Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 4,832, for Benjamin Shreve, New Jersey
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Service
New Jersey 
Shreve, Benjamin
Number S4832 carded
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3275
New Jersey
Benjamin Shreve
of Burlington Co in the state of New Jersey
who was a Lieut [illegible] in the [illegible] [illegible]
by Captain Shreve of the [illegible] [illegible]
by Col. Shreve in the N.J [illegible]
[illegible] for
Inscribed on the Roll of Trenton
at the rate of 400 dollars 00 cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.  and end 16
of April 1844 when he died.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23rd day of July
1850 and sent to 
[illegible] W.A. Newell, [illegible]
Payable to surviving children.
Mary Shreve, Ann Shreve
Benjamin Shreve, Jonathon
Shreve, Samuel Shreve, [illegible]
Shreve & Rebecca Shreve & Grace
Lippincot
Revolutionary Claim
Act June, 1832
Recorded by J B Chase Clerk
Book 8 Vol. 3 Page 101
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State of New Jersey
Mercer County
Be it knows that on the first day of January A.D 1850, before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid, personally appeared Samuel Shreve a resident of the County aforesaid - to me known as a person of credibility and truth, who being duly affirmed according to law, on his affirmation saith, that he is the son of Benjamin Shreve who affirmant has always understood was a lieutenant of dragoons under the command of Capt Richard Shreve in the Revolutionary war, that affirmats father made application for a pension from the United States and that his several declarations affirmant believing are on file at the Pension Department. He further affirms that the said Benjamin Shreve died on sixteenth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and forty four, leaving following named children him surviving Mary, Caleb, Benjamin, Jonathan, Samuel, Aren, Phebe, Rebecca and Grace Lippincot late Grace Shreve.
And that Caleb Shreve and Jonathan L. Shreve affirmants brother were left executors to the estate of the said Benjamin Shreve and took upon themselves the administration thereof according to law, and that the following married children now survive [???} Mary Shreve, Benjamin
[unable to transcribe note on left edge of paper]
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Jonathan Shreve Samuel Shreve Ann
Shreve, Phebe Shreve Rebecca Shreve and
Grace Lippincott late Shreve
Subscribed and affirmed the day
and year first above written
Before
Wm C Howell J. Peace    Samuel Shreve
STATE OF NEW JERSEY.

---
I, CHARLES G. McCHESNEY, Secretary of State of the
State of New Jersey, do hereby certify, that
William C Howell Esquire, before whom
the within affidavit was taken,
was, at the time of the doing thereof, Justice of the Peace
in and for the county of Mercer

in said
state, duly commissioned and sworn; that full faith and credit
are to be given to his official attestations, and that the signature
thereto is the proper handwriting of the said
William C Howell
in testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed my seal of office at Trent
ton, in said state, this Second
day of January
A. D. one thousand eight hundren and fifty
Charles G. McChesney
Sec'y of State
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Further testimony
in
the case of Lieut Benjamin
Shreve Burlington County
4
Ralph H Shreve
Trenton NJ
Reference
Howe Wm Halsted
M.C.
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State of New Jersey
Burlington County } Ss

On this twenty second day of July AD one thousand eight hundred and forty one before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said county personally appeared Benjamin Shreve resident of Mansfield in the County and State aforesaid aged eighty two years on the seventh day of January AD 1841 past, a person of credability and truth. Being conscientiously scrupulous of taking an oath and being first duly affirmed saith

That he has made three declarations under the Pension act of June 7th 1832 written by the Honorable Garret D Wall there of the U.S. Senate in which were specified the services of this affirmant to the best of his recollection and understanding. This affirmant was under the impression that the officers of the Burlington County Light Dragoons were commissioners some time in the month of September or October in the year 1780 but which appears to have taken place some time in the year 1782 according to record evidence - but this affirmant still believes and feels fully satisfied that he performed service as a Lieutenant in a company of Horse in the year 1780 of which Company Richard Shreve was Captain and William Shreve was Colonel

That some time in the year 1778 or 1779 this affirmant and a cousin (son of Col. Shreve) went to Philadelphia and entered on Boards a letter of Marque called the Hoopers of sixteen Guns commanded by Captain Sam'l Howell
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Said letter of Marque was laden with provisions for the French Fleet or a part thereof; than lying at Martinique in the West Indies, this affirmant made two trips in said vessel and was absent in the said letter of Marque between five and six months - Shortly after this affirmant returns  some time int he year 1780 as he verily believes he joined the Company of Hons as is specified in his several declarations - He also performed military duty in the service of the United States a short time under Captain Edward Thomas of said County

This affirmant as Lieutenant kept a memorandum or muster roll of the service in this troop of light dragoons the greater part of which has long since been destroyed  the Exhibits - marked and numbered attached to this declaration are a part of said muster roll - all of which are in this affirmants handwriting done at the time or immediately after each tour of duty in the possession of this affirmant ever since.  They were exhibited in Court when the first declaration was taken.

This affirmant was engaged in the Battle at Cedar Creek on the 26th December 1782 in which battle William Cook was killed and Robert  Reckless mortally wounded of which wounds he died on the 8th day of January AD 1783.  This affirmant had his horse wounded in the neck his pistol butt broken and the flinch knocked out of his carbine - After this engagement he returned home, procured another horse and
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with eighteen of the company returned immediately to the Cedar Creek which was about forty miles distant there to take care of the said Robert Reckless and guard him from the Tories and Refugees in and about that neighborhood.  A day or two before the death of said Reckless this affirmant with a number of the company had been out to procure provisions for the guards - and on our return one of the company called the attention of this affirmant to the left leg of this affirmants pantaloons which was quite bloody - upon examination this affirmant had by some means unknown received a wound immediately under the knee pan from which the blood was freely flowing. Doctor Swain the Physician who had charge of the wounded soldier pout a plaster on the wound which became as much inflamed that this affirmant was unable to perform military duty - 
On the 8th January 1783 Robert Reckless died of his wounds and this affirmant was brought home in the same waggon that brought the body of Reckless up for interment - 

This affirmants supplemental declaration states a month tour of duty in February 1783 upon  reflection this affirmant believes he was mistaken for believing his wound healed he accompanied part of the troop out but his wounds became aggravated and greatly inflamed and he was compelled to return home where his wounds assumed such a dangerous tendency that for some time it was feared that it would cause the loss of this affirmant's life-
When a part of this affirmant's Company
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under the command of Coronet Cook had succeeded in killing the notorious Bacon at Egg Harbour some time about the first of April 1783 this affirmant was still seriously ill and unable to go out of the house to see the notorious Robber whose body was brought up to Jacobstown in this affirmant's neighborhood; nor did he recover until about harvest time, the scar of which wound is strongly visible at this day.

This affirmant would refer to the testimony of John Salter and Emos Lippencott attached to his original declaration whose names are to be found on the exhibit attached to this further supplemental declaration (and who are now deceased) marked No 1, no2, No3, No4

This affirmant in his original & supplemental declaration considered himself as on duty all the while although occasionally at home.  this neighborhood being considered Head Quarters and very seldom did all the Copany go out and leave this thickly settled neighborhood. The Refugees and Pine Robbers always having some accomplices watching our movements and giving notice, that they might have an opportunity to rob and plunder during our absence.

