Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 19416, Aaron Whitehead, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
New Jersey
Whitehead Aaron
N 19 41 6
Sutter, Mary
Former widow
CONTENTS

5745.
New York City
Mary Sutter. widow of Isaac Whitehead N. Whitehead N.Y. who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 20 Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 5th day of Febry 1849 and sent to
Chas. M c Vlan New York City
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2. 1848, Page 187 Vol. 41
1848 Aug 8
14 M c Whitehead history P er 10
Reported Febry 8/49.

State of New York § ss. Mary Sutton, on this Twenty Second day of February 1844, being duly sworn - according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed July 7, 1838 and the 23 rd of August 1842, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the revolutionary war. That she is a resident of the town of Poughkeepsie in the County of Dutchess and a agee seventy four years. That she is the widow of Aaron Whitehead who was drafted & served in the Militia in the revolutionary war as a private, and she always understood he died - She also declares that she was married to the said Aaron Whitehead on the first of October in the year 1788. That her husband the aforesaid Aaron Whitehead died on the 7 th of September in the year 1807. That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January, seventeen hundred and ninety four, viz, at the time above stated, she further declares, that after the death of the husband aforesaid, she was married to John Sutter, on the 13 th day of November in the year 1823. That he died on the 14 th day of December in the year 1839, and that she is still a widow sworn to & subscribed on the day and year above written, before me Aaron Vaux, one of Justices of Westchester County Courts of Common Pleas
Mary Sutton

I do certify that the within named Mary Butler is so infirm as to be unable to attend in Open Court to make her Declaration. And I do further certify that she is a credible person & of unexceptionable veracity -
Dated at Poughkeepsie Westchester County
this 22 nd Day of February 1844
Aaron Vaux
one of the Justices of Westchester County Common Pleas
State of New York
County of Westchester
{ D. J. Munsun J. Lockwood Clerk of said County Do:
Whereby Certify that Aaron Vaux Esquire whose Name is subscribed to the Certificate of proof or acknowledgement of the annexed instrument & endorsed thereon was at the day of the date of the said Certificate a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County residing in the said County Com- missioned and sworn and duly authorized to take the same And further that I am well acquainted with the hand- writing of such Judge and readily believe that the signature to the said Certificate is genuine
In testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said County this twenty sixth day of February A. D. 1844
Francis Smith Dept Clerk

1812 otion
January 2, 1929
Ruth S. Hubert 517 Summit Avenue Westfield, New Jersey
Madam:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W.19416, it appears that Aaron Whitehead (the date of his birth is not given) while residing in Short Hills, Essex County, New Jersey, enlisted in 1776 or 1777, served at various times as private or corporal in Captain Benjamin Laing's Company under Colonels Spencer and Jacques and Lieutenant Colonel Crane in the New Jersey Troops; he assisted in building the fort at Elizabethtown, was in the battles of Woodbridge and Monmouth, and was discharged at the close of the war in 1783.
The soldier married October 1, 1788, Mary Prall. It was stated that they had three children ( no names are given) and resided in Westfield, Essex County, New Jersey. He died September 7, 1807.
His widow, Mary, married November 13, 1823, John H. Sutter. He died December 14, 1839.

Rev. & Wars Sec MEE/eel
Said Mary Whitehead Sutter was allowed pension on account of the services of Aaron Whitehead on her application executed February 22, 1844, while a resident of Yonkers, Westchester County, New York, aged seventy-four years. At that time she resided with one A.B. Phillips, no relationship stated. In 1848 she was living in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York.
There are no further family data on file.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension of the Revolutionary War widow, Mary Sutter, former widow of Aaron Whitehead, W. 19416, the name of person paid, and possibly the date of her death, it is suggested that you apply to the General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D.C., citing all of the following data:
" Mary Sutter, widow of Aaron Whitehead, Certificate No. 3743, issued February 8, 1849, rate $20 per annum, commenced March 4, 1848, Act of February 2, 1848, New York City Agency!!
No charge is made for this service.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner.

1929-Jan 2, Hist to Ruth S. Hubick, M.E. Co.
Res
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 19416
Mary Scatter Former widow of Aaron Whitehead Dis Rev War
Act: Feb 28 48
Index:—Vol. 11 , Page 205
[Arrangement of 1870.]
✓

Mary Sutter, widow of Aaron Whitehead, Private, N. Jersey Militia, 6 months, $20 per annum Acts 7 July 1838 & } March 3, 1843 }
N Jersey Roll City - New-York Roll
married 10 October 1788 Whitehead died 7 Sept. 1807 Sutter died 14 Dec. 1839 Pension to commence 4 March '36 under act 1838
cert: to Hon. F. O. J. Smith of Maine Present

6719 New York
Mary Sutter, formerly widow of Aaron Whitehead who was a private in the New Jersey line
C
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 20 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 d day of March 1845 and sent to Hon. F. A. J. Smith of Maine Present.
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A Vol. 2 — Page 86.
Recd March 24 1843

90
double
Charles M. Crane Esq. Surrogate Office New York City
[Faint, mirrored handwriting from the reverse side of the paper, likely bleed-through from the original text from the letter.]

Office of Secy of State Trenton Sept 16 - 1844
Dear Sir
I have rec d your letter of the 14 th inst. a thorough search has been made and a certificate enclosed. We have no Muster Rolls - they were given to the Commt. of the U. S. and probably destroyed with the fires of Sept r some years ago; the enclosed will substantiate the claim and is good evidence of service. The Certificate of pay was given by the Commissioners for balances after the matter was unpaid on Dec r 23 rd 1883. We doubt know whether or not much service Fees for searches & Certificate $1.50
Chas. McKean Esq.
Your obedt Servt Charles G. McKean

9087.
Rept by letter to apt March 24, 1845. —
New York
Mary Sutter, formerly widow of Aaron Whitehead who was a pensioner under the Act of and who died on the 7 September, 1807 of West Chester in the State of N. York who was a private in the commanded by Captain of the commanded by  in the New-Jersey line for Kennebec
Inscribed on the Roll of New-York at the rate of 20 — Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 nd day of March, 1845 and sent to Hon: F. A. J. Smith, of Maine, Present.
Total amount, $100.00
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by Wm Stewart Clerk, Book 1 Vol. 1 — Page 181 .

House of Representatives June 3 rd 1844
Col. J. L. Edwards Com. of Pensions Dear Sir
Enclosed
I send you a letter in the case of widows pension application of Mary Luther Please give the case your early attention and re- turn the enclosed letter to me - Respectfully Your Ob t Serv t
Reston King

Goshens. February 28 th 1844
Dear Sir. I would state to you that I have been to - plainfield & Scotchplains, and With Mr Kirkpatrick went and received the affidavits which I send to the department I also called on a number of persons that where acquainted with the family of Aron Whitehead and they said they where confident that they where lawfully married altho they where not at the Weddings, one person by the name of Thomas Randolph informed me that he was at the supper party of Aron Whitehead a few hours after the marriage ceremony was performed. I also went to the records of the Church at Scotchplains where Mr W m Vanhorn was pastor and found that there was not any Marriages recorded and then I went to the City of Newark and went to the County Clerks office and searched the records and found that there was no records of marriages further back than - 1795. Mr John B Osborn said to me that he did not reck-onect of Aron Whitehead being any thing more than a private but he says he might have served as a corporal. or he says that possibly he might have held some other office for term. but he is not aware of it, ----- I would further state that if the department thinks that the widow is entitled to a pension she would like her case acted on as soon as is can be consistently as her circumstances or such that it is much needed. at present

I would further state that the Widow wishes me to act for her as she is residing with me and - therefore I shall look for an answer to this - with the annexed affidavits are all sent for you to act upon from your humble servant
AB Phillips

New York Aug 19. 1844
Dr Sir
Your favour of 10 th instant to the care of the Hon F. O. J Smith was handed to me by him on his return to this city from Washington.
I followed the suggestions you so kindly made to me and wrote to the Secretary of State of New Jersey for all the information concerning of record in his office that would tend to establish the claim of Mary Sutter to a pension on account of the Revolutionary services of Aaron Whitehead. I enclosed the certificate he transmitted to me in answer together with its envelope. I am so unacquainted with the terms of service of the N. J. militia that I am not able to comprehend the length of service that the balance that was

found due to him will cover.
I can perceive how fully the moral force of the and debased evidence in sustaining the more general declarations of his fellow soldiers.
That such a balance was found due to him at the close of the war on the settlement of accounts between him and the states is the best fact from which at this distance of time, an inference can be drawn in support of the claim. When to this is added the testimony of two of his fellow soldiers that he served faithfully from the beginning to the end of the war, in my humble judgment the case is very strong. I know that it is uncertain as to particulars but as to the main fact that he did serve from the beginning to the end of the war in the same manner that those did who are now

in the enjoyment of full possession her similar services. as a profosi tion I am ever free from moral doubt. Lapse of time legally supplies omissions and makes it free from legal doubt In the hope that you may see fit to view this evidence in the same light. I transmit this testimony to you and shall await your an swer. May I ask the favour to let the answer be soon
I am very Respectfully your most obt
Sir want
Charles McLean
Dear J. L. Edwards.
P.S. Mrs Luther is now an resident of this city

Western Division. Pension Office Washington. D.C. 27th April 1890.
Sir -
I respectfully request to be furnished such information as may be afforded by the records of your office relative to Aaron Whitehead who served under Capt. Dey (or Dye) of Morris Co. New Jersey in the War of the Revolution. The soldier died

in or about New York City in 1806 or 1807 without having applied for pension and leaving a widow, Mary, who remarried John Sutter, and after his death in 1831 or 1832 applied for, and drew pension as widow of a Revolutionary soldier on account of the service of Aaron Whitehead.
Any information given will be thankfully received.
Respectfully &c,
Mortimer Whitehead.
The Commissioner of Pensions. Washington. D. C.

Mortimer Whitehead DC
April 27 1891
Aaron Whitehead NY only Widow of Mary Sutter

State of New Jersey } Essex County }
Personally appeared before me Elias Kirkpatrick one of the justices of the peace in and for the county of Essex State of New Jersey Widow Huldah Terry of the Township of Westfield County & State aforesaid who being truly sworn on her oath saith that she is now in the seventy eighth year of her age was well acquainted with Aaron Whitehead who was married to Mary Pratt in the fall of the year Seventeen Hundred and eighty eight deponent further saith that Aaron Whitehead with Mary his wife visited their house within one week after they was married deponent further saith that her husband Jonathan Terry was at the wedding that they were married by the Reverend William Vanhorn pastor of the Baptist Church of Scotch Plains deponent further saith that they were frequent visitors at their house and deponent further saith that she saw Aaron Whitehead equipped with Gun Cartridge Box and Bayonet during the Revolutionary war deponent further saith that Aaron Whitehead served in the Militia under Captain Benjamin Laing and further this deponent saith not
Witness present
Elias Kirkpatrick
Her Huldah + Terry mark
Sworn and Subscribed before me this
seventeenth day of February 1844
Elias Kirkpatrick justice of the peace
This is to certify that I am personally acquainted with Huldah Terry have known her for years and that she is a person of undoubted veracity February 17 th 1844
Elias Kirkpatrick Esq.

Plainfield February 17 th 1844
I will further state for the information of the department that I called on an old Lady living in Middlesex County consequently I had no right to administer an oath to her it being out of my jurisdiction as a Justice of the peace who stated to me that she was Seventy Eight years of Age and one of the most respectable families in the neighborhood being only one and half miles from me whose word would be taken by any of us as soon as her oath says She was at the affair of Aaron Whitehead and Mary his wife that they came to their house on that night and staid there with them till morning was well acquainted with them and she further states that it was about the year Seventeen hundred and Eighty eight her name is Mary Frazer all of which is respectfully submitted
Elias Kirkpatrick

Pen shows of Mary Suter
6.16. Trans. N.Y.

Receipts for Cash paid _____ years' interest on Notes given by the Commissioners of the several Counties for Militia Services.
   No. of Voucher. No. of Certif. Date. SIGNED BY. PAYABLE TO. Amount. 1 y's int.     L   Indent 1707 Oct. 22. 1784 Thos d Clark Aaron Whitehead 5. 4. 2 —   Do 1841 Oct. 30 " Do Do 3. 10. 10  
STATE OF NEW JERSEY:
I, CHARLES G. McCHESNEY, Secretary of State of the State of New Jersey, do hereby certify, that the foregoing is a true abstract from a Book, headed as above, as taken from, and compared with the original, now remaining in my office.—And I do further certify, that Thomas Clark was, by an Act, passed by the Legislature of this State, December 20, 1783, entitled "An Act to procure an estimate of the sums due to the Militia and Troops who have been raised for the defence of the frontiers of the State, and to provide for the settlement of the same," appointed a Commissioner for the County of Essex for the purpose of settling and adjusting the pay rolls of the Militia and Troops of this State, as aforesaid, and also for signing and delivering out to each and every person a note for the payment of what may be justly due.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office, at Trenton, in said State, this fifteenth day of August A. D. one thousand eight hundred and forty- four .
Charles G. McChesney Secretary of State.

July 31. 1844
Hon
My Adolph Mary Sutter
J. L. Edwards
Conmission Merchant Washington D. C.
gr gr

New York
July 29. 1842
Dear Sir
Your letter to the Hon. Paston King on the subject of the application of Mary Sutter for a pension under the act of 1838 as the widow of Aaron Whitehead was transmitted by him to me
I embraced the first opportunity that my business would allow to go to New Jersey to the place locality where the revolutionary services of Mrs. Whitehead were rendered with a view of getting all the evidence that could be had on the subject in order that I might at once bring the case within the help of legal evidence which the wisdom of ages has established as salutary and as conducive to the establishment of truth. That is that the best evidence must be produced that the nature of the case will admit of. And I am now up to you now that the best evidence that can be had is now produced, and that there is not now available other than the two witnesses whose depositions I send you a summary of the men who composed Captain Loring's Company. More particularly than is contained in the affidavits is impossible from the witnesses. I stated this in collections to the ultimate the lapse of nearly seventy years would not allow them to be more particular and the

very want of particularity in a service marked by striking incidents was in my judgment (as it is in the judgment of law) the best evidence of the integrity of the testimony. To con- demn evidence for the want of particularity of details or for the want of accuracy in the chronology of events would be in my judgment to perjury.
Accuracy after the lapse of seventy years is impossible and accuracy under such circumstances would be more than sus- picious.
I beg you to bear in mind that although 70 years have elapsed that the evidence that is produced is not secondary it is primary.
I believe that the proposition is undeniable that the evidence is the best that the nature of the case will admit of. Human informants will not admit of greater accuracy or greater certainty. To pass a law granting relief and then to require impossible evidence would be mockery. One of these witnesses is 90 years of age and I found him in the hay field taking hay. Instead of having weak evidence it is out of the ordinary course of nature that we have been enabled to get direct and positive evidence of a service of 60 years by an eye witness who is clear and explicit as clear and as explicit as is consistent with the credibility.
Now Sir you cannot escape the conclu- sion that if the two witnesses who have testimony are entitled to pensions Mr. Whitehead would be entitled to a pension. They are pensioners. The names of the survivors of the members of Capt. Loring's Company must be histor- ically known in your department. They

were such as entitled them to pensions. The two veterans receive pensions. If any thing be lacking to harmonize the survivor of Capt Loring's Com- pany. I invoke the aid of the list money that must be on file in your department. Mr Whitehead did his duty as a member of that company faithfully to the end. That is proved conclusively.
I beg your attention to this matter. The widow is now suffering with from sickness and disappoint- ment.
I am Truly Yours
Colt V Eay
J. L. Edwards Esq
Commr of Pensions
to the and Condu

J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.
PAID
67 1/8
Mr. Cole
144
Mr. [unclear] [unclear] [unclear]

New York September 22 d 1848.
Sir,
I enclose the application of Mrs. Mary Sutter a Revolutionary pensioner, for a renewal of her pension, and Certificate, under the act of 2 d February 1848. Please enclose the Certificate to my address as soon as it can be issued.
Yours Reply.
J. L. Edwards Esq. Comm r of Pensions
Charles McLean

517 Summit Ave. Westfield, New Jersey. Dec. 21, 1928.
Bureau of Pensions Washington, D. C. Gentlemen:
I am writing to you in an effort to obtain information con- cerning a Revolutionary ancestor of mine, Aaron Whitehead . He served in the Essex County, New Jersey Militia, 1st Regulars, under Captain Benjamin Lang. His wife, Mary Prall

Whitehead , received a pension for his ser- vices. (He served through- out the Revolution.) I greatly wish to know the date of his birth, and the date of his wife's death . Any other information , at all, that you can send me will be greatly appreciated.
If a fee is necessary, I will send it immediately upon receipt of the in- formation, as I must have it by January fifth . I am Historian of Westfield Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution,

and need the data for supplemental ancestor papers.
Any information that you have will be appre- ciated. I hope for an early reply.
Most Sincerely yours, Ruth S. Hubert.

State of New Jersey } County of Essex }
Personally appeared before me Elias Kirkpatrick one of the justices of the peace in and for the County of Essex and State of New Jersey John B Osborn who is now in the ninetieth year of his age a resident of the Township of Westfield County and State aforesaid who being duly sworn on his oath saith that Aaron Whitehead served in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary war that they served in the Army together in one Company of Militia under Captain Benjamin Laine from the year seventy five to eighty in the year of our Lord Seventeen hundred and so forth as aforesaid this deponent further saith that they both served under Colonel Jaquith, deponent further saith that Aaron Whitehead had a family and lived in the Township of Westfield deponent further saith they both were drafted and further this deponent saith not
John B Osborn
Sworn and subscribed before me } fifteenth day of February 1844 }
Elias Kirkpatrick one of the justices of the peace for the County of
Essex and State of New Jersey
I Elias Kirkpatrick do here certify that I am well acquainted with John B Osborn and Jonathan H Osborn the persons who have signed the accompanying affidavits and that they are men fully entitled to credit and men of good standing in society and of irreproachable character I being acquainted with them for the last fifteen years
Elias Kirkpatrick justice of the peace

State of New Jersey County of Essex
Personally appeared before me Elias Kirkpatrick one of the Justices of the peace in and for the County of Essex and State of New Jersey Jonathan H. Osborn who is now Eighty four years of age a resident of the Township of Westfield County and State aforesaid who being duly sworn on his oath saith Aaron Whitehead served in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War in the State of New Jersey that he served in the same Company with him under Captain Benjamin Laing in the Militia and deponent further believes that Aaron Whitehead was Lawfully Married to Mary Pratt and deponent further saith that he has been frequently at the residence of the family of Aaron Whitehead and they had three Children and further this deponent saith not sworn and subscribed before me Jonathan H. Osborn This fifteenth day of February 1844 Elias Kirkpatrick one of the Justices of the peace in the County of Essex and State of New Jersey
Elias Kirkpatrick
State of New Jersey County of Essex
ss. I John P. Jackson Clerk of the County of Essex Do hereby certify that Elias Kirkpatrick before whom the annexed Affidavits of Jonathan H. Osborn and John B. Osborn were severally made and taken at the time of taking the same was and still is one of the Justices of the Peace in for said County duly commissioned & sworn and that the signatures "Elias Kirkpatrick" to the jurats of said affidavits & the certificate thereon written - respectively are genuine
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & official seal at Newark the fifteenth day of February AD Eighteen hundred & forty four - J P Jackson Clerk

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress of the 2d. February 1848, granting pensions to certain widows who have received pensions under the act of 17th June 1844.
State of New York City of Brooklyn, County of Kings ss: On this Twentieth - day of September in the year One Thousand eight hundred and forty eight, personally appeared before the Subscriber a Commissioner of Deeds in and for the City of Brooklyn in the County and State aforesaid, Mary Sutter, a resident of said City of Brooklyn in said County of Kings and State of New York, aged Seventy seven years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed on the 2nd February 1848, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War. That she is the widow of John H. Sutter, and was formerly the widow of Aaron Whitehead who was a private in the Revolutionary Army, and that she received an annual pension of Twenty dollars under the act of 17th June 1844, from the agent of the United States for paying Pensions in the City of New York.
She further declares that she is still a widow.
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me Elias R. Stoddard Comm n of Deeds. Mary Sutter
I certify that the above named declarant is personally known to me. Sept n 20 th 1848. Elias R. Stoddard Comm n of Deeds

STATE OF NEW YORK, } ss. COUNTY OF KINGS, }
I, JOHN M. HICKS, Clerk of the County of Kings, DO HEREBY CERTIFY, that Chas R. Stradard , whose name is subscribed to the Certificate of Proof, or acknowledgment of the annexed Instrument, and thereon written, was, at the time of taking such proof or acknowledgment, a Commissioner of Deeds, in and for the City of Brooklyn, in said County, dwelling in said City, commissioned and sworn, and duly authorised to take the same. And further, that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of such Commissioner, and verily believe the Signature to the said Certificate of Proof or acknowledgment  and Instrument to be genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of said County, this 21 day of Sept. 1848.
John M. Hicks
CLERK.

