Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 3639, Joseph Willis, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey
Willis Joseph Grace
N 3639
CONTENTS
4

Ohio 29 (Pittsburgh)
Joseph Willis of Jefferson in the State of Ohio who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Baldwin of the reg t - commanded by Col. Ogden in the N. Jersey line for two years from 1777
Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio, (Pittsburgh agency), at the rate of 80 Dollars — Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 1 day of June 1835 and sent to Messrs Stokely & Wilson, Steubenville, Ohio.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1835 $ 320. — Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sep r 35 40. — $ 360. —
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Wm H Wilson Clerk Book C. 2 Vol. 5 Page 758

Order to pay Apr. 19, 1837.
Order to pay 25 April 1838
Order to pay 22 March 1839.
Order to pay 31 March 1840
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6. Africa 1838, from 4 th March to 4 th Sept 1840. Agt notified 26. May 1841
Set to J. Sutherland, May 28. 1841.
Order to pay April 19 th 1842

823. Phil. a Pennsylvania
Grace Killig widow of Joseph Killig who was a Private N.J. in the Pennsylvania line and died in 1842
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 30th day of June, '46 and sent to
Wm A Stewart, U.S. of N.J.
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
21st day of June '44 Recorded in Book Vol. 2 Page 189.

Reported Hon. A. Stewart July 20. 1846. — Ltr to Wm. A. Stewart Feb 8 th '48.
Letter to Henry etc March 15, 1847

10 at 43 87 07 at 44 602 Grace Miller
widow of Joseph Pa
Adm March 1843 17 June 1844
Marrried before 1794 husband died 1842
Adm Dyers Inn #80 S. Front June 4 March 1843
Hon A. Stewart House of Reps

Green County { ss State of Pennsylvania {
On this 8 day of June A D 1846 personally appeared before me Thomas Burson one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County and State aforesaid; Grace Willis, a resident of Morgan Township in the County of Green and State of Pa: aged 86 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 June 17 th 1844. entitled "An Act granting four years additional pension to certain widows." That she is the widow of Joseph Willis Deceased; who was at the time of his death (which took place on the 3 rd day of Jan'y. in the year 1842) a revolutionary pensioner; the evidence of which fact, together with the rank he held, the amount and kind of services which he performed, are an record in the Pension Office; she further declares that she was married to the said Joseph Willis, in the State of New Jersey, in the year 1784, sometime in the fall of said year. But that she has no certificate of her said marriage and that no family record of said marriage was and is kept in her house, nor by any other person to her knowledge.
And that her husband the aforesaid Joseph Willis died on the 3 rd day of January in the year 1842. That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place, previous to the first of January 1794. As to which, at the time above stated:
Grace Willis mark
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written, before me.
Thomas Burson

I do hereby certify that I have been acquainted with Grace Willis for upwards of fifty years. And that she is unable by reason of bodily infirmity to appear in Open Court in order to make the foregoing Declaration, and that she is a woman of good character for truth and veracity. And that she is in indigent circumstances. June 8 th 1846.
Thomas Burson
State of Pennsylvania Greene County ss.
A Henry S. Pennock Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County hereby certify that the Honorable Thomas Burson before whom the foregoing acknowledgement appears to have been taken, and who gives the foregoing certificate, was at the time thereof and still is one of the Associate Judges of the said Court, duly Commissioned and sworn, to all whom acts as such full faith and credit are due, and that the signature, Thomas Burson, purporting to be his are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the Seal of the said Court at Waynesburg the 13 th day of June A. D. 1846.
H. S. Pennock, Prothonotary

and their can be brought the peace and arbitrator
J. S. Coxe Commissioner of Pensions Washington City
Mar 14/49 Mr. Hub 7833 Jefferson St March 11th
Mr. E. L. Stearns me the case of which is within it is no great change. H. B. Hall

