Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 3893, for Jacob Shepherd, New Jersey
Page 1

[notecard]
[left column]
(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
New Jersey
CONTENTS [blank]
[center column]
Shepherd, Jacob
[right column]
NUMBER
S3893
carded
Page 2

[left column]
Dead
Letter to E Goit - 15 July 1839.
Paid at the Treasury
under the act of the 6th
April 1838 from 4 Sept
1837 to 1 Jany 1838. Agent
Notified 19 Aug 1836
-----------
Let to E Goit May 25 1843
[right column]
Ohio 22.479 
-----------------┃
Jacob Shepherd
[cutoff] Hancock in the State of Ohio
who was a Private in the Co. commanded
by Captain Smock of the Reg.t commanded
by Col. Holmes in the New Jersey
[cutoff] for two years.
-------------
Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio
[cutoff] the rate of 80 Dollars 00. Cents per annum,
[cutoff] commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
-------------------------
Certificate of Pension issued the 9th day of Novr
1833 and sent to Edson
Goit. Findley. Hancock Co. Ohio
--------------------------
Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1833. 200.
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar 34. 40.
$240.
⎨ Revolutionary Claim, ⎬
{Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Wm R Palmer Clerk,
[cutoff]ok E. Vol. 8. Page 25
Page 3

TREASURY DEPARTMENT
Second Comptroller's Office
August 10th 1839
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838 entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States, The widow of Jacob Shepherd, a Pensioner on the Roll of the
Ohio Agency at the rate of Eighty Dollars [begin crossed out] and   cents [end crossed out]
per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of Sept. 1837 to the 31st January, 1838, the day of his death.
Respectfully, yours
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions
Present.
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[begin vertical text]
July 25 43
Jacob Shepherd
Ohio [illegible]
[end vertical text]

Findlay
May 49
Commissioner of Pensions
of the United States
Washington City D.C
Page 5

Findley, Ohio, May 16th 1843
Commissioner of Pensions
Sir Isabella Shepherd widow of Jacob Shepherd late of Hancock County Ohio dec'd has applied to me to know if there any chance for her to obtain a pension for her support since her late husband deceased 
not being familiar at present with the laws of
Congress pased in that
upon that subject for the last few
years, if you will be so kind as to furnish
me the necessary information on this subject
I shall feel much obliged to you. Jacob
Shepherd was a pensioner until his death
which took place about 4 or 5 years since
Yours Respectfully
Edson Goit
Page 6

No. 24945
Jacob Shepherd
Hancock Co
22479.   Ohio

Adm 2 years $80

Edson Goit
Findley
Hancock County
Ohio
[begin crossed out]Edson Goit 
Findley
Hancock Co. [end crossed out]
Ohio
Page 7

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
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 [illegible] 
in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules and the [illegible] 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 more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: } ). You will, when
you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter them; and
you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your
claim.
-------------
A Statement, showing the service of Jacob Shepherd Hancock Co Ohio

[column one]
Period when the service was rendered.
------
[illegible] 1776 until 77

[column two]
Duration of the claimant's service.
Years. Months Days.
--------------
about five months

indefinite service more than four years

[column three]
Rank of the claimant.
-----------
Private

[column four]
Names and rank of the Field officers under who he served.
----------
Captain Smock
Col  Holmes

[column five]
Age at present, and place of abode when he entered service.
----------
76 years
Monmouth Co New Jersey

[column six]
Proof by which the declaration is supported.
---------
Witness Garret G. Schinck for 5 mo. while a prisoner
E. Shepherd for application and services [illegible]
[end columns]

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J.L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
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2
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., Teamsters, 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 [space] County of [space] } ss. [all in italics]
On this [space] day of [space] personally appeared (a) before [space] A. B. a resident (b) of [space] in the county of [space] and State, Territory or District of [space] aged (c) [space] 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.  That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) [space], with [space] and served in the [space] (e) regiment of the [space] 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; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [hand icon pointing to the right] 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 the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of [space]
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.   [signature] A. G.
(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 [space] of the Court of [space] do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of [space] for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this [space] day of [space] &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 [space] and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with [space], who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be [space] 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 days 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 that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the [space] and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, [space] Clerk of the Court of [space] do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of [space] for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this [space] day of [space] &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 applicant, 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 in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
Page 9

