Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R 11925, George Yard, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey.
Yard, George
R 11925
CONTENTS

No 33.842
George Yard
small mail

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of 7 June 1832, State of New Jersey Middlesex County
On this twenty-ninth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty six before me the subscriber one of the Justices of the Peace of the County of Middlesex and one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the said County in the State of New Jersey, personally appeared George Yard of said County, who being by me duly sworn doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed 7 June 1832 — That he the said George Yard was eighty years of age on the fifth day of November 1832 last, — That he entered the service of the United States, as a volunteer in the New Jersey Militia, in the months served, in the war of the Revolution — that he was then living in Trenton New Jersey where he was born — that his first term of service was in the year 1777. when he was out one month under Captain Tucker — that after his return and being at home one month, he went out again for one month under Captain Mott — that he was out again for three several months, one under Capt John Yard — one under Capt Isaiah Yard and one under Capt. Gilmore — that he was out at different times during the remainder of the war, for short periods under one or the other of the above named officers, — that he served under General Dickinson — that he was in a skirmish with the Hessians at Crosswicks Creek, near Bordentown, but was not in any battle — that he was not marched out of the State of New Jersey — that he served both in the Infantry and the Artillery — that the father of this affiant Benjamin Yard Esq. was a Gunsmith in the service and employ of the United States — and this affiant doth further declare that he has no documentary evidence in support of his claim, and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to his service, except Alexander Douglass and William Morris. Whose evidence is hereto annexed, and that he

hereby relinquishes all other claim to a pension or annuity except the present. and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State - and I do hereby certify that the said George Yard is unable from bodily infirmity to attend in open court to make the foregoing declaration - Sworn to & subscribed at East Windsor Mid. Essex County  Geo. Yard the 29th Day of August A.D. 1836.
Joseph McPherson Presiding Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County
We. John H. Pulver and Pearson Reed
do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with George Yard who has subscribed to and sworn the above declaration that we believe him to be above eighty years of age as stated in his declaration - 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 & subscribed, this 29th Day of August 1836
John H. Pulver
Pearson Reed
Joseph McPherson Justice of the Peace
And I, Joseph McPherson above named, do hereby declare my opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War department that the said George Yard was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states - and that the said John H. Pulver & Pearson Reed - who have signed the above certificate, are credible persons and their statement is entitled to credit.
Dated - This 29th Day of August 1836 Joseph McPherson

State of New Jersey. Burlington County
On this twenty fifth Day of August, in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty five before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace of the County of Burlington in the State of New Jersey, personally appeared Alexander Douglass of the said County of Burlington, who being duly sworn, doth declare that he is acquainted with George Yard, who has made the foregoing declaration, and has known him from Childhood - and this deponent well remembers that the said George Yard was out in the militia of New Jersey, in the war of the Revolution, & served against the common enemy - but this deponent cannot say from memory, what length of time, the said George Yard served as a soldier, but believes his declaration to be entitled to full credit - Sworn to & subscribed, at Milville this 25 th Day of August, A.D. 1836 John H. Paulsen Alexander Douglass
State of New York Middlesex Suffolk County.
State of New Jersey Middlesex Middlesex county. Personally appeared before me the subscriber one of the Justices of the Peace of Middlesex county, William Morris of said county, who being duly sworn doth declare that he is acquainted with the above named George Yard, and knew him at and before the Revolutionary war - and this deponent knows that the said George Yard was a soldier in the Revolution, having served one term of duty in the same company with him in the New Jersey militia under Captain Blun- and this deponent cannot say how long the said George Yard was out in the service, but believes his declaration entitled to full credit. Sworn & subscribed this 29th day of August A.D. 1836 Joseph H. Harny } Justice of the Peace William Morris

State of New Jersey ss:
I James D. Westcott Secretary of the State of New Jersey do hereby certify that Joseph McChesney Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavits of George Yard and William Morris were taken, and who hath attested the same, was at the time thereof and now is one of the Judges of the Superior court of common Pleas in and for the county of Middlesex in said State, duly appointed, commissioned and sworn; and also that John H. Bulon Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavit of Alexander Douglass was made and who hath attested the same, was at the time thereof and now is a Justice of the Peace in and for the county of Burlington, in said State, duly appointed, commissioned and sworn; - and that full faith and credit are and ought to be given to their official acts, respectively. - Given under my hand and seal of office at the city of Trenton this thirtieth day of August A.D. One thousand eight hundred and thirty six - (1836.)
James D. Westcott

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of 7 June 1832 -
State of New Jersey County of Middlesex.
On this 24 th — day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty six before me the Subscriber, being the Presiding Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Middlesex, personally appeared George Yard a resident of the said County, who being by me duly sworn doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed 7 June 1832 — That he the said George Yard was eighty years of age on the fifth day of November A.D. 1835 — That he entered the service of the United States, as a volunteer in the New Jersey Militia in the months service in the war of the revolution — that he was then living in Hinton, New Jersey where he was born — that his first term of service was during the winter of 1776-1777 — when he was out under Captain Tucker, he was with General Washington's Army, when it lay on Mill Hill on the bank of the Assunpink Creek, while Lord Cornwallis and the British Army were in Hinton, and that this deponent was one of the persons, who were left on Mill Hill, on the night before the battle of Princeton, with orders to keep up the fires in order to deceive the British General and induce him to believe the American Army was still lying before him — that this deponent was out again for one month under Captain Mott, that he was out again for three several months, once under Captain John Yard, once under Capt. Heiah Yard, and once under Capt. Clegg — that this deponent was, afterwards out six several times,

5- Under Captain Lelean , but was not out a month at each time as the Company returned before the month had expired, and this deponent cannot specify from old age and loss of memory, the exact number of days, as the duration of service was sometimes two weeks, sometimes three weeks and sometimes one week - And this deponent further says that he was in a skirmish with the Hessians at Croppick's Creek, near Bordentown, but was not in any battle - that he was not marched out of the State of New Jersey - but lay part of the time, at Amboy, Rahway, Elizabeth Town and other places in the State of New Jersey - that the Companies were under the command of General DeRenton - that he served both in the Infantry and Artillery - that the father of this Affirmant, Benjamin Ford Esq. was a Gunsmith in the service and employ of the United States - And this Affirmant doth further declare that he has no documentary evidence in support of his claim, and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to his service except Alexander Douglass and William Morris whose evidence has been transmitted to the Department, and that he hereby relinquishes all & every claim to a pension or annuity except, the present - and declares that his name is not on the Pension roll of the Agency of any State - And that his reason for not applying sooner, for the benefit of the abovementioned law, is that having tried about three years since, and not having been able to obtain the proper evidence, & not being able to go about from infirmities, he was compelled to give it up - And this deponent doth further say that he knows of no Clergyman to whom he can apply to certify as to his having served in the war, the Reverend John Lamelee

and the Reverend Peter Williams who formerly lived in his neighborhood, and with whom he was well acquainted, being dead, and their places supplied by younger men, with whom this deponent is not acquainted — and I do hereby
Sworn to at East Windsor Middlesex County this 24th day of September A.D. 1836
Joseph Melcherney
George Yard
I, Joseph Melcherney, Judge as aforesaid, do hereby certify that George Yard, who has made the foregoing declaration is unable from bodily infirmity to attend in open court to make the foregoing declaration — Dated the 24th September 1836.
Joseph Melcherney
Interrogatories propound to George Yard, an applicant for a pension under the act 7 June 1832 —
Question — Where & in what year were you born —
Answer — I was born in Henton New Jersey, in the year 1755
Question — Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
Answer — I have not any record of my age, the bible in which it was entered was burnt with my house many years ago —
Question — Where were you living when called into service — where have you lived since the Revolutionary war — And where do you now live.
Answer — I lived at Henton New Jersey, when I entered the service & since the Revolutionary war I have always lived in Burlington County, or Middlesex County, New Jersey and I now live in Middlesex County —

Question - How were you called into service, were you drafted did you volunteer, or were you a substitute -
Answer - I volunteered always - and on my own account -
Question - State the names of the Regular officers, who were with the troops when you served, such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service -
Answer - The names of General Dabinton and General Heard are the only names of regular officers I can remember - and for the particulars of my service, I refer to the foregoing declaration which is as full as I can remember -
Question - Did you ever receive a discharge from the service
Answer - I never did -
Question - State the names of persons to whom you are known in your neighborhood, who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their beliefs of your services as a soldier of the Revolution
Answer - John H. Rulon - Pearson Reed - David McKean James P. Disbrough - Price Pills, Father of the Peace - William Robins - & all the neighborhood
I Joseph McChesney, Judge as aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing interrogatories were put by me to George Yard, and the foregoing answers given by him, on this 24th day of September A.D. 1836 -
Joseph McChesney Judge
State of New Jersey, §:
I James D. Westcott Secretary of the State of New Jersey do hereby certify that Joseph McChesney Esquire, before whom the foregoing affidavit of George Yard was made and who hath attested the same, was at the time thereof and now is one of the Judges of the Superior court of common Pleas in and for the county of Middlesex, in said state, duly ap- pointed, commissioned and sworn, and that full faith and credit are and ought to be given to his official acts.
Given under my hand and seal of office at Trenton this twenty sixth day of September A.D. Eighteen hundred & thirty six (1836.)
James D. Westcott

