Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 4,868, for David Somers, New Jersey
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(8-1776)
SERVICE
New Jersey
Somers, David
Number
S. 4,868
carded
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6942
New Jersey
David Somers of the State of New Jersey who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Somers of the Ry commanded by Col. Somers in the New Jersey une for 2 years (illegible) as Private $80.00

Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey at the rate of 80 Dollars _____ Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 11 day of March 1833 and first to Hon Rose Cooper (illegible) N. J.

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $160.00 
Semi-anl. allowance ending 11 Sept " (1833) $40.00 $200.00

Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by Vinal Luce Clerk
Book D Vol. 4 Page 175
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David Somers
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State of New Jersey
County of Gloucester (illegible)

On this Fifteenth day of October A/.D. one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two, personally appeared, in open court, before the Honorable Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the said county of Gloucester, now sitting, David Somers aged 75 years on the 20th day of December last who being duly sworn according to Law, doth and his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 in titled "An Act Supplementary to the Act for the relief of certain Surviving Officers and Soldiers of the Revolution."  That he entered the Service of the United States under the following name as Officers and served as herein stated.  In the month of October 1775 I entered under Capt. John Somers (my father) in Col. Richard Somers' Battalion.  We marched and went on Brigantine Beach and took about 30 prisoners belonging to a British transport ship of 20 guns called the Rebecca & Frances took out and saved provisions and some arms.  We were out one month when we were discharged.  In March 1776 I entered the service under Capt. John Somers Leut. Samuel Snell
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Col. Richard Somers were quartered at Somers Point during one month and were then discharged.  I next entered under the same commanders in May A.D. 1776 one month and were discharged and was at Somers Point.  In July 1776 I again entered in the service under the same officers and quartered at the same place - (illegible) Somers' Point and was in the service one month and was again discharged.  In October A.D. 1776 again served one month under the same officers and quartered at the same place and was discharged.  (crossed out, November) December 1776 again entered under the same officers and marched to Haddonfield in the same county as (illegible) Gloucester in the State of New Jersey, from Haddonfield we marched to Morristown where we continued a few days and then marched to Mount Holly, in Burlington County from Mount Holly we marched to (illegible) town had a brush with the Hessians and a few days after we encountered the Hessian Army.  We retreated to the Bridge in the town where we made a stand but were too weak to encounter the army and retreated to Moorestown, from Moorestown we marched to Haddonfield where we stand till we were discharged after having served one month.
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March 1777 I again entered the service under the same Officers and went to Somers' Point for one month and was discharged.  May 1777 entered under Samuel Snell Leut. who served as Captain, during one month and was again discharged.  Oct 1777 was again entered in the service met at Col. Richard Wescott's at Mays Landing and marched to Woodbury and I was there a few days, marched from there to Gloucester where we staid (sic) until Fort Mifflin was evacuated by the American forces.  This campaign was under Capt. Christopher Rape, Leut. Robert Snell and Col. Joseph Ellis.  We then marched to Mantean creek where we met with a company of British troops who obliged us to return and we marched from there to Haddonfield, encountered a scouting party of the British when Leut. Lucas was shot and ensign John Hilton, who acted as Lieutenant at that time, was wounded from there we marched down to Timber creek and took Hessian prisoners and brought them to Haddonfield and were discharged after a month's service.  Feb. 1778 entered again in the service under Capt. Samuel Snell, Col. Josiah Hillman met at Col. Wescott's at Mays Landing, he did not go out and we were turned over to Col.
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Williams' Battalion in which time we were out one month marched to Haddonfield did no fighting and were discharged and returned home.  March 1778 again entered the service under Capt. Samuel Snell Col. Robert Taylor; we collected again at May's Landing marched to the Forks of Little Egg harbor river and from there to Clam Town where we (illegible) a company of Refugees to return, but did no other service and were discharged after one months service.  In September 1778 I was again out under Capt. Samuel Snell and Col. Proctor.  We collected at Lucas Point to oppose a fleet of the British which came up Little Egg Harbor River to Chestnut neck where they burnt several vessel houses and other property.  We succeeded in driving them off our ship of (illegible) grounded on the bar which they burnt themselves to prevent her falling into our hands from there we marched to Somers Point were out two months and discharged.  On the 25th October 1778 I volunteered for one year under Capt. Samuel Snell and Col. Robert Taylor did but little service and were discharged this was in the Egg Harbor Guard.  The same day entered again for one year under the same officers, had considerable skirmishing with the Refugees, British and Hessians along the shore from
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Somers Point to Sandy Hook, when our times expired we again entered for another year in the same service that is the Eggharbour Guard, under Capt. Samuel Snell in Col Taylor's Regiment during this period we had a great deal of duty, considerable skirmishing with the Refugees, took a number of them prisoners, killed some of them and routed and drove them off from the neighborhood - we were discharged in October 1780, and I was not out in the service afterwards.  I was born in the Township of Eggharbour County of Gloucester New Jersey on the 20th of December 1756.  I have no record of my age.  I was living in the township of Eggharbour when called into service, and have lived there ever since.  I was drafted once, and after that volunteered whenever I was with the service.  Col Proctor was with the Troops where I served at Chesnut Neck and Somers Point.  Gene Pulaski with his Troop of Horse was at Leeds Point, when I was there I saw Col Green at Red Bank Fort.  I saw Col Green Regiment at Red Bank. Col Proctor Regiment at Somers Point, Col Ellis' Regiment at Haddonfield at Haddonfield
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Col Huggs Artillery I saw at Mount Holly, Col Taylors Regiment at Eggharbour - I never received a military discharge.  I am acquainted with James English Esquire, Enoch Doughty Esquire, Aaron Somers Mayor, John R Scull, Dellahlon D Canfield, Gideon Seeds formerly collector of Eggharbour Port.  He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension vs annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of the Agency of any State.  David Somers, Sworn and subscribed October 16th AD 1832, Ephriam Miller

We Jesse Smith and Michael C Fisher residing in the County of Gloucester and State of New Jersey, do herby certify that were are well acquainted with David Somers who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy five years of age, that his is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier after the revolution, and that we concur in that of  (illegible). Sworn and subscribed October 15th AD 1832 in open court, Ephriam Miller, Jesse Smith, Michael C. Fisher
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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 stated.  And the court further certifies that it appears to them, that Jesse Smith and Michael C Fisher Esquire, who have signed the preceding Certificate are resident in the said county of Gloucester and are highly respectable citizens the former filling the Office of Sheriff and the other that of Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in the said county with that their statement is entitled to credit.  Ephraim Miller

I, John C Smallwood, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the said county of Gloucester, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the proceedings of the said court, in the matter of the application of William Easton for a Pension.  In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of the Office this 15th day of October 1832.  Smallwood CLR
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The State of New Jersey
Gloucester County
On the 15th day of October AD 1832 before me the subscriber one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the same county personally appears James Stedman age about seventy four years, who being duly sworn according to Law, saith that he is well acquainted with David Somers and knew him before and during the Revolutionary War - he knows that the said David Somers performed a great deal of service during the same war because the said David and this deponent were in the same company under the same Officers a considerable length of time during the same war.
The first service which they performed together was in October 1775 in a company commanded by Capt. John Somers in the  Somers Regiment we marched to Brigantine Beach where we captured a  transport ship called The Rebecca & Francis of (illegible).  She got offshore on the Beach, and was in danger of going to pieces the men left her and came ashore and we took them prisoners there was about 50 we took some of the guns from onboard of her, and whatever else was valuable such as sails rigging & there was a lone porter on board, which we
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got or some of it, this service lasted one month.
The next service we performed together was in March 1776 under Capt. John Somers in Col. Rich & Somers Battalion, we marched to Somers Point where we remained for a month and were discharged.
The next service that we performed together was in May 1776 under the same officers, it lasted one month and was at the same place Somers Point.
The next service that we performed together was the same place under the same officers in October 1776 it likewise lasted one month.
The next service that we performed together was in the month of March 1778 in a company commanded by Capt Samuel Snell in the Taylors Regiment, we paraded at Mays Landing and marched from there to Clam Town, now called Tuckerton where we had a skirmish with the Refugees, this service lasted one month.
The next service that we performed together was in September 1778 in a company commanded by Capt Sam Snell, lead Proctor commanded we marched to Leeds Point, from there to Somers Point where
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where Col Proctor laid out a Fort which we built, this service lasted two months.
The next service that we performed together was in the Eggharbour Guard so called. This service commenced the last of October 1778, and ended in October 1781 - during which time we had hard duty to perform: we were all the time under Capt Sam Snell in Col Taylors Regiment
Sworn &Subscribed
Oct 15, 1832 before
Ephraim Miller
James his X mark Stedman

State of New Jersey Gloucester County
On the 15th day of October AD 1832 before me the subscriber one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the County of Gloucester personally appeared William Easton of the same county age seventy five years who being duly sworn according to Law saith that he knew David Somers during the Revolutionary War and has known him ever since, he remembers that the same David Somers was with the service of the United States during the same War, and that he was in a company commanded by Capt Christopher Rape in Col Ellis Regiment, and that
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he was at Woodbury Red Bank and Gloucester during the time he was under Capt Rape because he this deponent was in Capt Rape's company at the same time this service was in October 1777 before and after the Battle of Red Bank.  He this deponent also remembers that the said David Somers was in the service from October 1778 to October 1781 in what was called the "Eggharbour Guard" and did a great deal of service during that period under Capt Sam Snell.
Sworn & Subscribed
October 15, 1832
Ephraim Miller

William his X mark Beaston

And I the said Ephraim Miller Judge as ap, do certify that the said James Stedman & William Beaston who have sworn & subscribed to the foregoing affidavit, are known to me to be credible persons, and that their affidavits are entitled to credit (illegible) 8, 1833
Ephraim Miller

I John C Smallwood Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Gloucester, do hereby certify that Ephraim Miller Esquire before whom the above affidavits appears to have been made was and is one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of said County duly commissioned and affirmed, and that the signature of said Judge thereto subscribed is genuine.
Witness my hand and Seal this fifteenth day of October AD eighteen hundred thirty two
Smallwod Clr
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Gloucester County: on the 21st day of January AD 1833 before me Ephraim Miller one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of said County personally appeared David Somers the same person who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration, who being duly sworn according to Law, saith that he has a very distinct recollection of the length of time that he served during the Revolutionary War, the whole time that he served during said War in a regular organized Corps was four years and one month, and was as follows, Seven months under Captain John Somers in Col Richard Somers Regt, five months under Capt Samuel Snell in the same Regiment part of the time, part of the time in Col Hillman's Regiment & the remainder in Col Taylor's Regt and one month under Capt Rape in Col Ellis Regt and three years in "the Eggharbour Guard" in a Company Commanded by Captain Samuel Snell under Taylor's Regiment and for which service as a private in said companies of four years and one month he claims a pension.
David Somers
Sworn & Subscribed the date above
Ephraim Miller

Gloucester County
I John C Smallwood Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of said County, do certify that Ephraim Miller Esq. before whom the above affidavit appears to have bee made, was and is one of the Judges of the said court duly commissioned and affirmed, and that the signature of the said Judge thereby subscribed is genuine.  Witness my hand & Seal January 21, 1833 Smallwood Clr
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State of New Jersey Gloucester County: on this twentieth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three before me the subscriber one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for the county aforesaid personally came James Somers who alleging himself to be conscientiously scrupulous of taking an oath and being duly affirmed according to Law upon his solemn affirmation saith that he this affirmant is seventy one years old and past and lives at Somers Point in this County on Eggharbor where he was bred and born.  He recollects the Eggharbor Guard distinctly - says the service of the Guard extended along the coast from Cape Island to Sandy Hook.  Its service was constantly required to prevent the Enemy from landing, seizing battle and other provisions and doing other injuries to the inhabitants wherever there were British repels on that front of our Coast.  This affirmant (crossed out: say) will recollect seeing David Somers engaged in actual service for the Eggharbor Guard - saw him at work at a Fort which was erected at the mouth of Eggharbor river.  The Fort was about two hundred yards from his, this affirmants, father's door.  Also at another Fort about one hundred yards off - this affirmant says he knows that the said David Somers was in the service in the Guard aforesaid, more than two years.  He believes that he was in the said service three years - but will not affirm to that length of time.  Has frequently seen the said David on parade in the said Guard and knows of his absence when the Guard was on duty elsewhere and the said David reported to be with it.  This affirmant cannot say in what years the said David served.  He does not recollect the dates so distinctly as to be able to specify them.  This affirmant says he served in the Guard with the said Somers several times when in his own neighborhood, but never anywhere else, and not there long enough to
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entitle him to a pension.
Affirmed and Subscribed before me the date above Michael C. Fisher
James Somers

I Michael C Fisher one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Gloucester before whom the written affidavit was taken do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the affirmant James Somers that he is a wealthy and respectable citizen of this County and that his affidavit is entitled to full credit and belief.

Witness my hand this twenty fifth day of February AD one thousand eight hundred and thirty three.  Michael C Fisher

I John C Smallwood Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the County of Gloucester do herby certify that Michael C Fisher Esquire, before whom the above affidavit was taken is one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the County aforesaid and that the name "Michael C Fisher" thereto subscribed is of the proper hand writing of the said Michael C Fisher.

Witness my hand and seal of office this twenty fifth day of February AD one thousand eight hundred and thirty three
Smallwood Clk
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State of New Jersey Gloucester County: On this twenty first day of February in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty three, before the subscriber one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Gloucester personally came Thompson Price who being duly sworn according to Law doth depose and say that he has a recollection of the Eggharbor Guard.  They were destined to protect the extensive line of Coast, between Cape Island and Sandy Hook from (illegible) of any sort from the British (illegible) to prevent their landing and molesting the inhabitants.  The Coast being such as to afford them facilities for so doing.  And also to protect that part of the County from the ravages of the Refugees who came there in great numbers from New York and elsewhere, on account of the sparse settlement of the Country and their easily secreting themselves in the extensive wilderness.  That he has a distinct recollection of David Somers having served in the Guard during the revolutionary war believes it was after the year 1778 but in what particular years will not say.  This deponent served in the Guard during its whole service, and feels confident that David Somers must have served at least as much as two years in the same - believes he served longer but how much will not say.  We were in several skirmishes with the refugees together.  David Somers and this deponent were in the same Company.  Recollects that this deponent, the said David, Zephaniah Steelman, Abe A Weston, James Steelman, Wm Beaston and John Jeffryes all served in the Guard together.  This deponent was born at Shrewsbury in Monmouth County in this State and moved to Eggharbor in his one and twentieth year and has been there ever since.  He will be eighty seven years old this
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fourteenth day of August next.  He has obtained a pension from the State of New Jersey for his services in the Guard during the Revolutionary War and further saith not.
Affirmed & Subscribed before me the date above Michael C Fisher
Thompson his X mark Price

I Michael C Fisher one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the County of Gloucester before whom the written affidavit was taken do hereby certify that I believe the above named deponent Thompson Price, to be a credible witness and that his affidavit is entitled to full credit and belief.  Witness my hand this twenty fifth day of February AD eighteen hundred and thirty three Michael C. Fisher

I John C Smallwood Clerk of the Inferior County of Common Pleas of the County of Gloucester do hereby certify that Michael C Fisher Esquire before whom the above affidavit was taken is one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of said county duly commissioned and affirmed, and that the name Michael C Fisher thereto subscribed is the proper hand writing of him the said Michael C Fisher.  Witness my hand and seal of Office this twenty fifth day of February AD eighteen hundred & thirty three Smallwood Car
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Rev War 4868
INVALID
File No. 4868
David Somers
Prvt Rev War
Act: June 7th 1832
Index:-Vol. One, Page 352
[Arrangement of 1870]