3

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person 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 sworn to, one 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 the 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 bodily 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 soldier 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 as 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, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:--For [blank] year- [blank] months, and [blank] days, I served as a [blank]. For [blank] months and [blank] days, I served as a [blank]; 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 highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement;
the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps 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 this 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 oaths 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.
John N. Ashton
Page 10

Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
The State of Ohio Hancock County ss
on this eighteenth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas now sitting in and for said County Jacob Shepherd a resident of the Township of Amanda, in the County of Hancock aforesaid and State of Ohio aforesaid, aged seventy six 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. This deponent says that he was born in the year one thousand seven hundred and fifty seven, in the State of New Jersey, Monmouth County, Middletown Township and lived in the place aforesaid until he was nineteen years old and then (in the year 1776) entered the service of the United States as a volunteer under Captain John Smock, Theophilus Little Lieutenant and Tobias Polhemus Ensign, and that Brigadier General Firman and Colonel Asher Holmes were the field officers and that those are all of the field and company officers whom he distinctly recollects - he does not recollect particularly the month of the aforesaid year of 1776 when he entered the aforesaid service and this deponent further says that he was frequently called out to prevent the Refugees from committing depredations in the Lower part of Monmouth County aforesaid.  And this deponent further says he was frequently called out to stop the tories and Refugees from committing depredations in the County of Monmouth aforesaid from the year 1776 until the Battle of Germantown 1777 - and that he was always called out under the aforesaid officers except when on scouting parties then only with the Company officers aforesaid.
Page 11

And this deponent further saith that he was under the aforesaid Company and field officers and went from Monmouth County aforesaid to the place where the Battle of Germantown was fought and was in said Battle on the fourth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy-seven he says that the Battle commenced early in the morning of said day, his company after the aforesaid Battle returned to Monmouth County where they remained as guards and they were frequently called out on skirmishing parties until a few months before the capture of Cornwallis when he was taken a prisoner by the Refugees at his Brother's house and then taken to Sandy-hook Lighthouse and remained there three or four days and then taken to New York and put in the provost Jail (so called at that time) and there kept about 5 months and then was exchanged and came home and he further saith that he has no documentary evidence, that is no discharge nor commission  And this deponent further saith that he has obtained the affidavits of Garrett G. Schanck and Joseph Vandeveer and that said affiants have been acquainted with this deponent ever since before the Revolutionary war, and that they have testifyed to his personal services in said war  And said deponent further saith that he was according to the best of his recollection in the service of the United States in said war the Greater part of the time said war existed - and as he verily believes more than four years - and as he was called out at different times he does not recollect the precise amount of time he was in the service in said war.  the following Interrogatories were put by the Court - first - Where and in what year were you born Answer in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty seven in the State of New Jersey, Monmouth County, Middletown Township.  Have you any record
Page 12

of your age   Answer I have not. 

Where were you living when called into service    Answer in Monmouth County aforesaid and in the State of New Jersey aforesaid-

Where have you lived since the Revolutionary
Answer after the close of the war I remained in
New Jersey until the year 1788- then removed into the State of Kentucky and remained there  several years and then removed into Chilicothe in the Territory Northwest of the River Ohio and have remained in the State of Ohio ever since it has been a state-

Where do you now live?   Answer in the Township of Ananda in the County of Hancock and in the State of Ohio - 

How were you called into service.
Answer I was a volunteer - 

State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops when you served; such continental and militia regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances
of your service Answer - General Forman - Col Asher Holmes Capt. John Smock - Lieut. Little & Tobias Polhemus Ensign-- I do not recollect the name or number of the regiment-- I have already detailed the circumstances of my service-

Did you ever receive a written discharge from the service.  Answer I did not-  

State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity and their belief of your services as a Soldier of the Revolution    Answer the Honourable Jacob
Smith, Thomas Thompson Esquire, William Brown and Samuel Sargent-

And 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 to and subscribed the day and year
aforesaid-
Jacob Shepherd
Page 13

We William Taylor ----- residing in the Township of Findley in the County of Hancock aforesaid and Joseph C. Shannon residing in Findley Township in the County of Hancock aforesaid 
hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Jacob Shepherd who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy-six 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

Sworn and subscribed the day  and year aforesaid-
Attest
W Vance Clk

Joseph C. Shannon
William Taylor

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 William Taylor --- is a resident in the Township of Findley aforesaid in the County of Hancock aforesaid and that Joseph C. Shannon who has also signed the same is a resident in the Township of Findley
aforesaid in the County of Hancock aforesaid
and that they are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit- and
the Court further certifies that there is no clergyman in the neighbourhood of the applicant-
I W Vance Clerk Pro tem of the Court of Common Pleas hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Jacob Shepherd for a pension-  In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court officially this.     day of April A.D. 1833.
Page 14

Signed

David Higgins
President Judge
1

Abraham Huff }
Robert McKinnis }
Ebenezer Wilson }    Associates
Page 15

I Wilson Vance Clerk Protempore of the Court of Common Pleas, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Jacob Shepherd for a pension.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of my office this 20th day of April A.D. 1833.
Wilson Vance Clerk protempore
Page 16

May 5, 1937
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Mrs. Edgar B. Kurtz
503 West Findley Street
Carey, Ohio

JACOB SHEPHERD
S.3893
BA-J/MLB

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter of March 30, which has been referred by the National Archives to the Veterans Administration,
custodian of Revolutionary War pension records, for reply in regard to Jacob Shepherd who, you state, was born in 1757, enlisted in
Monmouth, and is buried in Wyandot County, Ohio.

You are furnished herein the record of Jacob Shepherd as found in pension claim, S. 3893, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.

Jacob Shepherd was born in 1757 in Middletown Township, Monmouth County, New Jersey; the names of his parents are not given.

While residing in the place of his birth, Jacob Shepherd volunteered in 1776, served as private in Captains John Smock's and Thomas Walling's companies, Colonel Asher Holmes' New Jersey regiment, being called out frequently on short tours to protect the inhabitants of lower Monmouth County, New Jersey, from depredations by the Refugees and Tories, was in the battle of Germantown, continued to serve until a few months before
the capture of Cornwallis when he was taken prisoner at the house of his brother whose name was not designated, carried to Sandy Hook Lighthouse, then to New York where he was confined in the provost jail five months before he was exchanged, length of his service in all amounted to three or four years.

After the Revolution, the soldier remained in New Jersey until 1788 when he moved to Kentucky where he lived several years, thence
to Chillicothe, in that part of the Northwest Territory which later became the State of Ohio.

Jacob Shepherd was allowed pension on his application executed April 18, 1833, while residing in Amanda Township, Hancock County,
Ohio. He died in that county January 21, 1833.
Page 17

The soldier, Jacob Shepherd, was survived by his widow, Isabella Shepherd, who was living in 1839 about fourteen miles from the County Seat of Hancock County, Ohio; no further details in regard to her were given.

No reference was made in the claim to children.

In 1882, Elisha Shepherd, a resident of Hamilton County, Ohio, with post office at Findlay in Hancock County, that state, made affida- vit that he was taken prisoner at the same time as Jacob Shepherd was taken, but did not state any relationship to him. 

Very truly yours 

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant 
to the Administrator
Page 18

INVALID. 

File No. 3893
Jacob Shepherd 
_____ Rev. War 

Act: June 7th, 1832 
Indez: -Vol. A, Page 337

[Arrangement of 1870]
Page 19

July 1/95  Hist. to Mrs. S.E. Noble
Newington, Kans.       MEC
---------------------
Nov 28 96 To Mrs.
Christian Howard
Gano, Ohio
---------------------
Apr. 7. 1897 History to
Mr. James Shepherd -
Lockland, Ohio.
---------------------
1909 Jan 20. History to
Mrs. C. H. Seeley
---------------------
1920 June 9. Hist. to Mrs.
Frederic E. Moritz       AW
---------------------
1937 May 5 - Hist. to Mrs. Edgar B. Kurtz - MLB
Page 20

Edson Goit
May 25, 1843
Page 21

Pension office
May 25 1843

Sir,

In reply to your letter of the 16th inst relative
to the widow of Jacob Shepherd decd I have to inform you that the act of July 4, 1836 provides for those widows who were married to their deceased husbands before or during their service; and the act of July 7. 1838 embraces such as were married after the termination of the Service, and prior to the 1st of January 1794; but no provision is made in case the
marriage took place after the last mentioned date. Enclosed herewith are copies of those laws, annexed to which are the regulations adopted to carry them into effect.

