Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 3439, Nehemiah Ward, New Jersey New York
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New Jersey Ward Nehemiah S3439
New York
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Ohio 13.317. Nehemiah Ward of Clermont Co. in the State of Ohio who was a Private in the Co. commanded by Captain Ripon of the Regt commanded by Col. Richmond in the NJersey line for 17 mos. 56 66/100. N.Y. and N.J. Line Records corrected Mar. 10 '04 Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio at the rate of 56 Dollars 66 cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. Certificate of Pension issued the 25th day of June 1833 and sent to John Joliffe Batavia CC Ohio. Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 Semi-anl, allowance ending 4 Sept '33. 113.32
                                                 28.33
                                              $141.65
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832 Recorded by Wm. R Palmer, Clerk, Book E Vol. 8, Page 28.
Letter [page is ripped] J Jolliffe 11 Aug 183[8?] Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6 April 183 from 4 March to 4 Sept 1837 Agt notified 18 March 1838.
Date of Death not
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12559 13.317 Nehemiah Ward Return 4.13.16 [crossed out] Adm for 17 months 56.66 John Jolliffe Jr. Batavia Clermont Co, Ohio
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BRIEF in the case of Nehemian Ward of Ohio Township County of Clermont in the State of Ohio (Act 7th June, 1832) 
1. Was the declaration made before a Court of a Judge? Open Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? 3. How old is he? 76. [?] 4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
[table] 
[columns] Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. [row 1] Enlisted in 1775 6 months. As a private. Col. Richmond, Col. David Lyon {New York Troops} [row 2] do 1776. 5 months. As a private. Col. Martin, Capt. Celey {New Jersey Troops} [row 3] do 1777. 2 months. As a Private. ditto. [row 4]do. 2 months. As a private. Major Hays, Capt. Israel Ward [row 5] do. 2 months. As a private. Col. Celey, Capt Ward.
5. In what battles was he engaged? Flat Bush, White Plains 6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Morris Cty, New Jersey. 7. Is his statement supporte by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary evidence. 8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Not properly attached. Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned. Chas. S Wilcox, Examining Clerk. 18 Feby 1833
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State of Ohio. Clermont County } SS. Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for the county of Clermont, in said State Nehemiah Ward who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he served as hereinafter stated as the following periods of the war for the two tour of duty hereinafter mentioned. One tour mentioned as the forth in my declarations in Captain Israel Wards Company under Major Hays was performed in the year 1778. Sometime in the summer while the British were scouting on the New Jersey Shore where they had come from Powles Hook I served as a private and volunteer.   
The fifth tour mentioned being or having been served under Col. Ceeley in Captain Wards Company was also performed as a private & volunteer in the year 1778. and for such service I claim a pension.   
I was born in the town of Newark in the State of new Jersey in the year 1759 in the month of September to the best of my knowledge from information received from my father who had a record of my age in his family bible but I have no record of my age. I was living in Morris County in the State of New Jersey when I was called into the service to which County my father had moved from Essex County when I was quite young. as I have been informed and believe.    
The first tour of duty mentioned in my declaration as having been performed in the year 1775 under Col Richmond was
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in a New York Regiment, but Captain David by Company to which I belonged had been raised in New Jersey at St. Johns where we had to battle with the Indians there was several regiments of New England troops during the battle the new England troops were stationed on the left and were fighting the Indians where they lost five men, the regiment to which I belonged was next to the lake on the right the British marched up and attacked us but overshot us Gel [General] Montgomery was with us on that night.      
The service mentioned in my declaration as having been served under Col Martin there was several regiments of New England troops, The battle of the White Plains was fought early in the morning. The British guards had stacked their arms and were pitching coppers when some of the Americans fired on them which brought on the battle. It lasted about two hours when the Americans retreated. The British took the fort and all the cannon except some brass three pounders - thinks there was two of them. When the Americans got to Newark the British fired a sun down cannon and the American fired one of their pieces in Newark to answer them. Genl Washington commanded at the White Plains I do not remember the names of any of the other officers.     
At the battle of Flatbush a good many of the American were made prisoners and our regiment was stationed pretty much in the front. The British pressed on us and we retreated into the fort from which we fired on them with grape shot and that stopped them.
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Chapman Archer and William Robb James Wood and John Gaskins know me in my present neighborhood and can testify to my character for veracity and their belief of my services as a soldier of the revolution. In addition to the service mentioned in my declaration I enlisted under Col O. Birl and worked our in the service of the United States as an artificer in a black smiths shop at Morris Town in the State of New Jersey one year. This service was begun in the fall of the year 1778 and ended in the fall of 1779. I was foreman of the shop. I was to have been paid fifty dollars a month for this service but was paid in Continental money which was good for nothing – if for this service I am entitled to a pension or compensation then I claim such a pension or compensation.   
I have sent on the deposition of Amos Ward who knew me in the service in which I beg leave to refer the department.     
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 22d day of April 1833.      Nehmiah Ward       J.W. Robinson JP      
State of Ohio Clermont County } SS    I Jonathan D Morris Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in & for said County do certify that John W Robinson Esq whose name is attached to the above affidavit is a Magistrate of the County aforesaid duly Commissioned and sworn & that the signature purporting to be his is genuine In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Batavia this 22nd of April AD 1833 J D Morris Clerk
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They threw up a front battery of against us and when the battery was finished Genl Washington marched us out of the fort to New York.     
After I had fixed Gel Sullivan (in the black smith shop) by shoeing up his horse and repairing his wagons, he and Gel Dayton marched to Sojorning and distroyed the corn of the Indians & broke them up there and killed a great many of them as was said about that time. In the third tour of duty mentioned in my declaration I was engaged two months as a guard along the coast of New Jersey along by Bergens Powles Hooker Lake no battle or Skirmish.      
On the fifth tour of duty mentioned in my declarations, we had a skirmish with a party of the British in Elizabethtown – a man named Stephen Ward was wounded in it and died in a day or two afterwards – we were engaged guarding the Coast from Elizabeth Town down to the point   While we were at Elizabeth Town the British came & drove us out and left a number of Highlanders there, thinks there was two companies of them. The tide went down and left their vessel called the "Blue Mountain Valley" aground when the Americans having been reinforced went in and took the Highlanders and their vessel There was two parts of regiments our commanded by Col Ceeley [Seeley] the other commanded by Col Somers engaged in this service.     
The fourth tour of duty mentioned in my declaration was performed at the Short hills guarding the coast the British by at that time in Perth Amboy we had no engagement with them except a few skirmishes with small parties of foragers who came out occasionally to get hay and fodder.
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The State of Ohio Clermont County Court of Common Pleas } SS     On this sixth day of August personally appeared in open court before George P Torrence Pres Judge & Robt Haines  James Wood & Israel White of the associate judges Court of Common Pleas now sitting. Nehemiah Ward, a resident of the Township of Ohio in the county of Clermont and State of Ohio aged Seventy Six years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed the 7th day of June 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated. Viz - First that he enlisted in the army of the United States in the year 1775 - in the month of June for the period of six Months in Col. Ritzemas regiment of New York troops in Capt David Lyons company. first Lieutenant Bateman 2d Lt. Clark - and that he resided in the County of Morris in the State of New Jersey at the time of his Enlistment. That he marched to Elizabeth town, thence to New York - thence Albany by water in a sloop. thence to Stillwater, thence to Ticonderoga, thence to Crown point thence to St. Johns, where we had three battles with the Indians & British. That he was taken sick at St. Johns and sent back to Crown point. thence to Ticonderoga where he received his discharge from General Schuyler, which discharge is lost - Second that he Enlisted in the army of the United States in the year 1776. for the period of five months
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in Col. Martins regiment - in Capt Celeys [Seeley] company of New Jersey troops that he marched into New York thence to Long Island and that he was in the Battle of Flat Bush on Long Island thence back to New York. thence to Fort Washington thence to the White Plains where we had a Battle with the British - where we was beaten by the Enemy. thence to turnip hill thence to Newark in New Jersey. thence to Brunswick where he was discharged of which discharge he has no recall to what has become of it - Thirdly that he Entered the service of the United States in the year 1777 in Capt Celeys {Seeley} Company for the period of three months regiment not recollected. That he first Marched to the short Hills thence to Perth Amboy and so continued for two months to march and watch the motions of the Enemy who came out in small parties to plunder and that the last month he was taken out of the service by Gen. Sullivan and worked in his own shop at Chatham as an Artificer. he being a black Smith by trade. he dose not recollect of getting any discharge in this case - Fourthly that he Entered the Militia Service under Maj. Hays in Capt Israel Ward Company - Where he served two months the most of the time he was Stationed at New Ark in New Jersey. Fifth and lastly that he entered the service in the Militia under Col. Celey [Seeley] in Capt. Wards Company for two months the most of which time he was stationed at Elizabeth town New Jersey discharge not given.
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that the whole time which he served in the regular and Militia service amounted to one year and six months. He hereby relinquishes every claim Whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State. Nehemiah Ward, Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid In open Court August 6th 1832. JD Morris PT
We William Robb a clergyman residing in the township of Union County of Clermont State of Ohio and James Wood residing in the township of Ohio County of Clermont State of Ohio hereby  certify that we are well acquainted with Nehemiah Ward who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be 76 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 to and subscribed before Robert Haines Israel Whitaker and John Emery Associate Judges of the County of Clermont and State of Ohio. August the 13 1832 William Robb, James Wood, Rbt. Haines on of the associate Judges of Clermont Cnty
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April 9, 1932

BA-J/AWF
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Nehemiah Ward
S. 3439

Mrs. William Moore
70 Auburn Avenue
Columbus, Ohio

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter requesting information in regard to Nehemiah Ward, a solider of the War of the Revolution.

The data contained herein are obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 3439, based upon the Revolutionary War service of Nehemiah Ward.

He was born in September 1759 in Newark, New Jersey.

While residing in Morris County, New Jersey, he enlisted sometime in June, 1775 and served six months as private in Captain David Lyon's company in Colonel Ritzema's New York regiment, and was in three battles at St. Johns. He enlisted in 1776 and served five months as private in Captain Seeley's company in Colonel Martin's New Jersey regiment, and was in the battles of Flat Bush and White Plains. He enlisted in 1777 and served three months Captain Seeley's New Jersey company. He enlisted in 1778 and served two months in Captain Israel Ward's company under Major Hayes, and later in Captain Israel Ward's company in Colonel Seeley's New Jersey regiment, for two months.

He served from the fall of 1778 for one year as foreman of Artificers in a blacksmith's shop in Morristown, New Jersey.

He was allowed pension on his application executed
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[executed]  August 6, 1832, at which time he was living in the Township of Ohio, Clermont County, Ohio.

In 1838 the soldier's son-in-law, Thomas Gaskins was mentioned. The name of his wife was not shown, and there are no further data as to family.

