Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 879, Stafford Wilson, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey
Wilson, Stafford Agnes
W 879
CONTENTS

22.9484 Rev. James Stafford Wilson Morris in the State of N. J. who was a Private in the Conn command by Captain _____ of the Regt command by Col Forbes in the N. J. Hoops time for Two 21 days
Widow Agnes Wilson
Inscribed on the Roll of N. J. at the rate of 22 Dollars 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 14 day of Decr 33 and sent L Leondiet Morristown
Arrears to the last day of his death Semi-ant. allowance ending _____
Certificate issued 43.26 for Widow { Revolutionary Claim, { Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by EDB Clerk Book 60 Vol. 3 Page 135
Died 14 th of February 1833

3599
New Jersey
Agnes Wilson
widow of Stafford Miles , who died on the 14 th February 1833 of Morris Co. in the State of New Jersey who was a Private in the Compy commanded by Captain Payton of the Regt commanded by Col Ford in the New Jersey line for Amouth , 21 days
Letter to Lewis Condorcet Morris N.J. 3 rd auditor June 17 th 1842 to H. M. L. Condorcet June 27 1842 Dead. Paid at the Treasury under the Act of April 6 th 1838 from the 1 st July 1833 to Dec r 17 th 1838. Agent notified July 11 th 1842.
Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey at the rate of 22 Dollars 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 1 st day of March, 1834. 4 th February 1833
Certificate of Pension issued the 3 rd day of Sept 1841 and sent to Lewis Condorcet Morris town N.J.
Arrears to the 1 st of March 1841 $179.82 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept. 11.16
$190.98
Revolutionary War, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 rd
Recorded by W. Addison Clerk Book Vol. Page 148

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE,
June 28 th , 1842.
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,"
The children of Agnes Wilson, deceased, late a Pensioner on the Roll of the New Jersey Agency, at the rate of Twenty two Dollars and 33 Cents per annum, under the law of the 4 th of July 1836, has been paid at this Department, from the 1 st of Feby 1833, to the 17 th Dec. 1838.
Respectfully yours,
William B. Preston Comptroller
To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS, Present.

New Jersey Morris County. Claim of Agnes Wilson, widow of Stafford Wilson, for a Pension under the Law of 1836.
Evidence of Marriage.
Return to Lewis Condict. Morris. Morris town, N. Jersey.

New Jersey, Morris County.
I hereby certify to the Secretary of War & Commissioners of Pensions, that the Family Record to which this paper is attached by wafer, purporting to be the family Record of "Stafford Wilson & Agnes Boyle his wife", exhibiting the terms of their Birth & Marriage, together with the birth of their 14 children, was by me taken from an old frame, having a glass cover, in the possession of said Agnes Wilson when her original Declaration for a pension was taken. It is the same Record from which the date of her marriage with said Robert Wilson, as well as the date of his death were then taken, & is, as I verily believe, the original & true family record of said Stafford Wilson & Agnes his wife.
Morris town, July 1 st 1841.
Silas Condict.
Personally appeared before the subscriber, a justice of peace in & for Morris County, Silas Condict, who has subscribed the above certificate, & who is by me believed to be a man of truth, & being by me duly sworn according to law, saith, that the facts set forth therein are true, as he verily believes. — Sworn before me, at Morris town, July 3 rd 1841.
Silas L. Condict
New Jersey, Morris County. I David B. Hurd, Clerk of Morris County, hereby certify, that Silas L. Condict Esq. whose name is subscribed to the above deposition, is a justice of peace in said County, duly commissioned & authorized, & the signature of his name thereto, viz: Silas L. Condict, is genuine. Witness my hand, & seal of my office at Morris town in said County, July 3 rd 1841.
D. B. Hurd Clerk

