Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 8,989, for Reuben Martin, New Jersey
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(3-1776)

SERVICE
New Jersey.

Martin, Reuben

NUMBER
S. 8989

carded
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26450

Ohio
Reuben Martin of the Co of Augusta Co in the State of Ohio who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Martin pf the Regt commanded by Col Martin in the [illegible] for [illegible]

Inscribed in the Roll of [illegible] at the rate of [illegible] Dollars [illegible] cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 8th day of July [illegible] and [illegible] Ohio

Arrears to 4th of [illegible] [illegible]
Semi-an, allowance ending April [illegible]
[total] 227.08
 
{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832}

Recorded by [illegible] Clerk,
Book [illegible] Vol. [illegible] Page 23
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Reuben Martin
Pension Papers

Act of 7th June 1832
2 years Service
aged 85 years

29.890
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[several lines of illegible words]
Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act
of Congress, Passed June 7th 1832.
State of Ohio Wayne County ss
On this 8th day of February 1834,
personally appeared and was examined before me Hugh Culbertson one of the associate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Wayne in the State of Ohio, Reuben Martin a resident of the County of Wayne in the State of Ohio, aged Eighty five
years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following
Declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision of the act of Congress Passed June 7th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as hereinafter stated for the Periods mentioned, that this applicant was drafted out to serve in the Militia of the State of New Jersey, in the Militia of Sussex County, in said state, that this applicant was drafted for the
end of six months, and served the said
period in said Militia, under a captain of the name of Capt. John Martin of Sussex Co. New Jersey, the said Capt John Martin was a Brother to this applicant,
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that this applicant was Drafted and served from the first of June 1777 and served until the 10th of December 1777. A full period of six months and ten Days in the Militia of Sussex Co. in the State of New Jersey, and this applicant says that he said served the whole period as a Private soldier, and this applicant
further says that he marched from Sussex Court House and was attached to a Regiment of New Jersey Militia under the command of Col Edmund Martin of Sussex Co. New Jersey the said Col. Martin & also a Brother of this
applicant, that when this applicant went from Sussex Court House, they were ordered down towards the State of New York, and were for some time stationed at Kingston on the Hudson River and were ordered from the
to Newburgh, on the Hudson River and
from thence the Troops were sent by orders of the commanding officers Back to New Jersey and were ordered to a Direction to meet the British army who were as this applicant was informed proceeding towards the City of Philadelphia and were destined for that City
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when the army were ordered to make preparations to abstract their -  March that the army are marched from [illegible] until they met the enemy in the State of Delaware, that several Militia Regiments of Pennsylvania Troops also joined the New Jersey
Militia and were destined in the Direction for the Enemy - that the American Troops with this applicant In the month of September 1777 was In the engagement at "Brandywine Creek" in the State of Delaware that this applicant does not recollect the day of the month that this Engagement took place but he Distinctly recollects that it took place in the early part of
September 1777. That he recollects that
Col Martin, During the Engagement, wore a "cocked" Hat, that he recollects that his Brother Col Martin, told Capt John Martin the Capt under whom this applicant served that he but escaped the engagement with his life, that Col Martin said that he was struck with a Ball on the forepart of his forehead, which however passed By giving him a feeling of Dizziness
and completely stunned him for a few moments, and the Ball Cut through the Cols "cocked Hat" and cut a small part of his flesh from the Head
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that the Col. However said it did not knock him off his horse, that the Col showed his Hat after the Battle to Capt. Martin Both Capt Martin and Col Martin, were Brothers, and were Brothers to this applicant and all three in the engagement fought with the British at Brandywine and that the Battle was severely contested By the American Troops, as long as they could stand but at length were compelled to yield the ground, having about Three Hundred soldiers killed and twice that number wounded on the field of Battle that the army, fought on opposite sides of Brandywine Creek
