Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 3242, Hugh Edmiston, New Jersey
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(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
New Jersey
Edmiston, Hugh   NUMBER R. 3242
Edmonson
or Edmondson
Contents
Margaret
Page 2

State of Pennsylvania
County of Philadelphia ⎬ Ss.
On this twenty second day of March A.D. Eighteen 
hundred and thirty eight personally appeared 
in the Court before the District Court for 
the City and County of Philadelphia in the
State of Pennsylvania Margaret Edmiston
sometimes called Margaret Edmonson
resident of the District of Southwark
the County of Philadelphia aforesaid aged
eighty three years who being first duly sworn
according to law, doth on her oath make this
following declaration in order to obtain the
benefit of the provision made by the act
of Congress passed the fourth day of July
1836 and the act explanatory of the said
Act passed the third day of March 1837
That in consequence of the weakness of her
memory she does not recollect the nature
and character of the services of her husband
as well as she would wish; that she was
married to Hugh Edmiston or as the people 
sometimes called him Hugh Edmonson, who
was a Shipwright or Master Carpenter by
trade; that he received a commission
of second Lieutenant from William Livingston 
Governor of New Jersey in the year 1777
that at the time he was commissioned she
was engaged to be married to him, he wished
to be at once married but that she refused
telling him that he had better wait as he
might be killed in the war; he then resided
in Salem
Page 3

in Salem County in the State of New Jersey
Shortly after this he was ordered out to service
and was absent nearly two years, he was
gone so long that she began to think he
was dead; that she heard from him only
once during his absence when she received a
letter, in which to the best of her recollection
he stated that he was so busy in fighting
the Brittish (British) that he could not find time to
see her, that he was driven from post to
pillar; and that his brother Elisha was
killed at Quinten's Bridge that after his
return she was married to him in the year
1780, She frequently heard her husband
speak of his services at the time he was so
long absent but she cannot recollect the
particulars of those services, neither does the
remember the names and rank of the
field and Company officers (except that
Captain Smith was one of them) nor the
day, month or year which her husband
attended the service but that it was very
soon if not immediately after he received
his commission; she does not recollect the
battles in which he was engaged or the
country through which he marched but
her husband often told her that they had
no rest at any time, that they were busy
day and night; sometimes they were chasing the
refugees, at other times the refugees chased them,
that they were driven first to one place then
to another and that he was busy in the service
and was fighting during the whole time of his
absence. That about Eighteen months or two
Page 4

years after their marriage they went down to
a creek between the two mile beach and the
five mile beach near Cape May where he
commenced building a brig which was to act
as a privateer, that when the vessel was
all rigged and had the big guns and
the little guns all ready, as it was usual
for the master workman to see that the vessel
was completely finished, her husband went
aboard to help bring her up to Philadelphia
to get any little things that might be the
necessary; that they attempted to get her out
of the creek and had got as far as [illegible], 
when in the night the brig was attacked
by the refugees and the Brittish who had
come from New York for that purpose; that
Captain Swan and his brother Isaac were
on board at the time they be attacked
and her husband was the last American that
left the vessel; that one of the enemy aimed
a blow with a cutlass at him which missed
his head and inflicted a severe wound on
his shoulder, that her husband was then
taken prisoner; the Brittish then burnt
the brig to the water's edge, (there was lying
in the Creek at that time a schooner owned
by Captain Browny,) the Brittish led him
on board of this schooner and offered him his
watch, his tools and his clothes if he would
take the Schooner around to New York for
them; the said he was no pilot; while
the Brittish were busy burning the boiler her
husband went below and scuttled the
Schooner
Page 5

Schooner, Capt. Brown having collected the
pilots about the cases and a number of men
to me to receive his schooner but the Brittish
seeing all these men coming down upon them
took to their boats and made off as fast as
they could; Capt. Brown told her that her
husband was killed and the next morning
when he came home she could scarcely believe
her eyes, she found his shoulder very sore
and had to bathe it several days before
it got entirely well - After the burning of
this brig her husband was frequently employed
in drilling the Militia. Sometimes he did it
every other day, at other times only once a
week, he continued in service in this way
until the end of the war, they had to be always
on the alert as at any time they were liable
to the attacks of the refugees; She further
declares that she was married to the said
Hugh Edmiston on the fourteenth day
of March Seventeen hundred and eighty;
That her husband the aforesaid Hugh Edmiston
died on the fourteenth day of March Seventeen 
hundred and ninety one; that she afterwords 
contracted marriage (as she thought),
with Jeremiah Carson in the year Eighteen
hundred and four but in two or three months
she found that he had deceived her as he had
a former wife and children then living in
Germany that the said Marie Carson
died sometime in the year Eighteen hundred
and twenty three, the precise day and month
she has been unable to ascertain; that
Page 6

she was a widow on the fourth day of July
Eighteen hundred and thirty six and still
remains a widow, as will more fully appear 
by reference to the proof hereto
annexed; Deponent further states that at
the death of her husband in 1791 he had
five children to wit William Edmiston
born in January 1781. Elisha Edmiston born
September 10th 1783. Mary Edmiston born in
1785. Catharine Edmister born in April 17
and Hugh Edmiston born in the year 1789, that
all his children are now dead except Catharine
who is married, and resided with her at
the present time
Sworn to and Subscribed on the day
and year above written.
Margaret Edmiston
her mark
Witness
James W. Paul
Ezekiel H Teal
The Ezekiel H. Teal and William Fisher resident
of Southwark in the County of Philadelphia do hereby
certify that we are well acquainted with
Mrs Margant Edmiston who has subscribed
and sworn to the above declaration that we
have known her for upwards of forty years
and we believe her to be Eighty three years
of age; she is reputed and believed in the
neighborhood where she resides to have been
the widow of Hugh Edmiston who was
Officer of the Revolution and we concur
that opinion, we also certify that to
the best of our knowledge and belief she
was a widow on the fourth day of July Eighteen
Page 7

Eighteen hundred and thirty six and still
remains a widow sworn and Subscribed
the day and year aforesaid in open Court
Joel Jones
Ezekiel H Ted
William Fisher
And the said Court do hereby declared
their opinion after the investigation of the
matter and after putting the interrogatories 
applicable to the present case; that the
above named applicant is the widow
of Hugh Edmiston who was an officer of
the Revolution and that he served as his
widow stated in her declaration; that the
applicant above named was a widow on
the Fourth day of July Eighteen hundred
and thirty six and still remains a widow --
And the Court further
certifies that it appears to them that
William Fisher and Ezekiel H. Feel are
credible persons and that their statement
is entitled to credit.-
Joel Jones
I Franklin Comly Prothonotary of the District Court for the
City and County of Philadelphia do hereby certify that the
foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said
Court in the Matter of the application of Margaret
Edmiston for a pension. In testimony whereof I
have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office
this twenty second day of March Anno
Domini
Page 8

Domini Eighteen hundred and thirty eight
Franklin County Prothonotary
Page 9

A3381
Margaret Edmiston
Pennsylvania
Page 10

GOD made them male and female. For this cause shall a man cleave to his wife; and they
twain shall be one. What, therefore, GOD has joined together, let no man put asunder. -- MARK x.
---
These certify, that William Fisher
resident in Philadelphia, mariner
Cornelius Fisher in Brunswick of E. N. Jersey, and his Sec
wife Mary past twenty five years of age, [blank]  of the one Party, and
Cathrine Edmiston, resig. in said City Daughter of
Decd Hugh Edmiston, and his palick Margaret in Phila, 
---- past twenty two years of age. [blank] of the other Party
are joined in the Banns of HOLY WEDLOCK, this day by me.
Given under my Hand and Seal, at Philadelphia, on the Seventh
day of Nov. in the Year of CHRIST one thousand eight hundred and
five 1805
Nicholas Collin
Rector of the Swedish Churches in the State of Pennsylvania.
We, the underwritten, have witnessed the solemnization of this nuptial Contract, and certify, that it is for my legal impediment
George Edmiston + Nancy Downie
Husbands and wives love and honour each other, as being heirs together of the grace of life. -- Peter iii.
A good wife is from the LORD. Her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her. She will do him good, and not evil, all the days of her life. -- Proverbs six.14.xxig.10.110.1s.
PRINTED BY ZACHARIAH POULSON, JUNIOR, No. 106, CHESTNUT-STREET
Page 11


