Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 10660, John Townsend, New Jersey

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(3-1776)

SERVICE    New Jersey

Townsend, John

NUMBER    R. 10660

CONTENTS

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State of Virginia }
Lewis County }  SS. 
On this 19th day. of June in the year 1833. personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for the said County of Lewis John Townsend a resident of the said County of Lewis in the State of Virginia aged 81 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 June 7th. 1832. 
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated. That in the first of May in the year 1779 at Elizabeth in the State of New Jersey he substituted as a private for Sylvanius Arnold, in a company commanded by Silas Pheatt in the 1st Regiment of the New Jersey Line commanded by Matthias Augdon Col. Majr. John Conaway. in the Brigade command by Genl. Maxwell in the army commanded by Genl Sullivan. and on the 7th day of the same month (may) Marched from Elizabeth to Bounbrook, from thence to the Delaware river thence up the said river to Muskinekunk's Junction with the Delaware, thence to East town in the point between the Delaware and Lahigh rivers Lay here (at East town 3 or 4 weeks - [crossed out 'thence'] thence continued their march to Wyoming on the Susquehannah river arrived there he thinks in June 1779. was here halted and provisions being scarce a detachment was dispatched to Middletown for a supply - and after recuring the same was marched with Genl Sullivans whole army which amounted to about 7000-men to Tioga - lay here about 3 weeks and built a fort at which they left the heavy

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artilary, Invalids &c [et cetera] Then marched to an Indian town called Chomung, about 12 miles from Tioga here met the Indian forces with their white allies a Battle ensued which lasted about two hours, the Indians then retreated leaving many dead upon the Battle ground - The Indian Vilage was destroyed, together with all their property which consisted chiefly of corn crops - -- after which they counter marched to Tioga -  He believes the Battle at Chermung [crossed out 'Tioga'] was fought some time in the month of July, (remembers that corn was just shooting) After the Battle at Chemung they countermarched to Tioga there done some more work to the fort - Then marched by Chemung to Newtown 15 miles from Chemung. There was engaged in an other Battle with the Indian forces and their white allies.  which was very fierce for a few hours - after which the Enemy retreated in great confusion leaving many of their dead as before.  They burnt the Indian Town and destroyed all their com &c [et cetera] as at Chemung. this he thinks was about the last of July Or first of August.  Then continued their march to the Genisee towns & there distroyed all the Indian vilages their corn &c [et cetera] &. this was - this was he thinks about the last of August.  After distroying the Genisee towns &c. [et cetera] Countermarched to Tioga - AL - lived there towards the last of Sept. They destroyed the fort at Tioga and shiped this Military Stores on board of Boats - then marched to Wyoming - rested here a few

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days- Then continued their march through the Wilderness to East town, here recrossed the Delaware river in fery boats. Then continued there march to head quarters at Pumpkin he thinks remained here some time then moved their quarters to Mendham a little vilage near Morristown where they remained during the Winter,   During this winter (he believes about the first of January) the term for which he Substituted expired and he immediately enlisted under the same Captain as a private [crossed out 'during the war.'] - (Pheatt) soon after which he died, and William Augdon a brother of Col. Augdon assumed the command of their Company.  After the campaign to the Indian vilages. Genl. Sullivan returned to the North and they marched to New Jersey under Genl. Maxwell.  Declarant continued the service along the lines of New Jersey during the Spring of 1780 - was frequently sent with Small detachments to counteract the designs of Small merauding parties of the enemy untill June (he believes) an engagement took place in Morris County in New Jersey at a place called the Connecticut farms in which the enemy suffered a severe loss - and was forced from the field. the army of the United States also suffered a considerable loss.  Col. Spencers Regt of Infantry were almost entirely destroyed. Declarent here received a shot from a mucket, which entered his neck [crossed out 'near'] under the jaw near the wind_

