Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 651, Aaron Hand, New Jersey
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE
New Jersey

Hand, Aaron
Phebe

NUMBER
W 651
===
CONTENTS
Page 2

New Jersey 989[2]
===
Aaron Hand
of Essex Co: in the State of N. Jersey who was a Private in the Comp commanded by Captain Baldwin of the Regt. commanded by Col. Hayes in the N. Jersey line line for 15 months
===
Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey at the rate of 50 Dollars [lined out: Cents] per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
===
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 day of June 1833 and [illegible] Hon. S. Condict
Present
===
Arrears to the 4th of Ma: '33 $100
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sep. 33 50
===
130
$200
===
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }

Recorded by G. C. [illegible] Clerk
Book E. Vol. 3, Page 115
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Dead Let to W Stiles Dec 20. 1842
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[left side]
New Jersey 6391
===
Phebe Hand widow of Aaron Hand who was a Private in the Revolution New Jersey Line
He Died 27 July 1842
===
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 50 Dollars
-- Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
===
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 day of Nov. 1844 and sent to William Stites Springfield, N. Jersey
===
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A. Vol. 2. Page 96

[right side]
Rep'd to Pension agent,
December 9th 1845-

No 408 - Adm'd under joint resolution of 23'd Jany. 1845.

Certificate deliv'ed to Mr Thayer of the firm of Brown & Thayer -
Present.
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Declaration of Aaron Hand, of Essex County New Jersey -
17062
With Amendments
H.H.
Page 6

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed 7th June 1832

State of New Jersey
Essex County } ss On this Eighteenth day of August AD 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Judges of the Inferior Court of common pleas now sitting at Newark in the said County of Essex Aaron Hand a resident of Springfield in the said County of Essex and State of New Jersey aged sixty eight years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers and served as herein stated that is to say in the year 1778 he done two months [left margin: 2 mo] duty, the first month he thinks was in April or May, he was then in the fifteenth year of his age and served this month as a Substitute for Isaac Egbertson who has been dead many years, served this month he thinks under Capt Baldwin but cannot be certain, the service was rendered [?] in Newark under Major Hayes. The said month served [?] in 1778 was also performed in Newark under Major Hayes in the month of June or July as a Substitute for David Hand dec'd. The battle of Monmouth was fought while he was performing this months duties thinks Capt Robert [crossed out: Little] Nicholas commanded the company. In the year 1779 he enlisted for six months and served his time of enlistment out at Elizabeth Town in Capt Craigs Company in Major Hayes Batallion and Col John Taylors Reg't. In February 1780 he was sixteen years of age and was enrolled as a militia man and called on to do military duty for [illegible]
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was ordered out and did one months duty as a drafted militia man in the month of [left margin: 1 m] March or April this year in the Town of Newark in this County under Capt Thomas Williams he thinks but possibly may be mistaken in the name of his Captain, stood in readiness constantly this whole season as a Drafted Militia Man, was frequently out in consequence of alarms produced by the appearance and excursions of the British and Refugees, was in the battle at Connecticut Farms in this County the day the village at that place was burned, fired himself about fifty rounds at the Enemy that day and had four of his companions in arms killed while fighting near me this was in the month of June 1780 was in another battle the next day after the Connecticut Farms was burned, with the British near Elizabeth Town. Moses Smith the Father of the late Sheriff Smith and one other Man was that day killed while fighting side by side with Deponant, was in the service from that time untill after the battle and burning of Springfield which took place two weeks after that of Connecticut Farms and [left margin: 1 mo] on the day that Springfield was burned himself & David Shipman were Guides with & for Major Lee of Virginia, Horse & two hundred infantry with him -- that he was doing duty at this time under Capt Isaac Gillam and did one months duty under him -- he had
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been with said Shipman at the residence of Captain Gillam making Cartridges for the company & returning were called by Major Lee to act as Guides for him on the Vauxhall Road, he was sitting under a tree at the time he called us, soon after a horseman rode up & gave him information of the approach of the Enemy, when he mounted & posted his men hear a stone house, but was obliged to retire on the approach of the enemy. That he returned hence a few days after Springfield was burned and remained there except in times of alarm untill the month of Octr at which time he went out and served [left margin: 1 mo] one month under (he thinks) Capt Elijah Squire at Newark, during this month had a battle with Wards Regt of Black Refugees, three companies were engaged on our part, the battle was unexpected and Maj'r Hayes was not present or any other field officer, In the following winter was another month or near a month under Capt Thomas Baldwin at Newark having been called out by an alarm and kept on duty, and in the Spring and Summer of 1781 was always in readiness and repeatedly out for a short period at once (whenever an alarm [left margin: 1 mo] was made) ^making in all more than one months duty until October of that year when [left margin: 1. mo] he was again called out and served another month under Captain Jones at Newark [left margin: 1. mo] After this he did one months duty at Newark under Lieutenant Wheeler in Jan'y or Feb'y following This he thinks was the last regular months service he rendered during the war but untill its close was always in readiness as a Militia Man and always out when an alarm was made -- Was born in that part of the Township of Newark now the Township of Orange on the 23d day of february 1764 have a family record at home was living at his place of nativity when called into the service has always lived within the County of Essex ever since he was born and still lives in the said County of Essex in the Township of Springfield and State of New Jersey -- never received a discharge from the service
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Has no documentary evidence and that and that he knows no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to the particulars of his service excepting Abram Bally whose affidavit is hereunto annexed. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatsoever 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

[signed] Aaron Hand

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid

[signed] Wm Williams Judge

We Joseph Gildersleeve a Clergyman residing in the Township of Springfield in the County of Essex and State of New Jersey and Obadiah Hedden of the Township of Newark in the County and State aforesaid do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Aaron Hand who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration that we believe him to be sixty eight years old, that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion

[signed] Joseph Gildersleeve
Obadiah Hedden

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid

Wm Williams Judge

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the Interrogatories 
prescribed by the War Department
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their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war Department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the Court further certify that it appears to them that Joseph Gilderslieve who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman resident in the Township of Springfield aforesaid, and that Obadiah Hedden who has also signed the same is a resident in the Township of Newark and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit. And the Court further certify that Abner Ball whose affidavit is hereunto annexed is old and respectable inhabitant of this County, resident as he herein states is credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit & belief