By His Excellency William Livingston
Esquire, Governor, Captain-General and Commander
in Chief in and over the State of New -
JERSEY, and Territories thereunto belonging in
America, Chancellor and Ordinary in the same.
To any Protestant Minister, or Justice of the Peace
WHEREAS there is a mutual purpose of Marriage between Hugh
Edmiston of Cumberland [illegible] one party, and Margaret Yeats
of the other party, for which they have desired my License,
and have given bond pursuant to the Directions of an Act of the General Assembly of New Jersey, made in the Year One Thousand Seven Hundred and Nineteen, intitled, An Act to prevent clandestine Marriages; and otherwise complied with the Directions of the said Act. These are therefore to authorize and empower you to join the said Hugh Edmiston & Margaret Yeates in the Holy Bans of Matrimony, and them to pronounce Man and Wife.
GIVEN under my Hand and the Prerogative Seal of New-Jersey, at Trenton
the fourteenth Day April in the year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eight
Jonathan Elmer Swingate   Will Livingston
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These are to certify whom it may concern that henceforth named
Hugh Edmiston & Margaret Yeats are joined in the holy bonds
of matrimony & from this day man & wife by virtue of each other 
& loved ones on the fourteenth day of March 1790 in the presence of
B. Jonathan Elmer, John Downey & wife & given others by me John
Manford, one of the Justices assigned to keep the peace in & for the
County of Cumberland & State of Jersey Witness my hand.
s/ John Manford, J.P.
Page 13

Margaret Edmiston
Pennsylvania
Rejected
-
Per letter 25th
Augt 38 C.J. Jack
let to do 26 Jany 1842
Married the
time
Act 7 July 1838
292/140-147
May 14
NJ 4
CL 7
N Yk 42
N.J 8
[illegible] 8
[illegible] 15
[illegible] 1
[illegible] 3
[illegible] 21
121
4
128
147
19

Reciepts for money said
in that Edmiston is the
[illegible] in building the
[illegible]
Page 14

Margaret Edmiston
of [unknown]
Pennsylvania
-
Suspended
See let. 7th May 1842
to C.J. Jack
let. 28 Oct 42 to J. Francis Maker
do to Rich Peter Jan 24. 1843
do to E B [illegible] Apl 18 [illegible]
3242
Act July 1836
Page 15

14 Margaret Edmiston
Pennsylvania
---
Rejected
---
See let 15th June
1838 to James W.
Paul [illegible] 13 Aug 38 
let  2 August 38 C. J. Jack
Do to Jane Sept 15, 1838, to do explain
did not serve
in a militia capacity
against the man after
marriage.
Act July 4.36
Hon. A. Randall May
26th 1845
Page 16

This will show that I Margaret Edmiston Widow
of Hugh Edmiston deceasd. Do hereby authorize
Request E. Brown Worcester as may be lawful agent
and Attorney to make all upon searches and
Examinations at the City of Washington & elsewhere
and to take all other lawful steps for the purpose of
obtaining a Pension for the services of my said
husband in the Revolutionary War
And I do hereby revoke any and all my former powers of [illegible]
given for the above [illegible].
I now reside in Southwark, Philadelphia County,
and am upwards of 90 years of age & very  [illegible].
Witness my hand & seal this 9th day of June 1843.
Margaret Edmiston
her mark
Done in presence of Mary Ann Maloney
Page 17

Margaret Edmiston's
Power of Atty
┃ Pa
E. B. Worcester
Presd
July 18 '43
Page 18

State of New Jersey
Cape May County ] Ss
Cape May March 27. 1838

Jeremiah Hand aged Seventy three years 
a resident of the Lower Township Cape May County in
the State of New Jersey being duly sworn doth
declare that he knew Hugh Edmiston and that he built
A certain brig by the name Mary of Cape May and that
she was built at Cape May and was taken and burnt by the Enemey
In the Revolutionary War. After being defended for sum time.
and that he of said knew Edmiston to be a [illegible] of the
said Brig at the time of her Capture, and that Mr. Edmiston
Was Also taken prisoner at the same time, which Capture
took place sum where about the year Seventeen hundred and
Eighty two, and that he Edmiston was kept aboard of a
Certain Schoonor loaded with flower which was captured
at the same time, and that the said Schooner was commanded
by a Capt Brown, and that he Hugh Edmiston sckuttled
said Schooner In the time of scrcirmish which took
place the next day between one of the American Lookout
boats and the enemy to prevent her from being carried
away by the Enemy, and that he Jeremiah Picard was
on horse of the said look out boat at the Above time
mentioned and that the above claimed boat was Commanded
by Capt Elijah Hand
Jeremiah Hand
his mark
Page 19