Edson Goit, Esq
Findley
Ohio
Page 22

Mr. Evans   July 6

Findley O
June 28

['25' crossed out]

J.L. Edwards Commissioner
of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.
Page 23

Findley, Hancock County
Ohio June 25th 1839-

J.L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions

Sir inclosed I send to you the papers upon which I have supposed that agreeably to laws that Mrs Isabella Shepherd could recover the amount of Pension money which was due at the time of her husbands death-  I have sent the inclosed papers to the Agent for paying pensions at Cincinnati in this State & had them returned to me & he refused payment because the papers were not sent on sooner-- this is the only reason given. I cannot find in the laws any such provision-- this case is like this, the court only sits twice a year in this County & in the first place I sent to you for the laws & the form in such cases to be used & recd them-  this applicant is a poor woman who really stands in need of it . if she is entitled of which I have no
doubt agreeably to law- the reason that the papers were not finished last fall was that there was a misunderstanding between the widow & myself with regard to the testimony necessary at Court. She had forgotten my instructions & at the time of Court I was confined by sickness.
She resides about 14 miles & the Court sits but two or three days
Page 24

and consequently it was not attended to last fall-  Your attention to this is solicited & if you can cause it to be paid we shall be much gratified.

Yours Respectfully
Edson Goit
Page 25

E Goit
G. C

Record 7 1/8 page 371
Page 26

War Department
Pension Office
15 July 1839.

Sir

I herewith return the vouchers in the case of Jacob Shepherd decd.  You should forward them together with the Pension Certificate to
P. Hagner Esq, Third Auditor of the Treasury, in conformity to the Act of the 6th April 1838.

Iam H
Edson Goit Esq
Findley
Hancock County
Ohio
Page 27

Ohio. Mr H
AW

FINDLEY O
AH 24


Mr J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
District of Columbia
Page 28

Findley Hancock County Ohio
October 24th AD 1833\
Mr J.L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions-

Sir, 

I herein return the papers which contain the
application of Jacob Shepherd for a pension
together with his proof - I have attained the affidavits of Joseph Vandiveer and Garret G Schinck agreeably to your directions for taking testimony. Elisha Shepherds affidavit we have not obtained but conclude to send the one which was taken last year and you will give such credence to it as shall seem proper to you.  the name of the affiant Elisha Shepherd of 
Hamilton County Ohio perhaps may be found in your office as I understand that he draws a pension  as Capt. in his papers which contain his application you may find his signature & his character for truth & veracity certified.  I should have made a new declaration if the proof that
come from persons written to previous to the sitting of the Court of Common Pleas in
said County of Hancock but as the case is
concluded to amend the Declaration by the applicants affidavit and he and the other affiants State as precisely as they can recollect concerning the different tours & the whole space of time- Jacob Shepherd it appears from his declaration and the affidavit of Garret G Shenck was under different Captains but at different times, so far as I can ascertain the above named affiants are very respectable men & as for Jacob Shepherd he sustains a good
character for truth & veracity & as a citizen but
Page 29

happens to be so unfortunate as to be poor
like many of the surviving Revolutionary Soldiers in complying with one of your rules- for instance where one paper is attached to another I have fastened the tpke through the affidavit of Jacob Shepherd and the certificate of the same Clerk before the seal of the Court was affixed. We wish you to inform us of the result of your determination in the premises. I remain your
most
obedient
Servant
Edson Goit
Page 30

The State of Ohio
Warren County SS. ⎬ On this the 13th day of Sept 1833 Personally came Joseph Vandiveer
before me a Justice of the peace in and for the township of Franklin in the County aforesaid who being duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith that he was 72 years old
the 4th day of March last and that he was acquainted with Jacob Shepherd and that he has frequently seen him (Jacob Shepherd) in the service of his country and Jacob Shepherd was a soldier under the command of Col Asher Homes of the County of Monmouth in the State of New Jersey and Township of Middletown
this deponent saith that owing to the length of time and consequent loss of memory he can not state the time precisely when Jacob Shepherd entered the service or the length of tours which he served but believes from the situation of the section of the country in which Jacob Shepherd lived that he must have been out two or three
years during the war and further this deponent saith not   Sworn and subscribed to before me-
Thos H. Wilkins J. P.     Joseph Vanderveer

The State of Ohio, 
Warren County  SS } on this the 13th day of Sept 1833 personally came Garret G. Schenck before me a Justice of the Peace  in and for the township of Franklin in the County aforesaid who being duly sworn according to law
deposeth and saith that he was 75 years of age on the 29th day of last April and that he was acquainted with Jacob Shepherd and that Jacob Shepherd took up arms in the month of March 1777 and was at Shrewsbury in the County of Monmouth in New Jersey at the time the gards [guards] were taken at the Highlands near Sandy hook and a few days after this there was a gard [guard] raised to gard [guard] the shore in the township of Middletown then he served two months and then he Jacob Shepherd and all the Malitia [militia] was called to join Washingtons army at Sowerland mountain and he Jacob Shepherd continued in the service of his country untill the British left the State of New Jersey and Jacob Shepherd was in the battle of Germantown at which time he served one month or more and he served as a volunteer under Col Homes and Capt. Thos. Wilkins for six months in Monmouth County
New Jersey and this deponent believes that Jacob Shepherd served during the war not less than 3 or 4 years But can not state the precise time of each tour owing to old age and loss of memory
Garret G. Schenck

Sworn and subscribed to before me
Thos. H. Wilkins J. P.
Page 31

The State of Ohio  
Warren County SS }  I do hereby certify that I have been acquainted with Garret G. Schenck
six or seven years and Joseph Vandiveer for
two years and do know them to be men of
unquestionable integrity and whose testimony
can be relied upoon before any court of Justice  I believe them to be men of truth: and know them to be men of good standing in socitey both in point of Caracter [character] and welth Given under my hand and seal at Franklin in the County of Warren and State of Ohio
Thos. H. Wilkins J. P. {Seal}

State of Ohio
Sept 13th 1833

The State of Ohio
Warren County.  } SS     I Jonathan K. Wilds Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within & for the County aforesaid do hereby certify that Thomas H Wilkins Esquire who appears to have signed the within & foregoing affidavits & certificates was at the time of the date thereof
& now is an acting Justice of the peace within & for the County aforesaid duly commissioned & sworn into office & that the signatures purporting to be his are genuine

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand & affixed the seal of
the Court aforesaid at Lebanon this
11th October A.D. 1833
J. Wilds Clk

affidavits of Joseph Vandiver and
Garret G. Schenck taken & authenticated legally-
Page 32

The State of Ohio
Hancock County ss } 
Personally appeared before me the undersigned
a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County
Jacob Shepherd who being duly sworn deposeth and saith, that by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he can not swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but according to best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For three years as a Volunteer, five months
of said time he was a prisoner in the City of New York, and during the said three years service he was not employed in any civil pursuit

And this deponent further saith that the embodied Corps which he served in was called into service by competant [competent] authority
Jacob Shepherd

Sworn and subscribed before me at Findley in the County aforesaid this 7th day of October AD 1863
Wm L Henderson Justice of
the peace {seal}

I William Henderson do certify that I have been aacquainted with the above named deponent for more than three years and know him to be a man of truth and veracity
Wm L Henderson
Page 33

The State of Ohio
Hancock County } SS  I, Wilson Vance Clerk Protempore of the Court of Common Pleas within & for the County aforesaid do hereby certify that William L. Henderson Esquire who appears to have taken & signed the within affidavit was at the time it appears to have been taken & now is an acting Justice of the Peace within & for the County aforesaid duly commissioned & sworn into office & that all his official acts are entitled to faith & credit-  I also certify that the signatures purporting to be his are genuine--   In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of
the Court aforesaid at Findley this 15th day of
October A.D. 1833
W Vance Clk pro tem
Page 34

affidavits of
Joseph Vanderveer
 & Garret G. Schenck
Page 35

The State of Ohio
Warren County SS ⎬on this the 5th day of November 1832 Personall came Garret G. Schenck before me  Thos. H. Wilkins a Justice of the peace in and for the Township of Franklin in said County who being duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith that he has been acquainted with Jacob Shepherd for about sixty years and was with him in the revolutionary war and does know him to be in that war   this deponent knows that Jacob Shepherd was in
the Battle of Germantown and many other Battels [battles] and that the said Shepherd was a soldier the greater part of the time of revolutionary war and the said Shepherd was
taken a prisoner and kept as such for five months as this deponent verrely [verily] beleaves [believes] to the best of his knowledge
and further this deponent saith not
Garret G Schenck

Sworn to and subscribed
before me Thos H. Wilkins
Justice of the peace


The State of Ohio
Warren County SS }  on this the 5th Nov. 1832 personally came Joseph Vandiveer before me a Justice of the peace in and for the Township of Franklin in said County who- being duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith that he knew Jacob Shepherd and frequently seen him out in the service of his country that from the situation of the nebourhood [neighborhood] in which he lived he must have been nearly half of the time of not more out in alarms and monthly tours of duty-  through the course of the war as this deponent verily believes to the best of his knowledge and further this deponent verily believes to the best of his knowledge and further this deponent saith not
Joseph Vanderveer

Sworn to and subscribed
before me Thos H. Wilkins J.P.
Page 36

The State of Ohio
Warren County } SS. 
I Jonathan K. Wilds clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within & for the County aforesaid do hereby certify that Thomas H. Wilkins Esquire who appears to have taken & signed the within affidavits was at the time  they appear to have been taken & now is an acting
Justice of the peace within for the County aforesaid duly commissioned sworn into office & that all his official acts are entitled to due faith & credit I also certify that the signatures purporting to be his are genuine and I further certify that I have been personally acquainted with the affiant Garret G. Schench for ten or twelve years & that I believe him to be a person fully entitled to credit. And from reputation that the affiant Vanderveer is also entitled to credit--
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand & affixed the seal of the
Court aforesaid at Lebanon this 8th
day of Decr A. D. 1832
J.K. Wilds Clk
Page 37

affidavit of
Elisha Shepherd
Page 38

State of Ohio
Hamilton County  } SS
Before me Thomas Smith a Justice of the peace in and for said County personally appeared Elisha Shepherd who being duly sworn  according to law deposeth and saith that he now is and was very well a[c]quainted with Jacob Shephard formerly of the County of Monmouth in the State of New Jersey now a resident of the county of Hancock  in the State of Ohio and he the said deponent very well recollects when the said Jacob was out and served in the militia of the state of New Jersey the time of the revolutionary war and he also recollects when the said Jacob was taken prisoner by the Refugees and kept a prisoner by the Brittish [British] about five months the said
deponent was taken a prisoner at the same
time and he thinks it was in the year Comwallace [Cornwallis] was taken prisoner.  That the[y] were exchanged some time in the month of March that said deponent knows that the said Jacob served allmost [almost] the whole time of the revolutionary war as a
militia man
Elisha Shepherd

Sworn to and subscribed
before me this first day of November
AD 1832
Thomas Smith JP
Page 39

[stamp:] RECORD DIVISION [illegible] 7 1909
[stamp:] BRIDGETON N.J. JAN 5 8 AM 1909
[stamp:] U.S. PENSION OFFICE A JAN 6 1909

[postage stamp:] [illegible] McKINLEY POSTAGE ONE CENT

POSTAL CARD
THE SPACE BELOW IS FOR THE ADDRESS ONLY

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Page 40

January 4, 1908.
41 N. Pearl St.
Bridgeton, N.J.

Dear Sir,

Will you please send me a certificate of the
military service of Jacob Shepherd (or
Sheppard) a soldier of the New Jersey Militia during the Revolution.  The object for desiring it 
is to give Mrs. Herbert Jurell the authority to become a Daughter of the Revolution. Thanking
you in advance,

Yours truly
(Hon. C.K.) Frances C. Seely
Regent of Cohanzick Chapter 
Daughters of the Revolution
Page 41

Form K-8.

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Division of Reference

DATE 4 / 1 / 37

FROM:
Mrs. E. B. Kurtz
503 West Findlay Street
Carey, Ohio

DATED:
March 30, 1937
Jacob Shepherd
S. 3893

ACTION:
Respectfully referred to the
Veterans' Administration

Ref made to your let. of
Mch. 30, ['addressed to the National Register' crossed out] wh. has been referred ['for ref to the Nat. Ad' crossed out] by the National Archives to the Vet. Adm., custodian
Rev War pen. records, for reply in re. to Jacob
Shepherd who you state, was b. in 1757, enlisted in Monmouth & is buried in Wyandot Co. Ohio-

AND THE WRITER SO INFORMED.

Nelson Vance Russell
CHIEF, DIVISION OF REFERENCE
Page 42

ROUTED TO-               DATE
H.W RUSSELL          APR 1 1937
                  RECEIVED
APR 1 0 07 AM '37
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES 
     MAIL ROOM


MRS. EDGAR S. KURTZ
503 WEST FINDLEY STREET
CAREY, OHIO

National Register
Washington D.C.

Colonel William Crawford
Chapter of Upper Sandusky Ohio

Would like to know if you have any information as to where Mr Jacob Shepherd is buried - He was born 1757. Enlisted from Monmouth
National number
71493 - P-177- Vol 72.   D.A.R Lineage
Page 43

[Handwritten, signed note on personal stationery]

MRS. EDGAR B. KURTZ
503 WEST FINDLEY STREET
CAREY, OHIO

He is buried in Wyandot Co. Ohio - If you can help us. We will appreciate it. 
Sincerely 
Mrs Egdar Kurtz 

Mar 30 - 1937
Page 44

S           Nov 3d 1896

Commissioner of Pensions

Dear Sir

Will you please give me a summary of the
service done by Jacob Shepherd who drew a  pension for being in the Revolution War
he applied in Cincinnati Ohio Nov 15th 1832
where he was born, what battles he was in, who were his parents, his place of residence when he applied is especially desired

I will thank your many
time if you will do this

address
Mrs Christian Howard
Gano
Butler Co
Ohio
Page 45

OLD WAR & NAVY FILES
NOV 11 1896

[stamp:] U.S. PENSION OFFICE NOV 9 1896
Page 46

[Handwritten, signed letter]

[Upper right-hand corner:]  2

March 2nd 97

OS(?)

Department of The Interior Bureau of 
Pensions - Washington D.C.

Will you be so 
kind as to examine your records 
of lists of [underlined:] Revolutionary [/ul] War pension
ers for the names of two brothers 
one of which was Elisha and the 
other Jacob - Or if you cannot find 
the name of Jacob - what was the 
name of the [ul:] other Shepherd [/ul] who drew 
a Pension at the same time - 
Will you also find me the Bank upon 
which they drew their pensions - 
Also their address at the time 

Very Respectfully, 
James Shepherd 
Lockland, Ham. Co.
Ohio
Page 47

[Blank piece of paper with two US Govt stamps on it.]

[First stamp, rectangular:]
U.  S.
OLD WAR & NAVY
MAR 13 1897
FILES.
P.  B.

[Second stamp, round, upside down:]
PENSION
      B
   MAR
U.   5   S.
   1897
  OFFICE.
Page 48

[Page one of two-page
handwritten note with Pension Office stamp]

Rev Sec [underlined]

E. Bound Brook NJ.
May 15, 1920

Pension Office, 
Washington D.C.

[Stamp:] 
PENSION
       D
U  MAY  S.
     18       
   1920
OFFICE.

Dear Sir, 
Will you kindly furnish 
all data on, one Jacob 
Shepherd, of Monmouth County 
New Jersey, who fought in 
the Revolutionary War. 
Affidavit for pension taken in Hancock County, Ohio in 
1833. (Invalid No. 3893.)
Interested to know,
Page 49

If possible, whom he married?
Children? How Many? Whom 
son John married? etc. 

Thanking you
Iam 
Sincerely 
Mrs. Frederic E. Moritz 
Raritan Av.
E. Bound Brook
N.J.
Page 50

[Printed or typed form with handwritten entries]

In reply to your request of  [blank], received [blank]
for a statement of the military history of Jacob Shepherd
a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired
information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen-
sion on file in this Bureau.            S. File 3893.

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.

76 

LENGTH OF SERVICE.

3 yrs. in 
monthly
[illegible] at
various
times.  Captured by [illegible] in 1781 and held in provost(?) jail in NY(?) 5 mos - 
prison(?) exch.

RANK.

Pvt.

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.

John Smock
Thos Mollen(?)

COLONEL.

Asher Holmes

STATE.

N.J.

Battles engaged in,    Germantown

Residence of soldier at enlistment,   Middletown(?) Twp., Monmouth Co., N.J.

Date of application for pension,   Apl. 18, 1833.  This(?) I was at

Residence at date of application,   Amanda Twp. Hancock Co. Oh -

Age at date of application, 76  born 1757.  Middletown Twp., Mon. Co. N.J.

Remarks:  He died Jany. 21, 1838 leaving a widow Isabella
It is not stated whether he had any children