Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 1,066, Joseph Bowen, New Jersey

Page 1

(8-1776) Service Number
New Jersey         Bowen, Joseph           R. 1,066

Contents

Page 2

Declaration VO of 
Elizabeth Wightman and 
Thomas J. Bowen
Heirs of
Joseph Bowen
dec'd
B 239 Rec Septem 6 43
Pension Office
Sept. 6, 1843
Heirs of Jos. Bowen   d
June 1832


John Stuart
No  8 Library St
Philadelphia, 
Pa

Page 3

In the District Court of the United States for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia County S.C.

I, Francis Hopkinson, Esquire, Clerk of the District Court of the United States, for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, do certify, that the following page, numbered from 1 to 20 inclusive are the true and proper proceedings in the matter of the application of Thomas J. Bowen and Elizabeth Wightman, for the pension due to their late father deceased, to wit, Joseph Bowen, containing the declaration of the said Thomas J. Bowen, and Elizabeth Wightman, and the affidavits severally of Richard Bartlett, Daniel Dodge, Nathan Wightman, Isaac Wightman, and Christopher Drummond, and the certificate of the Secretary of State of the State of New Jersey, and the affidavit of Elizabeth Wightman, and the action of this Court touching the premises, and that the interlineations on page 1 in line 10, of the words, "of Wilmington, Delaware" - and on page 6, in line 11, of the words "he has been informed that" - and the erasure on page 17 in lines 2 & # - of the words "State of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia County", all

Page 4

having been made before the matter lapsed the said Court.  That the Honorable Archibald Randall, before whom the foregoing proceedings were had, is the United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and the signature hereunto annexed purporting to be his, is genuine~

LARGE STAMPED SEAL WITH RIBBON

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court this
First day of September 1843

Ha Hopkinson Att. Dist. Ct

Page 5

1
Declaration,
In order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress of 7th June 1832.

State of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia County

On this Eleventh day of August A.D. 1843, personally appeared in open court, in the District Court of the United States for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Thomas J. Bowen of Wilmington, Delaware, aged 40 years, or thereabout, and Elizabeth Wightman aged 54 years or thereabout of the Incorporated Northern Liberties in the said county and under oath made the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress of June 7th 1832 entitled in Act Supplementary to the Act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the revolution.
That they are the children and only surviving heirs of the late Joseph Bowen who was a private and perhaps at different times - a corporal and sergeant in the army of the revolution.  
That they have always heard him say he first enlisted into the service of the United States from Hopewell Township of Cumberland County, New Jersey in May 1778.
That a five days after his enlistment he was conducted to camp by Captain Beasley, under the direction of Lieutenant

Page 6

2
Colonel Elijah Flor up and joined the 2nd company 4th New Jersey Regiment.
That John Lupton, John Brooks, and perhaps others enlisted at the same time and from the same place.
That from that period he continued in the service of the United States in the Continental line to the close of the war.
That the name of his captain at one time was John Cummings, who was soon after promoted to the post of Major and at one time the name of his Lieutenant was Samuel Shute.
That he was in the Battle of Monmouth in June 1778 - was quartered at Elizabethtown the following winter  was present at the Skirmish at Crosswicks  - was present at the execution of Major Andre in 1780 - and was at the Siege of Yorktown in 1781. 
That he helped dig the entrenchment, and throw up the breast work on the night of the arrival of the United States forces at the last manned place and continued actively engaged amidst the fire of the enemy till the surrender of Cornwallis.
That he was of slender make, grey eyes and about 5 feet 4 to 5 inches high.
That diligent search has been made and no documentary evidence of  whatever kind - touching these facts can be