Before me John Price a Justice of the Peace of
Cape May County in the State of New Jersey
personally appeared the above named Jeremiah
Hand and swore that the facts contained
in the foregoing deposition are true to the best of
his knowledge and belief. And I hereby certify
that Jeremiah Hand is a resident of Cape
Mary County that he is a credible person and that
Hand's his statement is entitled to credit. Witness my
and seal this twenty seven day of March 
Anno Domini 1838.
John Price Justice

State of New Jersey
Cape May County ⎬
I Swain Townsend Clerk
of the Inferior Court of the County and State
aforesaid, do hereby certify that John Price
is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County
duly commissioned and qualified; that his commission 
was dated on the thirty first day of October 1837
and will expire on the thirty first day of
October 1842, and that his signature above
written is genuine. Given under my hand and
the seal of the said County this twenty seventh day of March
1838
Swain Townsend Clerk
Page 20

THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY,
TO Mr. Hugh Edmondson
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 non comission [illegible] Company of Militia in upper Allegany Creek in the County of Salem (being the [blank] Company in the
Regiment of the said County, whereof Benjamin Helen
Esquire, is Colonel) to be Second Lieutenantof the said Company;
are therefore to take the said Company of Militia into your charge and Care as
Second Lieutenant 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
Second Lieutenant 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 Morris Town the First
Day of July in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and
Seventy illegible]
by By His Excellency's Command,
Wil Livingston
Page 21

Act of July 14, 1862, and March 3, [illegible].
3242
P. O.
Margaret Edmiston
Service: Wid. of Hugh
REJECTED
Enlisted: _____ ,18  .
Discharged: _____ ,18  .
Application filed: _____ ,18  .
Alleges: _____ ,18  .
Re-enlisted: _____ ,18  .
Attorney: _____ ,18  .
P.O. ______
_____ Recognized.
_____ Contract.
Page 22

James L. Edwards, Esq.

Dear Sir,

Last week I forwarded to the War Department documents and papers to establish Mrs. Hugh Edmiston's claim to a pension on account of the services of her deceased husband. I herewith send the deposition of Jeremiah Hand as additional testimony of the Mr. Edmiston's services subsequent to his marriage with the applicant. In my former letter I stated that I had written down to Cape May to obtain the testimony of James Schellinger and I sent down the form of the deposition with his name written in it. - Jeremiah Hand having a more distinct recollection of the circumstances of the case deposed in his stand - and the Justice of the Peace has erased James Schellinger's name, and in
his own hand writing substituted her name. Hand's assured is this will account for the erasures. Early information as to the fact whether the War Department willview favorably Mrs. Edmiston's application will be esteemed a great favor.

Respectfully yours,

s/ James W. Paul
176 S. 3rd Street
Philadelphia

March 30, 1898
Page 23

Honorable J.C. Spencer
Secretary of War

Dear Sir,

I am requested by an old lady, an applicant for a pension, a Mrs. Margaret Edmiston, widow of Hugh Edmiston deceased, a soldier or whether an officer in the Revolutionary army - to appeal from the decision of the Pension Commissioner to [illegible] -  There is only one point of  difference between us and that will settle the claim.

It is this - The Commissioner rejects the claim on the grounds of a subsequent marriage, after that with Hugh Edmiston in 1780 - [illegible], that although there was a second marriage yet in fact and in law there was none. [illegible]

That marriage was a [illegible] happens, that a law treats after this second marriage that Mrs. Edmiston discovered, that her then husband had a wife living in Germany at the period of their marriage from whom he had never been [illegible] - her say that the said marriage therefore drew not in law disqualify the widow of Hugh Edmiston from claiming a pension under the act of July 7 1838-  Your decision of this point is respectfully [illegible].

Your obedient servant,
s/ C.J. Jack

Philadelphia
April 28, 1842
Page 24

Philadelphia, April 28, '42
s/ C.J. Jack

Appeals from decision
of pension office in 
case of Margaret Edmiston

[illegible] May 2, 1842
Pension Office
perm(anent)
Page 25

J.L. Edwards, Esq

Sir,

Application has been made to me in the case of Mrs. Margaret Edmiston - and your letter in reply is that changing the papers in her case has been printed in my hands - If I understand her allegations they are - First that her husband was a soldier of the Revolution & he was first engaged as Lieutenant in Captain Smith's company and was repeatedly engaged in the battles that took place in the army, - at Trenton, Monmouth Billing's Point etc. - before he engaged in drilling the Privateers. Secondly he drilled there before - and he was engaged in active service in drilling the militia for the Continental service. I understand that his commission by rank said and, proofs of all this
service and his Marriage Certificate I presume then must be lesser in examining this case if these proofs are forwarded, as she is entitled to his pension upon the first branch of service, if not on the second will one do in the form to deny - here this month stands.

