Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 8000, for Joseph Kinnan, New Jersey
Page 1

New Jersey

Kinnan, Joseph
Mary

W 8000
Page 2

New Jersey 1798

Mary Kinnan
widow of Joseph Kinnan
who died on the 13 May 1791
of Morris Co. in the State of N Jersey
who was a Sergeant in the company commanded
by Captain Bailey of the Regt commanded
by Col Quick in the N Jersey
line for 18 months

Inscribed on the Roll of N Jersey
at the rate of 90 Dollars - [crossed out:] Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 21 day of Feb.
1838 and sent to Hon S.L.
Southard, Senate

Arrears to the 4th of Sep 38                 585.00
Semi=annual allowance ending Ma.r.    45.--
38.                                                         _______
                                                             $630.00                                                       

Revolutionary Claim,
Act July 4, 1836
Section the 3.

Recorded by D. Brown     Clerk,
1 Book A. Vol. 2 Page 128

Let to Arad Joy. Oct. 17 1851
Page 3

State of New Jersey
Somerset County     ⎬ Be it remembered that on this
sixth day of December in the year of our Lord
one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven
personally appeared before Sam S Doty one 
of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas
in and for said County. Rachel Fone who being
duly sworn upon her saith that she was seventy
six years old in Oct last- That she lived near
Mary Kinnan at the time of her marriage with
her husband Joseph Kinnan which was in
the year seventeen hundred and seventy eight
deponent did not see them married but saw them
go to and return home from the Revd Mr Roe's
when she then understood they were married and
ever believed it to be so as they allway after lived
together as man & wife & had children deponent was
present at the births of all the children, recollects
that the oldest child of Joseph & Mary Kinnan was
born in November 1779 from this circumstance
that deponent who was married four months
before them was confined with her first child
in may preceeding the birth of theirs
Rachel Toan
Sworn & Subscribed to
before me the day & year
above mentioned
Sam S. Doty
I have been acquainted with Rachel Toan since my childhood she
a member of the presbeterian church and always sustained undoubted
character for truth I confidently believe her statement above
Sam S Doty
Page 4

State of
New Jersey ⎬S S  I John M Mann Clerk of the [torn page, illegible]
Somerset County of Common Pleas in and for said County
do hereby certify that Samuel S. Doty before
whom the within affidavit was made
and by whom the within certificate
was made and whose proper signature
is thereto subscribed was at the time
of the date thereof and now is one of the Judges of said
Court duly commissioned and sworn. In Witness
whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office
this Eighth day of December Eighteen hundred and
thirty seven
J. M. Mann
Page 5

New Jersey Somerset Co
Mrs Mary Kinnan
Widow of Joseph Kinnan
---
Additional testimony
[illegible] Marriage &c
Page 6

State of New Jersey, Morris County Ss
Before the subscriber, a Justice of peace in said County
personally appeared Joseph Kinnan, known to me as a man
of truth & fair character, who having by me been duly sworn
according to law, saith as follows, viz: I am in the 57th year of my age, my father
was Joseph Kinnan of Soment 6Co N. Jersey in the Revolutionary war, & who after
the war sometime, removed with my Mother Mary Kinnan, now his widow, into
Western Virginia, upon the waters of Tiger Valley river, when he was murdered by the
Indians & his wife, my mother, was carried off by them a prisoner, & kept a prisoner
several years. These facts of their removal, the munder of my father-- & captivity of
my mother, I have from tradition only, but I believe them to be true. My mother is
now an applicant for a pension, as my fathers widow, for his revolutionary Militia
services, & I understand the proof of their marriage is not clear, & that some further
proof of circumstantial nature is asked for, such as old Deeds - old letters - the ages of
their children &c _ The title deeds of my father's land, I believe even all carried
of by the Indians, or destroyed by them, when my father was killed. The family bible
I believe was destroyed by them also, which contained the record of their marriage, births of children &c. _ I am the second son of my parents, & my birth day, according to
tradition as I have always [illegible] & believed it, was August 20th 1781 & I would refer to
my description list in the war office, to count or to confirm my memory. I enlisted on
27th Apl 1809, in Capt Cross' 6th Regt U.S. Infy. I was Second Colonel _. My older
brother Lewis Kinnan, was born in November 1779 - at least I know his birth day
always came in November, & that he was always called 2 years older than myself, or
very nearly 2 years. This brother (Lewis) is now, if living, a resident of the Lake County
in the State of New York.- The enclosed old letter, signed Mary
Kinnan, dated 29th July 1793, (written at request of my mother when a prisoner) has by
accident beenn preserved, & is the only old letter or paper of any kind, which has been found. She sends it, not because it proves the time of their marriage, but as in some degree, proving the captivity & confirming her statement. She thinks the testimony of Mrs Rachel Toan
which accompanies her first papers, if re-examined, will satisfy the Commissioner of the
fact, that the marriage was long before the war ended.
Joseph Kinnan
Sworn & subscribed at Morrstown, December 11th 1837
before me Elijah Ward J.P.

