Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 34,613, Oliver Cromwell, New Jersey

Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
New Jersey

Cromwell, Oliver

NUMBER
S.34,613

ACONTENTS

Page 2

[newspaper clipping]

I am One Hundred Years Old To-Day!

The attention of many of our citizens has doubtless been arrested by the appearance of an old colored man, who might be seen sitting in front of his residence, in East Union street, upon mild, clear days, respectfully raising his hat to those who might be passing by. His attenuated frame, his silvered head, his feeble movements, combine to prove that he is very aged; and yet, comparatively few are aware that he is among the survivors of the gallant army who fought for the liberties of our country "in the days which tried men's souls."

On Monday last we stopped to speak to him, and asked him how old he was. He asked the day of the month, and, upon being told that it was the 24th of May, replied, with trembling lips, "I am very old-I am a hundred years old to-day."

His name is Oliver Cromwell, and he says that he was born at the Black Horse, (now Columbus,) in this county, in the family of John Hutchin. He enlisted in a company commanded by Captain Lowery, attached to a second New Jersey regiment, under the command of Col. Israel Shrove. He was at the battles of Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine, Monmouth, and Yorktown, at which latter place, he told us, he saw the last man killed. Although his faculties are failing, yet he relates many interesting reminisces of the Revolution.

He was with the army at the neglect of the Delaware in the memorable crossing of the 25th December, 1776, and relates the story of the battles on the succeeding days with enthusiasm. He gives the details of the march from Trenton to Princeton, and told us, with much humor, that they "knocked the British about lively" at the latter place. He was also at the battle of Springfield, and says that he saw the house burning in which Mrs. Caldwell was shot, at Connecticut Farms.

His memory in reference to persons engaged in the war is very good, and frequent applications have been made to him by persons seeking evidence for pensioners.

He says that the branch of the army with which her= was connected was disbanded at Little Britain, in New York, a short distance from West Point. His discharge was signed by Washington, and stated that he was entitled, "by reason of his honorable services, to wear the badges of honor," which he did for many years after peace was declared. His eye brightens at the name of Washington, and in all his conversations he exhibits that deep-seated attachment to his illustrious commander for which all soldiers of the Revolution are celebrated.

His discharge was taken from him, at the time he made application for his pension, by the Pension Agent, Joseph McIlvaine, esp., and by him forwarded to the War Department, where it doubtless remains now. He mourns over it much, and always speaks of its being taken from him with tearful eyes. - Burlington (N.J.) Gazette.

Page 3

[newspaper article]

[illegible] by his friends so belittles and ridicules him that we do not wish to repeat it. But we venture on the following from an able Democratic paper:

"A correspondent informs is that on one occasion, when Gen. Franklin Pierce was spending the Sabbath in a country village of his native State, he made some inquiry at the hotel as to the tine the church exercises commenced. 'It makes but little difference when,' was the reply; 'we have a very dull preacher, and the church is fast running down.' 'Indeed, but I shall go,' said Mr. Pierce; 'the fact that we are not to listen to an eloquent preacher is no excuse for our staying away from church.'

"The same individual observes that during the time he was a member of the Sunday school in Gen. Pierce's native town, many years ago, Mr. Pierce being on a visit to that place attended church, when a collection was taken up for the purpose of increasing the Sunday School Library, and he remembers, with pride, the satisfaction it gave him to see Gen. Pierce empty his pockets as freely as he did for that good object."
([Boston Post.

There has been on the part of many Whig editors a desire to appear magnanimous, and by it they have been led into the admission of some things that are not correct. The following exemplifies a case in point:

([From the editorial columns of the Republic, June 8th.])
GENERAL PIERCE'S BATTLES. - We have before us the official list of officers who marched with the army under the command of Major General Winfield Scott from Puebla upon the city of Mexico, the 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th of August, 1847, and who were engaged in the battles of Mexico. From this list we learn that General Franklin Pierce was in the battles of Contreras, Churubusco, Molino del Rey, near Chapultepec, near Belen, and at Garita de Belen.

([From the Republic, of June 21.])
To the Editor of the Republic:
SIR: If you will examine the official reports, you will see that General Pierce, though present with the army in the valley of Mexico, was personally engaged in not one battle. I refer you to his own reports, in the message and accompanying documents for 1847-'48.