Sam'l B. Miller Judge
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State of New Jersey
Essex County } ss

Be it remembered that on the 18th Sep'r 1832, personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas at Newark in and for the County of Essex now sitting, Abner Ball resident of Livingston Township in this County aged Seventy three years, who being duly sworn according to law on his oath saith that he is well acquainted with Aaron Hand the above named applicant & has known him from his infancy, that he knows that said Hand did duty under Captain Baldwin as above mentioned, that he knows he did six months duty under Captain Craig that he knows that he did duty at Springfield Battle, at Connecticut Farms & in the engagement with the Black reffugees as hereinabove stated, that this applicant was out throughout the war doing his monthly tours of duty as this deponent knows of his own knowledge, that he was an efficient militia man thro the war and was considered an active and brave man in the Companies to which he was attached and that this deponent verily believes that said applicant did at least two years active duty during the war -- and further he saith not

[signed] Abner Ball

Subscribed & Sworn the day & year aforesaid

Wm Williams

Essex County ss: I Elias Van Arsdale Jr Clerk of the said Court of Common Pleas do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said court in the matter of the application of Aaron Hand for a Pension

In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this sixth day of October AD 1832

E Van Arsdale Jr Clerk
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Additions and amendments to the Declaration of Aaron Hand of Essex County, New Jersey in accordance with the requirements of the War Department in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 --

New Jersey
Essex County } ss:

Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Essex aforesaid Aaron Hand who being duly sworn according to law on his oath saith that he is the same Aaron Hand in the Declaration hereunto annexed mentioned, made before the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas on the 18th day of August 1832. 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 two [underlined] months in 1778 as a private [underlined], one month thereof as a substitute [underlined] for Isaac Egbertson; and the other month as a substitute [underlined] for David Hand dec'd: for six [underlined] months as a private [underlined] enlisted [underlined] in Captain Craig's Company at Elizabeth Town: For one [underlined] month's duty & service in the months of March & April 1780, as a private [underlined] under Capt'n Thos. Williams; For one [underlined] month service as a private [underlined] under Capt'n Isaac Gillam, at the time of the Battle of Springfield: for one [underlined] month in October 1780, under Capt'n Elijah Squier, as a private [underlined]; one [underlined] month service under Capt'n Thos Baldwin at Newark in the winter of 1780 & 1 -- For one [underlined] month in the spring of 1781 -- as a private; for one [underlined] month in October 1781 under Capt'n Jones at Newark: For one [underlined] month in January or February following under Lieut. Wheeler, as a private: making in all one [underlined] year and three [underlined] months, duty faithfully and truly performed ^in the militia besides the alarms during the war in which he spent at least one month, finding his own provisions &c for which service he claims a pension; and he further swears that during said service he was not engaged in any civil pursuit -- and to the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department he makes, under oath aforesaid the following answers to wit,

To the 1st he answers that he was born on the 23rd of February 1764, in that part of the then Township of Newark, now called Orange --

To the 2d he answers that he has a family record of his age recorded in the old family bible now in his possession --

To the 3d he answers, that he was living at the place of his
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nativity when he entered the service, that he has during his lifetime lived in the County of Essex & that he is now living in the Township of Springfield in said County --

To the 4th he answers that he first volunteered as a substitute for two [underlined] months one for Isaac Egbertson & one for David Hand dec'd his brother, and that he then enlisted for six [underlined] months, as he has before stated, which ^service was performed while in his sixteenth year, being a large boy & very active for his age that when sixteen he was enrolled [underlined] in the Militia & did all his duty thereafter as a private [underlined] in his own account --

To the 5th he answers that he recollects Major Sam'l Hayes & Col'o John Taylor, Philip Van Cortland ^Gen'ls Heard & Wines of the Militia of New Jersey under whom he served that he recollects Major Lee of the Virginia Horse for whom he was a guide on the Vauxhall road at the Battle of Springfield, he recollects seeing Gen'l Washington & Gen'l Lee, La Fayette, Lord Stirling and several others --

to the 6th he answers that he never received a discharge from the service except by verbal command from his Captain or when his service expired --

To the 7th he answers that he refers to Rev'd Joseph Gildersleeve of Springfield, Matthias Denman, William Stites Esq Justice of the Peace, Daniel S. Briant Esq J.P. Aaron Woodruff Esq'r all of Springfield and to all and any of the respectable inhabitants of said Township to whom he is generally known --

[signed] Aaron Hand

Sworn & subscribed this day of May before me

[signed] S R Grover Justice of the Peace

And I do certify that it appears upon reference thereto that the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Essex have already certified in their opinion in said Declaration contained as to the credibility & respectability of Abner Ball whose affidavit accompanies the Declaration hereunto annexed --

[signed] S R Grover Justice of the Peace

State of New Jersey
County of Essex } ss: I Elias Van Arsdale Junior Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in & for said County of Essex, Do hereby certify that William Williams Esq. before whom the several affidavits in the foregoing proceedings were made & taken and Samuel B Miller Esq. by whom the certificate thereunder written is signed, were
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at the time of taking the said affidavits & signing the said certificate & still are Judges of said Court, residing in said County duly commissioned & sworn and that the Signatures "Wm Williams" and "Sam'l B. Miller" affixed to the respective affidavits & certificate, are genuine -- I further certify that Stephen R Grover Esquire before whom the foregoing affidavit of Aaron Hand was made & taken & by whom the certificate thereunder written is signed, was at the time of taking said affidavit & signing said certificate & still is a Justice of the peace for said County residing therein duly commissioned & sworn. That the name "S. R. Grover" subscribed to the affidavit & certificate aforesaid is the proper hand writing of said Justice --

In Witness whereof I have hereto set my hand and the seal of said Court at Newark the Twenty ninth day of May AD Eighteen hundred & thirty three -- (1833) --

[signed] E Van Arsdale Jr Clk
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State of New Jersey
Essex County } ss Before me William Stites one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County of Essex personally appeared Joseph S Hand of full age who being duly sworn according to law on his oath saith that he is a son of Aaron Hand late a Pensioner of the United States at the rate of fifty dollars per annum who died on the 27th day of July 1842 and of Phebe Hand the Widow of the said Aaron Hand and present applicant for a pension. That he has always understood and verily believes that his Parents were united in marriage in youth, that he is their oldest child and has a record of his age in his ^Fathers Rolls according to which he was born on the 7 day of June 1784 That his parents have had five [?] Children three of whom are now living, and (as he has always understood and verily believes) all of them including the said Joseph S Hand born under Wedlock & further that he has no knowledge of any family record of his Fathers or any other Person & having the time of Marriage of his Parents nor does he believe there is any. His Father kept & has lost a record of the birth of his Children in his Family Bills now in possession of his widow the said Phebe Hand by which it appears that four of the children of the said Aaron Hand and Phebe Hand
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were born before the first day of January 1794 To wit, The said Joseph S. Hand was born on the 7th day of June 1784 Isaac M Hand was born September 3d 1787 Rebecca W Hand was born on the 12th day of December 1789 and William Hand was born June 12th 1793.

[signed] Joseph S. Hand

Sworn and subscribed the 18th day of June 1843 before me

William Stites

I do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Joseph S Hand who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing affidavit and that he is a man of truth and verity and his affidavit entitled to full faith and credit.

William Stites Judge of the Court of Common Pleas
Newark June 18th 1843
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State of New Jersey ss On the Seventeenth day of January AD one thousand eight hundred and forty three personally appeared before the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the County of Essex and State aforesaid Phebe Hand a resident of Springfield in the said County of Essex aged Seventy Six 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 pensions to certain Widows"

That she is the widow of Aaron Hand late of Springfield in the County of Essex and State of New Jersey who up to the time of his death was a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States at the rate of fifty dollars per-annum, who was a Private Soldier in the Army of the Revolution and whose pension certificate bore date the 25th day of June One thousand eight hundred and thirty three, that for the evidence of his services she refers to the documentary evidence on file in the war department upon which his pension Certificate was issued

She further declares that she was married to the said Aaron Hand in the year seventeen hundred and eighty three by the Reverand Jacob Van Arsdalen at that time Pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Springfield aforesaid but has no record of her marriage, nor can she find any record thereof kept by the Reverand Jacob Vanarsdalen, That the Township of Springfield in which she lived at the time and ever since her marriage
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(as she is informed) has never kept a marraige record and that the statute of New Jersey which required Marraiges to be recorded in the offices of the Clerks of the several Counties within the State was not passed untill the 4th day of March 1795

She also further declares that her Husband the aforesaid Aaron Hand died on the twenty seventh day of July One thousand eight hundred and forty two

That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marraige took place previous to the first of January Seventeen hundred and ninety four Viz at the time above stated and that the said marriage was a lawful marriage

Phebe Hand + her mark

Sworn and subscribed on the day and year above written before the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County of Essex.

In Testimony whereof I John P. Jackson Clerk of said Court have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Official Seal at Newark in said County the Seventeenth day of January AD Eighteen hundred and forty three.

J P Jackson Clk
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State of New Jersey
Essex County } ss

Be it known that on the third day of November AD One thousand eight hundred and forty five before me William Stites a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County of Essex, Personally appeared Isaac M Hand who being duly sworn according to law on his oath saith and declares, that he is a Son of Phebe Hand who was the Widow of Aaron Hand a Soldier in the war of the Revolution. That his Mother the said Phebe Hand drew a pension under the act of the 3rd of March 1843 at the rate of fifty dollars per annum up to the day of her death which occurred on the fifth day of february one thousand eight hundred and forty five, and that he makes this declaration in behalf of himself and of his Brother Joseph S Hand and Sister Mary P Bond the only other Children of the said Phebe Hand who were living at the time of her death, in order to obtain the amount of pension due their Mother the said Phebe Hand from the fourth day of March 1838 to the third day of March 1843 (when her former pension commenced) under the Joint Resolution of the 23d day of January 1845 and that the said Phebe and made her declaration prior to the 30th day of April 1844 and that it was led in the pension office before the 23d day of January 1845

Isaac M Hand

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year first above written before me

William Stites
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Nov. 8, 1845.
New Jersey.
===
Phebe Hand, dec'd.
Widow of Aaron Hand.
===
Pensioned, Acts of 1843 & 1844
Died February 1845.
===
Her three children claim her Pension from 4 March '36 to 4 March 1841, under the Resolution of 23. Jan'y 1845.
===
Brown & Thayer,
Att'ys. & Agents.
Washington D.C.
7. Nov. 1845.
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State of New Jersey
County of Essex } ss I John P Jackson Clerk of the County of Essex & of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in & for said County do hereby certify that William Stites before whom the foregoing affidavit of Isaac M. Hand was made & taken at the time of taking the same was & still is one of the Justices of the peace for said County duly Commissioned & Sworn, and that the Signature to the Jurat of said affidavit is in the proper hand writing of said Justice

In Testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and official seal at Newark in said County the fourth day of November AD 1845.

J P Jackson Clk
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No 17062
Aaron Hand
New Jersey

Return e i s. m

Admitted
15 months Private

Hon L. Condict
Present
[lined out: Charles H Halsey New Ark NJ]
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
16th May 1833

Sir:

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

A Statement, showing the service of Aaron Hand Essex County N.J.

[Table, 9 columns, 10 rows + headings:]
Period when the service was rendered. |
Duration of the claimant's service. Years. Months. Days. |
Rank of the claimant. |
Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. |
Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. |
Battles in which the applicant was engaged. |
Country through which he marched. |
Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. |
Evidence by which the declaration is supported.

1778 May Subst | 1 [mo] | Private | Capts Baldwin | Cols Maj. Hayes | | | Aged 68 Essex County N.J. | Traditionary Living Witness
1778 Jun Subst | 1 [mo] | " | Nicholls | | Monmouth
1779 Enlist. | 6 [mo] | " | Craig | Taylor
1780 Feb Enrolled | 1 [mo] | " | Williams | Conn't Farms
Omft [?] | 1 [mo] | " | Gillam
Oct | 1 [mo] | " | Squire | | Elizabethtown
1781 | 1 [mo] | " | Baldwin
 | 1 [mo] | Jones
Jun | 1 [mo] | G Wheeler
[total] 1.3 [1 yr 3 mos]

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:

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

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

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

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

State, Territory, or District of
County of } ss.

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

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

He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of __

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. A.B.

[And then will follow the certificate of the Court]

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.

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

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

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

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

Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledges of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.

If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
Page 25

3
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.

The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.

1. Where and what year were you born?

2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?

3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?

4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?

5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.

6. {To a Soldier. {Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by who was it given and what has become of it?
{To an officer. {Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?

7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.

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

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

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

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

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

No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will trans-nit such evidenced as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
---
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity ; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.

[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.

[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.

[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.

[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:

"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c, A.B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and consequent loss of memory, he cannot sweat 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 __ year __ months, and __ days I served as a __. For __ months and __ days, I served as a __; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according tot he 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 expression are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &e without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each tern of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[Section (e) above is marked in right margin]

[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.

[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.

[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.

[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

Mode of authenticating papers.

In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same she et of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end of which must pass un der the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
[The paragraph above is marked in right margin]

Proof of Service.

[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[The section above is marked in right margin]

[Pointing hand] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers, and State Troops, The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.

[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.

[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.

[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and seat to the War Department, with the declaration.
[The section above is marked in both margins]

[signed] Dyer Castor Exam'g Clerk
Page 26

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section MEE/eel

January 4, 1929

Mrs. Edna T. Bice
450 E. Madison Street
Franklin, Indiana

Madam:

I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W.651, it appears that Aaron Hand was born February 23, 1784, in that part of Newark Township which was later Orange Township, New Jersey.

While residing in the place of his nativity he listed in 1778, served two months as a private in Captains Baldwin's and R. Nichols' New Jersey Companies and was in the battle of Monmouth. During one month of the above period he served as a substitute for his brother, David Hand.

In 1779 he served six months as a private in Captain Craig's Company, Colonel John Taylor's New Jersey Regiment.

In 1780 he served four months as a private in Captains Thomas Williams's, Isaac Gillam's, Elijah Squires' and Thomas Baldwin's New Jersey Companies and was in the
Page 27

battles of Elizabethtown, Connecticut Farms, Springfield and the battle with the Black Refugees.

In 1781 he enlisted and served two months as a private in Captain Jones' New Jersey Company, and in 1782 he served one month as a private under Lieutenant Wheeler in the New Jersey Troops.

In addition to the above services he stood in readiness during the entire war and was out on various short tours of alarm [?]; his entire service amounted to at least two years.

He was allowed pension on his application executed August 18, 1832 while a resident of Springfield, Essex County, New Jersey. He then stated that he had always lived in Essex County, New Jersey.

He died, July 27, 1842, at his residence in Springfield, New Jersey.

The soldier married in the autumn of 1783, in Springfield, New Jersey, Phebe (her maiden name is not given). She was allowed pension on her application executed January 17, 1843, while a resident of said Springfield, aged seventy-six years. She died February 5, 1845, at the residence of her daughter in Essex County, New Jersey.

-2-
Page 28

It was stated that the soldier and his wife had ten children, the only names given are Joseph S., born June 7, 1784; Isaac M., born September 5, 1787; Rebecca W., born December 12, 1789; William, born June 12, 1793; and Mary P.

The following children survived their mother and at the time of her death resided in Essex County, New Jersey: Joseph S., Isaac M., and Mary P., the wife of John Bond.

Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.
Page 29

6687
Phebe Hand
N. J.
Act Mar 3'd '43
---
Ad'd [admitted]
15 months
priv
---
$50 per an
---
Letter to W. Stites 22. Nov. '44

William Stites Esq
Springfield
N. J.
Page 30

[All crossed out:]
Pension Office
Nov'r '44.
Sir.
The additional evidence in the case of Thankful Johnson
Page 31

Phebe Hand N.J. act 3 March 43 last p'd?
[signed] GWC [?]

Phebe Hand. Died 5th Feb 1845 p'd to that period
[signed] JH
Page 32

Payment to be made
at [blank]
by [blank]
Agent for paying Pensioners in the Agency of [blank]
Payable on the 4th March, and 4th September in each year.
Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book D Vol. 1 Page 197 by
Clerk.
Page 33

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Widow's Pension.

I certify that in conformity with the act of July 7, 1838, the joint resolution of the 23d of Jany 1845, Phebe Hand, dec'd who was the widow
of Aaron Hand, who was a pri, was entitled to $50 per ann: [annum] comg: [commencing] 4th March, 1836 and endg [ending] 4 March, 1841; which will be paid upon the production of the proper vouchers to Joseph S. Hand, Isaac M Hand and Mary P. Bond, only survg [surviving] children of Phebe Hand, dec'd.

[pre-printed text crossed out:]
and died on the  day of  is inscribed on the pension list at the rate of  dollars and  cents per annum, commencing on the  and terminating on the 4th of March, 1841, unless the Pensioner married or died before the above mentioned date; in which case the pension is not payable after the time of such marriage or death.

[handwritten]
To be paid at Trenton, New-Jersey

[pre-printed]
Given at the War Office of the United States, this 8th day of Dec'r. one thousand eight hundred and forty five.

Secretary of War.

Examined and Countersigned. }
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 34

Mar 27 '43
NJ.
Phebe Hand
papers chg'd to
Mr Wilson
19th Dec

[written downward]
War Department
Pension Bureau
Washington City
D. C.

[postmark] NEWARK N.J. MAR 25
Page 35

To Col'l J L Edwards Springfield N J. March 24th 1843

Dear Sir

I enclosed to the War Dep't some two months ago the Declaration and other papers in the case of Phebe Hands application for a pension but not having heard from the Department since leads me to fear they have miscarried. Will you have the goodness to advise me whether they have come to hand; and if they have, permit me to call the attention of the Department to them as soon as the numerous duties thereof will permit

With sentiments of the highest respect and esteem I am Yours
William Stites
Page 36

Springfield NJ
Oct 18
Free

War Department
Pension Bureau
Washington City
D. C.

S.
Pension Office
NJ.
Add proof
Phebe Hand.
Page 37

To J.L. Edwards Esq Comr of Pensions

Dear Sir

In your last you say in the case of Phebe Hand's application for a pension the evidence of her Marriage is not satisfactory in a former letter you say the nonexistence [?] of records must be proved before [illegible] testimony can be admitted. I obtained & forwarded the affidavit of the Rev'd John C Hart Pastor of the Church by which I supposed the nonexistence of Church records was satisfactorily proved But in that I suppose I was incorrect and now forward for examination by the Department positive evidence of the destruction of these records in the affidavit of Jane Stewart & the affidavits already on file establish the fact that there is no family record ^of marriage never was and the public Laws of New Jersey already in evidence prove that the law for County Records is no older than 1795 These parts being established the two affidavits of Sarah Halsey & Polly Smith both highly respectable & eye witnesses it seems to me can hardly fail of being satisfactory. Will Col'l Edwards be so kind as to examine the enclosed affidavit in connection [?] with those on file immediately if possible and if satisfactory forward her certificate to

Your Humble Servant William Stites

Springfield Oct 7th 1843
Page 38

Dec 19 42
Aaron Hand
N J [illegible]
[illegible] Dec 20 1842

[written downward:]
Springfield NJ
Decr [illegible]
War Department
Pension Bureau
Washington City
D. C.
Page 39

Springfield New Jersey Decr 12th 1842

Coll [Colonel] Edwards

Dear Sir

Coll Aaron Hand of this Place was a Pensioner of the United States at the rate of fifty dollars per an, He died on the 27th of July last and left a widow to whom he was married I think in the year 1787 The object of this is to ascertain whether she is not entitled to 5 years Pension order the law of the United States and what is necessary for her to do in order to obtain it if so entitled, the evidence of her Husbands service being already before the War Department

Your answer will confer a great obligation on the widow and much oblige

Your Humble Servant
William Stites
Page 40

8685
Jan 30 1843
NJ
July 7 1838
Phebe Hand
Aaron '32

[written downward:]
Springfield N. J.
Day 26th
Free
War Department
Pension Bureau
Washington City
D.C.
Page 41

Springfield N. Jersey Jany 23d 1843

D Sir

Enclosed you will receive the Declaration of Phebe, Hand with affidavits attached to sustain her application for a pension under the act of July 7th 1838

At present she knows of no one living by whom he can prove the services rendered by her Husband during the Revolution and is compelled to rely on the evidence on file in the War Dep't.

Our Statute requiring Marriages to be recorded in County Clerks Office was not passed untill 1795 too late to embrace Mrs Hands Marriage. Our Townships have never recorded them and the Rev'd Mr Vanarsdale's records are lost or destroyed except a few none of which I think are older than the date of our Statute to wit 1795.

So far as relates to the identity of her Person, of the legality of the marriage or of its having taken place before 1794 there is no shadow of doubt in the mind of any one

I have known Coll Hand and his Lady the present applicant intimately for more than 30 years & all three of the Witnesses for about the same length of time & can bear testimony that they are all among the most respectable Inhabitants & beyond the suspicion of guile

But the Department judges only on evidence, and that evidence is submitted believing & hoping that it will be satisfactory to the Hon'l Secretary at War

If the pension be granted please enclose it to me and I will see it delivered to her

Most Respectfully
William Stites
Page 42

[written horizontally]
Sept 12. 44
NJ.
Adolpff
Phebe Hand.
S.

[written downward]
Free
J. L. Edwards Esq
Comm'r of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.
Page 43

Springfield J. Sept 9th 1844

D Sir

Enclosed you will receive two other affidavits in further confirmation of the fact of the marriage of Phebe Hand in 1783. Mrs Halsey is the same affiant whose affidavit you already have on file with Mrs Hands papers, in this she only re-affirms the truth of her former one and States a circumstance connected with it which renders it impossible for her to be mistaken in the year of the marriage

The other is an affidavit of Mrs Reeve and explains itself.

These added to the evidence already before the department it is hoped will be sufficient to satisfy it that she (the said Phebe Hand) is clearly entitled to a pension under the law upon which her claim is founded and in conformity to which she has made her declaration now nearly two years on file in the Office

The old Lady is last declining towards the grove and feel great solicitude that her claim (clear in itself to all who know her) should as soon as possible receive the favourable notice of the department

Respectfully
Yours William Stites
Page 44

[written horizontally]
Col Niles feb 22d 44
Phebe Hand

[written downward]
Springfield N J
Feby 19th Free
War Department
Pension Bureau
Washington City
D. C.
Page 45

To J. L. Edwards Esq
Comm'r Pension Agent

Springfield N J. Feby 16th 1844

Dear Sir

Will you pardon me for calling your attention to the application of Phebe Hand for a five years pension, and for a one years pension under the former and late acts of Congress. The last evidence I sent you in her behalf was the affidavit of Jane Stewart establishing the fact, that the marriage record has been destroyed and thus rendering personal testimony admissible, (the fact that there never was a family record of Marriages kept) being already proved.

It does appear to me that every thing which ought [underlined] to be necessary to establish a claim for a pension has been done [3 words underlined] in her case; and sure I am, that the testimony of two such Witnesses as Mrs Halsey and Mrs Smith, two of our most respectable Ladies (both of whom swear positively that they were present at the marraige) would be altogether sufficient in New Jersey to hang a man, and to require stronger proof than that now on file is virtually repealing the laws of Congress. If it is not so, I am free to confess I do not understand the laws of evidence nor the modus operandi in applying them

If any thing is omitted of which I am not aware, or any thing done wrong, please be kind enough to state it, that I may perfect it, for there is no more doubt in the mind of every body here [3 words underlined] of her title to the pension, than there is that Congress is in Session

With great respect
Yours William Stites

P.S. If any enquiries are necessary I refer you to the Hon'l J. W. Miller [part obscured] of the U.S.S.
Page 46

Phebe Hand, dec'd
Widow of Aaron Hand
---
Her children claim Pension under Resolution of 23. Jan'y. 1845.
Act 7. July 38

Brown & Thayer
Agents.
Page 47

State of New Jersey
Essex County } ss

I John P. Jackson Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County of Essex do hereby certify that satisfactory evidence has been produced to this Court to shew that Phebe Hand of the County of Essex and State of New Jersey was a Pensioner under the law of the United States of the third day of March 1843 at the rate of fifty dollars per-annum at the time of her death and that she died at the residence of her daughter in the said County of Essex on the fifth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty five, and that she has left three children, to wit, Joseph S Hand Isaac M Hand and Mary P Bond the widow of John Bond dec'd, all of whom are of lawful age and residing in the said County of Essex and State of New Jersey and that they are all the children of the said Phebe Hand who are now living or who were living at the time of her death

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said Court the thirteenth day of March in the year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty five

J. P. Jackson, Clk
Page 48

I William Stites a Judge of the within named Court do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the within named Joseph S Hand, Isaac M Hand and Mary P Bond and have been so acquainted many years. That I was also equally well acquainted with their Mother Phebe Hand up to the time of her death which occurred on the fifth day of February 1845 That I was present and attended her funeral, also that she has left no other surviving Children than those above named. And I do also further Certify that I am fully satisfied of the truth of the within statement as proved in this Court and Certified by the Clerk thereof.

William Stites
Page 49

We Joseph S Hand, Isaac M Hand and Mary P Bond the only surviving Children of Phebe Hand deceased a Pensioner of the Unites States late of Springfield in the County of Essex and State of New Jersey and who died on the fifth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty five, do hereby constitute and appoint E. F Brown and J M Thayer of the City of Washington in the District of Columbia to prosecute the claims of the said Phebe Hand dec'd for a Pension or arrears of pension and to do in the case the same as if we were present.

In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and seals the 27th day of October A.D. 1845

Signed sealed and delivered
in presence of
William Stites

[signed] Joseph S Hand
Isaac M Hand
Mary P Bond

State of New Jersey
Essex County } ss Be it known that on the 27th day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty five before me William Stites a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County of Essex personally appeared Joseph S Hand, Isaac M Hand and Mary P Bond above named and acknowledged the foregoing power of attorney to be their act and dead -- In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand the day and year last above written

William Stites
Page 50

8,685
Phebe Hand
N.J.
See letter to W. Stites, Sept. 15 1843
" " " " " March 27 '44

Susp. 7 Jul 1838
Page 51

[REVOLUTIONA]RY WAR RECORDS SECTION. 3--525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., __, 19__
W651

In reply to your request of __, received __ for a statement of the military history of Aaron Hand a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his ([lined out: or his widow's]) application for pension on file in this Bureau.

[Table, 6 columns, listed by row]
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. |
LENGTH OF SERVICE. |
RANK. |
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN. | COLONEL. |
STATE.

1778 | 2 mos | Pvt. | Baldwin & R. Nichols | | NJ.
1779 | 6 " | | Craig | John Taylor |
1780 | 4 " | { Thos Williams Isaac Gillam Elijah Squire Thos. Baldwin } | 
1781 | 2 " | | Jones | |
1782 | 1 " | | Lt Wheeler | |

Battles engaged in, Monmouth, Conn. Farms, Elizabethtown & with the Black Refugees
Residence of soldier at enlistment, at birthplace
Date of application for pension, Aug 18, 1832. His cl. was al.
Residence at date of application, Springfield Twp Essex Co. N.J.
Age at date of application, Feb 23, 1764 b in Newark Twp (that part which was later Orange Twp Essex Co. N.J.
Remarks: Sol mar. Autumn 1783 in Springfield Twp. Essex Co NJ. Phebe -- He d. July 27 1842 She was al pens on her ap Jan 17, 1843 while res in said Twp aged 76. She d. Feb. 5 1845, Ch. Jos. S. b. June 7, 1784 Isaac M. b. Sept. 3, 1787, Rebecca W. Dec 12, 1789, Wm. June 12 1793. and Mary P. mar John Bond. There were 10 ch, names of others not stated

Respectfully,
Commissioner.

6--2856
Page 52

[handwritten] Revo. [illegible]

THE NEW JERSEY SOCIETY
SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

OFFICERS
PRESIDENT CARL MONTAIGNE VAIL
FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT HON. ADRIAN LYON
SECOND VICE-PRESIDENT FRANK HENRY PRESBY
SECRETARY SAMUEL ALBERT CLARK
TREASURER EDWIN ALLEN SMITH
REGISTRAR WILLIAM JOHNSON CONKLING
HISTORIAN DAVID LAWRENCE PIERSON
GENEALOGIST JOHN THORNLEY NEFF
CHAPLAIN EDWIN STEVENS LINES, D.D.
CHANCELLOR HARRY FRANK BREWER
VICE-PRESIDENT GENERAL THOMAS WRIGHT WILLIAMS
TRUSTEE OF NATIONAL SOCIETY CHARLES SYMMES KIGGINS

Headquarters
756 BROAD STREET, NEWARK,
(Entrance 1 Clinton Street)
Telephone 3085 Market

MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF MANAGERS
ALFRED WILLIAM ALESBURY
REV. LYMAN WHITNEY ALLEN, D.D.
BRIDGEWATER MEREDITH ARNOLD
ALFRED E. ASHFIELD
FREDERICK BURTON BASSETT
JOHN WILLIAM CLIFT
SAMUEL CRAIG COWART
HERBERT ROYAL CRANE
WILLIAM SIMONSON EDDY
CHARLES ALFRED GRUMMON
JOHN FRANKLIN HAAS
FREDERIC DEGARMER HAHN
FREDERICK MARTIN HAVILAND
HORACE HOLDEN
EARLE ANDERSON MILLER
GEORGE VAIL MUCHMORE
MERRITT GREENWOOD PERKINS
REV. FRANK AUSTIN SMITH
ALBERT CROLIUS VAN NEST
JOHN BREWER WIGHT

PAST PRESIDENTS
HON. JOHN FRANKLIN FORT
JOHN LENORD MERRILL
WASHINGTON IRVING LINCOLN ADAMS
CHESTER NEVILLE JONES

January 31, 1920.

Hon. G.M. Saltzgaber, Commimissioner,
Department of the Interior,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir:-

Will you kindly furnish a certificate showing the military history of AARON HAND who served as a Private in the Morris County, N. J., militia during the Revolutionary War. His name appears on the Pension Roll under Essex County, N. J., Pensioned in 1833.

The information is desired to establish the eligibility of an applicant to membership in this Society.

Your courtesy will be highly appreciated.

Very truly yours,
[signed] W J Conkling
Registrar N.J.S.A.R.

[round stamp] U. S. PENSION OFFICE. D FEB 2 1920
Page 53

Franklin Indiana
March 9th /28

Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington D.C.

Dear Sir,

Do you have a record of the services of Aaron Hand who served in the War of the Revolution.

He died in Either Essex or Union County New Jersey.

Respt.
Mrs Edna T. Bice,
#450 E. Madison St.
Franklin,
Ind.

[Round stamp] U. S. PENSION OFFICE. A MAR 13 1928
Page 54

[left side]
1920 Feb. 13. Hist. to W. J. Conkling aw
1920 May 20 Hist. to Sara J. Wilson
Letter in S.F. 3.564 Mindart Wilson
---
1929, Jan 4.,- Hist to Edna T. Bice, M.E.E.

[right side]
Revy. WIDOW, &c.
File No. 651
Phebe Hand.
Widow.
Aaron Hand,
Priv. Rev. War.
Act: March 3. 1843.
Index:-- Vol. A, Page 300
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 55

Mrs Jane Stewart's Affidavit In relation to the Claim of Mrs Phebe Hand for a pension for 6 years

receive from Judge Mill
for Sign Miller [?] 50
certificate 50
[sum] 100
Page 56

State of New Jersey
Essex County } ss Personally appeared before me Samuel B. Miller a Justice of the peace in and for said County, Jane Stewart of the City of Newark in the County of Essex and State of New Jersey, A Respectable person and Personally known to me to be entitled to Credit as A Witness. -- And being by me duly sworn on her Oath saith that she is Sixty four years of age that she is the Daughter of the Rev'd Jacob Van Arsdale of the Township of Springfield in said County, And has Always understood that her Father, the said Jacob Van Arsdale Come to reside at Springfield in said County, before the Commencement of the Revolutionary War. And was Pastor of the Presbyterian Church in that place, And Resided there until his death which took place in the year Eighteen hundred and one. -- And this deponant further saith that her Father the said Jacob Van Arsdale kept A Marriage Record in a small Book made by him for that purpose, with a paper cover, In which he entered the Names of those he married the time when, and Amount of Fees Received for his services. -- Which record came into this deponants possession after the death of her said Father and not, thinking said Book of any value her Children had it to play with until it got tore and much defaced. And then it was taken and used for Rapping and wast [waste] paper and Intirely distroyd, And is not in being at this time and has not been in Being for a Number of years last past And further saith not.

[signed] Jane Stewart

Sworn to And subscribed at Newark In said County of Essex New Jersey on the Twenty Sixth day of September A D. 1843. -- Before me

Sam B. Miller Justice of the peace
Page 57

State of New Jersey
County of Essex } ss I John P Jackson Clerk of the County of Essex and of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in & for said County Do hereby certify that Samuel B. Miller before whom the foregoing Affidavit of Jane Stewart was made and taken at the time of taking the same was & still is one of the Justices of the Peace for said County duly Commissioned and sworn, and that the signature "Sam'l B. Miller" to the Jurat of said affidavit is genuine.

In Testimony Whereof I have hereto set my hand and official Seal at Newark in said County the Fifth day of October A.D. Eighteen hundred and forty three.

J P Jackson Clk
Page 58

State of New Jersey
Essex County } ss Be it known that before me William Stites a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County of Essex on the Nineteenth day of January AD. One thousand eight hundred and forty three personally appeared Isaac M Hand of full age who being duly sworn according to law on his oath saith,

That he is a son of Phebe Hand who has sworn to and subscribed the annexed declaration and of Aaron Hand the Husband of the said Phebe Hand who is named in the said declaration

That the said Aaron Hand was a Pensioner of the United States up to the time of his death at the rate of fifty dollars per annum for services rendered to the United States during the Revolutionary war and that he the said Aaron Hand departed this life on the twenty seventh day of July A.D. One thousand eight hundred and forty two and left by his death the said Phebe Hand a widow. And the said Isaac M Hand on his oath further saith that the said Phebe Hand is still living and still remains the widow of the said Aaron Hand and has not been married since the death of her husband the said Aaron Hand

[signed] Isaac M Hand

Sworn & subscribed before me the day and year aforesaid

William Stites Justice of the Peace

I William Stites the Justice of the Peace before whom the foregoing Affidavit of Isaac M Hand was subscribed and sworn do hereby Certify that I am well acquainted with him the said Isaac Hand and have been for many years, And that he is a credible witness and his affidavit entitled to full faith and belief

William Stites Justice of the Peace
Page 59

State of New Jersey
Essex County } ss

Be it known that before me William Stites a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County of Essex on the tenth day of January A.D. One thousand eight hundred and forty three personally appeared Sarah Halsey of full age who being duly sworn according to law on her oath saith that she is a Sister of Phebe Hand who is mentioned in the annexed declaration, and whose name is thereunto subscribed, That the said Phebe and was married to Aaron Hand whose name is also mentioned in the said annexed declaration of the said Phebe Hand in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty three that she was present and witnessed the marriage

That the said Aaron Hand died at his residence in Springfield, Essex County New Jersey on the 27th day of July 1842 leaving the said Phebe Hand a widow who is still living and who has not been married since the death of her said Husband the said Aaron Hand

[signed] Sarah Halsey

Sworn and subscribed before me the day and year aforesaid

William Stites Justice of the Peace

William Stites before whom the foregoing affidavit of Sarah Halsey was sworn & subscribed do hereby Certify that I am and have been for many years acquainted with her and that her affidavit is entitled to full faith and credit

William Stites Justice of the Peace
Page 60

State of New Jersey
Essex County } ss

Be it known that before me William Stites a Justice of the Peace  in and for the said County of Essex on the 19th day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty three personally appeared Mary Smith of full age who being duly sworn according to Law on her oath saith, that she knows Phebe Hand the widow of Aaron Hand dec'd whose name is subscribed to the annexed declaration

That she was present at the time and saw the said Phebe Hand lawfully married to the said Aaron Hand by the Rev'd Jacob Van Arsdalen at Springfield in the said County of Essex in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty three and that he the said Aaron Hand died in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty two

Mary Smith + her mark

Sworn and subscribed the 19th day of January 1843 before me

William Stites Justice of the Peace and in presence }

of Hannah B. Smith

I William Stites the Justice of the Peace before whom the foregoing affidavit of Mary Smith was subscribed and sworn do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with her the said Mary Smith and have been for many years, that she is a credible Witness and that her affidavit is entitled to full faith and belief

William Stites Justice of the Peace
Page 61

8685
Phebe Hand
N. J.
Act 7 July 38
& resolution 23 Jany 45

L. d. July 7th 42
adm'd
15 mo pri
$50
Brown & Thayer
Present
Page 62

State of New Jersey
Essex County

State of New Jersey
County of Essex } ss.

I John P Jackson Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Essex and State of New Jersey do hereby certify, that William Stites before whom the foregoing affidavits of Isaac M. Hand Sarah Halsey and Mary Smith were severally made and taken and by whom the certificates thereunto severally attached were subscribed, was at the times of the doing thereof and still is a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County of Essex residing therein duly commissioned and sworn; that I am well acquainted with his hand writing, and that the several signatures of the said William Stites to the aforesaid affidavit and certificates are genuine and that full faith and credit are due and may be given to his official acts.

In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Newark in the County of Essex aforesaid the Nineteenth day of January A.D. Eighteen hundred & forty three.

J P Jackson Clk
Page 63

State of New Jersey
Essex County } ss Before me William Stites one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the said County of Essex personally appeared Sarah Halsey of full age who being duly sworn according to law on her oath saith, That she is the same Sarah Halsey who made the affidavit to which her name is subscribed, attached to the application of Phebe Hand Widow of Aaron Hand for a pension. That what she there stated is time both as to the person by whom and the time when the said Aaron Hand was married to the said Phebe hand. That so far as relates to the time, she is not dependant upon mere memory she knows and is positive that the said Marriage took place in the autumn of one thousand seven hundred and eighty three from the fact that her daughter Betsey was an infant at the breast at the time of the marriage and that she took her with her where she went to the wedding that she has a family record, and that her said Daughter Betsey was born on the twenty ^third day of July one thousand seven hundred and eighty three so that by her family record she knows the age of her daughter Betsey and she knows and is positive that she had the said Betsy with her at the wedding, an infant in her arms not more than three or four months old at the time

Sarah Halsey

Sworn and subscribed the 24th day of July 1844 before me
William Stites
Page 64

State of New Jersey
Essex County } ss Before me William Stites one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the said County of Essex on this first [?] of August AD One thousand eight hundred and forty four personally appeared Lois Reeve of full age who being duly sworn according to law on her oath saith that she is well acquainted with Phebe Hand widow of Aaron Hand late of Springfield in the County of Essex and State of New Jersey who in his life time and up to the time of his death was a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States That she has been intimately acquainted with the said Phebe Hand from Childhood and was present and witnessed the marriage of the said Phebe Hand to the said Aaron Hand which marriage was solemnized in the Autumn of Seventeen hundred and eighty three by the Rev'd Jacob Vanarsdalen then Pastor of the first Congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Springfield. That she cannot be mistaken as to the year in which the said Phebe Hand was married to the said Aaron Hand because they the said Phebe and Aaron were married in the fall of the year before this deponant was married and this Deponant was married on the Nineteenth day of February One thousand seven hundred and eighty four

Lois Reeve + her mark

Sworn and subscribed the day and year first above written before me
William Stites and in presence of
[signed] Isaac M Hand
Phebe Ann Reeve
Page 65

State of New Jersey
County of Essex } ss. I John P. Jackson Clerk of the County of Essex and of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for said County do hereby certify that William Stites before whom the foregoing affidavits of Sarah Halsey and Lois Reeve were severally made and taken at the time of taking the same was & still is a Justice of the peace for said County duly Commissioned and Sworn; and that the respective signatures "William Stites" to the Jurats of said affidavits are genuine

In Testimony Whereof I have hereto set my hand & official Seal at Newark in said County the Thirty first day of August A.D. Eighteen hundred & forty four.

J P Jackson Clk
Page 66

No 9760.

N. Jersey
===
Phebe Hand, deceased,
widow of Aaron Hand,
who was a pensioner under the Act of 18,
and who died on the 27 July, 1842,
of Essex Co in the State of N. J.
who was a private in the [blank]
commanded by Captain [blank]
commanded by [blank] of the
Revolution line for [blnk]
===
Inscribed on the Roll of N. Jersey
at the rate of 50 - Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day
of March, 1836.
===
Certificate of Pension issued the 8th: day of
Dec: 1845 and sent to, Brown & Thayer, Present.
===
Total amount, $250.00
[Act July 7, 1838. & joint resolution Jany. 45]
Recorded by Kellstewart [?] Clerk,
Book D Vol. 1 Page 197
Page 67

State of New Jersey
Essex County } ss

Before me William Stites one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County of Essex personally appeared the Reverend John C Hart of full age who being duly sworn according to law on his oath saith that he is Pastor of the first Congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Springfield in the County of Essex and State of New Jersey and has been so for the last eight years, that he has always understood ever since his charge commenced over the said Congregation, and verily believes, as well from information derived Orally from Members of the Congregation as from records of the Church that the Rev'd Jacob Vanarsdalen was the Installed Pastor of said Church for many years of the last part of the Eighteenth Century, that there is but one Presbyterian Church in Springfield aforesaid at this time nor was there ever any other that ever came to his knowledge, and that he has never been able to find any Marriage Records of said Church going further back than the year One thousand eight hundred and two, that he knows Phebe Hand the present applicant for a Pension, knew her husband Aaron Hand up to his death & preached his funeral sermon last summer. That the said Aaron Hand & Phebe his wife were both Members of said Church and in good standing and that the said Phebe is still so

[signed] John C. Hart

Sworn and subscribed before me the 25th day of May 1843
William Stites
Page 68

I William Stites one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County of Essex do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the Rev'd John C Hart who has subscribed and sworn to the annexed affidavit, that he [obscured] a man of truth and verity and his affidavit entitled to full faith and credit

Newark June 15th 1843
William Stites

State of New Jersey
County of Essex } ss. I John P. Jackson Clerk of the County of Essex and of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for said County do hereby certify that William Stites before whom the annexed affidavits of Joseph S. Hand and John C. Hart were severally made and taken, at the time of taking the same was and still is one of the Judges of said Court duly commissioned and sworn that the signatures "William Stites" affixed to the Jurats of said affidavits and the certificates thereunder written, respectively are genuine.

In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Official Seal at Newark in said County the Seventeenth day of June AD. 1843.

J P Jackson Clk
Page 69

Affidavits of Joseph S Hand and the Rev'd Jno C Hart in the case of Phebe Hand