Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17,617, for John Parr, New Jersey
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(8-1776)

SERVICE
New Jersey

Parr, John

NUMBER
S.17,617

carded

CONTENTS
(blank)
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19321 Indiana John Parr  Johnsonbo in the State of Indiana who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Redding in the regiment commanded by Colonel Dayton in the  [illegible] line for 2 years. Inscribed on the Roll of Indiana at the rate of 80 Dollars and - Cents per annum to commence on teh 4th day of March, 1831. Certificate of pension issued the 26th day of August 1833 and [illegible] . Arrears to the 4th of March, $160.00. Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept $40.00 [totalling] $200.00. Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832. Recorded by Daniel Boyd, Clerk book e Vol.7 Page 124
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John Parr 20558 1st page. State of Indiana Johnson county Js. Johnson Probate Court November twelfth A.D. 1832. On this 12 day of November in the year of our Lord 1832 personally appeared before the Honorable Isamel Watts Probate Judge within and for said county John Parr, a resident of teh said county of Johnson aged seventy three years who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the Act of Congress passed June the seventh 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year 1776 in or about the middle of February of the aforesaid year for the term of one year and served in the third Regiment of the Jersey line under the following named officers [illegible] Colonel Elias Dayton who commanded said Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel White and Major Francis Barber commanded in said regiment he served in the company commanded by Captain Thomas Redding first Lieutenant —Ballard and Ensign —Barker this Declarer says at the time he enlisted he went on with Captain Redding on to said Captains louse and there stayed about  two or three weeks and from there we went to Elizabeth Town and there we stayed a few days and from there the Regiment marched to the City of New York and there we staid a few days and from there he sailed up the North River up to Albany in what in the State of New York and there stayed about one month and from there we went to a place called Johnstown in said state and there stayed a few days and from there we went tot Fort Stanwix near on at the head of the Mowhawk River and there we stayed until sometime in November or December the old fort was a french fort and we built a fort and called the name of it Fort Schuyler and from there we went to a place called Ticonderoga and there we stayed until March and from there we returned home.
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2 page The term of service having Expired for which he enlisted he says he had a written discharge signed he believes by Colonel Dayton but has long since lost it. That afterwards he volunteered for the term of two months and was commanded by Abraham Dickerson and went from Elizabeth Town up the North River but cannot tell how far up said river he went the object of this expedition was in persuit of the British for they had crossed the river at Newark and marched up the river and we were after them and from that said expedition we returned to Elizabeth Town and there remained the balance of the said two month and we where then dismissed from service but received no written discharge. That he enlisted again for the term of nine months for the purpose of filling up the vacancies which had happened in the Regiment until there could be recruits raised to fill the said regiment in Continental line the Colonel’s name was Sreeves and the Generals name was Maxfield the Captains name was Henry Luce the Lieutenant was by the name of Mount. The regiment to which he belonged was the Second Jersey Regiment or line he joined the army at a place called Mount Hawley [Holly] in the State of New Jersey and stayed there until the British drove the army from that place and then the army marched to a place called Prasswicks and there we had a fight with the British and the british made us run and leave ethe place and we proceeded on to a place called Monmouth and there we had an other fight we the said British. There we joined General Washington’s army and had a general battle with the said British army he says he believes the British General name was Clinton he says the battle commenced about twelve oclock and lasted until night and the two armies encamped in sight of each other at night but in the night sometime the British stole away and from  there we went on to Newark and staid there the balance of the said term of time.
