Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17245, Thomas Ayers, New Jersey New York

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(3-1776)

Black star stamp in a black border

Service

New Jersey
New York

Ayers or Ayres, Thomas

Number
S.17245

carded

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19047 Indiana Thomas Ayres of Switzerland Co in the State of Indiana who as a private in the company commanded by Captain Countryman of the Regt commanded by Col - in the N.J. ^and N.Y. Mila time [crossed out] for 2 yr .. from 1776
Inscribed on the Roll of Indiana at the rate of 80 Dollars - Cents per o commence on the 4th day of March 1831.
tificate of Pension issued the 31 day of July 1833 - - and sent to Wm C. Keen. Printers Retreat.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $160.- Semi-anl. Allowance ending 4 Sep “ 40. $200-
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
ecorded by ThomS Allison Clerk ook E Vol. 7 Page 103

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19047 Indiana Thomas Ayres of Switzerland Co in the State of Indiana who as a private in the company commanded by Captain Countryman of the Regt commanded by Col - in the N.J. ^and N.Y. Mila time [crossed out] for 2 yr .. from 1776
Inscribed on the Roll of Indiana at the rate of 80 Dollars - Cents per o commence on the 4th day of March 1831.
tificate of Pension issued the 31 day of July 1833 - - and sent to Wm C. Keen. Printers Retreat.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $160.- Semi-anl. Allowance ending 4 Sep “ 40. $200-
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
ecorded by ThomS Allison Clerk ook E Vol. 7 Page 103

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Thomas Ayers 12.055 from 1776 private 2 years. $80. Direct to Wm C. Ken Printer’s Retreat
[illegible]

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In the matter of Thomas Ayres} An applicant for a pension, under the act of Congress of June 7, 1832- Recorded in book A page 320 Edward Patton clk. 

WHEREAS, it has been represented to me; WILLIAM C. KEEN, Judge of Switzerland Probate count, that Thomas Ayers of said county, is a REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIER- that he resides in the township of Posey and is unable to appear at court, in consequence of bodily infirmity; whereupon, I attended at the residence of said Thomas Ayers- and after examination, do certify that said Thomas Ayers- is unable to, and cannot, appear at court, in consequence of BODILY INFIRMITY, caused by general disability. 

Given under my hand, this 7th day of September A.D. 1832

    The state of Indiana Switzerland County, SS: William C. Keen. 
On this Seventh day of September- A.D. 1832 personally appeared, at his own house, in Posey township, county aforesaid, before William C. Keen Esq. Judge of the Switzerland Probate court, Thomas Ayers aged seventy seven years, who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his said oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of congress, passed the 7th day of June, A.D. 1832- that he, the said Thomas Ayers entered the service of the United States, during the AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY WAR, under the following named officers and served as herein stated- That he, the said Thomas served in AD 1776 in a company of New Jersey Militia under Captain Countryman again in a company commanded by same captain, again in a company commanded by capt Steven Shafer, again in capt Kuykendoll company- again in Capt Jano and again companies again for Capt Hardavis compy again in Capt Burrell's company. 

And, that he hereby relinquishes every claim 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. 

    The Judge, then propounded the following interrogatories to the said Thomas Ayres, 

1. Where, and in what year were you born? I was born in Somerset County, N.J. on the 31st of August AD 1755. 
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it? I have no record of my age. 
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war; and where do you now live? I lived in Sussex Co N.J- after the war I moved to Penns and remained in that state about 5 years- then to Cincinnati and lived in Ohio about 25 years or more- since that in Indiana. 
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted- did you volunteer or were you a substitute? and if a substitute, for whom? 
I was drafted and enlisted. 
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 service. 
General Lafayette= general Poor, was buried while I was with Lafayette= General Washington- Gen Wayne- General Dickinson

In AD 1776 (Blurry words) as a private soldier, for one month, in a company of New Jersey militia, commanded by Capt Fenny Countryman, in the regiment commanded by Col he believes the col's name was Thompson, in Sussex county, New Jersey. After (blacked out) continued to serve in the same company (blacked out) substitue for Capt Deeves, for one (blacked out) 
With Father Peter Ayers. At (blacked out) of said time the was discharged at Amboy, N.J. by genl Dickinson, he was stationed during the whole of  said two months

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In A.D. 1776 he the said [illegible]as a private soldier for one month, in a company of New Jersey militia, commanded by capt. Henry Countryman, in the regiment commanded by Col- he believes the cols’ name was Thompson, in Sussex county, New Jersey.  After his time expired, he continued to serve in the same company, but under the command of Capt. Meeker, for one month, as a substitute for his father Peter Ayers. At the expiration of said time he was discharged at Amboy, N.J. By Genl. Dickinson.  He was stationed during the whole of said two months at Perth Amboy. A body of troops known by the name of the ~ Flying Camp,” was stationed at the same place at the same time.  He was taken sick three days before his term had entirely expired, but was, at the request of Gabriel Compton, discharged by Gen. Dickerson.
Again in AD. 1777, - in the month of [left blank] he was drafted in Sussex county aforesaid, and served in a company of New Jersey Militia, commanded by Captain Benjamin Kuykendoll, and marched to Elizabethtown and continued there for one month. General Wines commanded the whole forces composed chiefly  of New Jersey Militia.  
Again in A.D. 1778 or ^1779 in the month of [blank] he was drafted in Sussex county, New Jersey in a company of Militia, commanded by captain[crossed out] Lieutentant Westfall, and marched to Elizabethtown General Wines, still in command and served one month.

Again in A.D 1778 or ^1779 in the month of [blank] in a company of New Jersey Militia, commanded by Capt. Kuykendall / our lieutenant was named Midday and marched to Paramus, and served one month Col. Seward was in command at Paramus, at this [page torn] 

 Again in A.D. 1778 - in the month of [blank] drafted at Sussex county, N.Jersey, in a company of Militia of the state of New Jersey, commanded by captain Peter Shaver or Shafer (a miller) and marched from where we continued until our time expired and served one month.

Again in A.D. 1779 on the [blank] day of [blank] he was drafted in Sussex County aforesaid in a company of Militia commanded by Captain Kuykendall and marched to and was stationed at Mini [blacked out]h. Again in A.D. 1780 h[blacked out], State of New York in a company [blacked out] anded by captain Gano, and marched [blacked out] point, where he was picked out of his company and attached to the command of captain Delavan at Taropan of

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Where we continued [illegible] served one month. Again in A.D. 1779, on the [blank] day of [blank] he was drafted in Sussex county aforesaid in a company of Militia, commanded by captain Kuykendoll, and marched to and was stationed at Minnisink, for one month. Again in A.D. 1780 he enlisted at Gothenburg, State of New York, in a company commanded by captain Gano, and marched to West Point, where he was picket out of his company and attached to the command of captain Delavan, at Taropan, of Colonel Courtland’s regiment, General Hand’s brigade.  Lafayette, commander in chief and [illegible] months.

During this tour, our troops were not stationed at any particular place but were kept moving from place to place = we were at Hackensack and Bergentown [crossed out].  The British lay at a block house on Bergen point = a man was hung at Bergen in the woods, for shooting at or threatening to shoot Lafayette, as I said in the cap[illegible] = his name he has forgotten = he ^said Thomas was dismissed at Poughkeepsie, N.Y. By Capt. Delavan.

Again in A.D. 1781, in the month of [crossed out] ^April he enlisted at Minnisink, N. Jersey in a company commanded by captain Joseph Harker, New Jersey militia - during this time [illegible] [illegible] the Indians attacked Capt. Chalmers house and we drove them off, after a pretty severe brush after which time, another company was raised and sent to strengthen us commanded by Capt, James Bunnell, which company continues with us the balance of the time. Captain Bunnells’ men built a block house st Shimers’ or Shiner = our company was kept traversing the country between the above named block house and [illegible] ^ Fredenburgs ^ or Fredenbury during this tour nine months.  

Again, in March or on April of A.D. 1782 he enlisted at Capt. Bunnells’ quarters (which was at Shimers or Shiner’s / the captains father in law) in a company of New Jersey militia, commanded by captain James Bunnell and were stationed at the above named block house and continued there until the first day of December and served during this tour nine months [illegible] no other [illegible] but Bun

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a block house at Shimers or Shiner = our company was kept traversing the country between the above named block house and [illegible] ^Fredenburgs or Fredenbury during this tour nine months. Again in March or April of AD 1782 he enlisted at Captn. Brunnell’s quarters (which was at Shimer or Shiner’s / the captains father in law) in a company of New Jersey Militia, commanded by Captain James Bunnell and were stationed at the above named block house and continued there until the first day of December and having during this tour nine months c no other troops at Shimer or Shiner’s block house but Brunnell’s company. That he then said Thomas Ayer’s served during the American revolutionary war altogether for the full term of Twenty Nine months.

In 1780 - after being discharged from Delavan’s infantry - he then said Thomas Ayer’s served as a substitute for Robert Brooks, who had previously served three months in the same company and served about one month or more in a company of Militia, which lay at Maj. Westbrook’s house [illegible]  When I joined the company under Delavan they took a descriptive list of my person &. I am, in that list, named as a tanner and shoemaker = my age = my height & [illegible] is also there.  A very young man, called captain Washington = was capt. of our guard several times = he was not more than 16 or 18 years of age, at that time = he was th [illegible] New Jersey. -

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In the matter of Thomas Ayers} An applicant for a pension, under the act of Congress of June 7, 1832- Recorded in book A page 320 Edward Patton clk.
WHEREAS, it has been represented to me, WILLIAM C. KEEN, Judge of Switzerland Probate count that Thomas Ayers — of said county is a REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIER- that he resides in the township of Posey and is unable to appear in court, in consequence of bodily infirmity; whereupon, I attended at the residence of said Thomas Ayers - and after examination, do certify that said Thomas Ayers- is unable to, and cannot appear at court, in consequence of BODILY INFIRMITY, caused by general disability
Given under my hand, this 7th day of September A.D. 1832 
The state of Indiana, Switzerland county SS: William C. Keen On this seventh day of September, - A.D. 1832 personally appeared, at this own house in Posey township, county aforesaid, before William C. Keen Esq. Judge of the Switzerland Probate court, Thomas Ayers aged Seventy Seven years, who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his said oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of congress, passed the 7th of June, A.D. 1832-that he the said Thomas Ayers entered the service of the United States, during the AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY WAR, under the following named officers, and served in herein stated-That he, the said Thomas served in AD 1776, in a company of New Jersey militia, under Captain Countryman-again in a company commanded [illegible] commanded by same captain = again in a company commanded by Capt Shaver or Shafer = again in Capt Kuykendoll’s company - again in Capt. Jano & Delaware’s companies = again in Capt. Harkins compy again in Capt. Brunnell’s company.-
And, that he hereby relinquishes every claim 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.
The Judge, then propounded the following interrogatories to the said Thomas Ayers, -
1. Where and in what year were you born? I was born in Somerset County, N.J. On the 21st August AD. 1755.-
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it? I have no record of my age.
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war; and where do you now live? I lived in Sussex Co. N.J = after the war I moved to Pennsylvania. and remained in that state, about 5 years = then to Cincinnati, and lived in Ohio about 25 years or more = since that in Indiana.
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted-did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  I was drafted and enlisted
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 service. General Lafayette = General Poor, was buried while I was with Lafayette = General Washington - Gen. Wayne [illegible, crossed out] = General Dickinson.

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6. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  General Dickinson gave me one discharge which I have long lost ago never received any other discharge -
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. Aribert Gazley, Bela Hearick, Dennis Quigley. Samuel Jack Colin McNutt, &c.&c.
8. Have you any documentary evidence of your services, and do you know of know of any person now living whose testimony you can procure to testify to your services? I have no documentary evidence and know of no persons living whose testimony I can procure. -
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid William C. Keen Probate Judge} Thos Ayers
We George A. Dugan a clergyman, residing in Dearborn county and state of Indiana and Aribert Gazlay, Just. P. residing in Switzerland county, state of Indiana hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Thomas Ayers, - who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration - that we believe him to be Seventy Seven years of age- the he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier in the REVOLUTION and we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid, William C. Keen Probate Judge.} G A Dugan Aribert Gazlay
And the said Judge, does hereby declare his opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named Thomas Ayers, - was a REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIER, and served as he states.  And the Judge further certifies, that it appears to him that George A. Dugan who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman, resident in Dearborn county and state of Indiana and that Aribert Gazlay who also signed the same, in a resident in Switzerland county and state of Indiana and is a credible person, and their statement is entitled to credit. William C Keen
I, Edward Patton, clerk of the Switzerland Probate Court, do certify that the “Switzerland Probate court,” is a court of record-that William C Keen Esq. is the judge thereof, duly elected, commissioned and sworn into office, and the above signature is in the judge’s own hand writing-and I further certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Judge, in the matter of the application of Thomas Ayers for [illegible] od of record by said Probate Judge. in testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my [illegible due to seal] and affixed the seal of said Court at Vevay, Twelfth day of September AD thousand, eight hundred and thirty-two Edward Patton clk

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No. 12055
Thomas Ayers.
14 allowed
Wm C Keen Indiana
Printers Retreat
15th Febry 1833

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BRIEF in the case of Thomas Ayers. of Switzerland County in the State of Indiana. (Act 7th June, 1832)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court of Judge? A Judge
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? Yes.
3. How old is he? 77. Years.
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. [column headings: Period. Duration of Service Years, Months, Days. Rank As a. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served Gen.
In 1776 ..2.- private Capt. Countryman
1777… 1 - do..Capt. Kuykendoll
1777 or 8 ..1.- do. Same, D. Westfall
1778 or 9 ..1.- do. Capt. Kuykendoll
1778 [illegible] ..1. - do. Capt. Shaver
1779 .. 1..- do. Capt. Kuykendoll
1780 .. 3. - do. Capt. Gano
1781 ..9.- do. Capt. Harkins
1782 . March or Apr to Dec. do. Capt. Bunnell.
5. In what battles was he engaged?
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Sussex County New Jersey.
7. In his statement supported 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? No.
[symbol] Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned. 
B.F. Healauls Examining Clerk.
# in addition he states that he served 1. Month as a substitute for Robt. Burk in 1780 -

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17.245 INVALID.
File No. 17.245 Thomas Ayers
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7th 32
Index:-Vol. 1, Page 14
[Arrangement of 1870.]