Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 5370, for Obed Meeker, New Jersey
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(8-1776) 
Service Number
New Jersey
Meeker, Obed
W5370
Elizabeth
B. L. Wt. 34918-160-55
Contents
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[Left Page]

7 Nov 34

[Right Page]
17.169
New Jersey
Obed Meeker
Union in the State of N.J. who was a Pri. in the [unsure] commanded by Captain [long dash mark] of the [illegible] commanded by Col Leely in the N.J. State Troops 12 mo

Inscribed on the Roll of NJ
at the rate of 40 Dollars [long dash] Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the [illeigible] day of Au [illegible-1833?] and [illegible] - Nov
L. Condict Present
Arrears to the 4th of March: 37 $80
Semi-anl. allowance ending Sep 4[illegible] 20
$100
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1932
Recorded by ED Bullock Clerk,
Book E Vol. 3 Page 12[illegible]
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211 291 [illegible]
Sept 13 / 35
Elizabeth Meeker [illegible]
Obed Meeker [illegible] Priv
Elizabeth Meeker,
wife of 
Obed Meeker
Pri
[vertical script] [illegible] No. 34918
[horizontal script] Revolutionary War
[illegible] 53-5521
[illegible] Pension
[illegible] 25/54
[illegible]
Noah Woodruffe
Union Township
Essex Co NJ

[bottom right page]

Vol M = 2 = 8
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5521
New Jersey
Elizabeth Meeker
widow of Obed Meeker
NJ who served in the Revolutionary war, as a private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 40 dollars [dash] cents per annum, to commence on the 3d February, 1853.
Certificate of Pension issued 19th day of Oct 1853 and sent to Noah Woodruff
Union NJ
Recorded on the Roll of Pensioners under act February 3, 1853, Page 177 Vol H
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Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th, 1832.
State of New Jersey
Borough of Elizabeth
To:
On this fourth day of September Eighteen Hundred and Thirty two personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of the Court of Common Please of the Borough of Elizabeth now sitting, Obed Meeker, a resident of the township of Union in the County of Essex and State of New Jersey aged sixty [illegible] years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated
In the year 1778 the precise month he cannot state with certainty, but knows it was in the spring, and thinks that it was in April, whilst a resident in the Township of Elizabeth in the County of Essex and State of New Jersey, he enlisted in the New Jersey State Troops in the yearly service under the command of both Col Leely and Ely - Major William Crane, Capt John Scudder - 1st Liuet David Woodruff, Charles Clark, ensigned, Edward Clark or [illegible][illegible] (The name of his general he does not recollect.) He served a year in this enlistment - the first part of this service he said in the town of Elizabeth aforesaid, for the purpose of filling up the company, and after it was filled up they marched to Tappan at Dobb's Ferry
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on the Hudson River, and encamped in the woods a short distance from the Fort which was there created. He remained there with the company about three months and then returned to [illegible] farms in the Huss Township of Elizabeth in the borough of Essex and the State of New Jersey and encamped there and continued thus encamped until the weather became too cool to stay in camp, when they removed to Rahway in the county and state aforesaid, and there remained until the expiration of the year's service, at which time he was discharged, but received no documentary evidence of such discharge, and only one dollar pay for his services. While at Rahway aforesaid he [illegible] at the house of one widow Craig. This he recollects was in the winter. Previous to this enlistment he volunteered at different times in the militia for a few days at a time, in times of alarm. He has also volunteered since the above mentioned enlistment in the militia in alarms, but never served on any regular monthly tour of duty. He was born on the 5th day of November 1763 in the Township of Elizabeth in the County of Essex and state of New Jersey, and has lived there ever since, though it is now called Union, on account of the division of the Township. The record of his age is in a book which belonged to his Father and is now in the possession of some branch of the family [illegible] [illegible] in his [illegible]. In the time of the war he was acquainted with both Elias Dayton, Francis Barber, [illegible], Capt  Sam Ogden, Jonathan Dayton, Thomas Morrell of the New Jersey Continentals
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He has no documentary evidence of service or discharge at any time during the war
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Obed Meeker
D
We Stephen Thompson a clergyman residing in the township of Union and David Williams, residing in the township of Union, in the county and State aforesaid hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Obed Meeker who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be sixty nine year old; that he is respected and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Stephen Thompson
David Williams

And the said Court doe hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after [illegible] the interrogatories presented by the war department that the afore named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Stephen Thompson who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman
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resident in township of Union in the County of Essex and State of New Jersey and that David Williams who has also signed the same is a resident in the township of union in the county and State aforesaid and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.  