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pipe and passed through near the neck bone & came out at the back of the neck. which was very near having proved fatal - after the battle he was sent with other wounded to Woodbridge where he remained two months in a hospital at which time his wound had so far healed that he was again able to perform duty and accordingly took his station in the said Regiment at Pracknards Valey = lay here same time then marched to a place called Kings ferry near Stony Point - Soon after which they marched with great rapidity to West Point, took possession of the place again mounted and unspiked the cannon which had been spiked by the enemy - this he thinks late in the fall of 1780.  he well remembers that the weather was quite cold and freesing - remained at West Point during the winter of 1780. and in the spring of 1781 was counter marched to New Jersey - the enemy at this time lay in considerable numbers on the East side of North river, and the forces of New Jersey & on the west watching their movements _ and marching from place to place along the New Jersey lines and Shores during the whole severance of the year 1781 - during which time he marched through -Elizabeth town, Rahway, Woodbridge, Hackensack

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Morristown & Peramis where they were reviewed by Genl Washington. No particular events took place during this summer ('81) in the winter of '81 he remained principally at Pumpkin   In the Summer of '82 remained in New Jersey guarding the lines and shores and harbours - but engaged in no battle - the service was the same this year '82 that it was in '81 watching the movements of the enemy and guarding the frontiers of the State of New Jersey he was once marched to Staten Island where he seen Lord Sterling.  in the winter of 82 went into quarters at Mendham and in April in the year 1783 a cesation of hostilities was proclaimed and the troops disbanded. Declarant was at this time discharged - but can not remember who signed his discharge the same having been lost many years ago. In the Campaign against the Indians - Declarant seen and became acquainted with Genls. Putnam, Clinton, Sullivan, Maxwell.  Col. Morgan.  In New Jersey he seen Genls. Washington, Wayne, Lay fayette Green, Milburn, Count Pulaski - at West Point he knew Cols. Spencer, Barber, Cox __ &c [et cetera]

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In New Jersey he knew Col. Sherives commandent of the 2d. New Jersey Regt.  Col. Barber the 3d and Col Spencer the 4th. If his memory has not failed him - Declarant was in actual service from the 1st. May in the year 1779 untill April 1783, and served 4 years as a private - Was born in Morris County in the State of New Jersey in the year 1752 where he resided when he first entered the service of the United States.  he has no documentary evidence by which to prove his services, and knows of no man living who can testify to the same - 
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.  
John townsend
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid 

And the said Justice certifies that to the seven several Interrogatories required by the War Department to be propounded he answers [crossed outand as follows, to wit, to the 1st he answers and says. I was born in Morris County in the State of New Jersey in the year 1752. Aug. 12

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2d.  Has no record of his age but remembers to have seen it recorded in his fathers Bible 

3d.  I was living in Morris County in the State of New Jersey, emigrated from thence to Pennsylvania soon after the close of the war, where I married in the year 1789. in the neighborhood of Pittsburg - soon after which I emigrated to Harrison County Virginia where I resided untill the spring of 1832 at which time I moved to Lewis County Va. where I now live 

4th.  The first tour. I was a substitute for Sylvanus Arnold, the 2d. I enlisted  

5th.  Sullivan, Clinton, Putnam, Lord Sterling, Wayne, Cols. Augdon, Barber, Spencer and Shriver - 

6th.   I recd. a discharge and think it was given by a man named Darley but am not certain, I have lost my dis Charges. 

7th.  I am known to Alexander Huffman and Joseph Bennett who can testify to my character  - &c [et cetera]

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We Alex Huffman and Joseph Bennett residing in the County of Lewis in the State of Virginia hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Townsend who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be 81 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. 
Alex. Huffman 
Joseph Bennett 

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid - 

And the said Justice of the peace hereby declares his opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after pulling the interogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary  soldier and served as he states 

And the said Justice of the Peace further certifies that it appears to him that Alex. Huffman & Joseph Bennett who have signed the preceding certificate are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit. And the said Justice of the peace do further certify that there is no clergyman living in the neighborhood where the above named applicant resides -- And the said Justice further certifies that the

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above named applicant resides 50 miles from the Court house of Lewis County, and from bodily infirmity is unable to travel to the said Court house. And the said Justice further certifies that the forgoing contains the Original Proceeding of the said Justice in the matter of the application of John Townsend for a pension- 

