Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 11786, Jacob Wood, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey
Wood, Jacob
R. 11786
CONTENTS
..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... .....
..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... .....

State of New-Jersey Essex County As Personally appeared before me the Subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for said County. Samuel Brant & Mahittable Brant his wife of the Township of Springfield County of Essex and State of New-Jersey, Known to me by general Reputation to be of good Character & entitled to belief as Witnesses. — And being by me duly Sworn doth on their Oaths depose and say, The said Samuel Brant that he is Forty two years of age & is the Son in Law of Jacob Wood of the Township of Springfield in the County & State aforesaid and the said Mahittable Brant that she was Thirty Seven years of age last December and is the daughter of the above Named Jacob Wood — And these depo- nents further saith. The said Mahittable Brant that the Bible In whose age the Name of Jacob Wood is Entered Belongs to her Mother who was the first wife of the said Jacob Wood. and the said Samuel Brant & Mahittable Brant further saith that the said Bible has been in their possession ever since the year 1812.3. And that at that time viz in the year Eighteen hundred and Twenty three the name of Jacob Wood stood entered in said Bible as it now stands viz Jacob Wood Born January the 10 th , 1759. and entered in the same Bible Rachel Prigg, the first wife of the said Jacob Wood Born September the 25 th , 1759 Barts Wood Son of Berick Wood Born August the 10 th 1793 — Mahittable Wood daughter of Jacob Wood Born December 25 th , 1797, also Samuel Brant above named born June 12 th , 1792 & that the above entries in said Bible is in the proper hand Writing of the said Jacob Wood. and these deponents further saith that they have seen the said entries as they now stand in said Bible

as Much as twenty years last past and Believe the said entries to be the true ages of all the above Named persons. & these deponent further saith that there is other entries in the same Bible being the ages of several of the Priggs family which has stood there ever since she been Reminded of being said Bible. — And the said Mahitable Brant further saith that the said Bible Belongs to her Mother who was a Priggs and given to her by her Step Mother in the year 1823. and further saith not. Sworn and Subscribed at } Samuel Brant Newark in said County } Mehitable Brant the 10 th day of June A.D. 1835 before me
Sam l B. Miller Justice of the peace
State of New Jersey County of Essex
ss: I Elias Van Ausdalen Junior Clerk of the
Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Essex Do hereby certify That Samuel B. Miller Esq r before the foregoing affidavits of Samuel Brant & Mehitable Brant were made & taken at the time of taking the same was & still is a Justice of the peace of said County duly commissioned & sworn, & also that the signature
"Sam l B. Miller" subscribed to the Jurat of said affidavit is genuine. —
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, at Newark in the County of Essex aforesaid, the Eighteenth day of June A.D. Eighteen hundred thirty five —
E Van Ausdalen Jr. Clerk

No. 6.399
Jacob Woods
New Jersey
Essex County
Ret'd of n
Rejected
Saml B Miller Newark E. Alan Ausdale XXXXX XXXXX N.J.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
24 th May — 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 subjóined 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 Jacob Woods. Epea Co. N.J.
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     1. Jan'y 1777. Service, attending to the alarm gun which service continued for 6. years. 69. Epea Co. New Jersey Traditionary and living witnesses.  
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) _____, who has
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 days 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 the 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 , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years 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 place, 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 [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.

