Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 22,691, Robert Colborn, New Jersey

Page 1

(S--1776)

Service  |        |   Number
New Jersey | Colborn, Robert | S. 22,691


Contents

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[This is a printed form filled out by hand]

25,742

Pittsburgh Agency

Robert Colborn

at Somerset Co in the State of Penn [Pennsylvania]
who was a Pr [Private?] in the Company commanded 
by Captain Luse of the Reg [Regiment] commanded 
by Col. Starks in the New Jersey 
Militia

1 Yr [year] 6 Mo [months] P [pension?] $60.00

Inscribed on the Roll of Pittsburgh Agency
at the rate of 60 Dollars per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.

Certificate of Pension issued the 30th day of [illegible]
and Sent to

1833 Hon A Stewart Ho of Rep [House of Representatives?]

Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 – 150.00

Semi-anl. [semiannual?] allowance ending [illegible] ’34  30

$-180.00

{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act June 7, 1832}

Recorded by S. T. [best guess] Sprague, Clerk
Book E Vol. 3 Page 73
[check mark at bottom right]

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Declaration of Robert Colborn in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 - 
11665
Penn -

Page 4

State of Pennsylvania }
County of Somerset } Ss

On this Eleventh day of September A.D. Eighteen hundred & thirty two personally appeared in open Court, before Alexander Thomson [illegible; I want it to be “presiding” but that doesn’t look correct] Judge this [illegible] holding a court of Common pleas for Somerset County & now sitting [,] Robert Colborn a revolutionary soldier a resident of Turkeyfoot Township in the County & State aforesaid, aged Seventy nine years & Eight months, who being first, duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832. 

That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.

That by a Record of his age which he has seen, (Viz. an Entry in a Bible belonging to the family which he has not, & thinks the entry probably torn out or lost by this time, but is uncertain what has become of it), & by the statement of his parents he was born on the 11th of January A. D. 1753 in Huntingdon County, State of New Jersey, but resided in Roxbury Township, Morris County & State of New Jersey aforesaid when he entered the service in Colonel Stark’s Regiment, Captain Luse’s Company N. J. Militia as a Volunteer (The 1st Lieutenant’s name was Slack.) in the month of June 1776, but was afterwards drafted as a Militia man every other month, or a month in actual service, to a mouth at home alternately, for about four years from the 1st Entrance, during which he was in actual Service upwards of two years; that his residence was in Morris County aforesaid until June 1780, when he removed to Turkeyfoot Township, Somers[et] County, Pennsylvania, where he now resides, & has continued ever since the year 1780, that he generally served under General Wines—who commanded the regular troops that lay at Mount Holly he does not recollect, but once when at Elizabeth Town General Lord Sterling commanded the regular troops, & thinks they were called (or said to belong to) “The Pennsylvania line,[”] that he never got a written discharge but was dismiss’d [dismissed] as at Militia Muster & Colonel Drake was the first colonel who called us out in to Service
As to general incidents, he states that at first, their whole Regiment was called, but the Colonel agreed after they had met that if one half would volunteer, the other half might stay at home to attend to the harvest that he did not serve more than one moth at a time.

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that he amogst [amongst?] the rest Volunteered as aforesaid and was marched to Elizabeth Town & Amboy, that he was accidentally wounded in the foot at the latter place, that after his return home, he was drafted & served under Lieutenant Slack frequently—also under Capt. [Captain] Luse & Capt. [Captain] Norton, but cannot recollect the names of the General officers, nor how long he remained in the service the 2nd call, but remembering they lay on the line at Elizabeth Town—that he was once [“once” may be in quotation marks, hard to tell] excused & permitted to remain at home in consequence of his wife’s illness    this was the time of the battle of Monmouth

Says he once served at New [illegible – “Ark?”] – once marched through Princeton, (after the battle) thence to Mount Holly, where it was said the troops collected to the number of 7000, and thence to Hatten field seven miles from Philadelphia—but having served several different times, under different officers, he says he cannot after the lapse of upwards of half a century distinctly recollect names of Officers, incidents or circumstances

Robert Colborn

Sworn to & Subscribed in }
open court this Eleventh }
day of September 1832 }
in open court,
C. Forward Prothy [Prothonotary]

We Bernard Connelly Jr and William King [illegible, maybe “residents”] of the Township [“Milford.” inserted here] of Turkeyfoot in said County of [illegible] hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Robert Colborn who has subscribed & sworn to the foregoing declaration that we believe him to be aged seventy nine years & Eight months that he is reputed & believed in the neighbourhood [neighborhood] where he resides to have been a soldeer [soldier] of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion. 