N.B. There is evidence of the official character of Elijah Ward, as Justice &
in Mrs Kinnan's papers now on file. See Rachel Tonn's deposition, which
will be found among them, stating the facts at large.
Page 7

[Illegible]
New Jersy
Morris County.
Mary Kinnan.
widow of
Joseph Kinnan. _

Admd
18 mo Sergt
90$
no deduction
Page 8

State of New Jersey, Morris County Ss.
Monie Com Pleas
Personally appears in open Court, on this 4th October 1836, Isaac Bedell
an aged & reputable citizen of Morris County, known to this Court as a man of truth,
& being first duly sworn according to law, saith as follows, viz: I am now in the
74th year of my age, was a soldier in the war of the revolution, & was acquainted with
Joseph Kinnan, commonly called & known as a Sergeant in Captain McKoy's company of
the Somerset Militia. I lived in beginning of the war on Loryhill, in Capt Peter Layton's
company & was a volunter fifer in that company. In the year 1777, in October, as I believe
Capt McKoy, Joseph Kinnan his Sergeant, Thomas Kinnan his cousin, Jacob Lewis & David
Simpson, together with some 6 or 8 others, under command of Capt McKoy, all stopped at
the house of Jacob Bedell, where I was then living, & by his invitation took dinner. Capt McKoy
& Sergeant Kinnan even then on their way to Elizt town as they all said, or a town of Militia
service, the Captain in his uniform dress. & the men with Sergeant Kinnan, all furnished
with their equipments, such as knapsacks, [illegible] boxes, canteens &c muskets &c.: all
ready for service as it seemed to me. _ In February 78, I saw Kinnan
as he was returning from another town at Elizt town as he said. I was then at the same
place, viz: Jacob Bedells, when Kinnan stopped with Captain John Parker, under whose
command Kinnan had served that month. Jacob Lewis, Wm Doty, & some 3 or 4 others
were with them. They all had their muskets. blankets &c with them, & my uncle Jacob
orderd me to draw some cider for them to drink. _
Isaac Bedell
Sworn & subscribed before me, this 4th October 1836
Selas Cook
Page 9

State of New Jersey, Morris County Ss: _
I Joseph Dalrimple Esq Clerk of Morris County, do hereby certify, that the foregoing
are the original proceedings before the Court of Common Pleas of said County,
in the matter of the application of Mary Kinnan for a pension from the United States
on account of the Revolutionary services of Joseph Kinnan decd her husband.
In testimony whereof I hereunto subscribe my name, & affix the
Seal of the said Court at Morris town, this 4th day of October
in the year of our Lord, 1836. ~
By order of the Court,
Jos Dalrimple Clk


And I do further certify that Elijah Ward Esq. before whom
the deposition of Mrs Rachel Toan was taken & subscribed on the
19th day of July 1837, & which accompanies the documents in
support of the claim of Mrs Mary Kinnan, is a Justice of peace
in & for the County of Morris & that the signature of said Elijah
Ward thereto, is his own proper signature.
Witness my hand & the seal of my office, the date aforesaid
Jos Dalrimple by
V Dalrimple
The signature of the said Elijah Ward, a deposition of Jacob Lacy, dated Sept 2d 1837 which accompanies
the papers is also genuine, & he is still a Justice of peace, in this County, as aforesaid
Morris town, 23d 1837.
Jos Dalrimple by
V Dalrimple
Page 10

State of New Jersey Morris County ss:
Before the subscriber a Justice of peace in & for said County, personally came
Jacob Lasy of said County an aged man, well known to me personally as
as a man of truth & fully entitled to belief, & being duly sworn according to law
~I am upwards of 90 years old _. was a militia soldier of New Jersey in
the war of the revolution from 76 to 83. I was personally well acquainted with Joseph Kinnan
also a soldier in the same war, whose widow is now an applicant for a pension on account of  her husbands service in the revolution. Joseph Kinnan lived in Somerset, & I lived in Morris County; the
Passaic river divided us, & we living not more than 3 or 4 miles apart. Kinnan belonged to Capt
Baily's company of 5 months men in the year 76, raised for defence of New York city & the vicinity
After this [inserted:] 5 months service expired Capt. Baily was promoted to be Major, & [illegible] McKoy was promoted
to the command of the company & under Capt. McKoy. I often saw Joseph Kinman performing
Militia duty along the lines between New Brunswick & Elizabeth town, where the [Illegible] & Somerset
militia were often stationed upon guard duties. _ In the winter of 767. I often saw Kinnan in
the neighbourhood of [Illegible] & Quibble town, in Capt. McKoy's company & under Major, or Col
Frelinghuysen's command, when the enemy lay in New Brunswick & Amboy. Genl Winds had
lay Militia [illegible] stationed there all winter & Kinnan under Capt McKoy performed Militia
duty there not less than 3 months, (till some time in April) I was there in Layton's company, 
according to the best of my remembrance. Kinnan was a Sergeant in McKoy's company & was always
so called.-- In the fall of the same year I again saw Kinnan engaged in a months tour
of Militia duty at Elizabeth town, in Capt. McKoy's company, on guard duty. And in
the following winter I saw Kinnan performing the same duty a month, at the same place
& in the same company. I remember Sergt Kinnan on a months tour of Militia duty
at Spankton (in Rahway) under Capt McKoy & Col. Jaques early in the spring season;
& in the June following I remember him a month at Elizabeth town point, under Capt. McKoy
or Capt. Parker & Col. Frelinghuysen. I [illegible] Sergt Kinnan at Aquahanack bridge, in McKoy's
company [inserted, two words:] a month when a hard battle was fought by the Militia under Genl Winds, in the fall.
I remember him on duty in Capt McKoy's company at Newark, twice, a month each tour
once under Major Hays, & once under Col. Frelinghuysen. I was with him stationed a
month at Strawberry hill near Amboy on guard duty in the summer, Kinnan under Capt
McKoy & under Capt Layton. And toward the close of the war in 80, when [page torn, illegible]
farms & Springfield were burnt we were engaged upon guard duty between 2 & 3 months
before & after the battles, at those places, in the same companies as before, under Genl Winds
Jacob Lasy
Sworn & subscribed before me, at Morristown, September 22d 1837
N.B. Mr Lasy is so blind, he can see only little, & writes imperfectly
Elijah Ward J.P.
Page 11

State of N. Jersey, Somerset County Ss:
Before [damaged page, illegilble] a Justice of peace in said County, personally
[damaged page, illegible] John Hall, an aged & respectable man for his character
as a man of truth, & having been by me first sworn according to
Law, doth on his oath declare as follows, viz: I am in the 85th year of my age [inserted, next four words:] since 29th June last. _ was born
in Burnard's township, Somerset Co. where I was brought up & lived till about 1796, when
I removed into the State of New York, & remained there till about 1834 when I returned to
Somerset, to end my days. I was well acquainted with Joseph Kinnan, whose widow, is
now said to be an applicant for a pension. We were boys together, & were intimate from
boyhood throughout the revolutionary war &, until Kinnan removed to Western Virginia, about the
year 1786 or 87, when he was said to have been killed by the Indians, & his wife, the present
applicant, carried off a prisoner by them.-- Kinnan & I, both belonged to Captain John McKoy
company of Militia, & often trained together under McKoy, when the troubles of the revolution
began. Most of my militia revolutionary duties were performed under him, & Kinnan was
Sergeant in his company. My first public duty was at Beyertown, near N. York under
McKoy, before the arrival of the enemy in the New York harbor, & I believe Kinnan had
in the spring season before, & I think early in the spring, [crossed out:] had enlisted under Captain
Baily, in what was called the "five months service." The particulars of that service I do 
not know, but Kinnan was [illegible] on duty in it as was said, & as I verily believed.
He was [illegible] on that service, as his neighbours understood & believe, when the Long Isld
battle was fought, & was believed to have fought in it. The time of his return from
that service, I cannot with any certainty tell. In the following fall, before Genl Washington's
retreat through N. Jersey, the whole country was in arms-- Capt McKoy & his
whole company were ordered into service, & we were wanted to Springfield, Scotch plains
Boundbrook & along the Raritan & near New Brunswick, when the enemy took winter
quarters. We were out on this duty, guarding the important places & watching the enemy,
till cold winter weather, & till after Genl Lee was taken prisoner, & then our
company was at Pluckmin. The Hessians were taken at Trenton, & the Princeton battle
fought, before we were dismissed. Kinnan was with us, in McKoy's company during
all this tour, not less than ten weeks, & was one of our Sergeants. A large militia
force under Genl Winds & Genl Dickinson, was embodied & encamped near Quibble
town, to check & restrain the enemy then in N. Brunswick, Amboy & Staten Island.
Soon after Christmas, Capt. McKoy & his Co was ordered on that service, & we
were stationed below the mountain, till the enemy broke up & moved off in the
spring, about plowing season. We had several fights & Skirmishes near this ground
viz: at Ash swamp, Martin woods. Short hills-- Woodbridge &c. Kinnan [torn page, illegible]
with us as Sergeant all the time, & not less than 3 & a half months, before we were
dismissed for home.
Page 12

In the spring following, & part of the summer, I was absent on duty from my
company, in [illegible, several words]  Co. to procure some horses & some flour for public service, to
be taken to Morris town. In hot summer weather of the same season, I was stationed with
Capt McKoy's company under Col. Taylor [inserted, five words:] with a regiment of militia, near Elizth town point. Sergeant- Kinnon & I page torn, illegible]
quartered at one Miller's [inserted, two words:] a month on the [Illegible] road.  And in the cold part of Autumn, & before
Christmas, I was again out under Capt McKoy a month & quartered at the house of
a widow Grant [inserted, three words:] in Elizth town. - Kinnan was present & on duty this month, as a Sergeant. _ In March
following, our Co. was out another month, on Militia duty at Rahway. Col. Jaques,
[crossed out, two words:] Col. [illegible] commanding. [Several words, crossed out, illegible]. In time of wheat harvest following, I
was again on duty a month at Elizth town point, stationed at Millen, on guard duty
& watching the landings &c. Capt Parker of Veal town, Somerset commanded in the compy.
In the fall following, I was under Capt McKoy a month, at Aquakanonk &
Second river, a large militia force present under Genl Winds. Had some fighting here
near the bridge. Col. Frelinghuysen was on duty here also. Sergeant Kinnan was present
in all these last mentioned tours, & upon duty with us.-- The winter after the Monmouth
battle, I was inoculated for the finall pox. In the spring following, at planting corn time,
I was on duty a month under Capt McKoy at Shanktown, on guard duty, under Col
Frelinghuysen-- & in the fall another month, under Capt. Parker at Newark, with
Major Hays & Col. Ward, at Canfield's house.-- The following winter, I was under Capt
McKoy a month at Elizth town point on guard duty, watching the shores & landings.
In the spring following, I was on a tour of a month under Capt. McKoy, just before
& after the burning of Connecticut farms & Springfield Churches by the enemy. I am
confident Sergt Kinnan was also out & with us on all these occasions, but do not
think he was on all these occasions in the same company with me. I believe he
was sometimes in Captain Layton's compy & sometimes also in Captain Parker's of
Veal town, _ both being adjoining companies. Our intimacy when boys & at home,
made us familiar on duty-- I frequently messed with him, & my remembrance of
him & of his services as Sergeant Kinnan, I believe are more fresh, than of any other
fellow soldier. I verily believe Kinnan performed as much real militia service
in the revolution, as any one of my knowledge, though I do not recollect any other
services which I can now specify. _ He, with one or two of his children were butchered
by the Indians - his wife at the same time was carried into captivity, & after being
in their custody about 3 years as a prisoner, she made her escape to N. Jersey.
Kinnan entered the 5 months service. I was present at Backingridge, where
Captain Baily then lived, who commanded the company in which Kinnan
enlisted. I saw the company assembled & Kinnan started off with them. [Inserted:] Baily's first
name was Platt, & he was promoted to [inserted:} a Major's command, & died about the year
1777, at Backinridge.
John X his mark Hall
Sworn & subscribed before me, at Liberty corner, in
Somerset Co this 26th day of September, 1836.-
Nickl C. Jobs Justice peace