F A M I L Y
Record
Names.  Born.  Married.  Died.
Stafford Wilson and Agnes Boyle, his wife.
June 11th [Old Style] 1750 July 1st. N.S. 1761
24 Dec. 1778
14th February 1839
 1. Anna Wilson 1st.  2. Margaret Wilson 1st.  3. Robert Wilson  4. Jane Wilson  5. Solomon Wilson 1st.  6. Israel Wilson  7. Susan Wilson  8. Sarah Wilson  9. Eliz th Wilson  10. William Wilson  11. Solomon Wilson 2nd.  12. Anna Wilson 2nd. young  13. Solomon Wilson 3rd.  14. Note. Margaret Wilson the first was omitted 
CHILDREN
Friday morn g 20th. Oct. 1780. Thursday aft. 21st. Mar. 1782. Friday aft. 21st. May. 1784. Friday morn g 20th. June. 1786. Saturd y aft. 15th. Mar. 1788. Saturd y aft. 20th. Feb. 1790. Saturd y morn g 8th. Oct. 1791. Sund y aft. 20th. Oct. 1793. Sund y morn g 2nd. May. 1795. Thursd y morn g 27th. July. 1797. Thursday 6th. Mar. 1799. Sunday morn g 4th. July 1802. Monday morn g 30th. Mar. 1810. Tuesday morn g 8th. May 1779 omitted in its place by mistake
6th. April 1818 13th March 1806. 4th Oct. 1806. 25th. Dec. 1814 4th. April 1815
31st. May. 1795. 19th April 1819 13th January 1825. Sep 1791. April 18th 1809. March 10th 1780.

No 20250 Stafford Milton Morris County New Jersey
Return
Sum 21 days prime $22.33 Agnes Wilson widow of Stafford Wilson deed 16 Feb 1833
For Leondict Morristown New Jersey

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office.
7 th June 1833
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Stafford Wilson Morris County New Jersey
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Sept r Nov 1776 - - 21 private Capt Lorton H. P. P. Major Doughty March to New York. 82 years Long Hill Testimony in kind   Aug t 1776 - 1 - private Capt Lorton Elizabeth - Morris Co. testimony in kind   Oct r 1776 - 1 - private Same Point New Jersey no claimant's name   Sept r 1777 - 1 - private Capt Day Capt Ford gained - one living   Oct r 1777 - 1 - private Same Witness, with certificate   Nov r 1777 - 1 - private Capt Smith New Ark Member of Congreg l   - 1 - private Capt Beach Connecticut Louis Bond etc.   Not stated Springfield Papers not properly attached  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. _____ who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

New Jersey. Morris Co.
Agnes Wilson
Widow of Stafford Wilson dec.
Married 24 Dec 1778
Husband died 14 Feb. 1833
By account
6 mo. 24 3/4 pri
$22.33 from 14 Feb. '33 when her late husband died
Return to Lewis Benedict Morris-town, N. Jersey.

State of New Jersey, Morris County ss:
Declaration to obtain the benefit of the 3 d section of the Act of Congress, of the 4 th July, 1836.
On this 29 th day of October, 1836, personally appeared before the subscriber, a justice of Peace of the County of Morris & State of New Jersey, Agnes Wilson, a resident of Morris township, in the County & State aforesaid, aged 75 with the last years, who having by me been first duly sworn according to Law, doth on her oath, make the following Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress, passed July 4 th 1836.
I am the widow of Stafford Wilson, who was a private as I believe. (altho' he may have been for aught I know, a Corporal or Sergeant) in the Militia of New Jersey, & served in the war of the revolution. My impression & belief is, that he belonged to, & did public service in the Company of Captain Peter Layton, of the Morris County Militia, & that he also performed Militia service under other Captains; but of this I cannot speak with much confidence. His service was more particularly set forth by himself in his Declaration thereof, made by him some 2 or 3 years past or more & upon which a pension was granted, under the law of 1832, as I understand. I refer the Secretary of War & Commissioner of Pensions, to that Declaration & papers, now on file in the Pension Office, as I presume for proof of his revolutionary service, for which I now claim a pension on his service . My aged husband, though he served his country long & faithfully, was not but little testimony, - most of his comrades being dead; & but a small sum was allowed him. This little, he never lived to receive, having died of the infirmities of old age, before any payment was made.
I was married to the said Stafford Wilson, on the 24 th December, 1778, in the year 1778, by Reverend Samuel Hemenway, Pastor of Parkridge Congregational Church. My husband, the aforesaid Stafford Wilson, died on the 14 th February, 1832 1833. & I have remained a widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear, by reference to the proof hereto annexed. I have five daughters living, & one son.
Since the death of my husband, I have learned that John Hall, an old comrade of my husband's in time of the revolution, has returned from Western New York, & that he might perhaps be able to testify to other Militia services, than those which were stated & admitted in his Declaration. If the Commissioner of Pensions would consider the case yet open to admit his testimony, I would endeavor to obtain his deposition.
Sworn & subscribed before me, the date first mentioned. The date of my age, & marriage, and the death of my husband, are taken from a family record, now in my possession. The date of Mr. Wilson's death, was, 1833. It was erroneously written 1831, & was altered before signing & swearing.
Agnes Wilson
Daniel Runyon Justice of the Peace

I, the subscriber, the Magistrate before whom the within Declaration of Agnes Wilson was this day made, for the purpose of obtaining the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed July 4 th . 1836, do hereby certify to the Commissioners of Pensions, that I am well acquainted with said Agnes Wilson the applicant, & am entirely satisfied, that her age & bodily infirmities are such, that she cannot attend the Court. And I do hereby further certify, that said Agnes Wilson, is well known to me personally, to be a woman of respectability & unblemished character, & fully entitled to belief. I have been her neighbor from my boyhood, till the death of her husband, who was also well known to me, & I know that they were always respected & beloved by others, as well as by me, as husband & wife, & I am well satisfied, that said Agnes Wilson has not married since the death of Stafford Wilson, her late husband. I have also seen the family record, kept by Mrs. Agnes Wilson, of the ages & marriages of herself & husband, & the ages & births &c. of their children, & have compared them with the ages & death of Mr. Wilson as stated in her within Declaration, & know that they agree with the original record thereof.
Witness my hand at Long Hill, this 29 th . October, 1836.
Daniel Runyon Justice of the Peace

State of New Jersey, in our County, ss:
Before the subscriber, a Justice of Peace in & for the County aforesaid, personally appear Stephen Peter Cooper, aged 75 years, & Solomon Boyle, aged 64 years, citizens & residents of the Township of Morris, in the County & State aforesaid. - both of whom are personally well known to me, as men of fair & irreproachable character, & fully entitled to belief; - who having by me been first duly sworn according to law, do, on their oath, declare as follows. viz: - I, Peter Cooper, am in the 78 th year of my age: - I, Solomon Boyle, am in the 65 th year of my age. We were both born & brought up on Long hill, Morris County, in the same neighbourhood where we now live, & have always lived, & when Stafford Wilson & Agnes Wilson have also lived for 50 years & longer, as we believe, in the character of husband & wife. They have always been reputed & believed by all the neighbourhood, to be husband & wife, & have lived together reputably & respectably in that character, as we verily believe. No one to the best of our belief, has ever questioned or doubted the legality of their marriage. Stafford Wilson was always reputed & spoken of as a man of revolutionary terms, & as a soldier in the war of the revolution, as we verily believe he was, from its earliest period to its termination. Said Stafford Wilson died on the 14 th February 1833, & said Agnes Wilson is now his Widow, having never married since his death. N. B. The year of Stafford Wilson's death was erroneously written 1835, & was intended 1833, before signing, to agree with the family record of his death, & done before signing. Sworn & subscribed before me at Long hill, in Morris County, the date first mentioned, viz. 29 th October 1836.
Daniel Runyon Justice of the Peace
Peter Cooper Solomon Boyle
Be it known, that before the subscriber, a Justice of Peace in & for the County of Morris, personally appear Lewis Condict, personally well known to me as a man of truth, & who having by me been first duly sworn according to law, on his oath saith as follows. viz: - I have known Stafford Wilson, more than 40 years - that he was always reputed & believed by myself & by all his neighbours, to have been a soldier in the revolutionary war: - that Agnes Wilson the present applicant for a pension, & said Stafford Wilson, were living together as husband & wife, at the time of my first acquaintance with them, & continued living together in that character till the death of said Stafford Wilson: - that they had numerous family of children, six of whom are now living. - I have seen & examined the family record of ages births, & marriages & deaths, kept as I believe, by said Stafford Wilson, & now in the possession of his widow Agnes Wilson. From this record it appears as therein written, that Stafford Wilson & Agnes Boyle, were married, on the 24 th December, 1778: - that Stafford Wilson died on the 14 th February, 1833. I verily believe she has not been married since the death of said Stafford Wilson. It is well known to me, that said Stafford Wilson, her late husband, was the identical Stafford Wilson, who was by that name, admitted on the Pension list, Roll of the New Jersey Agents for revolutionary services, under the law of June, 1832, whose application I believe, will be found on the files of the Pension Office at Washington. Sworn & subscribed before me November 1 st 1836. - Lewis Condict
Eliza Ward Justice of the Peace

