Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 6254, Jeremiah Towser, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey
Towser, Jeremiah
S 6254
Carded
CONTENTS

Order to pay 2th Oct. 1840
New Jersey 17.895
Jeremiah Towser
of Cumberland in the State of New Jersey who was a Private in the Co _____ commanded by Captain _____ of the Regt _____ commanded by Col Potter. _____ in the New Jersey line for two years.
5276
Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey at the rate of 80 Dollars 00 Cents per annum. to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 5 th day of Oct. 1833 and sent to John Brick Port Elizabeth N.J.
Arrears to the 4th of Sep. 1833. 200. Semi-ant. allowance ending Feb. '34. 40.
$ 240.
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Wm H Palmer Clerk Book E. Vol. Three Page 133

No 5. 276.
Jeremiah Townsend.
Cumberland County New Jersey.
Returned in m. —
Adm 2 years $80—
Joshua Pritch
Port Elizabeth

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 subjoined 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. These 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, showing the Service of Jeremiah Townsend, Cumberland 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.     He believes 1776. - 9. 11. P.M. Col. Potter & Bang 74. Living Witnesses.   He states all his service to have exceeded 2 years but they are indefinitely stated.  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
1 10. 20 1 3 20 20 3 20 24.

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 _____ A. B.
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 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 [blank] and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the [blank] 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, (1) 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 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 [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule is 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.

Declaration
In order to obtain the Benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7 th of June 1833
State of New Jersey Cumberland County
On this seventeenth day of August Anno Domini One Thousand Eight hundred thirty three. Personally appeared before me one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas for Said County Jeremiah Fowser a resident of the Township of Maurice River County of Cumberland and State of New Jersey aged Seventy five years the sixteenth day of May last who being 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 the seventh day of June 1832. that he first entered the service under Captain Benajah Thompson in the Township of Maurice River County of Cumberland & State of New Jersey, where he then resided and has ever since resided - he entered the Militia Service he believes in 1776 - and served one month - that he then entered under Captain Jonathan Beesley, and was ten months under him - in 1776 and 1777 - that he then served two months under Captain Derrick Peterson - that he then served one month in the Militia under Captain John Peterson - that he served under Capt Lummis three months in the Militia he believes in 1778 that he served two months under Captain Samuel Westcott in the Militia that he served two months under Captain James Hollenshead in the Militia he thinks in 1779 that he served three months in the Militia under Captain George M c Gloughlin - that he served two months under Captain Job Glasby

in the Militia - that his Colonels were Elyah H and Col David Potter, Col Joseph Hillman Col Shute and Major Ellis Major Derrick Peterson (who was promoted) Major Jonathan Smith (who was promoted) - that he also en- -listed under Captain Hollenshead of Burlington County for nine months he believes in the year 1780 - that he had a discharge from the nine months service - that the Commander he thinks was General Furman - but who signed his discharge he cannot state posi- -tively - that his discharge was burnt with his House a few years past - that he had frequently written discharges or papers to re- -turn home from the Militia Captain's - that he was some times drafted, and some time vo- -lunteered - as he had no family then - that he was at the Battle near Trenton - Mount Holly Between the two timber breaks in Gloucester County - that he was in several skirmishes in Pennsylvania near Philadelphia before the British entered the City - that he was with his Colonel Potter when taken prison- -er that the whole of his services was in New- -Jersey & Pennsylvania - and he hereby re- -linquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity any except the present and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any State - his Sworn and subscribed the foregoing  foregoing Laws day and year aforesaid mark

And I Joshua Bick one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas as aforesaid do hereby declare my Opinion that Jeremiah Towser the before named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states he being personally known to me for more than forty years - I further certify that the aforesaid applicant from Bodily infirmity is unable to attend the Court which is distant between twenty & thirty miles from his home - and he being Blind & debilitated - In testimony whereof I have set my hand this seventeenth day of August 1833.
Joshua Bick
Interrogatories to the applicant by direction of the Commissioner of Pensions put by the Court.
First - Where and in what year was you Born? Answer - I was Born in the County of Gloucester County State New Jersey in the year 1758 -
Second - have you any record of your age, and if so where is it -?
Answer - I have in my family Bible, at my house -
Third - Where were you living when called into Service - where have you lived since - and where do you now live?
Answer In The Township of Manui River from the time I entered The Service to this time -
Fourth - How were you called into Service - were you drafted - did you volunteer - or were you a substitute? and if a substitute for whom.
Answer - I was first drafted - volunteered - served my hours in the Militia - and was enlisted for nine months
Fifth - State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops where you served - such Continental & Militia Regiment, as you can recollect - and the general circumstances of your Service -

Answer - I recollect General Putman - Genl Mifflin - I recollect the Marquis Lafayette at the Battle at Timber Creek - Genl. Dickerson - Genl. Mercer - Colonel Taylor, Colonel Shute - Genl. Newcomb - Col. Howell - Col. Stillwell - Major Bloomfield - Captain Hallershead Capt Cummins - at that time I knew the names of many - besides my own officers - my whole service was in New Jersey - part in the West - and the latter part in East Jersey along the River Raritan & so on to N. York - before the British took Philadelphia I was in the neighbourhood of the City - when they took that we crop'd over to N. Jersey -
Sixth - Did you ever receive a discharge from the enlisted service: if so by whom was it given and what has become of it?
Answer - I did receive a discharge from the enlisted nine months service - who signed it I cannot now remember - It was burnt with my house a few years past - the Militia Captain gave us only small written papers, that did for passes -
Seventh - State the names of Persons to whom you are known in your neighbourhood, and who can testify to your character for veracity - and their belief of your service as a soldier of the Revolution -
Answer - James Judfrey - Henry Reeves, William Cannon. Jonas Cannon and Abraham Jones - were out with me at times - Abraham Jones often. Jonathan Dallas, Thomas Cannon, Thomas Lee Esqr. Wm Henderson Esqr. David Davis Jonathan Love - Dr Benjamin Fister - John
Wishart Esqr - all know me for many years - I sworn and subscribed to his before me this 17th August 1832 Joshua Bick - } Jeremiah Lunsin Mark

State of New Jersey Cumberland County
On the seventeenth day of August One Thousand Eight hundred thirty three Personally appeared before me the sub- scribed one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas for said County Abraham Jones and Jonas Vaniman - both residents of the Township of Maurice River County of Cum- berland State of New Jersey - who being duly sworn according to Law - say that they are acquainted with Jeremiah Lowse the foregoing applicant for a Pension and have known him for up- ward of fifty years and believe him to be se- venty five years of age in May next as stated in his deposition - and known that he served in the war of the Revolution - by the Abraham Jones who served with him - and the said Jonas fully believes that he did - but is not certain that he was in the same company with said Jeremiah - he said Jonas having been taken prisoner shortly after arriving at camp - Sworn before me this 17th day of August 1833 } Jonas Vaniman Abraham Jones Joshua Bick -
We John Wishart a Clergyman residing in the Township of Maurice River County of Cumberland and State of New- Jersey, and Thomas Lee Esquire residing in the same place hereby Certify, that we are well acquainted with Jeremiah Lowse who has subscribed, and sworn to the foregoing declaration; that we believe him to be Seventy five years of age as stated; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion - John Wishart Thomas Lee Sworn and subscribed before } me the 19th of August 1833 } Joshua Bick

I Samuel Seely clerk of the Inferior court of common pleas in & for the county of Cumberland, and in the State of New Jersey. Do hereby certify that Joshua Brick Esq. before whom the foregoing the foregoing Declaration and attestation appears to have been taken, was at that time and now is one of the judges of the Inferior court of common pleas in & for said county of Cumberland, and that and that the signature of the said Joshua Brick hereunto annexed is his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said court this twenty seventh day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three.
Samuel Seely Clerk

Rev May ✓
6254
INVALID.
File No. 6254
Frederick Douglass Brit Rev War
Act: June 7 th 1839
Index:—Vol. M , Page 376
[Arrangement of 1870.]
✓

Horton Bank Pension Office
October 22 1840
Sir
The enclosed voucher requires your special direction for payment
I remain your Obedient Servant Philip Dickinson Pres.
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions