Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 6423, Charles Wager, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey
Wager, Charles Hannah
N 6423
CONTENTS

1882 New Jersey
Hannah Wager
widow of Charles Wager
who died on the 6 th Sept. 1820
Morris Co in the State of New Jersey
who was a private in the Company commanded
by Captain Terry of the reg t commanded
by Col. Drake N. J. in the New Jersey
for 18 months.
Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey
at the rate of 60 Dollars — Cents, per annu
to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 th day of March 1838 — and sent to Hon L. Condict, Morristown.
Arrears to the 14th of March 1838 $420.
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sep 38 30.
$450.
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 rd }
Recorded by J. Allison Clerk
Book A, Vol. 2 Page 134
Let to Cha Freeman Aug 12.
1842
Hon Geo Vail Nov 14 1834

Morris Town N.J.
Nov 11 1852
Col L P Waldo Comm of Pensions
Dear Sir
Charles Wager widow, who was from this county (Morris) was a pensioner up to her death, which took place 15 Nov 1852. When the Certificate was returned to the pension agent.
The daughter of said Charles & Hannah Wager is a constituent of mine, and she has been told that there was a considerable back pension due to her mother for her father's services as a Revolutionary soldier, serving in the Militia —
My object in writing is to ask you (if the rules of your office will allow you) to examine the records of your office & if you find that the truth has been to the Miss Wager, to let me know what proof is re- quired before you to enable the heir to draw the money. I am well acquainted with Mrs Wager and know that she is honestly the heir of Charles & Hannah Wager — Your reply will oblige Yours truly, Geo Tait

V 250 Hannah Wager New Jersey.
Morris County.
Hannah Wager widow of Charles Wager decd.
(Original application)
admitted for 18 months to $ 60.
Return to Lewis Condict Morris-town, N. Jersey.

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the 3 d section of the act of Congress of July 4 th . 1836.
State of New Jersey, Morris County ss.
On this 3 rd day of August, 1837, personally appeared before the subscriber, a Judge of the Common Pleas, & Justice of the peace in & for the County of Morris aforesaid. Mrs. Hannah Wagon, a resident of Morris township in the County of Morris aforesaid, aged 76 years, believed by me to be a woman of fair character for truth, & in all respects fully entitled to belief, - who from age, & great bodily infirmity, I hereby certify is unable to attend the Common Pleas Court, & she, having been by me 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. - viz. I am the widow of Charles Wagon, who was a Militia soldier, a private, in the com- -manded by Captain Nathaniel Horton, & who served in the war of the revolution, in the Regi- -ment of Militia of Morris County, commanded by Colonel Jacob Drake, & sometimes also under Captain Nathan Leve, Capt. Tury, & probably other Captains. His first service as I believe, was in the year 1776, as a private of Militia in Capt. Horton's co: & Col. Drake's Regiment at Elizabeth town, & I believe the most of his subsequent service in the war, was upon the lines of the enemy, not very far from Staten Island, in the neighbourhood of Newark, Elizabeth town Raritan, New Brunswick & that quarter of the State. He performed his Militia duties in the manner common to the Militia in that quarter, sometimes, perhaps by draught, but most frequently as a volunteer, when notified by his officers that his services were needed. I have no documentary evidence of his service; nor any knowledge of it, except from his own narration, & the narration of others who served with him occasionally. I have heard him tell of several battles in which he served his Country, & in which I have no doubt he was personally engaged - viz: Springfield, Monmouth, Short Hills, Red Bank, Connecticut Farms. His duties in Militia, were performed under Genl. Windes, Col. Drake, Col. Suly, Genl. Heide, Col. Ford, Col. Hathaway & others. For particulars, which are unknown to me, I respectfully refer the Commissioners of Pensions to the few surviving comrades of my husband, whose depositions I may perhaps obtain. I firmly believe he served faithfully throughout the war from beginning to end, in every year whilst it continued.
I was married to the late Charles Wagon when I was 17 years old, by Rev. William Woodhull then Minister of the Presbyterian Church at Black River so then called, in Roxbury township, & in that part of said township which now forms Chester township, in the fall season, in the year 1778. I believe my marriage was in the month of September. My oldest son, Allen Wagon, was 57 years old in January last, 1837, & he was born 15 months after I was married to Charles Wagon. - Our family bible did contain a record of my marriage, my own & my husband's age, the ages of our children &c. - We lived as tenants in a small house in Chester township, 15 years since, owned by David Lewis, who rented our little furniture for rent, by