Respectfully,

s/ C.J. Jack
July 31, 1838
Page 26

Aug. 2nd
[illegible]
J.L. Edwards, Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
Page 27

Hon. J.L. Edwards, Esq

Dear Sir,

Will you have the kindness to [illegible] before me the appeal of the case of Mrs. Margaret Edmiston. She is an applicant on behalf of the services of her deceased husband & will be looked at and examined.

Two witnesses were deposed as to the claim last presented in (the) March case.

Respectfully your Obedient Servant,
s/ James L. Edwards
Secretary of Pensions

[illegible]
June 8th 1831
Page 28

June 12th
[illegible]

s/ James L. Edwards, Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

Forward by James W. Paul
Page 29

James L. Edwards, Esq.
Philadelphia 
March 1838

(Turn over)

Dear Sir,

I send you herewith the necessary proof to entitle Mrs. Hugh Edmiston to the arrears of half pay and to a pension on account of the services of her deceased husband. They were married in 1780 and he was in the service both previous and subsequent to the marriage.

The widow's declaration, her husband's commission and the deposition of James Sherron of Salem will prove his service prior to the marriage.

The License of the Gov(ervor) of New Jersey for them to marry and the certificate of the Justice of (the) Peace endorsed that they were mutually married will prove the marriage.

The widow's declaration and the handwriting evidence contained in the deposition of Mary 
Edmiston proves the services subsequent to the marriage.

The deposition of Mary Edmiston, the declaration of the widow with the depositions of William Fisher and Ezekiel H. Teel and the opinion of the Dist(rict) C(our)t for City and Co(unty) of P(hiladelphia) prove that she was a widow on the 4th of July 1836 and still remains a widow.

If any additional proof is desired please send me word.

Respectfully,
s/ James W. Paul
Atty. for Mrs. Edmiston

Address:
James W. Paul
176 South 3rd Sheet
Philadelphia
Page 30

P.S. Since writing the above I have received a letter from Cape May which states that Capt. James Schellinger can also testify to the services of Mr. Hugh Edmiston at the time when the Brig (HMS) Mars was burnt. I have written down to take his deposition and as soon as I receive it I will forward it to you. I will probably receive it in a week or ten days.

Respectfully yours,
s/ James W. Paul

March 22, 1838
Page 31

James L. Edwards, Esq

Dear Sir,

As Mrs. Hugh Edmiston's claim to a pension under the act of July 4, 1836 has been rejected, she [illegible] proven to apply for a pension for five years by virtue of the act passed at the last session of Congress.

Will it be necessary to have all the papers prepared anew or will a reference to those already filed in the department be deemed sufficient.

In conclusion I would express my obligations to you for the courtesy and attention manifested in the progress of this case.

The favor of an early answer is requested.

Very Respectfully your Obedient Servant,
s/ James L. Edwards
176 South 3rd Sheet
Philadelphia

August 11, 1838
Page 32

[illegible]
Aug. 13

s/ James L. Edwards, Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions

Washington
D. of Columbia
Page 33

J. L. Edwards, Esquire

Dear Sir,

There are two cases, I am desiring of calling your attention to, this case of Mrs. Margaret Edmiston which does not seem to be rightly understood. The law is rejected on the grounds of second marriage. The act of July 7, 1838, words on there and in cases of the death or marriage of the said husband, the said pension shall cease and be discontinued.

In the case before upon it is stated that after the decease of her husband, Hugh Edmiston, that she contracted a second marriage, as she thought, with a certain Jeremiah Carson and that in two or three months afterward she discovered that he had a wife & children then living in Germany.

Now from this fact I respectfully maintain that she is entitled to his pension. First because the second marriage, in contemplation of law, was in effect no marriage at all. Marriage to be of binding force upon any party must have no legal impediment, here one of the contracting parties could not on fact been another marriage had no capacity and was a [illegible] - secondly - the law of the United States in my view in the pension contract is only intended to apply to two paper copies
Page 34

[illegible] - when the party pensioned dies after receiving his pension
or marries again after being placed on the Pension list - 
these I know are the principles upon which this case [illegible] 
you differ from this as to the law and is [illegible] 
and I think that the opinion of the Secretary of War
who is a distinguished lawyer should be taken upon
with proof of [illegible].

Another case is that of Mrs. Elizabeth Story. I can
not find your answer. Please forward your report.

Your obedient servant,
s/ C.J. Jack

Philadelphia
March 4, 1842
Page 35

Jan. 26, 1842
[illegible]

s/ J.L. Edwards, Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
Page 36

J.L. Edwards, Esquire

Dear Sir,

Will you please again to refer to the case of Mrs. Margaret Edmiston now since married to [crossed out: Jeremiah] Carson since deceased 15th + years and any name is said as I cannot find any pension claim of it. Please inform me.

And oblige [illegible]
s/ C.J. Jack

[illegible]
January 14, 1842
Page 37

State of New Jersey
Salem County

[Too illegible to decipher]
Page 38

(8-1776)
SERVICE
New Jersey
Edmiston, Edmonson or Edmondson, Hugh
NUMBER
R3242
CONTENTS
Margaret
Page 39

State of New York
[unintelligible] County
I Joseph Kille, clerk of [unintelligible] of the State aforesaid do hereby certify that George W. Carpenter is Justice of the Peace in the foresaid County, duly [unintelligible] that his commission was due on the nineteenth day of January A. D. 1838 and that he is duly [unintelligible] above is granted and given [unintelligible] on this ninth day of March 1838 and I further certify that [unintelligible] George W. Carpenter is Justice of the Peace above will expire on the nineteenth day of January A. D. 1843
Joseph Kille Clk
Page 40

November the17th 1781
[illegible] rec'd of Hugh Edmiston seven pounds 
fourteen shillings it being [illegible] 
for work done on bridge
[illegible]
Thomas Stourt
November the 9 1781 
Whereas Hugh Edmiston
Seventy six  [illegible]

December the 19th
Have recd of Hugh Edmiston the sum of 
[illegible] nine pounds five shillings it being in full
for work done on a Brig residing at Captain
Samuel X Miles

February 4th 1782
of Thom. Shourt of [illegible] of Jamiston the sum of forty 
three pounds [illegible] in full of all accounts.
Arthur Robins
Page 41

State of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia County } Ss.
Mary Edmiston aged fifty five
years a resident of Southwark in the County
of Philadelphia his being duly affirmed declares 
that she was born at Cape May
that her fathers name was Eli Taylor, that
she was married to Elisha Edmiston son of
Hugh Edmiston in 1813; that when she was
about five years old she went to live in
the family of Daniel Swain who died
some time in the year 1833, that she resided
in his family until she was Eighteen years
old, when she left Cape May to reside
in Philadelphia where she has lived ever
since, that although she left Cape May as a
place of Residence, she has been in the
habit of going down there nearly every
summer, and has frequently staid in the
family of Daniel Swain during her visits
there. She has often heard Daniel Swain
talk about Mr Hugh Edmiston and she
has frequently heard Mr Swain state the
following facts as to the services of Mr
Hugh Edmiston and that during the latter
end of the war, he built a brig in an [illegible]
at Cape May She thinks the brig was called
the Mars, that the brig was attacked by
the Brittish and burnt, that Mr Hugh
Edmiston was on board at the time, that he
was a very strong and powerful man
that he was driven from one place to another
until he was taken prisoner and put on
board a Schooner which was in the Creek
Page 42

at that time, that to save the schooner 
Hugh Edmiston went below and scuttled
her, she recollects that Daniel Swain talking
her that Mr Hugh Edmiston during the
conflict got a severe hack on his shoulder.
Deponent does not recollect any further
particulars as to the services of Mr Hugh
Edmiston. Deponent further declares
that she has known Mr Hugh Edmiston
about forty years and during all that
time she has always been considered as
an industrious and respectable woman
Deponent from her own knowledge can
declare that she has been a widow
several years, that she was a widow
on the fourth of July 1836 and still remains
a widow.
s/ Mary Edmiston
Before me, Peter Hay one of the Alder
men of the City of Philadelphia personally
appeared the above named Mary Edmiston
and affixed that the facts set forth in
the foregoing deposition are true to the
best of her knowledge and belief, and
hereby certify that she is a credible
person and her statement is entitled to credit.
Witness my hand and seal 
this thirteenth day of March A.D. 1838
s/ Peter Hay Ald
Page 43

State of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia County ] Ss
I Robert Morris Prothonotary of the Court
of Common Pleas for the County of Philadelphia
and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Peter 
Hay is an Alderman of the City of Philadelphia
and that he is duly authorized by the laws of the
State to administer oaths, and that his signature
above written is genuine. Given under my hand
and the seal of the said County this Twenty second
day of March Anno Domini 1838
s/ R Morris
Prothonotary
Page 44

In the Matter of the claim of my Margret Edmiston
for a Pension
State of Pennsylvania S.S
on this sixth day of August in the year one
thousand Eight hundred and Thirty Eight personally 
appeared before me a Justice of the Peace
in and for the said trust of Southwark Margret
Edmiston a residence of said District who living
duly sworn according to Law says that she is
too ill to leave home and go before the Court
that she is now about Eighty four years of age
and She makes the following declaration in a
[illegible] to obtain the benefit of provision made
by the act of Congress passed July 7. 1838 entitled
an act granting half pay and pensions to certain
widows. That she is the widow of Hugh Edmiston
who was a second Lieutenant in the Jersey [illegible]
militia in the Revolutionary war that
her husband died in the year 1798 and she 
[illegible], full proof all 
the fact under the act of July 4 1836. [illegible]
She makes part of the declaration and for the
[illegible] not
s/ Margaret Edmiston (X - her mark)
Sworn & Subscribed before
me Augustus  D. Tarry, August
Sixth 1838.
s/ A. DeKalb Tarry
[illegible title]
Page 45

V  H87
Margaret Edmiston
Pennsylvania
Page 46

POWER OF ATTORNEY - Revolutionary Pension Claims.
Know all Men by these Presents, That I, Mrs Mary Edmondson
widow of Elisha Edmondson, son of Hugh & Margaret
Edmondson, deceased do-----
hereby constitute and appoint George M. Phillips
my true and lawful Agent and Attorney, to prosecute the Claim of Margaret Edmondson
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,
as the daughter in law of said Margaret Edmondson
to 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 20 day October A.D. 1851
Mary Edmeston[Edmondson] [signature]
Signed and Sealed in the presence of
Elisha Crowell[signature]
STATE of Pennsylvania
City of {written]COUNTY of Philadelphia SS:
On this Twentieth day of October A.D. 1851
before me, the subscriber, a Justce [Justice] of the Peace in and for the City and [written]County aforesaid, personally appeared
Mary Edmondson
and acknowledged the foregoing Power,
of Attorney to be her act and deed, for the purposes therein mentioned.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand,
the day and year aforesaid.
Elisha Crowell [signature] Alderman
Seal
and Ex. Officer
J. Peace.
Page 47

Claim of Margaret Edmondson
Acts of 1835 & 1838
STATE of Pennsylvania
County of Philadelphia ⎬
Be it Known, That on this Twentieth day of October A. D., eighteen hundred and fifty-one, before the Alderman & Ex. Officio, a Justice 
of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared
Mrs Mary Edmondson a resident of [blank]
in said County, and
made oath according to law that She is the widow of Elisha Edmondson,
son of Margaret & Hugh Edmondson, the
latter of whom was a Revolutionary Soldier
of the United States, on account of whose
who was a Revolutionary Pensioner[crossed out]
services in said war, the said Margaret applied
for a Pension from the United States; at the rate [crossed out] Dollars per annum[crossed out]; that she has been informed that the said Pension ought to be increased; that she is directly interested as a claimant in
said Pension, and makes 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 and
year aforesaid, before me.
Elisha Crowell Alderman and Ex Officio
J. Peace.
Mary Edmiston [Edmondson] [signature]

I, [blank] Justice of the Peace, in and for said County do hereby certify that
Mrs Mary Edmondson 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.
J. Peace.