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 19th. day of June in the year 1833. 
Benaiah Maze                     Seal

I John Talbott Clerk of the County Court of Lewis County in the State of Virginia. do hereby certify that Beniah Maze who has signed the above certificate is a Justice of the peace in and for the said County of Lewis duly commissioned and qualified as such, and that his acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit as will in said Court as thereout.  In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and private seal. (there being no seal of office) this 29th day of June 1833 
J. Talbott                               Seal

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I do hereby certify that John Talbott who has signed the preceding certificate is Clerk of the County Court of Lewis County duly commissioned and qualified as such and that the same is his genuine Signature.  In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this 29th day of June Lewis Maxwell 1833.
Lewis Maxwell


State of Virginia }
County of Lewis}  SS 
I John Talbott Clerk of the County Court of the said County of Lewis do hereby certify that Beniah Maze is a Magistrate as above, and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine. 

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office at Weston this 16th. day of Oct. 1833. 
J. Talbott clk

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No. 25861.

John Townsend  Lewis County Virginia

10660

Return  a f.


Suspended See let 4 Nov 1832 to

Jas. Bennett (Weston) Lewis County Virga.

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WAR DEPARTMENT, 
Pension Office, 
5th August 1833, 
Sir :
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith 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 compling with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim. 

A Statement, showing the service of John Townsend Lewis County Virginia 

[Service information presented in tabular form with table column headings, as follows:]

Period when the service was rendered.
Duration of the claimant's service.
Rank of the claimant. 
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. 
Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.
Proof by which the declaration is supported.

Period . . .    Sub __ 1779
Duration . . .   4 Years
Rank . . .  privt.
Names and rank . . . Field officers . . . Cap Pheatt, Col. Augdon, Col Conaway
Age at present . . . 81 years.  Elizabeth Town New Jersey
Proof . . .  Traditionary evidence papers not properly attached

Period . . .    Enlisted 1780
Duration . . .   
Rank . . .  privt.
Names and rank . . . Field officers . . . Cap Pheatt, Col. Augdon
Age at present . . . 81 years.  Elizabeth Town New Jersey
Proof . . .  Traditionary evidence papers not properly attached


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

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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, mucicians 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 County of} ss. 
On this day of personally appeared (a) before A B. a resident (b) of. in the county of   and State, Territory or District of     aged (c)     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), with    and served in the (e) regiment of the with     line, under the following named officers: 

[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 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     of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of      for a pension. 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of    & 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 and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with  who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 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 day 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 and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. 
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension. 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of & 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

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alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person 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 Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 
6. {To a Soldier Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was 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 option. 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 inquiry 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---year----months, and days, I served as a . For months and --- days, I served as a ; 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 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 mints, &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 places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with the corps called his service by competent thority; 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.)
IT  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. 
is indispensable in mili

[writing oriented vertically going from bottom to top of page and located in the right margin of the page is as follows:] If he served as he alleges in the New Jersey line he must prove his service as his name is not found upon the rolls.

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Mr Townsends Declaration

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John Townsan
Lewis County

In August last. I employed Mr. Byne, to examine Some friends Six cases - in which the Individuals had removed to Kent area _ among the cases. thus examined by Mr. Byne, is this of Mr. Townsend. not being able to ascertain whether his Declaration has been transmitted to the Pension office ___ I have thought it best to send Mr. Bynes original note __
W. G Singleton
Jany. 13. 1835

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August the 20th 1834. 
I Peyton B Byone met with John Townsend. this day & proceeded to take down a memorandum of his Services in the Revolutionary war which is in the following words to wit . Mr Townsend Says he was born August the twelfth, Seventeen hundred & Sixty two, in Morris County State of New Jersey, in three mile of the County Seet. lived there till he joind the army he joined the army at the age of about Seventeen. hired as a Substitute in the place of one Arnold. under Capt Peeat. in the first Regiment of the Jersey line, Says his lieutenants was named George Snowdon & George Mires. Says his Ensigns was named Silas parrot & Isaac Dehart. was Rendezvoud in Elizabeth town East Jersey. the Seventh of May Seventeen hundred & Seventy nine the Armey Seven thousand Strong marchd under Command of general Sullivan westward the first day the the armey arrived at Bound Brook, a Small Creek there Remaind two or three days thence westward till they arrived at the Delaware River, thence up said River to East town, there Remained two or three weeks, from thence on to wyomy. there Remaind four or five weeks. From thence up the Susquhannah River to Tioga there Remaind about one month. from thence marchd out in Detachd parties to Shemong Town, there fell upon the indians in the night time & Destroyd the whole Town, & laid waste their cornfields then Returned to head

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quaters, at Tioga, then the whole armey marched on to new Town and Dispersd Col Butler & his Rangers, (British & Iindians) had a Severe battle for a bout two hours, from thence the armey marchd on to the gennassee town upon half allowance, when they arrived at Gennesse the town was vacated. They laid waste their cornfields , from thence Returned Back to join Washingtons Armey at head quaters in the State of New Jersey; Returned Safe Some time late in the fall the Same year there put up for winter Quaters at pumpton plains. So Ended the Campaign of Seventy nine. The Ensuing Campaign was in the Sate of new Jersey, &c.   Mr Townsend Says Some time During the winter after the Campaign of Seventy nine, he Enlisted During the war, in the Same Company. under Capt Ogden. Capt Peeat having died &c. Sometime During the Summer of the Campaign of '80 the army was Cald out to an Engagement (with the British) under command of General Maxwell at the Connecticut farms. there Mr Townsend Recd a wound. by the Enemy. then the army Repaird to Tappan. where major Andre was captured & Brought in and tried in Tappan Church house was condemnd & hung.   Mr Townsend was one of the guard that guarded him to the gallows.
The armey then marchd on to west poin and took.

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possession of the fort & there [crossed out 'Struck'] took up winter Quarters &c &c. [et cetera]. Still continued in the Service from. the Compaigh of Seventy nine till after the Surrender of Lord Cornwallis &c &c. [et cetera] Mr Townsend says James Bennet & Robbert Lowther Engaged to get his pension they was to have Seventy Dollars provided they got him a pension.  Says he has never Recd any thing yet. Mr Townsend was Swore Before Esqr mays. 

I do hereby certify that the above Declaration is a true Statement of my services Rend in the Revolutionary war. that it is in Strict accordance with what I told them when they Drew my Declaration.
John Tonsand
Att 
Peyton B Byrne  

Jacob Springstone & Absalom Stump say they Believe Mr Townsend to be a man of credibility one whose word may be Relied on 
Jacob Springston 
Abraham Stamp

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Kanawha C. H. Va. July 27 1841 

Dear Sir:

I by leave to trouble you to inform me if there is not a pensioner on the rolls under the act of the 7th June, 1832. by the name of John Townsend, who was at the date of his declaration, a resident of Lewis County, Virginia. 

I make this enquiry [crossed out 'it'] in consequence of an application from a man of that name now, and for the last three years a resident of this county, "to have his pension papers prepared anew."  I understand he is very infirm. -- for I have never seen him -- that he lives about 30 miles from this place -- and that some six or seven years ago he drew a pension at the rate of $80 pr annum and that he was defrauded out of the whole of it, by those who [crossed out 'drew'] prepared his papers -- and that he does not know what has become of his certificate. 

A very few words from your Department will enable me to give him a definitive answer.  
Very Respectfully Yr.
 James M. Saidley

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[crossed out 'Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873']

10,660

P.O.
John Townsend

Service:

REJECTED

Enlisted:  , 18  .
Discharged: ,  18  .

Application filed:  ,18  .

Alleges:

Re-enlisted:


Attorney:
P.O.

___ Recognized.     _________Contract.

_____ Cert. of Dis.    Searched for  __, 18  .

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John Townsend ___
Va.
Suspended ___
Letter 4 Nov :  1833 __ to
James Bennett
do to J.M. Lawley. Aug 2. 1841.

Act 7 June  1832