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of George Yard a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his ( his widow's ) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau. B. 11,925
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Winter 1776-7 1 mo. Private Tucker ✓ New Jersey.   ✓ 1 mo. Mott ✓   ✓ 1 mo. John Yard ✓   ✓ 1 mo. Isaiah Yard ✓   ✓ 1 mo. Clunn ✓   Served in the Infantry & Artillery  
Battles engaged in, none; but in skirmish at Crosswicks Creek.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Trenton, New Jersey.
Date of application for pension, Aug. 29, 1836.
Residence at date of application, Middlesex Co., New Jersey.
Age at date of application, born Nov. 5 1755 at Trenton, N.J.
Remarks: his claim was not allowed, for the reason that he failed to  furnish satisfactory proof of six months' actual service required by the  Act of June 7, 1832 under which he applied.  soldier stated that his father Benjamin Yard Esq. was a gunsmith in  the service and employ of the United States. There is no further information  concerning said Benj. Respectfully, in this claim.
Commissioner.

1919 Feb. 8. Visit to Rea the Claim.
11.925
P. O. _____
George Yard
Service: _____
REJECTED
Enlisted: N _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
1-0
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges:  List of suspended claims printed in 1852, shows cause Re-enlisted: of suspension as follows: "Not six months' service established in this case."
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contr
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

New Jersey New York
Rivo-
George Yard
Suspended
Let to James Ewing Sept 30 th 1836 - June - Oct 11.30
11925-

James Ewing
Oct. 11. 1836
Q. 6
Rec vol 39
Page 122

War Department Pension Office Octob. 11. 1836
Sir It is mentioned in your letter of the 5 th inst that in as much as George Yard, who has applied for a pension under the act of June 7 th 1832 cannot satisfy more than five months service that  as minimum required by for entry with the regulations of the Department and that he must be content with an allowance for that term of service - By a reference to the act it will be seen that he unless he can make it appear that he served at least six months he cannot be allowed a pension -
I Amms Ewing Esq Trenton N.J.

Rev. Sec H. B. WILLIAMS PRESIDENT
STATE NORMAL COLLEGE BOWLING GREEN, OHIO
Stumped multiple read JSL
January 28 , 1919
U.S. Commissioner of Pensions Washington , D. C. Dear Sir :
At the suggestion of the D.A.R. I am writing to ask about Revolutionary War Records . Can you tell me if the name of John McCain ( spelled also McKean ) appears in your records ? He came from Trenton New Jersey . I am anxious to obtain record of his service and the names of his wife and children . Is the name of George Yard , also of Trenton , New Jersey , found ? There is a tradition that Benjamin Yard's seven sons all fought in the war but I am unable to find a record of George Yard's service . If you have no record of these men can you suggest any other source of information ?
Very truly yours ,
Rea McCain
McCain, Cane Kane Kain Kean Keen

James Ewing
Sept 30. 1836
O.C.
Rec Vol 39
Page 80

War Department
Pension Office
Sept. 30 th 1834
Sir The papers of George York have again been examined - The claimant has specified but five months' service in conformity with the regulations - As before required the applicant must specify the duration of each term of actual service the names of his officers in each term and the place or places where each term was rendered before that it can be determined whether he ought to be  what he ought to be  and what  any thing beyond the 5 mo- ought not to be allowed - His papers are now on file
James Ewing Esq. Trenton N.J.

Newton Nferney 26. Septem 1876
Dr Sir.
I beg leave to enclose the application of George Yard for a pension under the act of 1832 - which was returned through Mr Wall, to supply some defects in the original application - I believe it now contains a full compliance with the requirements of the department - the certificate of a magistrate & of a respectable person in the neighborhood is given in place of a clergyman, because those with whom he was acquainted are dead, & their places supplied by persons with whom he is unacquainted - you will also find a sufficient reason given why he has not applied sooner -
I also enclose the application of Martha Cannon - in this case I find the register of her husband's service in the office of the Secretary of State, who has annexed his certificate - having prepared it with a good deal of care, I hope it will meet the requisitions of the department -
Very Respectfully &c James Strong
J. L. Edwards Esq