Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 4,554, Jeremiah Hand, New Jersey Sea Service
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Service
New Jersey Sea Service

Hand, Jeremiah

Number 
R.4554

Contents
[blank]
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City of Philadelphia
State of Pennsylvania

On this 26th day of September 1835. Personally appearance in open court, before the Court of Common Pleas now sitting. Jeremiah Hand, a native and resident of the County of Cape May state of New Jersey. Aged seventy one years past. Who being first duly sworn according to the Law: doth on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress [illegible] June 7th 1832. 

I entered the service of my country as a hand, on board a gun-boat, called the state Boat of New Jersey, in the spring of 1782. This boat was built by the state to guard the Coast and river Delaware from the depredations of the British and refugees. Commanded by Captain Elijah Hand. John Teel Lieut. Her armament consisted of one cannon in our bow (I think), a four pounder, four swivels, Two Howitzers, one blunderbush, a full complement of muskets - pistols, boarding-pikes and cutlashes. [illegible] twenty oars and when compleat, a compliment of twenty men. We cruized in the Delaware as high as Bombay hook. And to the East as far as Shrewsberry inlet. One cruize near the inlet we captured as schooner loaded with Corn, going into N. York took or sent her into Toms River where she was disposed of as the law directed. Shortly after we took a fishing boat [illegible] to N. York, brought her around to Middle Township, where she was disposed of. This enabled us to recruit our men and obtain a fresh supply of provisions. 

On the next cruize we fell in with several refugee boats, had a running fight but found them so numerous, as to leave them, this was off Barnegat inlet. We got into the thoroughfare and shortly arrived at Egg Harbour and so passed through the sound, proceeded on to the head quarters to Jonathan Lehman's Salt Works. Here was our principle rendevous [illegible] but little more this season. 

When the boat was scoured for the winter quarters, we were discharged. By the Capt. in the spring of 1783. I entered again for the season, was on the same boat, same Capt E. Hand Same Lieut. John Teel. First gunner Alexander Ballard. 2nd gunner John Daniels. We were out and on a cruize, standing up the river when the [illegible] Capt Barney brought the mark to action, the ships lay so close to gather we could but for a minute see them, after the action which lasted but a few minutes, the smoke cleated away and we had the pleasure to see the[illegible] go up the Delaware. We stuck to our cruizing ground which found the refugees from commiting many depredations on the inhabitants and coasting [illegible] at one time fell in with a sloop and schooner bothhad been taken by the refugees [illegible]with lumber the property of [illegible] of Delaware - we retook them both, secured the prisoners by binding them to [illegible] and cargo's were given up to the owners, they paying something,  such as was the customs in such cases of recapture.

We continued our cruizing on the eastern station, where ever we had information  of the refugee boats making their appearance, and [illegible] their intentions. We served out this season until peace was finally and [illegible] was verbally discharged by Capt. E. Hand, as were all were all the hands. Have never recieved  any pension from the state or United States. While engaged in the service as above described, was not engaged in any civil persuit. Do hereby relinquish all claim to any pension, except, the one under the act of Congress, [illegible] June 7th 1832. The reason for my wishing to be inscribed on the Pennsylvania agency is, it will save 120 miles a year and other expenses. 

Jeremiah Hand
His X mark.

Sworn and subscribed the day and year [illegible]
[Signature] F. A. Raybold
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City of Philadelphia
State of Pennsylvania

Personally appeared in open court, before the Court of now sitting. Recomfrence Hand, who being duly sworn as according to Law, doth on his oath declare and say, that he is a neighbor to and well acquainted with Jeremiah Hand the within applicant for a pension. That I was with him, and engaged in the same service on the same boat, called the State Boat of New Jersey, in the year of 1782 and 1783, until the conclusion of the War of the Revolution, and that his statement is true, to be best of my knowledge, and belief. 

Sworn and subscribed to the day and year [illegible] in open court. 
F. A. Raybold
Recompence Hand

And the said open court do hereby declare their opinion, after investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department, that the within named applicant, was in the Revolutionary War and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them, that Recompence Hand who has signed the preceding certificate is a resident of the county of Cape May in the State of New Jersey, and is a credible person and his statement is entitled to credit. 

Edward King
Arch Randall
Roberts Vaux

Interrogatories
1. Where and what year where you born? Born in Cape May County New Jersey in the year 1764
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it? No record of age it having worn out
3. Where were you living when you entered the service? Where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you live now?  Lived in Cape May, lived there through the Revolution, and live there now. 
4. How were you called into service, were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute, and if substitute, for whom?  Entered a volunteer in 1782 and in 1783 both seasons in the boat called the State Boat of New Jersey.
5. State the names of the officers with whom you served. Capt Elijah Hand, Leuit John Teel
6. Did you ever receive a discharge from service if so by whom was it given and what has become of it? Each year verbally discharged by Capt E Hand
7. State the names of the persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood who can testify to your character for our city and their belief as to your services. Ezekiel Stevens, Cresse Townsend, Jacob G Smith, Joseph Fifield, Jeremiah Leaming, P M Matthew Mercy Esq, Richd Thompson, Swaim Townsend, James Holmes.
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January 8, 1931

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
AWF:MLB

Rev. Paul S. Howe
Cape May, New Jersey

Dear Sir:

You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary Ware pension claim, R. 4554, that Jeremiah Hand was born in 1764 in Cape May County, New Jersey. 

He applied for pension September 26, 1835 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania but stated that his residence was Cape May County, New Jersey. He alleged at this time that he served in the years 1782 and 1783 on board a gunboat called the State Boat of New Jersey commanded by Captain Elijah Hand; that they cruised along the Delaware River to protect the coast and captured a schooner also a fishing boat. 

His claim was not allowed as he failed to furnish proof of service as required by the pension law. 

In 1835 he referred to his home and family as being in Cape May County, New Jersey, no names stated. 

The above noted Jeremiah Hand is the only soldier of that name found on the Revolutionary War records of this bureau. 

Very truly yours

E. W. Morgan
Acting Commissioner
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1931 Jan. 8
Rev. Paul S Horne

REJECTED
4554
Jeremiah Hand

The printed list of 1852 shows reasons of suspension.

The quality and duration of the service of these cases require proof.
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Mayflower Decendants in Cape May County
by
Bro. Paul Sturtruant Howe, PhD
Albert R. Cann, Publisher
Cape May, New Jersey
Dec. 8,
1930.
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir, -
A newspaper notice of date April 21, 1859, gives
the death of Jeremiah Hand of Cape May County, N. J., at
the age of ninety-seven, stating that he was a Revolutionary
pensioner. For genealogical purposes may I ask you to give
me that date of his birth, name of wife, and service as you
have it.
I shall appreciate any information you can give me
Very truly yours,'Paul Howe
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N. 33339
New Jersey
Jeremiah Hand
Suspended
not found

Sent to Butler Nov 26 1833
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Hon W N Stimm
22 Feb 1836
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War Dept.
Pension Office
[Illegible] '36

Sir
I have the honor to enclose hereinwith the letter of W. Butler and in reply to inform you that in the case of Abner Page W. Butler is fully apprised of the objections, by my letter w him of 18 March 1835 by, a copy of my letter of 26 Jany 1835 to Hon James Parker accompany ing it - whose objections can only(marked through) be removed only by the explanatory statements of the claimant himself upon oath which may enable the Dept to determine whether his alleged service is embraced by the act of 7 June '32.
He is also apprised by my letter of 26 Nov. last that it was indispensable in the cases of Recompense and Jeremiah Hand that this declaration should be made in Cape May Co. N Jersey and the regular terms in all other respects complied with-
It is proper to remark that the [illegible] or reluctance to comply with the requirements of the Dept. on the part of the above claimants is [illegible] to inspire a distrust of the claims -
Hon. W.N. Shinn
Ho. Rep.
O.C.
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Joseph Butler
June 14 1839
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War Department
Pension Office
June 1, 1839
Sirs
The additional evidence in the case of Recompense
Hand and in the case of Jeremiah Hand both applicants
for pensions under the act of June 7th 1832 has been examined
of the fire ordered by those men was Jude as is provided
for by the act for evidence thereof may be found on ward
in the office of Secretary of State of Trenton when
the character
of the served may be established
Joseph Butler Esq
Philadelphia
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Jonathan Hand
Mar 28 54
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Pension Office
March 28, 1854