State of New-Jersey
Essex County ss I Personally appeared before me
The Subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for said county of Essex. Jacob Wood of the Township of Springfield in the County of Essex & State of New-Jersey And being by me duly sworn cloth on his oath depose and, say That he is the same Jacob Wood that heretofore Made a Declaration for a pension. Which papers he Believes now are filed in the pension office at Washington.
And this deponent further saith that since making his said Declaration and Supplemental affidavit, he has found the old Family Bible Belonging to his first Wife by the Name of Rachel Briggs. In which is set down a Number of Names of the Briggs family and among the Rest the Name of his first wife who was Born September 25 th , 1759, In the same Bible is Entered the Name of the aforesaid Jacob Wood Barto Wood & Mahittick Wood. Which entry was Made more than Thirty years past. And this deponent further saith, That the said Bible is now before him and his age is there set down as Born January the Eighteenth Seventeen hundred and fifty nine which he believes to be his true age. Which Bible he has found with his daughter Sena making his said declaration and affidavit and which book he did not know of at the time of Making his said Application for a pension, and further saith not. Sworn and subscribed at Newark In said county May 20 th 1835 before me on the old bible above mentioned
Jacob Wood
Sam d W. Miller Justice of the peace

State of New Jersey County of Essex
ss.
I Elias Van Arsdale Junr. Clerk of the County of Essex Do hereby certify that Samuel B. Miller Esq. before whom the within Affidavit of Jacob Wood, was made. Taken at the time of taking the same was and still is one of the Justices of the Peace in & for the said County duly commissioned & sworn: And further that the signature "Sam B . Miller" subscribed to the jurat of said Affidavit is genuine.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said County at Newark is the Twentieth day of May A.D. One thousand eight hundred and thirty five.
E. Van Arsdale Jr. Clerk

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of bounties passed June 7. 1832
State of New Jersey County of Essex ss: On this eighteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared in open court before the judges of the Superior Court of Common Pleas now sitting, at its sessions in and for the County of Essex Jacob Wood a resident of the Township of Springfield in the County of Essex and State of New Jersey aged sixty nine 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 bounties passed June 7 th 1832 - That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers and served as herein stated. That he entered the service of the United States on the first day of January 1777 as an Artilleryman, a private soldier under Captain James Wood of the artillery of the alarm guns and so remained to the end of the Revolutionary War. A double fortified eighteen pounder was sent to Captain James Wood by the United States and he was ordered to get three men whose duty it should be to tend that gun and give the alarm every time the enemy ap- peared. The gun was kept between Springfield & Hattrem in Essex County on the high ground. Genl. Washington came to the gun in the Spring of the year 1777 and called for the Officer that tended the gun, he expressed himself to the witness as satisfied with the gun and the manner of Nine Month Service and was not absent from duty

it was tended. deponent saith that he helped build three alarm Posts and found part of the woods - While the army lay at Brattleboro he aided in procuring sixty loads of hay for the army. He went down as a volunteer with Captain Brittain who commanded a company at Battle Hill of Militia and was sent here by him to get his team which he did and took a load of bread from Springfield for the wounded and the army and unloaded it in a convenient spot for the army to use it. deponent further saith that he also volunteered and went under Captain Brittain near Springfield and Connecticut farms and found one deserter and brought him back to the guard, also went on a scouting party for several days thru Halsted's point, Moxie's Hollow and so ranged thro that country. deponent saith that he served stately and was attached to the aforesaid alarm Gun under the said James Wood for six years, during which time he occasionally went as before stated on scouting parties by re- quest of the officers as a volunteer. He thinks he was present every time the alarm Gun was fired which was often the case. In this service there was no other officer than the Captain. At the time he joined the alarm Gun he lived in the township of Springfield aforesaid not far from where he has ever since lived and now lives. deponent knows Col. Barker, and Genl.

Washington and saw many other Continental Officers but didn't know them or their names. Deponent has no doc- umentary evidence to furnish. He further saith that John Pille one of the men that served at the alarm gun with depo- nent was killed in 1779 by the gun going off while they were loading it and Deponent stood close by him at the time. 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 & subscribed the day given aforsaid in open Court -
Jacob Wood
A. Reynolds Judge of Probate Court We Philamon Dickinson a Vezymen residing in the town - ship of Springfield in the county of Essex and state of New Jersey and Anthony Sayre — residing in the same place hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Jacob Wood who has subscribed and sworn to the above decla- ration that we believe him to be sixty nine 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.
Philamon Dickinson Anthony Sayre
Sworn & subscribed the day given aforsaid. in open court
A. Reynolds Judge

