Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 8181, for Christopher Philhower, New Jersey

Page 1

SERVICE NUMBER
New Jersey Philhower, Christopher R.8181

Page 2

[Illegible] Young
RW Young

Page 3

State of New Jersey
Hunterdon County Ss. Be it Known that before me Isaac G. Farley one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the Said County of Hunterdon personally appeared Philip Young and Elizabeth Young his Wife of full age, who being duly cautioned and then Sworn in due form of Law, State that Elizabeth Young is the wife of Philip Young - and the Daughter of Christopher Philhower, who was a Revolutionary Soldier in the State of New Jersey - that he died on the 22d of February Eighteen hundred and Forty Six - and that the Said Elizabeth Young's mother named Elizabeth - Philhower died on the 4th of May 1834 and that the Said Christopher and Elizabeth were married on the 22d day of March AD 1792 - and that they were residents of the Township of Lebanon in the County of Hunterdon aforesaid, and that they resided there until the respectively died
And we do hereby appoint, constitute, and fully empower and Authorize irrevocably and with powers of Substitution George H. Brown Esq'r of the County of Somerset in the State of New Jersey as our true and lawful attorney for us and in our Name and Stead, to examine into, to prosecute, to demand, and to receive from the United States Government and State officers - the rights in all and in every manner of Claim for Pensions in Land in any form whatever - that

Page 4

may be due the Heirs of the Said Christopher Philhower dec'd - which are as follows to wit
Catharine morgan widow of Asher Morgan [illegible] Christopher Philhower - " - Mary Apgar wife of Adam Apgar, Charrety wife of Adam Philhower - George Philhower, Elizabeth Young wife of Philip Young, Sarah Struble Wife of William Struble - the said Christopher Philhower having died without the said Pension - as in right he [illegible] have been entitled
In witness whereof we the Said Philip Young and Elizabeth Young have here unto set our hands and Seals this thirtieth day of November AD Eighteen hundred & Fifty Two
Witness present Philip his + mark Young
Isaac G. Farlee Elizabeth her + mark Young
Signed sealed acknowledged and Sworn to before me, and I further certify that Elizabeth Young is the wife of Philip Young and always by the community been known as the daughter of Christopher Philhower decd.
dated on this thirtieth day of November 1852
Isaac G. Farlee, Judge of the
Court of Common Pleas of
Hunterdon County

Page 5

Christopher Philhower
24488
Certificate to be
Sent to G Bartles
Flemington
N. Jersey
8181

Page 6

State of New Jersey. Hunterdon county Ss: on this fifteenth day of August in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open court before the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the county of Hunterdon now sitting Christopher Phillhower now a resident of the Township of Bethlehem in the County of Hunterdon & state of New Jersey aged Sixty eight years & upward who being first duly sworn according to Law on his oath maketh the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832.
I was born in the Township of Tewksbury & County aforesaid, my age I do not certainly know but think I will be Sixty-nine in October. I have no record of my age. I lived in the Township of Tewksbury aforesaid when the Revolutionary war took place where I always resided untill about 4 or 5 years ago when I removed to Bethlehem. I entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as follows. 1st I volunteered in 1777, the month I cannot recollect, about the age of fifteen under Captain Godfrey Rhinehart. William Eyck lieutenant, Ebenezer Berry was Major & John Taylor was Colonel [The words George Dickerson commanded are crossed out.] We went to Elizabethtown. General Dickerson commanded there. While there I was among those who went over to Staten Island to engage the Tories, then there. Major Heard commanded us. Colonels Taylor, Seely & Frelinghuysen was in the same engagement. The Tories being reinforced [The word they is crossed out.] we were compelled to retreat. He this time served 
1. one month. The next tour was in the Spring ensuing when I went out under Capt. Cooper. (I think John Porter was Lieutenant.) to Elizabethtown. I think

Page 7

State of New Jersey. Hunterdon county Ss: on this fifteenth day of August in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open court before the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the county of Hunterdon now sitting Christopher Phillhower now a resident of the Township of Bethlehem in the County of Hunterdon & state of New Jersey aged Sixty eight years & upward who being first duly sworn according to Law on his oath maketh the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832.
I was born in the Township of Tewksbury & County aforesaid, my age I do not certainly know but think I will be Sixty-nine in October. I have no record of my age. I lived in the Township of Tewksbury aforesaid when the Revolutionary war took place where I always resided untill about 4 or 5 years ago when I removed to Bethlehem. I entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as follows. 1st I volunteered in 1777, the month I cannot recollect, about the age of fifteen under Captain Godfrey Rhinehart. William Eyck lieutenant, Ebenezer Berry was Major & John Taylor was Colonel [The words George Dickerson commanded are crossed out.] We went to Elizabethtown. General Dickerson commanded there. While there I was among those who went over to Staten Island to engage the Tories, then there. Major Heard commanded us. Colonels Taylor, Seely & Frelinghuysen was in the same engagement. The Tories being reinforced [The word they is crossed out.] we were compelled to retreat. He this time served 
1. one month. The next tour was in the Spring ensuing when I went out under Capt. Cooper. (I think John Porter was Lieutenant.) to Elizabethtown. I think
2. Heard was Major. I was there one month.
The next tour which I before overlooked when relating was under Captain Rhinehart. Ebenezer Berry was Major and John 
8. Colonel, we went to Springfield and was there during the engagement at that place and engaged in it. General Maxwell was there. The next tour was I think in 1780 when he went

Page 8

under Captain Tenbrook. John reed was Lieutenant. We went up the Delaware after the Indians up into New York. There was a party of Pennsylvanians with us We heard of the Indians but could not overtake them.
3. I was out this time one month & was discharged.
The next tour was under Captain Perrine. Reed was Lieutenant, in the latter part of the Summer of the same year about 1780. We went to Elizabethtown and were engaged in traversing the country round there. Sometimes at Newark & sometimes at Hackensack. Colonel Seely was there. Perrine was a young man had no family * we were all young who were in the company so that we 
5. staid this tour 2 months. I was also out several times in alarms when we were out sometimes a week, sometimes more. I think one alarm we went all the way to Hackensack. I think I can safely say I was out alltogether in 
7. these different alarms two months. In the Spring of 1781, I enlisted with Capt. Read, for three months, as was then said. [The word They is crossed out.] We were to rendezvous at Morristown [The word We is crossed out.] I went there and attached [The word himself is crossed out.] myself to capt Re[illegible]'s Company in Col. Seely's regiment of volunteers. William He[illegible] was the Lieutenant of the Company. John Porter was our Major. There were about 1500 at Morristown We marched from there to Dobbs ferry on the North river where General Washington's army there lay.
17. We staid there untill the month of August [The words when the are crossed out.] [illegible] engaged in active Service, as scouting parties &c when the whole army removed & marched through New Jersey on their way to Maryland. We Staid at Newark by the command of General Washington to protect the country I was there engage untill in December of the same year. We marched all through the neighbouring country sometimes almost up to Dobbs ferry again. I think I enlisted Some time in March & was out under this

Page 9

sometimes almost up to Dobbs ferry again. I think I enlisted some time in March & was out under this
enlistment nine months. While at Dobbs ferry and on the march back, I saw very many of the superior officers of the army. Genl Washington, La Fayette, Wayne &c. Our discharges in the militia were only verbal. My memory has so failed that I cannot recollect the places & months precisely when I was out.
I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to 
Hunterdon County a pension or annuity except the present and I do declare that my name is not on any pension roll or agency of any state. John Blaine and John Sowers can testify as to Some of my military Services. I do not know others who are living who was with me.
Sworn and Subscribed this} Chris Philhower
15th day of August 1832}
in open court "the tour to Springfield being first appended"
J[illegible] Thompson
Hunterdon County Ss: I John Sowers of the Township of Tewksbury afsd being duly sworn according to Law on his oath saith that he is upwards of Seventy Seven years old. he is acquainted with Christopher Phillhower the within named applicant and has been as long as he can recollect. He was with him two tours in the Revolution one at Elizabethtown, and one at Springfield when the Battles before mentioned took place there. I also heard of his being out in 1781, a term of 8 or 9 month together.
Sworn and Subscribed in } John Sower
open court this 15 Aug 1832}
J[illegible] Thompson
Benjn Egbert