not many of the soldiers who were killed fell to the waters of the creek and actually floated, and the Hats and various parts of the soldiers Garments [illegible] during the Battle be seen floating on the water - that this applicant recollects that the Americans on that day fought Bravely & Violently as long as there was
Possibility of defeating the Enemy, March toward the City of Philadelphia but were late in the day compelled to retire having 900 Poor fellows
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killed and wounded on the ground that the next day this applicant was with several others directed to and Bringing the Americans who were killed during the engagement
that on this engagement this applicant thinks the British lost in killed & wounded about four or five Hundred men,  That this was the first engagement that this applicant was in, that one man from the company to which this applicant belonged was killed in the early part of the engagement, the name of this man was,
"Jacob Harbeck" Drafted Militia man in the company with this applicant, from Sussex Co. New Jersey who was drafted & served up to the time he was killed & was one of the number that [illegible] [elapsed ?] with this applicant. that after the Battle or engagement at Brandywine Creek in Sept 1777 the British continued their march with a Powerful army - and took Philadelphia, a short time after the Battle, and that the American Troops were then from the Battle of Brandywine,  ordered to a station in the State of Pennsylvania about 18 or 20 miles from Germantown in Pa where this applicant remained
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stationed with the New Jersey Militia, that the American Troops were at this station until ordered from the place to a Place near Philadelphia called Germantown where the British were Lying and had their station, when
the americans made an attack on the British at this Place some time in the early part of October 1777 that the was a severe and violently fought Engagement, that this applicant in this last engagement received
a slight would in his "right leg," that the Ball passed Through the flesh part, or calf of his right leg -that he was however not long injured by it as it soon healed & he was nearly every day in service, even while it was yet in an injured situation.
the American Troops were compelled at this
last Engagement at Germantown to yield the ground to the British after a most severe fight. The Americans left in killed & wounded about 800 men on the ground and the British this
applicant thinks left near an equal number on the Battle ground, that the applicant was ordered with all the New Jersey Militia from the Place to a station in Pa. called Skippack Creek
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and was finally discharged from the service
on the 20th Decr 1777. By his Capt Martin who commanded this applicant for said Period of six months and [illegible] above mentioned that this applicant was verbally discharged
from the service at the Expiration of his tour of duty, as above mentioned and this applicant further say that he was a second time, drafted out to Second tour of Duty for the Period of six months, in the Militia of the County of Sussex Co. New Jersey- that this applicant was Drafted on the 10th of May 1778 and served until the 15th of November 1778 as a Private soldier in the Militia of Sussex County aforesaid in the State of New Jersey that this applicant served this second Tour of Duty under his Brother Capt "John Martin," who commanded this
applicant During this applicants first Tour of Duty as above mentioned and this applicant
further says that he was our commanded by Col Martin, another Brother of this applicant who was a Col of the Sussex Co Militia
in New Jersey as above mentioned and
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under whom this applicant fought in Both the Engagements with the British at Brandywine Creek and Battle of Germantown that this-
applicant served the second tour of Duty faithfully under the said officer until the expiration of his said tour of Militia Duty as above mentioned as a Private Soldier in the Drafted Militia of New Jersey - that the troops with this applicant want to station in New Jersey Called "Middlebrook" where the Militia of New Jersey and several Regiments of Continental Troops enlisted Troops  were lying & stationed at the same Time and at the same
Place, that the Troops Both the New Jersey drafted Militia and the Regular Troops were all under the command of General Lincoln, who was the general at this Place & commanded
the whole of the Troops at this station and this applicant recollects, the Rifle Regiment of Troops were lying at Middle Brook at the same time this applicant was stationed there, that the Rifle regiment was commanded by Col Morgan. That the Rifle men Daily exercised in shooting at a mark whilst lying at this place
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that this applicant was for some time at this station and then was ordered Marched to Bound Brook in New Jersey and was after some time Stationed at a Place Called Pennbrook Creek and there remained until verbally discharged by Capt John Martin who was a Brother to this applicant and commanded this applicant during his said Two Tours of Duty above specified and was during Both Periods of his service commanded By Col. Martin of the Sussex Co. New Jersey Militia and served he said  said no Drafts above mentioned under the said officers who were both the Brother to this applicant, and served with and under the above stated
and this applicant further says that he was more served and another Tour of six months as a Drafted Militia man in the Militia of the State of New Jersey in the militia of Sussex Co. New Jersey, that this applicant was again Drafted for a Third Period of six months and served under Capt. "Harbaugh" who was the captain of said Militia Company and he says that he was Drafted to serve  and did serve under Capt Harbaugh Company from the first of June 1779.
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until the first of December 1779.
that this applicant served the same under the
said Captain Harbaugh [illegible] Regiment commanded by Col "Chambers", that the applicant served the said six months as a
Private soldier in said Militia of New Jersey
that he was drafted in Sussex Co about 10 miles from Sussex Court House New Jersey and served said tour as a Private Militia Soldier in a Militia corps that this applicant served & was placed under the command of Col Chambers corps with a Body of Militia Troops from Hunterdon Co. New Jersey - once they were all marched down toward Newton New Jersey, and from Newton, the Troops were ordered towards Philadelphia and took a Station about 18 miles from Germantown, and remained stationed there for some weeks and were finally ordered back to New Jersey where they remained at Morristown until this applicant s time of service had expired & he was again verbally discharged from the service By his Captain "Harbaugh" under whom he served his said Third Period of six months above mentioned under the command of Col. Chambers.
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and this applicant further says that he did once more enter the service for a period of six months, under an Enlistment for six months in the Troops of New Jersey, that this applicant enlisted under an officer whose name was
Chamberlin, at Sussex Court House in New Jersey on the 2d of June 1780 and served until the 3d of December 1780
that this applicant served under a Captain of the name of "Cling" in a company of Troops Commanded by Capt Cling, and under Col. Chamberlins Regt that this applicant enlisted, with man of the name of "Davison" at the same time that this applicant enlisted &  Both Received their Bounty or pay at the same time from the Enlisting officer, that this applicant
received $200 of Continental Bills on his enlistment that he was serving this third Period of Duty ordered to a place in Somerset Co.  to New Jersey at a place called the "Cross Brook"
and was a short time at this place then he was marched to a station at Place in New Jersey Called Elizabeth Town and was stationed there about Two months and then he was sent with a corporal & six men to guard the stores & Provisions belonging to the army at a place of Deptford,
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in Sussex Co. New Jersey on the waters
of the Wallakill [Wallkill], so called, where
the army had a large quantity of Pork
Beef and flour, waggons [sic] & Horses oats & Grain in Buildings Built of Timber & logs
that the American Army at this station
sent for a large quantity of stores & which 
the Deputy Quarter Master, at that Place
from time to time Delivered to the
Waggoners, as the Quarter Master General
gave orders, that the Deputy Quarter Master
who had charge of the provisions, was one
"Wellin" or "Welling" and the Quarter Master General, was one "Anderson" a lawyer who lived at Sussex Court Home in New Jersey, where this applicant was again verbally discharged from the service on the 3d of December 1780
That this applicant is very old, decrepit & infirm & not able to recalled more of the time than he has above stated that no living witness
can be had or procured to prove his services above mentioned or any part of them. that this applicant was not at any time during his above mentioned Period engaged in any civil pursuit, but wholly Devoted to the army - & that I am
now Poor, & live by the charity of my friend & all I can do towards my own support, is I 
sometimes make a few "Indian" Splint-Brooms that I am not able in consequence of old age & decrepit poverty to attend  & be on the expense  & [illegible] of an Examination in a Court of Record
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4th
How were you called into the service, were you drafted, did you volunteer? or were you a substitute & if a substitute for whom?
Ans
I served two years as above stated
in the war of the Revolution

5th
State the name of some of the officers who served with you & the General circumstances of your service your service?
Ans
my two Brothers served during the time I was in the service, Captain John Martin and Col. Edmund Martin were Both in the service whilst I served.
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Interrogatories

1st where & in what year was you born?
Ans. I was born in Somerset Co in the State of New Jersey in the year 1748, and am 85 years old

2 Have you any record of your age & where is it
Ans. I have no record of my age. But I know my age from having often seen the Record kept
By my parents, & from that I recollect the year
of birth to be 1748 and my age to be 85 as above stated

3rd where were you  living at the time you entered the service? where have you lived since the Revolutionary War?  & where do you now live?
Ans.  at the time I entered the service I lived  in the County of Sussex Co., in the State of New Jersey; and in Washington Co Pa and in Brooke Co Virginia, & now live in Wayne Co. Ohio
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6th did you receive a commission and if so by whom was it signed & what has become of it?
Ans. I never received a written commission whatever during my service.

7th did you ever receive a written discharge & if so by whom was it signed & what has become of it?
Ans. I never at any time received a written discharge from the service but was verbally discharged by my officers as above stated.

8th Persons who can testify to my character for truth & veracity and their belief of my services I will refer to Rev. Mr. Mohler, Rev. Mr. Jewell, Thos. Hewell, Andrew Householder, John Faulk Esq., Robt. McMahan, Abraham Martin, Richard Hargrove  [Hargrove ?, Esq.,  John McMahan, Doctor Owens, I. Chandler Esq.
]signature] Reuben Martin

Sworn and subscribed this 8th day of February 1834.
High Culbertson associate Judge
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I, the said applicant for a pension do hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declare that my name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any State

[signature] Reuben Martin

Sworn to & Subscribed before me this 8th day of February 1834 
Hugh Culbertson Associate Judge

We Robert Davis a Clergyman residing In the
County of Wayne in the State of Ohio and Absalom Martin a resident Citizen the County of Wayne in the State of Ohio do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Reuben Martin the applicant for a Pension, who has sworn to and subscribed the above declarations, that we believe him to be Eighty five years of age as he states, that he is reputed to be and is believed to be in the
neighborhood where he resides, a soldier
of the Revolutionary War, and that we concur in that opinion.

[signature] Robert Davis
[signature] Absalom Martin

Sworn and subscribed before on me this 8th day of February 1834

Hugh Culbertson Associate Judge

I do certify that the above applicant is aged and very infirm and unable to attend court
Hugh Culbertson
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29.890
Reuben Martin
Ohio
of 1777 Act passed
44 days
$64.88/100

[illegible]


John Faulk
Jeromesville P. O.
Wayne County
Ohio P.P.
Wayne County
Olive
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
26th March 1804

Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. the notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more  particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by compling [sic] with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the service of Reuben Martin

Duration of the
claimant's service.
Period when the service was rendered. Years, Months., Days., Rank of the claimant, Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served, Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service., Proof by which declaration is supported.

1777, 6 mon, priv., Cap. Martin & Col. Martin, 85 years Sussex County N. J., Traditionary

1778, 6 mon, priv., same, 85 years Sussex County N. J., Traditionary

1779, 6 mon, priv., Capt. Harbaugh, 85 years Sussex County N. J., Traditionary

1780, 6 mon, priv., Capt. Chamberlin, 85 years Sussex County N. J., Traditionary

I am, respectfully
Your obedient servant,

JAMES L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

There are many of the New Jersey troops still living hence the claimant is required to establish his claim by
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REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832,
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged
in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of
County of
On this [blank] day of [blank] personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of
 [blank] in the county of  [blank] and State, Territory or District of [blank] aged (c)[blank] years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)[blank], with [blank] and served in the [blank] 
(e) regiment of the [blank] line, under the following named officers:
Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged,
sons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.] and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and per-
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he the Agency in the State of
declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of [blank]
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.    A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court]

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I [blank] of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this [blank] day of
[blank] & c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A.B., a Clergyman, residing in the [blank] and C.D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with [blank] who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be
[blank] years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary
Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the [blank] and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the [blank] and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, [blank] Clerk of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal [blank] of office, this [blank] day of [blank] & c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
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alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6.
To a Soldier, Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
To an Officer, Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what one has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be
the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion.
If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates,
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct
proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general; and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform,
and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State of Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the declarant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of 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 consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, accordingly to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: -- For ____year ____ months, and ____ days I served as a _______. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a ______; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrases about three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, names of officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps
called into to 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.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certification of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be 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.
Proof of Service.
[j] In case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his 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.
The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must in all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Page 24

Rev. and 1812
Wars Section.
April 4, 1927

Mrs. William Westbrook
Ashley
Ohio

Madam;

I have to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 8989, it
appears that Reuben Martin was born in 1748 in Somerset County, New Jersey.
While residing in Sussex Co., New Jersey he
enlisted and served as a private in the New Jersey Troops, as follows-
June 1, 1777 to December 10, 1777 in Captain
John Martin's Company, Colonel Edmund Martin's Regiment, and was in the battles of Brandywine and Germantown, in the latter battle he was slightly wounded in his right leg. The above officers were soldier's brothers.
May 10, 1878 to November 15, 1778 in same company and regiment as above and same officers.
June 1, 1779 to December 1, 1779 in Captain Harbaugh's Company, Colonel Chambers' Regiment.
June 2, 1780 to December 3, 1780 in Captain Clung's
Page 25

Company, Colonel Chamberlin's Regiment.
He was allowed pension on his application
executed February 8, 1834, while a resident of
Wayne County, Ohio.
Soldier stated that after the War he lived in
Washington County, Pennsylvania and Brooke County, Virginia.
Son, Absalom, is referred to as Captain in 1834,
and it is stated that he was a "brave and active officer during our last War".
Soldier died February 27, 1844.
There is no further data on file relative to
children.