Very truly yours

A.D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator
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REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION
A.W. F.
S 3439
3 -- 525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., Oct. 14, 1922
Mrs Edgar Woods
Sterling Illinois
Madam
In reply to your request of _____ for the history of Nehemiah Ward a soldier of the Revolutionary War, the following is taken from the soldier's claim for pension.
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. | LENGTH OF SERVICE. | RANK.| OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. CAPTAIN.| COLONEL. | STATE.
June 1775 | 6 mos. |Pvt. | David Lyons | Ritzema [following word is lined out] Richmore | N.Y
1776 |5 mos | “ | Seeley [following word in lined out] Celey | Martin | N. J.
1777 | 3 mos |”|”|”|[blank]
1778 | 2 mos | “ | Israel Ward | Maj Hays |[blank]
“ | 2 mos | “ | Israel Ward | Seeley [following word is lined out] Celey | [blank]
Fall 1778 | 1 yr. | Foreman of Artificers in Blacksmiths shop at Morriston N. J. |[illegible] 3 at St. Johns
Battles engaged in, Flat Bush, White Plains
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Morris Co. N. J.
Date of application for pension, Aug 6 -1832 His claim was allowed
Residence at date of application, Township of Ohio Clermont Co. Ohio.
Age at date of application, born Sept 1759 in Newark, N. J.
Remarks: In 1836 soldier’s son in law Thomas Gaskins was mentioned
Respectfully,
Commissioner.
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
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1922 Oct 14 History to Mrs. Edgar Wood, 406 5th Ave Sterling Ill. See letter in Samuel C. Ward - New Jersey S. 614. A.W.F. 1932 - Apr. 9- hist. to Mrs. William C. Moore AMF
Rev War 3439 Invalid.
File No. 3439 Nehemiah Ward Privt Rev War
Act: June 7th, 1832 Index: - Vol. A, Page 390
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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Batavia, Ohio July 30th 1838
Sir, I herewith enclose the application of Nehemiah Ward a Revolutionary Pensioner under the law of June 7th 1832 of Clermont County Ohio for the arrears of his pension from the 4th March 1837 to the 4th September 1837 and from the last date to the 4th March 1838 which is due also blank receipts signed by him and attested by his son in law Thomas Gaskins. Please let the draft in his favour be directed to Nehemiah Ward Batavia Ohio. I am sir very respectfully your most obt servt Tho. Joliffe
Hon JL Edwards, Commissioner of Pensions.
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Application of Nehemiah Ward of Clermont Co Ohio Revolutionary Pension June 7th 1832 for arreagers of Pension Mr Evans Aug 6 
Batavia July 31 Free
Hon J L Edwards Commisioner of Pensions Washington City DC
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Treasury Department, Second Comptroller's Office, September 14, 1838
Sir: Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," Nehemiah Ward a Pensioner on the Roll of the Ohio Agency, at the rate of fifty six Dollars and sixty six Cents per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832 has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of March 1837 to the 4th of September 1837. Respectfully yours, Albion K. Paris Comptroller. To the Commissioner of Pensions, Present.
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Mrs. William C. Moore 70 Auburn Avenue Columbus, Ohio March 5th, 1932 Pension Dept. Washington DC. Der Sir, Nehemiah Ward, born in New Jersey died in Ohio after 1840. It is said he received a pension. Will you please give me any data you have concerning him. Sincerely, Mrs. W.C. / Gertrude B. Moore
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Nehemiah Ward which require further proof or explanation.
1. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason
assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?
3 tours yes   2 tours no
V. Has he mentioned 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 (sic) of pension he is entitled? Yes
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
Yes
VI. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of
June 7, 1832? Yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished
from any other seal? Yes
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XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? Yes         XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?      XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?   No      XIV  If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?     XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?     XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?  No    XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?      EXPLANATORY NOTES. QUERE V. 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 year -- months and --- days, I served as a- -- For -- months and --- days, I served as and for such service I claim a pension."
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3
It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the 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.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
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 claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which be (sic) 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.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not
written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the
certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end 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.
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Clermont Court of Common Pleas August [?] 1832. Monday August 6th 1832. On this day personally appeared in open court before the Court of Common Pleas of Clermonth County Nehemiah Ward who made oath to the above declaration and the said court after the investigations of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department declared their opinions that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And on Monday August 12th 1832 personally came before the Hon Associate Judges of the said Court to wit, Israel Whitaker, Robert Haines and John Emery Esqs in the court house in the town of Batavia William Robb and James Wood who signed and swore to the above certificate before the said Judges who declared their opinion that the said William Robb is a clergyman resident in the township of Union Clermont County State of Ohio and that James Wood who also signed the same is a credible person resident in the township of this County of Clermont State of Ohio and that their Statement is entitled to credit I Johnathan D Morris Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for Clermont County this do hereby certify that the foregoing Contains the original of the said court and of the said associate Judges in measures and for in as above qrt forth in the matter of the application of Nehemiah Ward for a pension. In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of the said court this 16th day of August 1832. Jnl Morris Clerk