Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 2471, Richard Crawford, New Jersey Sea Service
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(3 - 1776) 
SERVICE 
New Jersey Sea Service 
Crawford, Richard 
Sarah 

Number R.2471
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State of New Jersey
Cape May County Ss ⎬ On this 8th day of February Eighteen hundred & thirty seven personally appeared before the Judges of the Court of Court of Common Pleas the County of Cape May (being a Court of Record) in Open Court Sarah Crawford Widow of Richard Crawford a Resident of the Middle Township in the County of Cape May and State of New Jersey aged Seventy Six years or thereabouts who being 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 June Seventh Eighteen hundred and thirty two and of the fourth of July Eighteen hundred and thirty six. That she is the widow of Richard Crawford. That she intermarried with the said Richard sometime in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred  and Eighty three and that he died some time in the month of December Eighteen hundred and eleven. That on the first [?] =ing out of the Revolutionary War between the United States and Great Britain the said Richard was a volunteer in the Malitia [Militia] Service as a private in a company of Infantry commanded by Jonathan Jenkins and John Cresse one of his lieutenants, that he remained some time in the land service (time not now recollected) when he entered the marine or sea service as a Seaman during the remainder of the war but cannot recollect the name of the vessel or Vessels or Schooner  in which he sailed ^ except the Shore Hawk and Sloop of War Wasp
 That while in the Sea Service during a portion of his time he was Boatswain, but in which or what vessel she does not now recollect. That he was in several engagements and twice taken prisoner. That he suffered extremely while on board the prison ships and whilst a prisoner at Antega, and that at the close of the war he obtained an honorable discharge but by whom signed she cannot say which has since become lost and cannot now be found. That she cannot designate the particular engagements in which he fought
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but from the wounds and hardships suffered and inflicted upon him during said war She has no doubt but that his life was shortened several years. That at the time the said Richard Entered into the service of the United States he was residing in the County of Cape May and on his return after the War he remained there until the day of his death- And further States that she has no documentary proof or evidence in
support of her claim. That she has remained a widow ever since the death of her husband Richard as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereunto annexed. That she had
Several children by said Richard but none under the age of Sixteen at the time of her husbands death and that she relinquishes every claim to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that said Richards name is not on the pension Roll of the agency of any State whatsoever. That the said Capt Jonathan Jenkins and the said John Cresse have been dead several years as also Nathaniel Holmes and Humphrey Stiles.  That said Holmes & Stitles were the only persons she has any knowledge of who served at the same time and the same service and that she has been informed and believes that said Holmes previously to his death was allowed a pension for similar services- and that Shanger Hewitt
Esq had applied for a pension but on account of some informality in the proceedings he did not receive it and for further proof she begs leave to refer the Hon. The Commissioner of pensions to their several Declarations now on file in the war or Navy Department. She further declares that she was married to the said Richard Crawford on the fourteenth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty three, and that her husband the aforesaid Richard Crawford died on the
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eighteenth day of December Eighteen hundred and eleven and that she has remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proofs hereunto annexed

          her
Sarah  X  Crawford
         mark

Sworn to and Subscribed this eighth
day of February 1837 before me
"Interlineations 8 lines from the bottom page."
"but thinks it was the Schooner Hawk. page 1" "also between 10th and eleventh except the schooner"
"Hawk and sloop of war Wasp"
Joshua Hildreth
-
We Jos. Warren and Jonathan Hewit residing in the County of Cape May do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Sarah Crawford who has subscribed and Sworn to the above declaration that we believe her to be of the age therein named that she is reputed and believed
in the neighbourhood where she resided to be the widow of the late Richard Crawford and it is also reputed that he served in the war of the revolution as therein stated
Jos. Warren
Jonathan Hewit Jr

Sworn and Subscribed this
eight day of February 1837 in open Court
Joshua Hildreth

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after examining the affidavits in this case that the above named applicant is the widow of the late Richard Crawford and he is reputed to have served in the war of the revolution as the said Sarah has stated in her
declaration. The court further certify that it appears to them that Joseph Warren and Jonathan Hewitt who have signed the preceding certificate reside in the County of Cape May are credible persons and that their statements are entitled to credit, and that the court have also examined
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the affidavit of Shanger Hewett Esq taken before Constantine Blackman Esq. who is one of the Judges and Justices of the peace in and for the County of Cape May that the said
Shanger Hewett is between eighty and ninety years of age and is very infirm and debilitated so much so as to be unable to attend this court he residing some distance from it. that said Shanger Hewett is a man of good standing and credibility and the statements contained in his affidavit are entitled to due credit and the court further certify that they are well acquainted with Joshua Crawford and that we esteem him a credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit. That the said Sarah Crawford is so old and infirm that she cannot attend before the court but that Joshua Hildreth Esq before whom her affidavit was taken is a judge and Justice in and for Cape May County
Joshua Hildreth
Jeremiah Hand
James McGuire
Virgil M. Davis

