Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 3560, Henry Willis, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey
Willis, Henry
S. 3560
CONTENTS
carded

29. 93 3/4
New Jersey.
Henry Willis of Elizabeth in the State of N.J. who was a private in the by Captain — of the Regt by Col. Courtland in the N.J. line for 13 months
Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey at the rate of $3. Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 1st day of March 31 and sent Hon. — Frederick — Stewart — Secy
  Arrears to the 4th of Mar. 35  173.32    Semi-annual allowance ending 2 Sept. "  21.67     $194.99  
{ Revolutionary Pensions } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Nath. Rice Clerk, Book E2 Vol. 3 Page 178

Henry Willis

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed 7 th June 1832.
State of New Jersey } ss:
Borough of Elizabeth } On this fourth day of September
A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the Borough of Elizabeth in the County of Essex State of New Jersey now sitting Henry Willis a resident of the Township of Elizabeth in the County of Essex and State of New Jersey aged 75 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 act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 -
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers and served as herein stated.
In the year 1776 in the month of July whilst he resided in the now Township of Rahway in the County of Essex State of New Jersey he enlisted in the service of the United States in the Continental Army in the Flying Camp for a five month service under Col. Van Courtland Lieut. Col. Brereton, Capt. Frederick Tivan. 1 st Lieut. John Craig - Samuel Woodruff 2 nd Lieut. - Served through the whole term, part of the time at Long Island part of the time at White Plains New York - He crossed the Highlands and was a short time at Fort Lee on the Hudson River under the command of General He retreated from Fort Lee with the Continental Army through Newark Elizabeth Town. Rahway, New Brunswick and Trenton in New Jersey - During this service he had an engage- ment at Long Island New York - in which Col. Martin of the Continental Army was wounded there. Lieut. Col. Thomas Moore. This battle was in the month of August 1776 - The next Battle in which he was engaged was at New Rochelle in the State of New York, which was soon after the Battle at Long Island - Major Green.

2. from Pennsylvania was killed there and buried at White Plains - Joshua Badd who was standing at his right hand was wounded there also - The next day a Battle took place at White Plains, but he does not recollect who were killed or wounded there - This last mentioned Battle he recollects took place in the month of September 1776 During this service also he had a skirmish at Fortenack and retreated with the main army - He was discharged under the same officers, but has no documentary evidence of such discharge - He volunteered in the State
9 Militia at Woodbridge in New Jersey to guard the  the  country  township in the County of Essex under Capt Amos Morse from Rahway, the other officers he does not now recollect - The year and month in which he entered upon this service he also forgets. Served three months, in succession and was dismissed under Capt Morse - during this service he went to the battle at Monmouth - He volunteered also at Woodbridge in
3 New Jersey to guard the shore at Amboy, and continued to do duty for one year whenever called upon, which was at every season - The year was  was in which this service took place he does not now recollect -
4 The next service which he recollects was in the year 1779 and (as he thinks) in the month of July - He enlisted at Woodbridge in New Jersey for six months under Capt Matthias Freeman - Lieut. Cape and Lieut. Asahel Randolph - Was stationed at Woodbridge and patrolled between that place and Rahway River to Amboy - Was taken prisoner by the Queen's Rangers between old and new Blazing Star in Rahway Township and Essex County in the month of October 1779 and was carried to New York and confined in the Sugar House for five months under one Hudson a British Surgeon who was Provost Master - Was exchanged in March 1780 and came to Elizabeth Town Point as Commissary of Prisoners - He then returned home to Woodbridge - He afterwards volunteered in

