Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 7100, John Eldridge, New Jersey
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(3-1776)
Service | Number

New Jersey | Eldridge, John or Eldrege |  W.7100

Rebecca 

Contents
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[Left side of page - damaged/torn]

17.662
New Jersey
______________________________
John Eldridge
of Monmouth Co. in the State of New Jersey who was a private in the company commanded
by Captain Stillwell of the Regt [Reg] commanded
by Col. Holmes in the New Jersey Militia
line for 2 years.
______________________________
[Subsc]ribed on the Roll of New Jersey
[at a r]ate of 80 Dollars per annum, [to commen]ce on the 4th day of March, 1831.
_______________________________
[Illegible] [D]ate of Pension issued the 11 day of September 1833 and sent to J. M. Hartshorne
Freehold
_______________________________
[illegible - in arrears?]s to the 4th of Sept. 1823  200.-
[semi?] [an?] nl. allowance ending 4 Mar '34 40.-
_______________
$240.-
_______________
{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by Jms Cuffield Clerk,
Book E Vol. 3 Page 110

[Right side of page] [vertical page crease]
Pay & [unfunded ?] 8 May 1835
to agent [account] Justice to[Jehu?] Patterson Esq same date [let] J Pullman [?] 22 May 1835
w/[let] John [Jehu] Pallerson [Patterson] 5 Nov 1835
Set Hon James Parker 11 Jan 1836

Let [P] [Dickinson] 12 March 1836
Let Hon James Parker 12 March 1836
clo. to John [Jehu] Patterson 4 April 1839
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2796
New Jersey
Rebecca Eldridge
widow of John Eldridge N.J. who served in the Revolutionary was [war], as a private

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars --- Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.

Certificate of Pension issued the 4 day of Jan 1849
and sent to P. Dickinson
Trenton
N.J.

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 292 Vol. 4

[Right side of page]
Ressnted
Jany 4/ 49
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Declaration of John Eldridge in order to
obtain the benefit of the act of Congress
passed June 7. 1832-
State of New Jersey
Monmouth County, ss: }

on this thirty first
day of July ---
in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty
two, personally appeared in open Court
before the Judges of the Inferior Court of
Common Pleas in & for the County of Monmouth, now sitting, John Eldridge, a resident in the township of Middletown in
the said County of Monmouth & State of
New Jersey, seventy three years of age on the
twenty third day of May last, 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 7. 1832 -
That he entered the service of the
United States under the following named
officers, & served as herein stated-
That in the spring of the year 1776,
being a resident of the said township of Middletown, he entered the said service in a
militia company, commanded by Captain
Joseph Stillwell, & that he continued in
such service under the said Captain &
the others hereinafter named, in the manner hereinafter stated, until the close of the
war in 1782. That the company officers under whom he served during the said time beside the said Capt Stillwell were, Captain David
Gorden, Capt[n] Moses Shepherd, Capt[n] Barnes Smock, Capt[n] Woods
Woods from Cumberland
County New Jersey, Captain John [Joshua] Huddy, Captain Peter Schanck [Schenck], & upon a certain occasion as herein
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after stated Captain John Schanck [Schenck]- That he served under the aforesaid Captains, respectively in the order they are mentioned, but as to the particular period [periods] of each engagement he is totally incapable of specifying. That he served under Capt [n] Stilwell he thinks two months in
the month service - under Captain Gorden
one tour in the six months service - under
Captain Shepherd [about - scratched out] first about six months in the month service, & afterward one town [tour] in the twelve months service - under Captain Smock two months in the month service under - Captain Woods one tour in the six months service- Under Huddy two months in the month service - & under Capt.[n] Schanck [Schenck] likewise two months in the month service.
That his Field officers during the time of said
service were Major Elisha Walton, Colonel
Asher Holmes & Genl David Forman - That the
service in which he was engaged during the
said time was, the guarding the shore
principally along the said township of Middletown, & never out of the said County of Monmouth. That he never served with
any continental regiment or company, & know [knew] none of the regular officers except Lieutenant Tenbrook Stout with whom he was well acquainted, but in what particular regiment of the regular line he served he does not know-
That at all times while in said service he
entered in obedience to his draft, or call as it
was termed. That he never entered as a substitute. That his marches as before stated were entirely confined to said County of Monmouth, & generally along the sea coast of the said County.
That while in said service he was engaged in
several skirmishes in said County, once particularly at Sandy Hook where in a party composed of
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twenty men, under the command of himself,
the aforesaid Capt[n] John [Joshua?] Huddy of the New Jersey Militia, was rescued from a party of (as was stated by some prisoners that were taken) about one hundred tories - That on a certain occasion, before referred to, while under Captain John Schanck [Schenck] he was engaged in a skirmish with the tories at Conaskonk [Conaskunk?]. That he was
also engaged in the fight at the Block House
at Tom's River, where his captain the said John [Joshua] Huddy was taken Prisoner by the Tories, & the whole party composed of thirty men, with the exception of himself & two -others were killed or taken prisoners- That he has at present no record of his age, the Bible in which it was written having been lost or destroyed during the war. That he now lives in the township of Middletown, in the said County of Monmouth, where he resided as before stated when first called into service, & where he has ever lived since the revolutionary war - That he never received any discharge from the service & that he has no documentary evidence of such service - but has understood that a Muster Roll of Captain Shepherd's Company has been found & that his name is among the
number.- That he has no doubt that he
was in actual service at least three years -
That Barnes I. [J.] Smock, James Wall, John L. Bennet, John Chassey,
Captain John Schanck [Schenck], John Brown and
[Chrineyonce] Schenck are acquainted with, & will testify to his service. He hereby
relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
Sworn to & subscribed the
day & year aforesaid}
John X Eldridge his Mark

John Headdon [John Headden]
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New Jersey Monmouth County SS. We Barnes I [J] Smock James Wall John L Bennet and John Chasey of the County of Monmouth Do hereby Certify
that we are well acquainted with John
Eldridge who has subscribed & sworn to the [this] above declaration and that we believe
him to be Seventy three years of age, and
know him to be a soldier of the Revolution
having each of us served with him during
that period, and that we believe from our
personal knowledge of his service at that
time that he was in service at least three years, and that he is [illegible]
reputed [respected] and believed to have been a soldier of the revolution w/[in] his [illegible] [neighborhood] but we individually know that fact, that he
is a credible person and that his declaration and statement is entitled to full
credit-
Sworn to & subscribed
in open Court this
day & year afr}
[John Headden]

Barnes I[J] Smock
James Wall
John L Bennet
John Chasey

John Headder

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 Barnes
I.[J] Smock, James Wall, John L. Bennet & John
Chasey, who have signed the preceding certificate are residents in the County of Monmouth, New Jersey, & are credible persons & that their statement is entitled to credit-
William Lloyd
John Hull
John Headder} [John Headden]
Judges of the said
Court
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State of New Jersey
Monmouth County [ss] ⎬ 
on this first
day of October in the year of our Lord
one Thousand Eight Hundred & Forty Six
Personally appeared before me Elijah
Stout one of the Judges of the Court of
Common pleas in and for said County
Rebecca Eldridge a resident of Middletown
in said County & State aged Eighty five
who being first duly sworn according to
law doth on her oath make the following
declaration in order to obtain the benefit
of the act of Congress of the third of March
1843 and the 17th of June 1844 entitled acts
granting half pay and pensions to certain
Widows-[=] That she is the widow of John
Eldridge who was a Soldier in the war
of the Revolution and that he drew a
Pension from Government at the rate
of Eighty dollars per annum.[=]That she
does not recollect much of his services - but
has heard him speak of being at
the Block House at Tom's River in the aforesaid
County. That she refers the office to the
Papers on file in the department in her
husbands case
She further declares that she was married
to the said John Eldredge in June one
Thousand Seven Hundred [&] Eighty three by
Joseph Stilwell Esqr [Esq] a Justice of the peace
in the Township of Middletown & State of
New Jersey (but has no record of her
marriage) and she further declares
that her husband the aforesaid John
Eldridge died on the Twenty Seventh
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of February Eighteen hundred & forty four
That she was not married to him
Prior to his leaving the service, but
the marriage took place prior to
the first day of January Seventeen
hundred and ninety four viz at the time
above Stated
Sworn & Subscribed to
before me the day & year
above written}
[Elijah Stout]

Rebecca X Eldridge her mark

Elijah Stout

I do hereby certify that the above named
Rebecca Eldridge is a respectable person and that her statement is entitled to Credit
I do hereby further certify that the said
Rebecca Eldridge, from old age and
bodily infirmities is unable to attend
Court
Elijah Stout
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V.L.M.
Rev. War Section, [.]

August 13, 1912.

Mr. T. B. Eldridge,
Raleigh, N. C.

Sir:
In reply to your letter dated the 9th and received the 12th instant, by reference from the Hon. F. M. Simmons, U. S. Senate, you are advised that from the papers in the claim,
Wid. File No. 7,100, Rev. War, it appears that John Eldridge was born at Middletown, Monmouth County, New Jersey, May 23,
1759, and while residing there, entered the service in the Spring of 1776, in Captain Joseph Stilwell's company New Jersey Militia; while on duty under said Captain, guarding the
shore, he was surprised by the British, taken prisoner carried to New York and there confined in the Sugar House,
seeing [Seeing] many prisoners die there, he became alarmed and consented to join the British Army as a means of escape. An opportunity soon came, and he ran away and returned home. He then joined the American troops, continuing in such service at
various times until [crossed out - the close of the War in] 1782, under the
following officers: Captains Joseph Stilwell, David Gordon, Moses Shepherd, Barnes [,] Smock, Woods, Joshua Huddy, Peter
Schenck, John Schenck and Walling, and Colonel Asher Holmes,
He was in skirmishes at Sandy Hook, Conaskonk, and at the
Block House on Tom's River, and was in actual service three years.
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Wid. File No. 7, 100 - 2
He was allowed pension on an application executed July 31, 1832, while a resident of Middletown Township, Monmouth
County, New Jersey. He married in Middletown Township, New Jersey, in June, 1783, Rebecca Edwards, and died February 27,
1844.  She was allowed pension on an application executed October 1, 1846, while a resident of Middletown, New Jersey,
aged eighty-five years.
A large family of children is referred to, but no names are stated other than their son William.
You are further advised respectfully, 
J. L.  Davenport,
Commissioner.
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Amendatory affidavit of John Eldridge
State of New Jersey
Monmouth County} SS: Personally appeared before me
the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, John Eldridge who being duly sworn
deposeth and saith, that he is the identical John Eldridge named in the original Declaration for a Pension numbered 4067
by the War Department, and 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 this recollection he entered the Militia of New Jersey in the month of May (the particular day he cannot State)
in year 1770, for he recollects that it was about six weeks before the arrival of the Brittish Fleet at Sandy Hook and that he served therein, not less than the periods mentioned
below and in the following grades: that he served under Capt. Joseph Stillwell & Cornelius Van cleafe Lieutenant part of the month of May, the months of June July August
September and November in the year 1776, guarding the coast of Middletown at and near Sandy Hook: that during the month of December this year the militia were obliged to
lay down their arms, but they resumed them again immediately 
after the success of Washington at Trenton & Princeton.
that although he has stated in his declaration, that he served two months under the said Capt. Stillwell, yet when he comes to reflect upon the subject, he is certain that he served in said Company until the month of December
that year; for the Convention of New Jersey made an order in June that year that the Company under Capt Stillwell should be continued in service until further order, which further order never came, to this applicant's knowledge: that in the month of January 1777 he was called out in the regular monthly service, and served during that year at least four months in tours of one month each [,]
to wit: the months June August October & December, he this applicant being sick and unable to perform duty during the
winter and spring of this year: that in the year 1778 he served at least six months in tours of one month
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each to wit: the month [months] of February April June August October and December, and the month [months] of February and
April in the year 1779: that this was called the month service, where the militia were called out every other month alternately: that they were divided off into districts and that Moses Shepherd was the captain of the district and Company in which he belonged, and all the
last named service was performed under the said Capt Shepherd, except two months under Capt. Smock and two months under one Capt. Walling whom he had forgotten when he made his original Declaration: that all this service was performed along the coast of Monmouth County guarding it from the ravages of the Brittish & Tories, in the grade of a private: that he served a tour of six months in the militia of New Jersey, under Captain David Gordon Lieutenant not remembered, beginning in the
month of June (the particular day he cannot state) in the year 1779 and ending in the month of December in the same year 1779, to wit, part of the month of June the months
of July August September October, November and part of the month of December: that this service was performed in the grade of a private, guarding the shores of Middletown, their head quarters being in the Village of Middletown: that after this time he served in the month service again until the month of April in the year 1780, but cant tell particularly under what officers: that he then, in
the month of April 1780 enlisted in a company of Militia commanded by the said Capt. Moses Shepherd, Lambert Johnston was the Lieut. of said Company, and served in said Company, under the said officers a tour of one year, beginning in the month of April (the day he cannot state) in the year 1780, and ending in the month of April 1781, to wit: part of
the month of April, the months of May June July August, September October November and December in the year 1780, and the
months of January February March & part of April in the year 1781; that this tours service was performed in the grade of
a private, guarding the shores as aforesaid at and near Sandy Hook, their head quarters being in the Village of
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Middletown: that immediately after this time about the first of May 1781 he enlisted in the said militia again under one Captain Woods, Lieut Black & Ensign Vincent, and served in said Company, under the said officers a tour
of six months, beginning about the first of May in the year 1781 and ending about the first of November same year: to wit: the months of May June July August September &
October; [:] that this tour of service was performed in the grade of a private, guarding the shores as aforesaid, their head quarters being at Middletown aforesaid: that the said
company under the said Capt. Woods had been sent from Cumberland County to relieve in some measure the militia of this County and were totally strangers, and this applicant besides being a Soldier in said Company was a guide to the same: that he never received any discharge from any of the said service: that after this time in year 1782 he served
in the militia of New Jersey at least four months under Captains Huddy & Schanck in the month service, but cannot State the particulars, the tours being short, and not so regular as in the beginning: that for this service he claims a pension. [:]
that he was born in Middletown Monmouth County New Jersey on the 23d day of May 1759 and has resided there ever since.
that he is known to the Revd Benjamin Bennett and William Wilson in his present neighborhood who can testify as to his
character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution: that he served with an embodied corps called into service by the authority of the Laws of this
State: that he served in field and not in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed he was not employed in any civil pursuit.

Sworn to and subscribed before
me Justice as above mentioned
July 8th A.D. 1833. It being first
read to him.}
[Thos. C Throckmorton]

John X
Eldridge
his Mark

Thos C Throckmorton 

I Daniel H Ellis Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Monmouth in the State ┃
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of New Jersey, do hereby certify that Thomas C. Throckmorton (before whom the foregoing amendatory affidavit
was sworn to and subscribed and who has signed his name to the Jurat [jurat] thereof) and Ezra Osborn (before whom the annexed certificate was sworn to and [sub] subscribed, and who has signed his name to the jurat
thereof and to the certificate below it) are and were at the dates thereof respectively enrolled in my office as Justices of the Peace in and for the said County and that they are severally duly commissioned and sworn into office as such, and that full faith and credit are due and ought to be given to all their official acts as such: and that the signature
"Thos [.] C. Throckmorton" signed to the foregoing and the
Signatures ""Ezra Osborn" Signed to the annexed are severally and respectively the true hand writings and genuine signatures of the said Justices.

In witness whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and seal of office
this ninth day of July
in the year of our Lord
one thousand eight
hundred and thirty
three
D.H. Ellis clerk
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We Benjamin Bennett a clergyman residing in the Township of Middletown, County of Monmouth, and State of New Jersey
and William Willson residing in the same
place hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Eldridge who has sworn to and subscribed the annexed amendatory affidavit.[:] that we believe him
to be seventy four years of age: that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution: and to be a
man of good character for truth and veracity [,] and that we concur in that opinion:
Sworn to and subscribed, before me
Justice of the Peace of Monmouth County
New Jersey July 8th 1833}
[Ezra Osborn Justice of the peace]

Benjamin Bennet
William Wilson
Ezra Osborn Justice of the peace

And I the said Ezra Osborn Justice as aforesaid
do hereby certify that, it appears to me that
Benjamin Bennett who had signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman resident in the said Township
County and State and that William Willson who has also signed the same, is a resident in the same place
and is a credible person, and that their statement is
entitled to credit. In witness whereof I have hereunto
set my hand this 8th the day of July AD. 1833
Ezra Osborn Justice [of the peace]
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Supplementary Affidavit of John Eldrige Taken before me this
27th day of February 1836
he being [cou ill.] and sworn according to Law did depose and say that the Reson [reason] he did not mention in his first affidaved [affadavit] made before the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Monmouth - that he was out under the command
of Capt Joseph Stillwell - and that he was taken Prisoner whilst out
under his command. Was that he was informed by these he employed to Draw that affidavit -that if he [ill.] two years actual service it was sufficient to entitle him to full pay - and knowing as he Did that after he got clear of the British -and Returned home
he was out in actual service in the field and Garrison for
more time then [than] two year[s] - he thought it was not necessary to say
any thing about his services under Stillwell and his being taken
prisoner Whilst out under him - but as it appears by the letters
he has heard read from the pension office at Washington he is led
to believe it is necessary
for him to detale [detail] this services - in the
first place in the year 1776 about the first of June of that year
this Deponent with his father and three Brothers- Were Called out
under the command of Capt Joseph Stillwell - thay [they] were stationed at
a house near the West End of the highland of Navasink [Neversink] - thay [they] at that time
were on the look out for the British fleet which arrived some time
about the last of July of that year in the Bay of Sandy Hook - there [their]
Duty was to gard [guard] the shores, and to keep there [their] boats from landing - he
was out as much as 5 or six months in the year before the party to which he was detaled [detailed] was taken - this was between Christmas &
New year - there came on shore a Brig loaded with Wine Brandey [brandy]
[sharets] and oringes [oranges].  thay [they] were sent on the Beach for the purpos[e] of
keeping off the Boats from landing and taking out the cargo - the
Brig laid broadside, thay laid behind her [,] and keep the boats off for
two Day, and all this time thay [they] were Gitten [getting] out what they could &
sending it to Black Point - on the Second Day near night, a party of
Men crossed from the highland, in a [sean ill.], and come on there [their] boats and
made them all prisoners - as to the time this happened he would not
be able to state was it not he will recollect it was at the time the
fleet came in to the Bay - he knows he was out before the fleet came in -
and he remembers well [-] that they were taken between Christmas and
New year - after they were made prisoners [-] they were marched into
Sandy Hook then in possession of the Enemy and put on board of a ship
that
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were paying [laying] to Anker [anchor] apparent the Late house [hours] - there they were detained 1 [a?] Day - and most inhumanely treated - several of them were boys - they were then sent to New York [-] and were put in the Shuger [Sugar] house
here he became alarmed the prisoners War  Dying Dayle [were dying daily] like Rotten Sheep
the officers came Daly [daily] to the prison to persuade them to enlist [let out] - he at
Last with several others consulted together and they come [came] to the Conclusion
to enlist [list out] and Run away the first opportunity which they did
with the full Determination to Die Rether [Rather] then [than] again be taken - he
ran away the first opportunity he got joined the American troops
and in his first affidaved [affidavit] he detaled [detailed] what took place after this

Sworn and Subscribed before me
the day and year above mentioned} John X Eldridge his mark

Jehu Patterson one of the Judges
of the Court of Common Pleas in and
for the County of Monmouth

[John X Eldrege
his mark]
Page 19

Red Bank N.J.
June 10- [1st]?

Free

N.J. June 5

J.L. Edwards Esqr.
Pention [Pension] Office
War Department
Washington City
Page 20

Middletown Monmouth N Jersey May 29th 1835

Respected Sir/

I received yours of the 22d whilst at Trenton - in [on] my return home found that of the 8th thereby which I understand the Re[a]son that Mr Eldrige pay is ordered Stopt for the Present- is his name not appe[a]ring on that old pay role [roll] I sent you- if you examin[e] it- you will find it was made out for the purpose of obtaining an order from General David Forman on the officer
who held those monies at that time for a Monts [months] pay to all those that were taken on the 13th of February 1777 if I have been
rightly informed- John Eldrege was Not Taken at that time he had a brother that was by the Name of Jonathan - he was taken on the Beach with several others- whilst defending a Sc[h]ooner that had been driven a shore from the Landing of the Enemy in the Jonall [small] Boats- the said Sc[h]ooner had a cargo of Shuger [sugar] on bo[a]rd- they Ware [were] Su[r]prised that Night by a party of British and Torys from Sandy hook - he was carried to New York- on his ar[r]ival there - the offer was made to them- they found that they ware [were] dying by hundred in these Prisons - he came to the conclusion to inlist and renew [run on] the first chance- with the determination never again to be taken
knowing he must die if he was- his dispret[desperate] escap[e] from the Black [Block] house (which I expect you are informed of) at Toms river at the time Capt Huddy was Taken is full proof of this- the first chance he left them and returned home- he imeditly [immediately] joined our Troops and Became Disporat [desperate]- I remember him well- have seen him with the Troops offen [often] - from what is here stated you will see planely [plainly] the Re[a]son why his name is not in [on] that pay Role [roll]- because he had inlisted in the British Service - but from this service he soon made his escape at the time or there abouts of his return home-  there was a Company from the County of Cumberland (I Believe) Command by a Capt Wood they were quartered at my fathers for about 3 weeks- this same John Eldrige [Eldrege] Joined them and become there [their] guide- how long he continued I can't say, it is unnecessary for me to give a history of this brave mans [illegible] [conduct] as now in circulation and believed here for I expect that in Making out his
Papers he has given a full detale [detail] of them to the war department- you must know me by Carricter [character] and I must think that you will give some wit
Page 21

to my statement-- I should be ple[a]sed to receive a Line from you stating that this Brave old Sold[i]er was reinstated on the Pention [pension] list. I will see what further proff [proof] James Baund [Bound?] can make in regard to his [Service ill.] in Capt Shephard Company - and if any will send it enemedilly [immediately]- from
What Eldrig [Eldreg] says I have no daut [doubt] but that [Baun? ill.] is a Disarving [deserving] man those old men are all most [almost] gon[e] from this world together/ [to an other] and it is difficult for them to obtain prufe [proof]

I remane [remain] Dear Sir yours
Sincerely
Jehu Patterson


N B be ple[a]sed to direct your
Letters to Jehu Patterson and
Not to John
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[postmark] [TR_ _ _ON N.J.]TRENTON N.J. [ill.]

[stamp] FREE

[left side] Im. at. May 22
Jno Eldridge [Eldredge] pending
Jas. Bauns [Bound] case

J L. Edward [Esqr]
Pention [Pension] Office
Washington City
Page 23

Council Chamber Trenton 19th May 1835

Dear Sir/

I have just Received information from Mr Dickerson President of the Trenton Bank- that you have given him orders to replace Quinton Daughty on the Pention [Pension] list- and at the same Time ordered the suspention [suspension] of John Eldridge [Eldredg]Pay for the present- it is gratifying to me Sir and to the Neighbourhood to know that this poor Solder [Soldier] is placed again on the pay role [roll] of his Contery [country]- for the cause of which he suffered in
the time of the Revolution so severely- but sir I must Express my suprise [surprise] - and Cant conjecter [conjecture]- for what the name of John Eldridge is suspended, and his pay for the present stop[p]ed- he perhaps is better known in the Township of Middletown, County of Monmouth, as a solder [soldier] of the Revolution than the most of that Mediteres [Military] Band- for his Deponent [ill.] value every child of that day must by Reputation remember any that Were old enuf [enough] to remember those times-- he was taken When a boy by the Enemy- inlisted out-. Ran away from them imeditly [immediately] took his Gun with a full determination Not again to
be taking [taken] by them alive - and his merakles [miraculous] escape from the Black [Block] house in which Joshua Huddy was taken who
Corrector [connection] has become known in the history of the Revolution by his being hanged on the beach by the Refugees under the highlands of the Navesink-- Brave [to] this determination when this day [boy] Pen[ran]- (for it was Nothing More) was approached by this Band of Tories- Rushing up to it very case [ill.]- he strung over and through a tremendes [tremendous] fire from them made his escape unhurt- this man with a few of his comrad[e]s ware [were] the
Page 24

very fast [last] to say [lay] by there [their] guns - I do not remember anything of him until he ran away from the British in 78 and from thence to the close of the war I remember him Well- have often seen him out with our troops- his name
was sounded through the Neighbourhood as one of those different men who know no feer [fear]-  for What such a man as this should
be stri[c]ken from your list I cant conceive - My Dear Sir these men feel very Near to me- I Remember there [their] suffering I Ware [were] too young at that time to have much to do with it but- I Remember there [their] feers [fears] - thre[a]ts and suffering and these War [were] endured for me and you.  We were too young to take a part in them - I wish not to state any thing to you or  to any man - but the facts- I wroght [wrote] to Mr Dickerson the Secretary of the Navy- and sent him a list of the names of the Soldiers taken on the 13th of February 1777 on which list the Name of Qinten Dauty was- which I expect has
come to your hands - you will be so good my dear sir to let me know why Eldri[d]ge pay is suspended and what is done with the application of James Baun- the Court of
[ill.] is Now in seshing [session] of which I am a member ['and shall' crossed out] and shall remain at Trenton for a week or 10 day- you will Pleas[e] to direct any communication you may have for me to this place (if the same should be in that time) if not Direct them to Middletown Monmouth County New Jersey- any information you may wish to obtain of My
Carrecter [character] you may have by inquiring of Mr Dickerson the Secretary
Page 25

of the Navy  With Grate [Great] Respect I have the honor to
Subscribe my [self yours]
Sincerely
Jehu Patterson

J L Edwards [Esqr]
Commissioner of Pentions [Pensions]
Page 26

4067
John Eldridge

2 yrs
to
J M Hartshome [Hartshorne]
Freehold

D.H. Ellis
Page 27

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
April 30 1833

Sir:

The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined and herewith [ill. horizontal paper crease] 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, shewing the Service of
[table follows with 6 columns; column headings are as follows:]

(1) [Period when the service was rendered.]
(2) Duration of the claimant's service. [sub-headings:]  Years.  Months.  Days.
(3) Rank of the claimant.
(4) Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.
(5) Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.
(6) Proof by which the declaration is supported.

[no data is entered on the table]
[end of table]

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

Mr John Eldridge
Page 28

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, [ill. horizontal crease in paper] 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  [blank]}
County of [blank] } 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] aged (c) [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: [blank]

[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 th(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

[hand-written at bottom of. page:] General allegations afford no check by which their
thereline [traveling] be dated in detail as above required
Page 29

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 [illegible][Regiments? Horizontal paper crease] and the general circumstances of your services.
6. {To a Soldier. { Did your ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom 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 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 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 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 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 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 place[s] 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] 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 sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

[following hand-written at bottom of page:] accuracy may be ascertained. Each term of service must [ill.]
Page 30

Freehold, New Jersey.
July 10th, 1833
Sir,
Herewith are enclosed the papers of Joseph Combs, John, Eldridge, John Carhart, Daniel Walling applicants for Pensions. You will confer a great favor by examining these papers immediately, and if allowed by enclosing the certificates to me.
I am Respectfully
your Obt [Obd.] Servt.
J. M. Hartshome. [Hartshorne.]


J.L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 31

V.L.M.

August 13, 1912.

Hon. F. M. Simmons,
United States Senate.
My dear Senator:

In response to the letter of Mr. T. B.
Eldridge, of Raleigh, North Carolina, dated the ninth, and
received by your reference on the twelfth instant, I have
the honor to inclose such information relative to his inquiries
as the records of this Bureau afford,
Very respectfully,
J. L. Davenport
Commissioner.
Page 32

[Stamp] U. S. PENSION OFFICE D NOV 26 1917
Page 33

Pen Sec [ill.]

Long Branch Nov 23 1917.

To the Bureau of Pensions:

Will you please send me the Military history of John Eldridge Monmouth Co N. J.  He was a Private in the Revolutionary War and served under different Captains.

Mrs Ada W. Shaughnessy
28 Slocum Place
Long Branch
N. J.
Page 34

319 Irving Ave.
Port Chester, N.Y

Pension Office
War Dept:

Will you kindly send me whatever data and information you may have on your records in regard to one John Eldridge of Middletown, N.J. a pensioner of the Revolutionary War.

Thanking for the consideration  I know this will receive.

I am, your truly
Caroline Eldridge McDermott
319 Irving Ave.
Port Chester, N.Y.

[stamp:] U.S. PENSION OFFICE D JUN 4 1914
Page 35

[stamp:] U.S. PENSION OFFICE AUG 12 1912
Page 36

[envelope]
United States Senate,
COMMITTEE ON ENGROSSED BILLS.
FREE.

[post mark] WASHINGTON AUG 10 11-PM 1912
F.M. Simmons
U.S.S.


Hon. Jas. L. Davenport,
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.
Page 37

Raleigh, N.C.
Aug. 9, 1912.

The Commissioneer of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:

Upon making inquiry recently in regard to the services of certain of my ancestors in the Revolution and the War of 1812, I was referred by the War Department to your office.

I have been informed that Eli, William and John Eldridge served in the Revolution from New Jersey, but the records of the War Department are silent as to the first named and incomplete as to the other two. 

It appears that three persons of the same name served in the War of 1812, either from New Jersey or Pennsylvania. I have it from members of the family, who were living when Eli died in 1854, that he was "in charge at Fort Mifflin" in 1812, from which I have inferred that he was an officer. 

If the records of the Pension Bureau show anything in regard to these military records, I will thank you for such information as you can give me.

Very truly yours,
[T.B. Eldridge]
TBE-AHW.

[Ill.] furnished for Eli & Wm Rev War & Eli, Wm & John War 1812
Aug 13 1912
Page 38

Mankato Minn.
Sept. 5, 1912

Pension Office
Washington D.C.

Kindly give me any information this office can furnish of John Eldridge of Middletown N. J. whom fought in the Revolution

Respectfully
(Mrs) Robt. S. Willard
229 Van Brunt St.

(stamp)
U. S. PENSION OFFICE. SEP 7 1912
Page 39

[Left page]
1912 Aug. 13 Hist to T. B.
Eldrige thro Hon. F.M.
Simmons U. S. Senate V. L.
_____
1912 Sept. 13 Hist to 
Mrs. Robt. S. Willard [ill.]
__________
1914 June 6. Hist to Mrs. C
E. McDermott. V. L. all
1917 Nov. 30 Hist. to Mrs. A. W. Sha[ughnassy]

[Right page]
Revy Widow, &c.

File No. 7100
Rebecca Edridge
Wid.
John Eldridge
Pvt. Rev: War
___
Act. Feby, 2d, /[ill.]8
Index:--Vol. H [?], Page 214

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 40

Washington City D. C. Oct 15th  '46

Sir,
I herewith transmit the application and papers of Mrs Rebecca Eldridge/widow of John Eldridge a pensioner of New Jersey

Very respectfully
J M Thayer
Page 41

Treasury Department 
Third Auditor's Office
October 15th 1846

Sir,
In reply to your letter of this date, I have to inform you that it appears from the Books of this office that, John Eldridge late a pensioner of the New Jersey Agency under the act of 7th June 1832, died on the 27th February 1844.

Very respectfully 
Your Obt. Servt.
Peter Hagner Aud.

J. M. Thayer Esq
Washington City, D.C.
Page 42

John Eldridge N. J. Act 7 June 1832 $80.00 per annum
To what time was he last paid
G.C.A.
Pension Office
Oct 21 1846

Died 27th February 1844, paid in full to that date 
A. B. T.
Page 43

No 9081
Rebecca Eldridge
widow of John 
N. J.   125 [ill.]
Act March 1843 & 44

Admd 2 years priv
$80.00 per an
from 22d Feby [?] 1844

J. M Thayer Esq
Present
Page 44

Trenton Sept 13 1848

Sir
I enclose herewith the Declarations of Rebecca Eldridge, Mary Johnson, and Euphemia Willet who are entitled under the act of Feby 2, 1848.

Be pleased to forward the certificates to William Morford Esquire Middletown, Monmouth County N. Jersey.

In your letter of the 11th inst I am directed to inscribe under act Feby 2 1848, Hannah Turner at the rate of one hundred dollars - She drew under the act of 1844, one hundred & twenty dollars - I presume it was your intention to order the inscription at the same rate.

Very respectfully 
Your Ob: servant
Phil Dickinson 
P. A.  N. Jersey

J. L. Edwards Esq
Commr of Pensions
Washington
Page 45

Washington 4 March 1836

Sir
I enclose a supplementary affidavit of John Eldridge, in relation to his Pension claim which I hope will be satisfactory and am very respectfully

Yr. obt Servt
James Parker

James L. Edwards Esq
Comm of Pensions
Page 46

9081
Rebecca Eldridge
widow of John
NJ
Act 3 March 1843
Married 1783
husband died 22 Feby 1844
Page 47

State of New Jersey Monmouth County 

I Daniel Christopher Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County being a court of record do hereby certify that Elijah Stout Esq is now a Judge of said court, and a Justice of the Peace for said county: dwelling in said County duly commissioned and sworn and authorized to do and perform all acts appertaining to said office of Judge and Justice: And further that to all his acts as such Judge and Justice, full faith and credit are due, and of right, should be given.

In testimony whereof I have [herewold?] set my hand and the seal of said Court at Freehold this sixth day of October AD eighteen hundred and forty six (1846)

Daniel Christopher Clk
Page 48

State of New Jersey Monmouth County ss }

On this first day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & forty six Personally appeared before me Elijah Stout one of the Justices of the peace in and for the county aforesaid [Jehu] Patterson Esq of Middletown in said county & state who being first duly sworn according to law deposeth & saith that he is upwards of eighty years of age has always resided in the township of Middletown, that he has been married about fifty years. That he was well acquainted with John Eldridge of the aforesaid Township, That it was reported that the said John Eldridge was married to Rebecca Eldridge some time before this [ill.] was married, That the said John Eldridge & Rebecca Eldridge always lived together and passed as man & wife and have raised a large family of children. 
Jehu Patterson

I do hereby certify that John Patterson Esq is a highly respectable person and that his statement is entitled to full credit 

Sworn & subscribed to before me the day & year above written
Elijah Stout
Page 49

State of New Jersey Monmouth County ss }

On this first day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & forty six Personally appeared before me Elijah Stout one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid Leah Malson who being first duly sworn according to law deposeth & saith that she is eighty two years of age has always resided in the township of Middletown that she was married in  the year seventeen hundred & eighty two. That she was well acquainted with John Eldridge of said township. That shortly after this deponents marriage. That it was reported that the said John Eldridge was married to Rebecca Eldridge (then Rebecca Edwards) that the said John Eldridge & Rebecca Eldridge have always lived together as man & wife and have raised a large family of children
Leah Malson X her mark

Sworn & subscribed to before me the day & year above written
Elijah Stout

I do hereby certify that the above named Leah Malson is a respectable person and that her statement is entitled to full credit
Elijah Stout
Page 50

State of New Jersey Monmouth County ss }

On this tenth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & forty six Personally appeared before me Elijah Stout one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid Thomas Shepherd Esq of Middletown in said county who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he is fifty six years of age has always resided in Middletown in the county & state aforesaid was well acquainted with John Eldridge and Rebecca Eldridge had known them as long as he can remember, they lived together as man & wife and raised a large family of children, in the year 1791 and 1792 deponant went to school, William Eldridge son of John & Rebecca Eldridge attended the same school, the said William was younger than deponant= deponant was with John Eldridge the night he died wich was on the twenty seventh of February eighteen hundred & forty four - a short time before he died he called for his wife, She Rebecca Eldridge went to him he told her he was most gone and bid her good bye
Thomas Shepherd

Sworn to & subscribed to the day & year first above written
Elijah Stout

I do hereby certify that Thomas Shepherd Esq is a highly respectable man and that his statement is entitled to full credit
Elijah Stout
Page 51

(left side)
Repd [Refs?]

(right side)
New Jersey 7995
Rebecca Eldridge
widow of John Eldridge
who was a private
in the Revolution
Husbd. died 22d Feby 1844

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars -- Cents per annum, to commence on the 22 Feby 1844 -

Certificate of Pension issued the 24th day of Oct. 1846 and sent to J. M. Thayer, Present.

(Acts of March 3, 1843.
and June 7 1844)

Recorded in Book A.
Vol. 2. Page 95.
Page 52

Rebecca Eldridge
aw
7995
Page 53

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress of 2d February 1848, entitled "An act making further provision for surviving widows and soldiers of the Revolution"

State of New Jersey Monmouth Co ss }

On this fourth day of September, 1848, personally appeared before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, Rebecca Eldridge, a resident of Middletown, in the County of Monmouth aged eighty eight years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed on the 2d February 1848, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War. That she is the widow of John Eldridge, who was a private during the War of the Revolution, and that she drew a pension of eighty Dollars per annum, under the Act of 17th June, 1844. She further declares that she is still a widow
Rebecca Eldridge
X her mark

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written, before
Thomas Shepherd Justice of the Peace 
George Eldredge

I certify that the above named [affiant?] is personally known to me, and that she is the same individual who drew a pension as stated by her in the foregoing affidavit
Thomas Shepherd Justice of Peace
Page 54

Monmouth Pleas
of July Term 1832
Declaration of John Eldridge for a pension under the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832 -

No 4067

P.O.
no papers
Page 55

I Daniel H. Ellis, Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Monmouth, New Jersey, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Eldridge for a pension-

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this second day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two
D. H. Ellis Clk

Re-sealed this ninth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three
D. H. Ellis Clk