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3 page. And that he also volunteered again for the term of one month under the command of Israel Luce and went to a place called Voxhall [Vauxhall] for the purposed of keeping the British from landing and the British came over to a Springfield he says he was under the command of General Heard or Herod and he marched the men up other the top of a hill and ordered the ment to ground their arms and the battle commenced at Springfield and this Declaimer says that he and about ninety others under said Herods [Heard] command told said General Herod that they would go back to Springfield and join the army that was fitting [fighting]  the British and told him that if he fired on them they would fire back and they went on and joined the army and the British were driven back and they crossed the River at Elizabeth Town Point and he stayed there the balance of the said term of one. month and then he returned home. And this Declarer says he was hired at different times to go out as a guard to prevent the British from doing an injury to Elizabethtown he says he was hired by Major Desherer or Dessener as many as four different times for about a month at each time so that when added together will be about four months. The other officers names he does not recollect at this time it being so long since he says he received no discharge at [illegible] of the last mentioned four times. And the said Declarer in answer to the questions propounded by the Court as required by the instructions form the war department says that to the best of his knowledge and belief he was born in Roxberry [Roxbury] Township in Morris County in the State of New Jersey in the year 1759 on the 14th day of June or there about. he says he has no record of his age at this time nor at any other time of his life.
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4th page.  That he was living in Roxberry [Roxbury] Township Morris county in the State of New Jersey at the time he entered teh service and between the times of the several terms of service aforesaid and until the fall after he was twenty five years old and then he moved into the state of North Carolina and Wilks [Wilkes] County and lived there upwards of twenty years and from there he moved into the State of Tennessee in Roan County and remained there about seventeen years and from there he removed into the state of Indiana in Shelby County and remained there about five years and from there he removed into Johnson County in said State of Indiana where he now lives and has ever since lived.   that his Declaration above details the manner in which he was called into the service. The answers to the fifth and sixth inquiries are contained in his declaration above so far as this declarer can recollect. That he is known to Moses Pruit, Merry McGuire, John Israel and Abraham Jones who can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution. That he can prove some part of the above service by his [illegible] Matthias Parr that he knows of no other person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his services and that he has no documentary evidence thereof John Parr. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pensio nroll of the agency of any State or Territory. Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. We William G Eaton, a clergyman residing in the County of Johnson and John Israel residing in the same hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Parr who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy three 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 this opinion. William G Eaton. John Israel. Sorn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
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20558 John Parr Ind. not on roll 
look in N.J. Rolls 2nd and 3rd regiment. From 1776 private 2 years $80. See Matthew Parr’s papers fro his credibility Wm. O Ross Franklin Johnson Co. Indiana
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Brief in the case of John Parr of Johnson County in the State of Indiana (Act 7th June, 1832) 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court. 2. If before a Judges, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? 3. How old is he? 73 4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. Period. Enlisted in 1776 February , duration of service - 1 year; as a private; Colonel Dayton, Captain Redding 3rd regiment of the Jersey line. Period: Afterwards, volunteered for 2 months as a private; under Captain Dickerson, no Colonel. Enlisted again 9 months; as a private; under Colonel Shreeves, Captain Luce 2nd regiment Jersey line; volunteered again for 1 month as a private under Captain Luce. Afterwards  about 4 months hired as a guard. under Major Breshanen or Deshener. 
5. What battles was he engaged? Monmouth. 6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Morris County, N.J. 7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary. 8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication, and if so, in what respect? Clerk seal is [illegible] on one of the sheets. X Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned. W L Williams, Examining Clerk.
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January 3, 1940. Mrs Spencer Wright 8696 Dunbarton Road Detroit, Michigan. RA-J/ILL John Parr S. 17617 Dear Madam: Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of John Parr who served in Captain Luce’s company of New Jersey militia, John Parr who served from that state in teh Western Battalion, and a John Parr who served from Virginia.  A search of the Revolutionary War records of this office has been made and only one claim for pension found based upon service of a John Parr, that of a John Parr who served from New Jersey. His record follows as found in the papers on file in his claim for pension, S. 17617.  John Parr was born June 14, 1759 in Roxbury Township, Morris County, New Jersey; the names of his parents were not given. While a resident of Roxbury Township, New Jersey, John Parr enlisted in the middle of February 1776, and served twelve or thirteen months as a private in Captain Thomas Reading’s company, Colonel Elias Dayton’s New Jersey regiment, after which he volunteered and served two months under Captain Abraham Dickerson. He enlisted in teh summer of 1778, served nine months as private in Captain Henry Luce’s company, Colonel Shreve’s New Jersey regiment, was in a skirmish at Crosswicks and in the battle of Monmouth. He enlisted in 1780, served one month as a private under Captain Israel Luce in the New Jersey troops and was in the battle of Springfield. After the Revolutionary War, the soldier moved to Wilkes County, North Carolina, where he resided about twenty years, then moved to Roane County, Tennessee.  John Parr was allowed pension on his application executed June 27, 1818, at which time he resided in Roane County, Tennessee. He
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resided after that in Shelby County, Indianan, from which place he moved to Johnson County, Indiana, where he resided in 1833. It was not stated that this soldier was ever married. Matthias Parr, this soldier’s brother, was living in 1833. In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name of person paid and, possibly, the date of death of this pensioner, you should apply to the Comptroller general, General Accounting Office, this city, and furnish the following data: John Parr, Certificate #19321; Issued August 26, 1833. Rate $80 per annum; Commenced March 4, 1831; Act of June 7, 1832; Indiana Agency. Very truly yours, A. D> Hiller, Executive Assistant to the Administrator [page]2.
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5462 Tennessee East John Parr/Capt  Redding private New Jersey line-1776- 1 year in the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War. Inscribed on the Roll of Tennessee at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 27th of June 1818. Certificate of Pension issued the 19th of January 1810 and sent to Hon. W Blount of the House of Representatives  M States. Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1818. 2 8/30 months $ 18.13 Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 March, 1819 $48 [totaling] $66.13 Revolutionary claim, Act 18th March, 1818.  54 Mercer Co. NJ 3 Capt Lone 2 regiment. Roane County
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John Parr Application for a revolutionary pension June 27th, 1818 private 3 New Jersey Regiment and 2nd 9 months 1776- 1 year 27th June 1818. correct DH. Sent by Mr Blount June 29th,, 1818 If the Honorable Mr Blount can certify that the within name Judge was regularly commissioned as such and that the [illegible] is his signature this case will be admitted. 1 January 1818
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State of Tennessee Second Judicial Court. On this 27th day of June 1818, before me, the subscriber one of the Judges of the Civil courts for the stated aforesaid personally appeared John Parr aged about fifty nine years, resident in Roane County in the County and State aforesaid, who being by me first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the Act of Congress entitled “an Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the [illegible] and naval services of the united States in the revolutionary war”; that he, the said John Parr enlisted in Maurice [Morris] County in the State of New Jersey some time early in the year 1776, in the company commanded by Captain Thomas Redding of the third regiment of New Jersey; that he continued in said crops in the service of the United States in the revolutionary war about thirteen months, although enlisted for one year only, when he was discharged from service at Elizabethtown in the State of New Jersey, which discharge papers he has since lost; that he afterwards in the summer of the battle of Monmouth, enlisted a second time in the came county and state as before in the company commanded by Captain Henry Luce of the second regiment from New Jersey; that he continued in said corps in the service of the United States about, nine months, the time for which he enlisted, when he was discharged from service in Newark in the state of New Jersey, which discharge he has since lost; that, he is in reduced circumstances and stands in need of the assistance of his country for support; that, he has not now in his power any other evidence
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of his said services, than the affidavit hereto subjoined; that he never was in any way a pensioner of the United States, hereby relinquishing all pretensions to any such claim. John Barr. Sworn to and declared before me, that day and year aforesaid. Edward Scott, Judge. I, Edward Scott Judge [illegible] as aforesaid do certify that it appears to my satisfaction, that the said John Parr did serve in the revolutionary war as stated in the preceding declaration, against the common enemy; and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony take and had before me to the Secretary for the Department of War, [illegible] to the directions of the aforementioned Act of Congress; I do further certify that from the foregoing declaration and the subjoined affidavit, I believe the said John Parr to be in reduced circumstances. Edward Scott, Judge.. June 27th 1818.   State of Tennessee    Roane  County I, Matthias Parr do swear that I have been a long time acquainted with John Parr, whose name is subscribed to the foregoing declaration, that I knew him during the time he was performing parts of the services therein mentioned and believe that he performed the whole, that he is entitled to credit when on oath, that I concur him to be a man in reduced circum-
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stances and entitled to the benefit of the aforementioned Act of Congress, he being moreover, considerably disabled in body by a [illegible] since received. Matthias Parr.   June 27th, 1818. Sworn to before me the day and date above; Edward Scott, Judge. I hereby certify that the above named Edward Scott, was regularly commissioned as Judge as stated, and that the above is his signature. T. G. Blount member of Congress 19 January 1819
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State of Indiana county of Johnson. On this thirteenth day of may in the year 1833 personally appeared in open court before Israel Watts [illegible] Judge of the Probate Court of the county aforesaid here sitting; John Parr, who on the twelfth day of November 1832 in the court made the foregoing declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832 who being duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following additional declaration and statements, by way of amendment, in order to obtain the benefit of the act aforesaid. viz: That he name was on the pension roll but was dropped therefrom on account of property. That he hath during the war of the Revolution performed several terms of service which may be see by his original declaration, his principal service was at one time; however was that wherein he enlisted for one year under the command of Colonel Elias Dayton, commandant of the third Regiment of the New Jersey line; Lieutenant colonel White and Major Frances Barber; The company to which he belonged was commanded by Captain Thomas Redding, Lieutenant Ballard and Ensign Barbor; all which will however appear from his original declaration. That the other terms of service which he performed are set forth and specified in his said declaration together with the names of such of teh officers are recollected. Herewith he submits the affidavit of Matthias Parr his brother who served one year with him the the third Regiment of New Jersey Line; and those personal knowledge of the other service of this declarant is such as is in said affidavit stated; That when his first application for a pension was made, when he succeeded in having his name placed on the pension roll he was a resident of Roan [Roane] County in the state of Tennessee and is now as stated a resident of Johnson County in the state of Indiana. John Parr. Sworn to and subscribed in open Court May 13, 1833. Samuel Herriott Clerk.  State of Indiana County of Johnson. Johnson Probate Court May Term 1833. In Open Court personally appeared on the 13 day of May 1833 Matthias Parr, who being sworn on his solemn oath saith; That he knows John Parr, who made the preceeding declaration, and the present amendment thereto served, to the knowledge and in the perfect recollection of this deponent one year in the war of the Revolution in the third regiment of the New Jersey Line; under the command of Elias Dayton, Colonel. Lieutenant Colonel White and Major Frances Barber Field Officer of said regiment. That during said term of one year this deponent
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also served one year in the same regiment in which the said John Parr served and at the same time. That he also is cognizant to his having served in the same year (i.e. the year of the revolution) other times served for a period of enlistment for the term of. nine months during which time the deponent saw him the said John Parr in actual service, but cannot swear positively to his having served the whole length of that time; This deponent however understood at the time that he did the said John Parr did served out the full length of his term of enlistment for that term of time ([illegible] nine months) which term of time served by the said John as aforesaid is not included in the term of one year served by him in conjunction with this deponent as aforesaid; That he understood at the time (and never heard it doubted) that the said John in addition to the above terms of service performed others not less than fourteen in number of one month each, and finally that this deponent verily believes that the said John Barr performed all the above service as in his original and amended declaration stated, and further this deponent saith not. Matthias Parr X his mark sworn to and subscribed in Open Court May 1833 Samuel Herriott, Clerk.  State of Indiana County of Johnson. I Samuel Herriott Clerk of the Probate Court of said County, hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court and teh subsequent amendment thereto in the matter of the application of John Parr for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office the 13th day of May 1833. Samuel Herriott, Clerk.
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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 Parr  which require further proof or explanation. I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? 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 the war when he served? V. Has 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? VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? VII. Has the Court given their opinion? IX. Has the clerk given his certificate? 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?
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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? XII. If the clergyman’s affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? 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?  No. 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? Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? 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? XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?  No XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if no, which of them is not so answered? Explanatory Notes. Quere V. In as 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.
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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 fours; 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 shewn 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 any civil pursuit. Quere XIV. Proof of Service. In as 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 service, and the time and manner of his leaving 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. 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, should accompany the papers.
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And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the Department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states and that Court further certifies that it appears to them that William G Eaton who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the county of Johnson and that John Israel who has also signed the same is a resident in the County of Johnson and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit. Israel Watts, Probate Judge.
 I Samuel Herriott Clerk of the probate Court of Johnson County do hereby certify that the forgoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Parr for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 12th day of November A.D. 1832 Samuel Herriott, Clerk
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Franklin 14 May Free J.L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions. Washington City D.C. Papers in relation to the claim of John Parr a Revolutionary soldier
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N.B. Matthias Parr the brother of this applicant in September last made application for a pension. As his great age and many infirmities do not promise a great prolongation of his already lengthened period of [illegible] and information in relation to the fate of his application would be thankfully read. F. M. Finch, Attorney. Franklin May 13. 1833.
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June 26, 1933. Mr Perry Parr 53 Leroy Street New York, New York. BA-J/ILL Dear Sir: Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of John Parr who was granted a pension August 26, 1833. The Revolutionary War records of this office show that on December 15, 1932, the record of the only soldier with name John Parr found on said records was furnished you. That soldier was allowed pension in 1818 under the Act of march 18, 1818, while a resident of Roane County, Tennessee. He moved to Indiana and was there allowed pension under the Act of June 7, 1832, then a resident of Johnson County, to which he moved from Shelby County, Indiana. His pension certificate under the last named Act was issued August 26, 1833. Very truly yours, A.d. Hiller, Assistant to Administrator.
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December 15, 1932 BA-J/MLB John Parr S. 17617; Matthias Parr, S. 17001 Mr. Perry Parr 53 Leroy Street New York City. Dear sir: Reference is made to your letter of December 3, relative to John Parr and Matthias Parr, soldiers of the Revolutionary War. You are furnished herein the histories of both soldiers as requested, the date of which were obtained from the papers on file in their claims for pension, based upon service in the Revolutionary War.    JOHN PARR, S. 17617. John Parr was born June 14, 1759, in Roxbury Township, Morris County, New Jersey. While a resident of said Roxbury Township, New Jersey he enlisted the middle of February, 1776, and served twelve or thirteen months as a private in Captain Thomas Reeding’s company, Colonel Elias Dayton’s New Jersey regiment, after which he volunteered and served two months under Captain Abraham Dickerson. He enlisted in the summer of 1778, served nine months as private in Captain Henry Luce’s company, Colonel Shreve’s New Jersey regiment, was in a skirmish at Crosswicks and in the battle of Monmouth. He enlisted in 1780, served one month as private under Captain Israel Luce in the New Jersey troops and was at the battle of Springfield. After the Revolution, the soldier moved to Wilkes County, North Carolina, where he resided about twenty years, then moved to Roane County, Tennessee.  He was allowed pension on his application executed June 27, 1818, while a resident of Roane County, Tennessee.