[The text below is all crossed out:]
State of New Jersey
Somerset Co Ss
I John M Mann Clerk of the
Court of Common Pleas in and for
[beginning of line, illegible] do hereby certify that Nicholas C Jobs
Page 13


State of New Jersey
Somerset County  Ss ⎬
I John M. Mann Clerk of the
Court of Common Pleas in and for
said County of Lancaster do hereby certify that
Nicholas C Jobs before whom the above
affidavit was made and whose proper
signature is thereto subscribed was at the
time of the date thereof a Justice of the
peace in and for said County duly commissioned
and sworn and authorised to administer oaths &
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand
and seal of office this twenty third day of November
Eighteen hundred and thirty six
J. M.  Mann
Page 14

State of New Jersey Somerset County Ss
Personally appeared before me John Brees one of the
Judges of the Court of Common pleas in and for
said County Eleanor Todd who being sworn acording
to law upon her oath saith that She is upwards
of Seventy years old says she knew Marey Kinnan
late Marey Lewis recollects when she was married to
Joseph Kinnan was not present when they was
maried says about two weeks after they was marrried
and they came on a visit to her fathers hous knows
they lived togather as man and wife a number of
years untill they mooved to the western country
knows that said Mary Kinnan returned a widow
also knows that the said Mary Kinnan has remained
a widdow ever since she has returned Said Joseph
Kinnan was a resident of Barnard Town
in Somerset County & State of New Jersey aprised
Eleanor Todd

Subscribed and sworn this
1st day of October 1836 before
me
John Brees

I hereby certify that Eleanor Todd, the above witness, is a woman of good
character, & is fully entitled to belief.
John Brees
Page 15

State of New Jersey Somerset County Ss
Personally appeared before me John Brees one of the
Judges of the inferior Court of Common Pleas
in & for said County Isaac Smalley who being
Sworn according to law upon his oath saith that
he was Eighty years old the nineteenth day of last
August and a resident of Warran Township in said
County of Somerset Says he was well aquainted
with Joseph Kinnan and understood that he was a
resident of the Township of Bernards in said County
knows that said Kinnan Served in the five months
service of the United States service with him
(said deponent) in the year of our Lord Seventeen
hundred and Seventy six and as near as deponent
can recollect thay was inlisted in the month of June
and discharged in the month of November on the
fifteenth day of the [crossed out:] year [inserted:] month aforesaid deponant and said Kinnan
served in a company commanded by Capt Platt
Bailey or Bayles in a Regiment commanded
by Col Johnson thay was at the Battles of Long
Island and Whight Plains
Isaac Bailey
Sworn and subscribed before
me this 5th day of November
1836 John Brees
I hereby Certify that Isaac Smalley the above witness
is a man of Good Character and is and is fully
entitled to belief
John Brees
Page 16

State of New Jersey  I John M Mann Clerk of the Court
of Common Pleas in and for said
County do hereby certify that John
Brees before whom the within affidavits
were made and whose proper signature
is thereto subscribed to each of
them was at the time of the date
thereof a judge of said Court duly commissioned
and sworn and authorized to administer Oaths &
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand
and seal this twenty third day of November Eighteen
hundred and thirty six -
J.M. Mann
Page 17

State of New Jersey, Morris County Ss:
Be it known, that on this 18th day of October 1830 before the subscriber a
Notary Public within the State of New Jersey duly commissioned & authorized
as such by the Governor of said State, personally appears Mrs Rain
Tone, who is occasionally a resident of Morris town, for months together, & is to
me personally well known as a woman of respectability & fully worthy of belief; & who having been by
me first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath declare as follows, viz: I am a widow
& reside [crossed out:] sometimes in Somerset [inserted:] periodically in Morris town among my friends [inserted, four words:] for weeks in [illegible] [crossed out, the next three words:] not being myself
[six words crossed out:] housekeeper, but living with my friends. I am in the 75th year of my age - was born in Barn[text missing, torn page]
Somerset Co N. Jersey, Captain Goin McKoy was my father, who had command of a [crossed out:] father Comp[the rest of the word missing, torn page]
of Militia in Somerset in the beginning of the war of the revolution. I often saw my father Captain [word missing, torn page]
exercise & train his company who frequently met for that purpose at his house. I have often [text missing, torn page]
them met at his house, & prepare provision for their march, when it was said by my father they
were going to fight the British. I have often seen him march off at the head of his company.
dressed in his Regimental clothes, with his cocked hat, sword & epaulettes, with drum & fife, & be
absent for many weeks. I have often seen him return home with his company of soldiers in [text missing, torn page]
an absence of some works, & sometimes of months, as it appears to me, more or less of his men
always came with him to his own house, & we always prepared dinner, or supper for them.
I remember Joseph Kinnan very well. He was oor neighbor, & belonged to my fathers company of
Militia. He was often at our house & trained in my father's company, whenever the company met
there for that purpose. I always saw Kinnan with the rest of the company, when they met at
father's house for the purpose of marching off to meet the enemy. I often saw him return [text missing, torn page]
my father after an absence of weeks, & eat & drink at my father's table with his other men
He was called "Sergeant Kinnan, & the family considered him to be an under officer in the
company. I have often heard my father speak of giving orders. & of sending orders to Sergeant
Kinnan. He seldom spoke to Kinnan in any other way in my hearing than by calling him
"Sergeant", & the men present also called him Sergeant.-- I remember it was generally [text missing, torn page]
& believed, that Kinnan was under Captain Platt Baily in the 5 months service very early
in the war, & that he was married immediately after his return home from that service.
I knew his wife before her marrage & confirm; we were young girls in the same neighborhood
her name was Polly Lewis daughter of Zephaniah Lewis living within one rods of my father's house
I remember very well the evening when she was married to Joseph Kinnan, altho I was not present
The Revd Mr Roe, then living in Barkingridge who married me to my first husband, David Lyon
also married Joseph Kinnan to Polly Lewis. I was married in November 1777, & Polly or Mary
(the same name) was married early in January 1778. about 6 weeks after me. I saw her daily, by[text missing, torn page]
& after her marriage. Kinnan lived in the family of his wifes mother, a year or longer after his marriage
I was so near neighbour as to be present with her at the birth of all her children. They lived [text missing, torn page]
neighbours to me until their removal to Western Virginia, several years after the war, when it is
believed her husband was killed by the Indians & the carried off a prisoner by them & kept a
prisoner several years. I have known her ever since her return home to her friends, which is
now about 30 years. I saw her the first evening after her return home. She was then the [text missing, torn page]
of Joseph Kinnan as I verily believe, & as she still remains. And I know she is still repute[text missing, torn page] 
believed by all her neighbors to be the Widow Kinnan, as she could not have been married
Page 18