by a Landlord's warrant, & thus deprived me of the only means in my power, to prove the time of my marriage, or the birth of my children. I have never seen my family record since it was so taken, nor can I tell whether it is, or is not in being. I do not know a single person living, who was present at our marriage, nor is it in my power to state the day of the month; I believe it was in September however, & I have before stated the age of my oldest son, & feel confident that my memory in that respect, is accurate. — My husband, the said Charles Wager, lived in Chester, (then Roxbury) when he first began his Militia service in the war. His precise age I cannot now tell, for want of our family record; but I know he was 10 or 11 years older than myself. He died at Chester township, on the sixth  20th of September, 1820. & I have remained a Widow from that period to the present time, as will more fully appear, by reference to testimony hereto annexed.
The only persons living, to my knowledge, who served with my husband in the war, & who came his acquaintance, are Job Love, John Johnson & Robert Young. They are very aged & feeble, & I shall endeavour if practicable, to obtain their evidence. — I am unable to leave my room, & most of the time am confined to my bed, with the infirmities of age. I live with a single daughter, Harriett Wager, on whose industry I am entirely dependent for my food & clothing. If the Militia service of my deceased husband entitle me to a pension, I shall feel thankful to receive it of my Country.
I was born in Elizabeth town in the County of Essex, in the State of New Jersey on the 7 th of August, in the year of our Lord 1751, according to the best of my knowledge & belief, having no record, as I have before stated, to refute my recollection. My parents removed to Chester in Morris County when I was very young, where I lived with them until I was married, when we lived till his death. About 4 years past I removed to Morris township, where I now live, with my single daughter Harriett Wager, who with myself, try to support ourselves by attending a turnpike gate, & taking in from the neighbours, some sewing work. I was Subscribed, at the dwelling of Mrs. Hannah Wager, in Morris township, this 3 rd day of August, in the year of our Lord, 1837.
Before me
Hannah her  X Wager mark
Subscribed one of the Judges of the Inferior Court for the County of Morris — }

State of New Jersey, Morris County p:
I, Joseph Dalrimple Esq re Clerk of Morris County, do hereby certify, that Silas Condict Esq re & Charles Ford Esq re before whom the annexed Declaration of Hannah Wager, widow of Charles Wager dec d . hereto annexed, & the deposition of Robert Young & of John Johnson also hereto annexed, were severally taken & subscribed, are judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in & for said County of Morris, duly commissioned & authorized; & I do further certify, that Nathan A. Cooper Esq re before whom the deposition of William Woodhull Esq re & of the Rev d Abraham Williamson, hereto annexed, were taken & subscribed; & that Elijah Ward Esq re before whom the deposition of Job Lorce, hereto annexed, was taken & subscribed, are justices of the peace, in & for said County of Morris duly commissioned & qualified. The respective signatures of the said Silas Condict, Charles Ford, Nathan A. Cooper & Elijah Ward Esq re as submitted to the said Declaration & deposition, are all of them genuine.
Witness my signature, & the seal of my office, at Morristown this 15 th August, Anno Domini 1837.
Joseph Dalrimple Clerk

Abstract of Militia duties by Charles Wagon of V.I.
  1 month in Decr. 76,  T. Sprigfield's battle.  R. Young witness. Johnson & Lorne.    3 in Janr. Feb. March & Apr. 76 & 77 near N. Brumle  Young Johnson Lorne.     1 summer 77.  Eliz th . town  Do. Do. Do.    1 fall 77 toward N. Windsor  Do. Do.     1 summer 78  Eliz th . T. Spotswood  Do. Do. Do. Do.    1 fall  Hack th . Polliply  Do. Do. Lorne    1 1/2 summer  Minisink  Do. Do.    1 fall  Aquacheneck  Do. Do. Do.    1 fall  Redbank. Mudport  Do.    1 Aug t . & Sept r .  guard from Succasunna  Do. Do. Do.    1 fall to guard Refuge office, h. camp at Morris town  Do. Do. Do.     1 spring  Connietown battle  Do. Do. Do.    1 June  Sprigfield's battle  Do. Do. Do.    1 in Novr. "Mudcoundar", to N. Brumle &c.  Do. Do.     1 in Aug t . after L. Island battle  Do.     1 early in summer 76  at Eliz th . town. Johnson & Lorne     1 fall of 82  Eliz th . town. Lorne     19 1/2 months. Militia duty, as a private.    
H. Lorne J. G. ... Do. Do. Do.