This affirmant would also refer the Commissioner of Pensions to the testimony of Daniel Ivins and Charlotte Taylor - who can recollect some of the occurrences that took place at that time and who then and now reside in this affirmant's neighborhood, the said Daniel Ivins being his nearest neighbor having been  so from the time of the Revolution and who was himself out occasionally in the militia service.
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The Exhibits attached are all that can be found after much diligent search they being but a small part of the original and the others being destroyed as this affirmant never supposed they might or would be of any future service to him.

All of which is respectfully submitted

Subscribed and affirmed the day and year above written before me

Benjamin Shreve
William E. Boulton
Justice of the Peace
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State of New Jersey
Burlington County
ss

Personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Burlington Grace Shreve in the sixty ninth year of her age who being duly affirmed on her solemn affirmation saith that she is a sister of Benjamin Shreve now an applicant for a pension and that she said Benjamin Shreve was out on duty as a Lieutenant in a Company of Light houses many times during  the war of the Revolution but  owing to the age of this deponent she cannot attempt to say how long or how often.  She recollects the time when her brother came back from the Battle at Cedar Creek with a wounded horse which wound was said to have been received during that forays+ with the Tories & Refugees.

She also recollects that her brother Lieutenant Benjamin Shreve was confined to the house at the time news was brought of the capture of Bacon (a notorious robber of that day) by Amcy Shreves who came on horseback to inform our family that his body had been brought to Jacobstown this affirmant's father arose from the dinner table upon the receipt of the news in order to go and see the body of the Robber her brother Benjamin was confined for many months after that time with his wounds received while at Cedar Creek and was not able to work until after the next harvest

Grace Shreves

Affirmed & subscribed this 22nd day of July AD 1841 before me

William E. Boulton
Justice of the Peace
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State of New Jersey
Burlington county
ss

Personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said county Charlotte Taylor of Mansfield County and State aforesaid aged seventy-seven years on the 27th day of December last past.  Who being duly affirmed on her solemn affirmation saith that she has resided since childhood in this neighborhood and is a neighbor to Benjamin Shreve - This affirmant recollects that Benjamin Shreve was absent at sea in the early part of the year 1780 in which time his father was robbed by the Tories the house is the same in which the said Benjamin Shreve now resides.  Shortly after this a Company of Horsemen on light Dragoons was raised Richar Shreve being the Captain and Benjamin Shreve the Lieutenant.  This affirmant was in the habit of visiting the family of Caleb Shreve (the father of Benjamin) and frequently seen Benjamin Shreve leave home on tours of duly and afterwards return and as the rendezvous of the Company for half the time was directly opposite the house of this affirmant's father she on many occasions  seen the company on parade and Benjamin Shreve acting as one of the officers sometimes having command himself going out upon scouts and returning.

In those days this affirmant report a journal upon turning to it she finds some verses composed from upon the death of William Cook and Robert Reckless which bears dates the 9th day of January 1783 the day that the corpse of Robert Reckless was brought home.
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This affirmant recollects seeing the horse that Benjamin Shreve rode in the Battle at Cedar Creek on the 26th December 1782 which had been wounded in the neck and shoulder.

Lieutenant Benjamin Shreve returned home wounded in the knee after the death of Reckless and was confined to the house until some time in the summer of the year 1783 with said wounds - This affirmant frequently visited the family while he was confined - This affirmant recollects that Bacon the Robber was brought up a corpse to Jacobstown in the month of April 1783 and that Benjamin Shreve had been out with the Company to which he was attached almost constantly until the time of his becoming  disabled by the wound heretofore spoken of

Charlotte Taylor

Affirmed and Subscribed before me this twenty second day of July in the year eighteen hundred and forty one.

William E. Boulton
Justice of the Peace
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State of New Jersey
Burlington County
ss

On the twenty second day of July AD 1841 before the subscriber a Justice of thew Peace in and for said County, personally appeared Daniel Ivins resident in Mansfield County and State aforesaid aged eighty six years on the 6th day of March last past a person of credibility and truth who being first duly affirmed on his solemn affirmation saith that he has resided a near neighbor of Benjamin Shreve (joining farms) all his life time and that he well recollects the said Benjamin Shreve went to sea about the year 79 or 80 - and was about five or six months - after his return home a company of horsemen were formed according to the best of this affirmants recollection in the latter part of the year 1780 of which troop Benjamin Shreve as Captain attached to the Regiment of  Colonel William Shreve- This company  of horse or light dragoons were composed of the young men of the neighborhood each one furnished his own equipments.

In the summer of 1780 this affirmant recollects that Benjamin Shreve father (Calob Shreve) house was robbed - also at the same time  Clayton Newbolds and John Black's - This affirmant was one of a company of about twenty who went in pursuit - one of the Robbers was wounded and a very considerable part of the stolen goods were recovered - this robber was afterwards taken his name was Locusson Benjamin Shreve was at that time absent at sea.
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In a very short time after his father's robbery he returned home - and soon after the Company of Horse was formed - This affirmant well recollects that Lieutenant Benjamin Shreve was almost constantly out upon duty and was in the habit of seeing him come home and go out on tours of duty with the Company.

This affirmant recollects seeing Benjamin Shreve's horse upon his return after the Battle and which was wounded in the neck at the Battle of Cedar Creek - This was in the year 1782 about Christmas William Cook was killed and Robert Reckless mortally wounded of which wound he died in a short time they were residents of this neighborhood.  Shortly afterwards according to affirmants recollection Lieutenant Benjamin Shreve returned home having been disabled by a wound received while upon duty at Cedar Creek which wound confined him to his room several momths- This affirmant well recollects that the company of light dragoons to which Lieut. Benjamin Shreve belonged continued in service until sometime after peace in 1783

Daniel Irving

Affirmed and Subscribed this twenty second day of July AD 1841 before me

William E. Boulton
Justice of the Peace
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State of New Jersey   To William Shreve
1783
Jany. 9 - Two nurses for Robert Reckless a wounded militia man.  2 weeks at 2.0 pr week each $4.00  The said Robert Reckless was wounded at Cedar Creek the 26th Dec. last and died of his wounds the 8th of Jany. last.  He lay about forty miles from home-
Found the nurses for him & necessary for the the said Reckless 2,12.6

William Shreve

Burlington Ss.

Personally appeared before me the subscriber of of the Justices of the Peace for said County.   William Shreve who saith upon his solemn affirmation that the within account if just and true and that he has received no part thereof 

William Shreve

Taken before me the 10th day of June 1783
Israel Shreve

State of New Jersey

I Charles G. McChesney Secretary of State do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy from the original paper now on file in my office as taken from and composed therewith.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and affixed my seal of office at Trenton in said State this twenty fourth day of July AD one thousand eight hundred forty one.

