Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 879, Benjamin Griggs, New Jersey
Page 1

New Jersey      Griggs, Benjamin        S. 879

                                                            Carded
Page 2

Benjamin Griggs
        Youth [Illegible]
        [Illegible]
        [Illegible]


       8884


 Abmd
9mo. 21 ds. prs
Page 3

                                   Benjamin Griggs

State of New Jersey   }
Middlesex County ss  }Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed county June the 7 1832.

[right margin] 8884 B. Griggs

On this Twenty third day of August Eighteen Hundred and Thirty Two personally appeared before me Robert McHenry one of the judges of the Court of Common pleas in and for the said County of Middlesex being a court of Record Benjamin Griggs of the Township of South Brunswick in the said County aged Seventy eight years on the twelfth day of last March being first duly sworn according to Law Doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to draw the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June the 7. 1832 That he entered the service of the United States as a private in the Militia of New Jersey under the following named Officers, and served as herein stated Viz in the year 1776 he was called into service under Captain Joachim Gulich he thinks the Regiment Commanded by Colonel John Neilson and marched to Perth Amboy while the British army and Refugees lay on Staten Island out on this tour two weeks, after this was called into service again under the same Officers and marched to Woodbridge and Elizabeth Town opposite to Staten Island and was stationed at times at those places to prevent the excursions and depredations of the enemy on the inhabitants of that stretch of Country was out on this tour he thinks two weeks after this was called out into service in the year 1777 under Captain David Chambers and Colonel Jacob Hyde and marched to New [illegible] for the same purposes and some other places which he does not now remember out on this town he thinks three weeks, after this was again called into service in the Company commanded by he thinks Captain Jonathan Combs under Colonel Hyde and marched through Somerset County to a place called Cux-Town in Hunterdon County, and after laying there some time was marched to [illegible] Mountain, and from there to Steelsgap where part of General Washingtons army lay, this was at the time the British army marched out from New Brunswick to Somerset Courthouse and when the British army retreated from the last mentioned place he was marched under Captain William Williamson from the said gap to Somerset Courthouse and fell in the rear of the British army on their retreat to New Brunswick in order to harass them on their retreat and pursued them nearly to New Brunswick when a party of the enemy came to meet them checked their pursuit and after the British retreated from New Brunswick he among others was permitted to return home and in the service on this time he believes four weeks was called into service under Captain Gulich in Colonel Nelsons Regiment and marched to Spotswood and deep-run and there east down the Bridge over that River to prevent the
Page 4

enemy from plundering the inhabitants was out about on this tour one week was again called out into service in 1779 under Captain Nixton he thinks and Colonel William Scudder at the time the British crossed from Philadelphia into New Jersey and marched to the Blackhorse, Slabtown and other places in the County of Burlington, and advanced towards the enemy to the draw Bridge which was cut down in order to retard the enemy in their advance, and from there to Allentown, and from there to the Neck meeting house, the next day was pressed by Captain Dunn, or Edgar, who was engaged in the ex[illegible] service, for to a{illegible]ist in piloting, the company to the neighborhood of Monmouth Courthouse previous to the Battle of Monmouth was also in that Battle and saw General Washington and General Lee meet, when he was pressed into this service he had a very valuable horse, which got so unfitted in that service as to be of little value afterwards, was out in this service he thinks about five weeks from first to last, after this was called into service under the same officers he thinks, and marched to Elizabeth Town, Connecticut farms, and Newark, to protect the inhabitants from the depredations of the enemy which were very frequent, and numerous in that part of the State out in this town he believes about one month besides the abovementioned, he was in the service at different times when there was alarms but cannot now remember the names of the Officers nor all the places he was called to one was when the enemy burnt Somerset Courthouse at the time Captain Vorhees was killed another time was when it was expected the Tories was about to rescue the prisoners out of Monmouth Jail, when General Forman seems to have the command, was out on those cases of Alars [?] very often and taken all together as much as one Month and a half at least, and this de[?]nent declares that he verily believes he was engaged in the service in the time of the Revolutionary war in the Militia of New Jersey altogether, as much as seven or eight months, and more if he counts now at the distance of time remember, besides the above he was pressed into the service to cart camp Kettles, flour, and meat for General Washingtons army was engaged in this service as much as three months, and this de[?]nent further declares he has no documentary evidence relating to his services and he doth hereby relinquish 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

sworn to, and subscribed before me the subscriber this 23 day of August 1832
Robert McHenry

[Signature] Benjamin Griggs
Page 5

Interrogatories put by him the aforesaid Robert McHenry Judge abovesaid to the above named applicant
1. Where were you Born and in what year
Answer I was born in Somerset County in the year 1756
2. Have you any Record of your age, and where is it
Answer, it is in my Bible, and in my [illegible]
3.  Where were you living when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live
Answer in the Township of South Brunswick, County of Middlesex and have lived there ever since to the present time
4. How were you called into service
Answer sometimes I was pressed, and sometimes as a volunteer
5. State the names of the regular officers who were with the troops where you served, such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recalled and the general circumstances of your services
Answer I do not recollect the names of any regular or Continental Officers that I was under or served with, I was where Generals Washington, and Green commanded the Militia officers I was under are all above mentioned, and also the general circumstances of my service
6. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service
Answer I never received any written discharge, but always was verbally discharged at the end of every tour
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 generally of your services as a soldier of the Revolution
Answer I am known to Colonel David Chambers, Major Andrew McDowell, Major John T. McDowell, Major William Barrichols [?], Doctor John W. [illegible], Richard Griggs, Aaron Dean, Thomas Dean, and Isaac G. Sn[illegible]

sworn to, and subscribed before
me the subscriber this 23 day of August 1832

Robert McHenry

[Signature] Benjamin Griggs
Page 6

We Symmes [?] C. Henry Pastor of the first Presbyterian Church in the village of Cranbury, and County of Middlesex aforesaid and Samuel Dubrow Eugt[?] of the same place and of the said County, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Benjamin Griggs, who has sworn to, and subscribed the foregoing declaration, and believe him to be Seventy eight years of age, or thereabout and that he is reputed, and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier in the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
sworn to, and subscribed before me the subscriber this 24 day of August 1832
Robert Mchenry

Lyman[?] C. Henry
Samuel Disbrow[?]

And be the said Robert McHenry one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County of Middlesex, Doth hereby declare his opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the foregoing Interrogatories prescribed by the war department, that the said Benjamin Griggs the applicant abovesaid, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and served as he states, and he further certifies that it is known to him that the said Lyman C. Henry is a clergyman and resident in the said County of Middlesex and that who has also signed the same is also a resident in said County and is a creditable person, and that their statement is entitled to credit and it is further the opinion of him the said Robert McHenry Judge aforesaid that the said applicant labours under such bodily infirmities that he cannot conveniently, and  without personal injury attend the court of Common pleas for said County of Middlesex to have his case examined and investigated.
all the foregoing affidavits 
were sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year abovesaid        Robert McHenry
State of New Jersey   
Middlesex County 
I F. S. Van[?] Clerk of the Court of Common pleas of the County of Middlesex do hereby certify that Robert McHenry before whom the foregoing proceeding in the matter of the application of Benjamin Griggs for a pension, was at the date thereof and is [illegible] of Court that the name Robert McHenry as thereon written in the proper handwriting of Judge
In witness whereof I have [illegible] set my hand seal of office this 28th of August A.D. 1832
F. J Vanassd[?]  Clerk
Page 7

State of New Jersey
Middlesex County   I F. J. Vanasdulin clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of said County of Middlesex do hereby certify that Robert McHenry before whom the written affidavit was taken was in the date thereof and still is a Judge of said Court, and that the name Robert McHenry as thereto written is in the proper hand writing of this said Judge

In writings whereof I have [illegible] to it my hand and [illegible] of office this 28th of August A. D. 1832

F. J. Vanasdulin Clerk
Page 8

Stet of New Jersey
Middlesex County

be it known that on the Twenty fifth day of August Eighteen Hundred and Thirty Two before me Robert McHenry one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and the said County of Middlesex personally appeared William Newton who being duly sworn according to Law did depose and did say that he is well acquainted with Benjamin Griggs and hath been so previous to the Revolutionary war and that he distinctly remembers that he the said Benjamin Griggs was in the service of the United States as a private in the Militia of New Jersey, and was with him he is certain on one time at Elizabeth Town, but owing to the length of time since the Revolutionary war and his infirm state of health some time past he cannot positively remember other tours, but has good reason to believe that he was out with him in the said service at several others places, and he doth verily believe that he was and further saith not 
sworn to, and subscribed before me the day and year above 
[illegible] said William Newton
[illegible] person
Robert McHenry
Judge of the Court

[Signed] William Newton
Page 9

Supplementary Declaration
State of N. Jersey
Middlesex County
Be it known that on the 12 day June 1833 before one the subscriber one of the Justices of the peace in and for said County personally appeared Benjamin Griggs an applicant for a pension under the Act of Congress paj[?] June 7 1832 who being sworn according to Law, did under his oath def[?] and say [illegible] to what he stated in his original declaration as is for [illegible] of amending the same agreeably to the instructions and requirements of the war department, that to the best of his memory now person exceeding frail owing to long bodily infirmities, and after the [illegible] reflections on the subject, more particularly relating to the length of different tours in which he served as a private during the Revolutionary was, and in the order he has related them in his said declaration and which are as follows Viz.
that in the year 1776 he was called out in the service under Captain Joachim Yulich and under Colonel John Neilson he believes and marched to Perth Amboy and that he was out on this tour ---- 0" 2  [?] same year was ordered out into service under the same Officers he believes, and marched to Woodbridge and Elizabeth Town was out on this tour --- 0" 2[?] in the year 1777 was again ordered out into service under Captain David Chambers, and Colonel Jacob Hyde and marched to Newark and other places was out on this tour at least ---- 3[?]
in the same year was called out into service under Captain Jonathan Combs and Colonel Jacob Hyde and marched to Cuxtown Sourland Mountain, Steelsgap and other places this tour lasted --- 1 " 00 [?]
in the same year was called again into service under Captain Joachim Yulich in Col. Neilsons Regiment and marched to Spotswood and deep run this lasted --- 0" 1
in the year 1778 [?] was again called out into service under Captain Robert Nixon, and under Col. William Scudder and marched to the Blackhorse, Slabtown, and other places was out in the whole of this tour at least --- 1" 
in the same year was ordered into service under the same officers he thinksand marched to Elizabeth Town Connecticut farms, and [illegible] --- 1"00
5" 1
Page 10

Brought over 5 ' 1

Besides the abovementioned tours, this deponest [?] or applicant further acclaims that he was out in the service a number of times when there were sudden alarms But he cannot now remember exactly the years nor the officers he was called out under on all the occasions but is sure that it was under some of the officers he has abovementioned and in some of the same years he remembers some the places he was called to among others he has forgotten [illegible] at the time the enemy burnt Somerset Courthouse, and at the time Captain Vorhees was killed by the British Colonel Simcoe, another time was when it was expected the Tories was about to r[?] the prisoners out of Monmouth Jail when it appears that General David Forman had the command taking all the tours together this deployment is very sure they must have lasted at least --- 1"2
in addition to the abovementioned tours, this defia[?]ent or applicant was pressed into the, but does not know the name of the officer at this time, but he well remembers being engaged in carting Camp Kettles, flour, and meat, Rice and other provisions for General Washingtons army laying at Morristown and other places was engaged in this service at least --- 3" 00
Total in months 9" 3
sworn to and subscriber before me the day and year abovesaid
Robert McHenry Justice of the peace

[Signature] Benjamin Griggs
Page 11

State of New Jersey
Middlesex County

Be it know that on the 14 day of June AD 1833 before me Robert McHenry one of the Justices of the peace in and for said county personally appeared Peter Yulich of the Township of South Brunswick in said county who being duly sworn according to Law did[?] depose[?] and say that he was acquainted with Benjamin Griggs previous to the Revolutionary war, and who is an applicant for a pension under the act of Congress passed June the 7 1832 and that he this deponent well Remembered being out in the Militia of New jersey in the service of the United States as a private with him at diverse times, and places, and under among other officers the following named by Colonels Hyde, Neilson, and Scudder and Captain David Chambers, Joachim Yulich, Jonathan Combs, Robert Nixon, and that he saw him the said Benjamin Griggs out in the said service under some one or other of the said officers in the years 1777, 1778, 1779 and he believes in 1780 also and this deponent further declares and says that he saw him the said Benjamin Griggs out and engaged in the said service at the following mentioned places to the best of his memory [?] at Cranberry, Elizabeth Town, Newark, Spotswood, Slabtown, Black horse, Allentown, and that he served with him the said Benjamin Griggs several times in the same Company, and this deponent further saith that he was with him the said Benjamin Griggs one tour at least in carting provisions, and Camp Kettles for the use of General Washingtons army laying at Morristown, and this deponent doth under his said oath declare and say that the above mentioned matters and things are true to the best of his memory, and present belief and further saith not
sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year abovesaid
Robert McHenry Justice of the peace

[Signature] Peter Yulich

I the subscriber do hereby certify that Peter Yulich who has subscribed the above affidavit is a credible person

[Signature] Robert McHenry Justice of the peace
Page 12

State of New Jersey
Middlesex County  I Nicholas Booracer [?] Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas is and for said county do certify that Robert McHenry before whom the [illegible] and [illegible] were taken was at the time a Justice of the peace in and for said county [illegible] commissioner and S[?] and that the signature Robert McHenry is his proper signature

In witness whereof I have hereto set my hand and seal of office this 17th day of June 1833
N Boor[?] Clerk
Page 13

INVALID
Rev War
File No 879
Benjamin Griggs
[Illegible] N. J. [Illegible]

June 7, 1832
Page 14

Trenton Banks
Pension Office
April 25 1840

Sir

The [illegible] voucher requires your special direction for payment

I am respectfully Your [illegible]

[?] Dickinson Presh[?]

J.S. Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
Page 15

Trenton Banks
Pension Office
March 28 1839

Sir
The enclosed vouchers of Benjamin Griggs [illegible] Rop require your special direction for payment

I am respectfully Your Obedient
W. P. Hunt[?]
P. Dickinson Pres

J. L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 16

New Jersey 9857
Benjamin Griggs
of Brunswick in the State of NJ
who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Yulich in the Regt. commanded by Col. Neilson in the Militia line for N.J.
9 mo. 21 days

Inscribed on the Roll of NJ at the rate of 32 Dollars 33 cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1834.

Certificate of Pension issued the 21 day of June 1833 and delivered
CW G McChesney present

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833          64 66
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 33  16 16
                                                             $ 80 82

Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by T F Franciosi Clerk,
Book E Vol. 3rd Page 113
To Hightstown  
N.d.
Page 17

order to pay 17 Nov. 1836
Order to pay 1 April 1839.
Sett[?] to Pe[?] Ag[?] 30 April 1840

Dead
Paid at the Treasury under the Acts [?]. April 1838, drawn 4 Sep 1841 to 8 January 1842
Agt Notified 1 Oct 1844
Page 18

Gideon, Printer

Treasury Department,
Second Comptroller's Office
July 21st, 1843

Sire:
Under the act of the 6th of April1838, 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", and the 3d section of the Act of August 23, 1842, extending the time within which pensioners may receive their pensions from the pension agents, The children of Benjamin Griggs decd, a Pensioner on the Roll of the New Jersey Agency, at the rate of thirty two dollars and 33 cents per annum, under the law of the 4th June1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of Sept 1841, through 8th January 1842.

Respectfully yours
J Leavec[?]
Acting Comptroller
Page 19

No. 8884
Ben. Griggs

crea.[?]
Specific

Spid.[?] letter
13 May 1833
P. 394

C. G McChesney
Hights Town
NJ
Page 20

Brief in the case of Benjamin Griggs of Middlesex C. in the State of New Jersey
(Act 7th June 1832)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Judge
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? Yes
3. How old is he? 78 years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

----------------------------------------------------
Period  Duration of Service  Rank  Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served
----------------------------------------------------
               Years Months Days    As a  Gen.

in 1776                          14       Private  Capt. Yulich, Col. Neilson
                                      14     "    "   "
1777                3 or 4 weeks  "   Chambers, Byers[?]
                               4 weeks    "  Combs, Neilson
                          about 1 week "  Morton, Scudder
1778               5 weeks              " "    "
                    1 months               " "     "
He believes he served as much as 7 or 8 months- He was also pressed into the {illegible] service V[?]d as much 3 months

5. In what battles was he engaged? Monmouth
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Middlesex Co. N.J.
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional, Living not certified to h[?]ble
8. Are the papaers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Improperly commented[?]

Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.

D. Pom[?]y  Examining Clerk