since her return from captivity, without my having some knowledge of it.
She is very poor & needy, & is not able as I very well know, to earn much, if 
anything by her labor.
I have often heard my father speak of the fights & skermishes
& battles with the enemy, in which he & his men were engaged, & among them I have heard
him speak particularly of Monmouth & Springfield battles, in which he mentioned also the name
of Kinnan as being engaged with him, as well as in another battle at or near Rahway [end of page missing, illegible]
Woodbridge in which [crossed out:] Captain Nathaniel Lyon was killed, who belonged to my father's
company & who was the only brother of my first husband, David Lyon
Rachel Toan
Sworn & subscribed before me at Morris-town
in the State of New Jersey, the day first before written
In testimony whereof I hereunto subscribe
my name & affix my Notarial Seal,
at Morris town, this 18th October, 1836
Lewis Condict, Not. Pub.

One more named Deponent, Mrs. Rachel Tone, believed by me to be a woman of integrity & fully
entitled to belief, comes before me & makes oath in due form of law, that the facts set forth in the
above deposition, reflecting the Militia services of Joseph Kinnan, & of the marriage of said Joseph Kinnan
to Mary Lewis, now the widow of said Kinnan, are strictly true, to the best of her knowledge &
belief.
Sworn & subscribed at Morris-town, this 19th July 1837
before me
Rachel Toan
Eliah Ward J.P.
Page 19

State of New Jersey
Somerset County ss
Personally appeared before me Saml
S Doty one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common
pleas in and for said County John Brees who being
duly sworn on his oath saith that he has been
an Elder in the presbyterian Church [inserted, two words:] at Baskingridge for a long
time [inserted, two words:[ fifteen years  _is clerk of the session and has the papers
& books belonging to the church session in his
possession There are no records of Marriages
among the books & papers & deponent does not believe
any were kept untill the law of the State was
passed in 1795 which requires the minister to
keep a register and send certificates to the Clerk of
the County. Deponent has known Mrs Mary
Kinnan & family since he was a child allways
believed her to be the wife and widow
of Joseph Kinnan
John Beers-
Sworn & subscribed
this 31st day of July 1837
Saml S Doty
Page 20

New Jersey
Somerset County ⎬ Personally appeared before me Saml S Doty one 
of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common pleas in
and for said County Henry Southard who being
sworn upon his oath saith that he has been an
Elder in the presbyterian Church at Baskingridge
about fifty five years, there were no record of
marriages kept by said church to the best of deponents
knowledge or belief, untill the law requiring a
register to be kept, which was passed by our State
Legislature in 1795. Deponent knew Joseph
Kinnan and Mary his wife, as early as the days
of the Revolutionary war: they then lived together
as man and wife, and had children, and I believed
them to be man & wife. Joseph Kinnan moved to
the west with his family where he was killed
and his wife taken prisoner by the Indians, as
deponent heard. The widow afterward returned
to Baskingridge, where she still resides and remains
a widow-
Henry Southard
Sworn & subscribed
before me this 24th day
July 1837. 
Saml S Doty
Page 21

State of New Jersey
Somerset, County    ⎬ Personally appeared before me
Saml S Doty one of the Judges of the Inferior
Court of Common Pleas that in and for said
County Mary Kinnan who being duly sworn
upon her oath saith that she is the widdow
of Joseph Kinnan that they were married
in Febuary 1778 at Basking ridge N.J.
by the Rev Mr Roe as heretofore stated
in deponents former affidavit. That the
family Bible which did contain the
record of deponents Marriage [inserted:] was last at
the time deponents husband & child
was killed by the Indians as before
stated in his affidavit and deponent
taken & carried away by them

Mary X her mark Kinnan

Sworn & subscribed
to before me this 24th
day of July 1837

Saml S. Doty

I have known Mrs. Mary Kinnan for a long time
she is a woman of good character, it above
our suspicion for truth and honesty
Saml S Doty

State of New Jersey
Somerset County Ss ⎬
I John M Mann Clerk of the
Court of Common Pleas in and for
said County do hereby certify that
Samuel S. Doyt before whom the above
affidavits were made and whose
proper signature is thereto subscribed
was at the time the date thereof
a Judge of said County duly commissioned & sworn
In Witness whereof have hereunto set his hand and
Page 22

seal this fourth day of August Eighteen hundred
and thirty seven  -
J. M. Mann
Page 23