Charles McChesney
Sec of State
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Mercer County Ss

Personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said County Charles C. Yard State Librarian who being duly affirmed saith that the foregoing is a true extract from a book entitled "The New Jersey Gazette" no 448. belonging to the New Jersey State Library.  Sub& affirmed this 23rd day of July
AD1841. before me
Chas. Burroughs
CLJSKB. St. Lib.n.
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State of New Jersey

I Charles G. McChesney Secretary of State of the State of New Jersey do hereby certify that William E. Boulton Esquire before whom the further supplemental declaration of Benjamin Shreve was affirmed and before whom the affirmations of Grace Shreve, Charlotte Taylor & Daniel Ivins were taken was at the time of the taking thereof a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Burlington in Said State duly appointed commissioned and sworn - and that Charles Burroughs Esq. before whom affidavit of Charles E. Yard State Librarian was taken was at the taking thereof a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Mercer in Said State duly appointed commissioned and sworn - that full faith and credit are to be given to their official attestations and that the signatures are in the proper handwriting of the said William E. Boulton and Charles Burroughs.

In testimony where of I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office at Trenton in said State this twenty fourth day of July AD One thousand eight hundred thirty one

Charles G. McChesney
Sec of State
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Abstract of Payrolls discharged by Benjamin Fenimore
Paymaster to the Militia in Burlington County

No of Roles
14
Date of Service
Oct. 11, 1780
Officers Names
Cap' R. Shreve
Regiment
Col Shreve
Amount 
16/7/8
No of Roles
14
Date
Dec 20, 1782
Officers
Cap R. Shreve
Regiment
Col Shreve
Amount
18/17/8
No of Rolls 
16
Date
Feby. 13, 1783
Officers
Cap R. Shreve
Regiment
Col. Shreve
Amount 
29/6/8
No. of Rolls
17
Date
Jan 7, 1783
Officers
Capt. R. Shreve
Regiment Col Shreve
Amount
65/13/10
No of Rolls
18
Date
Nov. 6 1783
Officers
Capt R. Shreve
Regiment
Col Shreve
Amount 10/4/2
No of Rolls
19
Date
Dec 29 1782
Officers
Cap. R. Shreve
Regiment
Col Shreve
Amount 42/18/5

State of New Jersey

I Charles G McChesney Secretary of State of the State of New Jersey do hereby certify that the above is a true abstract from an account headed as above as recorded in Book B of Auditors accounts folio 189 now remaining in my office

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office at Trenton in said State this twenty fourth day of July A.D. one thousand eight hundred and forty one.

Charles G. McChesney
Sec of State
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No 5176

Application of Benjamin Shreve for Pension under law of 7 June 1832

1.
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Benjamin Shreve son to Caleb and Grace Shreve was born on the 7 Day of the January being the first day of the week at 2 or 3 in the morning being in the year of our lord 1759
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State of New Jersey Burlington County Court

On this seventeenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared in open court before the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas held at Mount Holly in and for the County of Burlington - now filing Benjamin Shreve of the township of Mansfield in the county of Burlington and State aforesaid - aged seventy three years the seventh day of last January - who alleged himself to be conscientious & scrupulous of taking an oath and being duly affirmed according to the law of New Jersey on his solemn affirmation, doth maketh the following declaration, in order t obtain the benefits of the Act of congress passed June 7 1832  that he entered the services of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated court - He was born in the township of Mansfield in the county of Burlington in the state of New Jersey on the seventh day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand seventeen hundred and fifty nine - that there is a record of his age in the family bible a copy of which is hereto annexed  that in the month of September or October in the year One thousand seven hundred and eighty he joined a troop of Horse, then raised in the county of Burlington, and attached to the Regiment
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commanded by Col. William Shreeve - of Burlington County New Jersey Militia that the said troop was organized by the company choosing Richard Shreeve Captain, this affirmant first Lieutenant John Brown coronet and that this affirmant received a commission as first Lieutenant signed by William Levingston governor of New Jersey dated some time in the month of September or December 1780 but the commission is now lost and has not been able to find any record of it That the said Troop was raised for the purpose of acting as volunteer militia men to defend the State of new Jersey from the incursions of the Refugees and Tories - which were then frequent and destructive to the lives and property of the citizens of Monmouth and Burlington Counties - which from the extent of their sea board and river frontier were peculiarly exposed to their ravages - that immediately after he received his commission he could for a time end the month of October 1780 he marched into the County of Monmouth and was called out very frequently form times four or five times in a month - and sometimes not so often and their usual tour of duty extended from Tuckerton in the county of Burlington to Toms River & Freehold in the County of Monmouth - that the incursions of the Refugees and Tories - so many of whom were well acquainted with the localities and the situation and circumstances of the inhabitants, were in case and as well by day
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as by night and required constant vigilance and continued preparation and activity to check and to promote theirs that on one occasion he assisted in capturing Captain Vance and or Van and  ten other Refugees at Wading River in the County of Burlington and in the capture of several other Refugees and parties of Tories whose name he cannot recollect, that he was in a skirmish with the Refugees and Tories at Cedar Creek Bridge in the county of Monmouth, on the 27th December 1782 in which  engagement William Cook was killed and Robert Reckless who was the brother of Anthony Reckless who was an officer in the regular army was killed and John Laller, Thomas Berd and Samuel Beck and others of the New Jersey militia were wounded  - that about four days afterwards the affirmant assisted in capturing Thomas Bird  who was a very desperate and active Refugee - he also a man of the name of Holmes & several others - that from the time that this deponent volunteered as aforesaid the counties of Monmouth and Burlington were kept in a continual state of alarm by the incursions and desperate acts of a band of refugees, headed by John Bacon, Ichabod Johnson and one Atkinson  as for whose capture dead or alive the authorities of New Jersey had offered a reward - the whole country for whose deference this affirm
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ant volunteered as aforesaid was kept in a continual state of alarm by the activity, daring and cruelty of the numerous bands of wood robbers, Tories and Refugees who infested that district of country and the troop which affirmant belonged was in a constant activity and service for more than two years and until peace restored society and of country was inhabitants for so with arranges of the faces who formed camp across by the ocean and reservoir and security and concealment in the woods and  served  a camps abounding in the country or in the houses of their accomplices or friends - that he served in the past volunteer troops - of that commanded by Captain Richard Shreve as first Lieutenant thereof at different times upwards of two years during the war of the Revolution - That he was always attached to Col William Shreeves regiment frequently went out with him and also with Captain Edward Thomas who commanded a company of volunteers equipped to act both as infantry troopers as a captain might require - that the country to which the troop was to protect is tended from Tuckerton in the county of Burlington to toms River, in the county of Monmouth along the Atlantic Frontier - and in the
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interior of the country from Freehold to Mount Holly - that the troopers - officers and soldiers provided their own horse and equipment and found their own provisions & suffered great hardships from their capture want of provisions and harassing marches in a wilderness and on the sea board - and were always on the alert and kept their arms and horses in constant readiness for service and themselves ready to march at all times from the month of October 1780 till the peace - that this affirmant during the time of this service knew Col Israel Shreeve Governor Bloomfield and Governor Howell - who were their officers in the continental army also familiar General David Forman of the Monmouth Militia that the troop to which deponent belonged always marched as fearlessly as possible and the whole country, as far as it was friendly furnished them with information in addition to the spies employed to watch and counteract the movements of the enemy - that he hath no documentary evidence except a few muster rolls of the names of the company employed in some particular service which  he can attest in court - that Reuben
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Shreeve a brother of affirmant who now resides in the county of Monmouth hath frequently seen his commission and John Salter Eneas Lippencott in service to Benjamin made lieut. will survive of the members of the troop commanded by  Richard Shreeve & Capt Edward Thomas who can testify to his service but all the rest of his comrades and officers are dead - That he hath always continued to reside in Mansfield in the house in which he was born = He has commission he believes to be lost not having seen it for twenty years = that he is acquainted with Samuel Black Esquire, a member of the Legislature of New Jersey for their county of Burlington Abraham Brown Esquire Surrogate of the County of Burlington, General Samuel Read clerk of the county of Burlington, Daniel Irvin 
Esquire and almost all the respectable men in his neighborhood all of whom can testify to his character for veracity and their belief of his service as a soldier of the Revolution.  He  hereby relinquishes his 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

Benjamin Shreve
Affirmed and subscribed
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the day and year aforesaid = 
Geo. Wm. Tucker
Matthew Mc Henry

New Jersey Burlington County court John Salter and Eneas Lippencott of the township of Springfield in the  county of Burlington aforesaid being severally sworn each for himself and with that they severally believe the  facts extolled in the foregoing declaration of Benjamin Shreeve to be true - that they knew Benjamin Shreeve as early as the year 1780 to the first  December and of Captain Richard Shreeve, troop of horse - engaged in the service detailed by him that they were frequently in company with him, or under his command on expeditions - that for more than two years he served as Lieutenant wearing his badges of officer and recognized  & treated and affirmed such that day  they were with him at the battle at Cedar Creek & Bridgeton which he acted as Lieutenant and altho they never saw his commission he was always obeyed as such - 
Eneas Lippincott
X Mark
John Talt
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Geo W. Tucker
Matthew Mc Henry
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We Samuel Black residing in the township of Mansfield in the County of Burlington and  Samuel J. Read Samuel Brown in the company of the township of Northampton in the county of Burlington aforesaid now residing at Mount Holly do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Benjamin Shreve who has subscribed and affirmed to the above declaration that  we believe him to be seventy three 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.

Samuel Balck who, conscientiously scrupulous of taking an oath being affirmed & Samuel  J. read sworn & subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Sam T. Black
Sam J. Read

Geo. Wm. Tucker
Matthew McHenry

And the fact court do hereby
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and the court further certified that it appears to them, that there is no clergyman residing in the immediate vicinity of the applicant - and that Samuel Black & Samuel J. Read an Abraham Brown Esquire who were also witnesses resident as they stated see their certificate - that Samuel Black is a member of the legislature of New Jersey for the county of Burington and they are personally well known to the court to be men of high character for intelligence and veracity and are creditable persons and that their statement is entitled to credit. Aug 17, 1832

Geo. W. Rucker
Matthew McHenry
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the original proceedings of the said court  with the matter of the application of Bejamin Shreve for a pension

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the said court at Mount Holly the seventeenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two - 
Saml. J. Read

I Samuel J. Read clerk of the court of common pleas in & for the county of Burlington New Jersey do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Benjamin Shreve for a pension made before the said court on the seventeenth day of August last

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this twenty third day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three 

Sam J. Read
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New Declaration
Application of
Benjamin Shreve
for Pension
2
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State of New Jersey Burlington County Court-

On this twelfth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three personally appeared in open court before the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas, held at Mount Holly, in and for the county of Buerlington now sitting Benjamin Shreve of the township of Mansfield, in the county of Burlington and  State aforesaid aged seventy four years the seventh day of January last past who allege himself to be a conscientiously scrupulous of taking an oath, and being solemnly affirmed in due form, according to the law of the state of New Jersey on his solemn affirmation doth 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 to wit he was born in the township of Mansfield, in the county of Burlington and state of New Jersey on the seventh day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty nine that there is a record of his age in the family bible a copy of which is hereto annexed that in the month of September or October/ but having no memorandum of the date, he cannot state the month or day of the month further than he has recollected that it was not earlier than the month of September or later than the month of October in the year of our Lord one thousand seven
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hundred and eighty he joined and became a trooper in a troop of Horse, then raised in the county of Burlington aforesaid and  attached to the Regiment of Burlington County of New Jersey Militia's Commanded by Col. William Shreve - that the said troop was organized in the said month of September or October by choosing Richard Shreve Captain this affirmant first Lieutenant and John Brown coronet - that this affirmant received a commission as first Lieutenant of the said troop of Horse signed by William Levingston then governor of New Jersey and bearing date some time in the said month of September or October in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty one the said commission is now lost or destroyed and there being no public record kept of for & commissions- there does not to the knowledge of this affirmant can & any record thereof although he hath made several therefore that the said troop of Horse was raised for the purpose of acting as volunteer minute men to defend the State of New Jersey from the incursions of the Refugees and Tories which were then frequent and destructive to the lives and property of the citizens of Monmouth and Burlington Counties in the said state of New Jersey which from the extent of their sea board and River Frontier as well as from their extensive Pines and swamps were specially and defensibly exposed to their  hidden attacks and
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wanton destructive and cruel ravages that soon after he this affirmant received his commission towit, some time within the month of October and not later in the same year he marched with the said troop then commanded by Captain Richard Shreve and attached to the Regiment of Burlington County Militia commanded by Col. William Shreve this affirmant then being first Lieutenant of the said troop  into the county of Monmouth in the said state of New Jersey that  from that time, until the peace between this county and great Britain acknowledging our Independence he was called out very frequently as first Lieutenant sometimes as often as four or five times in a moth and sometimes not at all - generally remaining out on a tour of duty from five days to two or three weeks at a time entirely depending upon the nature of the attack or danger menaced  -  that the usual tour of duty extended, and the range of the  call upon the said troop was from Tuckerton in the county of Burlington on the Atlantic board to Toms River in the county of Monmouth and extending in the interior to Freehold the county of Monmouth aforesaid Burlington the county town of the county of Burlington including a large and extensive district of country.
Page 36

sparsely inhabited and abounding with extensive Pines and large swamps in the interior and open to the ocean from Tuckerton to Toms River a distance of at least forty five miles in which distance are found many rivers and creeks. That the incursions of the refugees and Tories, many of whom were well acquainted with the localities and the situation and circumstances of the inhabitants were very frequent as well by day as by night attended by plunder conflagration and murder of women and children and required compliance and  vigilance and continued preparation and activity to check defeat and punish them  That this affirmant kept no memorandum of the specific time of his service that by reason of his never having kept an account of each tour and by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear respectively as to the precise length of his service in the said troop, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the previous mentioned below and in the following grades to cont. for at least two years and one month, he, this affirmant served as first lieutenant of the said troop of Horse, commanded by Captain Richard Shreve attached to the Regiment of Burlington county New Jersey militia commanded by Col William Shreve, engaged in defend
Page 37

ing and protecting the counties of Monmouth and Burlington from the ravages of the Tories , Refugees and Wood Robbers. That he is able to recall some of the incidents attending his services but cannot free the dates, except as hereafter mentioned, that one occasion this affirmant as first Lieutenant aforesaid assisted in capturing Captain Vance and two other Refugees at Mading River in the aforesaid county of Burlington and he also was present and assisting in the capture of several other Refugees and parties of Tories whose names he cannot recollect  That on the 27 December 1782 he was  as such first Lieutenant engaged at Cedar Creek Bridge in the county of Monmouth aforesaid in ta skirmish with the Refugees and the Tories in which William Cook was killed and also Robert Reckless )the brother of Anthony W. Reckless who was then an officer in the regular army on the continental establishment and Thomas Saller, Thomas Cook and Samuel Beck and others of the New Jersey Militia were wounded = that about four days afterward this affirmant assisted as Lieutenant of the said troop in capturing Thomas Bird, who was a very desperate and active Refugee who had been the terror of the country and  destructive is the property of the
Page 38

citizens and committed many outrages - He had with him a man of the name of Holmes and several others who were captured at the same time  That from the time that this affirmant entered the said troop and commenced his term of service the said counties of Monmouth and Burlington were kept in a continued state of alarm by the incursions and desperate acts of a band of Refugees headed by John Bacon, Ichabod Johnson and one Atkinson for whose capture dead or alive, the authorities of New Jersey has offered a reward.  the whole country the defence of which was in part committed to the troop to which this affirmant belonged was kept in a continual state of alarm by the activity , daring and cruelty of the numerous  band of Wood Robbers, Tories and Refugees - who imparted that district of country - and the troop to which affirmant belonged and of which he was lieutenant as aforesaid was in constant activity and service for at least two years and one month - until peace brought safety and security to the inhabitants from the ravages of the  does, who found easy and  exits by the ocean and rivers to that district and concealment in the woods and swamps with which it abounds or in the houses of their friends or accomplices that he served in
Page 39

the said troop of Horse commanded by Captain Richard Shreve in the grade of first Lieutenant at different terms a period of at least two years and one month that he was always attached to col William Shreve's regiment, frequently went out of town in service with him and also with Captain Edward Thomas who commanded a company of volunteers engaged in the same service as this affirmant equipped to act both as Infantry and Troopers as occasion might require.  That the country which the Troops services this affirmant was lieutenant was to protect extended from Tuckerton with the county of Burlington to Toms River in the County of Monmouth on the Atlantic Frontier and with the interior of the country from Freehold the county town of Monmouth, to Burlington the county town of Burlington aforesaid - that the troopers, officers and soldiers provided their own horses and equipment and found their own provisions and suffered great hardships from their exposure, want of provisions and harrowing marches in a wilderness and on the sea board and were always on the alert and have their arms and horses in constant readiness for service and themselves ready to march at all times by day and by night, from the month of October 1780 until the peace. That this affirmant during the term of his service knew
Page 40

Col Israel Shreve Governor Bloomfield and Governor Howell who were respectively officers with the regular army on the fundamental establishment.  That he also occasionally saw General Forman of the Monmouth Militia that the troop to which this affirmant belonged always marched as secretly as possible and the whole country as far as it was friendly furnished them with information, in addition to the times employed or detached to watch, counteract or give information of the movement of the enemy.  That he hath no documentary evidence except a few muster rolls of the names of the company employed on some particular service which he exhibits in court - that Robert Reuben Shreve a brother of the affirmant resides in the County of Monmouth hath frequently seen his commission and John Salter Abner Page and Eneas Lippincott  sole survivors of the members of the troop commanded by Richard Shreve - & by Captain Edward Thomas who can testify to t=his service but is the best of his recollection the other of his fellow officers comrades are dead or removed to parts unknown. That he hath always continued to reside with the town ship of Mansfield in the county of Burlington aforesaid, in the house in which
Page 41

commission as lieutenant for twenty years, and that he believes that the same is lost  That he is acquainted with Samuel Black Esquire a member of the legislature of New Jersey, for the county of Burlington the last year.  Abraham Brown Esquire the late surrogate of the county of Burlington, General Samuel J. Read, clerk of the county of Burlington Daniel Ivins Esquire one of the Judges of Said County, and almost all the respectable men in his neighborhood and all of whom can testify to his character for veracity and their belief of his service as a soldier of the Revolution.  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.  

Benjamin Shreve

Affirmed and subscribed in open court the 12 day of Feby. 1833

Christian Sarzelore
Page 42

scrupulous of taking an oath being duly affirmed according to law on his solemn affirmation saith that he is the brother of the said Benjamin Shreve, the above petitioner that he hath frequently seen his commission as for Lieutenant of the troops of Horse commanded by Captain Richard Shreve, that it was signed by Governor Levingston and under the great seal of New Jersey. That he hath frequently seen the said Benjamin Shreve acting as first Lieutenant of said troop and wearing his badge of office and that he was always treated as such. That he has frequently seen him start on expeditions or tours of duty and return and that the foregoing declaration of the said Benjamin Shreve he believes to be true

Reuben Shreve
Affirmed in open court at Mount Holly this 12 February 1833

Christian Sarzelore

Extract from Family Bible
"Benjamin Shreve son to Caleb and Grace Shreve was born on the seventh day of the first month January being the first day of the week, at two or three in the morning, being in the year of our Lord 1759"

New Jersey. Burlington County Court. John Salter
Page 43

and Eneas Lippencott, both of the township of Springfield, int he county of Burlington, in the said state the said John Salter being aged seventy three years and upwards, and the said Eneas Lippencott, aged eighty years and upwards - being severally sworn each for himself saith, that they severally believe the facts stated in the foregoing declaration of Benjamin Shreve to be true- that they severally knew Benjamin Shreve as early as they can 1780 to be the first Lieutenant of Richard Shreve's troop of Horse belonging to col William Shreve's Regiment of New Jersey Militia Burlington county engaged in the serve declared by him .  That they were frequently in company with him or under his command on expeditions that for more than two years the said Benjamin Shreve acted as lieutenant of the said troop wearing his badge of office and respected recognized and treated as such.  That these deponents were severally with him at the affair or skirmish at Cedar Creek Bridge in the county of Monmouth, which is detailed in the declaration of the said Benjamin Shreve on which occasion the said Benjamin Shreve acted as lieutenant of the said Troop- and although they never saw his commission he was always obeyed as such lieutenant - 

John Saltar
Enas Lippencott X his mark

Sworn and subscribed the 16th day of February 1833 in open court

Thos Swain
Page 44

Mr. Samuel Black residing in the township of Mansfield in the county of Burlington and state of said aged forty six - years and upwards and Samuel J. Read of the township of Northampton in the county of Burlington aforesaid residing at Mount Holly aged Sixty one years and upwards do hereby certify that we are respectively well acquainted with Benjamin Shreve, who has subscribed and affirmed to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy four 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.

Samuel Black who alleged that he is conscientiously scrupulous of taking an oath, being duly affirmed according to the law of New Jersey and the said Samuel J. Read, being duly sworn each for himself saith that the contents of the foregoing certificates are true

Samuel Black
Sam J. Read

Sworn and subscribed in open court February 16 1833
Thos Swain
Page 45

And the said Inferior Court of Common Pleas 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 Benjamin Shreve, was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states as first Lieutenant of a troop of horse - and the court further certifies that it appears to them that there is no clergyman residing in the immediate vicinity of the applicant that  people in the neighborhood generally belonging to the Society of Friends. That Samuel Black Esquire, and General Samuel J. Read, who have also signed the same are residents as stated in their certificates - that Samuel Black was last year a member of the legislature of New Jersey for the county of Burlington aforesaid and that General Samuel J. Read is an attorney at law and has been for several years at different times a member of the legislature of New Jersey for the county of Burlington and is at present clerk of the court and they are severally well known to the court to be men of high character for intelligence and veracity and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit and also that Reuben Shreve, John Salter and Eneas Lippencott, who has signed the foregoing affirmation and affidavits
Page 46

are respectively persons of credibility and in open court and on Feby. 16 1833
Thos Swain
John Blackwood
Christian Sarzelore

I Samuel J. Read, clerk of the court of Common Pleas of the count of Burlington, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court of common pleas of the county of Burlington in the matter of the application of Benjamin Shreve for a pension  And I do further certify that the interlineations which appear there in towit the words "town" & "aforesaid" on the third page and fourth line from the bottom the words " in part" on the 5 page 14 line from the top & "belonged" in the 21 line of said page & "was" to protect" in the 13 line from the top of the page & "Abner Page" in the 20 line from the top of page "is" on the 9 page third line from the top four on the 12 page 10 line from top were made before the proceedings were signed and I do further certify that Christian Sarzelore Thomas Swain and John Blackwood Esquires who have signed the foregoing proceedings are respectively Judges of the said court and duly commissioned and sworn, acting as first Judges

In testimony whereof lI have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the said court at Mount Holly the sixteenth day of February in the year of our Lord One thousand
Page 47

eight hundred and thirty three
Saml. J. Read
Page 48

Apr 30/04 Papers
to war Dept
Memo within

Rev. War
4832

INVALID

File No. 4832
Benjamin Shreve
Col Rev. War

Act June 7 1832
Indes: - Vol. M Page 338
[arrangement of 1870]
Page 49

Letter G.D. Wall
27 July 1823

letter to J.D. Hester
Augt. 3, 183
to J.D. Hester 19 Oct. 1839
J.C. Potts 15 Dec. 1837
Hon G.D. Wall 8 Sept 1
J.D. Hester Feb 15
To hon W. Halstead 2 Aust. 1841
Page 50

Reported

Certificate Amt
Back for Correction

Corrected - returned
Litigant notified

Augt. 5 1850
Page 51

13.  Four papers marked Exhibits 1,2,3, and 4, said by the applicant for pension to be portions of memoranda or muster rolls kept by him as lieutenant of Captain Richard Shreve's troop of Light Horse, Col. William Shreve's regiment of Burlington County, New Jersey, militia.
Taken from the claim of Benjamin Shreve, No. 4,832.
[handwritten To War Dept open copy]
Page 52

Benjamin Shreve Lt.
New Jersey
Burlington Co.
Col Shreve Col Shreve
N. Jersey Troop
Admitted

St. comp  $400 -
for concur March 1831 to 16 April 1864 when he died
payable to children
Mary Shreve, Ann Shreve, Benjamin Shreve, Johnathan Shreve, Samuel Shreve, Philip Shreve Rebecca Shreve and Grace Lippencott
Act 7 June 1832

W.A. Newell
H.R.
Page 53

Stamped Burlington N.J.      FREE

The Honble J.L. Edwards Esq.
Coms. of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Sent therein
Dav. Baird
Benj Shreve
Page 54

Burlington Sept. 6 1838

D sir:

Will you be kind eno to fine me the application of David Baird of Monmouth & Benjamin Shreve of Burlington for pensions - made some time since - they think they can procure the testimony necessary to establish their case in conformity to the decision made by you.  they are both men of great respectability and it is a subject of feeling for them to prove that the character which they have enjoyed among their neighbors for more than half a century can be sustained by testimony that will admit of no dispute.

I will be responsible that the papers shall be returned safely.

Yrs respy

Garret D. Wall

The Honble
J.L. Edwards Esq.
Comms. of Pensions
Page 55

House of Pensions
27 June 1850

Dear Sir,

You will herewith received evidence of the death of Lieut. Benj. Shreve late of New Jersey and the names of the children who now survive him

The news are of the opinion that there is abundant evidence filed in his application for the allowance of a pension.  May I ask a reexamination of this case at your earliest convenience.

With great respect
I am inty
yours
Wm. A. Newell

J. E. Edwards
Coms. of Pensions
Page 56

Original Papers of 
Lieutenant Benj Shreve
Burlington Co. N.J.

Receipted for by this
Hon G.D. Wall


Ralph H. Shreve
Trenton, N.J.

Reference
Hon Wm Halsted
MC
Page 57

War Department
Pension Office
September 8 1838

Sir,

At your request I send herewith the papers in the case of Benjamin Shreve.  Be so kind as to acknowledge the receipt of the same.

David Baird is now on the Pension Roll. The rules forbid the papers to be sent from the office in such a case as this.

I have the honor to be
Very respectfully,
Your obt. svt.
J.L. Edwards

Hon. G.D. Wall,
Burlington
New Jersey
Page 58

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative in red ink, will apply to the claim of Benjamin Shreve which require further proof or explanation.

I.  Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?

II.  Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?

III.  If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?

IV.  Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?
No.

V.  Has he mentioned 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 wo what amout of pension he is entitled?
No in explanatory note

VI.  Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?

VII.  Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the act of June 7, 1832?

VIII.  Has the court given their opinion?

IX.  Has the clerk given his certificate?

X.  Is the clerk's seal affixed?  And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?
Page 59

2

XI.  Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as their belief respecting his age and the general belief in this neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?

XII.  If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?

XIII.  If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?

XIV.  If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility?  Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?

[handwritten side of form] No the court before which the others were deposed [the rest is too faded to decipher]

XV.  Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?

XVI.  Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?

No See Query 16

XVII.  Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily?  And, if not, which of them is not so answered?

EXPLANATORY NOTES

QUERE V.  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 int he 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."
Page 60

3

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the 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.

QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.

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 claimants 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.

QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenitcating papers.

In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer so as to prevent any paper from being properly attached to the certificate.
Page 61

[stamped] TRENTON NJ FEB 13

FREE

James L. Edwards, Esq

Commissioner of Pensions
D.C.
Com. Feb 15
Benj. Bryant
Benj Shreve
Page 62

Trenton February 14th 1839

Sir

You will confer a great favour if you will be so good as to transmit to me a copy of all the papers filed in your office connected with the claim of Benjamin Bryant.

And you would also oblige me by enclosing a copy of the power of attorney executed by Benjamin Shreve to myself to get his pension.

Your very Respectful Atty
John D. Hester
Page 63

Letter of Attorney
From Benjamin Shreve
to
John D. Hester

Rcd.  Feb 21 39
From Jn. D. Hester
of Trenton N.J.
Page 64

Known all men by their precedents. That of Benjamin Shreve of the county of Burlington and State of New Jersey do hereby constitute and appoint John D. Hester, of Trenton in the same state, irrevocably very true and lawful attorney with a power of substitution for me and in my name to receive from the United States the amount of pay now due me under the Act entitled an Act for the relief of certain surviving or any other Act of Congress under which I may be called to officers and soldiers of the revolution approved fifteen the of May eighteen hundred and Twenty eight as a Lieutenant of Cavalry in the New Jersey Militia under Col. Wm Shreve of the army of the Revolution. 
Witness my hand and seal this eighteen day of July eighteen hundred and thirty seven
Sealed and delivered in the presence of

Benjamin Shreve
The words "or any other Act of Congress under which I may be entitled to a pension" underlined before signing
Edward Robbins

Before me Edward Robbins a justice of the Peace in and for the county of Burlington and the state of New Jersey, personally appeared Benjamin Shreve, whose service is subscribed to the foregoing power of attorney and a person adjudged this same who his act and deed and also declares the same now not present by reason of any transfer or of any attachment, buy or seizure by any legal access whatever of the pay therein authorized to be received; has that the said jury is intended to ensue wholly to this personal benefit.

Witness my hand this this Eighteenth
Page 65

day of July eighteen hundred and thirty seven

Edward Robbins one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the county of Burlington

Before me Edward Robbins a Justice of the Peace in and for the county of Burlington and state of New Jersey, personally appeared John D. Hester of Trenton, and date aforesaid the attorney named in the foregoing power of Attorney and alleging himself conscientiously scrupulous of taking an oath on his solemn affirmation saith that the said power of Attorney was  not given to him by reason of any transfer or of any attachment, levy or seizure by any legal Procept whatever of the jury therein authorized the  receiver but that  said jury is to the best of his knowledge and belief intended to ensure wholly to the personal benefit of this person by whom the said juror was executed.

Witness my hand this Eighteenth day of July eighteen hundred and thirty seven

John D. Hester

Affirmed and subscribed as above before me
Edward Robbins
One of the Justices of the Peace in and for the county of Burlington N.J.
Page 66

New Jersey for  I James D. Westcott, Secretary of the state of New Jersey do certify that Edward Robbins Esq. before whom the foregoing affirmations were made and power of attorney acknowledged, and who hath attended the same, was at the time thereof a Justice of the Peace in and for the county of Burlington in said state duly commissioned and sworn and that full faith and credit are and  should be given to his attentions as such.  Given under my hand and seal of office at Trenton the nineteenth day of July  A.D.  eighteen hundred and thirty seven

James D. Westcott
Page 67

State of New Jersey

I Charles McChesney register of the Prerogative Court of the State of New Jersey, located at Trenton in and for said State do hereby certify that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited to said court that Lieutenant Benjamin Shreve was a resident of the county of Burlington in the State of New Jersey and died in the county of Burlington in said State in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty four on the sixteenth day of April, leaving the following named children him surviving viz:  Mary Shreve, Benjamin Shreve, Jonathan Shreve, Samuel Shreve, Ann Shreve, Pheobe Shreve & Rebecca Lippincott.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my and affixed the seal o said Court at Trenton this tenth day of January One thousand eight hundred fifty.

Charles G. McChesney
Register
Page 68

Dec 18, 1848

Benj. Shreve
N.J.
Act 7 June d1832

add widow
Page 69

Benjamin Fennimore P.M. to the Militia in Burlington County
Abstract of Pay Rolls discharged by Benj. Fennimore

[following is line by line transcription of a chart]

 [line 1]
No of Rolls
14
Date of Service
October 11, 1780
Officers Named
Capt. R. Shreve
Regiment
Col. Shreve
Amount
16.7.8
[2]
No. of Rolls
15
Date of Service
December 20, 1782
Officers & regiment 
[same as above]
Amount
18.17.8
[3]
No of Rolls
16
Date of Service
February 13, 1783
Officers & Regiment
[same as above]
Amount
29.6.8
[4]
No of Rolls
17
Date of Service
 January 7 1783
Officers & Regiment
[same as above]
Amount
65.13.10
[5]
No. of Rolls
18
Date of Service
November 6 1783
Officers & Regiment
[same as above]
Amount
10.4.2
[6]
No of Rolls
19
Date of Service
December 29, 1782
Officers & Regiment
[same as above]
Amount
42.18.5

Peter Covenhoven Pay Master to the Militia of Burlington & Monmouth 
Abstract of Pay Rolls discharged by P. Covenhoven before May 1, 1782

[1]
No
8
Date of Service
June 8 1780
Officers named Col Wm. Shreve
No of men
24
Co that Regt.
Burlington
Where Served
Egg Harbor
Under whom
Col. Shreve
Amt.
63.9.2
[2]
No
9
Date of Service
April 15 1780
Officers named
Col Wm Shreve
No of men
49
Regiment
Burlington
Where Served
Monmouth
Under whom
Col Shreve
[3]
No.
10
Date of Service
May 16 1778
Officers named
Col Wm. Shreve
Amt
[see total for 2nd and 3rd line in 3]
[3]
No of men
25
Regiment
Burlington
Where served
Monmouth
Under whom
Col Shreve
Amt.
202.8.11 [total of [2] and [3]

State of New Jersey
I Charles G. McChesney Secretary of State of the State of New Jersey do hereby certify that the foregoing are true abstracts from Book B of accredited accounts pages 189 & 204 as taken from and compared with the originals now of record in my office.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my
Page 70

Seal of Office at Trenton this thirteenth day of December A.D. One thousand eight hundred and forty five.

Charles G. McChesney
Secy of State
Page 71

Lieut. Benj. Shreve
(Additional evidence)
Page 72

No  220
Richard Shreve
Capt .L. Dragoin
L 5"5" G
B.

No 221
Benjamin Shreve
Lieut. L. Dragoin
6:9:9
A.

I Jacob Kline, reviewer of the state of New Jersey do hereby certify that the above are true copies of the origins of certificates for unliquidated balances due to Capt. Richard Shreves and lieutenant Benjamin Shreve, issued by the Jersey Minter to the Militia of the County Burlington, at the close of the war of the Revolution, the original version occurring in file in my office.   Witness my hand this twenty first day of October, eighteen hundred and thirty seven.

Jacob Kline Secrat.

l James D. Westcott, Secretary of the State of New Jersey do hereby certify that Jacob Kline who hath subscribed the foregoing certificate is Treasurer of the State of new Jersey duly commissioned and sworn and that full faith and credit are and ought to be given to his act such and that the signature to the above certificate appears to be genuine. Witness my hand and seal of office this twenty first day of October eighteen hundred and thirty seven at Trenton

James D. Westcott
Page 73

Receipts for cash paid for the second years Interest on
notes given by the Commissioners of the several counties for
Militia services
[Table not transcribed]
Receipts for cash paid the third years interest on certificate
given by the Commrs of the several counties for Militia services.
[Table not transcribed]
State of New Jerey W.
James D. Westcott Secretary of State of the State of
New Jersey do hereby certify that the above are true extracts from two Books of accounts now remaining in
my office the first of which is headed
Receipts for cash paid for the second
years interest on notes given by the commissioners of the several counties for
militia services" and endorsed on the
cover "Militia 2nd year No 3"  the
second headed "receipts for cash paid the third years interest
on certificates given by the Commr of the several counties for militia services," and endorsed on the cover "Militia
2d year No 3" as taken from and compared with the
said Books of account - Given under my hand and
seal of office at Trenton this twenty fourth day of November A.D. One thousand eight hundred and thirty seven (1837)
James D. Westcott
Page 74

Abstract of Payrolls discharged by Benjamin Benimore Paymaster to the militia in Burlington County
[Table with seven columns not trnscribed.  Column headings are: No of Rolls|Date of Service|Officers Names| Regiment|Amount]

State of New Jersey
I James D. Westroth Secretary of State of the State of
New Jersey do hereby certify that the above is a true extract
from an account headed "Abtract of pay-rolls discharged
by Benjamin Fenimore Pay Master to the Militia 
in Burlington County" as recorded in Book A. of
Auditory accounts
folio 189 now remaining in my office
Given under my hand and seal of office
at Trenton this twenty fifth day of Novem-
ber A.D. one thousand eight hundred
and thirty seven (1837)
James Westroth
[Calculations too faint to transcribe.]
Page 75

Supplemental affirmation of Benjamin Shreve amending his declaration for a pension under act of 7 June 1832
z
Page 76

Supplemental affirmation of Benjamin Shreve, amending his original & new Declaration; made before a court of Record of the County of Burlington, in the state of New Jersey in term time in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congree passed June 7 1832

State of New Jersey
Burlington County, to wit;
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for the said county, Benjamin Shreve, who alleging himself to be conscientiously scrupulous of taking an oath and being duly affirmed according to law, doth declare & say that by reason of old age & the consequent loss of memory that  he cannot state under his affirmation positively as to the  time or length of his service but according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the period mentioned below, and in the following grade; to wit, In the month of September or October 1780, a troop was organized for the purpose mentioned in my said declaration and was attached to the regiment of Col William Shreve; and of which troop Richard Shreve was Captain, this affirmant Lieutenant & John Brown was the cornet: and I served in the Revolutionary war as such Lieutenant of said troop, duly commissioned to act as such by a commission issuing under the authority of the State of New Jersey bearing the  great seal of the said State & signed by William Livingston, then the Governor therein & bearing date in the month of Sept or Oct. 1780, from the said month of October 1780 till the month of February 1780 except when disabled by my wound as herein I testified, that is to say in the year 1780, I served as such Lieutenant of said troop duly commissioned as aforesaid for three months, namely the month of October, November & December; in the year 1781, I served as such Lieutenant of said troop duly commiss
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ioned as aforesaid during a period of twelve months to wit; the months of January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November & December in said year; in the year 1782 I served as such Lieutenant of said troop duly commission as aforesaid for a period of twelve months, to wit:  the of January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November & December of said last named year; in the year 1783 I served as such lieutenant of said troop duly commissioned as aforesaid for a period of month, to wit; the month of February of said last named year, I being disabled from active service during January preceding on account of a wound received while out on duly and for such service I claim a pension.  I was during the whole of the foregoing specified period acting as such Lieutenant/ except when deprived of the power of so acting by my said wound/ and when I attempted the specification of my service in by original & new Declarations it was merely a description of  such times as when I was in actual motion on horseback, for the attainment of some of said end; but independently of such occasions  I was also in actual service, as such Lieutenant of said Troop as above stated.  My said commission has been lost for a number of years past; I having not seen it for the last 20 years, and there being no public record kept of such commissions/ there does not to my knowledge exist any record thereof; but my brother Reuben Shreve being the only person except myself, now living who has seen the said commission, I have obtained his evidence of its former existence as the only evidence in my known besides
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my own statements, + [and] to which attached to my new Declaration I would respectively refer the Department; my home and equipments during my said service were always found by myself, at my own expenses I always served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority viz; the authorities of the State of New Jersey; I always served in the field and never in garrison; and for the time during which my service was performed, I was not employed in any civil pursuit; I was born in the township of Mansfield, in the County of Burlington + [and] State of New Jersey on the 7th of Jany [January]: 1759; I have a record of my age in the family Bible in my possession; I have ever lived in the said township of Mansfield, where I lived during the Revolutionary War when I entered the service, + [and] when I now live; I entered the service + [and] ever acted as a volunteer, + [and] was never a substitute for any one; I have stated such of the Regular office near as I knew + [and] such continental + [and] Militia Regiments ["as" inserted with caret] I can recollect, in my said Declarations, + [and] I have generally stated therein all such general circumstances of my service as I deemed important + [and] could recollect. I received a commission to act as first Lieutenant of the said Troop of Horse, signed by William Livingston, then governor of the State of New Jersey, but it is now lost or destroyed, I having not seen it for 20 years past, altho [although] having made diligent search therefor, I am known to John Salter Eneas Lippincott + [and] Reuben Shrive, whose testimony of my actual services, annexed to my said original + [and] New Declaration, I refer the Department to, and to Samuel Black, Samuel J. Read [crossed out text] Esquires, in my present neigh-
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borhood, & to whose testimony as to my character for truth and veracity, & their belief of my services as a soldier of the Revolution amended likewise to my said declarations, I also refer the Department; there is no clergyman residing in my neighborhood, as my the certificates of the Judges of the Common Pleas of Burlington County, to my said declarations will also appear to be satisfaction of the Department; I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity except the present, & declare that my name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state

Benjamin Shreve

Affirmed and subscribed this 22nd of July 1833 before me - Interlineations being made int he 25th & 35th lines 7, 1st page, in the 25th line on 2nd page and 24th line of 3rd page and erasures being made in 24th, 25th, 28th lines on 1st page, in the 25th & 30th lines of 2nd page, in the 39th line of 3rd page & in the 4th & 15th lines of 4th page before affirmation being taken
Sam'l. Black

I Samuel Black one of the Justices of the peace in and for the County of Burlington in the state of New Jersey, do hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with Benajmin Shreve, who has subscribed to the foregoing affirmation before me, that I believe him to be seventy four years of age, that he is reputed  & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, & that I concur in that opinion; & further that the said
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Benjamin Shreve is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit; and I do further certify that there is no clergyman residing in the neighborhood of the said Benjamin Shreve, the inhabitants of the district in which he resides being principally Friends.  In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 22nd day of July A.D. 1833

Sam'l. Black

I Samuel J. Read, Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Burlington int he state of New Jersey do hereby certify that Samuel Black Esquire, by & before whom the foregoing proceedings were had, done & performed, was at the time the said proceedings  when done & still is a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County, duly enrolled in my office and commissioned as such  & that due faith and credit are due & ought to be given to his official acts as such Justice; & further that the name "Sam'l. Black" signed to the foregoing affirmation of Benjamin Shreve & to the foregoing certificate of the said Samuel Black, are respectively the genuine signatures of the said Samuel Black, and respectively the genuine signatures of the said Samuel Black Esq:  Justice as aforesaid.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this twenty third day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty three. "in my office" being interlined before signing and sealing certificate.

Saml. J. Read
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To his Excellency the Governor William Livingston Esq. Commander in chief of the Militia of this state in New Jersey agreeable to a State Law - of this State for raising a company of light Horse to belong to the first Regiment of Burlington County Militia Commanded by Col William Shreve to be raised int he several townships of Chester, Mansfield & Springfield & Hanover the different inhabitants was notified to meet at the House of Holomon Rockwell in Mansfield township the majority then met by plurality voices did elect for Capt. Richard Shreve & Leiut. Benj'n. Shreve for coronet John Brown to which we beg your honour will grant commissions for the same signed by and of the contrary.

August 7 1752

James Fennimore

State of New Jersey ss

I James D. Westcott Secretary of the State of New Jersey do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of a paper file in my office as taken from an compared with the same - Given under my hand and seal of office at the City of Trenton this twenty eighth day of July A.D. one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven (1837)

James D. Westcott
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THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-9-14
Division of Veterans' Administration Archives
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Shreve, Godfrey GRADE Private LINE Massachusetts
WARRANT NUMBER 5015 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED June 24, 1795
to ___ not shown ___

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