Sir

In answer to your letter of the 21st instant I have to inform you that no powers of attorney has been filed, within several years, in either of the cases of Jeremiah Hand or Shamgar Huet, of New Jersey, under the Act of June 7, 1832, or in that of John Grace, a pensioner under the Act of March 1818. The claim of Henry Iszard, of N. Jersey, is not found on the files of this office. There is no other objection than your office of Co. Clerk to your holding a correspondence with this office in regard to these and other cases, if you file powers of attorney from the parties interested. The claim of Amy Kemp is not found on our N. Jersey files. 

Jonathan Hand Esq
Cape May N.J.
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I Richard Palmer, clerk of the Court of Comm Pleas do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court, in the matter of the application of Jeremiah Hand for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 19 day of November

[Illegible]
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To all, to whom the presents may come.
We the subscribers Citizens of New Jersey in the County of Cape May, do hereby certify that we are acquainted with Jeremiah Hand, Recompence Hand, and Henry Issard, all native born citizens of New Jersey, and that they are reputable, decent, honest, upright men live in the neighbourhoods and are worthy of credit. We further believe that they service their country in the war of the Revolution, defending the coast and River Delaware. August 1835.

Aaron Schillinger
Abraham Bennett
Humphrey Hughes
Aaron Hand CH
Jeremiah Bonnett
William Bonnett
James Muray
Jeremiah H Crefse
Rich Thompson
Jeremiah Dearning
Joseph Fifield
Seamus Leary
Aaron [Illegible]
Ezekiel Stevens
Crefse Townsend
John [illegible]
Aaron Bennett Sr.
Richard Crefse
James Schillinger
Steven Hughes
Aaron Edmonds [Illegible]
Shamgar Hwerr
Abigail Smith
Jacob G. Smith
Amos C Moore
[Illegible]
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State of New Jersey Cape May County
Personally appeared before me the [subor] one of the Justices of the peace in and for said county Henry Isard who being weak of boddy but of sound mind deposeth as follows--that he is seventy one years of age and that he served six months with Recompense Hand and Jeremiah Hand in the state boat called the New Jersey whereof Elijah Hand was captain and John Feel [illegible] in guarding the coast of New Jersey from the Delaw Bay to Sandy Hook and during the said term of months aforesaid that the said boat called the New Jersey was blockaded in Shrewsbury inlet by the British nine or ten days and frequently fired uppon by the Brittish all of which incident took place during the war of the revolution between the United States and Great Britain
Sworn before me me this 31st day of August 1835
Matthew Marcy
I Swain Townsend Clark of the Court Please in the County of Cape May
Do hereby certify that Matthew Marcy is one of the Justices of the peace in and for 
Said County and to whose official acts as such full Credence and authority should be given
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my  hand and seal of said County this 31st day of August AD. 1835
Swain Townsend
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No 33,339
4554
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State of New Jersey Cape May County,
Personally appeared before me one of the Justices of the peace and and for said county James Holmes in [illegible] on his oath that he is sixty three years of age and that he now is and always has been a resident of said county, and that he now his and always has been acquainted with Recompense Hand and Jeremiah Hand and furthermore states that the said Jeremia + Recompense Hand served on board the gunboat called the New Jersey built by the state, for guarding the coast and [Delaware] Bay in the years 1782 and 1783, and that they served on board said boat until the peace took place between America + Great Britain.
James Holmes
Sworn and subscribed before me this 10th day of October 1835
Mtthew Marcy Justice of the peace
I Swain Townsed clerk of the Cnourt of Common Please in and for the County of Cape May do hereby certify that Matthew Marcy Is a Justice of the Peace [illegible] whose official acts as such full credence and authority should be given
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of the court of said County teh 13th day of October 1835. Swain Townsend Clk.