He fell from or with his horse on the 19th August, (day before the battle of Contreras,) joined his brigade o the morning of 20th August, after the battle of Contreras, and fell from pain and exhaustion (same day) before reaching the field of Churubusco, and, by his own official confession, beyond the range of the enemy's guns. In the next battle in order of time (Molino del Rey) his brigade was not engaged. It was ordered up, but, according to General Worth's letter in answer to General Scott's report, did not reach that bloody field until two hours after the battle was ended and the enemy entirely routed.

The next battle was Chepultepec and the garitas
[continued]

Page 4

[handwritten]
[left page]
Sent to Hon. Richard Brodhead
July 28 '48
______
Sent to Hon. G. Smith
7 March 1854

[illegible] Jan. 24 1853
Agency book

[right page]
New Jersey
______
Oliver Cromwell
Capt. Lowrey - private
Army U. States, N Jersey
________-
At $8. per mo: [illegible] 2d. April, 1818
____--
Cert: issued 12th April, 1818 and
sent to Hon. Genl. Bloomfield,
House of Rep. U.S.
_______
Amt to 4th Sept. 1818, 5 3/31 months $40.77

(Revy. Claim. Act 18th March 1818)

New Jersey Line
Six years
War

Continued on the 
roll under the law 
[illegible] May 1890
[illegible]
Burlington [illegible]
Notification sent 
to the Hon. J. Bloomfield

Page 5

[handwritten]

Oliver Cromwell
__________
131
___________
12 April 1820

(Septr. 1818)

Continue

Page 6

District of New-Jersey, ss.

On this twenty seventh day of May 1820, personally appeared, in open Court, before the Judges of the Court of Common pleas, of the County of Burlington in the state of New-Jersey, being a Court of record, proceeding according to the course of the Common Law- having jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount, and keeping records of its proceedings. Oliver Cromwell aged sixty seven years, resident in the city of Burlington in said County, who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath declare that he served in the Revolutionary war as follows: - That he enlisted at the beginning of the war in the company of Captain Lowrey - Second New Jersey Regiment - Lowry was wounded and he then was commanded by Captain Bowman - same regiment- that after the regiment was reduced he thinks he was commanded by Captain Dayton. that he served six years - that he had a discharged signed by General Washington which was forwarded to the war department when he applied for his pension on the 2nd of April 1818 - that his pension certificate is numbered 131

And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident of the United States, on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby as to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress, entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary war." passed on the `8th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property, or securities, contracts or debts, due to me; nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule following, and by me subscribed.
two Iron Potts, one tea kettle - four chairs - 6 plates, 6 knifes & forks - and bed & bedding and wearing apparel - that I am a common Labourer - but from age am not able to get a livelihood - I have one daughter Elisabett ..who is a cripple & unable to work, aged 25 years - A son aged 12 years named Isaac another named Robert aged ten years who are not able to contribute to my support - who reside with me.

Sworn to, and declared, on the twenty seventh day of May 1820 before Joseph Budd President of the Court}
[signed] Oliver  his X mark  Cromwell

 I, JOSEPH McILVAINE, Clerk of the Court of Common pleas of the County of Burlington, in the State of New-Jersey, do hereby certify, that the foregoing deposition and the schedule thereunder written, are truly copied from the record of the said court; and property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is ten dollars and -- cents. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said court, on this thirtieth day of May 1820.

[signed] J McIlvaine Clk.

Page 7

[handwritten]

The court is of opinion that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in this within schedule is Ten dollars.

[signed] Joseph Budd, President
of the court

I certify the above to be a true copy of the original - May 30th 1820
[signed] J McIlvaine Clk

Page 8

[handwritten]

New Jersey

Documents relative to 
Oliver Cromwell
private in the Revolutionary War

Ex'd. [examined] & f'd. [found] to be
correct
_______________________

[calculations at bottom of page, to determine payment for 5 and 3/31 months of service, at $8 per month, calculated to be $40.00 + $0.77]

5 
8
$40.77

8 
3
31 | 2400 | 779
217
____
230
217
____
130
125
____
0

Page 9

[handwritten]

State of New Jersey Burlington County
On the Second day of April in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and eighteen personally appeared before me Thomas Fenimore Esquire one of the Judges of the Court of Common pleas of said County of Burlington. Oliver Cromwell and Inhabitant of the said County to me well known more than thirty years last past who being duly sworn according to law did depose and say that in the year seventeen hundred and seventy seven he enlisted in the Army of the United States on the Continental Establishment in the Company of Captain Laurie in the second Jersey Regiment, commanded by Colonel Shreve - that the Deponent was in the Battle of the Short Hills where Captain Laurie was wounded and taken prisoner - and having died shortly after, the deponent was put under the Command of Captain Bowman - that not long before the discharge of the Deponent from Service - the regiment to which he belonged was reduced to a Battallion - where he thinks he was commanded by Captain Dayton - That the Deponent served as a private in the Army as above states six years - and on the fifth day of June 1783 received a discharge signed by General Washington - and Mr. Trumbull his Secretary - to which is annexed a certificate
[continued]

Page 10

[handwritten]

signed by Abraham Appleton, Lieutenant - declaring that the Deponent is entitled to the Badge of Merit for six years faith full service - which discharge and certificate are herewith annexed. And the Deponent further saith that by reason of his reduced circumstances in life he is [word struck through] in need of the assistance of his Country for support.

Oliver  his X mark  Cromwell

Sworn 2d April 1818}
before me}
Thomas Fenimore Judge}
[underlined with flourish]

I the above named Thomas Fenimore do certify that I am well acquainted with the above Deponent - Oliver Cromwell - and am well satisfied that he served in the Revolutionary War against the Common Enemy, as set forth in his Deposition. Given under my hand the second day of Aril eighteen hundred & eighteen. -

[signed]
Thos. Fenimore
[underlined with flourish]

Page 11

[handwritten]

I Joseph McIlvaine, Clerk of the Court of Common pleas of the County of Burlington in the State of New Jersey do certify that Thomas Fenimore Esquire whose name is subscribed to the aforegoing deposition and certificate is one of the Judges of said Court, duly commissioned as such. Given under my hand & Seal of Office the second day of April eighteen hundred and eighteen. -

[signed] J. McIlvaine

Page 12

[typewritten form with handwritten entries]

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION.
[form number] 3-525
_____
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
Washington, D. C., [blank date], 19 ____
[handwritten illegible- looks like S.F.] 34,613

In reply to your request of __, received __ for a statement of the military history of __Oliver Cromwell__ a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.

[table with 6 columns]
|| DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. || LENGTH OF SERVICE. || RANK. || OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. | Captain. | Colonel. | || STATE. ||

1777 || discharged June 5, 1783 || Pvt. || [3 captains listed] Lowry, Bowman, Dayton || Shreve || N. J. ||

Battles engaged in, __Short Hills__
Residence of soldier at enlistment, [check mark]
Date of application for pension, __Apr. 2, 1818 [illegible]
Residence at date of application, Burlington Co. N.J.
Age at date of application, 65 yrs. Died Jan'y 24 1853 *
Remarks: In [illegible - maybe 1822] Soldier refers to his daughter Elizabeth aged 25 yrs & sons Isaac 12 yrs. and Robert 10 yrs
The only Sol. this name & c.
* from A.B.

Respectfully,
[blank]
Commissioner.

6-2856

Page 13


[left page]
34613
INVALID.
Revy
______________
File No. 34,613
Oliver Cromwell
Pri Rev War
__________
Act: 18th March 18
Index:-Vol. 2, Page 88

([Arrangement of 1970.])

[checkmark]

[right page]
1914 June 1 Hist. to Jo [John W.] Davis. V.L.M.

1914 June 25 Hist. to Anna D. Smith

1920 Jan'y 5 Hist. to Fran [Francis B.] Culver.

Page 14

[handwritten letter]

Washington
March 4, 1854

Hon. [illegible name]
Comm of Pensions
Sir,
I will thank you for any information you can give me concerning the matter of Mr Cromwell -

Please return me the within -
Very respectfully
yours
Gerritt Levitt

Page 15

By His Excellency
GEORGE WASHINGTON, Esq.

General and commander in chief of the Forces of the
United States of America.

THESE are to CERTIFY that the Bearer hereof
[handwritten] Oliver Cromwell Private
In the [handwritten] Jersey Battalion [struck through - Regiment], having faithfully
served the United States [handwritten] for Six Years -
and being inlisted for the War only, is
hereby Discharged from the American Army.

GIVEN at Head-Quarters the [handwritten] fifth day June 1783

[signed] G. Washington

By His Excellency's Command,
[signed] J. Trumbull [illegible]

REGISTERED in the Books
of the [struck through - Regiment]
[handwritten] Battalion

[illegible signature] Adjutant

The above [handwritten] Oliver Cromwell Private
has [torn area - been?] honored with the Badge of Merit for [handwritten] Six -
Years faithful Service.

[signed] Abm. Appleton

Page 16

Head-Quarters, June 5th 1783.
THE within CERTIFICATE shall not avail the
Bearer as a Discharge, until the Ratification of the definitive Treaty of Peace; previous to which Time, and until Proclamation thereof shall be made, He is to be considered as being on
Furlough.
GEORGE WASHINGTON.

[hexagonal stamp] THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES

[handwritten] Oliver Cromwell

[handwritten, lower left] 
Oliver Cromwell
S.F. 34610
N. J.

Page 17

[handwritten address]

Col James L Edwards
Commr of Pensions
Pension Office

[written vertically on right of address]
Hon Rchd [Richard] Brodhead
[illegible]

[written vertically on left of address]
July 19/48
Oliver Cromwell
[illegible]

Page 18

[page is handwritten, but several diagonal lines attempt to cross out all information]

$49.8
Clerk of the County Court of
Chariton Co.
Keytesville
Missouri
New Jersey 
New Jersey Jr

Kresgeville N. Jersey

[upper right corner]
$74.86
85.96
____________

$59.86
84.74
________
144.60

Page 19

[handwritten letter]

Commissioner of Pensions.
I have read in "Colored Patriots of the Revolution" that [underlined] Oliver Cromwell
of Burlington, N. J. belonging to Col. Lowry's Company, 2nd N.J. Reg. fought in the battles of Trenton and Princeton N.J. and received a pension as late as 1850. I should like confirma

Page 20

[handwritten, continued from previous]

ation of this. Send me all the facts possible. It is said his discharge was in Washingtons own handwriting or signed by him. Is It in the Department at Washington.

I shall be glad of any information on the subject.

You will oblige
(Mrs) Anna B. Smith
36 [illegible] Lane
Princeton, N.J.

Page 21

[letter]

[letterhead]
COATS OF ARMS INVESTIGATED AND TINCTURED
HEARLDRY | GENEALOGY | BIOGRAPHY

[left]
MEMBER OF
SCIONS OF COLONIAL CAVALIERS
SOCIETY OF COLONIAL WARS
SONS OF AMERICAN REVOLUTION
SOCIETY WAR OF 1812

[center]
FRANCIS B. CULVER
2203 NORTH CHARLES STREET
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND

[right]
MEMBER OF
MARYLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY
THE ORDER OF WASHINGTON
KNIGHTS OF GOLDEN HORSESHOE
ORDER OF LAFAYETTE

[handwritten]
27 Sept. 1919
Hon. Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
Kindly supply the Revolutionary War records (with personal data) of the following:
S34613 Oliver Cromwell - private- New Jersey Line- pensioned 1818
83670 John Pennington - "  "  " militia - " 1833

Very truly yours,
[signed] Francis B. Culver

[circular stamp] 
U.S. PENSION OFFICE
D
SEP 29 1919

Page 22

[handwritten initials, illegible, upper right]
1

[typewritten letter]
United States Post Office

Burlington, N.J.
Hon. Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington,D.C.
May 26, 1914

Sir,
A movement is on foot here to erect a monument to the memory of one Oliver Cromwell, colored, ^S34,613^ who served in thr war of the Revolution under Washington, his grave is unmarked, and the Daughters of the Revolution have taken the matter up, his dcendents can give very little of his history, except that he drew a pension, and died in 1852 aged 99 yr. and 10 mo. those of our citizens who remember him speak of him as a very respectable man.

Can you give me any data as to his service and etc.? Some years ago the Department gave me a very full history of my great grandfather's service in the revolution.

Thanking you in advance I remain
Yours Respt.
[signed] John W. Davis
Postmaster
[handwritten] Burlington, New Jersey

[circular stamp]
U.S. PENSION OFFICE
D
MAY 27 1914