I Francis B. Chetwoods Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the Borough of Elizabeth, the same being a Court of record in the County of Essex 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 Obed Meeker for a pension. 

In testimony whereof I have here unto set me hand and affixed the seal of the said court this fourth day of September Eighteen Hundred and Thirty four.  

F. B. Chetwoods Clk
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Borough of Elizabeth

Personally appeared before me of the Borough of Elizabeth  Nicholas Mooney, who being duly sworn according to law on his oath says that he is well acquainted with Obed Meeker of the township of Union in the County of Essex and State  aforesaid, that he served in the Revolutionary War with the said Obed Meeker - that he served with him in the New Jersey State Troops for the space of one year, under the Command of Captain John Scudder, Lieutenant David Woodruff, Sergeant Edward Clark  Ensign Charles Clark and was stationed on the lines at Elizabeth Town a part of the time, at (?) in the County of Bergen a part of the time and the (?) of the time at Connecticut farms and Rahway in the County of Essex -
Nicholas Mooney

I certify that Nicholas Mooney the witness who subscribed and was sworn to the above affidavit is a person of credibility.  

Aa Woodruff Recorder

Taken before me this 4th day of Sept 1832 
Aa Woodruff Recorder

I Francis B. Chetwood Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the Borough of Elizabeth the same being a Court of Record in the County of Essex and State of New Jersey, do hereby certify that Aaron Woodruff before (?) the above affidavit awas taken is Recorder of the Borough of Elizabeth and a Judge of the said Court duly commissioned and sworn and as such is authorized to take affidavits and I do further certify that I am acquainted with the handwriting of the said Recorder and that the signature "Aa Woodruff Recorder" (?) the said affidavit subscribed is genuine. 

In testimony whereof I have hereunto let my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court this seventh day of September
AD 1832. F. B. Chetwoods Clk
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(?)419
Obed Meeker
N.J. 

Return  (?)

(?) for 1 year NJ State Troops
(?) Leely

$40

Hon L Condict
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WAR DEPARTMENT
Pension Office 
25th May 1833

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

Statement, showing the service of Obed Meeker N J. 

Period when the service was rendered, Duration of the claimant's service: 

N.J. State troops Apr 1778 , (?) 1 year

before and after said enlistment he was frequent on Militia duty for short periods - 

Rank of the claimant.  Private

Names and Rank of the Company officers under  whom he served.   Cp Scudder

Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Col Seely

Battles in which the applicant was engaged

Country through which he marched.  On the Hudson N York

Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period.  69. Born in Essex there entered and was there now }

Evidence by which the declaration is supported 
Service proved by a living witness   Certificate of Clergy and one Citizen

I am, respectfully, 
Your obedient servant, 
J.L. EDWARDS, 
Commissioner of Pensions.
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REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832

The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms, "Continental Line," "State troops" "militia" and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c.  Teamsers, Boatmen, &c.  Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service. 

Four general Classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1.  The Regular Troops.
2.  The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers. 
3.  Persons employed in the Naval service. 
4.  Indian Spies. 

As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides.  And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.  

DECLARATION, 
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.  

State, Territory, or District of County of 
On this (blank) day of (blank) personally appeared (a) before A.B. a resident (b) of (blank) in the county of (blank) and State, territory or District of (blank) aged (c) (blank) years who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provion made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832.  That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) (blank), with (blank) and served in the (blank) (e) regiment of the (blank) line, under the following named officers: 

[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers, the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched.   This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]

He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on he Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of  the Agency in the State of (blank)
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.   A.B.

[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.  

I do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of (blank) for a pension. 

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of (blank) &c. 

If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out. 

Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers, or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:

(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the (blank) and D.D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with (blank), who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be (blank) years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. 
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. 

[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states.   And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. and the C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the (blank) and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit. 

I, (blank) Clerk of the Court of (blank) do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court, in the matter of the application for a pension.  