State of New Jersey Morris Co. Before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace personally appeared Jeremiah Ho- mer, known to me to be the person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing affidavit, and acknowledged to me that he executed the same for the purposes and consideration therein expressed. Given under my hand and the seal of the said Justice of the Peace this _____ day of _____ 19____ Subscribed to me this _____ day of _____ 19____ _____ Justice of the Peace.

State of New Jersey Morris County ss Before the subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared William Woodhull Esq. of Chester township in said County personally well known to me as a man of truth and of highly respectable character and who having by me been duly sworn according to law saith as follows viz: - I am now in the 70 th year of my age, have lived in the parish I now do since an infant my father was the Rev d William Woodhull (now dec d ) for several years the minister of the Presbyterian church and congregation in this place Charles Wager dec d whose widow Hannah Wager formerly Hannah Sayer is now an applicant for a pension, on account of the revolutionary services of her husband, lived with my father in this place (Chester) in time of said war, and I have a distinct remembrance of said Charles Wager from my boyhood to the time of his death, I said Charles Wager was married by my father at my father's house in my presence to Hannah Sayer in time of the war, I am also well acquainted with Allen Wager Eldest son of said Charles and Hannah Wager, whom I have known from his childhood He has often worked for me and now lives near me, I am Executor of my father's estate and have never seen among his papers any record of marriages kept by him and believe there is none, I have been an Elder in the Presbyterian church in this place for many years and have been conversant with the records of said church and have never seen nor heard of any record of marriages solemn- nized by the pastors of that date, and believe there is none, The first law of the State of New Jersey which requires marriages to be recorded, ac- cording to the best of my knowledge and belief bears date about the year 1795 and it is my belief that no record of marriages was kept by the pastors prior to that date, — Charles Wager was as I have always understood and believe a militia soldier in the Revolutionary war and performed much active militia service in defence of his country through- out said war, I am well acquainted with his widow Hannah Wager, Her husband died some 15 or 16 years since and she has remained a widow from his death to this time, as I verily believe,
Wm Woodhull
Sworn and subscribed before me at Chester Morris County August 14 th 1837
Before me Nathan A. Cooper Justice of the peace

State of New Jersey Morris County ss Before the subscriber a Justice of peace in and for said County personally appeared Rev d Abraham Williamson well known to me to be the pastor of the Presbyterian church of Chester in said county, who being duly sworn saith as follows viz y . I have been the settled Pastor of the Presbyterian church and congregation of Chester since the year 1824 Rev d William Woodhull who died about a year after I came to this place was as he said and as his children say one of my early predecessors and as I believe from the statements of his children and others Pastor of this church (Chester) before and during part of the time of the revolutionary war, I am conversant with the records of said church and of the session thereof, so far as they are in the possession of said church, and I verily believe that there is no record of marriages to be found kept by any of my predecessors prior to the year of our Lord 1795 which I understand to be about the time when by an act of the Legislature of New Jersey it was made the duty of the clergymen and others who are authorized to solemnize marriages to furnish certif- icates thereof to the county clerks for the purpose of recording them Sworn and subscribed at Chester August 14 th 1837
Before me Abraham Williamson Nathan H. Cooper Justice of the peace

State of New Jersey Morris County ss. Judge of the Common Pleas Before the subscriber a Justice of peace in & for said County, personally appeared Robert Young of said County, an aged citizen, a soldier of the Revolution, well known to me as a man of truth & fair character, who having been by me duly sworn according to Law, on his oath saith as
follows, viz: I am 85 years old, since the 13 th day of February, last, was a soldier of Militia in the war of '75, was well acquainted with Charles Wager before the war, & until his death. He lived in that part of Roxbury, now called Chester, distant from me about 4 miles & we trained in the same Militia Regiment, under Colonel Jacob Drake & often performed Militia duties under Col. Drake & Genl. Windes, when stationed together, or near to each other. I recollect said Charles Wager on a monthly tour of Militia duty in Capt. Horton Lewis company at Springfield, in December 76, in Col. Drake's regiment, when a battle was fought with the enemy, at that village. Genl. Hears commanded the Militia - Col. Ford, Bott, & Munson were present. A considerable number of Hessian were made prisoners by Col. Spencer & were sent to Morris town & elsewhere. The Militia were kept out to protect the country between Elizabeth town & Springfield a month. I remember Wager in January 77, in the same Regiment & company, under Genl. Windes command, at Van Middles near Guilford town, & a few miles West of N. Brunswick & Amboy, when the British lay all winter, & did not break up till the middle of April. Wager was on this station not less than 3 months - the whole Militia being there under Genl. Windes & Dickinson - & Colonels Drake, Ford, Suly, Frelinghuysen & others, till the enemy marched out of Brunswick. I remember Wager performing Militia duty a month, under Captain Horton at Elizt. town point, in Col. Drake's regiment, guarding the shore near Staten Island, in the summer season. In the fall of that year (77) before the burning of Scupper, Genl. Windes, Col. Suly, & Col. Drake commanded a detachment of Militia with orders to march up the North river. We proceeded through Supex to near New Windsor, & heard there that Burgoyne had surrendered. & were marched home by Pompton when we resumed our duties performing guard duty a month. Just before the Monmouth battle I was stationed at Elizt. town point under Genl. Windes performing guard duty. Wager was present in Capt. Lewis company & Drake's regiment - Genl. Windes command - who marched the detachment some distance beyond Brunswick & returned to Elizt. town, where we performed guard duty the rest of the month. I remember Wager on a monthly tour of Militia service near Hackensack, in a skirmish with the enemy at Polifly fort, under Genl. Windes, Col. Suly & Major Hays, in the fall of the year. I recollect him also in a tour against the Indians at Minisink on the Delaware, under Genl. Windes, Col. Suly, Col. Drake, Capt. Lewis & others in the summer season before harvest. We were about 6 weeks in this expedition. He was with us in an engagement with the enemy at Aquackanonk bridge in the fall season, under Genl. Windes, Colonels Suly, Frelinghuysen, Hays & Hathaway present

Joby Bell was a near neighbor of Wager, & in Lewis's company with Wager. He was killed instantly, sitting under a tree, by an accidental discharge of a musket, in a short time after the battle was over. The Militia under Genl. Wind, was kept on duty a month, along the Delaware & near Newark, protecting the inhabitants & guarding the lines.
Wager spent a month in performing a tour of Militia duty at Fort Mifflin & at Haddonfield & Morristown, below Philadelphia, in Captain Lewis's company, under Col. Seely, in the fall season. - He also performed a month Militia duty, in guarding the public stores at Succasunna plains, under command of Captain Young, in August & September. - I remember to have seen Wager on guard duty a month under Capt. Beach. at Morris town, when Captain Lipp, & another officer, (Refugees) were hanged in the fall season at that place by Sheriff Carmichael.
In the spring of 1780, the enemy burnt Connecticut farms, after a battle with the Militia under Genl. Wind, Colonels Seely, Hetherway, Fulgham. Wager then performed a month's Militia service in Capt. Lewis's company, & was in that engagement. The British soon after returned, & another battle was fought at Springfield, in same which village they also burnt & retreated to Staten Island. Wager was then in Lewis's company, under Genl. Wind, & engaged in that battle & found out his mouth under Capt. Lewis, in guarding the lines between Elizt. town & Springfield. I remember Wager performing a tour of Militia duty under Capt. Lewis, in the spring season, when the Pennsylvania line mutinied, near Vial town & Pluckemin, in Somerset County. - Then Militia services by Wager & others, were ordered by draft - generally as volunteers - the Militia being closed, & each day marching on order from their officers: - When the enemy were very strong, the whole body of Militia going together. I cannot be precise, as to dates, & I may be in error sometimes as to the names of officers, owing to my age, & length of time. Wager, I know, was in active Militia duty, every year from beginning to end of the war. He died, some 14 or 15 years since - perhaps longer. He married Hannah Payne, before the war ended. She now lives within a mile & a half of me, with her single daughter Harriet, who maintains her mother, by attending a turnpike gate. They are very poor, & worthy people. I have known her since the death of her husband Charles Wager, & she remains his widow to this day. Sworn & subscribed at the dwelling of Robert Young this 3 rd day of August, 1837 before me.
Robert Young
Silas Woodruff one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas for the Co. of Morris

