Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 949, William Willis, New Jersey

SERVICE
New Jersey
Willis William Kitchel Phebe
NUMBER
W 949
Former widow
CONTENTS

Let to Hon J. W. Miller, Aug 2. 1842.
2
Miss
3615
New Jersey
Phoebe Mitchell formerly widow of William Miller deceased
who died in the year 1793 of Morris Co. in the State of N. J. who was a Private in the Comp y commanded by Captain Ward of the Regt. commanded by Col t Munson in the New Jersey line for 11 months and 3 days
Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey at the rate of 37 Dollars _____ Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 th day of Sept r 1841 and sent to Lewis Condict Morristown N.J.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept r 1841 $388.50
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 th May 42. 18.50
$407.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 d }
Recorded by Book
W. H. Addison Clerk.
Vol. 1 st
Page 142

V3664.
New Jersey, Morris Co.
Phoebe Kitchel, widow of Aaron Kitchel. & widow of William Wilkes
Pension Declaration
3 rd section, Law of 1836.
Marr d to William Willis 20 March 1773 — died 1793 —
In R d of Capt John Scudder for 1776 — 1 month
Return to Service Conduct Morris town, New Jersey.

Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the 3 rd section of the act of Congress of the 4 th . July, 1836. —
State of New Jersey, Morris County ss:
On this 3 rd day of July, Domini 1838, personally appeared before the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of said County, Phebe Kitchel, a resident of Hanover township in said County, aged 85 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed July 4 th . 1836. — I am now, the widow of Aaron Kitchel Esq.; & when married to said Aaron Kitchel, I was the widow of Barnabas Windas, to whom I was married by Rev d . James Richards, on the 5 th July, 1803. — I was, when married to Barnabas Windas, the widow of Ebenezer Howard, to whom I was married by the same Rev d . James Richards, on the 7 th . December, 1796. And when I married Ebenezer Howard, I was the widow of William Willis, my first husband, to whom I was married by Lemuel Bowers Esq. a justice of the peace, before the war of the revolution began, & according to the best of my remembrance, it was just about the time when the Tea was thrown over board in the Boston harbor. I was married in the month of March, to the best of my recollection & belief, & I was 20 years old on the 28 th . May following. I was 85 years old on the 28 th May last. The precise day of the month, & the particular number of the year, I cannot now remember, & I have no family record. The family bible which I had, & which was the property of William Willis my first husband, & contained a record of our marriage & the births of our children, kept by said Willis, was destroyed about the year 1794 or 1795, by a flood which swept away our dwelling house & all our furniture. I was then a widow, living at Boonton, in Hanover, Morris County, near the bank of Rockaway river. a very severe rain falling suddenly, swelled the stream, which broke the dam of the Iron works above, & the water from the dam, rushed in a torrent upon my little habitation, sweeping away my furniture & house, & we did but escape with our lives. The bible, containing our family record, was carried off, & has never been found. I was married at the house of James Anderson, in Boonton, & I do not know a single individual now living, who was present at the marriage, except Joseph Willis, the brother of my husband, William Willis, who, if living, is supposed to reside in Berkshire, Massachusetts, of which state, I believe my first husband W m . Willis, was a native. I had two daugh- -ters, viz: Hannah & Betsey, born before the war began, & one son, (Joseph) & one daughter, Sally, born in time of the war. Sally, the youngest of the 4 is 56, & Betsey the eldest by birth of all my children if now living, would be 62 years old or 63, I cannot tell which certainly. — I had 3 others, born after peace, viz: John, James, & Weltsay.

My claim for a pension from the U. States, is grounded upon the Militia service of my first husband, William Willis, in the war of the revolution, which was rendered by him as I verily believe, in every year of said war, from beginning to its close. I cannot specify nor particularize his services, the times when, places where, nor all the names of his officers under whom he served. I know he was much from home, in the service, - that I have often furnished him with a knapsack of provisions for his journey, & seen him march off with his musket on his shoulder, after taking leave of his family, leaving me with the care & charge of our children, & of his out door concerns, whilst he was defending his country, hazarding his life for her freedom. I have often heard him speak of the skirmishes & battles of Springfield - Monmouth, Connecticut Farms, Aquackanack, Short Hills, Red Bank &c. - I have often heard him speak of his Militia services under General Wines, Colonel Ford, Colonel Sely, Colonel Hathaway, Captain Ward, Captain Hall, Captain Allen & others, under whom as his commanding officers, I believe he performed Militia duties in defense of the United States in the revolutionary war. - I do not know that he ever received any commission, or written discharge, or other documentary evidence of his services. I believe that all his services in said war, were performed by him as a private soldier. For the details & particulars of his services, I must refer the Commissioners of pensions to such few of his comrades & associates as may yet survive, & whose testimony I may yet be able to obtain. Most of them I believe are dead. Robert Young I have seen & talked with this day. He was well known to my husband, & was well acquainted with me before our marriage, & was frequently with William Willis on Military duty in time of the war. James Kitchel was also well acquainted with him, & was sometimes with him, performing Military duty. To their testimony, & such other as I hope to obtain, I would respectfully refer the Commissioners of pensions. - I have stated, that my marriage to William Willis, was in March - but upon further reflection, I think it was in April. I was born in Newark, Essex County, N. Jersey, & moved to Hanoon in Morris Co. when a girl, about the time when Col. Saml. Ogden built Boonton Flitting mill & works, some 6 or 8 years before the war began, & was married as at first stated to William Willis, when in my 20 th year. He died in the year 1793. Aaron Kitchel Esq. my last husband, lived in Hanoon when he married me. We were married by Rev. Samuel M. Phelps, Minister of the Gospel in Pattenbury Morris Co. on the 27 th . June 1808. Said Aaron Kitchel died at his residence in Hanoon, which is now my home, in July 1820. according to the best of my recollection &

