for the County of Middlesex and State of New Jersey
R  Lansbury          Mary G Ferguson
Page 27

State of New Jersey}
County of Middlesex}
I Ralph Sansbury one of the Justices of the Peace in & for the County of Middlesex before whom the foregoing affidavit of John Lowrey was taken do hereby certify that the said John Lowrey is a man of truth and veracity and entitled to credit
Decr 22d 1836
Ralph Sansbury
Page 28

State of
New Jersey} Ss

On this nineteenth day of November personally appeared before the Justice of the Peace, of the County of Middlesex, John Lowry Esq. resident of the town of Princeton in the county of Middlesex & State of New Jersey, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration: viz.  that he had been a long time acquainted with Mrs. Mary G Ferguson, the widow of Capt Josiah Ferguson, that her husband, Josiah Ferguson, died about the middle of March, eighteen hundred & thirty six, of a disease of the lungs after having lingered several months; that he believed the deceased to have been, from his own account about eighty years of age; that his wife Mary G Ferguson remains & now is a widow. that her husband Capt Josiah Ferguson to his knowledge has received Pension as a Revolutionary officer.
Taken, subscribed, and sworn,
 the day and year first above written,      John Lowry
 before me Ralph Lansbury one of
the Justices of the Peace in and
 for the County of Middlesex and 
 State of New Jersey
R Lansbury
Page 29

State of New Jersey Middlesex County Clerks office ss
I Nicholas Booraem Clerk of the County of Middlesex aforesaid do hereby Certify that Ralph Sansbury before whom the foregoing declarations & depositions of Mary G Ferguson and depositions or affidavits of John Lowry were made and taken was at the time of this making and taking thereof a Justice of the peace in and for Said County of Middlesex duly commission∂ and Sworn and that his Signatures to the Same declarations and affidavits are in his own proper handwriting

In witness Whereof I have hereunto
Set my hand & affixed the Seal
of Said Court this twenty ninth
day of November AD 1835
     N Booraem  Clk
Page 30

FREE
J.L. Edwards Esq.
Commissionor of Pensions
Washington City
Page 31

Princeton N.J. March 9. 1837

J. L. Edwards Esqr
      Sir.
            The inclosed[sic] papers in the matter of the application of Mary G. Ferguson widow of Josiah Ferguson for a pension as due the Act of Congress July 4th 1836 are herewith returned to the Department the requisitions contained it its[sic] instructions having been complied with,
      With great Respect
          Your Obt Servt
               David N. Bogart.
Page 32


POWER OF ATTORNEY - Revolutionary Pension Claims

Know all Men by these Presents, That I, W. G. Ferguson
of Princeton N Jersey
hereby constitute and appoint William S. Allison
my true and lawful Agent and Attorney, to prosecute the Claim of Mary G. Ferguson
for any amount of Revolutionary Pension, or Increase of Pension, that may be due; and I hereby authorize
my said Agent to examine all the papers and documents in relation to said claim, on file in the Departments
at Washington City, or elsewhere; to file additional evidence or arguments; and to receive the Certificate
which may be issued for said Claim, which Certificate I wish made payable to myself
being the grandson and only kin of Mary G. Fergusson
appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purposes herein expressed; and to do all things that I
might or could do were I personally present. Hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney
and Agent shall lawfully do in the premises.
WITNESS my hand and Seal this 30 day June
A. D., 1851
W. G. Ferguson

Signed and Sealed in the presence of 
Alexander [illegible]
Justice of the Peace
David [illegible]

State of New Jersey   Ss
County of Mercer
On this thirteenth day of June A.D. 1851
before me the subscribe, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County Aforesaid, personally appeared William G Ferguson and acknowledged the foregoing Power of Attorney to be his act and deed, for the purposes therein mentioned
I Testimony Whereof, I hereunto set my hand
the day and year aforesaid.
Alexander M H[illegible] J. Peace


23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

32

33

34
Page 33

Mary G Ferguson N 5236
Claim of Mary G Ferguson
Act of 4th July 1836

_______________________
State of New Jersey
County of Mercer        } n

Be it known that on thirtieth day of June A.D., eighteen hundred and fifty one, before the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared Wm G Ferguson a resident of Princeton in said County and made oath according to law that he is the grandson and only heir of Mary G Ferguson of New Jersey who was a Revolutionary Pensioner of the New Jersey agency at the  rate of three hundred Dollars per annum; that he had been informed that the said Pension ought to be increased; that he is directly interested as a claimant in said pension, and make this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence or arguments as my Agent may use in prosecuting said claim
Sworn to and subscribed the day the year aforesaid before me
Alexander M H[illegible]
J Peace                                                    signature   W G Ferguson

Alex M H[illegible] Justice of the Peace, in and for said County do hereby certify that William G Gerguson who executed the foregoing paper is a respectable resident of this County, and is, I believe, directly interested in said claim as therein set forth
Alexander M H[illegible]

I Ralph H Shreve Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Alexander M [could be Hudsmith] before whom the foregoing papers were executed, was at the date of the same, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly authorized by law to administer oaths; and the name thereunto subscribed is his signature
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my official Seal, the Fourteenth day of July A D 1851
Ralph H Shreve, Clerk.
Page 34

This is to certify that we, the subscribers have for several years been acquainted with the bearer of this Josias Ferguson, Esqr an old & respectable inhabitant of this Borough. He is now very far advanced in years, being as we have reason to think in the eighty sixth year of his age & so much reduced in his pecuniary circumstances as to be in a great measure dependent on others for his temporal support. We have confidence in his veracity & think that credit is to be given to any statements that he may make respecting services performed by him in his countrys[sic] behalf during the Revolutionary war. We would be gratified in knowing that Mr. Ferguson was among the number of those who in their old age were receiving a remuneration from their country for services performed in Their youth. —
  Princeton (N.J.) — Sepr. 5th 1832 — —
     George S. Woodhull
     James Carnahan
     John Maclean
     Saml. Miller
     AAlexander[sic]
Page 35

James S. Green of lawful age and residing in the Borough of Princeton being duly sworn, saith that he is personally and familiarly acquainted with the hand writing of Rev. George S. Woodhull & James Carnahan, Rev∂. John Williams D. Miller and D. Alexander — and that the signatures to the within certificate are in the proper hand writing of the said persons — and he further saith that Rev∂. George S. Woodhull is the pastor of the congregation at Princeton with which Josiah[sic] Ferguson Esquire has been accustomed to worship — that Dr. James Carnahan is President and Rev∂ John McClean[sic] Vice President of the College of New Jersey — that Dr. S. Miller and D. A. Alexander are the professors in the Theological Seminary in Princeton — and this deponent further saith that he has been acquainted with the said Josiah[sic] Ferguson Esquire for several years, and that he [inserted} has been commissioned and has acted as justice of the peace in Princeton for several years — and that full credit is to be given to the state-
Page 36

ment of the said Josiah Ferguson Esquire touching his services during the revolutionary war — and that he is reputed and believed in Princeton, where he resided for many years as to have been a soldier in the revolution — and that this deponent concurs in that opinion—
       Jas. J. Green

Sworn and subscribed}
this 13 day of Septem }
ber 1832 in open         }
court                             }
        Robert McChesney

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 Josiah Ferguson Esquire was a revolutionary captain and served as he states— and the court do further certify that it appears to them that George S Woodhull, James Carnahan, John McLean, Samuel Miller and A. Alexander, who have signed the preceding
Page 37

certificate are clergymen, residents in the Borough of Princeton and within a mile of the applicant — and James S. Green, who has been examined before the Court as a witness — are intitled[sic] to credit — and we do further certify that the applicant produced before us, the commission as a captain which is hereunto appended —
      Robert McChesney
      Thos. Hance
      Joseph McChesney


[Sideways on left margin and crossed out:

Certificate for
J. Ferguson Esqr.
Princeton (N.J.) Sep. 5th 1832                       ]
Page 38

     War Department
          Pension Office
               Decr. 7th 1836.

Sir

     The papers in support of the claim of Mrs. Mary G. Ferguson widow of the late Captain Josiah Ferguson, deceased, have been examined, and are herewith returned.
     The declaration should be made before a Court of record, or before a Judge of a Court of record if the applicant be unable to attend Court, and the credibility of each witness duly certified by the Judge or Magistrate who administers the oath.
     The only difficulty which is likely to arise in this case is the [underlined] date of the marriage which must be established agreeably to the regulations. As it is so generally a subject of entry on the Town, Church and family records that grades of evidence should be furnished or at least it should be shown that no such record has been kept before ?past testimony can be received as satisfactory proof of it. If the Town, or Church books furnish such a record, a Copy certified by the officer in custody of them, before a Magistrate, will be sufficient, but if the family records shall be relied upon, the original should be forwarded 
                                                                   The[sic]
Page 39

The papers herewith enclosed, should be returned with those which it may be necessary to make out de novo. 

Very respectfully
T. [illegible]
J.L. Edwards

Rev∂. Archibald Alexander
       Princeton
            New Jersey
Page 40

JACC
Ja F Randolph
     H R
_________________________

Hon Lewis Condi[c]t
    ? Washington City
Or in his absence to
—————— Hall Esq
     Boarding at Dr ?Linley’s
                ?Washn.


[ upside down:
Josiah Ferguson &
?Garret Breeza.      ]
Page 41

George
The endorsed supplemental declaration of Josiah Ferguson, intended to meet an objection to the, [illegible], in respect to the specification of the [illegible]. 
The case was looked into by the Dr Grumf, and suspended by him. and I should like therefore, that their paper be put into his hands. 
A prompt decision in the Ferguson case is [illegible] as both he & [and] his this wife are confined to their beds. [illegible] much are circumstances of great pecuniary as well as physical affliction. 

Yours truly
Ja F Randolph

N. Bank Aty 2/ 33

Hon L Condit
A. in inheritance
? ___________Hall, Esq.
Page 42

Supplemental declaration of Josias Ferguson of Middlesex county New Jersey for a pension under the act of June 7th '32 State of New Jersey County of Middlesex on this twenty fourth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in & for said county Josias Ferguson who being duly sworn according to law on his oath saith that by reason of old age and a long course of bodily infirmities & confinement to his bed - greatly impairing his memory, he finds it impracticable to enter into a positive & precise specification of his services as Captain in the war of the revolution - that those services were very irregular and [illegible] - performed upon a great many occasions & at various intervals; but that in his conscientious belief & to the best of his recollection he served as Captain in the year 1780 not less than three months - In the year 1781 he served as Captain not less than four months and in the year 1782 he served not less than two months as Captain. During hte performance of these services he was stationed in Bucks county in Pennsylvania & was kept patroling in that county & in Chester county in the [illegible] State of Pennsylvania - [illegible] that section in the State and preventing and punishing the depredations of {illegible} & tories who were combined in plundering & otherwise disturbing and annoying the country. All these services were performed under Col Hart. In his other services performed in the war of the revolution previous in the year 1780 he respectfully refers to his original & other declarations. For his services then & now [illegible] in his advanced age & infirm state of health hopes to receive a pension
Josias Ferguson
Subscribed & sworn to this day & year aforsaid before me
C M Campbell Justice of the Peace
[in left margin: "3 Mo
4mo
2mo
9
6
15"]
Page 43

I do hereby certify that Josias Ferguson who has sworn to & subscribed the foregoing annexed declaration is from bodily infirmity unabled to attend Court and in consequence there of it has been sworn to before me.
C M Campbell - Justice of the Peace
I hereby certify that C M Campbell before whom the foregoing affidavit of Josias Ferguson was taken, in known to me to be a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Middlesex, duly commissioned & sworn. I also certify that I am acquainted well with the handwriting of said Campbell, & [illegible] the foregoing signature of his to be genuine.
Ja F Randolph
Page 44

Josiah Ferguson Capt. 300 ____ N. Jersey - Act __ June

When last paid?

G.W.C.
Apr. 6 1837

Died in March 1836 paid to that period

JH
Page 45

Haddonfield NJ
April ___1887

To the Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Sir:

I am seeking information of a Major ? Josiah or Josias Ferguson in Furgeson who was an officer during the Revolutionary War.  I believe he was a Pennsylvanian but also believe he lived after the War at Princeton N.J. and possibly was connected with that states troops.  I wish to publish a sketch of him and would like to obtain all the information possible of him, his rank and time of service - nature
Page 46

of woulds - & how [illegible]. Date of birth & death &c. I am trying to rescue from oblivion the memory of one of our old homes & if you have record which require [illegible] in copying - let me know how much I will have to pay.
Respectfully
Dr. U. S. Long
P. S. Information given will not be used against the U. S. Gov.
Page 47

In the Name and by the Authority of the Freemen of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, The Supreme Executive Council of the said Commonwealth,
To Josiah Ferguson Esquire
We, reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Patriotism, Valour, Conduct, and Fidelity, DO, by these Presents, constitute and appoint you to be Captain of the seventh company of foot in the first Battalion of Militia in the County of Bucks You are, therefore, carefully an diligently to discharge the Duty of Captain by doing and performing all Manner of Things thereunto belonging. And WE do strictly charge and require all Officers and Soldiers under your Command, to be obedient to your Orders as Captain And you are to observe and follow such Orders and Directions as you shall, from Time to Time, receive from the Supreme Executive Council of this Commonwealth, or from your superior Officers, according to the Rules of Discipline of War, and in pursuance of the Acts of Assembly of this State. This Commission to continue in Force until your Term, by the Laws of this State, shall of Course expire.
GIVEN in the Council under the Hand of Vice President, and the lesser Seal of the State, at Philadelphia, this first Day of May in the Year of our Lord on thousand seven hundred and eighty-
ATTEST,
Jas Trimble for J Armstrong [illegible]
[inside stamp:] THE [illegilble] OF THE UNITED STATES