Respectfully,

WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.
Page 26


June 5th 1834
Jeromesville, Wayne Co., Ohio

Hon. J. L. Edwards

I herewith Enclose the Pension Papers of Reuben Martin a Revolutionary soldier of the 
State of New Jersey during the Revolutionary war, he served for a length of time in the Jersey Militia of Sussex Co and took an active part in the service, he had two Brothers who were Cols in the Revolutionary war and one Brother who was a Captain in the Revolution,  this applicant served as a private he is now very old and very poor! he lives, mostly by making Brooms and carrying them on his back old as he is he actually needs his Pension he will not & cannot need it long for he is now 85 years of age or upwards his son Capt Absalom Martin was a Brave & active officer during our last War, the Martin Family are and always have
been fine & patriotic friends of our Country and the friends of Humanity, that the old Gentleman should be placed on the Pension roll as he is undeniably entitled to a Pension, it is hoped his case will meet with a favorable decision of the Department. Yours &c
John Faulk,
Page 27

[illegible]
Page 28

3 -
From the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 8989, it appears that Reuben Martin was born in 1748 in Somerset County, New Jersey,
While residing in Sussex County, New Jersey, he enlisted and served as a private in the New Jersey Troops as follows-
June 1, 1777, to December 10, 1777 in Captain John Martin's Company, Colonel and Martin's Regiment, and was in the battles of Brandywine and Germantown, in the latter battle he was slightly wounded in his right leg.
The above officers were soldier's brothers.
May 10, 1778 to November 13, 1778 in same company and regiment as above and same officers.
June 1, 1778 to December 1, 1778 in Captain Harbaugh's Company, Colonel Chambers' Regiment.
June 2, 1780 to December 3, 1780 in Captain Clung's Company, Colonel Chamberlin's Regiment.
He was allowed pension on his application executed February 8, 1834, while a resident of Wayne County, Ohio.
Soldier stated, that after the War he lived in Washington County, Pennsylvania and Brooke County, Virginia,
Page 29

4 -
He died February 27, 1844, place not stated.
The War of 1812 records of this Bureau fail to
afford any information in regard to pension having been claimed on account of the services of William Watson of Delaware County, Ohio.
Respectfully,

Acting Commissioner.

The first of his letter is addressed to Mr G L Watson Watson -Maring or alias
Moses  Cougleton
W 4930 Aug
Page 30

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION.
3 -- 525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., [DATE BLANK]

In reply to your request of [blank] received
 [blank] for a statement of the military history of Reuben Martin a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. S. 8989

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.,
LENGTH OF SERVICE., RANK., OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED., CAPTAIN., COLONEL., STATE.

June 1, 1776 to Dec 10, '77, Pvt., John Martin*, Edmund Martin*, N. J.

May 10, 1778 to Nov 15, 1778, Pvt., John Martin*, Edmund Martin*, N. J.

June 1, 1779 to Dec. 1, 1779,  Pvt., Harbaugh, Chambers, N. J.

June 2 1780 Dec. 3, 1780, Pvt., Clung, Chamberlin, N. J.

Battles engaged in,
Brandywine, Germantown where he was wounded slightly

Residence of soldier at enlistment, Sussex Co., N. J.

Date of application for pension, 
Feb. 8, 1834 His cl. al. [claim allowed]

Residence at date of application,
Wayne Co., Ohio

Age at date of application, Born 1748, Somerset Co., N. J.

Remarks: Soldiers son Absalom was a Capt in War 1812, name of wife not stated
St. Feb 27-1844 A.B.
*Brother of soldier

Respectfully,
Commissioner.

6 -- 2856
Page 31

MRS. WM. WESTBROOK
ASHLEY, OHIO

Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions Washington D.C.
To the Revolutionary war section, war
War Pension claim S. 8989

Dear Sir

I would like to get the revolutionary
war record of Ruben [sic] Martin born in Somerset County New Jersey he was my Great
Great Grandfather. He died in Feb 27. 1844
that is the inscription on his Tombstone
he was buried in in a Cemetary [sic] about
2 miles west of Westfield Morrow Co Ohio. I
go to his grave two or three times every summer do you have any record of any of the names of his children
Also I would the Revolutionary war records
of Colonel Edmun [Edmund] Martin's and Captain John Martin, they were my Great Great
Uncles. Thanking you for your kindness
I am Respectfully
Mrs Wm Westbrook
Ashley Ohio
Page 32

2 Postage stamp rec'd [initials]

Historical Department of Iowa
(FOUNDED BY CHAS. ALDRICH)

TRUSTEES
GOVERNOR WILLIAM L. HARDING
CHIEF JUSTICE SCOTT M. LADD
(FOUNDED BY CHAS. ALDRICH)

TRUSTEES
GOVERNOR WILLIAM L. HARDING
CHIEF JUSTICE SCOTT M. LADD
JUDGE SILAS M. WEAVER
JUDGE WILLIAM D. EVANS
JUDGE TRUMAN S. STEVENS
JUDGE FRANK R. GAYNOR
JUDGE BYRON W. PRESTON
JUDGE BENJAMIN I SALINGER
HON W. C. RAMSAY
SECRETARY OF STATE
HON. P. E. McCLENAHAN
SUP'T PUBLIC INSTRUCTION

EDGAR R. HARLAN, CURATOR

Des Moines, March 19, 1920

U.S. Pension Office
Department of Revolutionary Records,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sirs:-
I wish to obtain the Revolutionary service of Reuben Martin of New Jersey. He was wounded in the battle of Germantown, drew a pension which I believe was allowed Feb. 8, 1832 or 34. resided in Wayne Co., Ohio, at the time pension was allowed
I would like a copy of his service & Pension No. & what date the last payment was made or any particulars you can give me. Do you know from your records whether he was a brother to Capt. Absalom Martin?
I will greatly appreciate this kindness.
Very sincerely,

(Mrs.) Lizzie E. Jones

[stamp]
U. S.
PENSION OFFICE 
A
MAR 22 1920

Rev Sec
CSW
Page 33

GEO. W. MARTIN EDITOR


OFFICE 116 NORTH MAIN
PHONE 12

J. V. MARTIN, MANAGER

The Brookfield Gazette
BY THE GAZETTE PRINTING CO.
Publishers and Printers

Brookfield, Mo. 3 / 24 / 15.

Commissioner of Pensions.

Sir: --
Can your Department, under the rules thereof, furnish me the information if [sic] the name of Reuben Martin who, I think, served in a New Jersey regiment, was ever on the pension rolls as a soldier in the War of the Revolution? Mansfield, Ohio
Thanking you in advance for any information you can give me, I am
Respectfully,

[blank]
Page 34

M

Piqua Miami Co. Ohio
Aug 1st /98
Chief of Old War & Navy
Division U.S. Pensions
Office

Dear Sir

I am desirous of gaining infirmation [sic] of my ancester [sic] (Great Grand Father Reubin Martin) whose name was borne on your Roles [sic] as an old War Pensioner at the rate of $96, to the year during the latter part of his life. He was from The State of New Jersey and I held a letter and two cirtificates [sic] of one Absalom Martin and
Page 35

Ephraim Martin his brother and Father two
distinguished Officers of the New Jersey Contintal [sic] Line with the Seal of the State from the Adjutant General of the State of New Jersey. In his letter he stated That he found two Reubin Martin - one a Private in the Hunterdon Militia the other a Private in the Sussex County Militia I think (am almost certain) New Brunswick
New Jersey or near there was his birth place and from there he enrolled in the Revolutionary
Army but was
Page 36

a resident of the State Ohio Wayne Co. where
he received first his pension I understand you have one Rubin Martin in your role [sic] as a Deserter That is certainly not the one I am seeking or else he could not have been a Pensioner. Any information that that you can give will be thankfully received by

Mrs. W. H. Tusk
Piqua Miami Co. Ohio
515 Spring Street
Page 37

Rev War

8989

INVALID.