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In 1833, he was living in Johnson County, Indiana, having moved to that county from Shelby County, Indiana. It is not stated that John Parr was married. Matthias Parr, soldier’s brother, was living in 1833.       MATTHIAS PARR, S. 17001. Matthias Parr was born September 19, 1757, in Roxbury Township,  Morris County, New Jersey. While a resident of said Roxbury Township, New Jersey, he enlisted in January or February, 1776, served as private in Captain Thomas Patterson’s company, Colonel Elias Dayton’s 3rd New Jersey Regiment, and was engaged in an expedition against the Mohawk Indians in New York State, and while at Ticonderoga in the latter part of the winter or early spring of 1777, he was taken sick and sent to the hospital at Albany, New York; length of this service one year two months. He volunteered in the spring of 1777 and served four months as a private in Captains Nathaniel Horton’s and Sharp’s companies, under Lieutenant Colonel Gaston, and was in a skirmish at Newark. He volunteered in the fall of 1777 and served two months as private in Captain Stephen Brown’s New Jersey company. He volunteered in 1778 and served three months as a private in Captain Peter Dickerson’s company, Colonel Starke’s New Jersey regiment and was in a skirmish at Burlington. He volunteered at Springfield, New Jersey, the day of the battle there, and served one month as a private in Captain Nathaniel Horton’s New Jersey company, and was in the battle of Springfield. In addition to the above described service, he was frequently engaged in short expeditions for the purpose of repelling invasions and in one instance of which he was in an engagement at Spanktown[now Rahway], New Jersey.   After the Revolutionary War, the soldier lived for two or three years in Roxbury Township, New Jersey, then moved to Yadkin River in Wilkes County, North Carolina, where he continued to reside for about twenty years, thence to Roane County, Tennessee, where he lived about nine years; from there to Knox County, Tennessee for about nine or ten year, and from there moved to Johnson county, Indiana. [page]2
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Matthias Parr was allowed pension on his application executed September 18, 1832, while a resident of Johnson County, Indiana, where he stated he had lived about three years. No reference was made in the claim to wife or children. In 1832, soldier’s brother John Parr, made affidavit in Johnson County, Indiana, in support of the pension claim of Matthias Parr, the soldier. very truly yours A.D> Hiller Assistant to Administrator. [page] 3
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March 4, 1932. BA-J/ MMHF.  Dear Madam; Reference is made to your letter relative to John Parr, a soldier of the Revolutionary War. The data furnished herein are obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 17617, based upon his service in that war. John Parr was born June 14, 1759 in Roxbury Township, Morris County, New Jersey. While a resident of Roxbury Township, Morris county, New Jersey, he enlisted the middle of February, 1776 and served twelve or thirteen months as private in Captain Thomas Reading’s Company, Colonel Elias Dayton’s New Jersey Regiment, after which he volunteered and served two months under Captain Abraham Dickerson. He enlisted in the summer of 1778, served nine months as private in Captain Henry Luce’s Company, Colonel Shreve’s New Jersey Regiment, was in a skirmish at Crosswicks and battle of Monmouth. He enlisted in 1780, served one month as private under Captain Israel Luce in the New Jersey troops and was at the battle of Springfield. After the Revolution, the soldier moved to Wilkes County, North Carolina and resided about twenty years, then moved to Roane County, Tennessee. He was allowed pension on his application executed June 27, 1818, while a resident of Roane County, Tennessee. In 1833, he was living in Johnson county, Indianan, having moved to that county from Shelby County, Indiana. Matthias Parr, soldier’s brother, was living in 1833. It is not stated that John Parr was married. Very truly yours, A.D. Hiller, Assistant to Administrator.
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& 1818 Wars Section. April 12, 1936 W.W. Parr 352 Ripley St., Neosho, Missouri.   Sir: I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim  s. 17617 it appears that John Parr was born June 14, 1759 in Roxbury Township, Morris County, New Jersey. While a resident of Roxbury Township, Morris County, New Jersey, he enlisted the middle of February 1776 and served twelve or thirteen months as private in Captain Thomas Reading’s company, Colonel Elias Dayton’s New Jersey Regiment, after which he volunteered and served two months under Captain Abraham Dickerson. He enlisted in the summer of 1778, served nine months as private in Captain Henry Luce’s company, Colonel Shreve’s New Jersey Regiment, was in a skirmish at Crosswicks and battle of Monmouth. He enlisted in 1780, served one month as private under Captain Israel Luce in the New Jersey Troops and was at the battle of Springfield. Did not use the 4 months service when he was hired as a guard. After the Revolution he moved to Wilkes County, North
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Carolina, then to Roane County, Tennessee where he was allowed pension on his application executed June 27, 1818. He next moved to Shelby County, Indiana and in 1833 was living in Johnson County, Indiana. It is not stated whether he was ever married. Respectfully, Winfield Scott, Commissioner. Brother Matthias with him in 1st service.
