Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 937, William Wilson, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey
Wilson, William
S. 937
carded.
CONTENTS

Order to pay 24 Nov 1837.
17-191 New Jersey
William Wilson of Warren Co in the State of N. Jersey who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Locke of the Regt: commanded by _____ in the N. J. Mili- tia for 8 mos.
Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey at the rate of 24 Dollars 66. Cents per an to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 8 day of August 1833 and sent to L. Cond. Present
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833. $ 53.32 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sept. - 13.33
$ 66.65
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by E. B. Bullock Clerk. Book 6 Vol. 3 Page 135
74

No. 8598 William Wilson Col.
Return c i f —
ad val
8 m o private
$26,66
Hon L. Conditt Prudent
J. M. Ferrera at Belvidere Warren co New Jersey

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
3 June 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 Wm Wilson of Warren co New Jersey
   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.     Drafted 1777 1 Private Capt Francis Locke Colo Frederick Frelinghuysen Brandywine Delaware Southampton Trade license & name   Sub. 1777 about 35 Capt Christopher Johnson Colo Frelinghuysen Red Bank Delaware Bothlehem Debt   Col. 1781 about 7 Capt L. Bonnell Lieut Jacob Rosencrans Ensign William Capt Hart Delaware along the Delaware River - Common Fort Counties of Hunterdon State of New Jersey Edgewood  
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 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 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 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 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.

8598 Application of William Wilson of Warren te New Jersey for a pension.
If Pension is allowed Please direct the Certificate to L. M. Sherrerd Belvidere Warren te New Jersey

State of New Jersey.
Warren County ss. Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace and one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said county, William Wilson, 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 two months I served as a private in the Militia and For six months I served as a private in the Indian Service as set out in my declaration - and for such service being eight months I claim a pension - and I do further swear that during said eight months I was engaged in no civil pursuit.
June 1833.
W. Wilson
Sworn & subscribed the date above } before me Wm. Kennedy
I William Kennedy Esquire before whom the above affidavit was made, certify that William Wilson is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit. That there is no regular Clergyman living in his neighborhood, nor could he produce one before the Court without great inconvenience & expense to himself.
Without my hand I seal the date above.
Wm. Kennedy

State of New Jersey.
Warren County ss. I, Phineas B Kennedy Clerk of the Superior Court of Common Pleas in and for said county certify that William T. Robeson Esquire who certifies to the credibility of John Wilson and William Kenney in the affidavits annexed to the application of William Wilson for a pension. And that William Kennedy Esq. before whom the additional declaration of William Wilson is made, and certificate attached, were at the time and still are Judges of said court. and that their signatures attached are genuine.
Witness my hand and seal the day of June 1833.
And I further certify that the papers hereto attached are the original papers
that were before the court on the application of William Wilson except the above stated additional certificate of Mr. T. Robeson & William Kenney Esquires.
Witness my hand & seal of office the 20 th June 1833.
H. H. Hancey Clerk

State of New Jersey.
Warren County ss. Personally appeared, in open court, on this thirteenth - day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, before the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas, now sitting, in and for said county, William Willson a resident of the township of Greenwich, County of Warren and State of New Jersey, aged Seventy two years in the month of June last, who being 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 the 7 th 1832: Deponent was born on the 12 th June 1760, at Schooleys mountain in the County of Morris and State of New Jersey, as he has been informed by his parents - whence they removed, when he was about two years old to the township of Bethlehem in the County of Hunterdon in said state - That he has a record of his age in his fathers family bible now in his possession -
I entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated - I lived in the township of Bethlehem County of Hunterdon and state of New Jersey when I first entered the service - In the month of September in the year 1777 I was drafted in the Militia at Bethlehem afore- said and went out one month in the Militia of New Jersey under the following officers - Captain Francis Locke in Colonel Frederick Frelinghuysens regiment, we marched to Somerset and thence to Elizabeth town and returned home at the end of the month. I immediately returned again in the Militia in

1 in place of my brother John Wilson. in the month of October. under command of Captain Christopher Johnson in Colonel Frelinghuysens regiment. We marched from Bethlehem to White house, Bound brook and Elizabeth town and continued about four weeks in that neighborhood; at the end of which time I returned home again. during my first tour we had a skirmish with the British near Elizabeth town. after the battle we found eighteen of the enemy killed. we retreated towards Newark until we got a reinforcement from General Hurd, when we faced about and compelled them to retreat to Staten island again. In the first part of the skirmish we lost our Captain Locke by a bullet wound thro the breast. In our second tour we had a skirmish on Staten island with the enemy. we were commanded by Lieu- tenant Colonel Dunn. after a few shots they retreated and we followed nearly across the island. when not overtaking them we returned to our quarters. during this second tour about one hundred and eighty of us went over to Staten island under Captain Brady & Captain Johnson my own captain. We went over to capture a picket guard, and captured but three of them, the rest hiding. we did not loose a man. One of our prisoners had three balls shot in him. That the next service I performed was in the year 1781. In the fore part of May I re-enlisted in the Six months Indian service under Captain James Bonnell, who had been an officer in Colonel Spencers Regiment, as I under- stood. Jacob Rosencrans, was our Lieutenant and Welling

was our Ensign. I was at Bethlehem when I volunteered and marched thro' Newton Sussex County New Jersey to the New York line; thence along the Delaware below said line to or near Captain Shimer's, and laid there about three weeks. During this time we were continually engaged scouting thro' Pennsylvania. We left Shimer's about harvest time and marched about twenty miles further down the river to a small stockade fort called Carmans fort. We staid there until the latter part of November, scouting out once or twice a week thro' the woods after the Indians. We had several alarms during said term but never killed any Indians. We once came to their camp where they had been the day before. Captains Bonnell and Harker were the Commanders during the time we were out. I recollect well returning home between the 20 th and last of November. I know of no person by whom I can prove my actual service but William Kennedy Esq. and John Wilson whose affidavits accompany this declaration. I never had any written discharge either from the militia service or six months service.
3 I served altogether I am very confident at least eight months. There is no Clergyman living within seven miles of me, but William Kennedy Esq. and William Mc Culough Esq. two of the Judges of this court can testify to the reputation of my service, in the neighborhood.
I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declare that my name is not

on the pension roll of the agency of any state in the United States -
Wm Wilson
Sworn and Subscribed in open court the day and year aforesaid
Wm P. Robeson
WE William Kennedy, residing in the township of Greenwich, and William McCullough residing in the township of Mansfield in said county, Judges of said court of Common Pleas hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with William Wilson, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy two years; 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.
Wm Kennedy Wm McCullough
Sworn and Subscribed the date aforesaid in open court Wm P. Robeson
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after hearing the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and forced as he states, and the court further certifies that it appears to them that William Kennedy and William McCullough Esquires who have signed the preceding certificate are resident in said county, that they are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Garret Luce Abram Walen } Judges.
Wm P. Robeson P. M. Beane } Judges

State of New Jersey.
Warren County ss: Before me, one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for the county of Warren, on the twenty eighth day of August, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared John Wilson, aged Twenty seven years on the 13 th January last, who being duly sworn according to law saith that he is well acquainted with William Wilson who is applying for the benefit of the act of Congress of 7 th June 1832 of which  the King's he went out in the Militia of New Jersey and served two months at different times. but don't know the officer under whom he served. nor the year when he went out -
He also recollects his being out in the five months volunteer service, to guard against the Indians, on the lines between New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. that he knows that he went out, served the five months and returned home to Hunterdon County after the termination of that service - and further saith not -
Sworn and subscribed the date above before me.
John Wilson
Wm P Robeson
State of New Jersey.
Warren County ss. I William P Robeson one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for said county certify that John Wilson the above deponent is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit. Witness my hand & seal the 17 th June AD 1833
Wm P Robeson

State of New Jersey
Warren County ss. I Thomas H. ... Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the said County of Warren do hereby certify that William D. ... before whom the foregoing affidavit was taken was at that time and place one of the ... and that the signature ... is the genuine signature. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court the ... day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
Thomas H. ... Clerk
William D. ...

State of New Jersey.
Warren County ss. I, Theodos B. Shennedy, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the said County of Warren do hereby certify that William P. Robeson Esquire, before whom the foregoing affidavit was taken was at that time and full is one of the Judges of said court, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court the sixteenth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
T. Shennedy Clerk
Affidavit of John M. Wilson of services of Mr. Wilson in Revolutionary War.

State of New Jersey.
Warren County ss. Before me, one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas, in and for the County of Warren, on the twenty eighth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared William Kenney Esquire of said county aged 67 years on the 21 st July last. who being duly sworn according to law saith that he is well acquainted with William Wilson who is applying for the benefit of the act of Congress of 7 th June 1832 for Revolutionary Military service. That he recollected the said William Wilson went out in the Six months service after the Indians, and that he returned home after the termination of said service - but forgets the year, when he performed said service; - and further saith not -
Sworn and Subscribed the date above before me.
William Kenney
Wm P. Robeson
J. Phineas B Kennedy Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the said county of Warren do hereby certify that William P Robeson Esquire, before whom the foregoing affidavit was taken, was at that time and still is one of the Judges of said Court, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office the twelfth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
J. Phineas B Kennedy Clk

State of New Jersey.
Warren County ss: I William Robeson one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for said County, certify that William Kenney by the deponent, whose name is attached to the within affidavit is a credible person and his statement is entitled to credit - Witness my hand & seal the 17 th June 1833
Wm P. Robeson
Affidavit of William Kenney By of service of William Robeson in Indictment in Rev. Actions -

State of New Jersey,
Warren County - ss. I. Phineas B. Kennedy Clerk of the Court of Common
Pleas of the said County of Warren 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 -
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this sixth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two -
(Signature) P. B. Kennedy Clerk

Rev Wilson
INVALID.
File No. 932
William Wilson, Pro N. J. Line.
Act: June 7, 1832.
Index: — Vol. a , Page 406
[Arrangement of 1870.]
✓

Glanton Bank Pension Office Nov 20 1837
Sir,
I enclose the voucher of Mr Thompson requiring your special drawer for payment
I am very respectfully Your Ob Servt Mostley P Munt for P Dickinson Pres
J. L. Edwards Esq