I belief, & I have remained his widow till the present time, as will more fully appear hereafter, by evidence herunto annexed.
Sworn & subscribed, the date first mentioned
Before me, in open Court,
Also look here of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Morris County.
Phebe Kitchel
I, Joseph Dalrymple Esq. Clerk of Morris County, hereby certify, that Silas Cook Esq. before whom the above Declaration of Phebe Kitchel was taken & subscribed, is a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of said County, & the signature of his name thereto, is genuine. Also, that Elijah Ward, before whom the depositions of John Robert Young & of James Kitchel were taken & subscribed is a Justice of peace in said County, duly commissioned & authorized, & that his signature thereto is genuine.
I do hereby further certify, that in the official record of marriages of this County, in Liber A. folio 237, the marriage of Aaron Kitchel to Phebe Wines is recorded, as having been consummated or solemnized, before Reverend Samuel M. Phelps, then Minister of the Presbyterian Church in Parsippany, Morris County, on the 27 th June, 1808.
The entry of said marriage in said record, is, in words & figures as follows, viz: —
" Aaron Kitchel Esq. } to } I, Samuel M. Phelps, Minister of the Gospel at Parsippany in " Phebe Wines } the County of Morris & State of New Jersey certify, that on the Twenty seventh day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eight, I married Aaron Kitchel Esq. of Hanover in s d County, to Phebe Wines of the same place. Parsippany, Dec. 14 th 1808. Samuel M. Phelps."
(Copied from the record.)
In testimony of all which matters & things, I herunto subscribe my name, & affix my seal of office at Morristown, this 5 th day of July, Anno Domini 1838. — The interlining of Robert Young's name was done before signing & sealing.
J. Dalrymple Clerk

Joseph Willis of Lee in the County of Perkshire Commonwealth of Massachusetts. of lawful age depose & say, that I am a brother of William Willis. That said William Willis & Phoebe Wilson were married in the Village of Boonton in the County of Morris & State of New Jersey in the month of April 1773 or 4. at the house of James Anderson, by Samuel Dowers Esq. I was present at the wed- ding & saw them married, and saw William pay the marriage fee to Esquire Dowers, after the ceremony was performed.
Joseph Willis
Perkshire Aug. 18. 1837.
Then the above named Joseph Willis, made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed. & I certify that said Joseph Willis is a man of truth & veracity, & that I am well acquainted with him.
For. Sether Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Plymouth I Chas Sedgwick Clerk of the Judicial Courts within said County Certify that Joseph Tucker Esq before whom the foregoing Affidavit was taken is a Justice of the Peace duly commissioned & qualified. That the signature purporting to be his is genuine
Witness my hand at the Seal of the Court at Common Pleas at Lewiston this 18 th day of August A.D. 1837.
Ch Sedgwick
Onit

State of New Jersey, Morris County, p:
Before the subscription, a justice of peace in & for the County of Morris aforesaid, personally appeared John Esler, an aged man a soldier of the revolution, well known to me as a man of truth & fair character, who having by me been duly sworn according to law, saith: - I am 89 years of age, was born in Morris County, & was a soldier in the war of the revolution. - I was personally well acquainted with William Willis in time of the Revolutionary war & before it broke out. He & his brother Joseph Willis came from New England & worked for Col. Saml. Ogden at Boonton in Morris County, at the iron works, & on the farm. I lived on the other side of Rockaway river, which divides Hanover & Peapack townships, & distant from Willis about two miles. We often were together, & I often saw him perform Militia duty under Capt. Ward & Capt. Hall, at various places. I was in Capt. Jacobs' & Capt. Morris company, & we were often together, on guard duty along the lines, & under the same Regimental officers. I think the first time I saw William Willis on Militia duty, was in the City of New York, when we were engaged building forts for defense of the City. It was early in the spring - in March, & before the war was begun, & before the enemy took possession. I am not certain whether it was in the year 75, or 76. Willis was in the same company with me, & Col. * Manson  Briggs I believe commanded the Regiment. We were engaged in this duty a month, & then we were marched to Amboy, where we were stationed a month performing guard duty, before we were discharged. I recollect Willis another month on Militia duty at Elizabeth town, under Colonel Manson, when Genl. Washington with his army retreated through Jersey, & the British followed closely on his rear, as far as New Brunswick. The Militia fell in the rear of the army & beyond Brunswick they fled off Westward & Northward, & returned to Morris County by Baskingridge. - Willis was with us at the battle with the enemy at Springfield, in December 1776, in Capt. Hall's company, where we all performed guard duty a month, upon the lines near Elizabeth town & Springfield. Genl. Howe commanded the Militia at this battle, & several Hessian prisoners were taken. Willis enlisted under Capt. Hall, early in January 77, as I believe, to serve 3 months, which engagement he fulfilled. Col. Suly commanded the Regiment, & the 3 months were occupied in defending the Country around New Brunswick & Amboy against the British then in winter quarters there & on Staten Island. Genl. Howe, Col. Manson & Col. Suly were present & Genl. Howe had his quarters near Smithtown. I was at Haddonfield & Red Bank a month, under Col. Suly, in Capt. Morris's company, & I recollect William * Willis on the farm duty a month, in Capt. Ward's company, in the fall of the year 77, as I believe. He was with us at Monmouth, in the