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8696 Dunbarton Road Detroit, Michigan. December 13, 1939. Pension Bureau Veterans Administration. Washington, D.C.   Dear Sir: Please send me whatever information you have regarding a pension record or [illegible] of these two revolutionary War soldiers: “obtained from the book officers and men of New Jersey. in the Revolutionary War”, P. 263. John Parr- Captain Luce’s company Second battalion, Second establishment; also militia. John Parr- Western Battalion, Morris; also state troops and continental army. (May be same John Parr as above). “Obtained from the book “Historical Register of Virginians in the Revolution” page 605? John Parr Sgt. CL. 3 & 7 C L. Thanking you very much, I am Very Sincerely, Mrs. Spencer Wright
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New York, N.Y. June 18, 1933.  Veterans Administration Washington, D.C.   Reference: BA-J/EEL.  Replying to yours of June 14, I received the record of Mathias Parr, for which I thank you sincerely. Regarding John Parr, of Ripley county, Louisiana, I find that I made an error in the date, and my reference (Penna. archives) states that his pension was granted on August 26, 1833 [checked] ok, at which time he was aged 69. If you find any record of him, I would appreciate very much your sending it to me. Very truly yours, Perry Parr 53 Leroy St. New York, N.Y. Received June 21 1933. Mail sub-div. Vets Adm. reader 20
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New York, N.Y. December 3, 1932 Veteran’s Administration Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D.C. Gentlemen, I will appreciate it very much if you will send me the revolutionary war records of the following two men, who received pensions for their services in the Revolution. John Parr, of Johnson County, Indiana, aged 83 in 1840. Matthias Parr, of Johnson County, Indiana aged 81 in 1840. Very truly yours, Perry Parr 53 Leroy St. New York, N.Y. Received Dec 6 1932 Mail sub-div. vets. Adm. Pension #3
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Neosho, Missouri. The Hon. Commishoner of Pensions. I would like to know if there is in the Pension Dept. any record of John Parr, a Revolutionary War soldier from Va. who afterwards emigrated to N.C. then to Roane County, Tennessee. and in 1830 to Johnson Co., Indiana; died Seept 7, 1850. 92 years of age. W.W. Parr 352 Ripley St. Neosho, Mo.
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Franklin, Indiana February 6, 1932. Veterans Administration, Washington D.C. Will you please send me the pension record of John Parr, soldier of the American Revolution, who died in Johnson County, Indiana, September 7, 1850, at the age of 92 years. Mrs. William R. Johnson 850 E. King St. Franklin, Indiana Received Feb 9, 1932
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17617 Invalid File No. 17617 John Parr Private Revolutionary War Act June 7th, 1832. Index:-Vol. 1 Page 426 Arrangement of 1870. 1926 April 12 Hist to W.W. Parr. 1932 March 4- Hist to Mrs. Wm. R. Johnson- SLL. 1932 Dec 15 Hist to Perry Parr MLB. 1933 June 26 letter to Perry Parr, relative to this pensioner, MMFF/JLL. 1940 Jan 3 Hist to Mrs Spenser Wright. JLL.
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The national Archives Form VAM-51 12-5-41 Bounty Land Warrant Records Card. Division of veterans’ administration archives. Name- Parr, Mathias Grade Private Line New York. Warrant number 7590 acreage 100 issued April 21, 1791 to Moses Smith, assignee. The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of “Land warrants Issued Prior to 1800” which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in the National Archives.