File No. 8989

Reuben Martin
Priv. Rev. War

Act: June 7th 1832

Index:-Vol. 1st, Page 237

{Arrangement of 1870.}

Aug 12 '98
Mrs. W. H. Tusk
Piqua, Ohio

1914 May 13 Hist. to Hon. Frank B. Willis MC.
(letters in Jehiel Wilcox, W 2211)

1915, Apr 3. History to
The Brookfield Gazette
Brookfield, Mo F. R. R.
Page 38

State of Ohio, Wayne County
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Wayne in the State of Ohio, Reuben Martin - the within named applicant for a pension, 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 Revolutionary Services, but according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the Periods mentioned below and in the
following grades, for one year and Seven
months and Two weeks I served as a private Soldier and for such service I claim a Pension
[signature] Reuben Martin

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 30th day of April 1834
Ellzey Wilson
Justice of the peace

State of Ohio Wayne County I John Sloane, Clerk of the Court of Common pleas of said County of Wayne the State of Ohio, do hereby certify the Ellzey Wilson Esquire before whom the proceedings appear to have been had, was
date thereof an acting Justice of the Peace
within and for said County of Wayne in the
State of Ohio, duly commissioned and certified
and that all his official acts are entitled to full faith and credit.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court, at Wooster this 6th day of May AD. 1836.
J. Sloane
Clerk
Page 39

State of Ohio
Richland County
The subscriber being by me duly sworn
deposeth and saith that he is personally acquainted with Reuben Martin the applicant for a Pension that I know the said applicant was Drafted and to have served in the Militia of Sussex County in the State of New Jersey
for as much as four or five Tours of Duty, that I know he served under Captain Martin of the Sussex Militia, that he served one tour of duty under Captain Martin and was in the service in June 1777 and served from the first June 1777. Through the Summer months of that Season. and I do not know how much longer, the precise length of time he was out I cannot say, but from the best recollection I have at this time I know he was out as much as 4 months out at that Time, under Captain Martin, and served in a Militia company of Sussex County New Jersey and was in a Regt of New Jersey Militia commanded by Col Martin, I saw the said applicant in June 1777 when he went out in the service but the length of time he was out I do not precisely know but I know he was out as much as four months at that Tour of duty under Captain Martin and I also know that in the spring of the year 1778. that the said Reuben Martin was again out in the service through the summer & spring of
that year, that I recollect that he was out at
least as much as four months and a half at
this second Tour, that I know he served in a
Militia company commanded by Capt Martin,
Page 40

and served in a Regiment under the command of Col Martin, that the fact of his being in service was well known in the neighborhood of that place, that this applicant and Col Martin and Captain Martin were all Three of them Brothers and were well known in the Jersey Troops, they were all Smart & active men, in the Time of the Revolutionary War, and were Excellent and willing soldiers, that two of the Martin Family, were Colonels in the army and one a Captain, and this applicant served in the Militia at several intervals in the Militia of Sussex County in the State of New Jersey
that I have a personal knowledge of his going
out in the Spring of 1778, in the month of May
and was out under Captain Martin his Brother
as much as 4 months and Two weeks, at that
Tour, I was acquainted with the family, and was frequently at Sussex, where they received and had a personal knowledge of the [illegible] and affairs of the Family for several years, but the exact length of time he was out at each period of Duty I cannot positively say, other than from the Best of my recollection as I have above stated.
That I recollect that the said "Reuben Martin"
was out a third time in the Militia of Sussex County that I know he was out in the Militia for as much as five months at this Third Your of Duty under Captain Harbaugh, a captain of a Militia Corps in New Jersey, that I saw the said Reuben Martin once or twice while out on duty during this Third tour of duty, that I know he went into the service from home in the first of June or about that Time as near as I can recollect, and was out in the army for the months of June, July August September and October of the year 1779.
Page 41

that I heard his friends and the family complain that he was out longer than they expected him to stay at that Time and know this was in October 1779, that His Friends were then expecting him shortly to return, that I saw the said Martin once during this Tour of Duty at home, that he was two or 3 days at home & then again returned to the Army - that I had more or less knowledge of the said applicant service during this Third Tur of duty under Captain Harbaugh for five months in the year 1779, as above stated - and I further recollect that the said applicant was again out in
the army as a soldier, for fourth Period of Duty under Captain Clung the New jersey Troops that this Period of Duty I recollect was in the year 1780, but whether this applicant was out under an Enlistment or as a Volunteer I do not know, that I know and recollect distinctly that he was out under Captain Clung in a company commanded by him in the Jersey Line of Troops in New Jersey - from the 2d of June 1780 and served until the month of December 1780, that it was reputed and understood that the said Martin had enlisted but that fact I do not Positively know, only that I know he was out in constant service for that whole season
from June of the first or 2d of that month until
the fore part of the month of December  following 1780. that he served in a Regt. of the Jersey Line of troops in the State of New Jersey - the Col who commanded the Regiment in which the said Reuben Martin and was commanded by Col.
Page 42