summer of 1778, under Colonel Suly, in Captain Ward's company, & performed guard duty there & along the found opposite State Island a month. — I was with him a month, near Hackensack, & in a skirmish with the enemy at a little fort on the hill, called Pollipg, under the orders of Genl. Wind, Col. Suly & Hethaway, in Captain Ward's company. I was with him at the battle at Aganakanack bridge, in which Genl. Wind commanded the Militia, aided by Colonels Hethaway, Falinghagen Suly & Hays. He was in Ward's company.
He was with me a month, guarding the stores at Morris town, & the prisoners in the jail, in the latter part of November, under Captain Mandeville. The tour at Hackensack & Pollipg hill, was in the spring season, & the fight at Aganakanack bridge, was in the fall season, I think September. — Willis was with us at the skirmish at Connecticut farms in May 1780 when the Church & village were burnt. He was in Capt. Ward's company, & Genl. Wind was commander of the Militia, Colonels Dayton & others of the army. He was stationed a month near Elizabeth town, guarding the lines in that neighbourhood.
I saw him also at the battle of Springfield in the summer following, under the same Officers, where he performed the same duties, guarding the lines between Springfield & Elizt. town a month.
I recollect seeing Willis when the alarm came, that the Pennsylvania line had revolted. I believe he was then under Capt. Ward's orders, & I under Captain Munn, in the spring season. We were near Barkinridge, & were detained not less than two weeks. — I was also well acquainted with William Willis's wife, before & after their marriage. She was Phebe Wilson. They were married, & lived together as husband & wife, & had one or two children, before the war began. — After living together about 20 years, Willis died, & his widow married Ebenr. Howard, whom I knew very well. Howard died in a few years, & his widow married Barnabas Wind, who lived after their marriage but a year or two, when he died, & his widow married Aaron Kitchel, about the year 1808, or 1809, who died in the year 1820, when he died, & the said Phebe, still remains his widow, & is the same woman, who is said to be an applicant for a pension. Sworn & subscribed at Morris town, July 5 th . 1838.
Before me, — the words or names, " Munn or Willis ", being first interlined.
Elijah Ward, B.O.
J. O. W. E. H. P.

State of New Jersey, Morris County, ss: Before the subscriber, a justice of peace in & for said County of Morris, personally appeared James Kitchel Esq., of said County, an aged citizen, well known personally to me, to be a man of truth & of high moral character, & having by me been duly sworn according to law, saith. — I am in the 79 th year of my age, was a militia soldier of Morris County in the revolutionary war, & was well acquainted with William Willis, who married Phebe Wilson. — Said Willis, lived in Hanover township, & within about 3 miles of my father's residence. We often performed militia duty in the same company & regiment. In the summer 1776, I was stationed at Elizabeth town point, under Capt. Isaac Hall, & recollect William Willis was then performing militia duty at the same place, under Capt. Josiah Hall & Col. Munn, one month. In the fall of the same year, Willis was performing guard duty under Capt. Hall at Elizabeth town, when Genl. Washington's retreating Army passed through, followed soon by the enemy. Hall's company, with Willis, fell in the rear of the main Army, & retreated with them as far as New Brunswick. The militia separated from the main army near Brunswick & returned to Morris County by Baskingridge & Veal town. Willis was out on this tour, not less than six weeks. Early in December of 76, the enemy came over from Staten Island by Elizabeth town through Connecticut farms as far as Springfield, when Genl. Howe, com- manding the militia, fought a battle with them. Willis was present & engaged, under Capt. Hall, & in Col. Munn's regiment. Col. Ford, Col. Drake, Major Bott, were all present. Col. Spencer had his horse shot under him. A body of Hessians or Waldensians, 70 or 80 in number, were made prisoners & sent to Morris town. Willis & his company were sta- tioned a month between Springfield & Elizabeth town, performing guard duty. Whilst the enemy were encamped in New Brunswick & Amboy, Capt. Hall enlisted a company of men to serve 3 months. William Willis & myself both enlisted in Capt. Hall's company for that period, & served out the enlistment that winter, along the line near Woodbridge, Amboy & New Brunswick, in the winter & spring of 1777. Genl. Howe commanded & was stationed near Middle town. Colonels, Sub. Munn, Drake, with their regiments were there all winter, & there was much fighting & skirmishing with parties of the enemy. Willis & myself were discharged in the spring, having served 3 months. — In May & June following, I served a month near Pompton, performing guard duty under the orders of Genl. Howe & Col. Sub. Willis performed the same duty a month with me at that place & in its neighbourhood, in Capt. Hall's company. I was with Willis a month, in Bergen County, near Hackensack, & in an attack upon a small fort called Polly's, under command of Col. Sub. & Genl. Howe.

I was with Willis a month at Haverstraw on the Hudson river, near the Jersey line under command of Col. Sely. There was a skirmish with the enemy there, in which Willis got a knapsack from them, which by Willis' comrades was always after known & called "the Haverstraw sack". This was soon after the burning of Eropus, & taking of Burgoyne.
Willis was with me on a month's tour of Militia duty at & near Aquackanack under Genl. Windes & Col. Sely, in the fall of the year. There was a fierce fight with the enemy at Aquackanack bridge - a large Militia force present, Colonels Frelinghuysen, Hathaway & Hays, with their regiments. He was with me at the battle of Connecticut Farms, in May 1780, under the same officers, & after the burning of the Church & village the enemy retired. We guarded the lines a month near Elizabeth town. I remember him again at Springfield in the same summer, (80) when a fierce battle was fought, & the enemy burnt the Church & the town & retreated through Elizabeth town to Staten Island. Genl. Windes, commanded the Militia, & Colonels Dayton & Angel, the continental troops. I believe Capt. Job Allen commanded our company, at Connecticut Farms & Springfield. In the spring of 81, I remember Willis on a month's tour of Militia duty at Chatham, & another month in the fall season, at Elizabeth town point, in the fall of the year in which Cornwallis surrendered. In some of Willis' Militia duties, I believe he was under Capt. Jonas Ward's command, & perhaps in some instances I may have mistaken the name of his Captain in particular tours.
Willis was a New England man, employed by Col. Saml. Ogden at Boonton Iron works, & there he married Phoebe Wilson before the war broke out. Willis died some 18 or 20 years after their marriage. His widow married one Howard, who died after a few years, & she married Barnabas Windes, who lived but a year or two, & died. His widow married Aaron Kitchel my Uncle, in June 1808, with whom she lived till July 1820, when he died, & the said Phoebe, whose first husband was William Willis before mentioned, is still living, & is at this day, the widow of said Aaron Kitchel deceased. & is an applicant for a pension on account of the Militia Revolutionary services of said William Willis.
Sworn & subscribed at Morris town, July 5 th 1838.
James Kitchel
Before me
Elizah Mott J.P.

State of New Jersey Morris County p:
Before the subscriber, a Justice of peace in & for said county.
Personally appeared Robert Young, an aged citizen of Randolph township, personally well known to me many years, as a man of
truth & respectability, who being by me duly sworn according to law,
on his oath saith as follows, viz: I am in the 87 th year of my age, since the 13 th February, 1838. — I was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, & was personally well acquainted with William Willis, who was also a soldier in the same war, & who performed Militia service from 1776, to the end of the war. He married Phebe Wilson about the year 1873 or 74, whom I knew very well. She is now the widow of Hon ble Aaron Kitchel, who was her last husband, & who died some 12 or 14 years since. I think she was married to some other person, after the death of Willis, & before her marriage to Mr. Kitchel. When a young man, I worked at Boonton Iron works, as a blacksmith, in Col. Sauth. Ogden's employ, & there became acquainted with William Willis, who lived near Boonton. Phebe Wilson, afterwards Willis' wife, lived part of her time in Col. Ogden's family, & I know they were married before the war.
The first Militia service in which I remember seeing William Willis engaged, was at Springfield in the month of December 1776, at the first battle of Springfield, under Genl. Meard's command, in Colonel Ford's regiment, & in Capt. Josiah Hall's company, as I believe. After the fight, Willis & his Co. were stationed below Springfield a month, for defense of the frontier. A number of Hessian (70 or 80) were taken prisoners by Col. Spencer & his troops, who had his horse killed under him. Captain Hall after this time, enlisted a company of men to serve 3 months, & William Willis enlisted under him, & served out this period in the winter & spring of 1777, in the neighbourhood of Quibbletown & Amboy, whilst the enemy lay in Amboy & Brunswick. I often saw him during that winter performing Militia duty under Col. Sauth & Genl. Wind. There were many fights & skirmishes with the enemy that winter, in some of which Capt. Hall's Co. were engaged. I recollect Willis performing a month's Militia duty in the neighbourhood of Pompton & New Windsor in the fall of 77, before Burgoyne's surrender, in Hall's company, under Genl. Wind & Col. Sauth. I remember him on a month's duty at Elizabeth town in the summer of 77. He was also engaged in a month's duty at Red bank & Haddonfield, near the Delaware, in Captain DeLois's company & Col. Sauth's regiment. I recollect him also at the battle of Monmouth under the same officers, & along the shore opposite Staten Island, between Amboy & Rahway a month, in the summer of 78.

I was with William Willis on a tour of duty near Tremble's point, a month, under Col. Seely, keeping guard along the shore, between the point & Blazing Star ferry, in the season of green corn & early apples. — I remember Willis at the battle at a Quakanak bridge, in which General Windes commanded the Militia, aided by Colonels, Seely, Hathaway, Feely, Hays & others, in the early part of the fall. He was also with us in the battles of Springfield & Connecticut farms in 1780, — the latter in May, & the former in June. He was stationed below Springfield a month, performing guard duty. Some of his Militia tours were performed under the immediate orders of Captain Jonas Ward, but I cannot say which of them, with certainty. Beside the tours mentioned, I often saw him out on alarms, for periods of 10 or 12 days. — I was also personally well acquainted with Joseph Willis, brother of William Willis, who were both from New England, working for Col. Ogden in the Boonton Iron works, flitting nail rods, which was then a new business in New Jersey. I was then a young man, a blacksmith by trade, working in the same Iron works with the two Willis, my business being to keep their tools in good order. Here I also first became acquainted with Phebe Wilson, now Mrs. Kitchel, who was much of her time in Col. Ogden's family, where she became acquainted with her husband. She is now living, & is still the widow of Aaron Kitchel. I said Phebe had one child born in wedlock with William Willis, before the war began, & whilst we all lived at Boonton, & I think she had more than one before the war commenced, but of this I am not certain.
Sworn & subscribed at Morristown, July 3 rd 1835.
Before me, Elizabeth Ward J.P.  Robert Young

From the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W.949, it appears that William Willis was born in
Berkshire, Massachusetts, date not given, and before the Revolution, was employed at the Iron Works of Colonel Samuel Ogden, at Boonton, New Jersey.
He enlisted, place not stated, at the beginning of the war and served until its close, on various short tours, entire length of service not shown, under Captains De Bow, Winn, Mandeville, Jonas Ward, Josiah Hall and Job Allen, Colonels Ford, Seeley, Hathaway and Munson in the New Jersey Troops, and was in the battles of Springfield, Short Hills, Monmouth, Connecticut Farms, Aquakanock and Ash Swamp.
The soldier married in April, 1773 or 1774, at Boonton, New Jersey, Phebe Wilson, who was born May 28, 1753, in Newark, Essex County, New Jersey, and when a girl, moved to Hanover, Morris County, New Jersey.
He died in 1793, exact date not given.
She married December 7, 1796, Ebenezer Howard. He died, date not given, and she married July 6, 1803, Barnabas Winds or Wines, and after his death, the date of which is not stated, she married June 27, 1808, at Parsippany, Morris County, New Jersey, Aaron Kitchel or Kitchel, of Hanover, New Jersey. He died June 25, 1820, at said Hanover, and was referred to as Honorable Aaron Kitchel.
The widow, Phebe, was allowed pension on account of the services of her first husband, William Willis, on her application executed July 3, 1838, at which time she was residing in Hanover Township, Morris County, New Jersey. In 1841, she was living in Morristown, New Jersey.
The children of William Willis and his wife, Phebe, were: Betsey, the oldest, born in 1775 or 1776, and de was deceased in 1838; Hannah; Joseph; Salley, who was aged fifty-six years in 1838; John; James; and Weltsey.
Because of the very large number of requests for information in regard to Revolutionary War soldiers, and the lack of a clerical force available for the purpose, the
July 11, 1930 - E.E.L.
July 1826