State of New Jersey, County of Morris, ss. Before the subscriber, a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, in & for said County of Morris, personally appeared John Johnson of Morris County aforesaid, living near me; & personally well known to me as a man of truth & fair character, & who being by me duly sworn according to law, on his oath saith as follows
viz: I am now in the 85 th year since the 5 th of April last. of my age. — I was a soldier in the war of the revolution from its beginning to its end, & was well acquainted personally with Charles Wagon, both before the war, as well as through it, & until his death in the year 1820, or about that period. He lived in Chester, & I lived at Saccasunary, about 4 miles apart, & during our boyhood we were well acquainted, & trained in the same regiment under Colonel Jacob Drake, & under whose command we both performed military service in each year of the war whilst it continued. — In the first year of the war, I recollect serving on guard duty in the summer season at Elizabeth town point, building breast-works opposite Staten Island, under a command of Colonel Drake, in Capt. Lacy's company, & Charles Wagon was performing the same service in Capt. Horton's company, in Col. Drake's regiment for a month; in the early part of summer. We all went as Volunteers. — Soon after the Long Island battle the Militia of the County was all ordered out & Col. Drake was stationed again below Elizabeth town with his regiment. I saw Charles Wagon performing Militia duty there in August & September a month, in Capt. Horton's company. Late in the fall of the same year, in November, Wagon was out performing Militia service in Horton's company & Drake's regiment a month, & whilst performing this tour at Elizabeth town, they joined Genl. Washington's Army in their retreat through Jersey, as far as New Brunswick, when the Militia returned homewards by a more northern road through Boundbrook, Pluckemin & Vestal town, & reached home in December, after a month's absence. The enemy sent a strong force of Hessian, Tories, refugees &c. from Staten Island through Elizt. town, & they found their way to Springfield, where the Militia under Genl. Head had an engagement with them. Charles Wagon was present, under Captain Horton & Col. Drake & Ford. A number of Hessian were made prisoners by Col. Spence's troops, who had his horse shot under him. We continued in the service, guarding the lines & protecting the inhabitants between Staten Island & Springfield, for a month.
The British were in winter quarters in Amboy & New Brunswick, & in January 77, Genl. Howe was encamped near Little town, 5 or 6 miles from N. Brunswick, having several regiments of Militia stationed in that quarter under his command. Col. Ford & Col. Drake, Col. Munn, Col. Philips, Haysen & others were on that station with him. Genl. Dickinson was also there. The whole Militia continued in this service, till the enemy evacuated N. Brunswick in April. Charles Wagon was on this tour not less than three months, under Col. Drake & in Captain Horton's company, during which time we had frequent skirmishes with the enemy in the neighbourhood of Amboy & N. Brunswick.
In the summer following, I saw Charles Wagon on a month's tour of Militia duty, in Col. Drake's regiment, & Captain Horton's company at Elizabeth town point, opposite Staten Island, protecting the inhabitants & guarding the stores in that quarter. — And in the fall of the same year, he

he was with us upon a tour up the Hudson river under Genl. Winds, Col. Seely, Col. Brann & some others. We were marched through Succasunney & the northern part of Sussex to Newburgh when we heard of the surrender of Burgoyne's army & the burning of Scopus. & we marched homeward by Poughkeepsie, where we remained some time till after the month had expired & we were discharged, & returned home. In May & June 78, I was with Charles Wagon at Elizabeth town point, on a month's tour of Militia duty under Genl. Winds, Colonel Brann, just before the Monmouth battle, & the whole force then stationed was marched through Woodbridge & New Brunswick to Spotswood, where it was said Genl. Winds recd. information which induced him to return with the Militia to Elizabeth town, when the month's service was completed & we returned home. Wagon was with me in the battle at Aquackanack bridge on the Raritan, under Genl. Winds, Colonel Seely, Col. Frelinghuysen, Col or Major Hays in the fall season. Joby Bell who lived a neighbor to Wagon in Chester, was accidentally killed by a musket ball through his head, soon after the battle. He was in the same company, (Captain Lewis) with Wagon & myself. We all spent a month in protecting the inhabitants & guarding the lines in Aquackanack & Newark & the adjoining country. — Wagon was with me on a tour against the Indians, under Genl. Winds & Capt. Lewis, in the next summer, on the Delaware & Minisink, where settlement they had burnt. We marched through Succasunney, by Sussex Court house to Minisink, & found the Indians had gone off. We were about not less than six weeks on this tour. Wagon was stationed one month with me, guarding the public stores in the Church, at Succasunney plains, early in the fall of the year, under command of Captain Youngs. I was with Wagon, one month upon Militia duty near Hackensack, under Genl. Winds, Colonels Hathaway, Seely, Frelinghuysen & Major Hays, when we had a skirmish with the enemy at a fort called Salliply, in the fall season.
I remember Wagon at the battle of Connecticut Farms in the spring of 1780, when Mrs. Goldense, a Blaggman's wife was shot through a window. Genl. Winds, Col. Seely, Hathaway Frelinghuysen & Hays were present & Wagon belonged to Lewis company. The enemy was followed by Genl. Winds to Elizt. town point skirmishing the whole distance, & the month's tour was spent in defending the lines from Newark, through Elizt. town — Woodbridge &c.
I remember Wagon at the Springfield battle in June or July following, under the same officers as at Connecticut Farms, & the month's duty was performed in the same manner. I may probably have not stated his services in the order of time, as they were performed; & in some instances may have mistaken names of some officers: but in the fact of Wagon's actual Militia services, I will know I have stated life, than were performed under my notice. Seen & submitted before me, at the residence of John Johnson. in Morris-township, this 31 st day of July, 1837.
his John X Johnson mark
Charles Forth

State of New Jersey, Morris County ss.
Before the subscriber, a justice of peace in & for said County, personally appeared Job Lores, of Mendham Township in said County, an aged man, of respectable standing, known by me personally as a man of truth & of fair character, who being by me duly sworn according to law, on his oath saith as follows, viz: —
78 years old. — I was born in Mendham Township, was a Militia soldier throughout the revolutionary war, & was well acquainted personally with Charles Wager, now deceased. & whose widow is now an applicant for a pension. Mr. Wager lived in that part of Roxbury, now called Chester, about 4 or 5 miles West of me, in Colonel Jacob Drake's Regiment of Morris Co. Militia, & I often saw Wager performing Militia duty in times of the revolutionary war, sometimes in Captain Horton's company, & sometimes in Captain Luce's company, & more frequently in the first year of the war, than in any other year. New Jersey was overrun by the enemy especially in the early part of the war, & the Militia was in service a large portion of the time. After 77, they were closed, & usually after that time went into service by days, except on invasion, when all were called into the field. — We commonly went as volunteers, when our officers called, & often were drafted. In the summer of 76, before harvest, I was performing a portion of Militia duty at Eliz. town point, in Capt. Luce's command, Col. Ford's regiment, & I remember Charles Wager in Captain Horton's company of Drake's regiment performing similar duty, (throwing up breast works of defence) opposite Staten Island, a month. This was in time of the first-hoeing of Corn. & I was engaged in that work, when I was called to march for Eliz. town. In October & Nov. of the same year I saw Wager on Militia duty at Eliz. town in Horton's company & in Col. Drake's regiment. We were stationed at the old barracks. Before this term of duty expired Genl. Washington's Army retreated through Eliz. town & the Militia fell in with his rear & followed on as far as N. Brunswick. Charles Wager, in Horton's co. joined in this retreat, with the rest of Drake's regiment. The Morris Militia were permitted to leave the army at or near Brunswick & we went home by Boundbrook, Rutherford & East town, being out more than a month, & not less than 6 weeks. In December, & very soon after we got home from Brunswick, the Refugees & Tories & Hessians came over from Staten Island in a large force & all the Morris Militia was called out & marched to Springfield, where under Genl. Heard's command a battle was fought & a number of Hessians made prisoners. Col. Ford, Col. Drake, Col. Cook, Major Bott, Col. Spencer & others were present. I was in Luce's company, & Wager was in Horton's company, & we were kept on duty protecting the country between Eliz. town & Springfield, for a month. — The British were in quarters in Amboy & N. Brunswick, & in Somerville, the whole Militia of Morris & the adjoining Counties were encamped a few miles West of Brunswick under Genl. Wind's Genl. Dickinson, at Dreibel town & Boundbrook & Plainfield. I was on duty that winter & recollect Charles Wager also, who was in Capt. Horton's company. I often saw Wager doing duty that winter, & until in April, the time when the enemy evacuated Brunswick & Amboy. We had several skirmishes with the enemy, at Ash Swamp, Short Hills, Woodbridge & Martin's woods. Col. Drake, Col. Ford, Col. Felinhyser, Col. Seely & Col. Linc. with other Regimental officers were there, & Wager was on this duty not less than 3 months. — In Mar & June 78, Genl. Wind had a Militia force under his command at Eliz. town, which was ordered to march towards Brunswick. We staid one night near Spotswood in consequence of some intelligence or order recd. we were marched back to Eliz. town. Wager was on this duty in Captain Luce's company of Col. Drake's regiment, & I was in Luce's company. We were kept on guard duty a month. In the summer, & early in the fall season, I performed a month's Militia duty in Capt. Young's company, at Succasunney plains, guarding the public stores. We lay in the Church, which was filled with drums, guns, cartridges, boxes &c. &c. (said to have been Burgoyne's) — Wager was in the same co. with me on that occasion, a month.