[illegible, possibly a strike-through] sworn & subscribed the 
day of year aforesaid
C. Forward Prothy

Bernard Connelly Jr
William King

I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declare that my name is Robert Colborn

not on the pension roll of any [inserted above the line: “agency in any”] State 
sworn to & subscribed before me Sept 11th 1832.
in open court – C. Forward Prothy

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And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatives prescribed by the War department that the above named applicant [best guess] was a Revolutionary Soldeer [Soldier] and served as he stated. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that the above named Robert Colborn Bernard Connelly Jr. V [?] William King are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.

I Chauncey Forward Esquire Clerk of the said [a word is struck through here] Court of Common Pleas of Somerset County aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Robert Colborn for a pension. In Testimony Whereof, I hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 5th day of September in the Year of our Lord Eighteen Hundred & Thirty two

C. Forward Prothy [very faint but appears to be abbreviation for “Prothonotary”]

[there is substantial blank space on the page before the following text]

I will accept for the applicant 18 months pension [illegible, maybe “united”] of the 2 years as claimed leaving him at liberty to make proof of the full time here after if he ever

A Stewart
26 [not confident about the month] 1833

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August the 24th 1832      Fayette County SS

parsonly [personally] came before me the subscriber one of our Justises [Justices] of the peace in and for sade [said] County Abraham Wortman Who being s[illegible] as the law derects [directs] deposeth and saith that he being parsonally [personally] aquainted [acquainted] with Robart Coleburn [Robert Colborn] a native of the state of new garsey [jersey] Morris County Rocksbary township belonging to Colnal [Colonel] Starks Rigment [Regiment] Capt [Captain] Luces Company being a Militia Solder [Soldier] threw [through] the Revolution ware [War] from the year 1776 to the year 1780 at which time he Moved out to the western Country where he now lives and being presen [present?] with him threu [through] severaly [several] periods of that war in the sarvis [service] of sade [said] war as Drafted and volinte [volunteer] Militia solder [soldier] and further saith not

Sworn and subscribed 
before me
Jacob Ketcham
Pennsylvania Fayette County Ss.

his  
Abraham + [mark] Wortman 
mark

I Henry W. Beeson Prothonotary of the 
Court of Common Pleas in & for said 
County do hereby certify that Jacob 
Ketcham Esq. before whom the above aff-
-davit [affidavit] was made, was at the date [illegible]
of an acting Justice of the peace in afor
said [aforesaid] duly commissioned and
qualified And that I believe the above signature pur-
[illegible] to be his to be that proper hand writing of the
[cut off/illegible?] Ketcham Esq. In testimony whereof I 
set my hand & affixed the seal of 
[cut off/illegible, “it”?] at Union town the 30th August 1832
Henry W Beeson
Prothy [Prothonotary]

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I do hereby certify that within [?] named Abraham Wortman who made the forgoing affidavit is a credible and [illegible] witness and that his statement is entitled to credit. 

Jacob Ketcham

[written upside-down]
Ab [illegible, “Abraham” or “Abner”?] Wortmans
depositions

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Robert Colborn
S. 22691 
BA-J/AWF

C. Roth Colborn, D. D. S.
Medical Arts Building
16th and Walnut Streets
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Robert Colborn, who was born in 1753, served in the New Jersey troops, and was a pensioner in 1832.

The data which follow relative to Robert Colborn were obtained from papers on file in pension claim, S. 22691, based upon his military service in the War of the Revolution. 

Robert Colborn was born January 11, 1753 in Hunterdon County, New Jersey. The names of his parents were not stated.

While a resident of Roxbury Township, Morris County, New Jersey, Robert Colborn enlisted sometime in June, 1776, and served as a private in monthly tours, every other month, until sometime in June, 1780, in the New Jersey militia, under Captains Luse, Norton, Lieutenant Slack, and Colonel Starke; during the service, he was wounded in the foot at Amboy.

He was allowed pension on his application executed September 11, 1832, at which time he was living in Turkeyfoot Township, Somerset County, Pennsylvania, where he had lived since in the year 1780. 

Robert Colborn’s wife was living at the time of

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the battle of Monmouth; her name was not given, there are no data as to their marriage, and no reference to their children.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name and address of person paid, and possibly date of death of this pensioner, you should apply to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D. C., and furnish the following data-

Robert Colborn
Certificate # 25742
Issued December 30, 1833
Rate $60.00 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832
Pittsburgh Agency.

Very truly yours,

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator

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Robert Colburn [Colborn]

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War Department
Pension Office
10 July 1833

Sir.

The papers in the care of Robert Colburn [Colborn], have been again examined, and are herewith enclosed to you.

One of the objections, for which the papers were returned, has not been removed. He has not stated the term of Service as the rules demand. He states that he served two years. Refer you to note (2) [best guess] in the accompanying brief, for the requirements of the Department.

I am, Respectfully,
Your obd [obedient] Servant
J. L. Edwards
Comm [Commissioner] of Pensions

A. P. Flennikin [illegible] [maybe “esq” for esquire]
Union Town
Pa [Pennsylvania]

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Date of death [illegible]

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[illegible] send to the Hon George Tucker H R 15 Jany [January] 1822
 
                                           A

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Robt. Coleburn [Robert Colborn]

Adm   li  [illegible]   and 6 months

$60 [best guess, could  also be 110 or something else]

Hon A Stewart
R. [?] H [illegible]

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WAR DEPARTMENT, 
Pension Office, 183 

Sir:

The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: } ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim. 

[Following is a printed form with blank spaces and columns. It has not been filled out.]

A Statement, shewing the Service of 

Period when the service was rendered.

Duration of the claimant's service.  Years.  Months.  Days.

Rank of the claimant.

Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. 

Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.

Proof by which the declaration is supported. 

[Blank columns]

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

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2 
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832. 

The following regulations have been adopted: 

This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line,” “State troops,” "militia,” and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service. 

Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law: 

1. The Regular Troops. 
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers. 
3. Persons employed in the Naval Service. 
4. Indían Spies. 

As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, mucicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record. 

DECLARATION, 

In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832. 

State, Territory, or District of 
}SS
County of 

On this    day of      personally appeared (a) before
A.B. a resident (b) of      in the county of         and State, Territory or District of        aged (c)         years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)        , with          and served in the            (e) regiment of the              line, under the following named officers: 

[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers [illegible] the time he left the service : (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers ;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [manicule] This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.] 

He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of     
         
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.     A. B. 

[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.] 

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. 

I            of the Court of          do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of           for a pension. 

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this 
        day of           &c. 

If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out. 

Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz: 

(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the                and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with             , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be            years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. 

Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid. 

[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.] 

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the            and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the             and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. 

I,                    Clerk of the Count of                  do hereby certify that the foregoing  contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of                 for a pension. 

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this       day of          &c. 

Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction. 

If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his-[history]

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3
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person, will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be ex-expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case. 

The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia. 
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute?
And if a substitute, for whom? 
5. State the names of some of the Regular Oflicers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6. {To a Soldier.} Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
{To an Officer.} Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 

The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.

The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character
and standing of other persons giving such certificates.

The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject. 

Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, atttend the Court. 

Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.

No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.

--
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
“Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c, A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: -- For ___year____months, and ____ days, I served as a ____. For _____months and ____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension.”

It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; the the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed; he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

Mode of authenticating papers.

In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

Proof of Service.

[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant’s entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[manicule] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers in the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

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[a printed form in two columns filled out by hand]

[Column 1] 

22691
Revolution

INVALID.
File No. 22,691
Robert Colborn
[illegible, but maybe Pvt for Private] Rev. [Revolutionary] War

Act: June 7th 32 [1832]
Index:—Vol. 2, Page 78
[Arrangement of 1870.]

[handwritten check mark at bottom of column on the right]

[Column 2]

Feby [February] – 26 – 1903
Lulu Fligley [or Feigley] – Boon [or Boone]
--
1927 – Nov. [November] 1 – Hi[illegible] to 
Mr. J.C. Hitchman [illegible]
--
1936 – Nov. 12 – [same word as above, not sure] to Mr.
H. [illegible, probably S.] Rush [illegible]
--
193[illegible] – Oct [October] 15 – [illegible] to Mrs. D. L. [illegible, likely Davidson] [illegible]
--
193[illegible] Jun. 24 – [illegible] to C. Roth [illegible, likely Colborn] D. D. S. [illegible]

Page 20

[handwritten] 22691

[printed]
3—068.
(Old No. 3—649.)   6—20

Bureau of Pensions.

[handwritten]
Robt [Robert] Colborn
Sept. 11. 1832 – 79
Somerset Co. [County] Pa [Pennsylvania]
Born Jany [January] 11, 1753
Hunterdon Co. NJ [New Jersey]

Jun [June] 76 [1776] Morris Co N. J.

Capt [Captain] Luse
Col [Colonel] Stark
Pvt. [Private] every other
month for 4 yrs [years]

No Bab [?]

Page 21

[handwritten letter on printed letterhead]

Bell Phone

C. Roth Colborn, D. D. S.
Medical Arts Bldg.
16th and Walnut Sts.

Philadelphia. Jan. [January] 11, 1938.

Pension Bureau,
Washington D. C. 

[round black stamp; the rim is designed like a clock face numbered 1-12 and has an arrow pointing at 1] REC’D [received] JAN 12 1938 MAIL SUB-DIV. VETS ADM, READER 4

Dear sirs,

Will you please send me what information you can on Robert Colborn who as I understand was born 1753 and died 1836, served as a private with the New Jersey State Troops and placed on the pension list 1832? Any information as to his wife, family, or place of burial or a will, will be greatly appreciated. ‘Colborn’ may have been spelled ‘Colburn’. 

Very truly yours
C. Roth Colborn

Page 22

[round black stamp; the rim is designed like a clock face numbered 1-12 and has an arrow pointing at 2]
RECEIVED
OCT 11 1937
MAIL SUB-DIV.
VETS ADM, 
READER [?] 15 

[typewritten text]

4840 Sturtevant Avenue
Detroit, Michigan
October 8, 1937

Veterans Administration,
Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen;

Six weeks past I wrote you [this first clause is underlined by hand] asking for the Revolutionary War Records of Captain Robert Colborn [name is underlined] who fought with Col. Stack from New Jersey, and Captain Andrew Friend. [there is a small handwritten circular symbol above “Andrew."]  I do not know where he fought from. History states that he was a Captain from the Potomoc [Potomac] Valley. Both these men died in Somerset County, Penna. [Pennsylvania] When I wrote before I must have forgotten my return address.

[handwriting]
no signature?

[typed]
Sincerely, 
Mrs. D. L. Davison

Page 23

4840 Sturtevant Avenue, Detroit

[a circular gray stamp appears over the top of the handwritten letter. The rim is designed like a clock face numbered 1-12, and an arrow points at approximately 3.]]

RECEIVED
SEP 8 [best guess] 1937
[illegible]

[handwritten letter]

Sept. 6, 1937

Veteran’s Administration
Washington, D. C.

Gentlemen:

Will you please send me the Revolutionary War records of the following: - 
Captain Robert Colborn [name and part of the title are underlined] who [additionally illegible marginalia here] fought with Colonel Stack’s Regiment from New Jersey. Captain Oliver Friend [name and title are underlined] who was from the Potomac Valley. Also John Hyatt’s records. He was from Maryland. (He is not [underlined] the John V. [underlined[ Hyatt (Vanse) who fought from Md. 

Sincirely [sincerely], 
Mrs. D. L. Davison

Page 24

[Circular black stamp with a rim numbered like a clock face, 1-12; an arrow points at 1]

RECEIVED
OCT 15 1936
[illegible]
17

[typewritten text]

Fargo, North Dakota.
October 14, 1936.

Veterans Administration,
Washington, D. C.

Gentlemen: 

Will you kindly send me any record you may have of Robert Colborn and of Oliver Drake, who applied for or received a Revolutionary War Pension while a resident of Somerset County, Pennsylvania (formerly Bedford County).

Will you kindly furnish me with the same information for any persons of th [the] surname Rush and Skinner who lived in the counties of Somerset and Fayette  , Pennsylvania

Yours very truly,
[signature] H. S. Rush
[typewritten] H. S. Rush
1019 Ninth Avenue North,
Fargo, North Dakota. 

[Note: "send," "Colborn," "Drake," "any," "Rush," and "Skinner" are all underlined by hand in the document.]

Page 25

May 27th, 1927

Bureau of Pensions,
Washington D. C.

Gentlemen:-

I am writing you this to ask if you will be so kind as to send me a transcription of the war record of Robert Colborn who was a private during the Revolutionary War.    In going over his papers I find that he drew [“drew” handwritten] a pension from March 4th, 1831, the paper being dated December 30th, 1833, and is recorded in book E, volume 5, page 73 by John Sprague. 

Mr. Robert Colborn was my Great Grand Father, and I would be very glad to have a copy of the record of his services.

Thanking you for your courtesy, I beg to remain,

Yours truly,
[signature] J. C. Hitchman 
[typed] J.C.HITCHMAN.

jch/go       
[last letter is slightly odd; "o" is best guess]

[black circular stamp]
PENSION 
[illegible letter, maybe “B”]
JUN
U. | 7 |  S.
1927
OFFICE

Page 26

CR 
February 9” 1903

Bureau of Pensions – 

Will you furnish me with proof of servicies [services] of the Revolutionary soldier Robert Colborn of the state New Jersey. He died in Somerset Co. Pennsyvania [Pennsylvania] 1836 and drew a pension until date of death -

Page 27

[handwriting]
I am a great-great granddaughter of said Robert Colborn – 
Lulu Fligley [Feigley?]
“1515 Story St.” Boone, Iowa

[black circular stamp]

PENSION
D
FEB
U. | 11 | S.
1903
OFFICE.

Page 28

Robert Colborn
S. 22691
BA-J/AWF

Mrs. D. L. Davison
4840 Sturtevant Avenue
Detroit, Michigan

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letters in which you request the Revolutionary War records of Robert Colborn of New Jersey, Andrew Friend, Oliver Friend, both from the “Potomac Valley”, and John Hyatt of Maryland. 

The Revolutionary War records of this office have been searched and no claims for pension found based upon the service of Andrew Friend, Oliver Friend, or of a John Hyatt (Hiatt) of Maryland. 

The data which follow relative to Robert Colborn were obtained from papers on file in pension claim, S. 22691, based upon his service in the War of the Revolution. 

Robert Colborn was born January 11, 1783 in Hunterdon County, New Jersey. The names of his parents were not given.

While residing in Roxbury Township, Morris County, New Jersey, he enlisted sometime in June, 1776 [note: 1775 has been crossed out and “1776” written in by hand], and served as a private in monthly tours, every other month, until sometime in June, 1780, in the New Jersey militia under Captain Luse, Captain Norton, Lieutenant Slack, and Colonel Starks; he was wounded in the foot at Amboy during his service.

He was allowed pension on his application exe-  [executed]

Page 29

cuted [executed] September 11, 1832, at which time he was living in Turkeyfoot Township, Somerset County, Pennsylvania, where he had moved in 1780. 

Robert Colborn’s wife was living at the time of the battle of Monmouth; her name was not shown, there are no data as to their marriage, and no reference to children.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name and address of person paid, and possibly date of death of this pensioner, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D. C., and furnish the following data:

Robert Colborn
Certificate # 25742
Issued December 30, 1833
Rate $60.00 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832
Pittsburgh Agency.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator

Page 30

Robert Colborn – S. 22691
Jacob Rush – W. 11195
BA-J/AWF

Mr. H. S. Rush
1019 Ninth Avenue North
Fargo, North Dakota

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to Robert Colborn, and Oliver Drake, soldiers of the Revolution from Somerset County, Pennsylvania, also soldiers with surnames Rush and Skinner, from Somerset and Fayette Counties, Pennsylvania. 

Because of the great demand for Revolutionary War data and the limited trained clerical force available for furnishing such information, it is not possible to comply in full with each request for Revolutionary War data.

The Revolutionary War records of Robert Colborn and Jacob Rush are furnished herein.

Robert [“Cleborn” is crossed out, “Colborn” handwritten in] S. 22691

The data which follow in regard to Robert Colborn were obtained from pension claim, S. 22691, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.

Robert Colborn was born January 11, 1753 in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, names of his parents not stated.

While residing in Roxbury Township, Morris County, New Jersey, Robert Colborn enlisted sometime in June, 1776 and served as a private in monthly tours, every other month, until sometime in June, 1780 in the New

Page 31

Jersey militia under Captain Luse, Captain Norton, Lieutenant Slack and Colonel Starke; he was wounded in the foot at Amboy during his service.

The soldier, Robert Colborn, was allowed pension on his application executed, September 11, 1832, at which time he was living in Turkeyfoot Township, Somerset County, Pennsylvania, where he had moved in the year 1780. 

His wife was living at the time of the battle of Monmouth. Her name is not shown, there are no data as to their marriage, and no reference to children.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name and address of person paid, and possibly date of death of this pensioner, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D. C. and give the following data:

Robert Colborn
Certificate # 25742
Issued December 30, 1833
Rate $60.00 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832
Pittsburgh Agency.

* * *
Jacob Rush – W. 11195

The data furnished herein were obtained from pension claim, W. 11195, based upon the service of Jacob Rush in the Revolutionary War. 

Jacob Rush was born March 19, 1755 in the State of New Jersey, names of his parents not given. 

While residing in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, Jacob Rush volunteered December 1, 1776, served as a private in Captain Samuel Davis’ company, Colonel

Page 32

George Woods’ Pennsylvania regiment and was discharged March 10, 1777. He enlisted May 1, 1778 to serve six months in Captain James Wilson’s company in Colonel George Woods’ regiment, to protect the frontiers from the Indians and was scouting about from “place to place”, after having served about five months, his brother, Benjamin Rush, served the remaining month as his substitute. 

The soldier, Jacob Rush, was allowed pension on his application executed, January 16, 1835, at which time he was living in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. He died in said Somerset County, January 14, 1850. 

Jacob Rush married in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, October 4, 1827, Ann McNeal. 

The widow, Ann Rush, was allowed pension on her application executed December 20, 1865, at which time she was seventy-eight years old and living in Turkeyfoot, Somerset County, Pennsylvania. 

It is not stated that they had children.

John Rush was living in 1835 in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, and continued to live there in 1865; his relationship to the family not stated.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name and address of person paid, and possibly date of death of this pensioner, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D. C. and give the following data:

Ann Rush, widow of Jacob Rush
Certificate # 7227
Issued March 22, 1868
Rate $27.77 per annum
Commenced February 3, 1853
Act of February 3, 1853
Pennsylvania Agency.

Very truly yours

A. D. Hiller
Executive Assistant 
to the Administrator

Page 33

November 1, 1927

Mr. J. C. Hitchman
c/o Insular Motor Corporation
San Juan, Porto Rico.

Sir:

I have to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 22691, it appears that Robert Colborn was born January 11, 1753 in Hunterdon County, New Jersey.

While a resident of Roxbury Township, Morris County, New Jersey, he enlisted in June 1776 and served at various times as a private in the New Jersey Troops, under Captain Luse, Captain Norton, Lieutenant [illegible]lack, and Colonel Starke, he states that he was accidentally wounded in the foot at Amboy, served until 1780, in all about two years.

He was allowed pension on his application executed September 11, 1832, while a resident of Turkeyfoot Township, Somerset County, Pennsylvania. 

His wife was living at the time of the battle

Page 34

of Monmouth, her name is not given, and there are no data as to marriage, nor any reference  ["as" is struck through] to children. 

Respectfully, 
Winfield Scott
Commissioner.