Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 1151, William Wilson, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey
Wilson, William
S. 1151
CONTENTS
carded

28.153 New Jersey
William Wilson of Hillsbor o in the State of N J - who was a pr of Inf in the Com mand by Captain _____ of the Reg t commanded by _____ in the M d Hoops line for and Cavalry
Inscribed on the Roll of N J at the rate of 95. Dollars 77 Cents per ann m . to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 1- day of Feb y 1834 and serv t to out J. Frelinghuysen Ser t al e
Arrears to the 4th of Sept r $239.02 Semi-ant. allowance ending Mar 4 34 - 47 88 $287 30
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by E. D. Bullock Clerk Book E Vol. 13 Page 99

William Wilson was born in the township of Hillsborough in the county of Somerset, entered the service in the beginning of the war, first in the foot where he served two years. The first officer under whom he served was Capt. Jacob Ten Eyck, then under Capt. Wheeler, Capt. Van Cleave & Capt. Scott but by reason of his great age & infirm memory can not remember any more. Did not leave the service till the end of the war - at the expiration of two years, (believed in the year 78) joined the troop of horse under the command of Capt. John Hughes being lieutenant to Peter Schenck Rynear being lieutenant to Peter Schenck Rynear was drafted as a militia man - was at the battle of Monmouth Springfield, Monmouth & in several skirmishes. Was also joined Genl. Maxwell at the Black Horse at Monmouth. Genl. Maxwell was a Brigadier General in the Continental Army, Major Lipp & Capt. Voorhees (who was wounded at New Brunswick) were officers in the Continental  Said Continental army service. He was at Com-
He was at Communipaw, Staten Island, New York, Elizabeth Town, & up the North River. While at Staten Island, he was under the command of Capt. Jacob Ten Eyck. Previous to the battle of Monmouth the British having halted at Mount Holly two or three days, the troop to which he belonged with Maxwell's Brigade halted within one or two miles of the Black Horse Mount Holly at a place called the Black Horse. An alarm having been raised in the night that the enemy were surrounding them they immediately retreated  retreated to Bordentown, from  from Pennington & thence to Monmouth where he was frequently in great danger being continually engaged between the two armies. Was at one time pursued to a place called the Draw Bridge by seven British horsemen the whole army being in the rear. Was in the service during the whole war, being two years in the foot as a militia man under Capt. Ten Eyck & others, & five

Years in the Foot of Horse under Capt. John Stuyvesant Served as a private in both foot & horse - while laying at P. Hook, saw the burning of the city of New York, the taking of Staten Island, the dropping of the then British Ships up the North river etc -
State of New Jersey Somerset County, ss
On this fifteenth day of August, in the Year of our Lord Eighteen hundred & thirty two, personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Common Pleas now sitting William Wilson, a resident of Hillsborough in the county of Somerset, & State of New Jersey, age a eighty one years, who being duly sworn according to law, states on his oath that he the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 -
Sworn & subscribed the day & year above written

He hereby relinquishes any claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, & declares that his name is not on the Pen- -sion roll of the agency of any state - Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid. -
Wm. H. GASTON
William Met Wilson Mark
We Louis Hoagland & Reynier Legate of the County of Somerset & State of New Jersey hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Wilson who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be eighty one years of age; that he is reputed & believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution & that that we con- -cur in that opinion - And the Peter Labagh a clergyman of the residing in said county does hereby certify that he believes him the said William Wilson who has subscribed as aforesaid to be eighty one years of age; that he is reputed & believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution & that he concurs in that opin- -ion. -
Sworn & subscribed in open Court the day & year aforesaid.
Wm. H. GASTON
Peter Labagh Reynier Legate Louis Hoagland Mark
of Louis Hoagland

a clergyman of Poland residing in the county of Somerset does hereby certify that she believes him the said William Wilson who has subscribed as aforesaid to be eighty one years of age. That he is respected & believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution & that she concurs in that opinion. —
Sworn & subscribed in open court the day & year aforesaid.
W. H. Gaston
Peter Labagh
Rynier Ryght M rs Labagh
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter & after hearing the interrogations presented by the War Department that the above named Officer was a revolutionary soldier & served as he states. And the court further certify that it appears to them that Peter Labagh who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman residing in the county of Somerset, & that Louis Boagland & Rynier Ryght who have also signed the preceding certificates are residents in the county of Somerset aforesaid & are credible persons, & that their statement is entitled to credit —
W. H. Gaston
O. H. Vanderroer
A. H. Stevens