In the same fall, I was stationed a month at Morris town jail to guard prisoners. During which time a Captain Slip , & a Lieut. Mee , who had recruited soldiers for the army & had been condemned, were hanged by the Sheriff ( Carmichael ). The privates (about 30) were pardoned, on condition of enlisting in the U.S. army. Charles Wager performed a month's duty at the same time & place, in Capt. Beach's co with me.
I remember Charles Wager at the battle of Aquackanack in the fall (79). He was in Capt. Luce's company & I was in Capt. Cook's . Genl. Winds commanded. Colonels Seely , Hays , Falingmeyer , Drake & Hathaway were present. Considerable blood was spilled on both sides. After the battle was over, some of the men were resting under a tree. Jabez Bell of Chester , a neighbor of Wager, was shot dead by accident, a musket ball passing through his head. The Militia remained on duty around Newark & Aquackanack a month. Storrs & Wager with them, protecting the country & inhabitants. I was present at the battle of Springfield in the spring of 1780. The same officers commanded as in the Aquackanack engagement, & Charles Wager was also present & under Captain Luce's command. The enemy burnt the town & Convent , & retreated to Staten Island . The Militia pursued them, & a skirmish was had again between Elizabeth town & the landing on ferry to Staten Island . The Militia continued on guard duty along the shores & near Elizabeth town for a month. In June or July following, the enemy in a large force came out from N. York & Staten Island & made their way up to Springfield , when the Militia encountered them under Genl. Winds & the Regimental officers before mentioned. Some Continental troops were also engaged in this battle, under Col. Aylar & Colonel Dayton . The enemy burnt the town & retreated back, the Militia annoying them on their retreat. Charles Wager was in this engagement in Captain Luce's company, & continued to perform guard duty till the term of his month expired. In the fall of 1782, I was stationed a month on guard duty at Elizabeth town , & quartered at Pine's barn , near the point, under Captain Brown . Charles Wager was there on similar duty a month, under Captain Luce ; Genl. Winds was the Commanding Officer, & was present most of the time. The Militia service so performed, was voluntary & for clapper, except when the enemy were strong; in which case the whole body of Militia were called. In the 2 first years (75 & 77) the service was more constant than afterward. I believe few men in N. Jersey performed more Militia revolutionary duty than Charles Wager, & certainly none within my knowledge. Most of those duties were performed after his marriage, which I believe took place early in the war. He died many years past. His widow now lives within 3 or 4 miles of me, is very aged & destitute, & has never married since his death. One of her daughters supports her, & they live at a small toll gate house, which the daughter attends, on the Morris & Salem turnpike road. I have subscribed this 4 th day of August, 1837
before me, Elijah Ward J.P.
J. S. Little

In the same fall, I was stationed a month at Morris town jail to guard prisoners. During which time a Captain Slip, & a Lieutenant Mee, who had recruited soldiers for the enemy & had been condemned, were hanged by the Sheriff (Carmichael). The privates (about 30) were pardoned, on condition of enlisting in the U.S. army. Charles Wager performed a month's duty at the same time & place, in Capt. Beahm's co with me.
I remember Charles Wager at the battle of Aquakunka in the fall (79) He was in Capt. Luce's company & I was in Capt. Cook's. Genl. Winds commanded. Colonels Sulz, Hays, Fulingmeyer, Drake & Hathaway were present. Considerable blood was spilled on both sides. After the battle was over, some of the men were resting under a tree. Jabez Bell of Chester, a neighbor of Wager, was shot dead by accident, a musket ball passing through his head. The Militia remained on duty around Newark & Aquakunka a month & Wager with them, protecting the country & inhabitants. I was present at the battle of Springfield in the spring of 1780. The same officers commanded as in the Aquakunka engagement, & Charles Wager was also present & under Captain Luce's command. The enemy burnt the town & Newark, & retreated to Staten Island. The Militia pursued them, & a skirmish was had again between Elizabeth town & the landing or ferry to Staten Island. The Militia continued on guard duty along the shore & near Elizabeth town for a month. In June or July following, the enemy in a large force came out from N. York & Staten Island & made their way up to Springfield, when the Militia encountered them under General Winds & the Regimental officers before mentioned. Some Continental troops were also engaged in this battle, under Col. Arny & Colonel Dayton. The enemy burnt the town & retreated back, the Militia annoying them on their retreat. Charles Wager was in this engagement in Captain Luce's company, & continued to perform guard duty till the term of his month expired. In the fall of 1782, I was stationed a month on guard duty at Elizabeth town, & quartered at Pius's barn, near the point, under Captain Brown. Charles Wager was there on similar duty a month, under Captain Luce. General Winds was the Commanding officer, & was present most of the time. The Militia service so performed, was voluntary & for clapper, except when the enemy were strong: in which case the whole body of Militia were called. In the 2 first years (76 & 77) the service was more constant than afterward. I believe few men in N. Jersey performed more Militia revolutionary duty than Charles Wager, & certainly none within my knowledge. Most of those duties were performed after his marriage, which I believe took place early in the war. He died many years past. His widow now lives within 3 or 4 miles of me, is very aged & destitute, & has never married since his death. One of her daughters supports her, & they live at a small toll gate house, which the daughter attends, on the Morris & Essex turnpike road. I have subscribed this 4 th day of August, 1837 before me,
J. B. Lisle
Elijah Ward J. P.

Rev. WIDOW, &c.
File No. _____
6423
Hannah Wager Wid. of Charles Wager Pvt. Rev. War
Act: _____
July 4 th 36, ser. 3 d
Index:—Vol. _____
M
Page _____
307
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Hannah Wager New Jersey
Suspended
See letter 14 th Nov 1837 Hon: S. Cudit
same, Mar 6. 1838.

FREE
Mar 17. P. M. N. H.
Jas. I. Edwards Esq., Commissioner of Pensions Washington

Morris-town, March, 14 th . 1838.
Dear Sir,
I rec d . yesterday your two communications - one, a Certificate for the Widow Kirman - the other a copy of a letter written in Nov. respecting the claim of Mrs. Hannah Wager. Our objection is, that the tours are stated as being none of them less than a month each, & one term as much as 3 months. - In questioning the several witnesses, some, Johnson & Young, they all spoke of some short tours on alarms, but could not state them definitely as to duration, or time when; & therefor I did not state them, knowing that they could not be taken in the lump by guess as it came, nor admitted, unless their duration could, to some tolerable degree of certainty, be ascertained. - As nearly as I can recollect, they stated only such services as they verily believed to embrace, at least, a tour of a month each.
In regard to the Militia service of the winter of 76-7 - it is the concurrent testimony of almost every living witness I have spoken with, that the whole of the young men especially of 16 & upward, in Sussex Morris, Essex, Somerset, & Bergen, were in constant duty till the enemy left Amboy & N. Brunswick in the spring - their whole force being stationed there & on Staten Island. Their marauding parties were scouring the Country, & annoying the Country in all directions, & the Militia of necessity were constantly on active duty. It was during this period, that the first Springfield battle - those of Ash Swamp, Woodbridge - Martin's woods - Boundbrook - Short Hills, & many lesser fights were had between the Militia & the British. - Many of the Jersey Militia were actually enlisted for 3 months at this period, & many young men, who had no families, were induced by married men to take their places, & remained in service continuously for several months. No doubt the memory of men, now 75 & 80 odd, have sometimes mistaken dates, & may speak of the same events as in different years & months, & perhaps under different commanders. For such frailties, I know you will make all reasonable allowance in behalf of men whose character for truth is above suspicion, & who can have no inducement to perjure themselves as they descend to their graves.
They specify something like 20 months from 76 to 82 inclusive. She is in deep poverty, & her single daughter maintains the Mother by keeping the toll-gate on a turnpike road. I hope you will be willing to admit her claim.

for a period of 18 months. — I think there is no family record whatever. My impression is, that by the age of the children, born in wedlock, it is evident the marriage took place before the last service stated by Love, at Price's barn in Elizabeth town in 1782, in the fall season. — If upon a re-examination, this is not found to be the case & you will have the goodness so to inform me, I will notify the old lady of the deficiency.
With much esteem, yours respectfully,
Levi Condict.