I Swain Townsend clerk of the Superior Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Cape May and State of New Jersey do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original
proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Sarah Crawford for a pension

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and seal of office this eighth day of May
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven
Swain Townsend Clk
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State of New Jersey
Cape May County SS⎬ On this 8th day of February Eighteen hundred and thirty seven personally appeared before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Cape May (being a court of record) in open Court Joshua Crawford a resident of the Middle Township in the County of Cape May and State of New Jersey aged fifty three or thereabouts who being duly sworn according to law doth depose as follows that he has often heard his father Richard Crawford say that he was a volunteer at the commencement of the Revolutionary war with Great Britain and the United States and served under the
command of Capt Jonathan Jenkins and John Cresse who was one of his Lieutenants. That after serving some considerable time in the land service he entered the sea service as a mariner or Seaman on board of a vessel or Sloop of war called the Wasp but does not now recollect
the name of the commander.  That while in the Sea service during a great portion of said time he was a Boat Swain but in which or what vessel he does not now recollect as he served in two or three during the war having once or twice been taken prisoner and exchanged that he is satisfied from his own recollection and that of
Nathaniel Holmes since decd that he suffered extremely whilst on board the prison ships and whilst a prisoner at Antiga where he was kept a close prisoner for several months. That he cannot designate any particular engagement in which he fought, being then Young and if told it had escaped his recollection. that his mother Sarah Crawford is Still living and has remained unmarried ever since the death of her said Husband Richard Crawford that he knows of no person now living who was in the service with his father during said war. That he has seen the certificate of Marriage of his said father and Mother which is ^ not hereunto annexed but has become lost and cannot now be found and believes it to be genuine and what it purports to be and knows that during the whole of his life
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up to the day of his Father's death they lived together as man and wife
Joshua Crawford

Sworn and Subscribed this eighth
day of February 1837 in open court
Interlination page 1st two lines from the bottom
the words "not" and the words "has become"
"lost and cannot now be found" before
Sworn
Joshua Hildreth

I Swain Townsend Clerk of the Inferior
Court of Common Pleas in and for the County
of Cape May, and State of New Jersey, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the whole proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Sarah Crawford for a pension.

In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and seal
of Office, this Eighth day of February
A.D. One thousand Eight hundred & thirty seven.
Swain Townsend Clk
[seal affixed at left]
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Cape May C. H.
    April  27

J.L. Edwards Esq.
Com. Of Pensions
Washington City, D.C.

N.J. 936
pss for 12 May
Sarah Crawford
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The State of New Jersey
Cape May County SS  }
Personally appeared before the Subscriber one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the said County being a Court of record and in open Court Joshua Crawford, the Son of Sarah Crawford who is the widow of Richard Crawford, who being by me duly Sworn according to law did depose and say that he is the President of the First Baptist Church of the County of Cape
May and holds the books of said Church.  That his mother Sarah Crawford was married to his Father Richard Crawford by one David Smith Pastor of said Baptist Church - That he has searched and examined the books aforesaid, and find no entry of any marriage made therein by said Smith or of any other person for him of any marriage while he was Pastor as aforesaid which appears to have been about Eight years and that Artis Legrave was also Pastor of said Church for about three years immediately after
as the Successor of said Smith, and that that there is no record of any marriage by him during his stay but further says that he has frequently seen the certificate of marriage made and signed by the said David Smith which he believes to have been in his own proper hand writing and believes it to be true- and that the said David Smith is dead, as also all the persons
that had any correct knowledge of the particular term the said Richd Crawford Served under Capt Jonathan Jenkins, or the particular names of the vessels in which he served, but that he served during the whole war and that said certificate of marriage has become lost.
Joshua Crawford

Sworn & Subscribed, this 27th day of
April 1837. Witness my hand and
seal this day and year aforesaid
Joshua Hildreth Justice of the peace
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Cape May County N.J. April 27, 1837
Sir,
     I recd yours of the 22nd relating to the case of Sarah Crawford, widow of Richd Crawford deceased.
     I beg leave to again call your particular
attention to her case, for if she is entitled, she ought to have it for her extreme poverty requires it. She has as also her relatives a dislike to sending her to the poor or
County house. I think on inspection you will find that she has given all the proof required by the 3d Section of the law of 1836. if she has not, she cannot  as the persons having knowledge of the facts are dead with the exception of Shanger Hewett Esq. whose
age is between 80 and 90 years and Mrs. Crawford is of nearly the same age.  All the persons that she has any knowledge of that served with him [R..ioce?]  with the exception of Hewett you will find by the proceedings on file are dead. Yet he and others swear that her husband served during the war.
Their age will not bring to them recollection.
The precise time that he served with Capt.
Jonathan Jenkins, or the name of the other
Captains, or the vessels, but sufficient I hope has been done to make her case satisfactory 
to the department. Mrs. Crawford was married at a time as you will forever (just before the war) when no records were kept, yet the witness to the annexed officially swears that he has frequently seen the certificate of marriage, and that His name is [Cott -?] in fact she did not consider of sufficient importance to be preserved not contemplating the act.
That she was the lawful wife during the service
remained his widow ever since is certain still she cannot make better proof as her witnesses are dead.
Yet she thinks that she is entitled to relief having served the country and endured extreme hardship the consequence of which she is satisfied shortened his days
and deprived her of his company & support.
                  Write to me soon, and oblige
                         Resp. Your Obt. Servt
                           John E. Jeffers
J.L. Edwards Esq.
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Sarah Crawford widow of 
Richard Crawford
Act 1836
New Jersey
2471
Page 12

