Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 5723, for Abel Jones, Delaware
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Del or
MD or
Penn.

Jones, Abel
Margaret

R. 5723

inl. New Castle Co, Del
d. Sept 1, 1831
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State of Pennsylvania
Fayette County on this the 7th day of October 24, 1853 before me a Justice of the Peace in and for said County personally appeared Isaiah Jones a person whom I know to be a credible witness who being duly sworn according to the law with depose and say that he the said Isaiah Jones. Mary Sammons late Mary Jones and James Jones are the only lawful surviving children and heirs of Abel Jones deceased that there was another child whose name was David but who died about twenty years ago leaving no children or heirs that his father the said Abel Jones died on the first day of September  in 1831 -that his mother Margret Jones died on the 10th day of June in 1809 (?)-that the said Margret continued unmarried and the widow of the said Abel Jones from the time of his death until her own death which occured as [illegible] on the 10th day of June in 1839-that his said mother Marget made application for a pension in righ tof the  Revolutionary services of her said husband in her life time which said claim was suspended for further proof and not acted upon during her lifetime and it is for the purpose of obtaining the back pension and pay due us as children and heirs of the said Abel ones and Margret our mother widow of the said Abel
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   That this application is made and who is deceased as aforesaid.  Your department further saith that he has already stated in a former affidavit that his Father the said Able Jones was in the service near a year.  In said affidavit he intended to convey the idea that his Father served near one year of the Penn" line at the Valley Forge or little before the battle of Brandywine, until after the Battle of Monmouth.  That his Father stated he was sick part of the time was at the Valley Forge encampment.  That this was only part of the service of his said Father, that he must have been in the service more than a year the first term as he has often heard  him say that he was in the service when they were building mud Island Fort and assisted in taking to the Forte heavy canon and canon ball and from his statements he continued in the service until the time the army left the Valley Forge encampment.  He was in a bad state of health at that time and was taken with severe spill of sickness which settled in his breast which he never got clear of the time of his death.  In the year 1778 (as near as his memory serves) he told us he was in the service and drew a musket that was brought from France by General La Fayette.  This musket he kept to the end of the war when his Captain said to the Company that each man should keep his musket until further orders as he had no orders from his
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superior officers, where to deport them.  And no orders having being given he kept his musket to the time of his death when it fell into Departments hands and that he has said musket yet.  And further in reference to what his Mother the said Margret told John W. Deford, Esq., when he wrote her declaration he stated as follows, and directed it to be put in the declaration.  That the said Abel Johns her husband was three years in the service and more but could not recollect how much longer and the reason why she knew him to be in the service of the United States in the Revolutionary Was three years was that they were promised marriage together three years before the end of that war.  She told him also that her husband the said Abel Jones was connected with the Delaware Troops.  That my statement in said declaration written by said Deford, Esq., contrary to the above is incorrect.  That what he has said concerning his Father's service was previous to the three years his Mother alluded to which would make four years.  That his said Father had a sister of the name of Griffie as he stated to Deponent, who was a widow and that she lived in Kent County. That he made his home with her and married her Farm until he was called to the army.  That he told me his Father lived in New Castel County.  His being with his sister [illegible] was known
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to Quillen as stated in his affidavit given in support of his Mother's claim for a Pension.  [handwritten] Isaih Jones] , that Deponent is 68 years old.

   Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written, and further certify that I have not interest in the result of the above case and are not concerned in its prosecution.
         G.W. Hertzog, J.P.

Late of Penn.
   Fayette County SS:  On this the 7th day of October 24, 1853, before appeared Mary Sammons late Mary Jones, who upon oath says that said Isaih Jones, James Jones and Mary Sammons late Mary Jones, are the only lawful and surviving children and heirs of Abel Jones deceased.  That he has examined the aforesaid affidavit of Isaih Jones her Brother and that the statement here given of the statements of our Father Abel Jones in regard to his Revolutionary services are true and correct as stated.  

Mary Sammons

Sworn and subscribed before me the day and year above written and further certify that I have no interest in the result of the above case and am not concerned in its prosecution.
   G.W. Hertzog, J.P.
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to Quillen as stated in his affidavit given in support of his Mother's claim for a Pension. [handwritten] Isaih Jones] , that Deponent is 68 years old.

Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written, and further certify that I have not interest in the result of the above case and are not concerned in its prosecution.
G.W. Hertzog, J.P.

Late of Penn.
Fayette County SS: On this the 7th day of October 24, 1853, before appeared Mary Sammons late Mary Jones, who upon oath says that said Isaih Jones, James Jones and Mary Sammons late Mary Jones, are the only lawful and surviving children and heirs of Abel Jones deceased. That he has examined the aforesaid affidavit of Isaih Jones her Brother and that the statement here given of the statements of our Father Abel Jones in regard to his Revolutionary services are true and correct as stated.

Mary Sammons

Sworn and subscribed before me the day and year above written and further certify that I have no interest in the result of the above case and am not concerned in its prosecution.
G.W. Hertzog, J.P.
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V 4001
Margaret Jones
of Abel Jones
Declaration of
Margaret Jones
the widow of a
Revolutionary Soldier.
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State of Pennsylvania
County of Fayette    SS:

On the 6th day of December A.D. 1838 personally appeared before me Samuel Nixon a judge of the court of Common Pleas of said County Margaret Jones a resident of George Township, Fayette County aged eighty five years, 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 7th 1838.  Entitled "An Act granting half pay and pension to certain widows".  That she is the widow of Abel Jones was a soldier drafted into the Militia of the State of Delaware, in the Revolutionary war, to the best of her knowledge for three months or more.  Though she can't now positively tell.  She thinks he entered service in 1777 and left the same in that year.  She further states that he was in no engagement that she knows of.  

The officers under   whom he served was Captains Watts and Thompson.  Thomas Watts afterward was nominated to Major.  He entered the service from New Castle County state of Delaware.  She further declares that she was married to the said Abel Jones on the 23rd day of November (1783) seventeen hundred and eighty four.  That her husband the aforesaid Abel Jones died on the first day of September A.D. 1831.  That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January seventeen hundred and ninety four viz at the times above stated.  

                     Margaret Jones

Sworn and subscribed the day and year above written before Samuel Nixon, Judge
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I do certify the following to be a true copy of the family record taken from the Bible of the marriage of Margaret Jones to Abel Jones viz, "Abel Jones and Margaret Lewis was married November 23, 1784".
                                 Samuel Nixon, Judge

Personally appeared before me Samuel Nixon a judge as aforesaid Isaiah Jones, son of Margaret & Abel Jones.  Who deposeth and saith that he is now fifty three years of age and has a perfect recollection of talking frequently with his father Abel Jones now deceased in relation to his services in the Revolutionary War.  He always told me he was out in the service as a militia man from New Castle County State of Delaware, that he was along the shore of the Delaware to sustain the [illegible] fixed to prevent the British from ascending the river to Philadelphia.  He further often told me, that when the British returned to the head of Elk where they landed, that he was taken to iron hill near that place under Washington, where they expected to have a battle.  He always told this deponent further.  That he was in the service during the times that the British attempted to ascend to Delaware, and after their landing at the head of Lek, as also told after the Battle of Brandywine until the commencement of the next winter.  He does not know that be recollects of his letting him know how long he was in the service, but from all he said it must have been a year or nearly so, or perhaps more.  He always told me, he was out under Captains Thompson, and Thomas Watts and further that he is now in possession of the musket, a French musket, that he carried during
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the war as he always told me.  And further saith not.  
   Sworn and subscribed before me this 6h day of December A.D. 1838.  
                                Isaiah Jones
                                Samuel Nixon, Judge

I also certify that the above named deponent is a credible
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Pennsylvania
Fayette County  SS

  I Thomas Sloan Prothonotary and Clerk of the Court of Fayette County certify that Samuel Nixon before whom the foregoing declaration and certificates were taken, is an associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Fayette County, duly commissioned and sworn, and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be  genuine.

   In testimony, whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said Court at Union Town, Anno Domini A.D. 1838.

       Thomas Sloan
       Prothy & Co. Clerk
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Affidavit and 
original record
of the readings of
Margaret Jones '76
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Able Jones and Margaret Lewis was married November 23rd 1784.

Isaiah Jones was born August 13th, 1785
James Jones was born March 9th, 1788
May Jones was born August 30th , 1789
Enoch Jones was born August 2nd, 1792
David Jones was born December 9th, 1794
Lewis Sammons was born January the 22, 1815.
Lewis Sammons was born and was Baptized August 13th, 1837.
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Fayette County SS:

Personally appeared before me in and for said County Margaret Jones who deposth and saith that the attached {illegible] taken from her Bible  in her possession contains the original record of her marriage with Abel Jones, to wit the 23rd November 1784", with the births of her children and further that she has had and now has the Bible from which said "[illegible] was taken in her possession ever since her marriage.  The said [illegible] is dated 1787" printed, by Charles Eyre and William Strahan Louden", according to the printed date thereon.

                 Margaret Jones

Sworn and subscribed before me this 12 day of December A.D. 1838.

                      David Thomas, J.P.
 
Pennsylvania
Fayette County   SS:

  I Thomas Sloan Clerk of the County of Fayette County certify that David Thomas is a magistrate as above and that the above signature purporting to be his is genuine.

    In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court at Union Town the 17th day of December, A.D. 1898.

                  Thomas Sloan
                   Clerk
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5723

P.O.   Dec'd
   Margaret Jones
Service:
  Abel

Application filed:   , 18

The printed list of 1832
gives cause of suspension as
follows:
"Service not properly stated or proved".

Attorney:

P.O.
Recognized.      Contract.

1896
Letter coneq.
Jan'y 27 / Soldier and
Widow No.
Hon. Richard W. Blue
St of R
June-28-1900
Q.A. Jones - Sisterville W. Va

Apr. 6-1902
E.L. Jones - Cameron W. Va
March 25, 1904 - Hist. to Winny Jones - D.C.
May 31-1904 His to
Mrs. Mary S. Parry
Waynesburg PA
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Margaret Jones
wid. of Abel
Pennsylvania
R5723   July 37
Suspended
Sent Letter 22 April 
1839 J.N. Deford
30 July 1839
Letter to claimant showed
April 18th 1836,
Let to J.N Deford 
Let to Daniiel Doroner 
(over)

R.W. Downey
Aug 11/60
Page 17

D
Margaret Jones
Wid. Abel
Pa., Sus-1838-
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City D.C.

[stamped]
PENSION OFFICE
AUG 1 1860
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REVOLUTIONARY SERVICE.
O. W. & N. Div.
MEMORANDA.
Please supply as much as possible of the
data called for below.
Full name of soldier:
Abel Jones
Place of residence before service:
(Town, county, and State, if possible.)
Pa and Del
Place of residence after service:
(Town, county, and State, if possible.)
Smithfield Pa
Date of death (as near as possible):
1832
Christian name of widow:
Margaret
Did either he or his widow receive a pension?
wid applied but
Remarks:
never received
Your name and Address,
E. L. Jones
Cameron
P.O. Box W Va
145

[stamped] War and Navy
Division
Oct 10 1902

6-870
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[back of page]

Apl 22 1839

OC
Page 20

378
War Dept. Pen Office
April 22, 1839
Sir
   The papers in the case of Mrs. Margaret Jones widow of Abel Jones, [illegible] found filed with suspended cases.  The alleged service was as a militia man of Delaware.  The times of actual service should be specified and provided by witnesses from actual knowledge in order to a favorable decision.

J.N. Deford Esq
Union Town, Pa.

4000  
July 1838
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J. L. Edward Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
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Union Town Pa.
Dec 7th 1838

Dr Sir:
   Inclosed I send you the Declaration off Richard Cooley a revolutionary soldier under the Act of 7th June 1832.  With the original record of his age.  Also the declaration of Margaret Jones the widow of Abel Jones a soldier of the revolution, claiming a pension under act of 7th July 1839.  With the original record of their marriage, there is also the affidavit of her about son as to the communications he has had with his father relative to his services in the revolution.  In the Richard Cooley you have appended to his declaration the testimony of his younger brother, proving the fact of his having been in the revolution.
     Will you be so good as to investigate these claims and let me know from you the result as soon as convenient.
     I wrote you some time ago inclosing the claims of David A Williams and Sarah Hustead for pension.  Please let me know the result in both cases.

   Very Respectfully
   Jr. Off. Sent.

J.L. Edwards Esq
                               J.N. Deford
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Aug 11
Page 24

Pension Office, August 11. 1860

Sir

   When filing a power of attorney, the condition of the claim of Margaret Jones for Pension will be furnished you.    Is the claimant now living?  If not, it would be useless to prosecute the claim further, as her children cannot establish and recover it.  Such claims die with the soldier, and his widow, so decided by the department in 1859 upon advice of the Attorney General.

R.W. Downey Esq
Waynesburg,
Green Co
Penn
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Waynesburg, Greene Co. Pa.
July 26, 1860

Dear Sir:

   In 1838, probably, the papers were sent to the pension office, to establish the claim of Margaret Jones, widow of Abel Jones, who was a revolutionary soldier to a pensioner.  Since that time nothing has been done in the matter.  I am not sure whether Jones was in the Delaware, or Pennsylvania line, though I think he was in either one or the other.  Will you please have an examination made, and let me know the results,

     Yours truly
     R.W. Downey

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.
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State of Penn
   Fayette County ss. On this the 7th day of October 24, 1833 personally appeared before me the undersigned a justice of the Peace in and for said Court. Aaron Ross, a credible witness who upon oath says that he was well acquainted with Abel Jones dec. in his lifetime, and that and that he was reputed in the neighbourhood in which he lived that he was a revolutionary soldier and the fact not doubted, that he often told me that he was in the Revolutionary Services, and had a musket which he said was used by him in said service.  That he was a man altogether entitled to belief, that he was acquainted with the widow Margaret Jones in her life time and that she was also entitled to credit in any statement which she might make.  Also that Isaiah Jones and Mary Sammons late Mary Jones are highly credible witnesses. 
                 
              Aaron Ross

   Sworn to and subscribed before me this day and year above written, and further that I have no interest in the result of this case & that I am not concerned in its prosecution.

                  J.W. Hertzog J.P.
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State of Pennsylvania
Fayette County           SS

   Richard Huskins prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Fayette County Penn. do certify that G.W. Hertzog Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavits by Isaiah Jones, Mary Sammons & Aaron Ross purport to have been made was at the date thereof, and now is an Acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly commissioned and sworn according to law and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine.  In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and the Seal of said court at Uniontown the 15th day of August A.D. 1854.

    Richard Huskins, Prothonotary
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Hon Andrew Stewart
28th April, 1845
Page 29

Pension Office
April 18, 1845

Sir,

   I have the honor to return herewith Mr. Nixon's letter, and to enclose copies of two communications from their office dated 13' June and 30 July 1839, addressed to J.H. Deford from which you will learn the objections existing in the Court of Richard Cooley, David Williams and Margaret Jones.  No additional evidence has been received since the date of this report.

  Hon Andrew Stewart
   House of Reps
Page 30

J.H. Deford,
Union Town, Pa
July 30, 1839
O.C.
Page 31

War Dept. Pension Office
July 30, 1839

Sir

   The affidavit of Nathanial Qullen in the case of Mrs. Margaret Jones, widow of Abel Jones, deceased has been examined and filed with her other papers.  This testimony is not sufficient.  The widow alleges a time of three months as a militia man of Maryland and the sone states from tradition testimony that his father served nearly a year.  If her husband did no serve more than three months, she would not be entitled to a pension.  If he served longer she should amend her declaration and state the service performed.  Each time should be fully and particularly set forth and sworn to by witness who had a personal knowledge thereof, as required under printed regulations.

J.H. Deford, Esq
Union Town, Pa

4001 
July '38
Page 32

David Downer
Aug 24/54
Page 33

Pension Office,
Aug. 24. 1854

Sir,

   I have received the additional proof submitted by you in the case of Margaret Jones, widow of Abel Jones and placed it with the papers previously sent.
   Upon examining the whole of the papers in this case, I am constrained to state that the evidence is insufficient to establish the service of Abel.  Application should be made to the authorities of Delaware for record evidence of his service.  There are other deficits in the testimony which will be pointed out as soon as the service is satisfactorily established.
 
               Very respectfully
               Daniel Downer, Esq          DC
               Uniontown,
               Penn
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Oct 5/49
Page 35

127

Pension Office
Oct 5 1849

Sir,

   In reply to your letter of the 2nd inst. of Margaret Jones, widow of Abel Jones, under Act 7th July 1839, I have to state that the papers cannot be withdrawn from the files of this office consistently with our regulations. The letter to you of the 30th July 1839 a copy of which is wherewith enclosed will show the objects to the claim.

J.H. Deford Esq
Union Town
Pa
Page 36

Pa. May 27
Add'l info
Margaret Jones

Jas L. Edwards, Esq.
(Commissioner of Pensions)
Washington City
           D.C.

Free (postage)
Page 37

Union Town Pa

Dr Sir

   Yours of 22 Apl was rec'd.
  
   Inclosed I send you the deposition of Nathaniel Quillen of Allegheny County at Pittsburgh proving the services of Abel Jones as whose widow Mrs. Margaret Jones claims the benefit of the Act of July 7th 1838.  Altho awkwardly done yet upon careful examination it proves all that is unnecessary.
   Will you be so good as to examine this case and forward her certificate to me.  I hope her pension will be made payable at Pittsburgh, as it will be very difficult for the old lady to draw it at Philadelphia.
Page 38

Affidavit of N. Quillen
Page 39

the deposition of Nathaniel Quillen in behalf of Able Jones a Soldier in the revolutionary war doth depose and say that he the said Nathaniel Quillin was with personally acquainted with Able Jones a Soldier in the revolutionary war, the year not perfectly recollected, but it was at this time that the Mud Island Fort was built and that to the best of his knowledge the place and residence of the said Able Jones was near the Cross Roads twelve miles from Dover Kent County State of Delaware, and the said Abel Jones had served at least three years as a Soldier under Captain John Williams, Major Shelton other officers, not recollected.

Allegany County   SS
   Personally appeared before me a Justice in and for the County of Allegany, Nathaniel Quillin whom being sworn as law directs doth depose and say that the forgoing deposition is just and true to the best of his knowledge and belief.
   Sworn and subscribed before me this twenty second day of May A.D. 1839.

   N.B.               Nathaniel X (mark) Quillin

   I do hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge and belief that the subscribed may be depended on as a credible witness.
   Hugh Flemming
   Pennsylvania
    
Allegheny County SS   I N.N. Peterson Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of said County do hereby certify that Hugh Flemming Esq. before whom the above affidavit was made and who is certifying thereto has thereunto i his own proper handwriting subscribed his name and was at the time of taking such deposition and now is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly commissioned and sworn and to all whom acts as such full faith and credit and of rights to be given here and elsewhere.  Given under my hand and official seal at Pittsburgh, this 28 day of May A.D. 1839.

   H.H. Peterson, Prothy
Page 40

Union Town Penn Aug 17/56

Hon. L.P. Waldo
   
   Sirs

   Application was made in the year 1839 or perhaps previous by Margret Jones of Fayette Co Pa for a Pension in light of the Revolutionary Services of her Husband Abel Jones, and considerable amount of testimony on file in support of the claim.  The said Margret shortly after dies as you will see by the enclosed papers which are intended as additional testimony in support of the claim of the Heirs of the said Abel and Margret to whatever Pensions may be due them in right of the said Abel & Margret.  They are poor and stand much in need of anything which may be due them in right of therein said Parents.

   Please give the case an examination and oblige.

    Yours truly David Downer
Page 41

Union Town Pa.
Augt 15th 1836.

Daniel Downer Esq.

   Sir, I have looked over the papers you sent me, in relation to claim of Mrs. Margaret Jones for pension.
    I wrote her declaration and altho she states that she knew her Husband Abel Jones served three months in the Maryland service, this was only as to a part of his service in the Revolutionary war of which she had actual knowledge.  But I think she by no means intended to say that he was not any longer in the service in Penn and Delaware lines, which she knew by hear say from her husband and others.  You will see that Quillen goes to prove this, as he says he seemed much longer in the Penn line than three months.

   If this statement is of any service to Jones in the obtainment of his claim as heir to his mother, you are welcome to use it.  I have not paid much attention to the pension business in latter years, but any information I can give in any case will afford me much pleasure to do so.

    Yours truly
    J.H. Deford, Esq

     D Downer Esq
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[stamp]
UNIONTOWN
OCT 1
Pa.
L.G. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions 
Washington City
D.C.
Page 43

Uniontown Pa


Dear Sirs
    Some 8 or 10 years ago I sent to your department the claim papers &c of Margaret Jones, the widow of a Revolutionary Soldier.
    It seems that nothing has ever been done with her papers.  Will you be so good as to enclose them back again to me, so that they may be put into such a form as is necessary.
    Please also to let me know the objections to her claim.

         Yours truly
         J.H. Deford
          Atty of Mrs Jones

To the Court of Pensions
Page 44

[stamp]
ODL WAR & NAVY
APR 25 1904
FILES.


5723
Waynesburg Pa

Commissioner of Pensions

Honored Sir
    My great grandfather, Abel Jones, who was born in Delaware 1757 died at Smithfield Fayette Co Pa Sept 1st, 1831.  It is said that he served in the revolutionary war with Delaware troops from papers that I have seen he was at Valley Forge.  One of his Captains seems to be named Hopkins another was named Watsons.  My great-grandmother Margaret Lewis Jones who survived applied for a pension but before it was granted, she died.  but as there was some differently about his record, they granted her an annuity of $90.00 per annum until they got the records.  Please inform me if have a record of this matter and how it stands on the record.  Please notify me soon.

               Yours truly
               Mrs. Mary S. Parry
               213 East Hight St
               Waynesburg, Pa