Chamberlin, a Col of the Jersey Line of troops
that I saw the said Reuben Martin and whilst out this last period of Duty and conversed
with him about the service, that he seamed girted at that Time with the life and duty of a soldier, that I also know he was absent for said 6 months from home, and his being in the service was generally known in the neighborhood of Sussex New Jersey, that from the personal knowledge of the said applicant and his services during the periods above stated I am positive he served During the said
periods in the Revolutionary war as much as one year and seven months, and Two weeks as I have above stated and set forth, that the said Times and periods above mentioned which he was out in the said I had a personal knowledge
of the said applicant and his services as above
stated and specified, that I had a personal and actual knowledge of the said applicants
services for that period of time, during which
the said applicant served in the Revolutionary war as I have above stated

[signature] Joseph Strickland

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 4th day of May, 1834
Paul Sherraden Justice of the peace

I certify that the said Joseph Strickland who has sworn to and subscribed the above Deposition is a credible person and that his statements are entitled to full faith and credit,
this 4th day of May 1834
[signature] Paul Sherraden
Page 43

State of the Ohio
Richland County ⎬

I, Ellzey Hedges Clerk of the Court of Common
Pleas in and for the County of Richland in the State of Ohio, do hereby certify that Paul Sheraden Esquire Before whom the foregoing Deposition was taken was at the date thereof an acting Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Richland in the State of Ohio - duly commissioned & qualified and that all his official acts are entitled to full faith and credit, and that the signature & Seal thereto subscribed and affixed is his genuine signature and seal.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and seal the 9th day of May 1834
Elzey Hedges Clk
R. C. [Richland County] Ohio
Page 44

We the subscribers being personally acquainted with the within applicant for
a Pension and that from such acquaintance and knowledge concerning his Reputation as a Revolutionary soldier we do not hesitate to say that we believe he is of the age he states in his annexed declaration by him subscribed & sworn to that no doubts have ever existed In relation to the old gentleman's service in the Revolutionary War, that he is esteemed and reputed to have been a soldier of the Revolutionary war and has been so esteemed  & reputed for Several years Past and we do not
therefore hesitate to certify that in our opinion the old Gentleman is worthy of having his name placed on the Pension Roll as a soldier of the Revolutionary War that the old gentleman contains an unblemished character for truth &  that his statements are entitled to full faith & credit, and that he has always, and uniformly, represented Himself to be a Revolution by soldier.
[signature] John Faulk
[signature] Absalom Martin
[signature] John Thorne
[signature] Benjamin Martin
[signature] James Mitchell
Page 45

State of Ohio
 I Hugh Culbertson, one of the associate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Wayne in the state of Ohio, 
do hereby certify and declare my opinion after the Investigation of the matter and after Putting the Interrogatories prescribed by the
War Department that the above named
applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states, and I do further certify that it appears to me that Robert Davis who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman residing in the County of Wayne in the State of Ohio, and that Absalom Martin who has also signed the preceding certificate  is a resident
Citizen in the County of Wayne in the State of
office and is a credible person, and that their statements are entitled to full faith and credit
In Testimony whereof I have set
my name & seal this 8th day of February
1834
Hugh Culbertson Associate Judge
Page 46

State of Ohio
Wayne County

I, John Sloane Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Wayne in the State of Ohio, do hereby certify that Hugh Culbertson, who has taken and subscribed the foregoing Depositions and proceedings was at the date thereof and at the time of Subscribing
the same, one of the associate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in for the County of Wayne in the State of Ohio, and that the signature & seal thereto subscribed and affixed is his genuine signature and seal
In Testimony whereof I have set my name & affixed my seal of office this third day of March
1734.
J. Sloane
Clerk