Page 7

3
found except such as is lodged in the Secretary of State's office at Trenton, New Jersey and the War Department at Washington.
That there is only one living witness known to declarants who was with the said Joseph Bowen and acquainted with him while in the war to wit - Christopher Drummond who was a private in the 9 months service.
That the said Drummond and Lieutenant Irwin, and perhaps others several years ago testified in behalf of the said Joseph Bowen in the matter of his application for a pension under the Act of 1818, And reference is prayed to their testimony on file in the department
That the agent who acted in said application - to wit - Mr. Sprout(?), deceased, about the period of the papers were forwarded and no satisfactory account of the matter has ever been received.
That the said Joseph Bowen died, in the Unincorporated Northern Liberties, in said county, on the 2nd day of July 1843 - aged 84 years or thereabouts.
That he was an American citizen.  That his name was not on the pension roll of the United States, or of any  State or Territory. And that declarants as his sole representatives in his and their own behalf relinquish each and every claim to a pension or gratuity except the one now applied for.
s/ Elizabeth Wightman X - her mark
s/Thomas J. Bowen

Sworn in open Court
Aug 10 1847
s/ Arch Randall 
Dist Judge

Page 8

4
And the said Court do hereby declare this opinion that the before named Joseph Bowen was a revolutionary soldier and served as declarants have stated.

Page 9

5
State of Pennsylvania
County of Philadelphia

I, Richard Bartlett, of the city of Philadelphia and county aforesaid aged 76 years, or thereabouts, make oath that I well knew Joseph Bowen, late of the Incorporated Northern Liberties in said county, during some 40 years previous to his death.
That previous to the late war with Great Britain, and since that period, the said Joseph Bowen and this deponent often sailed together on the Delaware River.
That the said Joseph Bowen always told the deponent that he (Joseph Bowen) had been a soldier in the war of the revolution.  That he was with Washington and the United States forces at the Siege of Yorktown.  That he assisted in making the entrenchment on the night of the surrender of Cornwallis and that he continued in the service to the close of the war.
That he was reputed and believed among all his neighbors and acquaintances to have been and it was never doubted by any that he had been a revolutionary soldier and I concur in that opinion.
That he was brought up in the Hopewell Township in Cumberland County

Page 10

6
New Jersey and this deponent only a  few miles from the same place.  That after the period of the revolutionary war and during the late war and since, he followed boating on the Delaware River.  That during the late war the said Bowen was with his fishing craft, taken by the British, but afterwards released.
That he has been informed that he died at the house of his daughter, Elizabeth Wightman, in the Unincorporated Northern Liberties, in said county on the 2nd day of July, 1848, aged 84 years or thereabouts.  And that Thomas J. Bowen and Elizabeth Wightman who have made the foregoing declaration are the children and only heirs of the said Bowen deceased.

Signatures/Marks

Richard Bartlet X (his mark)
Sworn and subscribed in Open Court Aug 25, 1843
Hon Arch Randall
Dist Judge
Marginal note:  ?  line above the words
"he has been informed that"
during l??

Page 11

7
State of Pennsylvania
County of Philadelphia

On this fourth day of August A.D. 1843 personally appeared before me, Samuel Weyant, one of the aldermen and ex officio Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Philadelphia a foresaid, Christopher Drummond - a resident of Kensington in the said county and made oath. That he personally well knew Joseph Bowen as a private in the army of the revolution.  That deponent and the said Joseph Bowen were very intimate during nine months being both enlisted privates during that time in the service of the United States.  That they enlisted in New Jersey - deponent from Monmouth, and the said Joseph Bowen from Cumberland counties - That they mustered first to New Brunswick during the latter part of the spring of 1778 - and from there to Elizabethtown.  That they were both engaged in the Battle of Monmouth in the summer of 1778 - and were quartered the following winter at Elizabethtown.  That he believes the said Joseph Bowen was in the service of the United States as enlisted private after the expiration of the nine months specified but he does not personally know the fact.  That he has known and constantly visited and conversed with him from the period of the said war to the time of his death - to wit the 2nd. day of July 1843 - that only a few days before

Page 12

8
his decease deponent visited and conversed with him at the residence of his daughter, to wit - Elizabeth Wightman, in the Unincorporated Northern Liberties in the said county of Philadelphia.  That this deponent and some others testified in the matter of his application for a pension several years ago.  That deponent is a pensioner of the United States at the Pennsylvania ______ at Philadelphia under the act of 1818.
X  indicating signature of Christopher Drummond
Sworn and subscribed to before me
this 4th day of August
A.D. 1843
s/ Saml Weyant
State of Pennsylvania
County of Philadelphia
I - Daniel Dodge - a clergyman of the Baptist Church - do certify that I reside in the County of Philadelphia - and am a Pastor of the Second Baptist Church, meeting in Budd Street in the Northern Liberties in said county.  That Elizabeth Wightman, daughter of the late Joseph Bowen, is a member in good standing in said church.  That she and her family are credible persons well known to me.  That the said Joseph Bowen deceased on the second day of July 1843 and I believe from report that he was 84 years of age or thereabouts at his death.  That he was reported and believed in the neighborhood where he resided to have been a soldier of the revolution, and I concur in that opinion.

s/ Daniel Dodge

Sworn and subscribed to before me
this 4th day of August
A.D. 1843
s/ Saml Weyant J.P.

Page 13

9
State of Pennsylvania
County of Philadelphia SS
We, Nathan Wightman and Isaac Wightman, 
of the incorporated Northern Liberties
in the said County, make oath, that
we were well acquainted with the late
Joseph Bowen, one of us twenty years
and the other more than thirty years
That he was formerly a resident in
Hopewell Township, Cumberland County
New Jersey. That during some portion
of his life he followed boating on the
Delaware River and its tributaries, and
scarcely had any fixed residence.
That he has resided with his daughter
Elizabeth Wightman during the last
10 years or thereabouts in the
Incorporated Northern Liberties in said
County. That he was reputed and 
believed generally among all his acquaintances
and neighbors to have been 
a Soldier in the service of the United
States during several years in the war
of the revolution. & it has never been
doubted by anyone. That the said
Joseph Bower died in the incorporated
Northern Liberties in said
Court, on the 2d day of July 1843 aged
84 years or thereabouts. That Elizabeth
Wightman and Thomas J. Bowen are
the only surviving children and heirs of
the said Joseph Bowen and are well
known to us
s/ Nathan Wightman
s/ Isaac A. Wightman

Sworn to and Subscribed before
me this 8th day of August
1843
s/ Saml Weyant A
J.P.

Page 14

10
State of Pennsylvania 
County of Philadelphia
     I certify that Daniel Dodge who has made his affadavit is a clergyman of the Baptist Church that Nathan Wightman and Isaac Wightman who have also made their affadavits and are credible persons well known to me Witness my hand this 8th day of August A D 1843
s/ Saml Weyant A clerk & JP
[illegible]

Pennsylvania 
Philadelphia County Ss.
I Richard Palmer Jr. Esq. hereby certify that Samuel Weyant Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavits were taken, sworn to and subscribed was at the time and now is a Magistrate and Justice of the Peace in and for said County and as such duly commissioned and qualified to administer Oaths and the signature thereto annexed in his proper hand writing.
                          In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said County of Philadelphia this 10th of August 1843.
                         R. Palmer Jr. Prothonotary

Page 15

United Sates Court for
the Eastern District of
Pennsylvania
Philadelphia County. Ss
I Nathan Wightman, of the
unincorporated Northern Liberties in
said County, aged 63 years or thereabouts
make oath, that, I well
know Elenor Bowen, the wife of
the late Joseph Bowen, and was
present when she died, in the 
incorporated Northern Liberties, in said 
County, which was on or about the
13 April 1829 fourteen year ago
April last past. That search has
been made as well for a record
of her death as other family records
reating to births - Marriages - and deaths
in case of Joseph Bowen aforesaid
and his family-- but no docments
of the kind can be found.
s/ Nathan Wightman

Sworn in open
said Court Sept 7. 1843
s/ Archd Randall
Dist Judge

Page 16

12

[blank page]

Page 17

13

In the District Court of the United States for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania -  Philadelphia County S. C.

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories as nearly as practicable, prescribed by the War Department, that the forenamed Joseph Bowen, on account of whose services application is made for a pension, was a revolutionary soldier, and serviced as declarant, have stated:  That Elizabeth Wightman and Thomas J. Bowen , who have made the foregoing declaration, are the children and only surviving heirs, of the late Joseph Bowen, aforesaid.