Page 10

Hunterdon County Ss:
We Isaac G Farlee and Charles Bart[illegible] of the Township of Amwell do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Christopher Phillhower who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be upwards of Sixty eight years of age, that he is reputed & believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion
Isaac G. Farlee
Sworn & Subscribed in open}
court this 18 August 1832}
J[illegible] Thompson c. Bartles
[Written vertically on the lefthand margin is the following]
To be sent to C. Bartles
24488 Flemington
N.J.
Christopher Phillhower
[Written horizontally]
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 this court further certifies that it appears to them that Isaac G Farlee and Charles Bartles who have signed the preceding certificate are freeholders resident in the county of Hunterdon, and are credible persons and their statement is entitled to credit. And the said court further certify, that the said applicant is personally known to some of the members of this court, and esteemed a man of truth & veracity but poor & in indigent circumstances and that they put confidence in his statements. Done in open court
August Term 1832
J[illegible] Thompson
Benjn Egbert
Richd Coxe

Page 11

State of New Jersey Hunterdon county Ss: I, Benjamin Egbert one of the Judges of the Inferior court of common pleas of the county of Hunterdon do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with John Sower the witness who has sworn to & subscribed the foregoing affidavit and that full faith & credit is to be given to his statements in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 22nd day of June AD 1833.
Benjn Egbert
State of New Jersey Hunterdon county Ss: Christopher Philhower the person who hath sworn to & subscribed the foregoing declaration being duly sworn according to law on his oath saith since making the foregoing declaration he hath recollected one tour that was not stated in the foregoing declaration We went out under Capt John Reed Lieutenant dont recollect. Marched from the Whitehouse to Trenton from thence back to Coryells ferry on the Delaware where we crossed the Delaware and joined the army that was guarding Congress while they were removing to Allentown in Pennsylvania. Deponent staid there for some time as a guard to Congress, while they set at Allentown - I was out on this tour two months & upwards: I was also at the battle of Monmouth in June 1778, Jno Taylor was our Colonel there - I think John Reed was Captain I recollect going with Dennis Wyckoff Esq. who is now dead to the battle of Monmouth. I recollect seeing General Lee at Monmouth

Page 12

saw Washington also there - the night before the battle I was on duty all night - & the next day Washington ordered us to be relieved from duty, in the morning we were about the middle of the day put to guard the baggage waggon while we did on this tour. I was out one month. And the said Christopher Philhower on his oath farther saith that by reason of old age & the consequent loss of his memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his services but according to the best of his memory he served not less than the period [The word below is crossed out.] mentioned below in the following grades for one year and Eight months. I served as a private and for such service I claim a pension.
Sworn & Subscribed before
me the Subscriber one Chris Philhower
of the Judges of the court
of common pleas of the
county of Hunterdon aforesaid}
this 8th day of September}
AD 1833}
Geo Henry}
State of New Jersey Hunterdon county SS
I Isaac G Farlee clerk of the Inferior court of common pleas of the county of Hunterdon do hereby that the foregoing contains the original proceedings had before the said court of common pleas of the county of Hunterdon in the matter of the application of Christopher Philhower for a pension
I do farther certify that John Thompson Benjamin Egbert Richard Coxe and

Page 13

George Henry Equire who have signed the preceding certificates & tested the preceding affidavits were respectively at the time of the doing thereof Judges of the said court and that their Signatures to the same are genuine - In witness whereof 
I have hereunto set my hand
& affixed the Seal of the said court this fifteenth
day of October in the year
of our Lord Eighteen
hundred & thirty three 1833.
Isaac G. Farlee Clk

Page 14

Rev. and 1812 War Section.
October 16, 1925
Freeman Leigh
11 Court St.
Newark, N.J.
Sir:
I have to advise you from the papers in the
Revolutionary War pension claim, R. 8181, it ap-
pears that Christopher Philhower was born in October 1763 at Tewksbury Township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey,
While residing at said place, he served from in
177 1777 to in 1781 at various times as a private in the New Jersey Troops, under Captains Godfrey Rinehart, Tenbrook, Cooper, Perrine, John Reed, Rickey and Colonels John Taylor and Seeley and was in the battles of
Springfield and Staten Island.
He applied for pension August 15, 1832, while
a resident of Bethlehem, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, but the claim was not allowed, as he failed to furnish specific proof of the services.
Soldier married March 22, 1792, Elizabeth, her

Page 15

maiden name is not stated. She died May 4, 1834 in Lebanon Township, New Jersey, and he died February 22, 1846 at same place.
A daughter, Elizabeth, wife of Philip Young, is referred to in 1852.
The above noted Christopher Philhower is the only Revolutionary War soldier of that name, on account of whose services pension was claimed.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.
I did not give names of heirs - as they did state relationship

Page 16

[Written vertically on the lefthand side is the following]
1925-Oct. 16-Hist to [Illegible] Freeman Leigh [illegible]
[Written horizontally]
8181
P.O.
Christopher Philhower
Enlisted: REJECTED, 18  .
Discharged: _____, 18  .
Application filed: _____, 18
The printed list of 1852
shows reasons for suspension
Alleges: "For further proof and
specification"
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P.O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Cont[illegible]
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for_____, 18

Page 17

New Jersey
Revo.
Act 7 June 1832
Christopher Philhower
Suspended
[The following is crossed out.]
Letter to
C. Bartles
Nov. 8, 1833

Page 18

C. Bartles
8 Nov. 1833
Recd. Vol. 29 p. 122.

Page 19

War Dep
P.O.
[Illegible] Nov. 8, 1833
Sir
The declaration of Christopher Philhower alleges various services in the militia of New Jersey from 1777 to 1781 amounting as he states in his additional declaration to twenty months. The claimant is [illegible] to have been but 68 years old and was of course 16 when he alleges he entered the service. Service in the militia before the military age cannot be allowed unless distinctly proved in detail. As the militia of New Jersey was classed by law & each class called out in rotation the duration of some of the terms stated by him are inconsistent in the course of the service, unless he served in permanent corps which should be shews with the officers, places of service and all the particulars required by the regulations. The best proof of each term of service must also be produced - and it should be stated after particularizing the service at each term whether there are survivors by whom it may be proved. The present papers are place on file. A new declaration upon these principles should be forwarded when a decision upon the claim will be made
C Bartles
Flemington
N J

Page 20

Chris. Philhower

Page 21

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Christopher Philhower which require further proof or explanation. 
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? 
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? Yes 
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 of pension he is entitled? No [illegible]
VI. Has he given the names of officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? 
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? 
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? 
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?

Page 22

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?
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? 
XIV. +If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified to the credibility of the credibility of the witness or witnesses? No
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?
XV. Does it appear form 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. See quere 16
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not answered? 
EXPLANATIORY 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 that 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.

Page 23

3
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 three or four months is too indefinity, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some person who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars regarding their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn 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 an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field on in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
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 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.
QUERE XVI. 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 paper 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.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.

Page 24

11 Court St
Newark, N.J.
Oct 13, 1925
Comm'r of Pensions
Dear Sir
To join the S.A.R. please advise when the pension of Christopher (or Christian) Philhower, of the N.J. State troops was terminated by death He was a pensioner as late as 1840, from the Rev-
olutionary War
Yours very resp
Freeman Leigh.
OFFICE
1925
U. 14 S.
OCT
PENSION

Page 25

11 Court St
Newark N.J.
Sept 8, 1925
Comm'r of Pensions
Dear Sir
Records show that one Christopher (or Christian) Philhower served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War from Hunterdon County, N.J. & was receiving a pension for such service as late as 1840, possibly under the act of 1832 His wife's name was Elizabeth Fox. Possibly your records would show the date of termination of the pension by death.
Then the Philhower Family Ass'n could go to the news-

Page 26

paper files and determine the place of burial. The descendants are very anxious to locate his grave & erect a memorial over it. So you see this information is requested for a worthy object & the date of his death from your dept will help considerably.
Yours very resp
Freeman Leigh.
PENSION
S
SEP
U. 9 S.
1925
OFFICE