I, Joseph Dalrymple, Clerk of the County of Morris in the State of New Jersey, do hereby certify, that Daniel Runyon Esq. the Magistrate before whom the within Declaration & Deposition of Agnes Wilson & the affidavits of Peter Cooper & of Solomon Boyle, were taken, is a Justice of the Peace in said County, duly commissioned & authorized. — I also certify, that Elijah Ward Esq. the Magistrate before whom the deposition of Lewis Condict herunto annexed, was taken, is also a Justice of Peace in & for said County, duly authorized & commissioned, & that the signatures of said Daniel Runyon & Elijah Ward, submitted to said depositions are both of them genuine.
In testimony whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name & annex my seal of office at Morristown, this first day of November, 1835.
J. P. Dalrymple C.M.K.

Free W. S. Franklin Clerk U.S.H.R.
Hon. Lewis Condict Morristown N.J.

DECLARATION, IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE BENEFIT OF THE ACT OF CONGRESS, PASSED JUNE 7, 1832.
STATE OF NEW-JERSEY, } Morris Common Pleas, Sept. Term, 1832. County of Morris } ss.
On this second day of October, 1832, personally appeared, in open court, before the judges of
the court of Common Pleas now sitting, Stafford Wilson a resident of the township of Morris in the County of Morris and State of New-Jersey, aged eighty two 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 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named Officers, and served as herein stated:
That at the commencement of the Revolutionary War he resided at Long Hill, Morris County, New Jersey, and in March '76 he thinks, was drafted into a Company, of Militia under Capt. Layton and Lieutenant Asahel Johnson, Major John Doughty being their commanding officer. His Company was marched to the city of New York where they were employed in throwing up works of defence at what was called, he thinks Burhens Hill on York Island. Lord Stirling & General Putnam were there and the latter often came to visit the works as they progressed. While at New York General Wash- ington came from Boston with the main Army and this deponent remembers that a detachment from the Regular Army under Colonel De Hart went in the night in boats to Gibbet Island and burnt a house on that Island.
He was called out for one month but is not certain that his Com- -pany remained more than three weeks he was probably discharged and returned home.
His second tour of duty was performed in August of the same year at Elizabeth Town Point keeping guard upon the lines to prevent the enemy from plundering the adjacent country. His officers at this time were Ensign Samuel Oliver, Lieutenant Hugh Caldwell & Capt. Layton. There was frequently a firing with field pieces upon the enemy on Staten Island and it was often returned by them; he was out at this time one month.
He was at home during the month of September and in October was again called out under the same officers and upon the same duty and was out for one month. The same afternoon that he was discharged General Washington passed through Elizabeth Town in his retreat through NJ, passed called the Mud Sounds. This deponent started to return home the same