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 Philomen Dreher who signed the preceding certificate is a layman resident in the township of Springfield in the County of Essex and that Anthony Sayres who has also signed the same is a resident of the said township of Springfield and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Dated August 16. 1832 -
A. Peckover
Sam d B. Miller
William Williams

Now being these bounty bills: Anthony Jones of the township of Springfield in said county of full age being duly sworn according to law on his oath saith that he was acquainted with Jacob Wood in the Revolutionary War, he understood at that time that he was in the service under Captain Wood of the artillery in attending the alarm gun between Springfield and Chatham. Deponent hath seen Captain Wood, Jacob Wood and John Pike with the gun, and deponent from what he understood during the Revolutionary War believes the statement now made by the said Jacob Wood to obtain his pension to be correct and true. Deponent knows the alarm gun was kept and always understood by Captain Wood and three men and that Jacob Wood was one of them.
Anthony Jones sworn & subscribed { before me 16 Aug 1832
in open court
Attest: [Signature] Judge of these Common Pleas in open court
State of New Jersey County of Essex ss: I Elias Van Rensselaer Junior Clerk of The Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for said County of Essex do hereby certify

That the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said court in the matter of the application of Jacob Woods for a Pension - And I do further certify that Abraham Reynolds Samuel B. Miller and William Williams are judges of said court duly commissioned & sworn & that the signatures of said judges or either of them to the foregoing proceedings or any part of the same wherever such signatures occur are genuine -
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand & Seal of Office this twentieth day of August A.D. Eighteen hundred & thirty two.
E. M. Brace / Clerk
Trans -
2

State of New-Jersey, Essex County 27 ! Personally appeared before me Samuel B. Miller the undersigned a Justice of the peace in and for said County of Essex Isaac Wood of the Township of Springfield County of Essex and State of New-Jersey a Man of Truth and Credibility - Who being duly sworn on his oath deponeth and saith that he is the same Isaac Wood who heretofore made a Declaration for a pension dated the sixteenth day of August 1832. - And in that declaration made a mistake as to his true age not having any written document thereof. - But has since ascertained to his full satisfaction that he was born on the eighteenth day of January in the year of Lord 1761. and was seventytwo years old last January. - And that he remembered the great length of time and the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length or periods of the war when he served - But according to the best of his recollection he served as a drafted private soldier and volunteer in the Revolutionary war at the times and not less than the periods mentioned below.
That he first entered the service of the united States in the Revolutionary War as a drafted and private soldier on the first day of April 1776 in Captain Brooksfields company of militia at what was then the Township of Elizabeth but now the Township of Springfield County of Essex and State of New-Jersey he at that time being enrolled in said company as a private and marched from Springfield to Elizabeth Tavern point and was there stationed under the command of Col Samuel Potter and Col Bencourtlans inplaid in building the Forts or least works and guarding the lines and continued on duty at that place until the first of January 1777. Making one tour of Nine Month service and was not absent from duty

but one day during the whole term of Nine Months the being confused at the time and loss of memory he did not think to mention it until his Declaration was read out & certified.
And this deponent further said that the service stated to have been done by him in his said Declaration in the war of the Revolution as an Artilleryman under the command of Captain James Wood was actually done and rendered as therein stated viz. From the First of January 1777. until the close of the war or until some time in the year 1782. and was out on duty and in actual service not less than Three Months in each of the first five years and as much as one Month in the last year in actual service attending to the gun and alarm posts Making out less than one year and Four Months in actual service in the Artillery
And this deponent further saith that Yeas Wood & John Biltner who assisted him in attending to the gun and alarm posts or both dead also the Captain has been dead about Forty years. — — — —
And he further saith that in addition to the above service he served as a Volunteer in a company of Militia commanded by Captain Joseph Horton not less than Six months during said war. After giving the alarm he frequently took his gun and equipment and met the enemy in what ever quarter they might be and was in the skirmish with the British the first time they came to Springfield and also in the Springfield Battle. and in many other skirmishes with the British along the lines. — — — —
he was pressed and went with general Stephens from Chatham to his tent to carry his baggage and wait on him at the time Washington's army was on the march to take Cornwallis and was out one month and never

Received any pay for the service. — That the service herein stated to have been performed by him in the war of the Revolution was Benefits and actually rendered viz Nine Month as a Drafted Soldier in Captain Brookfield's Company of Militia and One year and Four Month as a private Soldier attending to the said Alarm gun under the Command of Captain Wood and Six Month as a Volunteer in Capt Horton's Company of Militia actually in service for all that time that he was duly called out by the government and actually stationed at the different places mentioned in this & his Original Declaration during Military duty all that time — And for the time during which the said service was performed he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
And this deponent further saith that he has produced the best evidence in his power and that he knows of no other living witness or witnesses except the one he has produced that can testify to his services.
As to the interrogatories prescribed by the war department — To the first he saith — he was Born in the said Township of Springfield Essex County New Jersey.
2 — he has no Record of his age — It was lost in the time of the Revolutionary war.
3 — Was living in what is now called the Township of Springfield Essex County New Jersey when first called into service and has always resided within a Quarter of a Mile of the same place where he was Born
4 — Was first called into service as a Drafted Soldier
5 — he knew General Lord Stirling General Stephen General Lee Col Barker Col Dayton &c.
6 — he never received any written discharge —
7 — Major Israel Day — Yards Potter — Mathias Denman Caleb Woodruff — W m Siter Esq &c. can testify to his credibility. Jacob Wood

Sworn to and Subscribed at Newark in said County the seventeenth day of August A.D. 1833 before me
Sam l H. Miller Justice of the peace
State of New-Jersey
Essex County ss } Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the peace in and for said County, William Payne of said County a Man of Truth and Credibility. Who being duly Sworn on his oath deponeth and saith that he is seventy nine years old. — That he was a Soldier in the Revolution that he was during the Revolutionary war acquainted with Jacob Wood who has made the foregoing affidavit. — That he believes the said Jacob Wood to be seventy two years old and that he made a mistake in putting his age in his first Declaration and this deponent saith that he has known the said Jacob Wood ever since he was a boy of twelve years old and from his own age he fully believes the said Jacob Wood to be as old as he has now stated. — That he well knows that the said Jacob Wood was a Soldier in the said war and that he served in Captain Brookfield's Company of Militia and was stationed with him at Elizabeth-Town point building the line of works as a drafted Soldier but has not say how long he was in the service deponent also saw the said Wood on duty in Captain Joseph Hunter's Company of Militia — In addition to what he has stated as to said Wood's services in attending on the alarm gun Westman Springfield & Chatham.
Sworn to and Subscribed at Newark in said County the 17 th day of August A.D. before me
Sam l H. Miller Justice of the peace

State of New Jersey County of Essex } ss. I Elisha Van Arsdale Jun: Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in & for said County of Essex Do hereby certify That Samuel B Miller Esq: before whom the annexed affidavits of Jacob Worr & Anthony Sayres were made & taken at the time of taking the said Affidavits was & still is a Justice of the peace in & for said County duly Commissioned & sworn That the name "Sam B Miller" subscribed to the said Affidavits, is the proper hand writing of said Justice. — In Testimony Whereof I have hereto set my hand and the Seal of said Court at Newark in the said County, the Seven- teenth day of August A D Eighteen hundred and thirty Three (1833). —
E Van Arsdale J. Clerk

May 30 N. F. Cares
James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions, Washington.

Washington 29 May 1835.
Does not appear when a byrohem caly was made. Dear Sir, a that it was ever seen by any person until after the various & conflicting statements respecting his age had been made.
I received yesterday, the enclosed affidavit of Jacob Wood of Essex County N. J. to be filed with his ap- plication for a pension. The point to be established appears to be his age, and he appears to me to have resorted to that species of evidence which is every where admis- sible in our courts for proving that point, to wit. old family records . These are universally admitted to be of far higher authority than the vague recollections of witnesses, or the uncertain memory of the persons concerned, which are of course, founded on tradition & tra- dition. I hope this will prove satisfactory.
I am desired also, to inquire at the office, after the cases of Jas. Clarke & Stephen Lyon, of Essex Co. N. J. & David King of Bradford Co. Pa. and to learn what ever any thing has been done with them. I take this method of seeking the information, as being more convenient both to myself and the gentlemen of the office. — I will only request that you will have the goodness to cause an answer to be given to me, when the information shall have been obtained
Please inform me about this case
RD
I am Very Respectfully Sir, Your Ob. D. A. Hall.

N.Y. Aug 17. Jacob Wood.
JAMES L. DICKINSON Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington City
PAID

Newark August 14 th , 1835.
W. L. Edwards Esq
Sir I begret that I have to trouble you so often with my Letters. - But Mr Jacob Wood not being willing to abandon his claim for a Pension. He requested me to send to you the enclosed affidavit of Mrs Elizabeth Jayrs & take it as a favour if you would once more examine the affidavit of Mr Stephen Bradford which he saith is with his papers in your office. - Mr Wood not being willing to be at any more Expense I send you the said affidavit without the Clerks certificate & seal, for you to make such use of as you think proper. - These old men know that they done a good deal of actual service during the war of the Revolution & think it a hard case when their claim is postponed or rejected. - And were you present when a Number of them are together you would find it quite as difficult to get down a correct statement of their services as to examine their papers in your office.
I remain with the highest Esteem Yours &c.
Sam l B. Miller
P.S. In suspended cases please to Inform me whether the Applicant must go through all the court formality, again or whether a supplemental affidavit, taken before a Justice of the peace stating their service in detail will be sufficient. S. B. Miller

James L. Edwards Esquire Commissioner of Pensions Washington City

Newark New Jersey June 19 th 1935. Y. L. Edwards Esq
Sir I Enclose to you the affidavit of Samuel Brant & Mecheleble Brant. - The latter the Entries of the age of Jacob Wood in the Old Family Bible alluded to in the affidavit of Jacob Wood and in your Letter to D. A. Hall Esq. of the 30 th May 1935. - Which evidence I apprehend will be satisfactory as to the age of Mr Jacob Wood. - Although it has been differently stated by me or memory. - Whether that will give him any part of a Pension is for you to judge. I don't recollect what amount of service he made out that will come within your Rules of Actual service. -
I remain Respectfully yours & c.
Sam B. Miller
Taken out N.B. Please to hand the enclosed letter to D. A. Hall Esq or Mr Wood wishes him to look into his claim. S. B. M.

REJECTED
111786
P. O.
Jacob Wood
Service: _____
Enlisted: 27 _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

New Jersey —
Book —
Jacob Wood
- Rejected -
11786
See let to
Samuel B. Miller
October 23. 1833
see also letter to Hon. T. Freling-
huysen 3 d March 1837
let to D. A. Hall 30 Mar. 35
let S. B. Miller 23 June 1835
" " " 22 Aug " —
Act 7. Janu 32

State of New Jersey Essex County ss } Personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the peace in & for said County Elizabeth Day now Widow of Isaac Day deceased of the County of Essex and State of New Jersey to me personally known to be a person of good standing in society and entitled to belief as a Witness. — And being by me duly sworn doth on her oath depose and say that she is the Widow of Isaac Day deceased that she is Seventyfive years of age. — That she was well acquainted with Jacob Wood during the war of the Revolution that she believes the said Jacob Wood to be as much as Seventyfive years of age and that she is well knowing that the said Jacob Wood belonged to Captain Brookfield's Comp- any of Militia in the first of the Revolutionary war and at the time the forts & Breast works were Made at Elizabeth Town Point. — And this deponent further saith that she was often at the said Elizabeth Town point and went there for the purpose of caring her husband's close and provisions and when there always saw the said Jacob Wood there on duty in the first part of the war which she believes must have been in the years 1776 & 1777. that she and her husband resided in the same neighbourhood with Mr Jacob Wood & is knowing that said Wood was from home and on duty as a private soldier the Most of his time during the first part of said war & until she understood said Wood was stationed with his father at the Alarm post and gun on the on the Mountain between Springfield & Chetham. — And this deponent further saith that she always understood that the said Jacob Wood done fine quarterly duty under the said Captain Brookfield in the first year of the war in New Jersey and the next year which must have been in the year 1777 he served under Captain Porter for more than one month as this deponent saw him on duty several times on duty at the point under the said Captain Porter. — and further saith her soorn and subscribed the 11 th day of August 1835 before me at Newark in said County
Elizabeth X Day Mark
Sam l B. Miller — Justice of the peace

Spangfled W.S. Jany 20
4 Sir
War department
Pension Bureau
George W. Cressy Esq. Acting Commr of Pensions Washington City D.C.
Jacob Wood N 9 additional

Springfield Sept 6th N o Jany 17th - 34
To Genl. M c Creagh Esq r
Sir At the solicitation of Mr Jacob Wood of this Place whose application for a Pension under the act of June 7 th - 32 has been rejected I take the liberty of enclosing to your case and for your examination an affidavit of Stephen Bellford confirmatory of Mr Wood's service in the Militia - Mr Wood insists on having performed the service however he may be mistaken as to his age of which he says he has no record and therefore cannot determine it precisely - He wishes me to ask of you as a great favour that you will once more take the trouble to look over his papers in connection with the enclosed affidavit and he hopes the Department will be convinced that he is at least entitled to a pension for six months service if no more notwithstanding his want of positive and incontrovertible evidence and if after such re-examination the Department still doubts his service he will (cheerfully as he can) content himself with having rendered his country a service which he will not regret, though he should not be pensioned for it
Most Respectfully
Your O be d t Servant William H. Hild

submitted the foregoing affidavit believing him to be a man of credibility & that his said affidavit is entitled to credit William Hiles
H. Bradford affidavit

State of New Jersey County of Essex ss. Before me William Stites a justice of the Peace in and for said coun- ty of Essex personally appeared Stephen Bedford of full age who being duly sworn according to law on his oath saith that he is well acquainted with Jacob Wood of Springfield in the said County of Essex who has made application for a pension under the act of Con- gress of the United States of the 7th June 1832 that he knew him during the revolutionary war and recollects well & served with him in Captain Hestons Company of Mil- itia at Elizabeth Town Point and also in Captain Brodheads Company also at Elizabeth Town Point cannot tell precise- ly how long those services were but thinks that under Captain Brodhead commanded in April 1776 and continued several months until deponent left Elizabeth Town Point at which time the said Jacob Wood was still doing duty in Capt. Brodheads Company
The service under Captain Heston was in the year 1777 and is confident that the said Jacob Wood served at least six months in that year
Given under my hand on the 27th day of June in 1833
Stephen Bedford
William Stites
State of New Jersey
County of Essex ss
I Elias Van Arsdale jun: Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas for the County of Essex Do hereby certify that William Stites before whom the foregoing affidavit of Stephen Bedford was made and taken, at the time of taking the same was one of the Justices of the Peace in & for said County, duly

commissioned and sworn, and that the signature "William Stites" subscribed to the jurat of said Affidavit is genuine -
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court at Newark in said County the Fourteenth day of January A.D. 1854 -
E. Wm. Assayr. Clerk
I do hereby certify that I am acquainted with Stephen Beasford who has sworn and submitted the foregoing affidavit and that I believe him to be a man of credibility & that his said affidavit is entitled to credit. William Stites