Jefferson
March the 11 th 1849
Sir I am under the necessity of troubling you again for a Statement Concerning a Pension that was granted to Grace Willis widow of Joseph Willis it appears from your letter of the 8 th February 1848 that the attorney for Robert Willis Fanny Leonard and Ann Rachel Children of Mrs Willis drew $265.67 they being all the Children that were named in the Certificate of the Court the truth is there were nine Children proven in open Court as I myself was the witness called to prove her death and who swore to their but as five of them reside in Ohio the Attorney that was attending to the business here found it inconvenient to get all their names to the power of Attorney and it seems he prepared the Certificate of the Court himself and called upon the Prothonotary while in the hurry of business and got his name and the Seal of Court without examining it Closely now the other heirs claim their shares as a matter of right and suits have been brought by two of them and Judgement had before a Justice of the peace and Appeals taken and one of them ruled out and left to arbitrators the Counsel for the Plaintiff thinks it would be essential to have a Certified Copy of the Certificate that was granted to Mrs Willis and likewise of the power of Attorney upon which the money was paid including the Certificate of Our Court under your hand and Seal of office as I am now the agent for the Plaintiff You would confer a particular favour by sending me the Copies as soon as convenient as the suit will come off on the 10 th of next month Not knowing what your fees would be I herewith enclose you one dollar on the Western Bank of Baltimore You will please inform me the amount and it shall be remitted to you immediately
Very respectfully Yours &c Henry Neil
J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions

31. 265- State of Ohio Jefferson County, ss. On this sixteenth day of September Anno Domini, one thousand eight hundred and thirty four per- sonally appeared, in open Court, before the Court of Common Pleas now sitting within and for said Coun- ty, Joseph Willis, a resident of said County of Jef- ferson, aged seventy five years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th. 1832. That he entered the service of the United States and ser- ved as herein stated.
He entered the service in the County of Essex, State of New Jer- sey, in the month of March A.D. 1777 as a private in a volunteer company raised and commanded by Captain Matthias Baker, the Lieutenants Clarkson Edgar, Ensign James Patton. The English were stationed on Staten Island & this company was raised to guard the Jersey shore. He does not know of the company having ever been attached to any regiment. He served two months as a private guarding the shore. The part of the shore upon which this service was performed was called "Woodbridge Ravine". Sometimes they were at "Blazing Star" and sometimes at Bridgetown, sometimes at head-quarters which was at the house of Captain Baker, on the road from Elizabethtown to Trenton. During the two months in which he served, he was in several skirmishes between the volunteer compa- ny and the English. At the expiration of the two months the company was dismissed, the time for which they joined having elapsed. He never received a written discharge, nor did any of the other members of the company. About 1st of June In the year 1778 he went with others and joined the regular army at Mount Holley

State of New Jersey by enlistment, the officers were General Maxwell, Colonel Matthias Ogden, Major Piatt, Captain Baldwin, Lieutenant Robinson. This part of the army remained at Mount Holley un- til the army of the English started from Philadel- phia to New York, then the Americans (among whom was this deponent) were marched out to intercept the progress and delay the march of the English, by cutting down bridges &c, the object in doing this was was to stop the English until the arrival of General Washington. When they (deponent & others) were arrived arrived at Monmouth they found the English army and the American army under Washington pre- paring for battle, the next day after their arri- val was the battle of Monmouth, this was in the month of June the same month in which deponent enlisted. He was in the battle of Monmouth. At the commencement of this battle the part of the army in which he was, was under the command of General Lee. Two or three days after he was mar- ched to Elizabethtown N.J. where they were quar- tered all winter, and about the first of March they were discharged. Deponent received a reg- ular, as written discharge but has since lost or misplaced it. At another time,
He and two others were taken prisoner at Blazing Star, he does not recollect the time, and were kept there in prison more than two months. He was exchanged for other prisoners. He thinks this was in the month of August succeeding his discharge by Ogden. ensuing  his discharge from the regular army In the month of  the August, two gun boats started from Brunswick, one commanded by Captain Mariner, the other by Captain Thomas Clarke, deponent was on the latter as a volunteer, these boats went out

to guard Long Island shore, they took a schooner which was in the enemy's lines, there were 3 men on board of this schooner who gave the alarm, and the gun boats were unable to get the schooner out on account of the winds. The next morning being unable to get out of the inlet, and one of the boats being filled with water the captains of the gun boats surrendered themselves & crew prisoners. This was about two weeks after their departure from Brunswick. They were detained prisoners nearly five months in the city of New York. They were released by exchange of prisoners. Defendant was out in the militia (with the exception of the time above served) during almost the whole of the revolutionary war, under sometimes Col. Potter, Major Willis, Captain Craig. Lieutenant Willis. He served in the militia about twelve months.
Recapitulation of service.
Two months as a volunteer under Capt Baker. Nine months in the regular army. Capt Baldwin. Two months prisoner at Glazing Star. nearly Five months prisoner at New York city. Twelve months in the militia. Whole period thirty months. He knows of no person living who can testify to his service except Abraham Kelly whose deposition is herewith transmitted. He knows of no clergyman in his neighborhood who can certify that he is reputed & believed to be a revolutionary soldier &c. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state. Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
Joseph Willis
James R. Wells (Clk)
We the undersigned who live in the neighborhood of Joseph Willis who swore to & signed the above declaration, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with the said Willis, that we believe him to be seventy five years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a revolutionary soldier & we concur in that opinion. Joseph B. Berson Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid. James R. Wells (Clk)
Thomas Blackledge

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War department that the within named applicant was a revolutionary soldier & served as he states. And the court further certifies that Joseph Burson & Thomas Blackledge who have signed the preceding certificate are residents of Jefferson County and that their statement is entitled to credit. B. James Ross Willis clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for Jefferson County, Ohio do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original of the said Court in the matter of the application of Joseph Willis for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this sixteenth day of September. 1834.
James Ross Willis
Interrogatories propounded by the court and answers.
1. Where & in what year were you born. Answer. Near Elizabethtown New Jersey in the year seventeen hundred & fifty nine. 2. Where were you living when called into the service and where do you now live. Answer. I lived in the County of Essex. I now live in Jefferson County, Ohio. 3. Have you any record of your age. Ans. I have one at home. 4. How were you called into the service. Ans. Once or twice as a volunteer, once enlisted, once drafted. 5. State the names of the regular officers who were with the troops where you served, such continental & militia regiments.? Ans. Genl. Mansfield. Colonel Matthias Ogden, Major Piatt. Capt Baldwin. Lieut Robinson, I do not recollect the regiment. 6. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service. Ans. Yes I received the discharge from Col. Ogden which I have since lost. 7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood who can testify as to your character for veracity, & their belief of your services as a soldier of the revolution. Ans. Joseph Burson. Thomas Blackledge.

Rev. and 1812 War Section.
acc 3
October 7, 1926
A. U. Carkhuff 68 & 70 Hudson St Hoboken, N. J.
Sir:
I have to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim W. 3639, it appears that Joseph Willis was born in 1759 near Elizabethtown, New Jersey
While residing in Essex County, New Jersey, he served as a private in the New Jersey Troops, as follows-
From March 1777, two months in Captain Matthias Baker's Company,
From June 1778, nine months in Captain Baldwin's Company, Colonel Matthias Ogden's Regiment, and was in the battle of Monmouth.
Shortly after this he was taken prisoner at "Blazing Star" and held two months, when exchanged; and in August 1779 he went on a gunboat commanded by Captain

Thomas Clarke, was taken prisoner and held in New York City, five months, when exchanged.
He served at various times in the militia, amounting in all to twelve months in Captain John Craig's Company, Colonel Potter's Regiment.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 16, 1834, while a resident of Jefferson County, Ohio. He died January 3, 1843. He was the son of Joseph Willis, a major in the militia in the War of the Revolution.
Soldier married in the fall of 1784 in New Jersey, Grace, her maiden name is not stated. She was allowed pension on her application executed June 8, 1846, while a resident of Morgan Township, Green County, Pennsylvania, aged eighty-six years.
She died prior to March 11, 1849, leaving nine children, only names stated being- Robert Willis, Fanny Leonard, and Ann Neel.
Respectfully,
E. W. MORGAN Acting Commissioner.

Payment was recently made under the act of April 6. 1838 to Joseph Willis, of Ohio, a Pensioner on the Wheeler bill under the act of June 7. 1832, at $80 per annum. Please say to whom the money was remitted.
Pension office { May 28. 1841. }
To George S Johnson at Wheeler.

North Western Bank of Va Pension Agency
Wheeling April 15 th 1842
Sir
I herewith enclose voucher of Joseph Willis 12 mos for examination. your early attention will oblige
Your obedient Servant
Archibald Woods Pension Agent for G. S. Thompson
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions

July 8. 1846 7813
Recd
Grant Miller
South Street Me
Edwards Esq
Com: pui:
Present

J L Edwards Esq Comr of Pensions
Sir
Is not Grace Willis to whom A pension was granted on the 30 th ult entitled to draw it from the date of her husband's death instid of the 4 th March 1843 as stated in the Certificate & if not - why?
Yrs Respectfully &c
A Strowan No 9 Bds 8 July 46

Letter— to L. S. Edwards

Steubenville Jefferson Co. Ohio April 27. 1835.
Sir.
We transmit to you again the papers in support of the claim of Joseph Willis for a pension. There are, (as I believe) no witnesses living who can testify as to his imprisonment . Agreeably to the suggestion contained in your letter Mr Willis has amended his declaration, as to his service as a Militia man, & has also given his reason for not applying sooner. You will perceive that the credibility of the witness who testifies to his services has been certified to by the Justice. Hoping that there is now no obstacle to the granting of the pension.
We remain
Yours respectfully Stokely & Wilson
Hon S. L. Edwards Commr of pensions

Grace Willis mother of Joseph } Phea o P o Acts March 1843 and { 17 June 1844 $80 o per m o }
Be pleased to give us such information as will enable us to answer the enclosed Com- munication
G. L. A.
Pension Office } $265.60 per m o paid in full January 28. 1848 } to Abner D. Ducket. Attorney of Robert Willis. Fanny Leonard & Anne Reed, children of the pensioned being all the children that are named in the certificate of Court. Feb y 9 th 1848. H. N. R.

free
Mr Willis Chas M. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions Washington City Dis. Columbia
fee

Steubenville May 22 d 1841
J L Edwards Esq Sir,
Some time since I forwarded for Mr Joseph Willis, through the First Bank of Steubenville, to the pension Agency, his papers for the purpose of drawing the old man's pension. Although more than four times the usual period of time for a return has elapsed, since the papers were forwarded, not a word has been heard of them. At the earnest solicitation of the old man I write to know whether the same have ever arrived at your office, and if so how have they been disposed of if rejected - in what respect?
Your answer to this will confer a great favor to an old pensioner who is dependent on this pittance from government
Yours with respect
J. M. Lutherland

Letter from Stokely & Milson to Am P. L. Edwards

Steubenville Ohio May 23 rd . 1835.
Sir.
We send to you the additional statement of Joseph Willis, and have endeavored, to obviate the objections to the last statement, and also to supply its omissions. The reasons which he assigns for not having applied sooner, will, we think prove satisfactory. His want of friends, pecuniary assistance, want of hearing, and the erroneous impression made upon his mind by some attorney in New Lisbon, are given as his reasons for the delay. We have also given as far as he can recollect times, places, and officers of each of his actual tours of service in the New Jersey Militia, and also the names of some of the other persons who enlisted with him under Captain Baldwin in Ogden's regiment.
Yours respectfully Stokely & Wilson
Hon D. L. Edwards Comm. of pensions

1912, Nov. 15. History to Anna Crawford. Fr.
1915, Sept. 15. History to D. E. Bane. Fr.
1926 Oct. 7 Hist. to C. U. Carluff 1927 Apr. 16 A. V. Carluff - in no far. date on file about May. 1927 Will's Aug.
Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 3639
Grace Willis Widow Joseph Willis Pr. Rev. Wash
Act: March 3, 1893
Index: —Vol. M. , Page 337.
[Arrangement of 1870.]

31.965
the returned to Rochester, Ohio Newark, Ohio Ohio

State of Ohio Jefferson County
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Notary & Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for the County of Jefferson, State of Ohio. Jo- seph Willis who as made a declara- tion, under oath at the September term AD 1834. in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th. 1832, and the said Joseph Willis being by me this day duly sworn according to law, makes the following amendment and ex- planation of said declaration, to wit, that the twelve months of his service in the New Jersey Militia, was performed at different pe- riods, at periods not longer than one month during one term, that the intervals between these periods of service was generally about one month. He also deposes and says that the reason why he did not apply sooner for a pension is the following, to wit; He applied to an Attorney at law who resided at New Lisbon Ohio to draw up an application about five years ago. He does not recollect the name of the Attorney, but he was informed by said Attorney that the Law required applicants to produce the certificate of the Colonel, Major, and Captain & also to have two witnesses, to testify as to his services. He then wrote to a friend who resided in New Jersey, to know if there were any persons, who could testi- fy as to his services &c, but received an answer that they were all either dead or had left the country who could testify to it except one Matthias Ogden. Being unable to then obtain two witnesses he a-

abandoned it. He says that about two years ago he applied to H. H. Leavitt of this place who undertook to do his business, but was obliged to refer this deponent to other attorneys on account of other business. And further this deponent saith not.
Sworn & subscribed be- fore me this 28th March
Joseph Willis
1835. In testimony whereof
I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court. the day and year last above mentioned.
Almeda Ross Wells Clerk

Statement. Made May 23. 1835 By Joseph Willis from 1777 per 2 yrs $80 on Roll,
Messrs. Stokely & Wilson Newbernville Ohio.

