Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 844, John Willson, New Jersey
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SERVICE | NUMBER New Jersey | Willson, John | S844 CONTENTS b Jan. 13, 1755 at Potterstown, Hunterdon Co, NJ res [illegible] Bloomsbury, Hunterdon Co., NJ res. in 1832 Mansfield Township, Warren Co., NJ
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New Jersey
John Willson
of Warren Co in the state of N Jersey
who was a Private in the Company commander
of Captain Vleit of the commander
by Colonel in the N Jersey 
line for 11 months

Inscribed on the roll of New Jersey
at the rate of 31 Dollars 11 cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 8th ay of August 1853 and sent to L. Condit Present

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 - $73.32
Semi-ant allowance ending 4 Sept - $18.33
                                                               $91.65
Revolutionary Claim Act June 7 1832
Recorded by E D Bullock Clerk
Book E Volume E Page 135
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Application of John Wilson of Warren County New Jersey for a Pension
8379

If Pension allowed please direct the certificate to J. M. Sherrard.

Bohrdere (possibly a misspelling of Voir Dire?) Warren County New Jersey
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State of New Jersey
Warren County on this first day of September. AD 1832. personally appeared in open court before the Judges of the Superior Court of Common Please of the fine county of Warren now sitting. John Willson a resident of the township of Mansfield, in said county, agent, seventy seven years on the 07th day of January last make the following declaration in order to obtain the [illegible] the act of congress passed June 7 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and formed as herein stated.
I was born at Tollerstown in the County of Hunterdon in said state on the 13th January AD 1755 as I have been informed by my parents. When called into the service I was living at Bloomsbury in the township of Bethlehem, County of Hunterdon, in said state. My first tour was under Captain David [illegible] in the militia of New Jersey. Our company was [illegible] and [illegible] drafted and went out regularly at every call. The first month we marched to Millstone and continued there one month when we were dismissed. I have but very little learning and can't recollect the years. I recalled Colonel Mark Thomson commanded us while out. 

My next town was under a Captain whose name I have forgot. I recalled we marched to Bergen, near New York and continued
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 there one month, when we were dismissed and I returned home. I recollect Colonel Beavers commanded us at Bergen. 

My next tour was under Captain Cornelius Carhart, we marched to Amboy and continued there one month.

My next tours were four different months under Captain Albert Opdycke. Two months we laid at and about Elizabethtown. One month at Woodnuffs farms, and one month at Trenton. During these months we marched about different places in the neighborhood and were often up all night in our different scouts.

I was again only one month at Amboy but can't recollect the names of my officers. I was again out under Captain Albert Opdyke at Princeton and the taking of the Hessians at Trenton one month recollect that this was in the winter but can't tell what year.

I was again out one month under Captain Francis Cruson and Lieutenant Henry Young at Monmouth. 

I was again out under Captain Lock at Springfield, MO. I cannot say with certainty that the above statement
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is exactly in the order in which my services were but am confident that I was out in the Service of the Revolution at least eleven months. 
In addition to the above I was out in the Forage department [crossed out illegible words] with a team six months from Pitts-town to Morristown, and from one place to another wherever ordered; but understand that I am not entitled to a pension on account of that service, and am not therefore so particular in describing it. I am not very poor and dependent upon my children for support, who themselves are in low circumstances in life. I have no written discharge nor any other documentary evidence by which I can prove my services except the affidavits of Daniel Vliet, one of the judges of this court, and of Vliet accompanying this application, nor do I know of any other persons living by whom I can prove my services.
There is no clergyman living in my neighborhood but I can prove the reputation of the neighborhood by Garret Lacey and Abraham Warne, Esquires, two of the Judges of this court.

John Willson
P W Blair
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We Garret Lacey and Abraham Warne in the township of Mansfield in said county hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Willson who has subscribe and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy-four 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 on that opinion.

Garret Lacey
Abraham Warne
Sworn to and Subscribed in open court
the day and year aforesaid
P W Blair

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matters and after putting the interrogations 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 Garret Lacey and Abraham Warne, Esquires, two of the Judges of this court, who have signed the preceding certificate are residents in the said county; that they are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