Revolutionary Services of Joseph Kinnan, Sergeant, Somerset County
1 month in October    77 at Elizabeth town -                          Witness. Isaac Bedell
1    .. in Febry.             '78     Elizth Town                                  Bedell
3   .. Jany & April         77  Quibble town, war N. Brunswick    Lacy - Hall
1   .. in the fall season  77  Elizth Town                                     Lacy & Hall
1   .. in the winter         77  Elizth Town                                     Lacy & Hall
1   .. spring season       78  Shank town                                    Lacy & Hall
1   .. summer                78   Elizth Town point                           Lacy & Hall
1   .. fall season            78   Aquakanouk                                   Lacy & Hall
2   ..                               ..                Newark                               Lacy & Hall
1   .. summer season     78  Strawberry hill, Amboy                   Lacy
1   .. spring                     80  Connecticut farms                         Lacy & Hall
1   .. summer                  80  Springfield battle                           Lacy
1   .. summer                  76  Bergen, near N York                       Hall
10  .. in the fall               76  [Illegible] march, retreat this June  Hall
1   mo hot weather         77  Elizabeth town                               Hall
1   .. corn planting           78  Shank town                                   Hall
5   months by Enlistment 76 a Capt. Baily's Co                          Smalley & Hall
___
25 months & 2 weeks Service as Sergeant
Page 24

William Kinnan hand
Detroit Michigan

Mary Kinnan
[crossed out, illegible]
Page 25

Miamies River 29th July 1793

Dear Brother

This is the only opportunity I have
embraced since I have been taking by the Savages, to acquaing
you of my situation which be well assured is very miserable.
However I hope after you here from me that your Generosity
will in some measure by to relieve me from my present
miserable situation, I would have wrote you sooner
but knowing of no safe opportunity till this present one
or you may depend I would have acquainted you
of [inserted, two words:] my Case of [crossed out:] it before now, which I hope you will take into
Consideration feel for me which if you do depend
shall always be remembered by me, If you undertake
to come or send for me which I sincerely wish you
would
Page 26

The way I advise you to take for your safety
will be the rout that the Commissioners from the
States came, which comes thro the Genesee County
to Niagara, and from thence you can come
to Detroit with Safety and enquire there of a Mr
Robt Abbott where you will get intelligence where
I am. I have another thing to request of you
which is you was at the House when I was
taken to endeavour to take my children in your
Care which I left behind as that [crossed out, two words:] that it I am afraid
they are left destitute of the world, which that & other
things distressed me much, In case that you should
mistrust that this Letter is not from me, or that
perhaps my long absence from home should any
ways Intice you to imagine that I am not yr
Page 27

Sister, I shall inform more clearly that I am
the wife of Joseph Kinnan, Dear Brother I would
write you more fully of the Hardships I have
undergone since I have been taken, but my
situation distresses me so much that I cannot explain
myself in as Satisfactory a manner as I would
wish, I have been this long time Expecting that
peace would take place in expectation of geting
home but the times are so precarious that I am
quite discouraged You will observe that I
lived in Tigeres Valley in Randolph County in
Virginia therefore that I hope will convince fully
who I am, I am in as good health as my situation
can afford hoping you are so likewise which is the
sincere wish of yr Loving Sister as
Mary Kinnan
Page 28

Dr Brother, give my Compliments
to my Father & Mother & all the Family
Yours Sincerely
Mary Kinnan

William Kinnan hand
Detroit Michigan
Page 29

Declaration to obtain the benefit of the 3rd Section of the
Act of Congress of the 4th July 1836. _
State of New Jersey, Morris County
On this 4th day of October, 1833, personally appeared before the Court
of Common Pleas of the County of Morris & State of New Jersey, Mary
Kinnan at present residing in Burnardi Township, in the County of Somerset, & State of
New Jersey aged 73 years [inserted, six words:] on the 22d of August 1836 who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on her oath
make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of
Congress passed July 4th 1836. _ viz: _ I am the widow of Joseph Kinnan decd who was, as
I well believe, a Sergeant, in Captain Baily's company, afterward, Captain Goin McKoy's company,
of the Somerset Militia & in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Quick.- I was born on
22d day of August in the year of our Lord 1763, in Baskingridge Somerset Co
my husband, Joseph Kinnan was born on the 15th day of October, 1755.
at Baskingridge also, in Somerset County, where Justice Bree now lives.
We were married by a clergyman living in Woodbridge, whose name was Roe, on the
8th day of February in the year 1778. My husband, Joseph Kinnan, performed his first service
as I was informed by him & others, in Captain Baily's company of Somerset, by enlistment, in what was called the five months service. He enlisted, as I believe, early the spring of 1776. & soon
after his time of service under that enlistment expired, & I was married to him by Mr Roe.
He was brought home from a place called, white plains, sick, about the time when his enlistment
expired. How long he had been sick before he was brought home, I know not. I understood he
had fought in the Long Island battle during this service. I often heard him tell of bringing
Isaac Doty, his neighbor, who was killed near him, in that battle. _ In two weeks after
our marriage, he was ordered out on militia duty to Elizabeth town under Captain Goin McKoy
his former Captain Bailey having been appointed Major. Before his return from this duty, Genl
Washington's army crossed the North river into New Jersey & retreated through the State & the militia
at Elizabeth town followed him, & the enemy soon pursued them. I often heard my husband
speak of this retreat, calling it the mud [illegible]" march. It was cold winter weather before
he returned home. And in the course of a few days, he was again called out under Capt
McKoy & was kept from home the rest of the winter & until plowing time in the spring.
I understood from him & others, that they were encamped under Genl Winds man Quibble
town, whilst the enemy were in quarters in New Brunswick & Amboy. His long absence this winter
(longer than any other absence whilst the war continued) makes me remember it will
[page torn, text missing] In the summer of the Monmouth battle, he was absent most of that season. I verily believe
[page torn, text missing] that between May & December of that year, he was on Militia service not less than four months
[page torn, text missing] as I believe, under Captain McKoy _ but of that I cannot speak with certainty. _ He was
[page torn, text missing] in the Monmouth battle that season, as I have often heard him say
Page 30