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this (blank) day of (blank ) &c. 

Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power.  This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the application, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction. 
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and is the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department.  A very full account of the services of each person
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will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case.   The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected.  All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be a sworn to, on of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.  

The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.  
1.  Where and in what year were you born? 
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service;  were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute?   And if a substitute, for whom? 
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  
6.  To a Soldier.   did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? 
To an Officer.  did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7.  State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 

The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.  

The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons - one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion.   If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.  

The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party.  And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject. 

Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of body infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court. 

Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature. 

No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832, and in case of death subsequent thereto, 
and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.  

_________________________________

[a]. The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will
follow the rule laid down for his guidance. 
[b]   The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides.  If he should fail to do so,  he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule. 
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d]. The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.  
[e]  Every continental officer or solder must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had.   Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite was to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled.  In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service;  but according to the bast of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:  -  For ______ year ______months and ____ days, I served as a ______.   For _______ months and _______ days, I served as a ________; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service.   The use of the phrase 'about three or four months',  is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.  Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service.   This form of a declaration is the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied cops called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit. 
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable. 
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case. 
[I] the Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal or if he has no 
public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers. 

Mode of authenticating papers. 

In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers  is not written on the same sheet of paper which  contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

Proof of Service. 

[j]. In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged.   The magistrate who may administer the oath must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.  
The notes from [a] to [I] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops.  The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only. 
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases. 
[l]  If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact. 
[m]  the answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
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State of New Jersey
County of Essex 

On this thirty first day of August AD, One Thousand Eight hundred and fifty five, before Mr Noah Woodruff a Justice of the peace within and for the County of Essex and State of New Jersey, Personally appeared Elizabeth Meeker aged seventy four years, a resident of Union Township County and state aforesaid, who being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of Obed Meeker deceased, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and who drew a pension on the (?) from forty to fifty dollars per annum, which said pension was payable at the united states pension agency at Trenton New Jersey,  that her husband was a resident of Union township in the County of Essex and State of New Jersey -  She further states that she was married to the said Obed Meeker at Elizabeth Town on the Thirteenth day of March one thousand eight hundred and Twenty four (?) one David Magie a Minister of the Gospel and that her name before her marriage was Elizabeth Cramer, that her said husband died at Union township in the county and state aforesaid on the seventh day of November AD eighteen hundred and thirty four and that she is now a widow at the date of executing this her declaration; she refers to her application for pensions  (?) (?) date with this for the full evidence of her marriage (?)
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty house to which she may be entitled under act approved of March 3 1855, never having received Bounty Land, nor made application except, this ; 
Elizabeth  her mark Meeker 

Sworn to and subscribed by her mark before me the day and year (?) above writing and on the same day and at the same time and place, Personally --
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Came before me Trumbly W. Mulford and James C Mulford residents of Essex County State of New Jersey, who being duly sworn, declare that they are Personally acquainted with Elizabeth Meeker widow of Obed Meeker (?) who had made and executed the foregoing declaration in their presence;  that they (?) personally acquainted with Obed Meeker in his life time and also with Elizabeth his wife, the person who executed this declaration and know that they lived together as man and wife and to be so (?) , and that they believe that the said Obed Meeker - the husband of the said Elizabeth Meeker was the identical person who draws the pension mentioned in the foregoing declaration and that the above named Obed Meeker is now dead since the said Elizabeth Meeker is now a widow and they further swear that they are disinterested 
Trembley W Mulford
James C Mulford 
The foregoing declaration and affidavit was sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written; and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons, that the Claimant is the person she represents herself to be, and that I have no interest in this claim, 
Noah Woodruff, Justice of the Peace
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State of New Jersey
Essex County 

I, J J. Terhune Clerk of the Court of common Pleas in and for the County of Essex and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Noah Woodruff whose genuine signature appears to the forgoing declaration and affidavit is and was at the time of signing the same a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn; that all his official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit, and that the aforesaid Court of Common Pleas is a Court of record having (?) Jurisdiction, and I do further certify, that I, have no interest in this claim, - In Testimony whereof I, have herewith set my hand and seal of office at Newark this Eighth day of September AD Eighteen hundred and Fifty five

JJ Terhune Clk

Bounty Land Claim
Act of 3 of March 1855

Mrs Elizabeth Meeker
widow of Obed Meeker 
211 241
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State of New Jersey
in the County of Essex

Borough of Elizabeth Court of Common Pleas

On this thirty first day of August AD, One Thousand Eight hundred and Fifty five, Personally appeared before the Court of Common Pleas in and for the Borough of Elizabeth, now open and in session, Elizabeth Meeker now residing in Union Township and within the Jurisdiction of said Court in the county and state above mentioned - 
aged seventy four years, who being duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed February 3, 1853, That she is the widow of Obed Meeker deceased, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and who drew a pension, she cannot remember the amount but believes he drew between Forty and fifty Dollars, that her husband resided in Union Township Essex County New Jersey, that the said pension was payable at the United States pension agency at Trenton New Jersey, She further declares that she was married to the said Obed Meeker on or about the Thirteenth day of March AD Eighteen hundred and Twenty four, by one David Magie A Minister of the Gospel that her name before her marriage was Elizabeth Crane  She further declares that she has made diligent enquiry for a source of her marriage and is fully satisfied that there is no record, and that the witnesses that were present at her marriage are now all deceased, as she (?) believes; That her husband the said Obed Meeker died on the seventh day of November AD 1834, one thousand eight hundred and thirty four, that she  was married to him at the time above stated, she further swears that she was a widow at the passage of the act above stated, and is still a widow and that she has never before made application -
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For a pension - 
Elizabeth.  her mark  Meeker

Sworn and subscribed by her mark in open court on the day and year above written before me - 

Thomas C. C. Dayton - Judge

witness;  Noah Woodruff
State of New Jersey
in the County of Essex 

Borough of Elizabeth Court of Common Pleas - 

I, William J Magie Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the Borough of Elizabeth, do hereby certify that Thomas B.C. Dayton esquire, before whom the forgoing declaration was made, and who has thereunto subscribed his name was at the time of so doing, a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the Borough aforesaid duly commissioned and sworn, and that said Court is a Court of Record having (?) jurisdiction -- 
I do further certify that I have no interest in this claim. 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of my office as Clerk of the said Court of Common Pleas in and for the Borough of Elizabeth this thirty first day of August AD one Thousand Eight hundred and fifty five 

Wm J Magie 
Clerk
Page 19

State of New Jersey
Essex County

I J J Terhune Clerk of the Court of Common pleas in and for the County and State aforesaid, do hereby Certify that Noah Woodruff whose genuine signature appears to the within declaration and affidavits is and was at the time of signing the same a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and state aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn and that all his official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit, and that the aforesaid court of Common Pleas, is a Court of Record having general Jurisdiction, and I do further certify, that I have no interest in this claim -  In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office at Newark this Eighth day of September AD. 1855

JJ Terhune. clk
Page 20

State of New Jersey
Essex County

On this Thirty first day of August AD, one Thousand Eight hundred and fifty five Personally came before me Noah Woodruff a Justice pf the peace within and for said county and State above mentioned, Abraham Miller- and Henry Woodruff residents of Union township , in the County of Essex and State of New Jersey, who being duly sworn upon their oaths declare that they are personally and well acquainted Elizabeth Meeker widow of Obed deceased, who has made and executed the foregoing declaration, and acknowledged the same in their presence, that they were personally and well acquainted with the said Obed Meeker and his wife during the life time of the former, and know that they lived Together as man and wife, and to be so reputed, for more than ten years immediately preceding the decease of the said Obed Meeker, and that they believe that the husband of the said Elizabeth Meeker was the identical Person who drew the pension mentioned in the foregoing declaration, and that the same Obed Meeker is now dead, and that the said Elizabeth Meeker is now a widow, and they swear that they are disinterested witnesses.  
 Abraham Miller 
Henry Woodruff

Sworn to and subscribed before me this thirty first day of August AD 1855, and I certify that the said Abraham Miller and Henry Woodruff are credible and respectable citizens. 

Noah Woodruff. Justice of the Peace
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State of New Jersey
County of Essex 

On this firth day of October One Thousand Eight hundred and fifty five before me Noah Woodruff, a Justice of the Peace within the county and state aforesaid Personally came, Cooper W Crane now a resident of New York, City; formerly a resident of Elizabeth Town, in the county and State first above mentioned, who on his oath saith that he was well acquainted with Obed Meeker and Elizabeth his wife in their life time of the former, that he knows that they lived together in Union Township Essex County New Jersey, and cohabited together as man and wife for a number of years, and that this fact of their being man and wife was universally admitted - 

This deponant further saith that he married A Daughter of the said Obed Meeker in the month of (?) 1837.  and was intimate , once as one of the family, from the time of his marriage, and knows that they lived together for sometime before his marriage, and continued to cohabit together as man and wife up to the time of said Obed Meeker decease, and that the said Obed Meeker died on the 7th day of November in the year 1834. 

this deponent further saith he hath in his possession all the books paper and records belonging to the estate of the said Obed Meeker dec and hath carefully examined the same, and finds no
Page 22

record of a marriage between Obed Meeker and Elizabeth Crane, and believes that no private record exists, within his power to obtain, that they were married he has not the least doubt - 
this deponent further saith that he hath no interest whatever in the claim of the said Elizabeth Meeker widow of Obed Meeker either for pension or bounty land.  
C.W. Crane

Sworn to and subscribed before me at Elizabethtown in said county and state before mentioned this fifth day of October AD, eighteen hundred and fifty four and I certify that the above named deponent is a credible and repectable person. 

Noah Woodruff. Justice of the peace
Page 23

State of New Jersey
County of Essex

On the tenth day of October AD Eighteen hundred and fifty five, before me Noah Woodruff a Justice of the Peace within and for the county and state before mentioned, Personally appeared Aaron D Meeker and Hannah Meeker his wife residents of Lyons Farms in said County of Essex, and on their oaths declare that they were Personally and well acquainted with Obed Meeker and his wife Elizabeth, that they were Personally acquainted with said Elizabeth before his marriage, that her name before her marriage was Elizabeth Crane, that she resided at the time of her marriage at Elizabeth Town in the family of Stephen P Brittian (?) and that the said Obed Meeker then resided at Connecticut Farms in Union Township, County and State aforesaid and where he continued to reside until his decease - these deponents further say that the said Obed Meeker was married to the said Elizabeth Crane in the month of March they cannot remember the day of the month, in the year AD 1824, that they were present at and eye witnesses to the marriage, that the marriage was (?) by the Rev David Magie, A Minister of the gospel, they further swear that the said marriage was (?) at Elizabeth Town at the house of Abnew Meeker who was a brother of the said Obed Meeker, and father to this deponent Aaron B Meeker, they further say that they know that the said Obed Meeker and Elizabeth his wife cohabited together as man and wife from the time of their marriage until his decease, and that the said Obed Meeker died at his residence in Union Township in the month of November AD 1834. 

Aaron B Meeker
Hannah Meeker

The foregoing affidavit was sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written, and I certify that I know the offiants to be credible persons - 

Noah Woodruff. Justice of the Peace
Page 24

State of New Jersey
County of Essex 

I J J. Terhune clerk of the court on Common Pleas in and for the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify, that Noah Woodruff whose genuine signature appears to the foregoing affidavits is and was at the time of signing the same a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid.  Duly Commissioned and Sworn, and that all his official acts as such are entitled to the full faith and credit, and that the aforesaid  Court of Common Pleas in a Court of Record having (?) jurisdiction. 
Given under my hand and seal of office this Eleventh day of October AD 1855
James J Terhune
Page 25

March 31, 1928

Miss Mary K. Meeker
2700 Irving Avenue North 
Minneapolis, Minn. 

Madam:

I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W. 5370, it appears that Obed Meeker was born November 5, 1763 at Elizabeth Township, Essex County, New Jersey. 

While residing there he served at different times on alarms in the New Jersey Militia, no details given; he enlisted in the spring of 1778 and served one year as a private in Captain John Scudder's Company, Colonels Seeley's and Ely's New Jersey Regiments. 

He was allowed pension on his application executed September 4, 1832, while a resident of Union Township, Essex County, New Jersey.  He died there November 7, 1834. 

He married March 13, 1824 at Elizabethtown, Mrs Elizabeth Crane, widow of William Crane, her
Page 26

maiden name is not stated.   She was allowed pension on her application executed August 31, 1855, while a resident of Union Township, New Jersey, aged seventy-four years. 

Cooper W. Crane stated in 1855, he was then living in New York City, that he married soldier's daughter in January 1827, but did not give her name nor the name of her mother.   There are no further data as to children. 

Respectfully, 

WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.
Page 27

Revy WIDOW, &c. 

File No.  5370

Elizabeth Meeker 
Widow
Obed Meeker 

Privt Rev War

Act: Feb 3rd 1853

Index: - Vol.  M, Page 41

[Arrangement of 1870]
Page 28

Miss Mary Knox Meeker
2700 Irving Avenue North
Minneapolis, Minn. 

July 12, 1927

Dept. of Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Dept of Rev. & War of 1812. 

Dear Sir: 

Kindly send me a copy of the Revolutionary Pension record of Obadiah Meeker, Essex Co. NJ.

Thanking you for any help

I am 
Very truly yours. 
Mary Knox Meeker
Page 29

State of New Jersey
County of Essex (?). 

I James J Terhune Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in aforesaid County do certify that I have examined the records of Marriages kept in my office from May 21st 1822 to August 5th 1828, and do not find there in any record of the marriage of Obed Meeker to Elizabeth Crane in the Certificates of marriages filed by the Reverend David Magie Pastor of the 2nd Church of Elizabeth Town - and now remaining of record -
In Testimony whereof I have hereto put my hand and affixed the Seal of the said Court the Twenty Seventh day of September AD 1855

James J Terhune. Clk
Page 30

This certifies, to all whom it may concern, that I have carefully examined my Parish-book and find no record of a marriage between Obed Meeker and Elizabeth widow of William Crane but that they were married and lived together several years this is not the least doubt. 
Mrs Crane, before her marriage to Mr Meeker lived in the family of Stephen P Brittian Esquire a resident of Elizabeth Town, and for a great number of years a member of my Church.  Any amount of testimony can be furnished, in Connecticut Farms, where they resided that they were reputed by their neighbors and friends as husband and wife. 

David Magie
Pastor of the 2nd Church

Elizabeth 
Sept 24 1855 
State of New Jersey
County of Essex

On this 24th day of September AD 1855, before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace within and for the county and state aforesaid, Personally came David Magie the person who signed and executed the forgoing instrument, and who after being duly sworn on his oath saith that the contents of the foregoing certificate is true and court and forth saith not - Sworn to and subscribed before me day and year aforesaid. Noah Woodruff Justice of the peace
Page 31

NJ
17149
Pension claim
Act of Feb 3, 1853.

Mrs Elizabeth Meeker
widow of Obed Meeker Dcd
Page 32

State of New Jersey
Essex County   SS 
On this Thirty first day of August AD one Thousand Eight hundred and Fifty five Personally came before me Noah Woodruff a Justice of the Peace in and for said County and state above mentioned  Trembly W Mulford and James C Mulford residents of Essex County in said State, who being duly sworn upon their oath declare that they are personally acquainted with Elizabeth Meeker the widow of Obed Meeker deceased who has made and exerted the foregoing declaration, that they were Personally acquainted with the said Obed Meeker and his wife during the lifetime of the former and know that they lived together as man and wife, and to be so rested, and that they believe that the husband of the said Elizabeth Meeker was the identical person who drew the pensions mentioned in the foregoing declarations and that the said Obed Meeker died on the seventh day of November AD 1834, and that the said Elizabeth Meeker is now a widow, and they swear that they are disinterested
Trembley W Mulford
James C Mulford 

The forgoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above mentioned, and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be, and that I have no interest in this claim. 
Noah Woodruff.  Justice of the Peace
Page 33

Brief in the case of Elizabeth Meeker Widow of Obed

County and State of New Jersey
act 3 Feb 1853

Claim "original" 

Proof exhibited, (if original.)

Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls?    If either, state the substance. 

Her husband was a pension under the act of 7 June 1832 (?) $40 a year

Marriage proved by eye witness cohabitation.  general repute of marriage. Her identity as a widow of the pensioner, his death the (?) (?) from by credible witnesses 

Thornton Triplett
Examining Clerk 

Name and residence of Agent
Noah Woodruff
Union NJ
Page 34

Obed Meeker, $40.00
August 5th 1833. 