evening while all the troops who including those of his own company who remained at E. Town and had just been relieved and discharged were marched with the main Army to New Brunswick. — Colonel Ford had command of the troops on this and the preceding tour —
In the ensuing summer probably he remembers that it was very warm weather, he performed a tour of duty one month at Bergen under Capt. Stephen Day, and Colonel Ford who guard duty as before.
He was called out again and marched to New Windsor where they performed guard duty one month or nearly that time. He does not remember his officers upon this tour nor distinctly the dates, thinks that it was in the fall of the year & just before the Capture of Burgoyne.
He performed another monthly tour of Militia duty at Morris town, was quartered at the Widow Hamilton's house on Morris town green. Lieut. Hiram Smith commanded, & John Roll was Sergeant  sergeant . The duty was to guard the prisoners then confined in the jail. Among these prisoners were several men who were taken in Bergen County, as Tories & London traders. — Gov. Livingston was then living in Morris town, at Arnold's Tavern, & these prisoners or a part of them were taken before the Governor & examined before their commitment. — One night they had made an attempt to escape, by digging their way under the floor & through the wall. — They were discovered by the guard, & Sheriff Carmichael, aided by the guard removed them all into the Dungeon, which was crowded with prisoners.
He performed another monthly tour at Newark, guarding the lines, under the command of Capt. Beach of Newham. He was often employed standing sentry at night, & guarding prisoners in Newark goal. — He cannot remember the year nor the month when the two last tours were performed, but it was the latter part of summer when he was on guard at Morris town, & probably early in the fall when at Newark. The guard at Newark was much larger than that at Morris. Capt. Beach, as senior officer commanded the whole. — He was often called out on alarms, for different periods, mostly of short duration. — He was out at the battle of Connecticut Farms with his company when the Church & village was burnt. — He was also with his company at the battle & burning of Springfield when that Church & town were also burnt by the enemy. Followed the enemy in their retreat thro' Eliz. town & to the fork of the roads near the point, where there was some skirmishing between the Militia & the enemy. In this skirmish Lieut. Vance of our company was killed, a musket ball passing thro' his head. — Israel Bowling of St. Johns company & a neighbor of this deponent, was twice wounded at the battle of Springfield, on the day before the skirmish at Eliz. town. — He was born in the County of Antrim, in Ireland, on the 11 th June 1750, according to his family record, now in his possession. Lived at Long hill, Morris County N. Jersey, when first called into Militia service, where he has lived to the present time. Was drafted into service.

He never rec d . a written discharge. General Livingston, after ward Governor, was his first General, & after him, Genl. Williamson & Genl. Windes commanded. — He thinks Genl. Washington & part of his main Army from Morris town, arrived at Springfield the next day after the place was burnt. & followed in their rear till they crossed to Staten Island. — He refers to Colonel Solomon Boyle & Peter Cooper his neighbors, who have known him 40 years or more, for his general character, & the belief of his services in the war of the revolution. The only living witness of his services whom he knows & has found, is Jabez Thompson, whose deposition is herewith annexed, & to which he refers as testimony.
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, in any  on that of the Agency of the State of New Jersey.
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
William Brillin
Stafford Wilson
We Solomon Boyle & Peter Cooper, residing in the County of Morris hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Stafford Wilson who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be Eighty two years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Solomon Boyle Peter Cooper
William Brillin
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the court further certifies, that it appears to them, that Solomon Boyle and Peter Cooper who have signed the preceding certificate, are resident in the Township of Mansfield in the County aforesaid, and that  who have signed the same  are credible persons, and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
William Brillin James Wood
I David Day Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Stafford Wilson for a pension.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this second day of October — in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two
David Day
The above Declarant, Stafford Wilson, has been a Resident of the County 50 years & more, & sustains a fair & unblemished character, & is fully entitled to credit. I have known him from my boyhood, & cheerfully accord to him my entire belief of all the facts set forth in his Declaration. — Lewis Condict, one of the Apts from N. Jersey, Morris town, N. Jersey, Oct. 2 nd . 1832.