my husband was in the battle of Brandywine, & of Springfield & of Connecticut farms, &
many skirmishes which I have heard him mention. He was at Ash [illegible], Woodbridge
Short-hills - Millstone & Boundbrook. He performed duties under Capt. McKoy along the
Raritan & Millstone rivers. He was out on duty when the Pennsylvania troops revolted.
I know he was in the public service as a soldier, under his company officers, every year after our
marriage, until the war ended, & several months in each year. _ Beside his service under
Captain Baily for 5 months. I sincerely believe he did not perform less than three months duty
in any one year of the war, & that in the two first years after his five months service, he performed
not less than four months service in each year: making all together, not less than 25 or 26
months of active faithful service. _ He was always called. Sergeant Kinnan, & I only believe
he was a Sergeant throughout the war. He always wore upon his shoulders, tassels, or some
badge, which privates did not wear, & which it was said, belonged to Sergeants. _
After the war closed, I lived with my husband in Baskingridge, till the year 1787,
when we removed from New Jersey to Western Virginia, & settled on Tigers valley river, a branch
of the Monongahela.  In the year 1791 [inserted, two words:] May 13th the Indians fell upon us [inserted, two words:] at night murdered my husband & one
child on the spot, badly wounded another child, & this child, a boy, older than the other, escaped.
I was carried off by them a prisoner. When I was dragged out of the house, my infant had
just been scalped, & lay gasping on the floor. _ My boy who escaped, has since been a soldier
in the last war of 1812-- was wounded, & now is an invalid pensioner, under the name of
Joseph Kinnan. _ I was carried a prisoner thro the wilderness, & remained a prisoner
during 3 years & 3 months, on the Maumee river, near fort Wayne, from where I contrived to
make my escape, & by the aid of a brother. I finally returned to my friends in Jersey, where I
have lived till this time. _ The family bible, which contained a family record of the age of myself
husband, as well as of the childen, was destroyed when my husband & children were massacred.
I have never married since the massacre of my husband Joseph Kinnan, by the Indians.
I am still his widow, am destitute, & poor, & aged, & not able to do much labor, were it
not for kind friends, I know not how I should be supported, unless by the public.
I humbly ask my Country for a pension, on account of the long & faithful revolutionary
services of Joseph Kinnan, my decd husband, for whom I have often filled his knapsack
with provisions & clothes, whilst he was cleaning his musket, to meet the enemy.
Most of my husbands comrades in the revolution, have gone to the grave, & I fear I shall
be able to find but few living witnesses of his militia services. _ Mrs Tone, a former
nieghbor & friend of my youth, daughter of Capt McKoy, is living in Morris town, & Isaac
Bedell also, who knew my husband in the war. John Hall also, was in McKoy's co.
& lives a few miles from Morris town, & knew my husband in the war.
My own residence, though in Somerset Co. is nearer to Morristown, than to Somerville,
where the Somerset Court is held, which is the reason why I apply to the Morris Court
as being much more convenient for myself & for Mrs. Tone & Mr Bedell, two of my witnesses
The other witness, John Hall, is totally blind, & so infirm & helpless that he cannot travel
only as he is supported by the arms of other persons.
Mary X her mark Kinnan
Sworn & subscribed in open Court, this 4th October, 1830
before me

[Illegible] book
By order of the Court
Joseph Dalrimple Clerk
Page 31

Rev. War.

January 23, 1912.

Mrs. Ella S. Huntington,
Box 36,
Hamilton, Ohio.

Madam:
In reply to your letter dated the 10" and received the
1" instant, you are advised that from the papers in the claim
of Joseph Kinnan, Wid. File No. 8000 Rev. War, it appears
that he was born October 15, 1755, at Baskingridge, New Jersey,
enlisted as a sergeant in the spring of 1776, and served at
various times until the end of the war under Captains Baily,
Ganen McCoy and John Parker; Colonels Quick, Frelinghuysen,
Jaques and Johnson, and was in the battles of Long Island,
Springfield, Ash Swamp, Woodbridge, Bound Brook, Short Hills,
Millstone, Brandywine, Monmouth and Connecticut Farms.

He married February 3, 1778. Mary or Polly, daughter of
Zephaniah Lewis. She was born August 22, 1763 at Baskingridge,
New Jersey. Their oldest child Lewis was born November, 1779, a
and second son Joseph August 20, 1781. In 1787 they moved from
New Jersey to Tygarts Valley river in Western Virginia, and on
May 13, 1791, Indians attacked them and murdered soldier and
one child and wounded another,

Their son Joseph escaped and he was afterwards in the War
of 1812, where he was wounded.
Page 32

Wid. File No. 8000,- 2

Soldier's wife was carried off and kept prisoner three years
and three months on the Miami [note: probably Maumee] River near Fort Wayne whence
she escaped by the aid of her brother and returned to Baskingridge,
New Jersey,

She was allowed pension on an application executed October
4, 1836, while a resident of Bernard's Township, Somerset
County, New Jersey,

Owing to a lack of clerical force available for the purpose
[smudged text, illegible] is unable to furnish full copies of papers on
file, but any person designated by you will be allowed to examine
and copy the papers in the above noted claim.

Very respectfully,

Commissioner.
Page 33

1912 Jan 23 Hist. to
Mrs. Ella S. Huntington. V. L. M.

Revolution.