State of New Jersey
County of Cape May } SS.
Be it Known, That on this fourteenth day of December A. D. 1852, before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared Joshua Crawford resident of Cape May C.H. in said County, and made oath according to law that he is the legal heir of Sarah Crawford Widow of Richard Crawford deceased, the identical man who was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, and who has heretofore made application for the beneit of the Pension Act of [blank].  That he is directly interested as a claimant in said Penson, and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence or arguments as my Agent may use in prosecuting said claim.

Countermanding and revoking all Powers of Attorney and authority heretofore given, I hereby constitute and appoint SAMUEL M KNIGHT, of Washington City, my true and lawful Attorney to prosecute the claim of Sarah Crawford decd widow of Richard Crawford decd for any amount of Revolutionary Pension, or increase of Pension that may be due; and I hereby authorize my said Attorney to examine all papers or documents in relation to said claim, on file in the Department at Washington City or elsewhere, to file additional evidence or arguments, and to receive for my exclusive  benefit, the certificate which may be issued for said claim, which certificate I wish made payable at the Washington City, D.C. Agency; to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purposes herein expressed, and to do all things that I might or could do were I personally present.  Hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney and Agent shall lawfully do in the premises.
Joshua Crawford

Sworn to, Subscribed, and Acknowledged before me the day and year above written, and I hereby certify that I believe the said Joshua Crawford to be directly interested in said claim as set forth, and to be the identical party therein alleged.
Elijah Townsend Jr Justice

State of New Jersey
County of Cape May } SS.
It is Hereby Certified, that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited for me, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County, that Joshua Crawford the party who has sworn to, and acknowledged the foregoing Declaration and Power of Attorney, is the child of the reputed soldier aforesaid I further certify, that 
Elijah Townsend Junr. Esq. before whom the preceding affidavit and Power of Attorney were made and acknowledged, was at the time of so doing, a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, and that the signature purporting to be his, I believe to be genuine.

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office, this fourteenth day of December 1852.
Jonathan Hand Clerk
------------------------
I. Claimant's name or names in full. -2. Post Office address.
3. "That he is the identical man," or, "that she is the widow of the identical man," or, "that he or she is the legal heir of the identical man," &c., &c.
4. Leave this line blank. 5. "He is, "she is," or "they are." 6. Revolutionary soldier's full name. 7. Claimant's signature. -- 8. Claimant's name -- 9. Magistrate's signature.
10. "Identical," "widow of," or, "child of." -- 11. Magistrate's name." -- 12. Clerk's signature.

N. B. -- Should two or more heirs join in the foregoing, the plural should be substituted for the singular number.
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Suspended - Let. to
John E. Jeffers - 22d Apl
1837 - do May 20 
Same July 19, '37
  do same Oct. 15, 3'8
  "  same Dec. 1, '38
Act. 4 July 36, '38
-----------------
Hon. Thos. Jones Yorke Dec. 17 '38
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Apr 22, 1837
Richard Crawford
Capt. Jonathan Jenkins
----------------------
See House Rep-
25th Congress, 3d Session
26"    "               1          "
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Sarah Crawford
------------------
Petition and
papers of Sarah
Crawford of Cape
May Co. New Jersey
 Richard Crawford for a pension
Sea fencible  N.J.
-------------------
Decr. 20 1838
Rep to the Committee
on Revy Pensions
-------------
Jan 4. 1841-- Rep (under Resol.)
& Comm .Rev. Pensions
--------------
April 25, 1840
Com. discharged
--------------
26th
York 106 Rev Pens
Page 16

( 3 - 224.)       Revy
No. 21, 777
am
__________, Ex'r.     REJECTED
OLD WAR WIDOW.

Sarah Crawford of N.J.
widow of Richard Crawford
Sea-fencible N.J.
________________
[cut off]ed at ____________
________________________
________________other claim.
___________________________
___________________________
_________, 18.   ____________Clerk.


Application filed: _____________- , 18.  .
Attorney: _________________
P.O. ______________________
__________________________
_________________________
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['Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873' crossed out]
REJECTED
AM

__2471 ____
P.O. ___________________
__ Sarah Crawford _______
Service: ___Richard ______

Enlisted: _________________, 18  
Discharged: ______________, 18

Application filed:___________, 18
Alleges: ________________________
_______________________________
Re-enlisted: ____________________
_______________________________

Attorney: _______________________
P. O. ___________________________
________________________________
_______ Recognized. ______ Contract
_____Cert. of Dis.   Searched for _[check mark]_____, 18
Page 18

Jn at July 27
NJ

Cape May C.H.
July 22

Free

Hon. J.L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.
Page 19

Cape May Court House 24. 1838

Dr. Sir,

Some time since (say one year) I forwarded
to you the application and papers of Sarah Crawford the widow of Richard Crawford-  you in your answer "War dept. Pension office May the 20" 1837 say that such papers were duly received but that the marriage is alledged
[alleged] to have taken place three days after the proclamation of peace,&c.-perceive by reading the papers upon that subject (pensions), June 7th 1832, provides "that the
widows of those who were in the Revolutionary service (any) and who were married before 1794 and are now widows shall receive a pension for five years from March 4th 1836: Equal to the pay to which the husband would have been entitled if living-- &c

Mrs Crawford is yet living- &c.- I refer you to the former papers now on file in your office - and from the reading of the same you will find
I think all the necessary evidence to entitle her to receive her pension (except the affidavit that she can furnish at any time that she is living-this can be done. The old Lady is really in want, and would be much benefitted by receiving the money that she thinks herself entitled to receive. Be so good as to inform me what steps are necessary to enable her to recover- I do a gratis- or I shall be more particular.
yours Resp. & obt-
John E Jeffers
her atty.
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Jurat Nov 10       18 3/4

Cape May CH NJ
Nov 13th

Hon: J.L. Edwards
Comr of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.
Page 21

Court House Nov. 13th 1838.

Hon J L Edwards }
Comr of Pensions }

Sir

I lately forwarded to you an additional affidavit in the case of Sarah Crawford an applicant for a pension to which I have recd no answer-- and as I expect to be absent from this place for one or two months, I should like to receive your determination in her case before I leave, which
I hope will be favorable.

Your early answer will oblige Respy your Humble Servt
John E. Jeffers
Page 22

Act of July 4 1836

Dec 5
[stamp:] WASHINGTON DC DEC 14
[illegible] act 36 N.J.
Sarah Crawford NJ

P. Jones Yorke

J.L. Edwards Esq
Dep of War
Washington City
D.C.

Hon. P. Jones Yorke


[illegible]
Sarah Crawford
Page 23

House of Representatives
December 14 1838

Dear Sir

Will you have the goodness to send me at
your earliest convenience copies of the papers in the case of Sarah Crawford (widow Richard
Crawford) an applicant for a pension-

they were filed in office at the different dates of
February, August and October of the present year

Very Respectfully
P. Jones Yorke
of New Jersey

J. J. L. Edward Esq
Page 24

Jurat Nov 30
N.J.

Cape May CH NJ
Nov 27th

Free

Hon: J.L. Edwards
Commr. of Pensions
Washington City D.C.



Edward Crane 2445
Chris [illegible] 4801-
Jno Hart. 4918
Page 25

Cape May Court House
Nov. 27th 1838.

Hon. J L Edwards
Comr. of Pensions

Sir

I beg leave again to call your attention to the
case of Sarah Crawford Widow of Richd Crawford decd.

I would ask you, if it will not be too much trouble to examine the whole of the documents & papers on file in your office- and am
persuaded to believe that they contain sufficient to entitle her to a pension. I shall leave here in a very few days and should be highly obliged to you to report her case before I leave- as she is in great want, and in case of my absence would have to apply to some other person to aid her-- this would cause her in her present debilitated State much trouble & delay.

Respy
Your Obt & Huml. Servt.
John E. Jeffers
Page 26

Cape May C.H.
Feby 9.---              18 3/4

Hon: J. L. Edwards
Comr. of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.
Page 27

Cape May Ct. House
Feb 8th 1837

Sir,

You will receive by same mail with this the papers of Mrs Sarah Crawford applying for a pension as the widow of Richard Crawford
decd on account of services performed in the Revolutionary War.

You will perceive by the affidavits that there are no old soldiers now living to call upon for proof-
except the proof attached to her Declaration. If she cannot now obtain relief she must (as a person well entitled- and deserving) fail for the want of sufficient for she cannot procure any additional. I hope however that her case will receive due consideration, and that she will
receive her just reward.

In her declaration I have named the act of 1832 and 36- in order thro[w] the all the light upon the subject it was possible.

Your early examination into her case, and answer addressed to me at this place will receive the thanks of Sirs

Resp. your obt. & Huml. Servt.
John E. Jeffers

Hon J. L. Edwards
Comr. of Pension
Page 28

Hon: J. L. Edwards
Comr. of Pensions
Washington
City D.C.
Page 29

Court House Cape May
Oct. 24. 1848.

Hon: J. L. Edwards
Comr. of Pensions

Sir,

Enclosed is an addition affidavit of Jonathan Hewett in relation to Sarah Crawfords claim for a pention [pension]  together with the opinion of the Court thereon.