Ad the Court further certifies, the it appears, that Daniel Dodge, who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the Northern Liberties in said County; and that Nathan Wightman and Isaac Wightman, residents in the unincorporated Northern Liberties, in said Court, and Christopher Drummond, resident in Kensington, in said County, and Richard Bartlett, resident in the city of Philadelphia__who have made the preceding affidavits, are credible persons,

Page 18

14
and that their statements is entitled to credit

Page 19


New Jersey
List of recruits from the 2nd Battalion of Militia in the
County of Cumberland, raised agreeable to an Act of
assembly of this State, passed the third day of April 1778
entitled An Act for the speedy and effectual recruiting the
four New Jersey Regiments in the service of the United States,
delivered to Capt. Beesly to be conducted to camp
May 25th 1778
Witness our hands 
s/ Abijah Holmes St Col
s/ John Mulford Com

[table with one entry]
Name: Joseph Bowen
Where born: Cumber.
Place of above: Hopewell
Company to which he belonged: 2
Years of age: 18 
Stature: 5.4
Description of person
Eyes: Grey
Hair: Brown
Complexion: [blank]
Slender

We do hereby certify that the within named men entered the
service on the days annexed to their names, and are entitled
to draw pay from those days viz:

Joseph Bowen, May 8th

Witness our hands May 25, 1778
s/ Abijah Holmes S. Col
s/ John Mulford Co

Page 20

State of New Jersey
I Charles G. McChesney Secretary
of State of the State of New Jersey do
hereby certify that the foregoing is a true
extract from a paper headed as
therein mentioned as taken from
and compared with the original
now on file in my office.

In Testimony whereof I
have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office
at Trenton in said State this twelfth day of August AD
One thousand eight hundred and forty three
Charles G. McChesney
Secy of State of

Page 21

17
United States Court
Eastern Dis of Pennsylvania
[crossed out text]
Philadelphia County Ss.
On this Eleventh day of August
A.D. 1843 personally appeared in open
Court in the District Court of the
United States for the Eastern District
of Pennsylvania Elizabeth Wightman
of the incorporated Northern Liberties
in said County and made oath
that some fifteen years now past
an application was made by the
father of this deponent- to wit
Joseph Bowen originally of 
Cumberland County, New Jersey
at the period of the said
application of Kensington - in the County
of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania
for a pension from the United States
under the act of 1818.
That Christopher Drumond Lieutenat
Hiraim & perhaps others testified
to the service- identity, and other
matters requisite in such a case
That a gentlemen by the name of

Page 22

18
of Sproat transmited the business
That it was understood that the
[illegible] were immediately sent to
Washington. That a short time
after Mr Sproat came to the
said Joseph Bowen - and said
he had a certificate for his
Pension but it was not in the
name of Joseph Bowen, but
John Bowen - And that it would
be necessary to go before a magistrate 
and qualify that his name
was John Bowen - which the
said Joseph Bowen declined to
do. And there the matter rested -
that W Sproat died soon after.
That deponent has always heard
the said Joseph Bowen say that
he used to go by the name of
Jack Bowen in the army, but this
was not the name he ever acknowledged. 
That this deponent now
has reason to believe the papers

Page 23

19
refered to might and probably were
sent to Washington in the name of
John Bowen but not with the
knowledge or consent of the said
Joseph Bowen. That he was a
very illiterate man.
s/ Elizabeth Wightman (x her mark)

Sworn & Subscribed in open
District Court of the U. States
this 11th August 1843
Ira Stephenson Clk Dist Cot

Page 24

Free
Treas. Dept
29th Oct

Salem J.J.
October 26

Hon Peter B. Porter Esq
Secretary of War
Washington City

Page 25

O W Reg
#20.333

Page 26

For the purpose of obtaining the benefit of an act for the relief
of certain surviving Officers and soldiers of the Army of the revolution
Approved on the 15th of May 1828 I Joseph Bowen of Appoquinimink Hundred
in the County of New Castle and State of Delaware do
hereby declare that I enlisted in the Continental line of the Army
of the revolution for and during the war and consisted in its
service until its termination, at which period I was a private
in Captain Nathaniel Bowmans Company of infantry in the second
Regiment of the New Jersey line. And also declare that I
afterwards received a certificate for the reward of eighty dollars
to which I was entitled under a resolve of Congress passed the
15th of May 12778.
And I further declare that I was not, on the fifteenth day
of March 1828 on the pension list of the United States.
s/ Joseph Bowen

Before me Daymore Harris one of the Justices of the peace in
and for the County of Salem and State of New Jersey Personally
appear this day John Mugway And John Williams of the said County
who did severally make oath that Joseph Bowen by whom
the foregoing declaration was subscribed is generally reputed
and believed to have been a soldier in the Army of the
Revolution in manner as therein stated

Witness my hand this 24th day of October Anno Dom 1828
s/ Dalymore Harris

State of New Jersey Salem County ss
I James Newell Clerk of the Court of Common
Pleas of the County of Salem aforesaid to hereby
certify that Daymore Harris before whom the
foregoing affidavits sworn was at the time
a judge of the peace in and for said County
and duly empowered to administer oaths.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed the seal of said
Court this 21st day of October in the year of our Lord eighteen
hundred and [illegible]eight
s/ James Newell

Page 27

Salem October 24th 1828
Dear Sir
Herewth I send you the declaration of Joseph
Bowen a revolutionary soldier 82 years of age who could
have proven his actual service in the army of it
should be necessary please let me hear from you
as soon as convenient and if any thing more is [illegible]
to be done please point  it out
Your most obedient Servant
s/ James Newell

Page 28

Ex'r. INVALID.
REJECTED
1066
P.O. Joseph Bowen
Service: [blank]
Enlisted: [blank], 18 [blank].
Discharged: [blank], 18 [blank].
Application filed: [blank], 18 [blank].
Alleges: 
Re-Enlisted: of rejection as follows:
Attorney: [blank]
P.O.: [blank]

Page 29

Rejected
Ex'r. OLD WAR.
File No. 20.333 
REJECTED
Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
Joseph Bowen
Pri.
Capt Bowman
2nd N. J Line
Revy War
[blank] other claim.
[blank],  18[blank]
application filed: [blank], 18[blank].
Attorney: [blank]
P.O. [Blank]
Insufficient Evidence
Act 1828

Page 30

Jos Bowen
June 7 '32
1066

33590
Joseph Bowen
Secretary of War confirmed the decision
this case Dec. 7. 42 See decision on file.

Set to John Stuart Nov 11 1843
" " Secy of War Nov 20 1843
M. W. Ashe 2d Sept 1854.
Act 7 June 1832

Page 31

Philadelphia August 8th A.D. 1854
The Honble L. P. Hade
Commissioner of Pensions N. J.

Sir,
I have been spoken to by Mr Isaac A. Weightman
a resident of North 8th Street, in this City, to endeavor to obtain from
your office, information relative to an application in behalf of his mother
(late Elizabeth Bowen), relative to pension money her Grand Father
the late Joseph Bowen of Rhoadstown, Cumberland County N. J.
Mr Weightman had employed an Agent a Mr Stewart, of 
this City, but now absent, and his residence unknown to him. Mr
Stewart had procured the depositions of John McGuay, 
Christopher Drummond and Lieut Irvine and it is
desirable to ascertain whether they have been filed in your office
The mother of Mr Weightman resides in North 2d Street, below
Franklin Street.
I will very respectfully ask the favor
of any informed respecting the matter.
I am very Respectfully,
s/ Michael W. Ashe

Page 32

Re 10 Jany 1831
Be it known that on the day of the date hereof; before me John
Goodman, a Notary Public for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 
by lawful authority duly commissioned & affirmed,
residing in the Northern Liberties in the County of Philadelphia,
 personally came Joseph Bowen of Kensington in
the County aforesaid aged eighty five years, or thereabouth
and on his solemn oath administered according to Law
did declare and say, that he entered the service of the United
States in the revolutionary war, the year he does not
will recollect, but believes it was in the early part of the year
1777. that he enlisted at Bridgetown New Jersey in Capt
John Cummins's Company of the second New Jersey Regt
under the command of Coll. Shrever, for three years or
during the war, and that he served faithfully until the end
of the revolutionary war, and was then honorably 
discharged at New Burgh near Windsor in the State of New York.
Deponent further saith, that at the time of his
discharge he belonged to Capt Bowman Compy. to which
he had been transferred, after the battle of Monmouth
that he has lost his discharge, and cannot produce it
that he never received a pension either from the United States
- the State of Pennsylvania-- or from any other State
in the Union.
s/ Joseph Benson

Sworn & subscribed before me
the Notary Public aforesaid
witness my Hand & Seal of
Office January 3d 1831
s/ Jn Goodman

Joseph Lewis of the Northern Liberties, being sworn doth 
declare and say that he has known Joseph Bowen about 
thirty five year during which time he has sustained a good 
character for sobriety & honesty.
s/ Joseph Lewis (x his mark)

Sworn & subscribed before me
s/ Jn Goodman

mark
Download

Prev
32
of 48

Page 33


Be it known, that on the day of the date hereof before me
John Goodman, a Notary Public for the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania, by lawful authority duly commissioned &
affirmed, residing in the Northern Liberties, County of
Philadelphia, personally came William Ervin of the same ┃
place, to me well known, aged Seventy two years, there
about, who being duly sworn according to Law, did declare
and says, that he entered the service of the United States in
the revolutionary War, that he was enlisted in Capt
Kinsey's Company of the fourth New Jersey Regt for three
years or during the war, and that he remained in the 
service until the end of the war, when he was honorably
discharged, that at the time of his discharge he belonged
to Captain Bowman Company, into which he was drafted
after the Battle of Monmouth. That he well knew
Joseph Bowen whilst in the service and that the facts
by him the said Joseph, in the foregoing Deposition, are true
that Joseph Bowen now present, is the identical person, who
served with this deponent in Capt. Bowman Company
and was discharged honorably with this deponent, at the
close of the war.
s/ Wm Erwin

Sworn & subscribed before 
me the Notary Public afore
January 3. 1831. Witness
my Hand & Seal of office
/s Jn Goodman

I certify that William Erwin is a 
credible witness.
/s Jn Goodman

Page 34

Be it known, that on the day of the date hereof, Before me
John Goodman, a Notary Public for the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, by lawful authority duly commissioned &
affirmed, residing in the Northern Liberties County of
Philadelphia, personally came Christopher Drum of
Kensington in the County aforesaid, and on his solemn
oath administered according to Law did declare and say
that he entered the service of the United States in the 
revolutionary War, that he was enlisted under Capt Vorhees
first New Jersey Regt commanded by Coll: Stockton
at Monmouth State of New Jersey, that he continued
in the same company until he was honorably discharged
at the close of the war. that he well knew Joseph Bowen
whilst he was in the service of the United States, that it is
by the same Joseph Bowen who served in Capt. Bowman
Compy to the close of the war, and was then honorably
discharged with this deponent, and that the facts stated
by Joseph Bowen in the preceding deposition, are
just & true
s/ Christopher Drum's  (x his mark)

Sworn & subscribed before
me the Notary Public aford
January 3. 1831. Witness
my Hand & Seal of office
s/ Jn Goodman

Page 35

Fee
Revolutionary Claim 

Hon. Saml D. Ingham
Secretary of the Treasury
Washington City D.C

[stamp] PHIL 8 JAN

Page 36

Joseph Bowen - Pvt
N. Jersey line
Delaware
Evidence insufficient Act 1828

Ex, one old Book Ref
" Invalid &  other old book.
See 1,006 - Ref Sur
Doubtful
[illegible]

Page 37

Red 10 Jany 1831.
2344
Philadelphia January 7th 1831

Sir

I Enclose proofs of the services
of Joseph Bowen taken before W Goodman
with whom you are probably well acquainted
setting forth that he served for the term of
three years, or during the War. that he was
held to service for the latter period of
During the War such being the construction
put  upon the enlistment at that time
And now said Joseph Bowen claims a pension
for the term of during the War, having served
faithfully for that period
I am he Respectfully
Your Obed Servt
s/ P W Sproat
for Joseph Bowen.

Hon Sam D Ingham
Secretary of the Treasury

Page 38

1218
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIMS.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
13 Nov 1828.

Joseph Bowen of [blank] in the County of
New Castle in the State of Delaware has applied to the Secretary
of the Treasury for the benefits of the act, entitled ""An Act for the relief of certain surviving
officers and soldiers of the Revolution,” approved the 15th of May, 1828. He states that he
enlisted in the Continental line of the army of the Revolution, for and during the war, and
continued until its termination, at which period he was a Private in captain
Bowman's company in the second regiment of the New Jersey
line; and that he received a certificate for the reward of eighty dollars, provided by the resolve
of the 15th of May, 1778; and further, that he was not on the 15th day of May, 1828, on the
pension list of the United States, and that he has received as a pensioner since the 3d of
March, 1826

The Third Auditor is requested to report how far the several statements are corroborated by
the records in his office.
By Order of the Secretary
s/ F A Dickins

TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
THIRD AUDITOR'S OFFICE,
14th November 1828
[crossed out]
It further appears that Joseph Bowen is not now on the pension
list of any agency, and has not been so since the 3 March 1826

The name of Joseph Bowen can
not be found among those of the New Jersey
line to whom certificates for the gratuity of
Eighty Dollars were issued-
Peter Hagner Ano

Page 39

War Department
Bounty Land Office
19 May 1829
The records of this Office do not shew
that Joseph Bowen of the Jersey Line ever
received or is entitled to Land of the U. States
s/ E. Stephens

Page 40

[left side page]
The testimony whereof I have
hereunto [illegible] hand and
affixed the seal of the said 
Court at Philadelphia  this
14th November 1843
s/ R Palmer Prothonotary

[right side page]

Pension Case
Joseph Bowen
decd.
By his heirs
Appeal
To Tho Neely
of [illegible]

313. Rec Nov 16/43

Pension Office 
pa

John Stuart
Po. 8 Libray St
Philadelphia
P.A.

Page 41

Philadelphia November 1. 1843

Sir

In the case of Joseph Bowen
Said of wish to appeal on behalf
of the heirs from the decision of the
Commissioner of Pensions to
the Hon Secy of War.
The facts are simply these towit
Joseph Bowen went into the army
of the revolution as a private 
enlisted first in Hopewell Cumberland
County, New Jerry during the first
part of May 1778. He served the
U. States some three to four years
during the war as his children
have always heard him say but
whether under one or several 
enlistments they do not recollect
to have heard him say and they have
no means of knowing except
as informed by those having the
charge of the records at Washington.
He was a man extremely independent 
in spirit, and singularly reserved 
in his speech. He has always
lived in the vicinity of the Delaware
and has been long and well known

Page 42

I was requested by himself and friends
to attend to his case the early part of
the season, and without asking
him whether any time and if any 
long a time intervened between his
periods of service in the revolution
I wrote to the Commissioner of Pension
described particularly his case and
asking a reference to his papers supposed
to have been several years
on file in the department and to what
had been done with his application for
a pension under the "act of 1818.
Previous to my receiving returns the
old gentleman died suddenly
without possessing that definite data
which we should have had if he
had been living, the best proof
we had was embodied in the papers
and the same forwarded to the war
department, the 4th September 1843.
and the following report recently
received to with.

Pension Office
November 11. 1843.

Sir

In the case of Joseph Bowen
decd now asserted for the first
time upon the certificate of the

Page 43

Secretary of New Jersey ([illegible] the
enlistment of a soldier of that name
from Hopewell Cumberland County in
1778) and upon the testimony of
Christopher Drummond, who alleges
he was Bowes comrade for nine
months in the army, the statement
of the declaration asserts that he
was at the capture of Cornwallis
(1781) and served to the end of the
war. The recruit from Hopewell
was a nine months men and
was discharged 1st March 1779.
and his witness Christopher Drum
and is not have on the rolls.
nor does it appear that he is
pensioner on the Philadelphia age.
I am very respectfully
your obt. Sevant
s/ J.L. Edwards

John Stuart Esq
No. 8 Library Street
Philadelphia

I understand the foregoing report.
does not take any notice of the of
afidavit of Mrs Wightman as to the
previous application-- or the Testimony
refered to in the declaration, as to the
service of the applicant by Lt. Iron &
others. Nor does the said report deny
the fact that the said Joseph [illegible]
the army after the 9 months- specified
[illegible]

Page 44

and as to the identity of the witness
Drum of Drummond - if any thing further
was necessary to be shown I 
think it is made clear by the statement 
of his niece Mrs Luther herewith
forwarded. Indeed the mistake
if any there was in the spelling of
his name, indicates that simple
absorbing anxiety in the parties to
exhibit truly the facts which always
accompanies a good case rather
that supreme anxiety to parts consistent
which usually accompany
a bad one.
Please he so good as to have the 
papers [illegible] this case - one and all
brought up with the papers of John
Bowen, if any there be on file.
I strongly suspect you will find
there the testimony of Lieutenant
Irvin or Eram that of the present
Drum or Drummond and a certificate
issued to John Bower - but the pension
 never received by any one.
I have the honor to be
your obt Servant
s/ John Stuart
Po, 8 Libray Street
Philadelphia
P.A.

Hon J. M. Porter
Secy of War
Washington
D.C.

Page 45

State of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia County SS
In the matter of the application 
of the heirs of the late Joseph
Bowen for the pension due from the
United States.
Jane Lusher swears - I reside
in Kensington in the County and State
aforesaid am 31 years of age or there
abouts am the niece of Christoper
Drum or Dimmond who was
the comrade of Joseph Bowen deceased 
for many years. My father and the
said Christopher where brothers - I have
resided near and been well acquainted
with said Christopher all
my life, and have well known the 
history of the family name of my
said uncle Christopher and father.
They resided with myself in the early
part of my life in Monmouth County
New Jersey, and were then and the
called Drum. But some 40 years 
ago they removed to Trenton New
Jersey and were then and there and since
called Drummond or Drummen and
my uncle the said Christopher, has
always said that the latter was
the more proper-- but that as

Page 46

it was customary in the Army to
have the name on the muster roll
as short as possible those having
the matter in charge, put his down
Drum. The said Christopher is a 
pensioner of the United States on the
roll of the Pennsylvania agency at 
Philadelphia and has been some fifteen
years last part. During that time
I have almost continuously 
accompanied him to the agency whenever he
went to draw his pension - which was
once in each six months.

The said Christopher Drummon has long
been the intimate friend of Joseph
Bowen, deceased. The late father of 
Elizabeth Wightman and Thomas J. Bowen
who have applied for his pension and
many years ago - I have heard them
relate together the many things which
the said Christopher recently testified 
as to their being Drummond in
the war of the revolution. And from
hearing them repeat it so many years
and so often, and it never having been
doubted by any one - I fully believe it.
My said Uncle Christopher Drum or
Drummon retains his faculties remarkably
well so that he now labors 
daily. The following is a copy of his pension

Page 47

certificate to wit.

War Department
Revolutionary Claim
I certify that in conformity with the laws
of the United States of March 18. 1818
May 1, 1820. and March 1. 1823. Christopher
Drum late a private of Captain Parris
Company of the first Regt of the New Jersey
Line inscribed on the pension list
Hall of the Pennsylvania agency at the rate
of eight dollars per month to commence
the 3d day of November one thousand eight
hundred and twenty eight. Given at the War Office
of the United States that
sixth day of December one thousand 
eight hundred and twenty 
eight.  P. R. Porter Secretary of War
s/ Jane Lusher (x her mark)

Examined & countersigned
s/ James L Edwards

Sworn to and Subscribed
before me one of the aldermen
in and for the County of
Philadelphia this 14th day of
November A D 1838
s/ Saml Weyant

Philadelphia County
I certify that Jane Lusher who has made before me
the forgoing Deposition is a credible person
well known to me and that I have carefully compared the original  Pension
Certificate of Christopher Drum in possession of the witness
with the Copy Sworn to in the foregoing made find
the said Copy to be correct
s/ Saml Weyant Clk

Page 48

Philadelphia County ss.
I Richard Palmer Jr Esq.
Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas for the
County of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania

Do Certify that Saml Weyant before whom
the within deposition has been sworn to and
Subscribed is an alderman of the County afore
said and ex officio Justice of the peace duly
commissioned and qualified to administer
Oaths and the signature thereto annexed purporting
to be he is genuine.
In Testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and
affixed the Seal of the said
Court at Philadelphia this
14th November 1843
s R Palmer Prothonotary