Stafford Wilson's Declaration. Va
20250
from N. J. May

State of New Jersey } p. County of Morris }
Be it known that on the 25 th day of September 1832 before the subscriber one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County, personally came Jabez Thompson who being duly sworn saith - That in the year 1776 he was acquainted with Stafford Wilson, now an Applicant for a pension under the Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 that he performed Militia duty with the said Wilson and in the same Company during the Revolutionary War at various times and places - viz - in June '70 in Bergen County while the British fleet was lying in New York harbor this deponent served in a Company under Capt. Stephen Day with the said Wilson, that in August & October following this deponent performed two monthly tours at Elizabeth town with the said Wilson in a Compy. commanded by Capt. Layton, that he performed guard duty at the Jail in Morristown with the said Wilson for one month under the command of Lieutenant Hiram Smith, that beside the terms of service here specified this deponent performed  believes that performed other tours of Militia duty with the  were performed by said Wilson but from defective memory is unable to state them particularly.
Jabez Thompson
Sworn & subscribed this 25 th day of September 1832
Edward Condict
I certify to the Secy of War, that Edward Condict Esq. before whom the above affidavit was taken, is one of Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of Morris County, & that the signature of his name thereto is genuine. - I am also well acquainted with Jabez Thompson the Deponent above named, & know him to be a man much respected for his integrity & veracity, & is in all respects fully entitled to belief. Morristown, N. Jersey, Oct. 4 th 1832.
Levi Condict, one of the Rept. from New Jersey

The Clerk of the Court of Morris County, has omitted to attach together the Declaration & testimony in the mode required by the Department - & of being myself present in Court when the papers were presented & passed, I hereby certify that the testimony of Jabez Thompson, on the back half sheet annexed by wagon was then annexed, forming a part of the case, & that the whole was, then it passed the approbation of the Court, in the same order & condition in which it was presented to the Pension Office, & in which it is now.
Morris town, N. J. Sept. 25 th 1833.
Levi Condit, late a Rep er
from N. Jersey.

879 Rev WIDOW, &c.
No. 879 Agnes Wilson Widow Stafford Wilson Priv. Riv. War.
Act: July 4, 1836.
Box: Vol. M. Page 336.
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Jos. L. Edwards Esq.
Commission of Pension Washington

Trenton, N. J. March 17 th 1899.
Dr. Sir,
It is probably not less than two years, (perhaps more) since I sent to your office the Declaration of the widow of Stephen Wilson of Morris Co. N. Jersey, claiming a pension on account of the revolutionary services of her husband who was pensioned under the law of 1832.
On examination, I believe you stated, that there was no proof of service after the marriage. — Her son, on conversing with John Hall, an aged soldier of the revolution last fall, discovered that Hall knew him as a soldier of Middlesex in the war. & Hall's deposition is herewith enclosed.
This family record is before you, as well as other testimony of their marriage, & some of Hall's evidence relates to service by Wilson, in the year 1780. Will you be kind enough to review the case, which is on file in the office & allow such compensation as may seem to be equitable & just?
My statement is from recollection only, not having your letter on the subject with me at this place.
Our Legislature will rise in a day or two, & I will then ask you to assign me at Morris town , N. Jersey, as heretofore.
Very respectfully
Y r obed. Servt. &c.
Lewis Bonar
Gen. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions.

New Jersey, Morris County.
Additional testimony of the Militia Jurors of Stafford
Wilson, upon the claim of Mrs. Agnes Wilson, under the Act of 1836.