Eastern District SS.
of Pennsylvania
I, Joseph Simon Cohen Prothonotary & Clerk of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania for [in the County crossed out]the [illegible] [and State aforesaid crossed out] do hereby certify that Elisha Crowell Esquire before whom the foregoing papers were executed, was, at the date of the same, an Alderman of the city of Philadelphia Ex officio, a Justice of the Peace in and for said City [County crossed out], 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 this twenty first day of
October A. D. 1851.
J Simon Cohen [signature]
Prothonotary & Clerk of the
Sup. Court of Penna.
Page 48

STATE OF}
COUNTY OF} ss

It is hereby certified that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited before me
that was a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United
States at the rate of $ per annum and that died on the 
day of eighteen hundred and 
leaving surviving
and that 
the only surviving of the aforesaid,

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed
my seal of office this
day of
one thousand eight hundred and fifty.
Page 49

Declaration of Widow Margaret Edmiston
State of
Pennsylvania
On this sixteenth day of June A.D. 1843
personally appeared before the honorable James Campbenton
of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas
for the City & County of Philadelphia
Margaret Edmiston a resident of Southwark in the
County of Philadelphia and State aforesaid aged ninety (90)
years and upwards, who being first duly sworn according to
law doth on her oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made
by the acts of Congress passed July 7th 1838. and the 23 of
August 1842 granting pensions to widows of persons
who served during the Revolutionary War.
That she is the widow of Hugh Edmiston deceased
who was a Lieutenant in the American Service in the
Revolutionary War and for a statement and proofs of his said
services she refers to the papers and documents, upon which
she made her former application and to the Records of the
government containing such information.
She further declares that she was lawfully married
to the aforesaid Hugh Edmiston prior to 1783 as forth in her
former papers, to which she hereby makes reference for the proofs of our aforesaid marriage and of the
death of the said Hugh Edmiston
She further declares that after the death of the
aforesaid Hugh Edmeston, which to the best of her
recollection and belief, was in the year 1792, she
was married to a person by the name of Jeremiah
[illegible], who at the time of the said last mentioned
marriage had a wife living, which fact was
unknown to this declarant at the time of the
last above mentioned marriage, but which
came to her knowledge some time thereafter
Page 50

She further declares that the aforesaid Jeremiah
Carson died on or about the -- day of -- 1823-
according to the best of her knowledge, information
& belief, as by a reference to the proofs of the said
marriage and death of the said Jeremiah Carson
will more fully appear.-
-
She further declares that the paper, partly
in point and partly in manuscript hereto
annexed, and signed "Nicholas Collin" [illegible]
is the original certificate of Marriage of her daughter
Catharin Edmiston & William Fisher, and that the
said Catharine, who is now dead) was born after the
Marriage of this declarant to the said Hugh
Edmiston
-
She further declares that she is advised and believes, that
owing to the fact of the said Carson having a wife
living at the time of his pretended married to
this declarant, she has now been the lawful
wife of the said Jeremiah Carson, and that her
lawful name still remains, and now is Edmiston
viz. the widow of the aforesaid Hugh Edmiston deceased,
She further says that it is her request that the above facts
may be made to apply to any of the Laws and acts
of Congress (not herein expressed) which may entitle
her to a pension as the widow of the aforesaid Hugh
Edmiston deceased, she is still a widow.
Sworn to and Subscribed by the above named
Margaret Edmiston, by making her mark thereto
the day & year above written, Before me.
And further, I certify that the above named Margaret 
by [illegible] of [illegible] infirmity is unable to
attend court & has the information at her residence in this
said County of Philadelphia & administered to her sister the 
actual app to the above declaration
N.B. The words "prior to 1783" is declined before Executrix.
Her X mark Margaret Edmiston

And further I can labour and Margaret
an old infirmity is unable and
Court the form her sending in the
Margaret Edmiston
mark
all the above declaration
N.B. The words "prior to 1783" interlined before the executors.
James Campos
Judge Ct C Pleas
Page 51

Pennsylvania
Philadelphia County ss:
Richard Palmer Jr Esq
Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of
said County Do Certify that the Hon James
Campbell Esq before whom the foregoing declaration 
on Oath of Margaret Edmiston was made
and whom his own proper hand writing has
thereunto subscribed his name was at the times
of so doing and now is one of the Judges of the
said Court of Common Pleas which is a
Court of Record and of Law duly Commissioned
and qualifed all whose acts as [illegible]
faith and credit are and ought to be given as
well in Courts of [illegible] as thereout
In Testimony whereof I
have hereunto set my hand
and affixed the Seal of the
said Court at Philadelphia
this 17th June 1843
R. Palmer Jr Prothonotaary