Wm McCullough
Wm Kennedy
P W Blair
Charles Carters
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State of New Jersey
Warren County Court
Before me, one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Please in and for said county on the 29th August 1832 personally appeared, David Johnson, aged seventy-five years on the 3rd November last, who being duly sworn according to law saith that he is well acquainted with John Willson of Mansfield in said county who is now applying for the benefit of the act of Congress of June 7th 1832 for revolutionary militia men. That said John Willson in the time of the revolution lived in the township of Lebanon, county of Hunterdon in said state and defendant lived in the county of Sussex within two miles of him. Recollects said Willson being out several terms of service in the Militia of New Jersey, but can't tell how often nor with what officers. And further saith not. 
Sworn and Subscribed the date above before me.
J Kinney Jr
David Johnston
State of New Jersey
Warren County Court
I John Kinney Jr. one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Please of said county certify that David Johnston the above defendant is a credible person, and that his statement is entitled to credit. Witness my hand here the 17th Jun 1833.
J. Kinney Jr.
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Affidavit of David Johnson of Services of John Willson in Revolution
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State of New Jersey
Warren County
Before me, one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Please in aforesaid county, on the twenty-ninth day of August, in the year of our Lord on thousand eight hundred and thirty-two [1832] personally appeared Daniel Vliet Esquire, one of the Judges of this county, aged eighty years on the 9th day of July last, who being duly sworn according to the law saith that he is well acquianted with John Willson of Mansfield, Warren County, New Jersey, who is now applying for the benefits of the Law of Congress of June the 7th, 1832, for the militia of the revolution. That he well knew said Willson in the time of the revolution. That he knew that the aforesaid Willson was out in the Militia of New Jersey as a private in Captain Gearharts Company for one month, in Colonel Joseph Beavers regiment. That defendant went out with him and served the whole month at Bergen in said state. That he also recollects said Willson being out one month in the said military under defendant's father Captain Daniel Vliet in Colonel Mark Thompson's regiment at Millstone in Somerset County, New Jersey. Defendant served some time in same company. That the first months service was in the month of August 1776. The last in the same year, thinks in the month of November. Recollects also said Willson and defendant being out another month with defendant's father at Springfield, 4th the time the Hessians were taken at Trenton and while at Springfield General Washington [illegible] thru to Morris-
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at time of service both lived in Bethlehem, Hunterdon County, New Jersey

-town and further south

Daniel Vliet

Sworn and subscribed the date above before one Charles Carter

State of New Jersey
Warren County I Charles Carter one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Please in and for said county certify that Daniel Vliet Esquire whose name is attached to the forgoing affidavit is the person with whom I am well acquainted, that he is a credible person, and that his statement is entitled to full faith and credit.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the nineteenth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three. [1833]
Charles Carter

(Written sideways on the bottom third)
Daniel Vliet affidavit of services of John Willson on the Revolution
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State of New Jersey
Warren County
Before me, one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Please in and for said county, on the twenty ninth day of August in the year of our Lord 1832. Personally appeared William Vliet aged seventy-four in February last, who being duly sworn according to law saith that he knew John Willson (who is now applying for a pension as a militia man) in the time of the revolutionary war, and lived at that time within two miles of him. that he knew that said William was out as a volunteer in Captain Opdyche's Company, Lieutenant Francis Krusen, company of New Jersey militia, that defendant was out in the same company. that they were at the Battle of Monmouth, but can't say exactly how long they continued out. That on the same day of the battle defendant and said William volunteered with Captain or Lieutenant Cotanch on a scouting party

William Vliet

Sworn and subscribed the date above before me
P W Blair
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State of New Jersey
Warren County  I, Peter W Blair, one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Please in and for said county certify that I am well acquainted with William Vliet, whose name is attached to the forgoing affidavit, that he is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to full faith and credit.
In witness of where I have here to for my hand and seal the 20th day of June AD 1833
P W Blair
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Warren County Before me, One of the judges of the Inferior Court of Common Please, in and for said county on the twenty eighth day of August in the year of our Lord, on thousand eight hundred and thirty two (1833) personally appeared William Willson aged seventy two years on the 12th June last who being duly sworn according to law saith that he is well acquainted with John Willson who is applying for the benefit of the act of Congress of 7th June 1832, for revolutionary militia men. that he knows that said John Willson was out in the militia service at different times as a private, but can't tell how many months - recollects his being once at Bergen and once at Amboy - and at other times, can't recollect the times, but rather thinks it was in the year 1776. 
William Wilson
and further saith and sworn and subscribed the date above
William P Robeson
State of New Jersey
Warren County
I William P Robeson one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Please in and for said county, certify that William Willson the above defendant is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit.
Witness my hand and seal the 17th June 1833.
William P Robeson
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State of New Jersey
Warren County
Phineas B Kennedy, Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Please in and for said county do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of John Willson for a pension - And further I do certify that Charles Carter before whom the affidavit of Daniel Vleit was taken, Peter W Blaire before whom the affidavit of William Vliet was taken, John Kinney Jr before whom the affidavit of David Johnson was taken and William P Robeson before whom the affidavit of William Wilson was taken were at the times and still are judges of the Inferior Court of Common Please of the said county of Warren. And that full faith and credit is due to each of their official acts, And further that I am well acquainted with each of their handwriting, And am satisfied that their signatures to said affidavits are genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this seventy day of September AD 1832
Phineas Kennedy