There is not a person in this County but believes that she is entitled- yet as every person known to have been in the schooner of War Hawk are dead, nothing but traditionary testimony can be obtained- I hope however
this will be sufficient, it appears to me so from a perusal of the rules of the department. Mrs Crawford is a very worthy old lady altho poor.  She is really suffering for the want of what she considers her right.

Your early re-investigation of her case, and answer will greatly releave [relieve] Mrs Crawford, and much Oblige 
Resp. your obedient & 
Huml. Servt &c
John E. Jeffers

P. S.  Mrs. Sanborn who made a claim
some time since is since deceased
Page 30

Power of attorney
for
Examining Revolutionary papers
case of
Joshua Crawford
son of
Richard Crawford
New Jersey


Sep. 1852
FE Hassler
atty
Page 31

POWER OF ATTORNEY

For ascertaining whether any increase or arrears of Pension are due the Widow or heirs of Revolutionary Pensioners, &c.*

STATE OF New Jersey,
COUNTY OF Cape May,
Be it known that before me a Justice of the Peace in and for said County personally appeared Joshua Crawford aged 68 years, who being duly cautioned and then sworn in due form of law, states that he is the only heir of Richard Crawford who was a Revolutionary + [blank] in the State of  [blank] and that he died on the [blank] day of December 1799, and that his mother, named Sarah Crawford died on the 10th day of March 1843 and that they were
married on the [blank]  day of [blank] in the year 17 [blank] and that they were residents of Cape Map- C.H. in the State of New Jersey- 
and that they resided there about 18 years, and that he resides in Cape May C.H. N.J. and that furthermore he doth BY THESE PRESENTS, constitutes, appoints, and fully empowers and authorizes, irrevocably and with powers of
substitution, F. E. HASSLER, of Washington City, D. C., as my true and lawful Attorney for me and in my name and stead, to examine into, to prosecute, to demand, and to receive from the U.S. Government and State officers my rights in all and in any manner of claim for increase or arrears of pension or Land, that may be due me as only heir-- of Richard Crawford who died leaving the same undrawn, as in right of law
--- may be entitled.

In witness whereof he has on this 21st day August 1852, hereunto signed his name, and affixed his seal.
Joshua Crawford
Witness: Jonathan Hand
Witness: Elijah Townsend Jr

Signed, sealed, acknowledged, and sworn to before me; and I further certify, that Joshua Crawford has always by the community been known as the only heir of Richard Crawford decd.
Dated on this 21st day of August 1852
Elijah Townsend Jr Justice of Peace
--------------------
State of New Jersey }
County of Cape May } to wit:
I hereby certify, That Elijah Townsend Junr. -- Esq., before whom the foregoing affidavits and acknowledgement were made, and who has thereunto subscribed his name, was at the time of so doing, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, and that his signature above written is genuine.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of our Cape May Pleas County Court, his twenty first- day of August- one thousand eight hundred and fifty two- (1852). --
Jonathan Hand Clerk of Cape May Pleas
---------------
*If a Widow applies, state "the date of marriage, and date of death of her husband."
+State under what act pensioned, or when pension commenced, if a pensioner--and amount of pension.
Page 32

War Department
Pension Office
October 15, 1838.

Sir,

The supplemental declaration of Mrs. Sarah Crawford has been examined.  To sustain
this application it is necessary to shew that the service alleged to have been rendered by the claimant's husband as a mariner was rendered on board of a ship in the Continental Service.
His military service should in order to further investigation, be specified  by some witness who can give the duration of each tour, the
date &c.

I am, very respectfully,
Your obt servt
(Signed) J.L. Edwards

John E. Jeffers Esq
Cape May
New Jersey
Page 33

The State of New Jersey
Cape May County ss}
On this 23d day of October Eighteen hundred and thirty eight Personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Cape May now sitting, Jonathan Hewett aged fifty six years, who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath says, That he is acquainted with Sarah Crawford the widow of Richard Crawford, and has known her since he was old enough to recollect any person, and knows that she has lived a widow ever since the death of her late Husband Richard Crawford - that he was also well acquainted with Richard Crawford Humphry Stiles, Nathaniel Holmes and Joshua Billings and that he has heard the said Crawford Holmes Stiles and Billings repeatedly state the services rendered by said Richard Crawford during the Revolutionary war between the United States and Great Britain, and that he has heard them each State that from about the commencement of the year Seventeen hundred and Eighty two
Page 34

the said Richard Crawford entered into the continental service in behalf of the Americans against Great Britain in the Capacity of Boatswain on board the war Schooner Hawk
which was stationed in the Delaware Bay to gard [guard] said Bay and continued in said services for nearly two years. That said Schooner Hawk was commanded by Capt.
Snyder and that said Joshua Billings informed
this deponent that he was Boatswains mate
under said Richard Crawford.   that the services herein mentioned was performed after the exchange of prisoners that were exchanged
after his imprisonment at Antiga.  That it is the general opinion of the public here that the said
Richard Crawford Served in the continental service during the whole war- and that he was
in several engagements during that time, and was wounded once or twice in some of those engagements.

That the said Crawford at the Commencement of the war resided in Cape May County, and at the close of the war continued to live in said County until the day of his death. That
Page 35

the said Crawford, Holmes, Stites, Snyder, and Billings are all dead- and that he has no knowledge or belief that there are any living to prove the fact only by traditionary testimony
Jonathan Hewitt

Sworn & Subscribed in open
Court this 23d Oct 1838-
Joshua Hildreth Judge
-------------

We the subscriber Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the events of Cape May do hereby certify that Jonathan Hewett the above named witness, is a person of credibility and veracity and that his statement is entitled to due credit. We do also certify that Richard
Crawford was and is reputed in the neighborhood where he resides, to wit Cape May County New Jersey to have served as a marine in the Continental Service in the Schooner of war Hawk as stated by said Jonathan Hewett and that he served as such during the war.
Joshua Hildreth }
Aaron Crowell }
Jos Goff }    Judges of the Court of Common pleas of Cape May Co.
Page 36

I Swain Townsend Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Cape May do hereby certify that the Signature to the affidavit hereto annexed is in the proper hand writing of
said Jonathan Hewett who was born in the County of Cape May, and has always resided therein, and that the names of Joshua Hildreth
Jeremiah Hand, Joseph Goff ['Aaron Crowell, Hughes' crossed out] is in their proper hand writing, and that they are Judges of said Court
and that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of application of Sarah Crawford for a pension

In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and seal of
office this 24th day of October 1838.
Swain Townsend Clk
[seal at left]
Page 37

V 1251
New Jersey-
Declaration
&c of
Sarah Crawford
for a
Pension
Joint Resolution

Sept. 26, 1838
John E. Jeffries
act 4 July 1836
Page 38

State of New Jersey
Cape May County ss:  On this Twenty Second day of September in the of one Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty Eight personally appeared before the subscriber one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Cape May and State of New Jersey Sarah Crawford a resident
of the Middle Township in the County and
State aforesaid aged Seventy Eight 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 fourth eighteen hundred and thirty six and the joint resolution of July Seventh eighteen hundred and thirty Eight.
That she is the widow of Richard Crawford who was a marine or sea fencible during the whole of the Revolutionary war with Great Brittain [Britain] that part of the time, the said Richard served in the Sloop of war called the [blank] that whilst in such service he was taken prisoner by the English and was put in and kept on board of the Brittish [British] prison ship for a long time, and from thence taken to Antiga where he lay in prison about Eighteen months, that she cannot recollect the names of all the vessels he was on, nor the names of the commanders
Page 39

nor the battles in which he was engaged - that
Nathaniel Holmes who is since died who during his life time received a pention [pension] was
in the same service, and was also a prisoner at Antiga at the same time and was discharged at the same time that the said Richard Crawford was discharged- that said Richard was not discharged untill [until] some time after the proclamation of peace that he was legally married to this deponant [deponent] before his discharge - that said Richard received an honorable discharge Signed by General George Washington- which discharge has become mislayed or lost and cannot now be found-- that she has no documentary evidence in support of her claim. That the said Richard held and exercised the office of Boatswain during a portion of the time he was in the said service- that when the said Richard engaged in the United States service he resided in the County of Cape May and returned there immediately after his discharge. She further declares that she was married to the said Richard Crawford
on the 14th day of April 1783, as will appear
by the certificate of Marriage hereunto annexed signed by David Smith, who was the Minister of the Gospel belonging to the Baptist Church
at Cape May Court House, that her Husband
Page 40

the aforesaid Richard Crawford, died on the 18
day of December 1799 and that she has remained a widow ever since that period, as will
more fully appear by reference to the proof
hereto annexed.
Sarah Crawford

Sworn and Subscribed, on the day and year aforesaid before me.
Jeremiah Hand Judge

I Jeremiah Hand one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Cape May and State of New Jersey do hereby certify, that Sarah Crawford, the applicant for a pension by right of her late husband Richard Crawford is believed to be of the age she states and that from bodily infirmity she cannot attend the Court.
Jeremiah Hand } Judge

This certifies whom it may concern that on the 14th of April 1783 Came before me Richard Crawford and Sarah Hewet and having previously obtained licence [license] for marriage from his Excellency Wm Livingston Esqr I did there pronounce man and wife, as witness my hand David Smith
ma [illegible] (A)
Page 41

We Joshua Hildreth & Samuel Matthews Residing in the County of Cape May and State of New Jersey hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Sarah Crawford, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe her to be of the age of Seventy Eight years, and that Richard Crawford her late
husband, is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resided to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Joshua Hildreth
Saml Matthews

Sworn and subscribed the 
day and year aforesaid }
Jeremiah Hand  }Judge

And the said Court do hereby declare the opinion after the investigation of the matter, that the above named Richard Crawford was a Revolutionary soldier and served as the said Sarah Crawford States- And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that the said [blank] who have signed the preceding certificate are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Jeremiah Hand } Judge
Page 42

The State of New Jersey
Cape May County SS. }
Personally appeared before the Subscriber one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Cape May Shanger Hewett Esq. aged Eighty five years or thereabouts who being by me duly sworn according to law did depose & say that he was well acquainted with Richard Crawford in his life time - that he has personal knowledge that the said Richard was in the service of the United States nearly if not the whole of the Revolutionary war between the United States and Great Brittain [Britain] That his recollection is so impaired that he cannot recollect the names of the sloops of war or the commanders- that he recollects his having been taken prison by the English, and from reports at the time which he believes to be true ,that the said Richard Crawford was a person about Eighteen months at Antiga- that he understood that he said Richard was honorably discharged by Gen. George Washington that he understood and believes that the said Richard and Sarah were married whilst he was in the service of the United States- and know that they lived together as man and wife untill [until]  the time of his death - that the said Richard has been dead several years, but that he cannot now recollect the time he died- that the said
Sarah Crawford has remained a widow ever
Page 43

the death of her said husband Richard Crawford
that he was well acquainted with Richard
Crawford and also his widow Sarah both before
the war, and ever since -and that they have
always bore a good character in society. That
his memory has so failed him that he cannot
recollect the particulars of the service of the
said Richard Crawford while in the service afsd.
that a former affidavit taken before Constantine
Blackman one of the Judges of the Common
pleas of Cape May County and now on file in
the pension office is more full.
Shanger Hewitt

Sworn and and subscribed on the day
aforesaid before me 
Jeremiah Hand Judge

I Jeremiah Hand one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Cape May and State of New Jersey do hereby certify that Shanger Hewitt the above named witness, in the application of Sarah Crawford for a pension in right of her late husband Richard Crawford is believed to be of the age he states and that from bodily infirmity he cannot attend the Court.
Jeremiah Hand } Judge
Page 44

The State of New Jersey
Cape May County ss ⎬ Personally appeared before the Court in open Court Joshua Crawford aged fifty three years who being duly sworn according to law upon his solemn oath did depose and say, that he is the son of Richard Crawford deceased the late husband of Sarah Crawford the above applicant for a pension.  That he the said Joshua is president of the board of trustees of the Baptist Church at Cape May Court house, and has in his possession the books of and belonging to said Church and also that he is acquainted with the hand writing of David Smith late a minister of the Gospel and the settled pastor of the Baptist church of the Court house, and the certificate of Marriage of Richard Crawford and Sarah Crawford is in the hand writing of said David Smith and hereunto annexed marked A. that he
has often heard his father Richard Crawford and others say frequently that the said Richard served the whole war of the Revolution, that in some engagements he was wounded in the hip, but can't say what- that he has heard the said Richard and Nathaniel Holmes and Humphry Stiles frequently state, that they three were in prison about Eighteen months at Antiga- that the Said Holmes and Stiles have since deceased
Page 45

That the said Richard Crawford died some time in the month of ['February' crossed out] December 1799 and that the said Sarah Crawford has he remained a widow ever since. That he does not know of any person or persons now living that can recollect any of the
circumstances more particularly that have been stated by the said Sarah and Shanger Hewitt, and that he believes all those that were in the same service with the said Richard are dead. Joshua Crawford

Sworn and subscribed in
open Court this 22nd Sept. 1838
Jeremiah Hand } Judge

I Swain Townsend Clerk of the Court of the
Common Pleas of the County of Cape May
do hereby certify that the foregoing contains
the original proceedings of the said Court in
the matter of the application of Sarah Crawford for a pension- And that Jeremiah Hand Esq is one of the Judges of said Court - and that his signature to the affidavit of Sarah Crawford and Shanger Hewitt is genuine.

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed the seal
of said Court this 22nd day of
September Anno Domini 1838.
Swain Townsend
[seal at left]
Page 46

The State of New Jersey 
Cape May County SS }
Personally appeared before the Subscriber one of the Justices of the Peace and Judges
of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County Sarah Crawford widow of Richard Crawford deceased, the applicant for a pension as widow of her said deceased husband, and being by me duly sworn according to law did depose and say that she was married to said Richard Crawford some time in the year 1782 and not in the year 1783 as heretofore stated- and altho old and infirm and then supposes that
to be the time as before stated she is satisfied that she was in error from the fact that her husband Richd Crawford was in the service of the United States and in the Schooner Hawk at the time of his discharge and that they were married several months previously thereto, and previously to the proclamation of peace between this Country and Great Britain in 1783- and further states that she has made diligent enquiry to obtain further evidence of the facts concerning her marriage and the service of her late husband and without avail and is perfectly satisfied that all of the persons known to her 
that was in the service as aforesaid during his services are dead and that no further testimony can be had and begs leave to refer to former documents as proof of her right to receive said pension.
Sarah Crawford

Sworn to & Subscribed this
14th June 1837 before me }
Jeremiah Hand } Justice of the peace and Judge of the Inferior Court of Common pleas in and for the County of Cape May
Page 47

State of New Jersey
Cape May County ss }
-------
I Swain Townsend Clerk of the Inferior Court of the Common Pleas in and for the County of Cape May, do hereby Certify- that Jeremiah Hand Esq before whom the annexed affidavit was taken is a Judge & Justice in and for said County and a Court of Record in said State in and for said County

Witness my hand and seal
of office this 14th day of June 1837.
Swain Townsend Clk
[seal at left]
Page 48

Cape May Court House
New Jersey June 17th 1837

Sir,

Annexed is the affidavit of Sarah Crawford widow of Richd Crawford decd who has by herself & other persons shewn that her husband was in the U.S. Service during the whole war, of the Revolution. The annexed affidavit is taken & sent for the purpose of Correcting one or two Errors in former affidavits, and more particularly that which relates to the time of her marriage.

In yours of the 20th of May last you state that it appears from the papers that she was married three day after the Proclamation of peace. Unfortunately for Mrs Crawford the persons recollected by her that had any knowledge of the precise time of her marriage or of the particular services of her late husband are dead, but that the circumstances attending her marriage as regards time and he being in the service at the time could not be better recollected by any other person than herself.

Will the Department require the strict words of the rules established by them & the President to in an cases to be fully complied with when they are satisfied that they are in substance? I think not.  Mrs Crawford says in the annexed affidavit that she was mistaken as to the time of her marriage from the fact that she was married
before the proclamation of peace, and was in the service of the U.S. in the Sloop Hawk at the time of said Proclamation and at the time of his discharge and for further facts I beg leave to refer you to the other testimony on file in your Department. That all here believe that Mrs Crawford out [ought] to receive a pension I believe, and she being sanguine as to facts believes it will be granted to her believing as she says that in justice she ought to obtain it-
All that can be done has now been done to obtain the pension for her. She is poor & requires aid, and thinks it hard that others should receive assistance on account
Page 49

of Revolutionary Services whilst she is deprived
of her husband maintainance in her old age on
account of [illegible] services and greater suffering
sufferings that shortened his existance.
Mrs Crawford requests me to say that
she wishes the Hon. J. L. Edwards to take
her case into due consideration and to consult
the President if considered necessary in his
decision in granting her the pension and
to give her through me a decision answer
as soon as convenient -
I am sir
Respy Your Obt & Humbl Servt
John E. Jeffers
Page 50

The State of New Jersey ]
Cape May County SS ]
Personally appeared before
the Subscriber Constantine Blackmon
one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the said
County Shanger Hewett Esqr who being by
me duly sworn according to law deposeth and
Saith that he is Eighty seven years of age
or thereabouts and was either in the militia or
Sea Service during the whole of the Revolutionary
war with great Brittain That he was well
acquainted with Richard Crawford, some
times Spelt Crafford who was also either
in the militia or a service during the whole
of said Revolutionary war That while in said
service he was a private under Johnathan Jenkins, Capt 
but principally under the command of his first
Lieutenant John Cresse who commanded a portion
of the time on account of the indisposition of the
said Johnathan Jenkins, That when not in the land
service he the said Richard Crawford
was a mariner at sea or in the Sea
service but cannot recollect the name of the
vessel or schooner in which he sailed- That said
Crawford was taken prisoner by the English
at Egg Island and placed on board of a prison
ship, and soon thereafter exchanged, and in
the course of a few months after such exchange
he was again taken prisoner and taken to
Antigua and their confined for about fourteen
months in Company with Nathaniel Holmes
and Humphrey Stiles who are now dead.
That said Richard Crawford was a good
soldier and Seaman and a great love of his
Country (the United States) and suffered extremely
during his Service and particularly so while
on board the prison ship, and while a person at
Page 51

Antegua that at the close of the war
the said Richard Crawford was Honorably
discharged. That the said Richard while
living lived respected but died poor some
time in the year Eighteen hundred and Eleven
as near as this deponent can recollect leaving
a widow named Sarah who is still
living. That said Sarah is poor and
has no means of her own for Support
and entirely to Old to obtain it by labour.
That she is now nearly or quite Eighty
years of age and is respectable but poor and requires aid from some quarter to make
her comfortable.
Thomas Hewitt
Sworn and Subscribed }  
this 7th day of December ] 
1836 before me }
 Constantine Blackmon Justice

The State of New Jersey }
Cape May County SS. }
I Constantine Blackmon
one of the Judges and Justice of the peace in and for the County of Cape May do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Shanger
Hewett Esq. whose name is annexed to the above deposition and that the name of said Shanger Hewett was written by himself and the truth of the contents of said deposition sworn to before me. That said Shanger Hewett is a man of high respectability and standing and a man of Strict veracity and truth. That he is old & very infirm, and unable to attend the Court. he residing twelve miles distance therefrom. In Witness whereof I have
hereto set my hand & seal this 7th day of Feb. 1837.
Page 52

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-5-41
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

NAME Crawford, Robert GRADE Private LINE Maryland

WARRANT
NUMBER N 12871 and 14095 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED January 28, 1795 to Francis Sherrard, assignee
of Leonard Holt, Admr. 

*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.