State of Ohio Jefferson County ss
Personally appeared before the undersigned clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Jefferson County Ohio, Joseph Willis who made a declaration under oath at the September term A.D. 1834 of said court, and also an additional statement on the 28th of March A.D. 1835. and the said Joseph Willis being by me solemnly sworn according to law, makes the following amendment to his declaration, to wit; The first service was in the New Jersey militia , in the year 1777 or 1778, (the precise time he does not recollect but thinks & believes it was in the month of March) in Woodbridge Ravay, the officers were Captain (Matthew) Baker and Lieutenant Clarke Edgar, the company was raised to guard the line between the English & Americans, The English were at the town of Perthamboy, New Jersey, he served in this situation nearly two months. The following summer he joined the New Jersey militia at Elizabeth town Ravay under Captain John Craig, Lieutenant Baker, Colonel Potter, at this time he served a month guarding the shores of Elizabethtown Ravay. In the following spring he enlisted in the continental army for nine months under Col. Ogden, Major Dyatt, Captain Baldwin & Lieutenant Robinson, at Elizabethtown Ravay, and served nine months. The following are the names of some who enlisted with him under Captain Baldwin in Ogden's regiment. Andrew Clark, David Oliver, Samuel Whitehead, John Locker, Isaac Spinnage, Jonathan Baker, John Stackhouse, Samuel Minthorn. Joseph Oliver. When his time expired in the continental army, he went to his home near Elizabethtown. About two months after his discharge from the continental army he was called upon to go out in the New Jersey Militia. He performed services at ten or twelve different times in the New Jersey militia , but never longer than one month at a time. The officers were Captain Craig,

(who at the latter end of the revolutionary war was elected Major) Colonel Potter, this applicant's father Joseph Willis was Major, but served but a short time. The first month of the service in the New Jersey militia, which after the service in the Continental army, was occupied in keeping garrison along the shore of Elizabeth Town Ravage. They kept there After about an interval of about one month, he was called upon to go out upon the same service under the same officers. He does not recollect perfectly whether the period of his imprisonment after his being seized as a prisoner in the gun boats, (the circumstances of which seizure and imprisonment are more fully detailed in the first declaration) occurred immediately after the expiration of the first month's service after his rejoining the New Jersey militia or not. The ten or twelve months service performed in the New Jersey militia, at in periods of one month, was occupied in the same duty, under the same officers. After performing duty a month they would be dismissed until called upon again, and after such dismissal this applicant would go to his home in Elizabeth Town Ravage. During this service in the New Jersey militia they had frequent skirmishes with the English. The English would come out into the country to take cattle, prisoners, & commit other depredations, and this service was performed to guard the shore of Elizabeth Town Ravage from such depredations.
In relation to this applicant's not having applied for a pension for the service claimed performed in the New Jersey line of the continental army, he says, that he never heard of the passage of that law until five or six years ago; that when he heard of it he applied to a lawyer at New Lisbon Ohio, to draw up an application; that he was informed by the lawyer (whose name he does not recollect) that it would be necessary to prove his services and

The officers under whom he served before the pension could be obtained; that there were at then no witnesses in the western country who could testify to his services; that he wrote to a friend in New Jersey to find out if there were any of his persons living who could testify to his services, and that there was but one person living who could testify thereto, and thus being unable to obtain two witnesses to prove his services, and having as aforesaid been informed that the title money of the was necessary he gave it up. That he applied about two years ago to H. H. Seavitt Esq of this place, who undertook to do this business but who was obliged on account of other business to refer this applicant to other attorneys. This attorney farther says that on account of his old age , his poverty , his being severely afflicted with the loss of his hearing, his having lived for some time in an obscure part of the country, he was unable to prosecute his claim with that promptitude, & was deprived of those facilities which would otherwise could have been obtained, had he been differently situated. In testimony thereof. Sworn and subscribed Joseph Willis before me this 23rd day of May A.D. 1835.
In testimony that of the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court the day and year last above mentioned
James R. [?] Clerk.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
May 19 th , 1841.
Sir :
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," Joseph Willis, _____ a Pensioner on the Roll of the Wheeling, Va. Agency, at the rate of Eighty Dollars and _____ Cents per annum, under the law of the 4 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of March, to the 4 th Sept. 1840.
Respectfully yours,
Alison B. Parsons Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

Deposition of Abram Kelley as to the service of Joseph Willis as a Revolutionary soldier.

