Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 6154, for James Laning, New Jersey
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(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
New Jersey

Laning, James.
NUMBER
R. 6154

CONTENTS
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Mat Nov 13

Morrisville Pa.
Nov 10
George W. Crump Esqr.
Acting Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
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MorrisVille Bucks County Penna..
November 10th.. 1837.

Sir.
Your letter of October 27th.. together with a copy of the letter from J. L. Edwards Esqr. to the Hon. S. L. Southard is received_.

It is stated in the letter to Mr. Southard that "much of the service under Capt. Sterling such as collecting fines is not military & consequently not embraced by the act. Also the service on board the [Privatier?].
My Father hopes nevertheless that a reexamination of the Declaration may convince the Department that time enough
may appear to bring his claim within the Act.
The time he was in actual service under Capt. Sterling as one of the guard over Governer Franklin the King's Governor together with the time in guarding and taking the British
prisoners from Burlington to Lancaster and in returning thence to Burlington was 3 months: viz. from about the first of May 1776 to Aug. of the same year.

The time he served as 2nd Lieutenant of the Row Galley was about 4 months; being from some time about the middle of October 1776 until sometime in February 1777.
The time as stated in Mr Edwards letter to Mr Southard is only 2 months, while he thinks the Declaration specifies 4:
he is certain that this is the time he was a 2nd Lieutenant of the Gally.

Being at the time he was commissioned a thoughtless young man, he entrusted his commission to the care of Capt Potts, and at the time of his settlement did not think it
necessary to ask for it: he supposes it to be lost:
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He knows of no person now living who can testify to his services as an Officer and Soldier excepting Joshua Furman whose testimony is on the Declaration. Mr Furman is a pensioner under the act of 1832 and is incapable
of falshood: he is certain that the authority was derived from Congress; and thinks his Commission came from the Committee of safety for Philad. who were appointed by Congress at the time they expected the British to enter
the City. If his service cannot be allowed as a 2nd Lieutenant, can it not be considered as private service, although he positively declares he served as a 2nd. Lieutenant.

He is now far advanced in years, and many things, that he could have stated a few years ago in confirmation of his services, are now forgotten or appear upon his memory so
confused that he says to swear to them now he is not willing for fear of mistaking dates &c. What is stated in the Declaration he has perfect recollection of and qualified to them with the utmost confidence of their correctness.

So long as I can remember, I have heard him relate his revolutionary adventures both as a Soldier and an Officer.
He has always been known in his neighbourhood as a good and faithful Whig of the Revolution.
If it be necessary for him to qualify to any thing stated in this letter and if that will bring his claim within the provisions of the Act and cannot be granted without it, please be kind enough to inform me of it; but if what is
herein mentioned together with the Declaration will not entitle to the benefit of the Pension law, then please
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send me a copy of the Declaration.

I am very Respectfully
Your Obedient Servt.
Geo. Laning.

Geo. W. Crump Esq.
Acting Commissioner
of Pensions-.

N. B. The time at Connecticut Farms was 2 weeks-.
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Declaration of James Laning of Lamberton New Jersey, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.

State of New Jersey}
County of Hunterdon} Ss.

On this fifteenth day of January personally appeared before me, Chanceller of the State of New Jersey at my chambers in the City of Trenton, James Laning a resident of the village of Lamberton in the County of Burlington, State of New Jersey, aged Seventy eight years, who on account of bodily infirmity is unable to appear in open Court, 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 was born in the Township of Trenton, County of Hunterdon .. N. J. on the 17 April, 1756....
....That he enrolled and equiped himself in and for the Service of the United States as a minute man about the [_th?] of July 1775 (he then being a resident of Burlington City N. J) in Captain James Sterling's Company of Burlington County N. J; of which Joseph Burden was Colonel; Laxton Carlisle first Lieutenant, Thomas Bullas second Lieutenant, and William Smith Ensign_ That he was often called out on parade and was bound by the enrollment to turn out whenever called upon_
that in the spring of 1776 (thinks about the beginning of May) a party of British prisoners (Officers and Soldiers) that were taken somewhere at the North were brought to Burlington and placed under the guard of Captain Sterling's Company of which he was a member _ that he stood guard over Governor Franklin who was confined in the house of one Davenport at Burlington _ that he was one of the guard who took Governor Franklin before the Provincial Congress then sitting at Burlington: that the Governor refusing to acknowledge the Authority of the Congress was ordered back under the same guard to his place of confinement this he thinks was in June 1776. _ that sometime after this the Governor was taken
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to Princeton New Jersey under a guard from Capt. Sterlings company_ that when the guard returned from Princeton a part of the company of which declarant was one was ordered from Burlington to Philadelphia and from there to  Lancaster Penna.. with the aforementioned prisoners and after remaining a few days at Lancaster a part of the company sent was relieved from this service by some Lancaster Troops, who with the other part of Capt. Sterling's company proceeded to some part of Maryland with the said prisoners, and he with the first mentioned part returned to Burlington under command of Lieutenant Ballas_ that they arrived in Burlington sometime in August 1776.- that soon after their return to Burlington Colonel Haight by an order from the Committee gave him a warrant to collect Militia fines in Burlington and Mansfield Townships with orders to call upon any Militia Captain to assist him in the collection of said fines should he find it necessary, and on having occasion for such assistance did call upon Captain Joseph Pancass and company of Mansfield to assist him in collecting fines from some of the disaffected_ that he finished collecting and settled with Peter Tallman Chairman of the Burlington County committee about the middle of October 1776 _ that before he had finished his collecting of said fines a call was made for Captain Sterling's company to go to Amboy but he being on duty in collecting did not accompany them, but when done collecting went to Philadelphia and about the 20th of October 1776 entered on Board the Row Galley Bull Dog as second Lieutenant under Captain Potts who he thinks was under the Committee of Safety of Philadelphia_ Capt [Potts never declarant was on Row Galley?] Captain Potts was engaged in sinking Chevaux [de frise?] in the river Delaware at Billingsport and its vicinity and first Lieutenant Alexander and myself commanded in Captain Potts' absence_ that the Galleys lay first at Philadelphia, then at Kensington, then at Billingsport
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then at Province Island and then came up the river to Lamberton sometime in December 1776 [illegible].  The gallies soon returned to Philadelphia to winter - that the following season the Row Galleys were run into Watson's Creek to avoid their being captured by the enemy - that he quit the gallies and settled with Captain Potts in February of 1777 but took no discharge not then thinking it would ever benefit him at a future day_ that since the Revolution he has always resided in New Jersey and for the last twenty seven years has been a resident of Lamberton_ that he has no documentary evidence of any kind and that he knows of no person now living who can testify to the aforesaid services_except Joshua Forman who in September or October 1775, saw him, as [illegible], under arms with his company in Burlington _ that he hereby relinquishes any claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not the Pension Roll of the agency of any state_
James Laning
Sworn to and subscribed the day}
and year aforesaid}
at my Chamber in the City of Trenton, the}
said Declarant, by reason of bodily infirmity,}
not being able to appear in Open Court}
P. D. Vroom, Chanceller}
of the township of Ewing, County of Hunterdon

We Joshua Forman and Benjamin Fish - residing in the township of Nottingham, Burlington County hereby certify that we are well acquainted with James Laning who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy eight years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion
Joshua Furman
Benj.. Fish
Sworn and subscribed the day}
and year aforesaid, by Benjamin}
Fish, and affirmed to by Joshua Forman, }he alleging himself conscientiously scrupulous of taking an oath, before me.
P. D Vroom, Chan.
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State of New Jersey Ss:
I Morgan J. Rhees, a clergy man, residing in the City of Trenton, and County of Hunterdon do hereby certify, that I am well acquainted with James Laning who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration; that I believe him to be Seventy Eight years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution, and that I concur in that opinion.
Morgan J. Rhees

Affirmed and subscribed}
before me this 17 day}
of January 1835.}
P. D. Vroom, Chanceller.

And the Court doth hereby declare its
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 Morgan J Rhees who has signed the preceding certificate of the 17th. Jan. is a Clergyman resident in the City of Trenton, and that Joshua Furman and Benjamin Fish who have signed the certificate of the fifteenth viz. are residents, the first of Hunterdon and the other of Burlington County, in this State, and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Done in open Court
P.D. Vroom Chancr.

I Stacy G Potts, Clerk of the Court of Chancery of New Jersey do herby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of James Laning for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this twenty sixth day of January in the 
year of our Lord one thousand Eight
and and thirty five
Stacy G Potts, Clerk

56.32.604
James Laning
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June 27, 1940.

BA-J/ILL
David Laning
W.3830
James Laning
R. 6154

Mr. Sam K. Leming
Waldron
Arkansas.

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of Daniel Lanning, David Lanning, both of Hunterdon County, New Jersey, also, Elijah, Henry, James, John and Robert who served from that state, under any spelling of
that surname.

There is no claim for pension or bounty land on file based upon service in the Revolutionary War of a Robert or John Laning (Lanning, Leming) of New Jersey, nor of any Elijah, Daniel
or Henry Laning, Lanning, Leming. The records of David Laning and James Laning are furnished herewith, and may aid you in your research.
.
DAVID LANING-W. 3830.

The data which follow were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, W. 3830, based upon service of David Laning in the Revolutionary War.

David Laning resided in Trenton Township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, from the time he was a boy; the place of his birth, date,
and names of his parents were not stated. In 1775, he was a cooper by trade and was employed at Mott's Mills.

He enlisted sometime in the year 1776, served on various tours, amounting to between six months and two years, as private under Captains John Mott, John Hunt, Timothy Titus, Guild, Ralph Phillips, Colonel Joseph Phillips in the New Jersey troops; during his service,
he was at Amboy, was with General George Washington at the time he crossed the Delaware and preceeded him with two other soldiers just before the battle of Trenton, was in that battle, also, at Princeton, in the battle of Monmouth, and in frequent skirmishes in New Jersey.

He returned to his home in Hunterdon County, New Jersey. He
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died June 4, 1824 at his home in Mercer County (formerly Hunterdon), New Jersey.

David Laning married February 13, 1788, Mary Palmer, who was born November 4, 1763, the names of her parents were not given. They
were married by Reverend Joseph Rue, Pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Pennington, New Jersey: the ceremony was performed at the home of Mary's sister, Mrs. Hannah Hart in Hopewell Township, New Jersey.

Mary Lanning, this soldier's widow, was allowed pension on account of his service in the Revolutionary War on her application executed September 4, 1838, at which time she resided in Ewing Township, Mercer County, New Jersey. She was living there in July 1851, at which time one Ralph Laning (as he signed his name) was present when she made
affidavit in regard to payment of her pension; his relationship to the soldier's family was not stated.

In 1838, Joshua Furman was a resident of Mercer County, New Jersey, aged eighty-three years; he was a cousin of David Laning, the soldier. He stated that he had been brought up in the same neighborhoor (Trenton Township) with David, and that David was about ten years older then he was.

In 1838, John Hart, Mary's nephew, stated that he was born in Hopewell Township, New Jersey; he was fifty-eight years of age and had
resided in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, most of his life time, Sarah Furman, aged sixty-eight years, of Mercer County, New Jersey, referred to her brother, Richard Hendrickson, who died shortly before the marriage of
David Laning and Mary.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name of person paid and, possibly, the date of death of this pensioner, you should
apply to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, this city, and furnish the following data:

Mary Laning, widow of David Laning,
Certificate #2330, issued December 12, 1848
Rate $20 per annum, commenced March 4, 1848
Act of February 2, 1848-
New Jersey Agency.

JAMES LANING-6154.

The data which follow were obtained from the papers on file in

2.
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pension claim, R. 6154, based upon service of James Laning in the Revolutionary War.

James Laning was born April 17, 1756 in Trenton Township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, and lived there as a boy; the names of his parents were not stated. At the time of the Revolutionary War, he resided in Burlington County, New Jersey.

He entered service about July 1, 1775 as a minute man in Captain James Sterling's company, Colonel Borden's New Jersey regiment, drilled regularly and held himself in readiness for duty at all times until the summer of 1776; during that period, he was one of the guard over Governor Franklin who was confined in Burlington and took him before the 
Provincial Congress because said Governor refused to acknowledge the authority of that Congress. (Harper's give this as Jan. 1776- Gov. Wm.. Franklin ILL). In August 1776, James Laning was selected by Colonel Haight to collect fines in Burlington County of those men
subject to militia duty. About October 20, 1776, he entered as 2nd Lieutenant on board the row galley, Bull Dog, Captain Potts, and was
engaged in sinking the cheval-de-frise in the Delaware River at Billingsport. He returned later to New Jersey and served a tour of several
weeks in Captain Phillips' company of Hunterdon County militia as the time of burning of Connecticut Farms. About August 1780, he entered on board the privateer, Enterprise, at Philadelphia, and was on a cruise of three months, during which an English packet and a refugee schooner were taken.

James Laning continued to reside in New Jersey after the Revolutionary War.

He applied April 9, 1835 for the pension which might have been due on account of his service in the Revolutionary War, under the Act of
June 7, 1832. At that time, he resided in Lamberton, Burlington County, New Jersey, which had been his residence for twenty-seven years. His claim for pension was not allowed as the service rendered by him was not provided for by that Act of Congress; said Act provided for those only who served in a regularly organised military corps for six months.

The name of the wife of James Laning was not given, nor the date and place of their marriage. In November 1837, his son, George Laning,
resided in Morrisville, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. He signed his name Laning.

Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER,
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator.

3.
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Laning.
Laming
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1940- June 27 - Hist. to Mr. Sam K. Leming -
See letter in David Laning - W. 3830 - ILL.

6154
P. O. James Laning
Enlisted: REJECTED, 18__.
Discharged: _______, 18__.
Printed Volume - Rejected & Suspended
Pensions - Page 186 -
Application filed: _______, 18__.
Reason for Rejection - "Not military service".
Alleges:______________________________________
Re-enlisted: _________________________________
Attorney: ____________________________________
P. O. _________________________________________
+ Pa ___________Recognized.   _____Contract.
_______Cert. of Dis.  Searched for ___X____, 18__.
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G. Laning
Nov 14, 1837
N. J.
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War Dep.
Pen. Off
Nov 14 37-

Sir

In answer to yours of 10 [inst?] in relation to your father's claim under the act of June 1832, I have to inform you that no service appeared to have been rendered by him in Capt Sterling's Company in the field organison under the call or draft of the competent authority_ Gov. Franklin was in the hands of the civil authority & his guard drawn from the militia was also a civil authority _ The only service then is that of 14 days under Capt Phillips and the alleged service in the Bull Dog from 20 Oct. 76 to July 77- which do not constitute an agregate equal to the minimum provision of the Act_
Arguably to your request a copy of the 2nd and enlarged declaration is herewith forwarded
Geo. Laning Esqr
Morrisville Pa..
N. Jersey case.
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G. Laning
Oct 27 1837
N. J. case
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War dept. Pen Office
Oct 27, 1837

Sir
In answer to your request that the papers of your father James Laning of N. Jersey may be sent to you I have to inform you that the papers in his case cannot be sent out of the office agreeably to the regulations. If he can produce such testimony &c. do the letter to War Dt. L. Southard of the 23d. Feb. last, requires a copy of which is therewith enclosed, perhaps - [illegible] may be allowed. If you desire a copy of the papers for the purpose of laying it before the Legislature of the State of N. Jersey, it will be permitted.
Gl Laning Esqr
Morrisville
Pa
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Oct 21
Morrisville Pa
Octo 19

J. L. Edwards Esqr.
Pension Office
War Department
Washington

From G. Laning
[illegible] Oct 27, 1837
Page 20

Morris Ville Bucks County Penn - Octo. 18th/37.

Sir-
If you think there is no probability of James Laning (my father) receiving any pension from the government by the Declaration forwarded to your office some time since be pleased to forward the said declaration to me, as he intends, if the general government can do nothing for him to lay his case before the state Legislature of his native State at the coming session_.
Yours very Respectfully
Geor.. Laning

J. L. Edwards Esqr.
Page 21

J L Edwards
Com of Pensions

George Laning Esqr
Morrisville
Bucks Co
Penna
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War Department
Pension Office
April 22d 1835

Sir
The new declaration of James Laning has been received, by which it appears that he was not in actual service in the field or garrison with Capt. Sterlings Company. Belonging to the local militia, & holding himself in constant readiness to move is not provided for by law.

Serving on board private armed vessels is not provided for by the Act of 1832. The month's service on board the Bull Dog which is neither proved nor explained as heretofore required, admitting it with all the other actual service within the act set forth, will not amount to three months- and of course the claim must be rejected.

If further proof is furnished and a reexamination requested, the original papers returned to you with my letter of the 7th July last must be transmitted to this Department. 
The present papers remain on file.
I am respectfully your obt. serv.
J L Edwards

George Laning Esq
Morrisville
Bucks Co Pa
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declaration copies
Mr- Taylor 16 Nov '37

No.. 30604
New Jersey
James Laning
Rejected
let to J E Welch 26 Octr.
Lanning
6154
Page 24

[Left hand side]
Hon. J. L. Southard
[Illegible] US

Hon J. L Southard
Feb 23d 1837
C. C

Recd. Vol. 45. Pa 134
Page 25

War Department
Pension Office
Feb. 23. 1837

Sir

The claim of James Laning referred to in the enclosed letter is for service in a company of minute men under the command of Capt. Sterling from July 1775 till the middle of Oct. 1776 _ about 2 months in the fall of the same year and a Lieut. in the Row Galley & for 3 months in 1780 on board of a privateer_
Much of the service under Capt. Sterling such as collecting fines is not military & consequently not embraced by the act _ The duration of each tour of that which was military should be distinctly specified before any opinion as to the extent of it can be found_
To [pertain?] the claim to service as a 2d Lieutenant in the Row Galley, with his commission
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should be produced in same evidence that [clm?] was appointed by competent authority to serve in that grade_

The service as a privateerman is not provided for by the act.

Hn. J. L Southard
Feb 2d.. 1837
C.C

Recd. Vol. 45. pa 134

Hon J. L. Southard
[Illegible] US
Page 27

New Jersey
James Laning
rejected
let G Laning in 22d April
1835
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Morris Ville Bucks County Penna. April 20th 1835
J.L. Edwards Esqr
Dear Sir
Enclosed is a more detailed
statement of my Fathers (James Laning) revolutionary services than that made some time since and returned by the department. As soon as acted upon please inform me of the results and in so doing oblige
Your Obd. Servant
Geo.. Laning
Page 29

NJ Apl. 22
Morris Ville
20 April
Free
J. L. Edwards Esqr.
War Department
Pension Office
Washington D. C
Page 30

War Department
Pension office
February 7th 1835

Sir

The declaration of James Laning is herewith returned in a more specific detail of his actual service as well as evidence from survivors if they may be found.

The duration of his actual service in Capt. Sterlings Company cannot be gathered from the statement. He alleges that a guard was detached from the company, but how long he actually served does not appear.

His employment as collector of fines was evidently not military service. His service as Lieutenant on board a row galley cannot be recognized unless he will produce or give a satisfactory account of the authority under which his commission was issued, as well as what has become of it, and then his actual service in that grade in detail.
Each term of service must be supported in the best evidence as required by the regulations. 

I am respectfully
your obt. serv
J L. Edwards

George Laning Esqr.
Morrisville
Bucks Co Penn
Page 31

Saml. Southard
J. L. Edwards Esq
Comr. de de
Washington.
Page 32

Will Mr. Edwards enable Mr. Southard to
answer the enclosed letter?
Washn. 18 Feb. 1837.
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Declaration of James Lanning of Lamberton, New Jersey in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.

State of New Jersey
County of Burlington ⎬ ss

On this ninth day of April A.D. 1835, personally appeared before the subscriber one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the
County of Burlington, James Laning, a resident
of the village of Lamberton in the County of Burlington, who on account of bodily infirmity is unable to appear in open court, 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 7th 1832

That he was born in the township of Trenton
New Jersey on the 17th April 1756; but has no record of his age, that being in his fathers bible which was taken by his executor who is dead - That he enrolled and equipped himself in and for the Service of his country as a minute man the first of July 1775 (he then being a resident of the County of Burlington, New Jersey) in a company of which James Sterling was Captain, Laxton Carlile, first Lieutenant, Thomas Bulles second Lieutenant, and William Smith Ensign. Jos. Burden was Colonel. That he served in this
company until the middle of October 1776. Ours was a company of minute men; we were always in readiness to go out, were paraded almost daily; and were constantly on duty performing services throughout the neighborhood, such as bringing in prisoners and those who were supposed to be disaffected. Declarant with the company often went to the neighborhood of the pines, where there were many refugees. We were constantly vigilant to discover those who were friendly to them from doing injury to the cause. During this term of service, in the spring of 1776 (thinks about the beginning of May) a party of British prisoners (officers and soldiers) that were taken somewhere at the North, were brought to Burlington, and placed under the guard of Capt. Sterlings Company, of which he was a member-- that he stood guard over Governor Franklin who was confined in the house of one Davenport at Burlington_ that he
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was one of the guard who took Governor Franklin before the Provincial Congress then sitting at Burlington - that the Governor refusing to acknowledge the authority of the Congress was ordered back under the same guard to his place of confinement - this he thinks was in June 1776 _ that sometime after this the Governor was taken to Princeton New Jersey under a guard from Capt Sterling's company. that when the guard returned from Princeton, a part of the company, of which part deponent was one, was ordered from Burlington to Philadelphia and from thence to Lancaster Pa. with the aforementioned prisoners and after remaining a few days at Lancaster a part of the company sent was relieved from this service by some Lancaster troops, who with the other part of Capt Sterlings company proceeded to [some?] part of Maryland with the said prisoners. Declarant with the first mentioned part returned to Burlington under command of Lieutenant Bulles. They arrived at Burington some time in August 1776 _ that soon after their return to Burlington he was selected by Col. Haight from the company to collect the company fines for Capt Sterlings and Capt Perkins' companies of Burlington township, and also the fines of the Company belonging to Mansfield township adjoining to Burlington township. The nature of this busness was this _ The townships were divided into districts, each district having a Militia Company. Burlington township was divided into two districts, the company of one district was under Capt Sterling, that of the other under Capt Perkins. Every citizen capable of bearing arms was attached to the company of his district. There were many who would neither parade nor pay the fines. Then declarant was sent to collect. He went as a military man, with military authority, and often had to use force of arms. He collected the Mansfield fines because there was no person in that township that would do it. He had orders to call on the militia to assist him in collecting the fines and once was assisted by Capt Pancoast and his company. He finished collecting and settled with Peter Tallman Chairman of the Burlington County committees about the middle of August 1776 _ that before he had finished
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collecting fines Capt Sterlings company were ordered to Amboy, but he being on collecting duty did not accompany them; but when done collecting went to Philadelphia immediately and about the 20th October 1776 entered on board the Row Galley Bulldog as Second Lieutenant under Captain Potts, who he thinks but is not sure, was under the committee of Safety of Philadelphia. Capt. Potts, while declarant was on the Row Galley, was engaged in sinking Cheveaux de Frize in the Delaware at Billingsport and its vicinity, and first Lieut Alexander and declarant commanded in his place _ that the Galleys lay first at Philadelphia, then at Kensington, then at Billingsport, then at Province Island, and then came up the river to Lamberton some time in December 1776 when we brought the Philadelphia Militia up to Lamberton to join Washingtons Army who were coming across New Jersey. Capt Potts obtained declarant the appointment. The Bull Dog was a Congress vessel. declarant never had his commission. Captain Potts always informed him that he had it. Declarant always received the pay of a Second Lieutenant and was obeyed as such by the men
Capt. Potts family and residence were in Philadelphia. Declarant was a young and unsettled man, and never having occasion for his commission, did not trouble himself to get it, after his service had ceased under it, and he had received his pay and made a final settlement. The row gallies returned from Lamberton to Philadelphia to winter. The following season the gallies were [run?] into Watsons Creek to prevent their falling into the hands of the Enemy. Deponent [quit?] the gallies and settled with Capt Potts in February 1777, but took no discharge, not thinking it would ever be useful for him.
After this deponent went up into New Jersey and at the time of the burning of Connecticut Farms went out for two weeks in the company of Capt. Phllips of the Hunterdon County Militia. We marched to Newark, Elizabethtown, Amboy and those parts. After two weeks we returned.
In July - August 1780 Declarant entered on board the Privateer Enterprize at Philadelphia and sailed on a cruize. We took the English Packet and also a refugee
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Schooner _ these we sent into Philadelphia
This cruize lasted near three months.
Since the revolution deponent has always resided in New Jersey, and for the last twenty seven years has been a resident of Lamberton. He has no documentary evidence of any kind, and knows of no person now living who can testify to the aforesaid services, except Joshua Furman, who once saw him under arms in Capt Sterlings Company _ that he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not in the Pension roll of the agency of any state
James Laning
Sworn and subscribed before}
me the day and year aforesaid}
the declarant by reason of bodily}
infirmity being unable}
to appear in open court}
Gersham Mott}

We Morgan J. Rhees, a clergyman residing in the village of Lamberton in the County of Burlington New Jersey, and Thomas Ashmore residing in the same place hereby certify that we are well acquainted with James Laning who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy eight 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
Morgan J. Rhees
Thos Ashmore

Sworn & subscribed the}
day and year aforesaid}
before me by the said}
Thomas Ashmore, and}
affirmed and subscribed}
by the said Morgan J.}
Rhees, he being conscientiously}
{illegible} of }
taking an oath}
Gersham Mott, Judge

And I do hereby declare my opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories presented by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a soldier of the Revolution, and served
Page 37

as he states. And I do further certify that it appears to me that the Rev Morgan J. Rhees who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the village of Lamberton, New Jersey, that Thomas Ashmore who has also signed the same is likewise a resident of Lamberton, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. And I further certify that I questioned the witnesses particularly as to whether the belief was general of the services of the said Laning, and whether any doubts have been entertained on that point, and was answered that the belief was general and that no doubts had ever been heard on the subject
Gersham Mott, Judge
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of the Township of Ewing, aged eighty years, on his solemn affirmation saith, that he well remembers that James Laning now a resident of Lamberton New Jersey, was in the year 1775, a member of the Militia Company of Capt Sterling of Burlington County _ deponent saw Lanning was under arms in said company. Deponent also remembers that Laning was afterwards Second Lieutenant in the Congress Row Gallies on the Delaware _ those gallies were sunk at Watsons Creek when the British got into Philadelphia, to prevent their falling into their hands. Lanning always bore the reputation of a good Whig, and has always been considered by the men of that day as one who long and faithfully served his country as a military man _ And further deponent saith not
Joshua Furman

Affirmed and subscribed this 1st}
day of April A. D. 1835 before me the}
Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and}
for the said County of Hunterdon, N. J.}
Saml. Evans J. P.

I certify that the above deponent is a man of excellent character, and that his statements are entitled to full faith and credit
Saml. Evans J. P.
April 9. 1835.
Page 39

State of New Jersey ss:
I James D. Westcott Secretary of State of the State of New Jersey do hereby certify that Gersham Mott Esquire before whom the foregoing Declaration on oath of James Laning and affidavits of Morgan J. Rhees and Thomas Ashmore were made, and who hath attested the same, was at the time thereof and now is, a Judge of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the County of Burlington in said State (which said court is a court of Record) duly appointed, commissioned and sworn, and that full faith and credit are and ought to be given to his official attestations; And also that Samuel Evans Esquire before whom the foregoing affidavit of Joshua Forman was made and who hath attested the same was at the time thereof, and now is a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Hunterdon, in said State, duly appointed commissioned and sworn, and that full faith and credit are and ought to be given to his official attestations.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office at the City of Trenton this tenth day of April A. D. one thousand eight hundred and thirty five. (1835)
James D. Westcott