Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 270, James Higgins, New Jersey
Page 1

New Jersey
Higgins, James
Rebecca
W. 270
Carded
Page 2

3864
New Jersey
Rebecca Higgins de?
widowmof James Higgins
who served i the Revolutionary
Capt. Craig 
war as a private 
Inscribed on the roll at the rate 
of $ 30 dollars 00
cents per annum, to commencw
on the 4th day of March 1848
ending? 9 June 49
Certificate of Pension issued
the 17th day of February ?
J.G. Berret Esq
Present

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under acte
February 2. 1818 page 295 Vol 4
Page 3

James G. Berret
Present
87 cents
Page 4

State of New Jersey SS:  I William K. McDonald
Surrogate of the County of Essex in said State, and Clerk of the Orphans Court therein, do hereby certify that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited before me, at my office, in the City of Newark in the County aforesaid, that Rebecca Higgins the widow of James Higgins, a soldier in the Revolutionary War, departed
this life on the twenty ninth day of June, in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and forty nine, and that she left the following named children, her surviving and yet living viz Mary wife of Daniel Drake, Elizabeth, wife of the Patent, Martha wife of Moses Faitoute, Martha wife of Samuel Williams, David S. Higgins and Elmer W. Higgins.  And I do further certify, that said Moses Faitoute has taken out letters of a administration on the rights and credits, goods and chattel, of Rebecca Higgins deceased, and has given satifactory security according to law by a Bond on file in my office.

In witness whereof I have hereto set
my hand and affixed my official seal
at Newark aforesaid, this ninth
day of February in the year of Our
Lord One thousand Eight hundred
and fifty two.

Wm. K. McDonald
Surrogate & Clk Orphans
Court,
[embossed seal on left]
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Declaration

In Order to Obtain the Benefit of the act of Congress passed July 7th 1838 entitled an act granting half pay and pensions to Certain Widows and the act of March 3rd 1843 and seventeenth June 1844.

State of New Jersey
Essex County   }. ss   On this fourteenth day of February In the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and Forty eight, Personally appeared before me Stephen R Haines one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common pleas In and for said County, Rebecca Higgins A Resident of Essex County in the State of New Jersey aged Eighty years on the Twenty second day of May Last past. (Who I hereby Certify Cannot from Bodily Infirmity attend Court.) Who being by me 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 pensions to Certain Widows And the acts of Congress, of March, third 1843, and June
Seventeenth 1844. That she is the widow of James Higgins, who was an enlisted private solder in the war of the Revolution for six or nine months under Captain John Craig of Essex
County New Jersey. (Cannot now say which) And was also A private Soldier in the Common Militia for more than six months during said war, under the command of Captain Thomas Mulford and other Captains, stationed at (Elizabeth Town point Rahway and Connecticut Farms, under the command of Colonel Thomas Potter and others. And the said Rebeca Higgins further declares that she was married to the said James Higgins, by the Revd Benjamin Woodruff
who was then pastor of the Presbyteran Church at Westfield Essex County New Jersey on the Fifth day of March Seventeen hundred and eighty nine at Westfield in said County, and that
her
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her husband the Aforesaid James Higgins died on the Eighteenth day of October Eighteen hundred and Twenty six That she was not Married to him prior to his Leaving the service but the Married took place previous to the first of January Seventeen hundred and ninety four viz at the time above stated.

              her
Rebecca  X  Higgins
              mark

Sworn to and subscribed on
the day and year above written ⎬
Before me
Stephen A Haines
Judge Com. Pleas
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13589
Mrs Rebeca Higgins
widow of James
declaration and Evidence
for a Pension


Married 1789
husband died 1836

Admd 9 mos pen $30 per annum
Acts
38.
43 & 44
48, ending
9 June 1849, payable
to Moses Faitoute Adr
for the benefit of
Mary Drake, Elizabeth Faitoute
Martha McManis, David S
Higgins, & Elmer W Higgins
only survy children

[crossed out:  Saml B. Miller Newark New Jersey]
J. G Berret
Present
-
Page 8

Seventeen Hundred Eighty nine James Higgins and Rebecca Jeffers were Married.

I James M. Hunting Pastor of the Presbyterian Church At Westfield in the County of Essex and State of New Jersey do hereby certify that the Foregoing is a true Copy from the Records of Marriages kept by the Revd Benjamin Woodruff when pastor of said Church with the Exception of the date which is expressed on the Record in fair Legible Lletters and Figers as Follows - 1789 March 5th James Higgins & Rebecca
Jeffers were Married
James M. Huntting

State of New Jersey
Essex County ⎬SS  I James M. Hunting above named do depose and say that I hold the office
of pastor of the Presbyteran Church at Westfield in the County and State aforesaid. And that the above is A True Eextract from the Marriage Record kept by the said Benjamin Woodruff whilst pastor of said Church with the Exception above named, as Certified by me
And further saith not.

James M Huntting

Sworn to and subscribed at
Westfield in said County this
Thirtieth day of March
A.D. 1847, Before me
Saml B. Miller - Justice of the peace

I do hereby certify that the above named James M. Hunting who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing Certificate and Affidavit is A Respectable Clergyman And pastor of the above mentioned Presbyteran Church at Westfield as above stated.

March 30th 1847
Saml B. Miller - Justice of the peace
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State of New Jersey
County of Essex
I John P Jackson, clerk of the County of Essex and also of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for said County do hereby certify that Stephen R. Haines, before whom the affidavit of Rebecca Higgins (hereto annexed) was made and taken, at the time of taking the same was a presiding Judge of said Court, duly commissioned and sworn; and that the signatures to the Jurat of said affidavit is the proper handwriting of said judge; I do further certify that Samuel B. Miller before whom the affidavit of James M. Hunting hereto annexed was made and taken at the time of taking the same was one of the Justices of the Peace for said County; and that the signatures to the Jurat of said affidavit and the certificate thereunto written are genuine. In Testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and official seal at Newark in said County the Twenty third day of February A.D. Eighteen hundred and forty-eight.
J.P. Jackson, Clk.
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[record book extract]
Receipts for Cash paid years' interest [crossed out]
Notes given by the Commissioners of the several counties for militia services.
No. of Voucher
No. of Certificate: 146
Date. May 17, 84
Signed By. Thomas Clark
Payable To. James Higgins
Amount [in pounds/shillings/pence]. 11.8.4
1 y's int.

[seal of Secretary of State]
State of New Jersey
I, Charles G. McChesney, Secretary of the State of New Jersey, do hereby certify, that the foregoing is a true abstract from a Book, headed as above, as taken from, and compared with the original, now remaining in my office. -And I do further certify, that Thomas Clark was, by an Act, passed by the Legislature of this State, December 20, 1783, entitled, "An Act to procure an estimate of the sums due to the Militia and Troops who have been raised for the defence [sic] of the frontiers of the State, and to provide for the settlement of the same," appointed a Commissioner for the County of Essex for the purpose of settling and adjusting the pay rolls of the Militia and Troops of this State, as aforesaid, and also for signing and delivering out to each and every person a note for the payment of what may be justly due.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office, at Trenton, in said State, this twenty-fourth day of March A.D. one thousand eight hundred and forty-seven.
Charles G. McChesney [signature]
Secretary of State
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April 9, 1940

BA-J/AWF
James Higgins
W. 270

Mrs. Thomas Houghton
217 North Grinnell Street
Jackson, Michigan

Dear Madam:

The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in claim for pension, W. 270, based upon service of James Higgins, in the Revolutionary War.

The date and place of birth of James Higgins,
and names of his parents were not given.

While a resident of Essex County, New Jersey,
James Higgins enlisted and served six or nine months as private in Captain John Craig's New Jersey company; enlisted and served six months as private in Captain Thomas Mulford's company, Colonel Potter's New Jersey regiment; dates of enlistment and discharge
are not shown

He died October 18, 1826.

James Higgins married March 5, 1789, in West
field, Essex County, New Jersey, Rebecca "Jeffers".  She was born May 22, 1767, place not stated, nor were the names of her parents given.

The widow, Rebecca Higgins, applied for pension February 14, 1848, at which time she was living in Essex County, New Jersey. The pension was allowed.

She died June 29, 1849, and was survived by the
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following children, all of whom were living in 1852:

Mary, wife of Daniel Drake; Elizabeth, wife of Moses Faitoute; Martha, wife of Samuel Williams(?); David S. Higgins; Elamer W. Higgins.

In 1851, Caleb "Jefferys" and Julia "Jefferys" stated in Essex County, New Jersey, they were well acquainted with James and Rebecca Higgins. No relationship to the family shown.

The papers on file in this claim contain no further discernible family data.

Very truly yours

A. D. Hiller
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
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Honorable J. L. Edwards

Comm. Pensions
Page 14

House of Representatives
Washington Feb 28, 1848

Honble J.L. Edwards
Commr Pensions

Sir,

I hand you herewith the application of Rebecca Higgins of New Jersey for a pension. 

Saml B. Miller of Newark, N. J. informs me that other evidence will be forthcoming.

I am Sir
Your obdt. Servt,
D.S. Gregory
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11.2175
New Jersey
Rebecca Higgins decd,
widow of James Higgins
who died in the year 1826
of Essex Co. in the State of New Jersey
who was a private in the ----- commanded
by Captain------ of the---------commanded
by---------- in the Revolution for 9 months.
---------------------------
Inscribed on the roll of Trenton
at the rate of 30 Dollars 00 Cents
per annum, to commence on the 4th day of
March, 1836.
---------------------------
Certificate of Pension issued the 17th day of
February 1852 and sent to
---
J. G. Berret
---------------------------
Arrears to the 4th of Present
Semi-annual allowance ending--------------

{Revolutionary Claim
Act July 7, 1838.}

Recorded by A.R. Weightman    Clerk.
Book 9.   Vol. 1.    Page 197
Page 16

9. 165
New Jersey
----------
Rebecca Higgins decd.
widow of James Higgins
who was a Private
in the Revolution
------------------
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate
of 30 Dollars 00 
Cents per annum, to commence on  
the 4th day of March, 1843.
------------------
Certificate of Pension issued the
17th day of Febry 1852 and
sent to J.G. Berrett
Present
------------------
{Acts of March 3, 1843 & June
17, 1844.}

Recorded in Book A Vol. 2 Page 96
Page 17

Pension Office
March 23rd 1848

Sir,

I have the honor to inform you that the papers in the case of Rebecca Higgins widow of James Higgins have been examined and filed under the act of 7 July 1838

The date of their marriage is satisfactorily proven, but the service of Claimants husband is ['neither' is crossed out] not set forth as required by the regulation, and the only proof offered to sustain this service is the certificate of the Secretary of State of New Jersey exhibiting a transcript of a certificate issued to his name ['for mili' crossed out] purporting to be for militia service in Essex County. This certificate bears date the 27th March 1847 and of course must have been in possession of claimant or her agent at the time of drawing up of her declaration, and came therefore be admitted as evidence of the portion of the service therein set forth.

Before any satisfactory adjustment of the claim can be made the requesting
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requiring the commencement and the duration
of each tour with the names of the Company
and field officers under whom they were performed to be clearly specified must be complied with and if there be no record or documentary proof attainable the amount of the service rendered by Claimants husband should be established by at least two credible witnesses who could testify from
their own personal knowledge thereof-

No proof that can be admitted has been presented upon this point

Hon D. S. Gregory
House of Reps

Hon D. S. Gregory
March 23, 1848
Page 19

[left column]
Mch 31 1904, Hist to
Mrs. Alvin H. Dewey 12 Harper St
----------------
1940 ['March 20' crossed out] April 9 Hist to
Mrs. Thomas Houghton 
Aug
---------------

[right column]
270
Revy WIDOW, &c.
------
File No. 270
Rebecca Higgins.
Widow
James Higgins.
Priv. Rev. War.
--------
Act: Feb. 2. 1848.
Index:--Vol. A, Page 333

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 20

No 13589
Rebecca Higgins
NJ
Let to Hon. D.S. Gregory
March 23. 1848

Act 7 July 1838
Page 21

12 Harper Steel
Rochester, N.Y.
March 24, 1914

[hand-written on right:  'OWN' and ECL']

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Dear Sir,

Do the pension records show that a pension was paid to Rebecca Higgins widow of James Higgins, a soldier of the Revolution?

The said Rebeca Higgins died June 29, 1849,
and is thought to have received
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during her lifetime a
pensine from the U.S.
Government
I enclose the military
record of James Higgins from
the Adjutant General's office
at Trenton New Jersey
The records of this office show
that James Higgins, served as
a Private, minute man, in
the Essex County, New Jersey
Militia also Private enlisted
for six months, in Captain
John Craig's Company, New
Jersey State Troops, in 1779
Page 23

Private, Captain Thomas Mulford's
Company. First Regiment, Essex County,
New Jersey Militia; Also served other
tours in the Essex County, New Jersey.
Militia during the Revolutionary War
(Signed) R. Heke Bruintnall
Adjutant General
If you find record of a pensine, I
should be very glad of a copy.
Respectfully 
Mrs. Alvin H. Dewey
12 Harper Street
Rochester, N. Y.
---
Page 24

J. WALLACE HIGGINS
ASSOC. M. AM. SOC. C. E.
CIVIL AND LANDSCAPE ENGINEER
101 PARK AVENUE
(ARCHITECT'S BUILDING)
NEW YORK
TELEPHONE 6430 MURRAY HILL
Roselle Park N.J. Nov 30. 1914
Chief of the Record & Pension office.
War Department
Washington D.C.

Dear Sir: -
I have at hand certificate from your
department dated 1/28/03 relating to record of James Higgins soldier in Revolution.
Also at hand letter from Adjutant Gene of N.J.
dated 1/29/03. stating this soldiers widow drew pension for his service, and in her applicationshe states that he died in Essex County (N.J.) Oct. 18, 1826 I would greatly like to have an abstract of this pension application, showing any mention of ancestry, birth.
death or military record which it contains. I would also like the amount of pension paid her and reason for granting same -
Jane
Thanking you in advance for this information
Yours very truly
J Wallace Higgins
405 CHESTNUT ST.,
ROSELLE PARK, N. J.
The Adj Gene Rep NJ. Certifies that James Higgins served as a Private
minute man, in the Essex Co. J. Militia, enlisted in 1779, for 6 mo as
Private, Capt John Craig's Company, NJ State Troops; Private, Capt Thos Mulford's
Company, 1st Regt Essex Co. NJ Militia, also served other town in the Essex Co.
Militia during the Revolutionary war.)
Page 25

217 North Grinnell Street,
Jackson, Michigan. February 28, 1940.
Veterans Administration,
Washington, D. C.
Mr. A. D. Hiller.
Dear Sir: -
Would you please be kind enough to send me a copy of the following
pension applications issued by the widows --
Amos Day Jr. $4176
James Higgins # 270
These two soldiers rendered service from Connecticut Farms,
Essex County, New Jersey. Thank you.
Yours very truly,
(Mrs. Thomas )
Minnie A. Houghton.
Page 26

Rev. War Section.
December 7, 1914
Mr. J. Wallace Higgins,
405 Chestnut Street,
Roselle Park, N. J.
Sir:
In response to your letter dated the 30th ultimo, you are advised that the papers in claim W. File No. 270, Rev. War, show that Rebecca Higgins widow of James Higgins of Essex County, New Jersey, applied for
a pension on account of his services, February 14, 1848 at which time she resided in Essex County, New Jersey,
and was eighty years old the 22d of the May then last past.
She stated that James Higgins enlisted in the Revolution as a private and served six or nine months under Captain John Craig of Essex County; and more than
six months in the common militia under Captain Thomas Mulford, other Captains, and Colonel Potter, and was
stationed at Elizabeth Town Point, Ranway, and Connecticut Farms. Dates of enlistment and discharge not stated.
She further stated that the soldier married her,
Rebecca Jeffers, on March 5, 1789, at Westfield, Essex
County, New Jersey, and that he died October 18, 1826.
Page 27

She died June 9, 1849, and a pension of $30. per annum for his above services, was allowed from March 4. 1836, until the date of her death, for the benefit of
their surviving children, in 1852; Mary wife of Daniel Drake; Elizabeth wife of Moses Faitoute; Martha wife of Samuel McManis; David S. Higgins and Elmer W. Higgins.
There is no further information relative to his
service or family on file.
Very respectfully,
GM Saltzgaber,
Commissioner.

Higgins- 2.
Page 28

In reply to your request of____________, received______________ for a statement of the military history of James Higgins a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in ['his (or' crossed out] his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
--------------------------W. 270
[Table, six columns with the following headings:]
(1) DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
(2) LENGTH OF SERVICE.
(3) RANK.
(4) OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. {sub-columns:  (4a) CAPTAIN and (4b) COLONEL}
(5) STATE
[Data in columns as follows, in 2 rows:]

(1) [check mark, check mark]
(2) 6 or 9 months, 6 months
(3) Private, [blank]
(4) [a] John Craig, Thomas Mulford [b] [check mark], Thomas Potter
(5) N. J., [blank]

Battles engaged in,_____[check mark_______
Residence of soldier at enlistment,__Essex Co., N.J._______
Date of application for pension, ____Feby. 1, 1848.____
Residence at date of application,___Essex Co., N.J.____
Age at date of application, __80 yrs. 22 of May last past.  ----
Remarks: __Sol. married Westfield Essex Co., N.J.  Mch. 5, 1789__
Rebecca Jeffers____________he died Oct. 18, 1826, the died June 29, 1849____________
and the pension due her on account of her husbands service was allowed in 1852 for the benefit of their surv. children: Mary wife of Daniel Drake, Elizabeth wife of Moses Faitoute, Martha wife of Samuel McManis, David S. & 
Elmer W. Higgins- 

Respectfully,

Commissioner,

5-2856
Page 29

March 19, 1940.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

BA-J/C
James Higgins
W. 270
Amos Day
W. 4176

Mrs. Thomas Houghton,
217 North Grinnell Street,
Jackson, Michigan.

Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request
the Revolutionary War record of Amos Day, Junior, pension
number 4176, and that of James Higgins pension number 270,
both of New Jersey,
The pension records of James Higgins and Amos day are
furnished you herewith.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator.
Page 30

State of New Jersey }
County of  Essex } ss
Be it known that on this
24th day of September AD 1851
personally appeared Caleb Jefferys
and Julia Jefferys two creditable and
disinterested witnesses who being duly
sworn according to Law did depose and
say that they were personally acquainted 
with James Higgins who was always
considered a Revolutionary Soldier and
that Rebecca Higgins deceased whose
children are now applying for arrears of
Pension was generally known whilst living as
the widow of the said James Higgins)
Caleb Jefferys
Julia her X mark Jefferys 

Sworn and subscribed
before me the day and year
last above mentioned
Henry D Hedden
Justice of the Peace
Page 31

William Clark
James G. Berret
Present
Page 32

In the matter of the application of
the Widow Rebecca Higgins for a pension
State of New Jersey }
Essex County } ss  Personally appeared before me
the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said
County duly authorized by the Laws of said State
to administer Oaths William Clark a respectable
person residing in the County of Essex and State of
New Jersey who being by me duly sworn on his Oath
Saith that he is in the ninety sixth year of his age
and that he was a private soldier in the war of the revolution
and was well acquainted with James Higgins of the County
of Essex and State of New Jersey during and since the
War of the Revolution and this deponent further saith
that he is knowing that the said James Higgins was 
a private soldier of the war of the Revolution and
did duly as a private enlisted soldier in said war for
Two years or more but cannot recollect under what
Captain and further this deponant saith not
William Clark
Sworn and subscribed }
before me this 9th day }
of August AD 1831 }
Henry D Hedden
Justice of the Peace
Page 33

State of New Jersey }
Essex County } ss
I John W Weeks Clerk of the Court of 
Common Pleas of the County of Essex do Certify
that Henry D Hedden before whom the
foregoing affidavit was taken, was at the
time of taking the same an acting Justice
of the Peace in and for said County 
Commissioned and sworn, and duly authorized
to administer Oaths, and that the signature
to the Jurat of said affidavit is genuine
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and the seal of said Court this Eleventh
day of August AD 1851
J R Weeks clk
Page 34

Rebecca Higgins de'd
New Jersey
Act 7 July 1838
James G.. Berret
Present
Page 35

State of New Jersey
Essex County ss
Be it known that on this
24th day of September AD 1837 Personally
appeared before me the subscriber a Justice
of
the Peace in and for the County aforesaid
Sarah T. Baldwin a Creditable and disinterested
Witness who being duly sworn doth depose
and
say that she was personally acquainted
with James Higgins who alwas was
considered a Revolutionary soldier and
that Rebecca Higgins deceased whose children
are now applying for arrears of Pension
was generally known whilst living as the
widow of said James Higgins
Sarah T Baldwin
Sworn and subscribed }
before me the day and }
year first above written }
Henry D Hedden
Justice of the Peace
Page 36

State of New Jersey }
County of Essex } ss
24th day of September A. D. 1851 Personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace
in and for the County aforesaid Abraham W Baldwin
a Creditable and disinterested witness who being 
duly sworn did depose and say that he
was personally acquainted with James Higgins
who was always considered a Revolutionary
Soldier and that Rebecca Higgins deceased
whose children are now applying for arrears
of Pension was generally known whilst living
as the widow of said James Higgins
Abm. W. Baldwin
Sworn and subscribed }
before me the day and }
year first above written }
Henry D Hedden
Justice of the Peace
Page 37

Brief in the case of Rebecca Higgins decd widow of James
Essex County and State of New Jersey
act 7 July 1838 &c
Claim ("original," ["or for increase." crossed out] )
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Record proof & living witness of service
(see papers of Wm Clark N.J. Act 1832)
Record proof of Marriage

(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Name and residence of Agent
J. G. Berret
Present
S. Cole
Examining Clerk.
Page 38

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-5-41
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Higgins James GRADE Private LINE Pennsylvania
ACREAGE

WARRANT
NUMBER  9556  ACREAGE 100
ISSUED February 21, 1792
to Gideon Merkle, assignee

The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of ""Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800"" which are
registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent
dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800.
Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.