(Written sideways) 
Wm Williams affidavit of service of John Willson in the Revolution
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State of New Jersey
Warren County
Phineas B. Kennedy, Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Please in and for the county of Warren do certify that I am well acquainted with the hand writings of Charles Carter, Peter W Blair, John Kinney Jr and William P. Robeson Esquires, whose signatures to the certificates of credibility of Daniel Vliet, William Vliet, David Johnson, and William Willson are hereto annexed as Judges of said county. I am satisfied are genuine and that the said Charles Carter, Peter W Blair, John Kenney Jr. and William P Robeson Esquires, at the time the said certificates were made and filed are Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Please in and for the said county of Warren, and that hereforth and credit are due to each of their affidavits.
In testimony whereof I have heretofor my hand, and seal of office the 20th day of June, AD 1833. and further that the papers hereto attached are the original papers in the application of John Wilson before the said court, except the afore stated additional certificates.
[illegible] my hand and seal of office the 20th June 1833 
P B Kennedy
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July 14, 1924
Mrs. James W Morton
Apartment F-3 Windsor Court
Baltimore, Maryland.
Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 844 it appears that John Willson was born January 13 or 17, 1755 in Potterstown, Hunterdon County, New Jersey.

While living in Bloomsbury, Bethlehem Township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey he enlisted in August 1776, served at various times, in tours of one month each, eleven months in all, as a private under Captains Gearhart, Daniel Vliet, Cornelius Carhart, Albert Opdyoke, Francis Kruser and Look, Colonels Joseph Beavers and Mark Thompson, New Jersey Troops, and was at the taking of the Hessians at Trenton, and battles of Princeton and Monmouth.

In addition to the above service he was a teamster in the forage department for six months, date and officers not stated.

He was allowed pension on his application executed
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September 1, 1832 while living in Mansfield Township, Warren County, New Jersey, at which date he referred to his children, their names and the name of his wife not given.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

[Handwritten on page in pencil]

He said he served at Springfield one month. The other battles were expressed the same way at Monmouth, etc. but Miss Miller said they went to and through Springfield so quick not to say he was in a battle there.

Date of death not our [AB]
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[ copy of two pages of a book]
[on left page]
March 21, 98. Mrs. F. H. Thorp, W. Roxbury, Mass.

1924 - July 14 - Hist to Mrs. James W Mortan MMMSTF
1924 - August 11 - Mrs. James W Morton advised name correctly spelled and how is [illegible] date of date etc. MMMSTF

[on right page]

Invalid.
Filed No. 844
John Wilson, or Willson
Private New Jersey Line
Act: June 7, 1832
Index: Volume A, Page 406
Arrangement of 1870

[there is a check mark on the bottom right of the page and the signature of Rev. M Far on the top left]
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John Wilson $36.66
August 8th, 1833

Payments to be made at Trenton by President of Trenton Bank Company
Agent for paying Pensioners, in the agency of New Jersey
#844
Recorded in the Pension Office in Book #, Volume 3, Page 135 by E. D. Ballock, Clerk
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War Department
Revolutionary Claim
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, John Wilson of the State of New Jersey who was a Private during the Revolutionary War is entitled to receive thirty six dollars and sixty six cents per annum [$33.66] during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year. 
Given at the War Office of the United States, this 8 day of August one thousand eight hundred and thirty-three
Lewis Cass, Secretary of War
Examined and Countersigned
Ja Edward, Commissioner of Pensions
[handwritten at the bottom right] 
40 years and wife in Mansfield
[also shown is a division problem where they divided 36.66 by 2 to calculate the bi-annual amount.]
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Sept 16. 1833 Paid to Sept 4. 1833
[illegible] 3. 1834 Paid to Mar 4. 1834
Sept 16. 1834. Paid to Sept. 4. 1834
Mar 17 1835 Paid to Mar 4, 1835
October 15 1835 Paid to Sep 4 1835
Sep 8 1836 Paid to Sep 4 1836
Mar 25 Paid to Mar 1837
Paid to Mar 1837 
Paid to 4 Mar 1838
Paid to 4 Sep 1839
Paid to 4 Sep 1838
Paid to Mar 1840
Paid to 4 Mar 1839
Paid to 4 Sep 1840
Paid to 4 Sep 1841
Paid to 4 Mar 1842
No 17.194
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[illegible]
[illegible]
36.66
Hon Sleondirf
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of John Wilson Warren Co New Jersey which require further proof or explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of war when he serve? yes
V. *Hs he mentioned 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? yes
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes
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Page 2
XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? no clergyman
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? yes
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
XIV. If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? yes
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? No
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yes
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? no
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 

EXPLANATORY NOTES.
QUERE V. 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, deposit 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 serve don't 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.
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Page 3
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 about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state 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 declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case by 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,  he ws not employed in any civil pursuit.

QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
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 claimants entering the serviced and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well s the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oath 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.

QUERE XVI. 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 paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached 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.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, shoulda company the papers.
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Auditors Office
[illegible] 14/58
Sir: John Wilson N. J. Act 1832. at $36.66 per ann. appears to have been paid to March 4. 1842.
Very Respy
R J Minson
Coordinator
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Pension Office. Dec 13/58
The 3rd auditor will please certify the date of last payment in this case
Very respectuflly.
B Mooe
[illegible] Commissioner
Geddes
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[letterhead]
Mrs. James W Morton
Apartment F-2
Windsor Court
Baltimore, Maryland

[stamp] Pension Office July 3 1924

July 1st 1924
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, DC.
Early in June I wrote your office asking for whatever information you could furnish me from your record of John Wilson of Hunterdon Co., N.J. in connection with Claim for Pension - Invalid No. 844 - To
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II
MRS. JAMES W. MORTON
APARTMENT F-2 WINDSOR COURT
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND

date I have had no reply and as I am very anxious for whatever information I can find I am writing you again. If it is necessary for me to fill out any [illegible], kindly send some, advising fee and I will [illegible] them at once--
Yours very truly
Maude M. Morton
[stamp] Pension Office July 8 1924
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[letterhead] MRS. JAMES W. MORTON APARTMENT F-2 WINDSOR COURT BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

[stamp] Pension Office Jun 11 1924

[handwritten in pencil] ans. July 14 24

June 10th, 1924
Bureau of Pensions-
Washington, D.C.
I am endeavoring to complete the papers for Membership in The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution and am basing my application on the Record of John Wilson of New Jersey, born in 1855, enlisted at the age of eighteen years. This Wilson
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II
[letterhead] MRS. JAMES W. MORTON APARTMENT F-2 WINDSOR COURT BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

family located at Belvedere, Warren County, N.J. and also lived at Asbury, Huntendon Co, N. J.
I have been advised that I must have the names of the children of the Revolutionary Ancestor and the place and date of his death. My grandfather, Jacob Van Horn Wilson, who was born in New Jersey in 1807 shortly before his marriage record to Ohio, was the youngest
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III
[letterhead] MRS. JAMES W. MORTON APARTMENT F-2 WINDSOR COURT BALTIMORE, MARYLAND

of John Wilson's five children, but I have no authoritative information in regard to the the other
your
The Adjutant General's Office of Trenton, N.J. has furnished me with a Certificate of the service of John Wilson, advising that most of the information was [illegible] from his Claim for Pension Invalid No. 844 - Affidavit You Pension [illegible]
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IV
[letterhead] MRS. JAMES W. MORTON APARTMENT F-2 WINDSOR COURT BALTIMORE, MARYLAND

taken in Warren Co. N.J. in 1832
Marked this Pension record Invalid No. 844, show the date and place of the death of John Wilson and the names of the wife and children. The Family Record shows that John Wilson was born in 1755 and married Jane Thompson in 1799.
I will appreciate
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V
[letterhead] MRS. JAMES W. MORTON APARTMENT F-2 WINDSOR COURT BALTIMORE, MARYLAND

any information your office can furnish me. If there is a fee for search and certified copy of record, kindly advise amount
Thanking you for your attention I remain
Yours very truly,
Maude M. Morton
(Mrs. Jas. W. Morton) [James]

[seal] Pension Office June 11, 1924
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[letterhead] MRS. JAMES W. MORTON APARTMENT F-2 WINDSOR COURT BALTIMORE MARYLAND

July 18th, 1924
Dept of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, DC
(Rev. and 182 War Section)
Gentlemen--Referring to your letter of the 14th I  note your date pension was allowed John Wilson September 1st 1832 - Can you give me the date and place of his death from your records? 
I note in your letter the name is spelled WILLSON - To this according to your
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II
[letterhead] MRS. JAMES W. MORTON APARTMENT F-2 WINDSOR COURT BALTIMORE, MARYLAND

records? The record of the Adjutant General's Office, Trenton, give it as Wilson - one L-
Thanking you for your attention and trusting you cngive me this further information promptly--I remain
Yours very truly,
Maude M. Morton
(Mrs. James W. Morton)
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August 1, 1924

Mrs. James W. Morton
Apartment F-2, Windsor Court
Baltimore, Md.

Madam:
I have to advise you relative to Revolutionary War pension claim S. 844 of John Willson, that the soldier himself signed "Willson."
In order to obtain the date of the last payment of pension, name of person paid and possibly the date of death, you should apply to the Pension Section, Civil Division, General Accounting Office, 1800 E Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. citing all of the following data:
"John Willson, Certificate 17194, issued August 8, 1833, rate $36.66 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, New Jersey Agency".
Respectfully,
Acting Commissioner.