bureau has not been able to make prompt reply to each such inquiry. Letters are being answered as rapidly as possible in order of receipt.
Very truly yours
E. W. MORGAN Acting Commissioner.
Date of widow's death not given

Address: "The Military Secretary, War Department, Washington, D. C."
1074683
WAR DEPARTMENT,
THE MILITARY SECRETARY'S OFFICE,
WASHINGTON, November 28, 1905.
Respectfully returned to
Mr. Fred H. Fairchild, 124 Quincy Street, Brooklyn, New York.
For information from the pension records, application should be made to the Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
The records of the War Department afford no information in regard to the relatives or the family history of soldiers of the Revolutionary war.
The Military Secretary.

MILITARY SECRETARY'S OFFICE
NOV 28
1074683
1905
WAR DEPARTMENT
Brooklyn, N.Y.
Nov. 25. 1905
Rev. Wat. -
Fred. H. Fairchild requests name of wife &c.

184 Quincy St, Brooklyn, N.Y.
Nov 25. 1905.
Chief of the Record and Pension Office, War Department, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:-
The object of this is to request you to furnish information regarding the wife of William Willis, who served in the Revolutionary War,
The said Mrs Willis having become a pensioner of the United States. I would like to know her christian name, when and where married and when she died.
Awaiting a reply at your earliest convenience,
I beg to remain, Yours very truly.
Fred H. Fairchild
Respectfully referred to Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.
11/29/05

ROCHE & WILLIS, TAILORS, 202 WEST FAYETTE STREET
BALTIMORE Dec. 31, 1918.
Commissioner of Pensions Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:-
Replying to yours of 28th. Inst Will give you the records that I have from the Adjutant General Office of New Jersey.
"it is certified that the records of this office show that William Willis served as private, minute man, in the Morris Co., N.J. Militia.
Private Cap't David Bates Company---Col. Ephriam Martin's Battalion Brigadier General Nathaniel Heard's Brigade New Jersey State Troops---in Gen. Nathaniel Green's Division Continental Army.
He took part in the battle of Long Island N.Y. Aug. 27, 1776
Private Aprill, 1777-- Cap't Henry Van Blarcon's Co. 2nd Reg't Essex Co. N.J. Militia and served three months. Also served three service in Cap't Sylvanus Seeley's Co. N.J. Morris Co Militia He served four monthly tours in 1778 as private in Cap't Joseph Horton's Co.---1st Reg't Essex Co., N.J.
Cap't David Bates Company---Col. Ephriam Martin's Battalion---Morris Co. N.J. Militia
The certificate says he enlisted March 1776--in Cap't Ben'j Micnor's Co. N.J. Eastern Battalion --Morris CO. N.J. Militia.
He married in Boonton--Morris CO--N.J. in April 1773---Phoebe Wilson born Feb. 28, 1753. The widow applied for a pension for service of William Willis July 3rd. either 1833 or 38 and which was allowed and she died in Newark N. J. in 1841."
The above is copied from records in my possession and I have seen a copy of the pension grant but on account of the death of the one having the copy I am unable to locate the one now having same. William Willis was born in Berkshire, Mass. Mar 27th 1754. and died at Boonton N.J. Aprill 1793. 1754
Trusting the above will give the information asked and thanking you in advance
I am, Your very truly

V. L. M. Rev. War Section.
3-1885
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR BUREAU OF PENSIONS
WASHINGTON
December 28, 1918.
Mr. Walter T. Willis, 202 West Fayette Street, Baltimore, Md.
Sir:
In response to your letter dated the 17" instant, you are advised that the Revolutionary War pensioner William Willis who served under some of the officers alleged in said letter and took part in the battles of Springfield N. J., Monmouth, Fort Pollifly and Aquakonack Bridge and died leaving a widow, is not the William Willis who was shot in the thigh by Refugees while on detached duty near White Plains.
In order to identify the William Willis whose record you desire, in addition to his full name some of the following data is essential: the approximate dates of his birth and death, place of residence at enlistment and after service, and the given name of his widow.
Very respectfully,
E. C. Sieman Acting Commissioner.

Rev. War Section.
January 3, 1919.
Mr. Walter T. Willis, 203 West Fayette Street, Baltimore, Maryland.
Sir:
In response to your letter dated the 31 st ultimo, you are advised that it appears in the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim of William Willis ( W. F. No. 948 ) that he was a native of Berkshire Mass., and before the Revolutionary War he and his brother Joseph Willis, were employed in Colonel Samuel Ogden's Iron Works at Boonton N. J. When the War began William Willis enlisted and served as a Private every year until peace was declared under the following officers: Captains De Bow, Winn, Mandeville, Jonas Ward, Josiah Hall, Job Allen, Colonels Ford, Seeley, Hathaway and Munson in the New Jersey troops. He was in the battles of Springfield, Monmouth, and Connecticut Farms, Aquakanock, Short Hills, and Ash Swamp. He died in 1793.
He married in April 1773 at Boonton N. J. Phoebe Wilson born May 28 1753 at Newark, N. J. Their children were Hannah, Betsey, Joseph, Sally John, James and Weltsey.
His widow, Phoebe, married Ebenezer Howard December 7, 1796. He died, and on July 6, 1803, she married Barnabas Windes or Wines; he died and on June 27, 1803, she married at Parsippany Morris County, N. J. Aaron Kitchel; he died June 25 1820, or July 1820, at Hanover Morris County, N. J.
The widow applied for pension for the services of William Willis on an application executed July 3, 1838, while a resident of Hanover Township, Morris County, New Jersey. Her claim was allowed. In 1841 she was living in Newark, Essex County, New Jersey.
Very respectfully,
E. C. Newman Acting Commissioner.

Wid. File No. 949, Phoebe Kitchel, former widow of William Willis, Rev. War.
Jan. 19, 1906.
Sir:
In response to your letter dated November 25, 1905, ad- dressed to the Chief of the Record and Pension Office, War De- partment, referred to this Bureau December 1, 1905, you are ad- vised that the papers in the above-noted claim show that before the Revolutionary War William Willis, a native of Berkshire, Mass., and his brother, Joseph Willis, were employed in Colonel Samuel Ogden's iron works at Boonton, N. J. When the war begun William Willis enlisted, and served as a Pvt. every year until peace was declared, under Captains De Bow, Winn, Mandeville, Jonas Ward, Josiah Hall, Job Allen, Colonels Ford, Seeley, Hathaway and Munson, New Jersey troops. He was in the Battles of Spring- field, Monmouth and Connecticut Farms. He died in 1793.
He married Phoebe Wilson, who was born May 28, 1753, at Newark N.J. in April 1773, at Boonton, N. J. Children: Hannah, Betsey, Jo- seph, Sally, John, James and Weltsey.
His widow (Phoebe) married Ebenezer Howard, December 7, 1796. He died; and on July 6, 1803, she married Barnabas Winds, or Wines; he died, and on June 27, 1808, she married Aaron Kitchel, at Parsippany, Morris Co., N. J.; he died at Hanover, Morris Co., N. J., June 25, 1820. or July 1820

Wid.File.No.949, Phoebe Kitchel, Former widow of William Willis-
--2--
The widow applied for pension for the service of William while residing in Hanover Twp. Morris Co. N.J. Willis on July 3, 1838. Her claim was allowed. In 1841 she was living in Newark, Essex Co., N. J.
No further family data.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Mr. Fred H. Fairchild, 124 Quincy St., Brooklyn, N. Y.

September 30, 1930.
Bureau of Pensions. Rev.&1812 Wars Section.
541
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Rev.War claim for pension of William Willis, File No. W.949.
Actual 1 of each page
$1.95.....13 pages
xxx
Kindly leave margin of 1½ in. at top of each page and return papers in each case in folder with corresponding name and number.
The word "omit" written in pencil on those pages which are not to be copied.
Chief, Rev.&1812 Wars Sectt

List to Charles E. Willis: Wid. decl. July 3-1838 _____ 3 pages Joseph Willis' affid. Aug. 18-1837 _____ 1 page Robt. Young's affid. July 3-1838 _____ 2 pages James Kitchell's affid. July 5-1838 _____ 2 pages John Esler's affid. July 5-1838 _____ 2 pages Wid. declaration Aug. 9-1841 _____ 1 page Lewis Condick's affid. Aug. 9-1841 _____ 1 page Wid. Ctf. jacket No. 3615 _____ 1 page
Rev. for claim for pension of William Willis, File No. 8,943.
Actual 1 of each page
37. 96. 13 pages
xxx
Kindly leave margin of 1 1/2 in. at top of each page and return papers in each case in folder with corresponding name and number. The word "copy" written in pencil on these pages which are not to be copied.
Chas. Rev. Willis was born

M.O.# 58662 - $3.35
707 North Colonial Avenue, Richmond, Virginia. September 24th. 1930.
The Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
I am referring to your letter of September 22, 1930, Rev.& 1812 Wars Section.
MMHF
which reads as follows:
"You are advised that the number of pages to be copied in Revolutionary War pension claim of William Willis(S.845) is six; the number of pages to be copied in Revolutionary claim of Phebe Kitchel, former widow of William Willis (W.949) is thirteen.
"The cost is fifteen cents a page. Should you desire to have them certified allow twenty-five cents additional for each of the two sets."
I desire a copy of each of the two sets and both sets to be certified and figure the cost of same as follows:
  Nineteen pages @ 15 cents per page -----  $2.85    Certification, two sets @ 25 cts. each--  .50    total-----  $3.35  
19 1930 1930 1930 1930
Enclosed is Post Office Money Order for Three dollars and thirty five cents to cover the cost of the above.
I have been in communication with the Bureau of Pensions since June 5th. last, trying to get the copies of the above and from your letters understand you are handicapped for need of clerical assistance, which I can appreciate. However, I require these records to complete applications for membership in one of the patriotic societies and therefore will greatly appreciate it if you can give this your prompt attention.
I remain
Respectfully Yours,
Charles E. Willis

List to Charles E. Willis: Wid. decl. July 3-1838 _____ 3 pages Joseph Willis' affid. Aug. 18-1837 _____ 1 page Robt. Young's affid. July 3-1838 _____ 2 pages James Kitchell's affid. July 5-1838 _____ 2 pages John Esler's affid. July 5-1838 _____ 2 pages Wid. declaration Aug. 9-1841 _____ 1 page Wid. declaration Aug. 9-1841 _____ 1 page Lewis Condick's affid. Aug. 9-1841 _____ 1 page Wid. Ctf. jacket No. 3615 _____ 1 page
Rev. Mr. Willis for pension of William
Willis, File No. 7.943.
Actual 1 of each page
11.93.....15 pages
xxx
Chief, Rev. Miss Mary Scott
Kindly leave margin of 1 1/2 in. at top of each page and return papers in each case in folder with corresponding name and number. The word "edit" written in pencil on these pages which are not to be copied.

Rev.&1812 Wars Section. MMHF
707 North Colonial Avenue Richmond, Virginia June 16th, 1930
September 22, 1930.
Charles E. Willis, 707 North Colonial Avenue, Richmond, Virginia.
Dear Sir:
You are advised that the number of pages to be copied in Revolutionary War pension claim of William Willis (S.845) is six; the number of pages to be copied in Revolutionary claim of Phebe Kitchel, former widow of William Willis (W.949) is thirteen.
The cost is fifteen cents a page. Should you desire to have them certified allow twenty-five cents additional for each of the two sets.
The proper amount should be forwarded to this bureau by money order drawn to the order of the Commissioner of Pensions.
Very truly yours,
E. W. MORGAN, Acting Commissioner.

707 North Colonial Avenue Richmond, Virginia. June 16th. 1930.
E. W. Morgan Esq.
Acting Commissioner.
Bureau of Pensions, Department of the Interior,
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
Your letter of July 11th. in reference to War pension claim S.845 of William Willis , Revolutionary War soldier and Widow's war pension claim, W.949 for William Willis , Revolutionary War soldier, ( two different men) has been received and I desire to thank you for your prompt reply to my last letter. In that letter I note that for "Lack of a clerical force available for the purpose" You are delayed in sending information requested.
As I particularly desire copies of these two pension claims at as an early date as is possible and as I know you sometimes make photostat copies of these documents, will you kindly inform me at your earliest convenience what such photostat copies will cost and I will immediately send you the money for same and will be under many obligations to you. I would really prefer photostat copies to written ones.
Respectfully yours,
Charles E. Willis

1906 Jan 18. History to Fred H. Fairchild. M.B.H. 1919 Jan 3 Hist. to Walter T. Willis.
1930 - July 11 - List. to Mr Chas. E. Willis - Letter in case of Willis - D. 848 - ECH
1930 Sept. 22 Charles E. Willis adv. cost of photos. M.M.H. 1930 Oct. 15. Photos. mailed to Charles E. Willis & Fin. Rev. ntfd. 9.10.7.
DEP WIDOW, &c.
File No. 949
Phoebe Kitchel formerly Widow William Willis died Prov. Riv. War.
Act: July 4, 1886.
Index: - Vol. 4 , Page 407
[Arrangement of 1870.]

V3664
Yrs lib. to Hon. Lewis Conditt,
August 15, 1838.
lib. to same 19. Oct. 1839
" same 4. April 1840
" same 10 Dec. 1840
M. J.
Act July 1836

Sarah Chandler Aug 1 1842
Job
permit me to trouble you again In answer to inquiries of the enclosed letter & oblige Yours sincerely William

Aug 13. 1874
Miss Phebe Ketchell, N. J.
James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions War Department Washington.
FREE

Morris Town N. J. Aug t 10 th 41.
Dear Sir,
Enclosed is a supplemental Declaration of Phoebe Ketchum, under the Laws of 1836 & 37, as you suggested in your letter to me of the 4 th of April 1840, to which I refer you. You will at first view perhaps think it strange, that in this paper, the time of her first marriage is not stated, nor the time of the husband's death, for whom service the claim is made. The reason of the omission is afterward explained; & as all the testimony on that point is on your files, I presume the omission here will not be considered important. — It would have been inserted, but for the weakness of her memory, & the want of record proof.
Since her 1 st Declaration was sent to your Office, some certificates have been also sent from Marginal references in Texas: Southwick's office. And at a subsequent time, (probably in February last) I sent a certificate from our State Secy. (Mr. Chesney) of Abstracts from Rolls of paymasters, shewing the names of several (perhaps all) of the officers under whom Willis served. And I would respectfully refer you to it, in corroboration of other testimony, & in the hope & belief, that you may find her equitably entitled to a larger allowance than is proposed in your letter written before said Abstracts were submitted.
The abject poverty, (which is indeed extreme & in entire dependence on a poor son) renders a decision necessary, with as little delay, as may comport with your multifarious duties.
Very respectfully
Your obed. serv t : &c:
Levis Conduh.
Col: Edwards Commissioner of Pensions.

James I. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions War Department Washington.

Morris town, Oct. 24 th 1839.
Sir,
In your letter of 19 th Oct. speaking of Phebe Kitchell's claim, you remark that "by the Certificate of the Treasr. of N. J. certificates" were issued to Mrs. Willis for £6..0..8, viz: for 2 months & 12 days service, & that there appears to be no objection to allowing the claimant for 7 mos. & 12 days service". — In reply I would observe, that by my memorandums there appears to be one certif: in favor of said W m Willis on the same list, which you have overlooked, viz: "N o . 1584. — Oct. 7 th for £9..5..0" — There are 2 others, viz: one for £4..16..8, & another for £1..4..0 — which two, make the sum you mention (£6..0..8) & the 3 make £15..5..8. — If the list I left with you does not contain the one for £9..5..0, the omission I will supply from the Treasury office.
To day, I rec d . yours of 22 d . stating that Phebe Kitchell's claim is not embraced by the act of July 4 th '36. nor of March 3 d '37 — but may be sustained "under that of July 7, '38." — From the letter of 19 th quoted above, I am induced to suppose that the last (of 22 d .) relates to Mrs. Lydia Kitchell's claim, widow of David Kitchell, claiming for the services of her 1 st husband Barnet :
As both widows have been twice married, it was easy to mistake them. To which former of them the defect may apply, I will give attention. A supplemental Declaration in the case of Lydia K. was sent to the office on the 28 th June last.
Very respectfully — Yours &c.
Lewis Bondit.
Col: Edwards.

Col. L. Edwards Esq.
Commission of Pensions Washington.

Morris town N. Jany. July 20 th 1838.
Dear Sir,
I enclose herewith, the Declaration &c. of Phebe Kitchel, widow of Aaron Kitchel dec d . asking a pension on acct. of the Revolutionary services of her first husband, William Willis, a private of Militia of Morris Co. — Like most of the applicants, she is very poor, & anxious for such relief, as the justice of the case may be found to admit.
Very respectfully, Your ob t . serv t . & friend
Lewis Conditt.
Jas. L. Edwards Esq r , Commissioner of Pensions.

New Jersey
William Willis
5. — 6. B see See  Staphy  Staphylococcus  epidermidis A. B. Staphylococcus L. B. 5. 8

New Jersey, Morris Co.
Supplemental Declaration of Phebe Kitchel, under the laws of 1836 & of 1837, claiming a Pension for Rev: service of her 1 st husband, W m Willis.
See 1 st Declaration on file, in the Pension Office, having all the testimony annexed thereto.
Return to Lewis Conditt Morris Town, New Jersey
admd
11 mo 30 d / m
$37-
No deduction
Lewis Conditt Morristown N. Jersey

New Jersey, Morris County, ss: Before the subscriber, a judge of the Court of Common Pleas & justice of peace in & for said County of Morris, personally came Lewis Gondiet, believed by me to be a man of truth, who being duly sworn according to law, on his oath saith as follows. I have been personally well acquainted with Mrs. Phebe Kitchel, widow of Aaron Kitchel, for 30 years at least, & probably for 40 years. I knew her before her marriage to Mr. Kitchel, & ever since his death, which took place not less than fifteen years since, & she still remains the widow of said Aaron Kitchel. She is now, as I verily believe, upwards of ninety years old, & her memory very frail, as to dates. And as she cannot speak with entire certainty of the precise time of her marriage to William Willis, her first husband, nor the day of his death, they are left blank in her supplemental Declaration within, & the Commission of Pensions is respectfully referred to the evidence which accompanies her said first Declaration, as to those points. — She has a memorandum of her marriage to Mr. Kitchel, from which that blank is filled.
Lewis Gondiet.
Sworn & subscribed at Morris Town, August 9 th 1841
Before me, Peter A. Johnson one of the Judges of the the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Morris
State of New Jersey, Morris County, ss:
I David B. Hurd, Clerk of Morris County hereby certify, that Peter A. Johnson, before whom the preceding deposition of Lewis Gondiet, & the within supplemental Declaration of Phebe Kitchel were taken & subscribed on the 9 th day of August 1841, is a judge & justice in said County, duly commissioned & authorized to act as such; & the signature of his name to said Deposition & Declaration "Peter A. Johnson", is genuine. Witness my hand & seal of my Office at Morris Town, August 10 th 1841.
D B Hurd Clerk

Declaration.
In order to obtain the benefits of the 3 rd section of the act of 4 th July 1836, & of the first section of the act of 3 rd March 1837.
State of New Jersey, County of Morris, ss:
On this 9 th day of August, Domine 1841, personally appeared before the Court of Common Pleas of said County, Mrs. Phebe Kitchel, a resident of Morris Town, in the County of Morris & State of New Jersey aged 90 years, who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth, on her oath, make the following Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4 th 1836, & the act explanatory of said act passed March 3 rd 1837.
I was married to William Willis, who was a Militia soldier of the Militia of Morris County in New Jersey, & served as such throughout the Revolutionary war.
The details of his service, & names of his officers under whose command he served, with the depositions of several associate soldiers serving with him, will all be found on file in the Pension Office at Washington, together with a Declaration made by me, & which is annexed to said depositions, all of which, together with evidence of my marriage annexed thereto, I desire may be considered as parts of this my amended or supplemental Declaration, inasmuch as some of the deposing witnesses aforesaid are not now living as I am informed & believe, & inasmuch also, as my own memory is so impaired by the infirmities of years, that I cannot recite in any connected manner the various revolutionary services of my aforesaid husband.
I was married to the said William Willis, on the _____ day of _____ in the year seven hundred & _____ & my said husband, William Willis, died on the _____ day of _____ in the year _____ on the twenty seventh day of June, Domine, 1808.
& I was afterwards married to Aaron Kitchel Esq., who died on the 25 th day of June in the year of our Lord, 1820. I was a widow on the 4 th July 1836, & still remain a widow, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed.
The evidence of not only my marriage to both my husbands, but also of their death, is annexed to my former Declaration, to which I respectfully refer the Commission of pension, altho' I cannot recollect its date.
Sworn to & subscribed, on the day & year above written (the date of her marriage to Aaron Kitchel Esq. "on the 27 th June 1808," being intimated before signing & swearing.)
Before me, Peter A. Johnson one of the Judges. Phebe her X Kitchel of the Court of Common Pleas of Morris County -
And I also certify, that said Phebe Kitchel, from her great age, with its infirmities, is unable to attend at the Court house in person, for which reason this Declaration is signed by her at her residence in Morris town.
Peter A. Johnson, Judge.
(Handwritten signature)

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Willis, William GRADE Private LINE Virginia
WARRANT NUMBER 12687 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED January 31, 1794 to Francis Graves, assignee
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.