State of Pa } Green County }
Be it known that before me John Lindsey a Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid personally appeared Abraham Kelly and made oath in due form of law, who saith and deposeth that he is and has been well ac- quainted with Joseph Willis upwards of sixty years they were raised boys together in the State of Jersey Middlesex County That during their residence in said state he knows said Willis served sometime as a private soldier in the revolutionary war and further states that it has been more than thirty years since Willis and himself left the State of Jersey and came to Greene County Tenn a where he (Kelly) now resides and from the best information that he can get said Joseph Willis lives in the state of Ohio Jefferson County Sworn I subscribed this 20 th day of April 1833 before me John Lindsey J.P.
Abraham his Kelly mark
State of Pennsylvania } I Ennis Hooks prothonotary of the Green County } Court of Common Pleas for the County of Greene aforesaid do hereby certify that John Lindsey Esquire before whom the above affidavit purports to have been sworn to, is an acting Justice of the peace in and for said County, duly commissioned and sworn, and that I believe his signature thereto to be genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Washington the 22 nd day of April A.D. 1833 Ennis Hooks Prothonotary

State of Pa. } I John Lindsey the within named Greene County } Justice of the peace before whom the } within deposition was taken do } hereby certify that Abraham Kelly The deponent within is a man of good character and that his statement is entitled to credit given under my hand and seal this 9 th day of April 1835 John Lindsey

In matter of the marriage of Groesbeck
Affidavit of Thomas Burton Esq.
Hon. A. Stewart, H. R.

Greene County } ss Pennsylvania }
This day personally appeared in open Court Thomas Burson Esq. who being sworn according to Law, saith, that he is well acquainted with Grace Willis, widow of Joseph Willis deceased; and that he was acquainted with Joseph Willis, as long as forty five years before his death, which took place two or three years since; That the said Grace Willis was always known and reputed as the wife of said Joseph Willis, by her neighbours; and that the Children of said Joseph Willis and Grace Willis, were and are considered legitimate by those who knew them. That they were permitted to take the Real Estate of which the said Joseph Willis died seised, as heirs at law, in the Court of which your deponent is a judge. That some of the said Children of Joseph and Grace Willis, are fifty five years of age. This your deponent knows from his own age, compared with theirs, and from his intimate acquaintance with them. That according to the best information your deponent has, the said Joseph Willis, and Grace Willis, removed from the state of New Jersey, to Greene County Pennsylvania upward of fifty years since.
Sworn to and subscribed in Open Court on this 11 th day of June 1846
Coram H. L. Perrock Pro
Thomas Burson
I certify that I am well acquainted with the Hon. Thomas Burson & H. L. Perrock Esq. of the Court of Common Pleas of Greene County Pa. that the above signatures are genuine & that the Hon. Judge Burson is a credible Witness.
A Stewart M. C. June 23 1846.

Pension Agency North Western Bank of Virginia, Wheeling, 24 March 1840
Dear Sir:—
I enclose for examination Vouchers of Jas Bratton 12mo. pension under Act of June 1802 — also those of Joel Ellis — same act Respectfully Stearns Brown for H. Wood, Pension agt
J. L. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.

J. S. Edwards Esq. Comr of Pensions Sir
North Western Bank of Va April 14th 1837
I enclose herewith for your inspection; Pension Vouchers of Joseph Willis of Jefferson County Ohio, a pensioner under Act of June 7th '32 at Eighty dollars per annum, claiming his pension for one year, up to 11 March 1837
I am Yours &c Arch Wood Pension Agent J. M. Cromie