Payments to be made 
at Trenton
by Pres. of Tren Bank Compa
Agent for paying Pensioners, in the Agency of New Jersey

5370

Recorded in the Pension Office
in Book E. Vol. 3
Page 121 by E D Bullock 
Clerk
Page 35

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Revolutionary Claim. 

I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1882, Obed Meeker of the State of New Jersey - who was a Private during the Revolutionary War. 
Is entitled to receive Forty - dollars and (blank) cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1881, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March and 4th of September, in every year. 

GIVEN at the War Office of the United States this 5 day of August one thousand eight hundred and thirty three

John Robb
Acting Secretary of War

examined 
Countersigned 

J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 36

August 17. 1833 Paid to Mar 4. 1833
Sep 6 11. 1833  Paid to Sept 4. 1833
Mar 8. 1834 Paid to Mar 4 1834
Sept 12. 1834 Paid to Sept 4 1834

No 17.149
Page 37

State of New Jersey
Borough of Elizabeth

Personally appeared before the subscriber an Alderman of the Borough of Elizabeth and a Judge of the court of Common Pleas in and for the said Borough Jonathan Badgely of the township of Springfield in the county of Essex and State aforesaid who I certify is a man of credibility, being duly sworn non his oath says that he is well acquainted with Obed Meeker of the township of Union in the county and State aforesaid, that he served with the said Obed Meeker one year in the New Jersey State troops, in the Company of Capt. John Scudder, Lieut David Woodruff Sergeant Edward Clark, in the regiment of Col: Seely, and was stationed at Elizabeth Town in the county aforesaid the first part of the service and was also stationed part of the service at (?) in the county of Bergin, and the last of the service at Rahway in the county of Essex aforesaid, that the above mentioned service was rendered by the said Obed in the year 1778-9 in the service of the United States during the Revolutionary War - 

Jonathan Badgley

Subscribed and sworn this first day of July AD 1833 before me

James W Wade  alderman

State of New Jersey
Borough of Elizabeth  (?)

I Francis B Chetwood,  Clerk of the Borough of Elizabeth in the county of Essex and State aforesaid and Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the same, hereby certify that James W Wade before whom the above affidavit of Jonathan Badgley was prescribed and sworn, at the time of taking the said affidavit was and still is an Alderman of the Borough of Elizabeth aforesaid, and a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in
Page 38

and for the same, duly commissioned and sworn, residing therein, and as such is authorized to take affidavits, and I further certify that I am acquainted with the handwriting of the said Alderman and that the signature "James W Wade Alderman" to the said affidavit subscribed is genuine. 

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of the said Court at Elizabeth Town in the borough aforesaid this second day of July Eighteen hundred and thirty three

F. B. Chetwood, Clk
Page 39

(?)4. 918


New Jersey
Page 40

No 6011

Elizabeth Meeker
Widow of Obed
New Jersey
Noah Woodruff Sep 13/55
Page 41

Pen OH, October 16, 1855

Sir

Please state when Obed Meeker of NJ act 1832 $40 a year his last (?)

R. J. Atkinson Esq. (?)
3 (?) 

S. Cole

triplet 
(?)
Page 42

3 auditor's office 
Oct. 17th 1835

Paid to the dept. 1834

R.J Atkinson
auditor
Page 43

Elizabeth Meeker 
widow of Obed 
New Jersey

adm 3 Feb 1853

12 (?) $40

a (?) (?) the (?) of the act

sent to Noah Woodruff
Union New Jersey
Page 44

Union October 11th 1855

(?) 
enclosed is further evidence in support of the application of Elizabeth Meeker widow of Obed Meeker (?) for pension, you will perceive by her declaration, that she had made diligent Inquiry and was fully satisfied that no record of hier marriage exists or that there was no record of her marriage, that fact would be  to prove being a negative the Department will see upon examination of Certificates and affidavit accompanying this that no public or private word exist, within her power to obtain, if further evidence should be (?) please inform me - 

Yours respectfully, Noah Woodruff

L. P. Waldo or 
J Minot 

Washington City 
DC