New Jersey.
WIDOW, &c.

File No. - 8000
Mary Kinnan
Wid of
Joseph Kinnan
Sergt. N.J. line

Act: July 4th 36, Sec, 3[illegible]
Index: --Vol. A, Page 401
Page 34

Jos. Kinnan

76 Summer              Bergen  Hall-                 Sergt/ano.
..    fall-                     march thro N.J. Hall       X  2.10
..    _____        Capl Baily  Hall & Smally           X  5.      _ 8
77  Jany to Apl -       Quibble town _               ..    3mo
..    hot weather         Elizabethtown                      1  _
..     fall season           Elizabethtown                      1  _
..     in the winter        Elizabethtown                      1  _
..    Octr                      Elizabethtown                      1  _   7
78 _ Feby                    Elizabethtown                      1  _
..   Spring                    Spanktown                           1 -
..  Summer                  Elizabethtown pt                  1  _
..   fall                          Aquakunach                        1 _
..    ____                        Newark                                2
..  Summer season       Amboy                                1
..  Corn planting time   Shanktown                          1     8 
80  Spring                     Connt farms                       1 -
..   Summer                   Sprinfield                            1     2
Page 35

Pension Department.
Dear Sir -
I am very anxious to
preserve to the family all actual
facts relating to the killing of
Joseph Kinnan by the Indians
in Tygart Valley Virginia in
May 31. 1791 and the capture
and captivity of his wife Mary
Lewis Kinnan from that date until
1794 when she was rescued from
the Indians [crossed out, illegible] Fort Miami
near [Illegible] _ by her brother Dr.
Jacob Lewis of Baskingridge, N Jersey
knowing that she obtained
Page 36

a pension from the Government
also knowing that all facts -
relating to the tragedy would have
been made known and recorded
I mite to ask that a copy of such
records be made and sent to me.
Her name was Mary Lewis Kinnan
(spelled Kennan by some of the family)
called by us "Aunt Polly"
She was born 1763 _
married - 1778
and died 1848 at Baskingridge N. Jersey.
she was dau - of Zephiniah Lewis and
Ann Doty _ Backingridge New Jersey _
and the claim  was known as 
"Widow no 8000 " _
Page 37

I will remit all expense incurred
as copying _ and hope I may hear
from you in regard to this incident _
During her life there was published a small
booklet on her experiences - [illegible to the end of line]
disappeared  _ and our knowledge is
amost  traditional _ I do earnestly
hope for facts from you -
and thank you in advance _

Mrs. Ella S. Huntington
Hamilton - Ohio
Jan 10. 1912 _
Box 36
Page 38

Mr Southard respectfully
requests the Comr to examine
this letter.
14 Feb. 1838 -

Honorable Saml L Southard
U.S. Senator
Washington

Free
Page 39

Trenton, Feby 12th 1838

Dear Sir

Your letter of the 30th Jany, together with Colonel
Edwards of the 5th of the same month, I have recd relation to the
claim of Mrs Mary Kinnan. Her husband, as it will be seen, was in
the service in the earliest period of the war, & served by enlistment in
Capt Baily's Co. for 5 months in 76 beside his regular monthly term
under Capt McKoy afterward.  The evidence of his service is so strong
& conclusion, (as it seems to me), that to admit him to have done but
7 months service beside his enlistment, would be evident injustice to his
widow. I could have no objection, to where two witnesses state the same
service [inserted, three words:] of different months in such terms as to render it probable that but one tour was actually
performed, to rectify it, & call it one. But is very certain that many cases
have occurred, in which more than a year of Militia duty between 76 & 83, have
been performed-- especially by those who were called upon early in 76.
Col. Edwards believes his services could not have execeded, much if
any twelve months, & offers a Certificate, as Sergeant for that period.
I hope & trust that if he will himself, look on the testimony, he will
comment to issue one for 18 months at least, especially when she recollects
the horrible Indian captivity she endured, & the slaughter of her family by
the savages. In her behalf. I will accede to it-- verily believing that
in equitable grounds a full pension as Sergt would not exceed it merits.
Very respectfully & truly
Yours &c
Lewis Condict

Hon S. L. Southard
U.S. Senator.
Page 40

W Cole's
immediate
attention

Hon JL Edwards
Com of Pensions
Washington
DC
Page 41

Ovid N.Y. Oct 5th 1850
Sir
Mary Kinnan, widow of Joseph of New Jersey
was a pensioner at $90- her pension certificate
admitt her husband have been a Sergeant
I submit, since there is not a word in her
pension certificate of her husband having been a
private, but a Sergeant & if he served all of
the 2 years as a Sergeant, as it seems he
did, is there not an increase of pension
due
Respectfully
Your Obt Sert
Arad Joy

Hon J. L. Edwards
Court of Pensions
Page 42

J. L. Edwards Esq.

Dear Sir,

The enclosed papers were
directed to me at Washn but have followed me
back. may I entreat an early & favorable answer
Respectfully [illegible]
Saml L. Southard
Trenton 24 Oct. 1837.
Page 43

J. L. Edwards Com [illegible]
Dear Sir
The enclosed papers have
been rcd by me fromDr Condict - & I do not see
that I can do better for Mrs K. than to transmit
them with his Letter. I take great interest in this
case. My earliest recollections are connected with
the story of Mrs K_ and some of my earliest
playmates were persons connected with her by
blood. Her story was the fire side talk of the
neighborhood. I hope there will be no longer
any difficulty in satifying her wishes &
allowing her full claims. If there should be
I should be glad to have an opportunity of
removing them.
Respectfully [illegible]
Saml L. Southard
4 Jany 38