State of New Jersey } Somerset County } ff.
Personally appeared before the subscriber a justice of peace in & for said county, John Hall, an aged soldier of the Revolution & nearly blind by age, who being by me first duly sworn according to law, deponeth & saith as follows - viz: - I am now 88 years of age, was a soldier of the revolution, & am now a pensioner of the United States under the act of Congress of 1832. I was personally well acquainted in time of the war, with Stafford Wilson. He was by trade a Tailor & made clothes for me. He belonged to the company of Militia commanded by Captain Peter Layton of Morris County, & I belonged to Captain Goin or Gaven McCloy, of the Somerset Militia, & altho' in different counties, we were neighbours, the Raritan brook or river, dividing the counties. - I was sometimes the cook in McCloy's company, & upon one occasion when our company was out upon a tour of Militia guard duty, Wilson, who was then doing duty under Captain Layton, called at our quarters to see his acquaintance. This was early in the war, but the precise year, I cannot now tell. Wilson came several times to see us whilst on this duty, as a neighbour & friend.
At another time, when I was performing a tour of Militia duty, & under the same officers as I believe, I saw Stafford Wilson again performing a tour of Militia duty also. - We were part of the time at Belfus point, in New Jersey, & I think Wilson was in Captain Layton's company. - There were regular Militia tours of duty, of one month each, as I vainly believe, the Militia being divided into classes, & relieving each other. It is not in my power, owing to my advanced age & the failure of memory, to say how often, & when, I have seen Stafford Wilson engaged in performing Militia service. But I have seen & known of services by him, in the war, much more frequently than I have now stated, but cannot particularize them, except that I remember him well as a Militia soldier at the battles of Springfield & Coopers town farms, which was in the summer season, towards the latter part of the war, & as I am informed & believe, was in the year 1780. Those towns, with their churches were then burned by the Enemy.
Sworn & subscribed, this 10th day of January 1839
Before me Nicholas P. Cady J.P.
John F. Hall mark
Witness my own hand
Isaac H. Wilson

I certify that I have been personally acquainted with John Hall the deponent for six or seven years last past. His character for veracity is good. I have several times taken his deposition in similar cases and considered his oath entitled to full credit. And at the time of taking the foregoing deposition, he appears to enjoy his mental faculties quite as well as I have known him to possess them at any time during the three past years and to fully understand all that he has sworn to. Jany. 12, 1839. N. C. Job
State of New Jersey Somerset County ss
I John M. Mann Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County do hereby certify that Nicholas C. Job before whom and by whom the above Affidavit and Certificate was made was at the time of the date thereof a justice of the peace in and for said County duly commissioned and sworn and that the proper signature of the said Nicholas C. Job is subscribed to the said Affidavit and Certificate. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this Eleventh day of Jany in Eighteen hundred and thirty nine.
J. Mann

Magistrate James  James Chief Justice (Navy) James
James L. Edwards Esq.
Commission of Pension.

Morris town N. J. July 3 d . 1841
Dear Sir,
Enclosed is the original family Record of Stafford Wilson & Agnes his wife, referred to in her Declaration, under the act of 1835, by which it appears they were married 25 th . Decr. 1778.
I enclose also, your letter of July 28 th . 39. in relation to the affidavit of John Hall, proving that Wilson was in the battle of Springfields in 1780, but the duration of that service is not stated. The letter adds, "some sort of specification is necessary." — I regret that it cannot be given, inasmuch as Hall is not living. He died more than a year since — perhaps 2 years since.
I admit, that the overrunning of that part of Jersey in May & June 80. the burning of Eliz th . town — Springfields & Connecticut farms & villages, called out the whole Militia in mass, & that when the enemy returned to N. York & Staten Island, many of the Militia were permitted to return home. There can be no doubt that many of them remained in Jersey, till after the year when they were enlisted in the winter following. But admitting that Wilson was out on that occasion by an alarm , & for the period of about two weeks, as the records generally seem to show, it would be sufficient to show, that "service was performed after marriage ".
Wilson & Hall, were personally well known to each other; for while Wilson lived in Morris Co. & Hall in Somerset — they were neighbours — separated only by Paspay Brook, which is the County line — Wilson north of it & Hall south.
I hope you will find the Marriage Record sufficient, with the former testimony, to send me her Certificate.
Very respectfully,
Your ob t . serv t
Lewis Bonar
James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions.