Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 471, for William Legare, New Jersey
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
New Jersey

Legare, William
or
Legere
or
Legeer Eleanor
or
Ellen

NUMBER
W. 471.

CONTENTS
Page 2

[left page]
6392

New Jersey

Eleanor Legare
widow of William Legare

[crossed out: who was a pensioner under the Act of]

and who died in the year 1791
of Huntingdon Co; in the State of N.J.
who was a Private in the compy commanded by Captain Ogden of the [blank] commanded by Col Ogden in the New Jersey line for 2 years

Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey at the rate of 80 Dollars 00 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.

Certificate of Pension isued the 1st day of Octo 1841 and sent to J. C. Zabriskie New Brunswick NJ.

Arrears to the 4th of March 1841 $400.00

[crossed out: Semi-annual allowance ending]

$400.00

{Act July 7, 1838.}

Recorded by D.D. Addison Clerk, Book A Vol. 20 Page 128

[right page]
[written vertically]
Letter to Hon. A. J. Randolph, August 20 1842
" " J. C. Zabiskie Aug 16. 1842.
" " D. G. Durham Sept. 15. 1842.
Page 3

General Land Office
March 27th 1841

Sir

In reply to your letter of the 22d instant I have to inform you, that a warrant No. 8496 for 100 acres was issued by the United States the 9th day of December 1789. to "Jonathan Dayton assignee of William Legeer late a Soldier in the New Jersey line." The paper connected with the acre having been destroyed during the conflagration of the Public Buildings in 1814, no information can be given as to the date of the assignment.

I am very Resp &
Your ob. Serv.
Jas. Whitcomb
Commissioner

James C Zabriskie Esq.
New Brunswick
NJ.
Page 4

Elizabeth Legear was born february the 14. 1786.

Adam Williamson was born August the 3. 1780.

Sarah Williamson was Born June the 8 .1770.

Catey Lafler was born July the 3. 1785

Hannah Williamson was born the 10th of January 1772

Abraham Williamson was born November the 18. 1773
Page 5

Jacob Williamson was born January [illegible] 1776.

Sarah flagg was born march the 21. 1785

Jones flagg was born march 12. 1788.
Page 6

County of Somerset }
State of New Jersey } [illegible]

Personally appeared before the Subscriber Henrietta Broach of full age who being duly sworn on her oath saith that Eleanor Legear an applicant for a pension is the widow of William Legear who was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. This Deponent further saith that the leaf appended to this paper is the original and only record of the family of Adam Broach That the names upon that leaf are the names of the grand children of the said Adam Broach recorded by himself That said record has been in the family to this Deponents recollection more than 25 years. That "Elizabeth Legear" therein specified was the daughter, and only child, of Eleanor and William Legear the former of whom is now an applicant for a pension and further saith not.

Sworn to and Subscribed this
Page 7

of April 1840 Before
Henrietta Broach

Danl. H Disborough
Juddge and Witness

I certify that the above named Deponent is a credible person
Danl. H. Disborough
Page 8

Declaration
In order to obtain the benifit of the act of Congress of the 7th July 1838 entitled "An act granting half pay and pension to certain Widows"

State of New Jersey}
County of Somerset} [illegible]

On this 29th day of April 1840 personally appeared before the Subscribed a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said Court Eleanor Legeer a resident of the County of Huntington aged 79 years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7th 1838 entitled "An act granting half pay and pension to certain Widows" That she is the widow of William Legeer who was a private in the New Jersey line and served during the Revolutionary War. She further declares that she was married to the said William Legeer in the month of March 1785. That her husband the aforesaid William Legeer died in the year 1791. That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place [illegible], to the first of January 1794. A. [illegible] the time above stated

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above written Before
over
Page 9

her
Eleanor X Legeer
Mark

Danl. H. Disborough
Judge & Witness

I certify that the above named deponent is a credible person and that they cannot in consequence of bodily infirmity attend in open court and make the written declaration.

Danl. H. Disborough
Page 10

7.374
Eleanor Legare
N.J.

act 7. July '38

W84d91

armd
2 yrs pri
80$

no deduction

J. C. Zabrieskie
New Brunswick
N.J.
Page 11

State of New Jersey }
County of Somerset } [?]

Personally appeared before the Subscriber Eleanor Legeer of [illegible] who on her oath saith that she was married by William Abbott a justice of the peace in Hunterton County State of New Jersey, that this Deponent has made diligent efforts to ascertain whether any record was made of said marriage but she ascertained that this said Abbott was dead and had left behind neither record nor family. This Deponent further saith that no other record relating to her family exists. 

Sworn to and subscribed this 27th day of April 1840 Before

Danl A. Disborough
Judge & Witness

Eleanor X her mark Legeer

I certify that the above named Deponent is a credible person

Danl A. Disborough
Page 12

State of New Jersey }
Somerset County ss. }
[circular seal]

I John M Mann Clerk of New Jersey Court of Common Pleas of the county of Somerset do hereby certify that Daniel H Disbrogh [sic. for Disborough] before whom the Declaration of Eleanor Legeer was made and [crossed out: whose] likewise the affidavits of Eleanor Legeer and Henrietta Broach was at the time of the date thereof and now is a Judge of said Court duly commissioned and sworn: And that the signatures of John H. Disborough subscribed to the declaration and affidavits aforesaid and the certificates thereto appended are genuine [?] [?] whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this twenty seventh day of April Eighteen hundred and forty

J.M. Mann
Page 13

State of New Jersey
County of Middlesex

Personally appeared
before the subscriber Henry Cook
of full age who being duly sworn
on his oath deposeth and saith
That he was intimately acquainted
with William Legeer [illegible]
to the Revolutionary War. That
said Legeer enlisted in the NJ
line as the deponent believes [illegible]
the time of the war.  That after
the termination of the war the said Legeer told the deponent that he had served durin the whole war.  This deponent further saith that Eleanor Legeer an applicant for a pension is the widow of the said William Legeer and that she has remained a widow wife since his death.
Sworn and subscribed the 28 day of April 1840 before
Henry Silcocks J.P.
Henry Cook

I certify that the above named
deponent is a credible person
Henry Sillcocks J.P.
Page 14

State of New Jersey
Middlesex County 

I Nicholas Booraem Clerk of the
County of Middlesex aforesaid do hereby certify
that Henry Sillcocks Esquire before whom the
within affidavit of Henry Cook was taken
at the date of the taking thereof a Justice of
the peace in and for said County duly commissioned and sworn and that his signatures
to the [illegible] of said assessment & the certificate
thereunder are genuine.
In witness whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed the
Seal of said County this 28th day
of April AD 1840
N. Booraem
Page 15

Revy WIDOW, &c.
File No. 471
Eleanor Legeer
Widow
Wm. Legeer
Priv. Rev. War.
Act. July 7, 1798
Index: Vol. A Page 426
Arrangement of 1870
Page 16

Eleanor Legeer N.J. act 7 July 38. last paid?
G.W.  [initialed by George Washington?]


p. 4 March 1841
JH
Page 17

J. C. Zabriskie Esq
Present
Page 18

Sir
In answer to your inquiry I have to
inform you that Warrant No 8496. for 100 acres
issued the 9th Decemb. 1789 to Jona. Dayton
assignee of William Leger, who was soldier of
the New Jersey line, and the only man of that
name, returned on the records of that line
as being entitled to bounty land from the U. States
Resp. Yr Ob Sr.
Wm Gordon
Bounty Land Office
May 1st 1840
Page 19

J. L. Edwards

D. Sir

Be so good as to examine the enclosed papers.  Return me the result & the Deed

Yours
To Jos. N. Randolph
Page 20

New Brunswick N. J. Sep 9 [postmarked]

Sept. 12 1842
Wm. Legeer NJ

Hon J. L. Edwards
Washington City DC
Page 21

New Brunswick
Sept 9th 1842

Sir
An Individual of the name of
Dunham residing in this city has
thought proper the which I could not
object to investigate the character
of my transaction with Mrs Legeer
as her Agent to procure a pension.
In the prosecution of his purpose
he secured the professional services
of G P Mollison Esqr the Atty General
of our State.  Mr Mollison examined
the transaction and I have requested
him to state the result to the Department.
I have done this in justice
to myself
Hon J L Edwards

Resp Your Obt
James C Zabriskie
Page 22

I certify that the affidavit of Eleanor Legeer taken before 
Henry H. Wilson was drawn up by me according to her dictation that she stated what she believed to be the truth without any knowledge whatsoever of any existing record in relation to the facts stated by him.

Millstone July 5th 1841
W.D. McKissack
Page 23

I am acquainted with 
Wm D McKissack and I
believe full credit may be
paid to his certificate
W. Halsted
Page 24

Dec 19. 1840
[illegible] at NJ
Page 25

The case of Mrs Hannah Langstaff
The case of Mrs. Legeer widow of Wm. Legeer
This examination of the above 
[illegible]

J C Zabriskie
Dec 18 1840
Page 26

Sept 12 '42
Eleanor Legeer
NJ roll

New Brunswick N.J. SEP 9 [postmarked]

Mr. J.L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
City of Washington
D.C.
Page 27

New Brunswick Augt 9th 1842

Dear Sir, I have applyed to Mr Dickinson the
agent at the pension office Trenton for a copy of the Power of
Attorney, by which John Simpson drew the money
for J. C. Zabriskie for Mrs Eleanor Legeer pension
he informs me that it is on file, in the pension office
at Washington, you will therefore oblige me by sending
me a copy of the same.
She denies having given away such power as specifically the widow
to draw the money she can neither write or read
writing. As soon as he got information that I had
undertaken for the widow which was after he had
said to the persons that without positive testimony to
the fact of her marriage to William Legeer whose name
was on the war list, it was in vain for him or any
other person to try to get it. He said to her that she
might as well give it up.  He did not believe that the
evidence was on the face of the earth that was required,
though he still said if any person on earth, could
get it for her he could.
He told her he had it not after asking her if she suspects
he had got it.  He went in search of her in the
country and before I could have time to receive information
from Washington affected to him that she had gave him
no power to get the money, and now if she would give him
power, and be at half the expense of going to Washington
and back, he would get the money for him
Page 28

in about one week he again went and saw her, and observed,
that he had been and returned, which he suggested to her was expedition and said that a man be the name of Brown had got the money and had gone off with it.
But still he felt himself bound to her and that he would
give his ten dollars and give her something to show she still had and held a claim on him.  He accordingly asked her to give him mark to a receipt for the ten dollars and, N B. he gave him a note for value recd $190 dollars payable monthly until the whole is paid.  Which instrument she as well understand as one deaf and dumb.  Me being present at the time and place that could write or read writing, he took occasion to surface a letter of communication of mine to her which he stated to her I had informed him I had made, which was false. He appeared to disclose the contents to her. Which if he had, as I warned her not to make any settlement or compromise, with him whatever.
She would have been on her guard, and have had nothing to do with him, which communication he was determined to suppress, and done off with the letter.
He now says he has a written agreement that he was to have
half which she has previously denies to me and they that
my perhaps be as true as the rest he has stated, that I will
put him to the proof of however I have made no settlement
with with so listened to entitle I probe to the bottom of his
proceeding there appears to be something in the whole
transaction that requires close examination.
Excuse in for my verbosity. N.B. I should like the apply in
such style as may be prima fascie widow if the same can be
with sentiments of whom I subscribe myself your obedient servant
D.G. Dunham
Page 29

D. G. Dunham
Page 30

New Brunswick, N.J. Sept 9 /40

Sir

A Mr Durham of this city presented to have claim against Col James C. Zabriskie of this city for monies unaccounted for by him for a Mrs Legeer of this State a pension and consulted me professionally in reference to it.

I immediately called on Co Zabriskie and he
very fully & frankly stated to me his findings in reference to the case of Mrs Legeer & exhibited to me the original agreement he made with Mrs L and also her receipt for monies in accordance with that agreement & her discharge in full, all
executed in the presence of witnesses.

I accordingly advised Mr Durham of the
result. I understand from Col. Zabriskie that Mr Durham is troubling the department with this matter & at his equal I trouble you with this note
[illegible]

G.P. Molleson
Page 31

New Brunswick
Aug 12th 1842

Dear Sir
Will you inform me whether
or not the certificate
granted to Mrs Eleanor Legeer
was under the five year act
and whether more than four
hundred dollars was due
on all of said pension in full
and whether the department
was not entitled to the
certificate after the amt to not
$400 had been drawn
I ask for the satisfaction of Mrs Legeer
Resp 
James C Zabriskie
Hon J L Edwards
Page 32

Dear Sir
New Brunswick Nov 20 1840

Enclosed is an affidavit of
Henry Cook in the case of Wm Legeer.
I think this in connection with
the certificate of Mr Gordon Will be
satisfactory
Resp
JC Zabriskie

Hon JL Edwards
Page 33

State of New Jersey
County of Middlesex

Personally appeared
before the Subscribed Jacob Gray
revolutionary pensioner who on
his oath saith that during the
Revolutionary war he was well
acquainted with William Legeer
That said Legeer served in the Continental line during the whole war.  
He further saith that Eleanor Legeer who is now an applicant for a pension is the
widow of the said William Legeer
and further this deponent saith not.

Sworn and Subscribed this 8th day
of September 1801 before
Henry Sillcocks J.P.
and Witness

his
Jacob Gray
Mark

I certify that the above named Deponent
is a credible person
Henry Sillcocks J.P.
Page 34

State of New Jersey
Middlesex County

I Nicholas Booraem Clerk of the County of Middlesex do certify that Henry Sillcock Esquire before whom this within affidavit of Jacob Gray 
as taken was at the date
thereof a Justice of the peace in and for said
County duly commissioned and sworn
and that I am well acquainted with the
Signature of the said Justice and do verily believe
the signature to the [illegible] of the within affidavit and certificate thereunder in his proper handwriting

In witness whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed the
Seal of said County this 11th
day of September AD 1841
N Booraem
Page 35

New Brunswick
Sept 11th 1844

Dear Sir
I send an affidavit which might
satisfy the dept on the point of difficulty

Regards
JC Zabriskie
Hon J L Edwards
Page 36

State of New Jersey
County of Middlesex 

Personally appeared before the 
subscribed Henry Cook who on his oath saith 
that during the Revolutionary War he knew intimately William Legeer

That said Legeer belonged to the continental Army
and served during the war
The deponent within saith that he visited the army or a portion of it encamped in Hunterdon County and there saw said Legeer that the said Legeer as the deponent believed was then attached to the Regiment commanded by Col Ogden and further saith not.
Sworn and subscribed the 18th day of November 1840 before
Henry Sillcocks JP
Henry Cook

I certify that the above named Deponent is a credible person
Henry Sillcocks JP

State of New Jersey so I Nicholas Booraem Clerk of the County of
Middlesex County Middlesex aforesaid do certify that Henry Sillcocks
Esq before whom the above affidavit of Henry Cook was taken was at the to of the taking thereof a Justice of the peace in & for said County duly commissioned & Sworn and that his signature above and genuine
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and
affixed the Seal of said County this 20th day of November AD 1840
N Booraem Clk
Page 37

Apl 3. 1841.
NJ
Legeer
JL Edwards
Washington City D.C.
Page 38

'-
Col Edwards
New Brunswick
April 1, 1841
I this day recd a letter from you directed to Col A Arnold in relation to the case of Mrs Legeer.
It is therein stated that the testimony
presented is not sufficient because
it appears from the record that the warrant for land to which Wm Legeer was
entitled was not issued to the soldier of
that name but to his assignee.
Now Sir I respectfully submit to you
whether that is not a captions objection
I think the variance between the recollection of the witness and the record the strongest possible confirmation of identity
Col Arnold informed me that Jonathan Dayton was the assignee and
that the Warrant was issued in 1789
Now Sir I ask whether his testimony
does not agree with the record in every
essential particular.  The affidavit
declares that the land warrant
Page 39

war found about the year 1790 the
record confirms the statement
the affidavit set forth that Jonathan Dayton purchased in
the record proves it.  The only point
of difference consists in the Statement that Wm Legeer 
sold the Warrant and whereas he assigned it without receiving it.
When I last saw you in reference to this case your mind was upon an
equipoise whether or not to decide in favor of Mr. Legeer
upon the testimony then on file.
It is strange therefore that after receiving the additional testimony
you hesitate.  I much attribute to the fact that you have not examined
the testimony yourself or if you have without proper consideration.
Permit me now to call your attention to the facts proven in this
case.  It is proven by the record that a man named Wm Legeer who served in the continental army during the
Page 40

War It is further for on by the
record that there was but one individual of that name in the NJ line.
It is proven by a witness that the
husband of the present applicant
served in the NJ line.  He was
seen by Mr Cook in the service.
Now Sir upon this testimony alone
can any [illegible] exist.  But Me
to further and prove that the Wm
Legeer who has seen in the N J Continental Service assigned half Warrant to Jonathan Dayton about the year 1790. The record taken
the fact.  You will please to remember too that Jonathan Dayton as an officer during the war
on the NJ service a fact of no small importance bearing in favor of the present applicant.
I think Sir upon a review of the testimony which I think I have fairly presented you cannot hesitate
to grant the Warrant
Col J L Edwards
[illegible] Rep
James Zabriskie
Page 41

James C. Zabriskey Esq
New Brunswick
New Jersey
Page 42

Somerset County
State of New Jersey
Personally appeared before the Subscribed
Ellen Legeer Widow of William Legeer an
applicant for a pension, who on her oath
saith that her husband the said William
Legeer received a land warrant from the
United States for his services about the year
seventeen hundred and ninety, and that he
sold the said warrant to Jonathan Dayton
and further saith not

Sworn and subscribed
this 19th day of March 1841
Before me

her
Ellen Leger
mark

Henry H. Wilson Justice of the peace

W.D. Mckissack Witness
I do hereby certify that the above deponent is a credible person as far
I am informed and verily believe

State of New Jersey
Somerset County

Henry H. Wilson Justice
of the peace

I Dormont Frelinghuysen Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in & for said County do hereby certify that Henry H WilsonEsq before whom the within instrument was acknowledged was on the day when the same was so witnessed a Justice of the said Court of Common Pleas & by law authorized to take the above acknowledgment & 
witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office at Bridgewater this
twentieth day of March Eighteen hundred and forty one
Dormont Frelinghuysen Clerk
Page 43

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAN-51
12-5-41

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD

Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

NAME Legeer, William
GRADE Private
LINE New Jersey
WARRANT NUMBER 8496
ACREAGE 100
ISSUED December 9, 1789 to Jonathan Dayton, assignee

The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent
dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800.
Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.