I John M Mann Clerk of the County of Somerset, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Court, in the matter of the application of William Wilson for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this fifteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Bridgwater this fifteenth day of August in the year of Lord Eighteen hundred and thirty two J. M. Mann

Be Francis
William Wilson 4907.
State of New Jersey Somerset County } ss.
On this fifteenth day of August in the Year of our Lord Eighteen hundred & thirty two personally appeared in open Court before the judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Somerset now sitting, William Wilson a resident of Hillsborough in the County of & State of N.J. aged eighty one years also being duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declarations in order to obtain the benefit of the act for Confess passed June 7. A.D. 1832 -
Sworn & subscribed to his in the day & year above written - William Wilson

4907
William Wilson's application for a Pension Law 1832.
\begin{array}{r}
 75 \\
 20 \quad 75 \\
 \hline
 95 \quad 77
 \end{array}
15 m o Cavalry
6 m o 7 dcy Infantry
Increased terms not specified nor proved - this allowance in cavalry according to mutuel
95.77-
James P. Randolph Agent.

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the Seventh of June, 1832. —
State of New Jersey Somerset County, ss.
On this fourth day of June, — in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty three, personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of the Superior Court of Common Pleas of the County of Somerset, now sitting, William Wilson, resident of the township of Hightstown, in the county of Somerset aforesaid, aged eighty 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 the Seventh, eighteen hundred & thirty two. —
That he entered the service of the United States in the year 1776 — went in the first place, to Staten Island, as a volunteer in Captain J. E. Ecker's company of foot, on the occasion of the anticipated landing of the British. His first duty was in the spring of that year. Was there when the British landed. His next tour of duty, was to New York; was drafted in the New Jersey Militia, in Captain Conrad Ecker's company of foot. Was at that place two weeks, & then retired to Elizabeth Town. The one half of the militia being dismissed, he was with the other half that remained, & went out their month. He next went to Communipaw under the same officer (under Captain Conrad Ecker). At this place the militia relieved each other every two weeks, & he passed there four times, which made his term of service three two months. He having stood two weeks each time. His next march was at the Dutch settlement (as it was then called), up the North River. Was at that place one month under the same officer — Captain Conrad Ecker. His duty was to guard the shore. He was next called to Blockhouse Mills about two miles below the village of Millstone in the county of Somerset. He thinks he was at that time under Captain Low. Last Class & Major Brainerd. Was there one month. His next march was to Hopewell N.J. under the command of Captain Low. Last Class. His duty at that place was to superintend the building of forts, the enemy being expected to take that post. Was there also one month. This last march was the last of his tours in the foot service. Was in the foot two years as he understands, but by reason of his great age, & loss of memory cannot make out more than six months & one week in the foot. Afterwards, (he cannot recollect the time precisely, but after the two years' foot service) he joined Captain John Hestrick's company of Horse of Six Mile Run in the county of Somerset, Captain Hestrick being lieutenant, & Peter Schenck captain. His first march in the foot was to Princeton, & his duty was the arduous one of an express rider & also to guard Governor Livingston's house with an associate sent every other night to South Amboy bridge to ascertain if the British had arrived; & after having ridden hard all night exposed to all kinds of weather, was obliged to wait till two hours after sunrise. The service particularly tedious, & harassing both to the mind & the body. Governor Livingston having retired from Princeton to a place on the Raritan River about two miles above Somerville, said Wilson of course accompanied him, & was still employed in the express service while at that place, on the same service, he for three days & nights in succession rode seventy miles each day & night viz. 1st to Philadelphia three down to Gloucester County in N. Jersey & thence to the Black Horse near Mount Holly in Burlington County N. Jersey. Was at Princeton, one month

at the last mentioned place also one month, as a kind of body guard to Gov- -ern Livingston, though immediately under the command of Captain J. W.  H.  W.  H. His next tour was again to Elizabeth Town. Was there at two different times, one month each time, & while at that place, on some of his reconnoitring excursions, he was frequently so close to the enemy in the night, that he could distinctly hear their conversation. His next station was at Springfield. Was then almost wholly employed at that time in express riding, reconnoitring was frequently sent out from that place to Elizabeth Town, Newark, Trenton, Princeton, Princeton & many other places, & most of his excursions were in the night time. Was in constant service all the time, & that too of the most arduous & hazardous nature. Was at Springfield one month. He was also at Monmouth - at the battle of Monmouth. Previous to the battle of Monmouth - the British having halted for two or three days at Mount Holly Captain John St.  H.  H. Troop of Horse to which he was attached with Maxwell's Brigade also halted at a place called the Black Horse within one or two miles of Mount Holly. An alarm was raised in the night that the enemy were surrounding them They marched in haste to Bordentown, & thence to Monmouth In this tour he was out one month. On the battlefield, he could take a part in the engagement, the Horse not being called into service but after a time, the whole Troop to which he was attached having taken to flight, & he being the only horseman near, he was called to the side of General Washington, & was consequently most of the time between the two armies, & could scarcely distinguish an object ten paces before him on account of the smoke. After the battle was nearly over the general seeing a superior in the rear ordered him to follow the enemy & watch their motions, he did so, & pursued them to South Amboy Bridge. Was five years in the foot service & during that time was not employed in any civil pursuit. Lived in the township of Hillsborough, county of Somerset when called into service: and since the war has always resided in the township of Bridgewater in said county - He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension he was entitled to, except the present, & he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state. Given & subscribed the 10th day of March William H. Wilson. day & year aforesaid  Wm H. Wilson
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier, & served as he stated. —  Wm H. Wilson
These certificates attached from a misapprehension of the printed docu- ment sent from the War Department, being considered as such, are cancelled.
John M. Mann. Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the county of Somerset & State of New Jersey, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Wil- iam Wilson for a pension. The testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & seal office, this 10th day of March in the year of our Lord, one thousand, eight hundred & thirty three. J. M. Mann.

We Abraham D Wilson - a clergyman residing in the township of Bridgewater - in the county of Somerset & State of New Jersey, & William J. Hedges - residing in the township of Bridgewater - in the county of Somerset & State aforesaid, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Wilson, who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be eighty years of age; that he is respected & believed, in the neighbourhood where he resided, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, & that we concur in that opinion. -
Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid. -
Abraham D Wilson
William J. Hedges
Wm J. Hedges
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, & after testing the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier, & served as he stated. And the court further certify that it appears to them that Abraham D. Wilson - who has signed the foregoing certificate, is a clergyman residing in the township of Bridgewater - in the county of Somerset, & that William J. Hedges - who has also signed the same, is a resident in the township of Bridgewater - in the county of Somerset, & is a credible person, & that their statement is entitled to credit. And the court further certify & declare that Rynear Tipton, the officer of the Revolution in the foregoing declaration mentioned as "lieutenant in Captain John Hylton's hook of horse," & who before us on the fifteen day of August, eighteen hundred & thirty two, subscribed & swore to the declaration of the said William Wilson, lately sent back from the War Department was a good Christian & highly respectable citizen & his testimony in our opinion was entitled to credit, but that the said Rynear Tipton has since departed this life, so that his further testimony is utterly lost to this applicant -
Wm J. Hylton
Wm J. Hylton
James D. Stryker
I John M. Marmelock of the court of Common Pleas of the county of Somerset aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court, in the matter of the application of William Wilson for a pension. The testimony is here, I have hereunto set my hand, & seal of office this fourth day of June - in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty three -
J. Marmelock

Answers to the interrogatories propounded by the court to the applicant.
 1. The said William Wilson was born in the township of Hillsborough in the County of Somerset, on the twenty fifth of August, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & fifty three - 1753.  2. The day, month & year in which he was born, is recorded in the old family bible now in the possession of said applicant.  3. Said Wilson was residing in the township of Hillsborough, when he was called into service; & has since resided in the township of Bridgewater, in the county of Somerset aforesaid.  4. Was drafted in the New Jersey militia first, in Capt. Jacob Van Hook's company of foot.  5. The officers under whom he served as well as his imperfect memory serves, were as follows, viz. In the first Capt. Jacob Van Hook, he lived also in the first Capt. Wheeler, Capt. Lord, Van Cleef, & Capt. Lott. In the year '78 joined Captain John Stykes's Horse of Horse, Rynear's Troop being lieutenant, & Peter Schenck. Colonel. At the Black Horse at Mt. Holly joined Brigadier Genl. Maxwell. Then Major Pratt, & Capt. Voorhies who was wounded at New Brunswick. Was five years in Capt. John Stykes's Horse of Horse. For further particulars see Declaration.  6. Never received a discharge in writing. 
7. - John Van Drase, Job Lane Esquire Rev. D. Bae, M c Isker, Rev. Abraham Wilson, Abraham Luce Esq. John W. Gaston, Esq. John Gaston Esq. Miss Kaagelford, & Rev. Isaac Southard are neighbors of said applicant & are acquainted with him. They can testify to his character for veracity & their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution. All the above are of the county of Somerset & State aforesaid.
Sworn & Subscribed this day William Wilson a year ago said - Mark
John W. Gaston
Declaration of William Wilson in support of the Application
I John M. Mann clerk of the Common Pleas of the county of Somerset aforesaid, do hereby certify that William B. Gaston, who has subscribed his name to the above interrogatories, is one of the judges of the said court of the county aforesaid; & that said interrogatories were subscribed & sworn to by the said William Wilson as above stated.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office the fourth day of June one thousand eight hundred & thirty three.
J. M. Mann

State of New Jersey Somerset County ss. On this fifteenth day of January 1834, before me a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, personally appeared William Wilson the applicant for a Service named in the foregoing paper, who being duly sworn, on his oath saith, that having heretofore made a statement of his services, which he conceived in some respects deficient - he now proceeds to make a more specification of his services, and to make such extensive of that specification as subsequent reflection and repeated conversation with his old confederates in arms, enable him to give. He has always felt perfectly assured that he had rendered at least two years of actual service, tho' he has not before been enabled to make out such things according to the forms of the department. He will further presume that though his memory is pretty good as to prominent facts, he nevertheless is not willing to succum- sively to all the terms, particulars of his services, but only according to the best of his recollection, as allowed by the forms. He entered the service in the year 1776, in the early part of it, went on a tour of the weeks to Staten
 1st early part of it, went on a tour of the weeks to Staten Island under Capt Jacob Van Eyck. In the same year, and soon afterwards, he performed a month's tour to New York, and at Elizabethtown, under Capt Conrad Van Eyck. He there was stationed at Commencipaw, and during the same year performed four tours of half a month each, under the same officer. In the same year he performed another tour of one month under the same Captain, at the Dutch Settlement on the South River. This was after the British had landed in New York. In all these services he was guarding the shore, from apprehended or actual invasion. The British had now penetrated into New Jersey, and the militia were all concentrated in the country between the Raritan & Delaware, and over the Delaware. His next tour was in the latter part, say December of '76 at Blackwell's Mills in Somerset, some 8 or 10 above New Brunswick. Under, he thinks, Capt Van Cleave, and lasted one month.  2nd  1st  1st  1st 

During the Winter of '76-7 and up to June 1777, as he now distinctly recollects, the militia were out from one half to two thirds of the time, not always in regular monthly tours, but in the exigencies of the service required. In this time declarant is safe in saying he was out
3 mo
fully one half the time, and performed at least three months service, along the Millstone, and in the neighborhood of Brunswick, and under Capt Van Cleef. Immediately after the British left Brunswick in 1777, he did a tour of one month at Hampton under Capt Van Cleef, in throwing up breastworks to provide against the enemy, who was expected to take that route next. This was, he thinks, the last of his service in the Infantry, making an aggregate of nine months and one week as a private of Infantry. An amount he is sure, quite within bounds. He then in the latter part of 1777, in the fall of that year he thinks, joined the troop of Horse commanded by Capt John Stuyker, and of which Reynar Keight was Lieutenant.
1 mo
He was stationed at Princeton for one month in 1777 under the immediate direction of Gen. Livingston, though commanded by his own Capt Stuyker, & was employed most of the time in keeping up lines of communication with different portions of the State, and acting as a body guard to the Gov.
1 mo
In the latter part of 1777 or beginning of '78 was stationed a little above Penneville, under the same direction, in the same service, and served a tour of one month . During the year 1778, he performed at least four tours of a month each under Capt Stuyker. One of these tours was in New Jersey before & at the time of the battle of Monmouth. at which battle he was present
4 mo
The other three tours were in the eastern part of the State, on the Elizabethtown station, and in the service of guarding that station, and the surrounding country, and keeping up communication as heretofore. Indeed, during the whole war, the various troops of Horse in the State, tho' not enrolled as corps of Express Riders, were frequently and necessarily employed in that & similar service.

In 1779, he was out as usual on his regular tours, and 4 mo performed not less than four tours of a month each , un- der Capt. Stryker. His station was at Elizabethton, but his duty led him over a great part of the state. In 1780, 4 mo he was out not less than four tours of a month each , un- der his own captain, head quarters as before at Eli- zabethton. During this year an inuendo was made by the enemy up the country as far as Spry's field, at which place a battle was fought, in which he was engaged. 3 mo In 1781, he did not less than three tours of duty of a  month each , at Elizabethton that neighborhood under his own Capt. Stryker, in guarding the lines. Also in 1782, remaining on the same station, and under the same captain, he did, certainly not less 3 mo than three tours of a month each , in the same kind of service. This year, though not the close, exactly, of the war, nearly closed the active services of the war. He cannot say that he was out in any regular tours in 1783. He repeats, that in the specification of his services he never makes, has has been greatly aided by frequent conversations with his old com- rades, in arms, and from the knowledge  the knowledge that the calls on the militia, from the beginning to the end of the fearful contest, were very frequent, & that the law fixed the duration of each tour to one month. When- ever he was out, therefore, on a regular tour, he knows that he was out a month. For such service, thus distinctly, and, as he hopes, in proper form spe- cified, he claims, & trusts will receive the compensa- tion the law allows for faithful services.
Subscribed to me the day & year aforesaid, before me Jacob Young Justice Peace
William X Wilson man

State of New Jersey, Sussex County, ss. On this fifteenth day of Janu- ary 1834, before me a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, personally appeared John Vanderbeek, sen. Whom to me to be a credible person, whose statement is entitled to full belief, who being duly sworn, on his oath saith, that he is in the 82 nd year of his age, and a soldier of the Revolution - that he is well acquainted and has been from boyhood with William Wilson, the foregoing applicant for a Pension, that he lived a neighbor to him during the war, and although not in the same company, had was in the same re- giment, and had a good opportunity to know the services of said Wilson. Knows that he served for a year or so in the Infantry, and that he afterwards joined the Troop of Horse commanded by Capt John Shyke and continued in that corps throughout the war. Knows that he was a faithful soldier, and that he served several times in each of the years 1776, 7, 8, 9, 80, 81, 82, and conti- nued to serve as long as it was necessary to keep the militia out. Knows said Wilson for a man of veracity, that no doubt that his statement now made this day, which he has heard read, is true in all its essential particulars.
Subscribed sworn to the day John Vanderbeek a year ago before me
Jacob Loren Justice of the Peace

State of New Jersey County of Somerset I John M. Mann Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Somerset certify that the foregoing contains the original supplemental proceedings in the case of William Wilson an application for a Pardon. I also certify that the affidavits of William Wilson & John Vandusen were this day taken in a Justice of the Peace duly commissioned & sworn and that the signature of said Justice is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court this fifteenth day of January Eight- hundred thirty four.
J. M. Mann
4907
William Wilson ap- plication for a Pardon
Jan 1832.
75 20 15 11 5 77
16 m o Cavalry
6 m o 7 days Infantry
hereunto terms not
specified nor proved - this statement in cavalry accom- panying to mutual
95. 77-
John P. Van Vorst Agent

INVALID.
File No.
1151
New War and
William Wilson.
Pro. N. J. etc.
Act
June 7, 1832.
Index:—Vol.
2
, Page
406
[Arrangement of 1870.]
✓

affidavit in the case of William H. Hays
4907
Index B16
James P. Randolph Agent

State of New Jersey, ss on this fifteenth day of January 1834, before me a Justice in and for the County of Morris personally appeared Simon Hoagland known to me to be a credible person, whose statement is en- titled to implicit credit, who being duly sworn, on this oath saith, that he is in the 84th year of his age, and a soldier of the Revolution - That he belonged to the company of Horse commanded by Capt John Shuyler, Lieut R. Beight - That he well remembers William Wilson, the applicant for a pension named in the foregoing paper, marked 2908 as a member of said company, that said Wilson was regular in the performance of his duty, a faithful good soldier, and served to the end of the war, and always he believes, as a private that he served not less than three times in each of the years 1775, 1779, 1780, 1781, & 1782, in said Troop of Horse. He has no doubt that he served more than three times in each of those years, but of so many he can speak with the certainty of absolute conviction, from a distinct recollection of the calls made upon said company, and the regularity with which they were answered by said Wilson, with the rest of the company. Said Wilson is well known to this deponent as a con- scientious, upright man, in whose statements confidence may be placed.
Subscribed known to me this 15th day of January 1834 Simon Hoagland _____ Mark Peter D. Harrison Justice of the Peace
19154 57.88 942
State of New Jersey, ss on this fifteenth day of January 1834, before me a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Morris personally appeared Henry B. Schenck, in known to me as a credible person, whose statement is implicitly to be relied upon, who being duly sworn, on

his oath says, that he is in the 74 th year of his age rendered services in the War of the Revolution as Surgeon and Assistant Surgeon, and upon in the receipt of a Pension for the same that he well knows the  William Wilson the foregoing named applicant for a Pension, belonged to the same regiment to which the company of Horse of which the said Wilson was a member, belonged, knows that said Wilson did his duty regularly in said com- pany, that he was out with said company repeatedly, (not less than three months) in each of the years 1778, 1779, & 1780, and believes, from general report, that said Wilson continued to serve in said troop of horse to the close of the war. Deponent left the regiment to which the said troop of horse belonged in the latter part of the year 1780, and cannot therefore speak from personal observation after that time. Has such per- sonal knowledge of the integrity of said Wilson as to believe that what he may say on the subject of his services can be entirely relied on.  Subscribed & sworn to this 23 rd day of February A.D. 1843  Henry H. Schenck —  Peter P. Runyon Justice of the Peace
State of New Jersey Middlesex county ss. I Nicholas Worrall clerk of the court of common pleas in and for said county do hereby certify that Peter P. Runyon before whom the foregoing affidavits of Henry H. Schenck & Henry H. Schenck were taken was at the time said State is a Justice of the Peace in the said county duly commissioned and sworn and that the signature of the said Runyon thereto affixed is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this twenty-fourth day of January Eighteen hundred & thirty four  N. Worrall Clerk

1907
William Wilson
Surplus Private of 5th Cavalry May 23 Dec 6 23 95.77
Hon. Theo. F. Bellamy Senate U.S.
Hon. J. A. Randolph Present J. M. Manser Esq. Lawrenceville South Carolina N. D.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
April 29 th 1833
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 subjjoined 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.
A Statement, shewing the Service of
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. 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.   Years. Months. Days.              
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.
Mr William Wilson
9 N 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. Indian 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, musicians 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; 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. 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 Court 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 alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
It is evident that the justice in this case may with fitable ex

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 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 Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 
G. { 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 traditional 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, attend 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; that 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.
[k] The notes from [a] to [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule to note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If no witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
notes to prove