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Joseph Willis a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his and (for his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. W. F. 3639.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     1) Mch. 1777 2 mos. Pri. Matthias Baker ✓ N.J.   2) June, 1778 9 " Baldwin Matthias Ogden   4) Served at various times in militia according to _____ 12 " John Craig Potter   3) Aug. 1779 5 " Thomas Clarke ✓  
Was captured twice, detained 2 mos. and 5 mos, dates not stated.
Battles engaged in, Monmouth . Residence of soldier at enlistment, Essex Co., N.J. {moved thence to Green Co., Pa. Date of application for pension, Sept. 16, 1834. His cl. was al. Residence at date of application, Jefferson Co., Ohio. Age at date of application, B. 1759 (month & day not stated) near Elizabethtown, N.J.
Remarks: He was the son of Joseph Willis, a Major in the Rev. War.
Soldier mar. in N.J. Fall, 1784, Grace _____; he died Jan. 3, 1842 and she was allowed pension on an application executed June 8, 1846 while 86 yrs. old and a resident of Morgan Co. Green Co., Pa.; she died prior to Mch. 11, 1849 leaving nine children, the only names stated being those of Robert, Fanny Leonard and Ann Keel. Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section.
Aug 3
April 16, 1927
A. V. Garkhuff 79 Jaques Ave Rahway, N. J.
Sir:
I have to advise you that this Bureau is unable to furnish the history of a soldier of the Revolution, unless a claim for pension or bounty land has been made on account of his services, and a careful search of the records fails to show such a claim on file on account of the services of Joseph Willis, who was Major in the New Jersey Militia.
In the pension claim of Joseph Willis (W.3639) he states that his father, Joseph Willis, was Major in the Militia, "but served but a short time". There is no further data on file as to said Major Joseph Willis.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner.

D. E. BANE ATTORNEY AT LAW 57 EAST MAIN STREET UNIONTOWN, PENNA.
Rev Sec TRI-STATE PHONE 380 BELL PHONE 1077
The Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
I am writing you for information concerning my great grand-fathers to learn if they took part in the Revolutionary War, and if so would be pleased if you would give me what information is on file in your office.
First. Joseph Willis lived in the state of New Jersey during the Revolutionary War and after the war emigrated to Greene County, Pennsylvania. It is said that he received a pension.
Second. Joseph Bane , or Banes, Bayne, Baine or Beans, (the word Bane appears spelled in different ways and I am not certain which way he spelled it). This great grandfather of mine settled in Bucks County, Pennsylvania where he lived during the Revolutionary War. Kindly see if there is anything on file with reference to his having taken part in the Revolutionary War.
Any information that you may give me concerning the above parties will be very much appreciated.
Yours very truly,
D. E. Bane

TELEPHONE HOBOKEN 9500 A.V. GARKHUFF MANAGER
JOSEPH J. GARIBALDI
Editor
68 AND 70 HUDSON STREET HOBOKEN, N. J. MORTGAGE DEPARTMENT
February 23, 1927.
U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen:
I have before me your letter of October 7, 1926, relative to war pension claim W.3639, Joseph Willis. Your letter states that the Joseph Willis in question was the son of Joseph Willis, a Major in the militia in the war of the Revolution. Can you furnish me with any further particulars in reference to the Joseph Willis was was the Major, and father of the soldier in question?
Very truly yours,
A. V. Garkhuff 79 Jacques Ave. Rahway N.J.
AVC:HF

JOSEPH J. GARIBALDI
Realtor
TELEPHONE HOBOKEN 9500 A.U.CARKHUFF MANAGER
68 AND 70 HUDSON STREET HOBOKEN, N. J. MORTGAGE DEPARTMENT
August 21, 1926.
Pension Department, Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen:
I am desirous of obtaining the war record of Joseph Willis, who was a Private in the New Jersey Militia, State Troops, Continental Army, No. 6, First Regiment Essex, and whose military record appears in pages 313- 823, Officers and Men of New Jersey in the Revolutionary War, General W. Striker.
If it is possible, please advise me of his connections, where he was born, if married, to whom, and if he had any children, and where he died, if any pension has been paid, or if any pension was paid to any relatives.
This information is desired to complete data for the Daughters of the American Revolution. Any expense attached to securing this information will be cheerfully paid.
Thanking you for your courtesy, I am
Very truly yours,
AVC:HF

The Wamego State Bank
CAPITAL $60,000.
DEPOSITS GUARANTEED
L. B. LEACH, PRESIDENT W. R. JOHNSON, VICE PRESIDENT A. T. McMILLAN, CASHIER JAMES H. EVANS, ASST CASHIER
Wamego, Kansas,
November 11, 1912.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:-
I would like some information concerning JOSEPH WILLIS, who was a soldier in the Revolution- ary War.
I understand that he enlisted from Penn- sylvania. He died in Jefferson County, Ohio, and I have been told that he used to go to Steubenville, Ohio, to draw his pension. No doubt you have record of his enlistment and service, and I would like to know the date of his birth and death, the name of his Company and Regiment, and such other information concerning him and his service as you are able to give.
Thanking you, I am
Yours respectfully,
Anna Crawford.