the militia Service and continued therein throughout the war at Woodbridge, until peace was declared He has no documentary evidence of his services or discharge -
and this deponent further states that he was born in the that part of which is now the Township of Rahway Township of Elizabeth in the County of Essex and State of New Jersey on the 11th day of February 1757 - He moved to that part of the Township of Elizabeth in the County of Essex and State of New Jersey where he now resides soon after the Revolutionary war and has resided there ever since - He knows of no person living by whom he can prove all his services He has no other record of his age except an inductive time of his apprenticeship in the early part of the war In the time of the war he was acquainted with Genl Maxwell, Genl Heard - Col Dayton - Col Spencer - Col Baker - Capt Smith - Dayton - Capt Thos Mowll of the New Jersey Continentals - also Col Matthias Ogden of the same line - also Col Morgan of the rifle men from Pennsylvania - He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annu- ity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State - Subscribed and sworn to the day and year aforesaid
Henry Willis
We John McDowell a blacksmith residing in the Town- ship of Elizabeth in the County of Essex and State of New Jersey and John I Chetwood of the same place hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Henry Willis who has subscribed and sworn to the above decla- -ration, that we believe him to be Seventy five years of age - that he is reputed and believed in the neighbor- hood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid
John McDowell John I Chetwood
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 John M c Dowell who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman residing in the Township of Elizabeth in the County of Essex and State of New Jersey and that John S. Chetwood who has also signed the same, is a resident of the same place, and is a credible person, and that their statements is entitled to credit -
I Francis B Chetwood Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the Borough of Elizabeth in the County of Essex and State of New Jersey (the same being a Court of record) do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Henry Willis for a pension
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court, this fourth day of September Eighteen hundred and thirty two -
F. B. Chetwood, Atty

State of New Jersey } Personally appeared before me Moses Essex County ss } Chandler one of the Justices of the peace in and for said County Samuel Hicks Senr who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that Henry Willis was enlisted and served as a Soldier five months under Capt n Jedadiah Swan in Col d Van Cortlandts Regiment in the year one thousand seven hun- dred and seventy six and further saith not. Sworn and Subscribed } Samuel Hicks June 13 th 1832 before me } Moses Chandler Justice } of the peace }
I certify that Samuel Hicks the above named witness is a man of credibility and his statements entitled to credit.
Moses Chandler
State of New Jersey } Essex County ss } Be it known that on this Twenty ninth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two Personally appeared before me Samuel B. Miller one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for said County recompense Stoughton Who being duly sworn on his oath saith that he resides in the County of Essex and State of New Jersey and was well acquainted with Henry Willis of the Township of Elizabeth County of Essex and State of New Jersey and knows that the said Henry Willis was enlisted for three months in the Company commanded by Capt n Jedidiah Swan in the Revolutionary war at the County and State above

Moses  State of New Jersey Essex County, ss. Be it known that on this Twenty ninth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two Personally appeared before me Samuel B. Miller one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for said County, Recompense Stoughton Who being duly sworn on his oath saith that he resides in the County of Essex and State of New Jersey and was well acquainted with Henry Willis of the Township of Elizabeth County of Essex and State of New Jersey and knows that the said Henry Willis was enlisted for three months in the Company commanded by Capt. Gedidick Swain in the Revolutionary war at the County and State of New Jersey and that the said Company marched from said County to the City of New York and from there to Long Island under the command of Col. Van Brunt in General Hecks Brigade and the said Company was in the battle on Long Island under the command of General Sallavan in the year Seventeen hundred and seventy six. — And further saith not.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me Recompense Stoughton Samuel B. Miller I certify that Recompense Stoughton the above named witness is a man of credibility. Samuel B. Miller Judge
State of New Jersey Personally appeared before me Essex County. 3 Oliver Nuttmann one of the justices of the peace in and for said County. Henry Freeman, who being duly sworn upon his oath deposeth and saith, that Henry Willis, was a soldier in the Revolutionary army under Capt.

9418 Henry Willis N.J.
5 in o Flying Camp
1 in o 1778
Return d e 1778
7 in o in Trenton 6 th Prisoner 1779 & 80
13 in o private
Francis B. Chetwood
$43.33
Hen T. Klingmeyer
Laura  Verena  through Chetwood
Elizabethtown N. Jersey

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
25 May - 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, showing the Service of Henry Willis
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     July 1776 enlisted 5 Private Capt. Swann Genl. Washington Battle of Long Isld. L.I. N.Y. Halway 75 living Essex N.J. now   Served 3 " Capt. Vose Forster Red Bank two surviving witnesses prove the   volunteered 1 " White Plains   July 1779. Enlisted 6 Capt. Freeman Lt. Col. Munday Monmouth Tour of 5 Served and   Volunteered 5 Red Bank Henry Freeman   Afterward volunteered continued Woodbridge throughout the War knows the tour of 6 m.   Certificate of a Clergyman and one   Citygen  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

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 do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ of the Court 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) _____, who has 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 day 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

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.  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 he 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; 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 _____; 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 [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.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a 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.

James L. Edwards Esquire

James D. Howards Esquire
Dr. Sir:
I send you a copy of the N. Jersey law, for raising a 1000 men - under which H. Willis claims 6 mos. as part of his claim. I think there was beside 9 mos. that you allowed - but of this, I am not certain. Whatever you may allow, will be grateful to him - he is old & poor.
Yours very Respectfully.
Christopher D. Morgan
Newark May 1. 1835.

Copy War Department Pension Office September 5 th 1834
Sir
The only service stated in Henry Willis' declaration which can be recognized as actual service in the field or garrison within the Act of 1832 is the five months service in the Flying camp in 1776. The three months, the year, and the six months terms of service in the New Jersey militia are not supported by the course of actual service at the period stated and cannot be allowed. If the six months service is claimed as being performed in a corps of state troops raised for that period, the law under which the corps was raised should be referred to, none such at that date being known to this Department. The papers remain on file.
I am Respectfully
Your Ob t Servant (Signed) J. L. Edwards Francis B Chetwood Elizabethtown

Free
Henry Miller case.
The Hon: Theodore Frelinghuysen Senator de Washington D.C.
encl in Hans

Elizth Town Feby: 24. 1835
The Hon: Theodore Frelinghuysen
Dear Sir
Your favour of the 18 th inst was duly rec d , for which please accept my acknowledgements. I shall be glad when the determination of the Department on Willis's Claim will have relieved you from any further trouble in relation to it. As decided in your letter I will refer the Department to the Law, creating the six months service which has caused so much delay. In "Wilson's Laws" page 77. Chap: 132 will be found the following recognition of that act - "An act to embody for a limited time 1000 of the Militia of this State for the defence of the Frontiers thereof" - Passed June 2 d . 1779. The act at length is to be found in the pamphlets printed at other time. The only one I know of, is in the possession of Elias Vanarsdale Esq r from wh. a copy may be made if the rigid rules of the department require it - and certified by the Secretary of State if the Justice of the department towards the old man can not dispense with that expense & delay

It is not surprising, that the old man, such a true fighting cock as he is universally acknowledged to have been in the Revolution, living on the "frontier" should have been ready, as he always was, to join in this service. Although I knew nothing of that act when he made his declaration, yet if my memory serves me, he states that he performed that service along the lines, on the Jersey Shore, between Goodbridge Amboy & Eliz th Town Point - I hope after what has been said and done they will conclude to send the certificate - The last time I saw the old man, he talked harder of the "tories of the present day" as he calls them, than the tories of '76 -
- In haste I remain
very sincerely
Your Obed. Servt.
J. B. Chetwood

18 3/4
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington D. C.
1 May 69
2. 2/2

Elizabeth Town N. C. July 16. 1834.
J. L. Edwards Esquire
Sir
Some time ago, at the request of Henry Willis an old Revolutionary soldier, I forwarded his papers applying for a pension under the act of 7th June 1832. The amendments required of him were attended to as correctly as laps of time & other circumstances would admit of. The old man is extremely indigent and has the credit in his neighborhood of being among the most deserving of applicants. He is constantly entreating me to write upon the subject of his application, and all who served & were imprisoned with him as far as he can learn of them have long since been enjoying their pensions. Judging from the traditional evidence of his service, I should conclude that none were more deserving, and his comfort would be greatly increased by the aid of his pension. Will you also me to ask for him that his application may be attended to at the earliest convenient opportunity - and receive return his hearty thanks - very respectfully
Your Obt. Servt.
J. B. Chetwood

State of New Jersey Borough of Elizabeth 3 rd J p
Personally appeared before the subscriber an Alderman of the Borough of Elizabeth and one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said Borough Henry Willis of the said Borough who being duly sworn according to law on his oath says that since he made his decla- ration hereto annexed, he has reflected upon his services during the Revolu- tionary war, and and is able to make amendments thereto; That he is not certain that he first entered the service in July 1776 , but that he en- tered the service at the time the British first landed at Staten Island in the year 1776 in the 5 months service and served the term of five months under the officers and at the places in his declaration mentioned, and was engaged in the Battles therein mentioned.
That the service secondly set forth in his declaration, was performed in the year 1778, in which service he volunteered in the New Jersey Militia at Rahway in the County of Essex in the month of June, in the Company commanded by Capt. Amos Morse, in the Regiment of Col: Moses Jacques, & the other officers he can not re- collect, in which service he continued three successive months, and was stationed at Rahway aforesaid, and in the month of June aforesaid he marched in Capt. Moses Company to the Battle at Monmouth in New Jersey, in which battle he was engaged, and as soon as the battle was over, he returned to Rahway and served out the three months duty -
That after the expiration of the three months above mentioned he performed the services thirdly mentioned in his declaration - That he then served as a volunteer in all times of alarm from September 1778 to July 1779 at which time he was living at Amboy and the British were at Staten Island opposite Amboy during that period, and were frequently over at Amboy at all of which alarms he was out on duty and served in the alarms during that period at least three months, and the most of the times of alarm was under the Command of Nathaniel Randall, Capt. of Volunteers who was killed in the month of June 1780 on the retreat of the British from the Battle of Connecticut arms, in which this deponent was also engaged -
That he enlisted in the month

of July 1779 he enlisted in the New Jersey Continental service for the term of six months under the officers in his declaration formerly mentioned, and served as therein mentioned, during which service he was taken prisoner and carried to the Sugar house in New York and there remained a prisoner as in his declaration mentioned - and was exchanged and returned to Elizabetta Town Point in charge of one Adams who was commanding of prisoners - That he can not at this time recollect the name of the Col. in his six months service - That in the month of June 1780 he was at the Battle of Springfield and Connecticut Farms in the County of Essex and State of New Jersey on alarm, and served during those alarms two weeks, but  he was not in the Company of any Capt, but fought during those engagements at every opportunity -
That all the witnesses by whom he could prove any of his services except those whose affidavits he has procured, live a considerable distance from him and their testimony can not be procured without great inconvenience and heavy expense which this deponent can not undergo -
That Oliver Nuttman Esquire before whom the affidavit of Henry Freeman was taken, is now dead, and the certificate of the said Magistrate, to his credibility, can not be procured - that the said Henry Freeman served with this deponent in the 5 & 6 months service, mentioned in his declaration and that he always has been and still is a man of credibility - that Reconcuse Standbury and Samuel Hicks Botts served with this deponent in the 8 months service mentioned in his declaration, and they are persons of credibility
That by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory, he can not 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 five months I served in the continental service in 1776. In 1779 I served three months and a half in the continental service, and while in that service was taken

prisoner and confined in the Sugar House in New York five months - For Three months I served in the New Jersey Militia in monthly duty; For Three months and a half I served in active duty in times of alarm, in all of which services I was a private soldier, and for such service I claim a pension -
Subscribed & sworn this 15 th day of June A. D. 1833 before me Henry Willis Moses Chandler Alderman
State of New Jersey } Borough of Elizabeth } ss. I Francis B. Chetwood Clerk of the Borough aforesaid in the County of Essex and State aforesaid, and Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the same, hereby certify that Moses Chandler before whom the above affidavit of Henry Willis was subscribed and sworn, at the time of taking the same, was and still is an Alderman of the Borough aforesaid and a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the same, duly Commissioned and sworn, residing therein, and as such is duly authorized to take affidavits; and I further certify that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said Alderman, and that the signature "Moses Chandler Alderman" to the said affidavit subscribed is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of the said Court at Elizabeth Town in the Borough aforesaid this seventeenth day of June Eighteen hundred and Thirty Three -
F. B. Chetwood, Clerk

State of New Jersey Middlesex County } ss.
Personally appeared before me
Ichabod Potter one of the Judges of the Superior Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Middlesex, James Bloomfield of the township of Woodbridge in the County of Middlesex aforesaid, aged seventy three years, whom I certify is a man of veracity, who being duly sworn on his oath says that he is well acquainted with Henry Willis of the township of Elizabeth in the County of Essex and State aforesaid, and lived in the same township with him during the Revolutionary war. That the said Henry Willis Enlisted in the six months service of the New Jersey State Troops in the summer of 1779, in the Company commanded by Captain Matthias Freeman Lieut. John Cape and Asher Randolph second Lieut. or Ensign but can not say with certainty which in which service this deponent enlisted and served and that the said Henry served six months under that enlistment in actual service and in prison - That in the fall of the same year, and before the expiration of the said six months service and while engaged therein, the said Henry was taken prisoner at Blaring Star in Rahway neck and was carried to the Sugar house in New York City and was confined there four or five months -
Subscribed and sworn this 21. day of May 1834.
James Bloomfield
Ichabod Potter
State of New Jersey Middlesex County } ss.
Personally appeared before me
Ichabod Potter one of the Judges of the Superior Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Middlesex, Henry Freeman of the township of Woodbridge

in the County of Middlesex, aged seventy four years, whom I certify is a man of veracity, who being duly sworn on his oath says that he is well acquainted with Henry Willis of the township of Elizabeth in the County of Middlesex Essex, and lived in the same township with him during the Revolutionary War. That in 1776 the said Henry Willis enlisted in the New Jersey State Troops in the Fire Company, commanded by Captain Seddick Swan, and served out his term of enlistment. That he recollects to have seen the said Henry Willis during his enlistment, at the White Plains in the State of New York, that this deponent was in the Fire Company, but was in another Company. That this deponent was a Fifer in the six months service in the New Jersey State Troops in 1779 in the Company of Capt. Matthias Freeman in which company the said Henry Willis also enlisted and in the fall of the same year before the expiration of the six months service the said Henry was taken prisoner and was confined in the Sugar House in New York, and has always understood he was confined there four or five months.
Subscribed and sworn this 21. day of May 1834.
Henry Freeman
Ichabod Potter
State of New Jersey Middlesex County ss. Nicholas
Booram Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County do certify that Ichabod Potter before whom the foregoing affidavit was taken was at the time of signing the same a Judge of said Court duly qualified and sworn and that I am acquainted with his handwriting and believe the signature above to be the genuine signature of said Judge. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 27 th May 1834 Nicholas Booram C.M.

State of New Jersey } ss. Personally appeared before me Borough of Elizabeth } William Chetwood Mayor of the Borough aforesaid, Henry Willis of Elizabeth Town in the County of Essex and State aforesaid, who being duly sworn on his oath says that he is the identical Henry Willis who made his declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7th of June 1832 before the Court of Com- mon Pleas of the Borough of Elizabeth on the 4th of September 1832, - That the six months service and six months service mentioned in his said declaration were performed in the New Jersey State Troops service instead of the Continental army as mentioned in his declaration - That he does not recollect the name of his Colonel in the six months service - That he has made diligent search for survivors of his Militia service, and he can find none, they being dead or removed to places unknown to this deponent -
Subscribed and sworn to this 30th day of May 1834. Wm Chetwood Mayor
Henry Willis
of the Borough of Elizabeth.
State of New Jersey } ss. I Francis B. Chetwood Clerk of the Court Borough of Elizabeth } of Common Pleas in and for the Borough of Elizabeth hereby certify that William Chetwood before whom the foregoing affidavit was subscribed and sworn at the time of taking the said affidavit was and still is Mayor of the Borough of Elizabeth, duly commissioned and sworn, and as authorized to take affidavits, and I further certify that the signature "Wm Chetwood Mayor of the Borough of Elizabeth" is his genuine signature - In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal of office this 30th day of May 1834.
F. B. Chetwood Clerk

J. S. Edwards Esq.

Elizabeth Town May 31. 1834.
J. S. Edwards Esq
Sir.
Hercunto I enclose the papers of Henry Willis. He has at length procured additional testimony to his revolutionary services which it is to be hoped will be satisfactory. He was under a mistake when he supposed his 5 & 6 mo. service were in the Continental Army. Those services were rendered in the New Jersey State Troops service as will appear by the accompanying affidavits. He was two months in prison (as will appear by his declaration) beyond the expiration of his term of service in the six months enlistment, which also appears by the accompanying affidavits. He can find no survivors in the militia service he rendered, and if the Department are not satisfied he rendered those services, in the absence of proof, he must take up with an allowance for his 5 & 6 mo. services with the two additional months he was comprised in prison beyond his term of enlistment during which he was captured. Mr Willis is very infirm and poor, and it would be an act of Charity as well as Justice, to grant him without further delay, the relief he is entitled to.
Very respectfully
Your obed Serv
F. B. Chetwood

Joseph Swan, that he served under him five months, and then enlisted under Capt. Matthias Freeman, Lieut. Cape, & Asahel Randolph, for six months, that he was taken a prisoner, before the said six months had elapsed, and carried to the Sugar House in New York, where he was confined for five months, and further saith not. Sworn before me Henry Freeman this 7th day of Oct. 1830. Oliver Nuttman Justice of the peace.
State of New Jersey County of Essex ss: I Elias Van Andraele Jr, Clerk of said County of Essex & of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in & for said County do hereby certify that Samuel B Miller before whom the foregoing & annexed affidavit of Recompence Stanley was made & taken at the time of taking the same was & still is a Judge of said Court duly commissioned & sworn that I am acquainted with his hand writing & that the signature "Samuel B Miller" subscribed to said Affidavit is genuine -
And I do further certify that Moseg Chandler before whom the foregoing & annexed Affidavit of Samuel Kibby & that Oliver Nuttman before whom the foregoing & annexed Affidavit of Henry Freeman were made & taken at the time of making & taking the same were respectively Justices of the Peace in & for said County of Essex & residing therein that I am acquainted with the hand writing of said Justices & that the signature "Moseg Chandler" subscribed to the affidavit of Samuel Kibby is genuine & that the signature "Oliver Nuttman" subscribed to the affidavit of Henry Freeman is genuine -
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my Seal of Office this Eighth day of September A.D. 1830
Eighteen hundred & thirty two E. Van Andraele Jr Clerk

en mum all
FREE
Ho 11 S. Spelinghuyson
Member of Senate
Washington City

Newark February 25 th 1835.
Hon d J. Frelinghuysen
Dear Sir Some time past I saw a Letter from the Hon d B d Ducherren to Mr d Conner of this place stating that the War department wanted a reference to the Law of New-Jersey authorising Enlistments in the Revolutionary War relative to the claim of Mr d Henry Willis for a pension & being at Elizabeth Town Yesterday Mr d Chetwood also showed me a Letter from you much to the same Import. — And Mr d Willis having called on me a Number of times to look into his box and endeavor to obtain what Information I could to assist him in obtaining a pension for him. — I am Therefore hope in saying that if Mr d Edwards will look into the Laws of New-Jersey compiled by Peter Wilson Esq d By order of the Legislature of said State in 1704 he will find in Page 77 Chapter 132 (an act entitled) — An act to embody for a limited time 1000 of the Militia of this State for the defence of the Frontiers thereof — Passed June 2 nd 1704
The men raised by this act served until the 15 th December following each county proportion of the men was fixed by Law. — The said act can be found at Leinster in the Compil d Laws of New-Jersey in Page 59 one copy of which is now in the possession of A. Von Arsdale Esq d of this place and the only place where I have been able to obtain said Compil d . A copy

of said Law can be obtained if required by the war department — Mr Willis states to me that he now has no doubt but that he served under the above cited act called enlistment or any other name or kind of service he calls it Enlistment — And that he continued on duty and in actual service under said Law until about the Middle of October 1779, when he was taken a prisoner of war whilst on duty and in actual service and confined as a prisoner of war until about the Middle of March 1780. — You will find by the same Book, there was other acts passed the same year — In page 84 are acts relating to the 3 Regiments in the service of the United States and in page 94 relating to the Militia service. Also in page 100 an act relating to the Militia. — From all I can ascertain among the old Revolutionary men Mr Willis is well deserving a full pension as the old men all concur in saying that Mr Willis was a good & faithful Soldier during the Revolutionary war & suffered a great deal in body & property.
I enclose to you the Declaration & evidence of Mr Joseph Beck on the 30 th January last which here I am in hopes you will be able to attend to before you leave Washington — If it safely come to hand.
I have the honor to be Sincerely Yours & C.
Sam l B. Miller

Rev War
3560.
INVALID.
File No. 3560
Henry Willis Privt Rev War
Act: June 7. 1832
Index:—Vol. A , Page 407
[Arrangement of 1870.]