Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 11,598, Cornelius Williams, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey
Williams, Cornelius
R 11,598
Margaret
CONTENTS

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Second Section of the Act of Congress of the 4 th July, 1836.
State of New York City & County of New York } p:
On this Twentieth day of November A.D. 1845, personally appeared in open court before the Court of Common Pleas for the city and county of New York now sitting, Margaret Williams, a resident of the city of New York, aged 69 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 Second Section of the Act of Congress, passed July 4. 1836: _____ That she is the widow of Cornelius Williams, who was a soldier in the war of the Revolution and a Captain of Artillery in said War from and after the battle of Springfield; that he was a native of Williams Farms in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey; that he entered the service early in the war, and continued therein, as she distinctly remembers to have heard him say, during the period of seven years; that he was an officer - of what grade she cannot state - in the company of artillery commanded by Captain Little at the battle of Springfield in which said company took an active part, and immediately thereafter succeeded Captain Little in the command of said company; and that he received a commission as Captain of Artillery under the State Seal of New Jersey & bearing the signature of Governor Livingston, which commission was in her possession about two years since, but is now lost. The declarant further states that said commission had been for a long time mislaid & that about two years ago, in examining some old deeds & mortgages of her husband, she found said commission among them - that she had promised her son, Orlando L. Williams, to

give it to him, if ever she found it, and that she accordingly presented the same to him not long after it was found, since which time she has not seen it, but has been informed by her son that he has lost it.
Declarant further saith that her said husband died in the city of New York on the 4 th July, A.D. 1831, aged 77 years, and was buried at Connecticut Farms, about 8 miles from Elizabethtown, New Jersey; and that the following inscription was caused to be engraved on his tomb by Captain Matthias Brant, his fellow-soldier in the revolution, now dead.
"In memory of Captain Cornelius Williams, who died July 4, 1831, aged 77 years. He served early and long in the Revolutionary struggle; was a brave soldier and a pleasant commander."
She further declares that she was married to the said Cornelius Williams in the city of New York by Dr. Phoebus, a methodist clergyman - that the marriage was solemnized at the residence of the said clergyman some time in the beginning of May, A.D. 1800 - and that she has remained a widow ever since the death of her said husband.
Sworn to & subscribed before me in open court this 20 th day of November A.D. 1845
Margaret Williams
Andrew Warner, Clerk

Receipts for Cash paid  One — years' interest on Notes given by the Commissioners of the several Counties for Militia Services.
   No. of Voucher. No. of Certif. Date. SIGNED BY. PAYABLE TO. Amount. 1 y's int.     190 May 19. 1784 Thos Clark Cornelius Williams 122. 8. 0 7. 6. 10   268 June 10. " Do Do 19. 11. 3 1. 3. 5   743 July 6. " Do Do 4. 5. 0 0. 5. 0  
STATE OF NEW JERSEY:
I, CHARLES G. MCCHESNEY, Secretary of State of the State of New Jersey, do hereby certify, that the foregoing is a true abstract from a Book, headed as above, as taken from, and compared with the original, now remaining in my office.—And I do further certify, that Thomas Clark was, by an Act, passed by the Legislature of this State, December 20, 1783, entitled "An Act to procure an estimate of the sums due to the Militia and Troops who have been raised for the defence of the frontiers of the State, and to provide for the settlement of the same," appointed a Commissioner for the County of Essex for the purpose of settling and adjusting the pay rolls of the Militia and Troops of this State, as aforesaid, and also for signing and delivering out to each and every person a note for the payment of what may be justly due.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office, at Trenton, in said State, this eleventh day of July A. D. one thousand eight hundred and forty- five .
Charles M. Chesney Secretary of State.

City and County of New York p: On this twenty first day of November, A.D. 1845 before me, a Commissioner of Deeds for the city & County of New York, personally appeared Orlando G. Williams, known to me to be a person of respectability and veracity, who, being duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, say that he resides in the city of New York and is forty one years of age; being the oldest child son of Cornelius Williams & Margaret, his widow, the identical per- son now claiming a pension under the Second Section of the Act of 4 th July, 1836; that Cornelius Williams, his said father, died on the 4 th July, 1831, & that his mother, the said Margaret Williams, has never intermarried, but continues his widow. _____ Deponent further saith that he has often heard his father speak of his services in the war of the Revolution; that according to his statement he was engaged in the battles of Long Island, Monmouth & Springfield; that he cannot say in what grade he served prior to the last-named battle, but the impression is strong on his mind that in that engagement he was Ensign or Lieutenant, & he well remembers to have heard him say that he served in that engagement under the command of Captain Little, of the artillery - and that immediately thereafter he succeeded him in the command of the company - that the company was composed of volunteers, & that being dispersed with the conduct of their commander on the day of the battle, they elected his father in his stead on the following day. Deponent further saith that his father thereupon received from Governor Livingston a commission as Captain of artillery - which commission, bearing the signature of the said Governor & sealed with the great Seal of the State of New Jersey, was given to him, this deponent, about two years since by his mother, the said Margaret Williams, by whom, as he understood from her at the time, it had then been recently found after having been long mislaid. Deponent's recollection is

posiure that said document was a commission to his father, Cornelius Williams, as Captain of Artillery - that it was signed by Governor Livingston, sealed with the Great Seal of the State of New Jersey, and bore date in the revolution - but the precise date he cannot state. He further saith that he deposited the same for safe-keeping, (together with an old commission to his father as Corner of Essex County, New Jersey, which had been found by his mother at the same time,) in a desk in his dwelling where he kept other papers. that all of said papers were afterwards lost in moving from that said dwelling to another - and that he has made diligent search and inquiry for them in vain. - He also saith that he has heard his father say that he was with the officers of the revolution when they took leave of the commander-in-chief in the city of New York at the close of the war - that he shook hands with him and bade him farewell - and further he saith not.
Sworn to & subscribed before me Calando S. Williams. this 21 st day of November A.D. 1841 (the word "son" being previously interlined in 7 th line from the first)
Henry Richardson Notary Public.
City and County of New York ss: On this twentieth day of November A.D. 1841, before me, a Commissioner of Seas for the city & county of New York, personally appeared Nancy Beman, a resident of the city of New York, aged 65 years, known to me to be a person of respectability & veracity, who being duly sworn, according to law, doth, on her oath, say that she is the daughter of Cornelius Williams by his first wife: that she was married and living next door but one to her father in the city of New York at the date of his second marriage - that she well recollects the person

of said marriage - that it took place in the month of May - the day she cannot state - in the year one Thousand Eight Hundred - that the name of his second wife was Margaret Hopkins - - that her father died July 4, 1831, leaving the said Margaret surviving him, who hath continued his widow, & is the identical Margaret Williams now applying for a pension under 2 o Section of Act 4 th July, 1834. Deponent further saith that she has often heard her father speak of his services in the war of the revolution, stating that he was engaged in the battles of Long Island, Monmouth & Springfield - & in particular that the day after the last named battle he was unanimously chosen Cap- tain by the company of volunteer artillery with whom he served, under command of Captain Little, in the engagement - the said company being dissatisfied with the demeanour of their commanding officer on the day of the battle, & electing the next day her father in his stead - She further saith that she has always understood that her father received a commission from Governor Livingston, of New Jersey, as Captain of artillery, but she does not remember to have seen it - she recollects, however, to have heard her step-mother say that she had found it among some old papers of her father about two years ago - & had given it to her son, Orlando G. Williams - Deponent also saith that she has heard in her father say that he was one among the officers of the revolution who took leave of General Washington in the city of New York at the close of the war. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 20 th day of November, A.D. 1845 Nancy Bevan Henry Richardson Comr of deeds -
City & County of New York p: On this twenty first day of November A.D. 1845 before me, a Commissioner of Deeds for the city & county of New York, personally appeared Edwin S. Ralph,

a resident of the city of New York, who, being duly sworn according to law, on his oath saith that he is the son-in-law of Mrs Margaret Williams, widow of Cornelius Williams - now applying for a pension - that he was living in the same dwelling with her when she found her husband's commission - that it was about two years ago - on a Sunday afternoon - that she brought it to him, telling him that she had just found it in a bureau among some old papers of her husband - that he examined the same with great curiosity and read it carefully - and deponent avers that his recollection is distinct and positive that said document was a commission to Cornelius Williams, as Captain of Artillery - that it bore the great Seal of the State of New Jersey - was signed by Governor Livingston & countersigned by the Secretary of State whose name he cannot recollect - and that it bore date in the resolution, but the particular date has escaped his memory - deponent further saith that about a week after the finding of said commission the said Margaret Williams gave the same, as a keep-sake, to her son, Orlando S. Williams, to whom she had promised it if she should ever find it - the same having been long lost sight of - He also saith that the said Margaret Williams has not intermarried since the death of her husband, but still continues his widow.
Sworn to & subscribed before me
this 21 st day of November A.D. 1845
Henry Richardson Comr of Accds
Edwin S. Ralphs.

STATE OF NEW-YORK, CITY AND COUNTY OF NEW-YORK, } ss.
I, James Conner, Clerk of the City and County of New-York,
DO HEREBY CERTIFY, That Henry Richardson before whom the annexed deposition was taken, was, at the time of taking the same, a Commissioner of Deeds in and for said City and County, duly commissioned and sworn, and authorized by the laws of this State to take the same; and that I believe the Signature of said Commissioner thereunto subscribed is genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of the said County, the 22 - day of Nov 1845
James Conner Clerk.

Dec 4/58
My dear Whiting
Hon: W.B. Macalay desires to ascertain for his friend E. D. Ralphe, whether your office affords any information relative to the claim of Margaret Williams referred to in the enclosed memo. By dropping me a line on the subject you will greatly oblige
Your friend &c J. A. Salomon

No 6629 M rs dow of Cornelius Williams
Set to P ty M rs Irving Cad.
23. 1845
" C. A. Lay, Nov. 18, 1846.
to same July 29 '47
Hon. J. Kittel June 27/56
S. N. Salomon Dec 9/58
De d Section act 4 July 1856

11.598
P. O. Corporal Williams
Service: Margaret
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____ _____
Re-enlisted: _____ _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____ _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contra
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

An Act to raise by voluntary enlistment eight hundred and twenty men for the defence of the frontiers of this State
No. 1.
(Sec. 1) — In the County of Essex two hundred and fifty nine men, including twelve Commissioned Officers, twelve Sergeants and twelve Corporals, four Drummers and fourteen horsemen to be raised by the officers hereinafter named and to be divided into four Companies as equally as may be; one to be commanded by Captain John Craig, Lieutenant Cornelius Williams, and Ensign John Miller of the said County of Essex. Passed. December 26. 1780
No. 2.
Abstract of Pay Rolls discharged by Isaac Halsey Paymaster to the Militia of the Counties of Essex and Middlesex.
   No. Date of Service Regiment Officers named Where served Under whom Amount L. S. D.     252 July 8. 1779 1 st Essex Adj t Williams Eliz. Town Col. Scudder 28. 0. 0  
State of New Jersey
Charles G o M c Chesney Secretary of State of the State of New Jersey do hereby certify that the foregoing marked No 1 is a true extract from a law passed by the Legislature of said State Dec r 26. 1780. and that No 2 is a true extract from Book B. of Auditor's Accounts page 82 as taken

from and compared with the originals now in file in my Office.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Seal of Office at Trenton this twelfth day of November A. D. One thousand eight hundred and forty six.
Charles G. McChesney Secy of State

Williams
C.A. Lacy

Washington, Nov. 16 1846.
Sir
The enclosed evidence is in the case of the widow Cornelius Williams, who claims to be allowed a balance of pension due him in consequence of his having survived the act of 7 June 1832, about four months. This evidence is relied on to overcome the objections in the case communicated to P. M. Irwin Esq of New York. This evidence establishes his rank, both as Lieut and Adjutant, and the different amounts of pay paid him is relied on to establish the service.
Very respectfully your obedient C. A. Gay
J. L. Edwards Esq } present

New York July 8th 1847.
Sir,
In your letter of the 18th inst last, in the Case of Margaret Williams, widow of Lieut. Cornelius Williams, you say that she first claimed a pension for the service of her husband as a Subaltern Officer, and subsequently as a Captain of Artillery, in Essex County New Jersey, and swore that her knowledge of her husband's grade was founded upon his original Commission which has been recently lost or destroyed; and that the evidence then presented by me "which was his appointment and service as a Lieutenant in the Year's service in the Detachment of New Jersey State Troops in the year 1781. from Essex County New Jersey," has no reference to the Claimed Set for her by the claimant, and that there must have been two officers of the same name if her statement is truly descriptive of her husband's service. Now as you say "she first claimed for the service of a Subaltern Officer of Essex County Troops, which is a Lieutenant or a grade below the Captain I certainly can see no good reason for the Office to distrust the identity of the Lieutenant so shown to have been in service and I would also respectfully ask a review of the case, and also that the evidence from the Office of the Secretary of State which had been previously filed and was not at that time referred to may be compared with the proof presented by me. She is undoubtedly mistaken in saying that her husband was a Captain of Artillery if she intended to be so understood "in the War," and when it is seen that she founds that statement on a Commission which had long been lost, I think very little weight should ought to attach to it, especially where no weight would be if it was an affirmative statement. It is true he may have held the rank of Captain of Artillery after the War, but during the war it is very certain that he held no such rank. It is true on one occasion when his section of the State was suddenly invaded he mustered up a few men and got an old "field piece" and went down and drove the enemy off. I never heard of but the one Cornelius Williams in that County, and that beyond all doubt was this one. The number of Cases which I have prosecuted from that County and for services in the same Company with him, renders it a matter of fact well understood  known by me as to what service he done, which it would seem to be as follows, in 1776 5 Months as Ensign in Lieut. Capt. Swans Company then Lieut.

and adjutant in the Militia, and New Jersey State Regt to 1780 when he was "as is shewn" appointed a Lieut. in the State Troops. I have no doubt but that the most of his services could be proved in the manner required, but the amount of Pension to which she would be entitled, would be so small (Only about 3 months) it would not pay the expense of procuring the proof, and in consequence of which such a pension as the Department may feel warranted in allowing (or one computed from the amount of pay that it is shewn that he received for services ) would be accepted.
I Am very respectfully Your Obedt Servt A A Phelps
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commr of Pensions.

Relay to care - July 10/89 Morgan & Williams, just 4th Corners
L. Edwards Esq. Commrs. of Pensions Washington D.C.

New York November 21. 1845
Sir
I herewith transmit declaration of Mrs Margaret Williams, who claims under 2 d Section of the Act of 4 th July, 1836, the amount of pension which would have accrued to her husband, a Captain of Artillery, from 4 th March, 1831, under the act of 7 th June, 1832, if he had survived the passage of that act. — He died July 4 th 1831. The pittance claimed and to which I have no doubt she is justly entitled cannot of course exceed two hundred dollars, if the evidence should be deemed satisfactory to establish her right to so much.
I submit, as the only documentary evidence that could be procured, a pay certificate from the Secretary of State of New Jersey. In his letter enclosing it he states that "prior to 1777" the State had no returns of militia service or any other than a very imperfect one to 1780; and that the certificates of pay of the description he sent me were given "for further and militia service after November 1779 ." He adds "the case is good on this certificate for 18 months" — his language implying from the context 18 months service as Captain.
It would appear from the affidavits submitted that the husband of the claimant was elected a Captain of artillery on the 24 th June, 1780, the day

after the battle of Spottsylvania; that he received a commission, as such, which was in existence about two years ago & has since been lost.
No documentary evidence of the marriage is extant; but the affidavit of Mrs. Benian, a perfectly respectable and trustworthy witness, makes it clear that it took place in May, 1860. She is a step-daughter of the applicant - was married & living within two doors of her father at the date of the ceremony & could not well be mistaken as to the time. Moreover, in applications under this section, whether where the widow is entitled without reference to the date of the marriage, it cannot be important to establish the precise period.
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant Pierre M. Irving 32 Wall St
J. L. Edwards, Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington