Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 8097, for William Penney, New Jersey
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
New Jersey

Penney, William

NUMBER
R. 8097

CONTENTS
Page 2

Copy of 
Power of Attorney
from 
Jacob K Penny
to 
James R Hitchcock
Page 3

[Notary Seal]
NEW YORK


              - Copy -

Know all men by these presents, 
That, I, Jacob K Penny, of the City of 
New York, for myself and in behalf 
of my brothers, Lewis S, Thomas, 
Robert, Daniel P, Abraham V, and 
William H Penny, and my sisters 
Hetty Powers and Abigail Richards, 
Widow, do hereby constitute and appoint, James R Hitchcock of the City 
of New York, my true and lawful Attorney, irrevocable, to prosecute my 
claim, and the claims of my brothers 
and sisters aforesaid, for any amount 
of Revolutionary Pension, that may be 
due me or them, as the children and 
heirs at Law of William Penny deceased; 
and I hereby authorize my said 
attorney, to examine all papers and documents 
in relation to said claim, 
on file in the Departments at Washington 
City, or elsewhere; to file additional 
evidence or arguments, and to receive 
the Certificate, which may be issued 
for said claim; to appoint one or more 
substitutes under him, for the purposes 
herein expressed, and to do all things 
that I might or could do, if I were 
personally present; hereby ratifying and 
confirming all that my said attorney 
shall lawfully do in the premises.
Witness my hand and seal this 
1st day of January 1853.

Signed Jacob K Penny (seal)

Signed and sealed  
in the presence of   

John K. Weed
Page 4

City County and State 
of New York  ---  Ss.

On this third day of 
January 1853 before me the subscriber 
a Commissioner of Deeds personally 
appeared, Jacob K Penny, 
above named, and acknowledged the 
foregoing Power of Attorney to be his 
act and deed, for the purposes therein mentioned. -

Signed John Anderson Jr.
Commissioner of Deeds
Page 5

William Penney
N. Yk. 
No. 23945
8097
e. j.


Walter Edwards Esqr
55 Wall Street
New York
Page 6

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
[blank date] 183[blank]

Sir:

The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has 
been examined, and the papers and 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 much 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, shewing the Service of William Penney
----------------------------------------------------

Period when the service was rendered.
vol.
Duration of the claimant's service.
Years.  Months.  Days.
[blank]
Rank of the claimant.
Pri.
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.
Col. Spencer
Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.
82 years  Elizabethtown N.J.
Proof by which the declaration is supported.
Witness

Period when the service was rendered.
June 27th 1778 drafted
Duration of the claimant's service.
Years.  Months.  Days.
[blank]
Rank of the claimant.
" [Pri.]
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.
Col. Crane
Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.
82 years  Elizabethtown N.J.
Proof by which the declaration is supported.
Witness

Period when the service was rendered.
May 1781  enlisted
Duration of the claimant's service.
Years.  Months.  Days.
6 [months]
Rank of the claimant.
"  [Pri.]
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.
Col. Seely
Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.
82 years  Elizabethtown N.J.
Proof by which the declaration is supported.
Witness

says servd. about 5 years and 6 mos.


I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,

J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 7

2

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.

The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army,
and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers, all
persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who
were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to
Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are
also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged
in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming
the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, mucicians or privates, will, in the first
instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of
Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is
considered a Court of Record.

DECLARATION,

In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of
County of   ss.

On this [blank] day of [blank] personally appeared (a) before [blank]
A. B. a resident (b) of [blank] in the county of [blank] and State, Territory or District
of [blank] 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) [blank], with [blank] and
served in the [blank] (e) regiment of the [blank] 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 [blank]
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
soldier, and served as he states.
I [blank] of the Court of [blank]
do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of
the application of [blank] for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this [blank]
day of [blank] & 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 [blank] and C.D. residing in (the same)
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with [blank], who has
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be [blank]
years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier
of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.

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

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after
putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary
Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B.
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the [blank]
and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the [blank]
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, [blank] Clerk of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of [blank] 
for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal
of office, this [blank] day of [blank] & c.

Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; 
but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if
possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services
of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light
upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration,(l) and he will
also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful
in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his 
alleged service, as they are known at the Department.  A very full account of the services of each person
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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 in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary
war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute?
And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such
Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6. {To a Soldier.
Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, 
and what has become of it?
6. {To an Officer.
Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what
has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify
as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.

The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are
requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court,
without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be
the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from
their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed
and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion.
If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character
and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct
proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the
inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before
required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper
county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform,
and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record,
or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper
Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a
Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is
his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before
the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the
declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, 
taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period
of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the
opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.


[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not
conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the
claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language to
definite as to enable the Department to determine to what
entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the
loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A.B. 
who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith that, by reason
of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his 
recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:  For [blank] year [blank] months, and [blank]
days, I served as a [blank].  For [blank] months and [blank] days, I served as a [blank]; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law
directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service.  The use of the phrase  about three or four months,
is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years
in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars 
respecting their service.  This form of a declaration is 
highly objectionable.  It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement;
the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent 
authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil
pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public
seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the
papers.

Mode of authenticating papers.

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

Proof of Service.

[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on 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 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] applied 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 face.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Page 9

Declaration

State of New York 
City & County of New York

William Penney, of the City & State of New York, 
being duly sworn, doth depose & say:
That he was born at Elizabethtown, in the 
State of New Jersey, on the third day of June, in 
the year seventeen hundred & fifty one; and was a 
citisen resident at Elizabethtown, until seven years 
ago, when he removed to the city of New York, 
where he hath since resided;
That, in the war of the revolution, he joined 
the regiment, raised by the State of New Jersey, under 
the command of Colonel Spenser, as a volunteer - 
just as the regiment went into its first winter quarters at Valley Forge 
and that he continued in that regiment, doing 
duty as a private soldier, until a short time 
before the battle of Monmouth; excepting a period of about four months, during which, having 
volunteered with the consent of Col. Spenser, he went 
under the command of Captain Roocastle (if he 
rightly remembers his name) on an expedition against 
the Indians - that Col. Spenser's regiment was 
several times broken up, and as often recruited; 
during all which times he remained attached to 
it as a volunteer - and that he wintered with 
it at Valley Forge;
That while visiting his family at Elizabethtown 
by leave of Col. Spenser, on the day before the 
battle of Monmouth (June 27, 1778.) he was 
drafted into the company of Captain Herriman, 
and immediately marched under his command 
and was engaged in the battle of Monmouth 
the day following - that he was in the regiment
Page 10

commanded by Coloner Crane - that, afterwards, when the drafted soldiers were dismissed, he returned to his regiment under Colonel Spenser; -
That afterwards, in May, 1781, (as nearly as he can remember) he enlisted for six months in Colonel Seely's regiment, in the company of Captain Davison, as a private - that he enlisted at Egg Harbour, in New Jersey - that he marched to Hatton field, & thence to Elizabethtown, where he remained doing duty until the end of the term of his enlistment; -
That the whole time of his military service in the war of the revolution, was about five years and six months; -
That he had various papers & documents relating to these services, but has not been able for several years to find the same - that he hath reason to believe, & doth believe, that they were accidentally destroyed by his deceased mother - that this loss, & his advanced age, render it impossible for him to state more fully the transactions of so distant a date.
But that, in his old age & poverty, he confidently asks from his country the small pension which will relieve his present necessities, though it will not compensate his past privations & dangers.
He furthermore deposeth, that, after the preceding affidvait was written, & while delaying further proceedings for the sake of obatining the affidavit of Charles Shays, of this city, who was a solider in the same regiment & a pensioner, & had promised his said affidavit to the truth of the preceding facts he has been informed of the death of the said Shays - and
Page 11

that he has also visited Elizabethtown to obtain the testimony of Jacob Lee who would be a voluntary witness to the same facts, but that he found him almost insensible in apparently the last crisis of a mortal sickness - that he thereupon when to Colonel Aaron Ogden, of New Jersey, U.S.Collector, who was also detained in his room by sickness, but who wrote for this petitioner the following:
The Certificate of
Colonel Aaron Ogden
of Jersey City
I do certify that I have been long acquainted with William Penny who is named in the annexed declaration, & during the war of the revolution and that I well knew Col Spenser who commanded one of the sixteen additional battalions which battalion was raised Cheifly in New Jersey - that I have seen William Penny with Col Spencers regiment during the war, and have reason to believe that he served in it for some time, as a volunteer. -
    Aaron Ogden
Jersey City- N.J     )
February 19, 1833 )
  By these circumstances, this Deponent has been prevented from obtaining the formal testimony which he had expected, to facts which he on oath deposes to be true, as herein before set forth.
   William Penney

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of this matter, and after putting the Interrogatories as 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 Colonel Aaron Ogden who signed the
Page 12

preceding Certificate is a resident of Jersey City in the State of New Jersey, and that his statement is entitled to full credit.
R Riker
John (illegible)
H P Robertson

I, Richart Hatfield, Clerk of the Court of General Sessions of the Peace held in and for the City & County of New York, in the State of New York, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of William Penney on his application for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this seventh day of March, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three.
  Richard Hatfield
  Clerk
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New York, 3 Jany 1852.

J. E. Heath Esqr
Comr of Pensions
Washington City, D.C.

Sir -

Enclosed please find certified copy of a Power of Attorney from Jacob K. Penny to the Subscriber, bearing date 1st inst.  Mr Penny states that his father, William Penny Dec'd, served in the Army of the Revolution, and at some period, between the years 1834 and 1837, he instituted a claim for such service, and made his declaration before the Hon R. Riker, then Recorder of the City of New York, which it is supposed, was forwarded to the Pension Office by Mr Isaac Osgood or his attorney -  Mr Penney nor any of his family have any Knowledge of any reply having been returned to their father's application, and desire me to obtain from the Pension Office, a copy of the declaration he made, and the evidence on file to sustain it, and in addition a copy of any answer that may have been made by the Commissioner of Pensions to said application.
  Since writing the foregoing, I learn that Mr Penny rec'd a letter
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from the Pension Office acknowledging the receipt of the declaration and accompanying papers.
Very Resfy
Yours
James R Hitchcock
Page 15

William Penny's
papers
Page 16

State of New York
City and County of New York Ss:  On this third day of June A.D. Eighteen Hundred and thirty four, before me the undersigned Notary, personally appeared Sarah Badgley of the said City of New York, widow of Abner Badgley late of Elizabeth Town in New Jersey, and being duly affirmed, she solemnly declared before me, that she is the sister of William Penny, now of New York, formerly of Elizabeth Town aforesaid; that she is now sixty five years of age; that she recollects that her said Brother William Penny was a soldier in the Revolutionary war; that he enlisted in the nine months service & served his time out in that service being absent from home that period of time; whether he did not serve longer than that time she cannot state, that during his absence the death of her father Austin Penny occurred, & he died the 2d day of August in the year before peace was proclaimed, that this deponent cannot state anything further from her recollection, and the said appearant further saith, that she has conscientious scruples against taking an oath, and therefore she affirmed to this statement as true, and does not make oath to it. -
Sarah (her mark) Badgley
Affirmed before me by the said appearant, the day and year above written.
Witness my Hand and Official Seal hereto affixed. -
Walter Edwards
Notary Public
[seal affixed]
Page 17

Know all men by these presents, That I, Jacob K Penny of the City of New York, for myself and in behalf of my brothers, Lewis S, Thomas, Robert, Daniel P, Abraham V, and William H Penny, and my sisters, Hetty Powers, and Abigail Richards widow, do hereby constitute and appoint James R Hitchcock, of the City of New York, my true and lawful attorney, irrevocable, to prosecute my claim, and the claims of my brothers and sisters aforesaid, for any amount of Revolutionary Pension, that may be due me or them, as the children and heirs at law of William Penny deceased; and I hereby authorize, my said attorney, to examine all papers and documents, in relation to said claim, on file in the Departments at Washington City or elsewhere to file additional evidence or arguments, and to receive the Certificate, which may be issued for said claim; to appoint one or more substitutes under him, for the purposes herein expressed, and to do all things that I might or could do, if I were personally present; hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said attorney shall lawfully do in the premises -
Witness my hand and seal this  1st day of Jany 1853
Jacob K Penny
Signed and Sealed )
in the presence of  )
   J K Weed
Page 18

State City and County )
of New York                )  Ss

On this third day of January 1853 before me the subscriber a Commissioner of Deeds, personally appeared the above named Jacob K Penny, and acknowledged the foregoing power of Attorney to be his act and deed for the purposes therein mentioned
John Anderson Jr
Comr of Deeds
Page 19

New York  Feby 17. 1834.

J. L. Edwards Esqr

Sir

I enclose the application of William
Penney for a pension (which has been before presented)
with an additional declaration on his part.
The papers, I believe, are now as complete
as it is in his power to make them.
The papers were before forwarded by "Charles
Atwood Esqr." as the agent of the applicant.
Mr Atwood having removed from the city, this 
matter has been place in my hands.  Will 
you have the goodness therefore to advise
me of the result of Mr Penney's application
and oblige,

Very Respy Your obt. Servt

Walter Edwards
No. 55 Wall Street
New York
Page 20

New York rctd.
19 Feby. 1834

[post mark]
NEW YORK
FEB 17

[sideways on page]
F

To  J. L. Edwards, Esqr.
Commissioner of Pensions
Dept of War Office
Washington D.C.
Page 21

23945
William Penney
of the 
City & State of New York
------------------------------
Application for a Pension
as a Volunteer in the 
Revolutionary War, under
Act of June 7th 1832.
------------------------------


Agent for the applicant
Walter Edwards
Counsellor at Law
No. 55 Wall Street
New York.
Page 22

I hereby relinquish every claim to any pension or 
annuity except the present.

William Penney
by his attorney,
Charles Atwood
Page 23

23945
Additional Declaration 
of
William Penny, for a 
pension as a volunteer in
the Revolutionary War, under
Mr. Edwards



Agent for the applicant
Walter Edwards
Counsellor at Law
No. 55 Wall Street
New York.
Page 24

Court of General Sessions
of the Peace

State of New York
City and County of New York ss.

On the fifteen day of February 
in the year of our Lord, one thousand
eight hundred and thirty four, before
this Court of General Sessions held in and for the city 
and County of New York in State of New York now sitting appeared
William Penny who being first duly sworn according
to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration 
in addition to the declaration made by him in this
Court on the seventh day of March last in order to 
obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed on the 
seventh day of June in the year of our Lord, one 
thousand seven hundred and thirty two - viz -
that the time of service of him the said
William Penny as a volunteer in the regiment
under the command of Col Spencer from the time 
he entered into such regiment in the year 1777 until 
he left it before the battle of Monmouth in New Jersey
in the year 1778 was not less than six months - 
that after his return to the said regiment of Col Spencer
as a volunteer which was in the year 1778, until he 
enlisted for six months in Col Seely's regiment in 
the year 1781 was not less than two years, and that 
the whole time of his military service as a volunteer in 
Col Spencer's was not less than two years and six months
and that from old age and consequent loss of 
memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of service
but according to the best of his recollection he served
Page 25

not less than three years  that he has no knowledge
of any surviving witness to his services excepting
Col. Aaron Ogden named in his declaration.
And the said William Penny further declares that he 
was at the battle of Monmouth in 1778 in New Jersey
in the Militia of New Jersey under the command of 
Col William Crane, and at the battle of Springfield
in New Jersey in the year 1780 as a volunteer in the 
regiment under the command of Colonel Spencer
That he knew Col Elias Dayton who in service at 
aforesaid commanding the third Jersey regiment in 
the New Jersey line of the army, and Francis Barber
who was the major of that regiment and Col. Mathias
Ogden who was Colonel of the first New Jersey
regiment, and Aaron Ogden who was Brigade 
Major to the Jersey Brigade, all of the Jersey line, and 
Col. Spencer and Col Lindsley Lieutenant Col of 
Spencers regiment and many other officers of the
New Jersey line. -

William Penney

Sworn before the said Court
in open Court - Witness
Feby. 15. 1834

N. Meigs Clerk

R Riker - Recorder & presiding Judge


I Henry Meigs Clerk of the Court of General Sessions 
of the Peace held in and for the City and County of 
New York Do hereby certify That Richard Riker 
Esquire is the Presiding Judge of the said
Court, That the said Court is a Court of Record
and that the signature to the jurat attached
to the foregoing declaration is in the proper
hand writing of the said Richard Riker &
that the same is entitled to full faith
Page 26

and credit.   In testimony whereof
I have hereunto set my hand
and the Seal of said Court
at the city of New York
this fifteenth day of February
A.D. Eighteen Hundred and
thirty four. -

H. Meigs Clerk



We are satisfied upon examination of
said William Penney in open Court that 
his deposition above subscribed by him in 
open Court, contains the truth.
Feby 15. 1834

R Riker
Jno. Yates [Cebra?]
Jas. Manor
Adm Ward
Aldm First Ward
James Palmar
Samuel Dunshee
Alderman 13 Ward
Aldr 14th ward
Peter Sharpe
Ald 2 ward
Page 27

New York, 22d March 1853.

Loren P Waldo Esqr
Comr of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Sir,

I take the liberty of enclosing
to you a copy of a letter (X) addressed to 
your predecessor J. E. Heath Esq on 3d Jany
last, to which I am yet awaiting a reply.
I would feel extremely obliged if you
will cause copies of the documents to be made,
together with any correspondence that may
have ensued in relation to them, and have
them forwarded to me - 
It is now upwards of eighteen years
since William Penny's declaration was forwarded
to Washington and his family have not 
at this day, any knowledge whether his claim for 
a pension has been examined -
I enclose you also, a rough copy of the 
power of attorney -
Should the certified copy of Attorney,
mentioned in the foregoing letter have 
miscarried, I will forward another if it is
required. 

Very respy
Your obt servt

James R Hitchcock
Attorney for Jacob K Penny

Box 2872 N. Y. Post Office.

X no entry on my book
Adams
Page 28

Copy

New York,  3d Jany 1853.

J. E. Heath Esqr
Comr of Pensions
Washington City, D.C.

Sir

Enclosed please find certified
copy of a Power of Attorney from Jacob K Penny
to the subscriber, bearing date first instant.
Mr Penny states that his father William Penny
Decd, served in the army of the Revolution
and at some period, between the years 1834
and 1837, he instituted a claim for such service,
and made his declaration before the Hon
R Riker, then Recorder of the City of New York,
which it is supposed was forwarded to the 
Pension Office by Mr Isaac Osgood or his attorney.
Mr Penny nor any of his family, have 
any knowledge of any reply, having been returned
to their father's application, and desire me to 
obtain from the Pension Office, a copy of the 
declaration he made, and the evidence on file to 
maintain it, and in addition a copy of any answer
that may have been made, by the Commissioner
of Pensions to said application.  
Since writing the foregoing, I 
learn that Mr Penny recd a letter from 
the Pension Office acknowledging the receipt
of the declaration, and accompanying papers.

Very Respy
Your svtg

James R Hitchcock
Page 29

New York,   27 May 1853

L. P. Waldo, Esqr.
Comr of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Sir,

Your esteemed favor 
of 24th inst, in reply to my communication
of 3d Jany last, was duly received, concerning
the claim of Wm Penny decd. 
Will you do me the favor to cause
a copy of Col Aaron Ogden's Certificate
(filed with the papers of W Penny) to be sent
to me.   I have taken advantage of 
your kind suggestion to apply to the Secretary
of New Jersey for evidence of service.

Very Respectfully
Yours &c

J. R Hitchcock
Box 2872 N. Y. P. O.
Page 30

Court of General Sessions
of the Peace

State of New York
City & County of New York ss.

On the seventh day of 
March in the year of our Lord
one thousand eight hundred & thirty three,
before this Court of General Sessions held in & for the City &
County of New York in the State of New York, now sitting, in 
person appeared William Penney, a resident of the same 
City & County of New York, aged eighty one 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 on the seventh day of June
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and thirty two -:
Page 31

State of New York,
City and County of New York, ss.

I, RICHARD B. CONNOLLY, CLERK of the City and County of New York, and also Clerk
of the Supreme Court for the said City and County, DO HEREBY CERTIFY, That
John B Satterthwaite whose name is subscribed to the certificate
of the proof or acknowledgement of the annexed instrument, and thereon written, was, at 
the time of taking such proof or acknowledgement, a Notary Public, in and for the State
of New York, dwelling in the said City, commissioned and sworn.  And, further, that I 
am well acquainted with the handwriting of such Notary Public, and verily believe that 
the signature to the said certificate of proof or acknowledgement is genuine.

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal 
of the said Court and County, the 3 day of Jany 1853

Richd. B Connolly Clerk.

[seal]
Page 32

Wm Penny's
papers
Page 33

If I understand the case
of William Penny it is that
he served as a volunteer in 
Col. Spencer regiment and not 
as an enlisted soldier and of [rank?]
his name will not be found
on the roll of Spencer's 
regiment, and it is presumed that 
on the [Cert?] use only it is that 
the affidavits of two credible 
witnesses will be required as 
specified in the letter from Mr
Edwards of the Pension Office
to [illegible]
Walter Edwards
of New York

Aaron Ogden
Page 34

City and County of New York
January 3d 1853

I hereby Certify that the within power
of attorney is a true copy of the original
power, in the hands of James R
Hitchcock

John B Satterthwaite
Notary Public
Page 35

House of Rep   Jan 8/53

J E Heath Esq

Dear Sir

Enclosed I have 
[the?] papers from Mr Hitchcock
which I hope you will give some
attention soon as practicable

Your obt sevt

Geo Briggs
Page 36

Act of June 7th 1832
William Penny
N.Y.
suspended
see let
Walter Edwards Esq
City of N. York
S.C.
Mar 20th 1834
let to W Edwards
June 12 1834
[torn corner] R Hitchcock Mch 25/53


[written sideways on left]
Let to J. R. Hitchcock [May 24/55?]
Let same May 30 1853 [or 5?]
Page 37

Geo Briggs
[illegible]


J E Heath Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington DC

[written sideways on the left side]
Jan 10. 1853
Pow Atty to Jas. R
Hitchcock in case
of Wm Penny decd.

Jan 10/53
Mr Cole

Hon Geo Briggs
H Reps.
Page 38

REJECTED
8097
William Penny
P. O.  [blank]
Service:  [blank]
Enlisted:  [blank date]
Discharged:  [blank date]
Application filed:  [blank date]
Alleges:  [blank]
Re-enlisted:  [blank]
Attorney:  [blank]
P. O.  [blank]
[blank] Recognized.    [blank] Contract.
[blank] Cert. of Dis.   Searched for [blank date]
Page 39

f


J. L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions.
(War Department)
Washington.
D. C.



[written sideways on the left side]
Addl. evidence for 
Wm Penny
of New York
6 June 1834

[partial post mark]
NEW YORK
JUN
Page 40

New York  June 4th 1834.

Dr Sir, 

In relation to the claim of Wm Penny
for a Pension, I beg leave to enclose the 
affirmation of Mrs Badgley, his sister, as 
additional evidence of his having served in 
the revolutionary war.  I also enclose (at
Mr Penny's request), a note or suggestion 
of Col. Ogden, which of course is not
evidence - unless this additional 
affidavit of the sister shall be considered
of sufficient weight, I fear there is little 
chance of the pension being allowed, as at 
this distance of time it seems impossible
to obtain any further testimony.
I shall be pleased by your reply to this 
letter whatever may be the result of 
Mr. P's application.

I am Sir very 
Respectfully Yours

Walter Edwards
44 Wall St


J. L. Edwards Esqr
Pension Office.
Page 41

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

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

NAME  Pennifield, Thomas  GRADE  Private  LINE  Maryland       

WARRANT NUMBER  11600  ACREAGE  100  ISSUED 
March 11, 1791
to - not shown -

----------------
* 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.