State of New Jersey. Essex County to wit
John B Osborn of the town of Westfield in said County and State being duly sworn deposes and saith that he resides at Scotch Plains in said town County and State and has resided there since he was seven years of age that this deponent was during the Revolution- ary was a sergeant in Captain Benja- min Laings Company of New Jersey Infantry from the commencement year 1777 until the close of the Revolutionary war. That this deponent was well acquainted with Aaron Whitehead a private in said Company that said Aaron Whitehead was a member of said Company according to the best of this deponents recollection from the time that Captain Laing took the command thereof until the close of the war and informed all the duty required of him faithfully that said Company was located at and near Scotch Plains. and that the services performed by said Company were as follows. The said Company was from the year 1777 until the war terminated organ- ized for service and ready to be called into service that the members of said Company were called into service generally by Claps at inter- vals alternately during said war that said Whitehead faithfully performed the services required of him as a member of said Company and

maintained a good character to the end as a soldier. That the deponent recollects that said Aaron Whitehead was in the service of said Company on a tour of duty at Moses Mill keeping guard against the British Skirmish that Gen. Ethier Col. Jaques or Colonel Crane were in command there that he said Whitehead was there at intervals and at different times. That the deponent believes that further says that according to the best of his recollection said Whitehead was on a tour of duty with the deponent at Shrewsbury and at Monmouth at the battle fought there. and was at Woodbridge. also
That it is impossible for this deponent at the distance of time to recollect all the particular services in which either himself or said Whitehead were engaged but of the facts that said Whitehead was a member of said Company from 1777 to the close of war. and that he performed his duties as a soldier as required and that said Company was either in actual service or at all times ready to go into actual service he has a dishonored and lost his recollection of and desires to be understood as emphatically testifying to their
Sworn and subscribed before me this 13 th day of July 1844
Cooper Parr
Judge of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas
John B. G. Osborn

State of New Jersey County of Essex to wit. I do certify that on this 13 th day of July in the year 1844 John B Osborn whose name is subscri- bed to the foregoing deposition personally appeared before me Cooper Parr one of the Judges of the Superior Court of Common Pleas of the said County and State and being then duly sworn did depose and say that the facts and matters set forth in said deposition were true according to the best of his knowledge recollection and belief
Cooper Parr Judge of the Superior Court of Common Pleas

State of New Jersey County of Essex to wit
Jonathan H. Osborn of the township of Westfield in said County and State being duly sworn  affirmed depose the and saith that he was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and that he served as such in the militia of the State of New Jersey as a private & a drummer in the company of Captain Benja- min Laing. That this deponent served in said Company from the commence- ment of the summer of the year 1777. until the close of the Revolutionary war except at intervals this deponent was not in actual service but was at all times ready and held himself ready to be called into the service. That this deponent was well acquainted with Aaron Whitehead that at the time of the Revolutionary war the said Aaron Whitehead resided at a place called Short Hills about two miles and an half from Scotch Plains in said town and County and State at which place (Scotch Plains) this deponent then and still resides. That this deponent verily believes that the said Aaron Whitehead served with this deponent in said Company of Captain Laing from the commencement of the summer in the year 1777 until the close of the war although this de- ponent has not a distinct recollection that the said Aaron Whitehead

was with this deponent in all the tours of service in which this deponent was engaged during said war as a soldier. yet this deponent cannot say that does he recollect that the said Aaron Whitehead was now with him . This deponent has now the most distinct recollection that the said Aaron Whitehead was for several years a soldier with this deponent in service in said war in said Captain Lains Company in the militia of the state of New Jersey and this deponent verily believes that he did so serve from the year 1777 until the close of the war. That this deponent has a distinct and definite recollection that said Aaron Whitehead was out with this deponent on a tour of duty as a soldier in said company at Newark in the state of New Jersey about one month. rather and this deponent believes although he is not certain that Colonel Spencer had been stationed at Newark at said time, but this deponent does recollect distinctly that Captain Lains was at Newark in person in command of his company. That this deponent does recollect that said Aaron Whitehead was in the service of said company at Elizabeth Town and was there engaged in assisting in erecting the fort at that place that this deponent believes according to the best of his recollection that Major Hays was in command at that time at

Elizabethtown That said Whitehead was in service in said Captain Laings Com- pany at Tumbler Point Redoubt guard at different intervals of time as Regiments and was also in service in said company at Woodbridge. That this deponent has a general and positive recollection that said Aaron Whitehead was a member of said Company from about the time that Captain Laing as- sumed the command thereof in the year 1777 until the close of the war that he was actually in service at intervals during said war and that said Company was ready and the mem- bers thereof ready, at all times to perform such services as were required of them and that said Whitehead as a member of said Company did his duty and the services required of him faith- fully to the end of the war as a member and further that deponent says and
Subscribed and affirmed before me this 13 th day of July 1844 Jonathan H. Abbott
State of New Jersey County of Essex to wit. I do certify that on this 13 th day of July in the year 1844 the said Jonathan H. as above personally appeared before me Captain Parse one of the judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of said County and State and being by me

duly affirmed do affirm and say that the facts and matters set forth in the foregoing affirmation to which he had subscribed his name were true to the best of his knowledge, recollection and belief and I further certify that the said John than H. Osborn is generally known to me.
Cooper Paine Judge of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas
State of New Jersey County of Essex ss.
I John P. Jackson Clerk of the County of Essex and of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for said County Do hereby certify that the affirmation Cooper Paine before whom the annexed affidavit of John B. Osborn, and Jonathan H. Osborn, was severally made and taken, was at the time of taking the same and still is one of the Judges of said Court duly commissioned and sworn, that I am well acquainted with his hand writing, and well believe that the signatures "Cooper Paine" to the first of said affidavit of John B. Osborn, & the affirmation of Jonathan H. Osborn and the certificate thereunder written, respectively are genuine. —
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and official seal at the City of Newark in the County of Essex aforesaid, the Twenty Sixth day of July A.D. Eighteen hundred and forty four —
J. P. Jackson Clk.

In the matter of the Pension of Mary Suter Widow of Aaron Whittier
Hon. F. O. J. Smith Hon. F. O. J. Smith Pres't
Mar 7 45
Mr King will keep this.
The two entrapes are brother's for sister's names in Capt Lums Camp and are the only surviving soldiers of that Company. I suppose you look at their names?

State of New Jersey Essex County to wit
John B. Osborn of the town of Westfield in said County and State being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he re- sides at Scotch Plains in said town county and state and has resided there since he was seven years of age that this deponent was during the Revolutionary War a Sergeant in Captain Benjamin Lains Company of New Jersey Militia from the year 1777 until the close of the Revolutionary War. That this de- ponent was well acquainted with Aaron White- head a private in said Company that said Aaron Whitehead was a member of said Com- pany according to the best of this deponent's re- collection from the time that Captain Lains took the command thereof until the close of the war and performed all the duty required of him faithfully. That said company was located at and near Scotch Plains and that the services performed by said company were as follows. The said company was from the year 1777 until the war terminated organized for service and ready to be called into ser- vice that the members of said company were called into service generally by claps at inter- vals alternately during said war that said Whitehead faithfully performed the services required of him as a member of said company and maintained a good character to the end as a soldier. That this deponent recollects that said Aaron Whitehead was in the service of said company on a tour of duty at Moses Mills keeping guard against the British I believe that either Colonel Bagges or Colo- nel Crane were with them and there that said Whitehead was at intervals and at dif-
as witness my hand

Proof That claimants husband was on a tour of duty at Shrewsbury & at Monmouth
Proof That he was a member of the company at all times from 1777 to close of the war
several periods that this deponent further says that according to the best of his recollection said Whitehead was on a tour of duty with this de- ponent at Shrewsbury and at Monmouth at the battle fought there and was at Wood- bridge also
That it is impossible for this deponent at this distance of time to recollect all the particular services in which either himself or said Whitehead were engaged but of the facts that said Whitehead was a member of said company from 1777 to the close of war and that he performed his duties as a soldier as required and that said company was either in actual service or at all times ready to go into actual service he has a distinct and positive recollection and desires to be under- stood as explicitly testifying to them
Sworn and subscribed before me this 13 th day of July 1844
John B. Osborn
Cooper Parse Judge of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas
State of New Jersey County of Essex to wit. I do certify that on this 13 th day of July in the year 1844 John B Osborn whose name is subscribed to the foregoing deposition personally appeared before me Cooper Parse one of the Judges of the Infer- ior Court of Common Pleas of the said county and state and being by me duly sworn did depose and say that the facts and matters set forth in said deposition were true according to the best of his knowledge recollection and be- lief Cooper Parse Judge of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas

State of New Jersey County of Essex to wit:
Jonathan Osborn of the township of Westfield in said County and State being duly affirmed deposeth and saith that he was a soldier in the Revolu- tionary War and that he served as such in the Militia of the State of New Jersey as a private & a drummer in the company of Captain Benjamin Laing that this deponent served in said company from the commence- ment of the summer of the year 1777 until the close of the Revolutionary war except at intervals this deponent was not in actual service but was at all times ready and held himself ready to be called into the service. That this deponent was well acquaint- ed with Aaron Whitehead that at the time of the Revolutionary War the said Aaron Whitehead resided at a place called Short hills about two miles and a half from Scotch Plains in said town and county and state at which place (Scotch Plains) this deponent then and still re- sides. That this deponent verily believes that the said Aaron Whitehead served with this deponent in said Company of Captain Laing from the commencement of the summer in the year 1777 until the close of the war although this deponent has not a distinct recollection that the said Aaron Whitehead was with this deponent in all the tours of ser- vice in which this deponent was engaged during said war as a soldier yet this de- ponent cannot say nor does he recollect that the said Aaron Whitehead was not with him. This deponent has now the most distinct recollection that the said
1777 close of war
Proof of service as a member of the company, called into active service between 1777 & 1781 war

Proof of Service years Service
Proof of Service at Newark
Proof of Service at Elizabethtown
Proof of Service at Furness Point
Aaron Whitehead was for several years a soldier with this deponent in service in said war in said Captain Laings Company in the Militia in the State of New Jersey and this deponent (verily) believes that he did so serve from the year 1777 until the close of the war. That this deponent has a distinct and definite recollection that said Aaron Whitehead was out with this deponent on a tour of duty as a soldier in said company at Newark in the State of New Jersey about one month and this deponent believes although he is not certain that Colonel Spencer had command at Newark at said time but this deponent does recollect distinctly that Captain Laing was at Newark in person in command of his company. That this deponent does recollect that said Aaron Whitehead was in the said service in said company at Elizabeth Town and was there engaged in assisting in erecting the fort at that place that this deponent believes according to the best of his recollection that Major Hays was in command at that time at Elizabethtown. That said Whitehead was in service in said Captain Laings company at Furness Point keeping guard at different intervals of time as required and was also in such service at Woodbridge in Elizabethtown. That this deponent has a general and positive recollection that said Aaron Whitehead was a member of said company from about the time that Captain Laing assumed the command thereof in the year 1777 until the close of the war that he was actually in service at intervals during said war and that said Company was

ready and the same has there of ready at all times to perform such services as were required of them and that said Whitehead as a member of said company did his duty and the services required of him faithfully to the end of the war and further this deponent says not
Jonathan H Osborn
Subscribed and affirmed before me this 13 th day of July 1844
State of New Jersey County of Essex to wit. I do certify that on this 13 th day of July in the year 1844 the said Jonathan H Osborn personally appeared before me Cooper Paine one of the Judges of the Superior Court of Common Pleas of said County and State and being by me sworn duly affirmed did affirm and say that the facts and matters set forth in the foregoing affirmation to which he had subscribed his name were true to the best of his knowledge recollection and belief and I further certify that the said Jonathan H Osborn is personally known to me
Cooper Paine Judge of the Superior Court of Common Pleas