Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 11,350, James Westbrook, Conn. New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn. New Jersey
Westbrook James
R. 11,350
CONTENTS

53. 587. James Westbrook's
Declaration No
for a pension.
direct to Army P. Curtis Mt. Vernon Ohio

The State of Ohio Knox County ss.
On this 14 th day of March 1836 personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Knox in the State aforesaid now sitting, James Westbrook, a resident of Bloomfield Township in said County of Knox and State aforesaid, aged seventy six years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oaths make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832. That he served in the War of the Revolution as follows - That he lived about 60 miles above Easton on the Delaware River and 120 miles from Philadelphia, when the war commenced - Thinks the name of the Township was upper Smithfield. He entered the service of the United States the latter part of December A.D. 1776 under Lewis Mead as Captain, and Jacob Stroud, Col. - in the Militia - One half the Militia was called out. Declarant marched immediately to Philadelphia and from thence after detention for a few days, proceeded under his officers to Bristol, then to Burlington N. Jersey - Then to Bordentown - and Trenton - arrived at Trenton on the 2 nd day of January, when they joined the main army under Genl. Washington; a Battle followed the same afternoon with the British who came from New Brunswick and Princeton. The Battle lasted until dark, when the firing ceasing, General Washington, having caused his fires to be lighted drew off his forces in the night time towards Princeton where he met a reinforcement of the British forces and drove them back - They took shelter in the College - The Americans took the College and many prisoners - And after remaining there several days, declarant was next marched to Morristown, where the army lay considerable time. Declarant remembers one incident which occurred to him then, which he will relate: He was placed as Sentry to guard a certain walk among the baggage wagons & other Continental property, with instructions to let none pass - General Washington afterwards passing that way was stopped by declarant from proceeding. The General laughed at the incident, complimented him for his firmness, and said, "Young man call your Sergeant, the guard may be dismissed." Soon after this declarant's Company was discharged and he returned home. He states that his service as above stated was six weeks.

1.12 Afterward declarant's father moved to the New Jersey side of the river accompanied by Deett. When Deett was attached to a militia company commanded by one Jacob Vannatta, or Phannatta, and thinks his Colonel's name was Jacob Royerants. He was called into service under said Captain & Colonel a little before the battle of Germantown in the fall of 1777, and marched nearly to the place where said battle took place. When having taken sick, he was unable to continue his march and was left behind. His service on this tour was one month. Early in the year 1778 declarant moved to the Wyoming settlement in Pennsylvania, and was enrolled in a militia company commanded by Captain Sears, and was immediately engaged in the United States service under said Sears as his Captain, and Zebulon Butler as Colonel, in defending the forts at that place. Notice having been received that the Indians were approaching, declarant, with a considerable party was marched out to reconnoitre and scout the country. A skirmish took place and two Indians were killed by the party. This was a day or two before the Indians took the tory fort. Declarant was one of the soldiers left guard the Wilkesbarre fort when Col. Zebulon Butler marched out with his 340 (odd) men, to meet the Indians, who were under the command of another Butler. The men who marched with Col. Zebulon Butler were all killed except about 40. Col. Denison capitulated with the Indian commanders and gave up the forts - but declarant and his brothers fearing the faithlessness of the Indians fled through the country and swamps to New Jersey where declarant served as teamster to Pulaski's army for 3 months. His service at Wyoming was 5 months. He next joined the militia company of Captain Cornelius Vannatta, on the Delaware, who was engaged in defending a fort called Vannatta's fort. While under this engagement declarant and the company to which he belonged, went with a company of the Continental troops up the Delaware river to a place called Kiashiktown, about 100 miles up. Met a party of Indians and tories - had a skirmish - killed one tory and took one prisoner. His service in this engagement under Capt. Cornelius Vannatta was one month. Declarant was not in service again until he moved back to Wyoming which was about 2 years afterwards, when declarant again united in a volunteer company commanded by Captain David Gore and took his regular turn with the others of the settlement.

who had similarly enrolled themselves, in scouting the surrounding Country and guarding against the approach of the Indians. This continued until the end of the war - Declarant during this time was under the command of Col. Zebulon Butler, but was not in actual service except when called to take his turn in scouting or standing guard - The amount of time during this period that declarant actually served under arms, was at least three months which is the term declt. now confidently fixes on as having been in all fully completed.
Declarant here recapitulates the time of his service under his said several engagements viz. Under his first engagement, Capt. Lewis Mead. (Militia Service) - 1\frac{1}{2} months - Under Capt. Vannatta at Battle of German-town 1 month - Under Capt. Gears & Col. Butler at Wyoming 5 months - At Vannatta's fort under Capt. Cornelius Vannatti 1 month - At Jacks-plains near Wyoming under Capt. Daniel Gove, & Col. Butler, 3 months - Making in all 11\frac{1}{2} months actual service. Declt. further adds that he has no written discharges or other paper evidence to adduce of his said services, the same having long since become lost or destroyed. Nor does he know of any living witnesses by whom he could prove his said services, as it is now about twelve years since he moved to the State of Ohio from Ontario County New York, and about thirty six years since he left Wyoming & moved to the State of New York. Declarant in answer to the interrogatories propounded by the Court saith: that he was born at Upper Smithfield in the State of New Jersey in March 1760 - Declarant has a record of his age in a book which he has had in his family for 40 or 50 years, and which record he made himself from the record kept by his father. He has already stated when he resided at the time of the Revolutionary War & from that time down to the present - His present residence being in Knox County State of Ohio, where he has resided for the last 12 years - He has stated his service and the names of his officers as near as he can recollect - He remembers to have received a written discharge from his first service, which was long since lost or destroyed but cannot recollect as to the others - He never received any compensation. Messrs H. Ashley a clergyman and Eli Miller, are persons well acquainted with declt. and can testify as to his character for veracity - and their belief as to his revolutionary service. Declarant has no other evidence within his knowledge or reach by which to prove his said services - He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
Sworn to and subscribed in open court this 14 th day of March 1836 - Alex. Elliott Clerk
James Westbrooks mark

We William H. Ashley a clergyman residing in the same Township with the above named applicant for a pension, in Knox County - and Eli Miller residing in the Township of Clinton in the same County, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with said James Westbrook, that we believe him to be 76 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 - We further certify that he is a man of good character for truth and veracity -
Sworn and subscribed in open Court this 14 th day of March 1836
Wm. H. Ashley
Signed Eli Miller Wm. H. Ashley
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 certify, that it appears to them that Wm. H. Ashley who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the County of Knox, and that Eli Miller who has also signed the same is a resident in the same County, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I Alexander Elliott Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, in and for said County of Knox, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains a true copy of the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of James Westbrook for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of my office this 12 th day of July A. D. 1836.
Alex. Elliott Clerk

April 20, 1936
James Westbrook R. 11350 BA-J/AWF aw
Mr. William E. Westbrook Jefferson Barracks, Company E, 6th Inf. Missouri
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of James Westbrook, as found in pension claim, R. 11350.
The data which follow were obtained from the papers on file in the above noted pension claim, based upon the service of James Westbrook in the Revolutionary War.
He was born in the month of March, 1760 in Upper Smithfield Township, New Jersey, about sixty miles above Easton on the Delaware River, about one hundred and twenty miles from Philadelphia, where he was living when the Revolution began. The names of his parents were not given, his father was living in New Jersey during the Revolution.
James Westbrook applied for pension, March 14, 1836 and stated that he enlisted the latter part of December, 1776, served in Captain Lewis Mead's company, Colonel Jacob Stroud's regiment, was at the battles of Trenton and Princeton, and while stationed at Morristown as sentry to guard a certain walk, with instructions to let no one pass; he stopped General Washington, who complimented him on his vigilance and firmness, length of service six weeks; that he served one month in the fall of 1777 in Captain Jacob Vanmater's company, Colonel Jacob Rosekrantz's New Jersey regiment. He moved to the "Wyoming Settlement" in 1778 and stated that he served in Captain Gear's company, Colonel Zebulon Butler's regiment, was in many

scouts and skirmishes with the Indians, was teamster to "Pulaski's Army", and that he continued to serve at various times until the close of the war, under Captains Cornelius Vanmater and Daniel Gore and Colonel Zebulon Butler in scouting parties and guarding the country from Indians.
The claim for pension was not allowed as proof of six months' service, as required by the pension law was not furnished.
James Westbrook, after the Revolution, moved from the Wyoming Settlement to the state of New York, and moved from Ontario County, New York to Knox County, Ohio. He was living in Knox County, Ohio, when he made application for pension, and had then been living there about twelve years.
The papers in this claim contain no reference to wife or children of the soldier, James Westbrook.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

1934-Mch 27- liish to W. J. Coulter auct. 1936-April 20- liish to William Westbrook auct.
Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1879.
11850
P. O. _____
Service. James Westbrook
Enlisted: REJECTED _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
The printed list of 1852 shows reasons for sus- Alleges: _____ pension
Re-enlisted: "For proof of service and specification"
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Cont
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

27 March 26 , 1934
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
James Westbrook-R.11350 BA-J/AWF
Mr. W. J. Coulter 86 Watkins Avenue Middletown, New York
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of James Westbrook, as found in pension claim, R.11350.
The data which follow were obtained from the papers on file in pension involued pension claim, based upon the Revolutionary War service of James Westbrook.
James Westbrook was born in March, 1760 in Upper Smithfield Township, New Jersey, about sixty miles above Easton on the Delaware River and about one hundred and twenty miles from Philadelphia; where he was living when the Revolution began.. The names of his parents are not given, his father was living in New Jersey during the Revolution.
James Westbrook applied for pension, March 14, 1836 and stated that he enlisted the latter part of December, 1776, served in Captain Lewis Mead's company, Colonel Jacob Stroud's regiment, was at the battles of Trenton and Princeton, and while stationed at Morristown as sentry to guard a certain walk, with instructions to let no one pass; he stopped General Washington, who complimented him on his vigilance and firmness; length of service six weeks; that he served one month in the fall of 1777 in Captain Jacob Vanmater's company, Colonel Jacob Rosekranz's New Jersey regiment. He moved to the "Wyoming Settlement" in 1778 and stated that he served in Captain Gear's company,

Colonel Ebenezer Butler's regiment, was in many scouts and skirmishes with the Indians, was teamster to "Pulaski's Army", and that he continued to serve at various times until the close of the war, under Captains Cornelius Vanmater and Daniel Gore and Colonel Zebulon Butler in scouting parties and guarding the country from the Indians.
The claim for pension was not allowed as proof of six months' service, as required by the pension law was not furnished.
James Westbrook, after the Revolution, moved from the Wyoming Settlement to the state of New York and moved from Ontario County, New York to Knox County, Ohio. He was living in Knox County, Ohio, when he made application for pension, and had been living there about twelve years.
There are no data in this claim concerning the family of James Westbrook, other that the reference to his father as given herein.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator

Company E, 6th Infantry Jefferson Barracks, Missouri March 30, 1936
Veterans' Administration Revolutionary Records Washington, D. C.
Dear Sirs:
I have been told: "a James Westbrook of Conn. & N. J. had his pension application rejected. The pension application bears the number R 11350 and is on file in the Pension Office, Washington, D. C."
A James Westbrook living in Ohio claimed Revolutionary War service with Sussex County troops, and I do not know if this was another person.
When convenient, we should like to obtain the record of James Westbrook including the last known address when living. This information is desired to enable the establishing of this branch of the family.
Yours very truly,
William E. Westbrook

W. J. COULTER
GENEALOGY FOR ENJOYMENT
PHONE 1534 4929
86 WATKINS AVENUE
MIDDLETOWN, N. Y.
March 11th, 1934.
Director, Pension Bureau Washington, D.C.
Revolutionary War Records
Dear sir:-
I have been in communication with Mr. Winfield S. Price, Director of the Record Division, Office of the Adjutant General, Trenton, N.J. regarding James Westbrook the son of Abraham Westbrook and wife Blandina Rosenkrans, who was baptized in Sussex Co., N.J. in 1760, we understand that he claimed to have served in the Sussex county militia in 1777 and in Pennsylvania organizations both before and afterwards. We are writing a history of the WESTBROOK family and this record tallies with his movements as we have been able to trace him.
We understand that you have a rejected pension claim No. 11350 of the Revolutionary War.
Would you be good enough to tell us whether this Pension record No. 11350 tells where he was living in Ohio and whether it gives the name of any of his children. We are anxious to get in touch with his descendants.
Very truly yours,
W. J. Coulter.
Guide d

Ohio. 33.587
James Westbrook Suspended
Letter to H. B. Curtis July 27. 1855.
11350

Wt. Vernon 2 d July 12. 1836
Sir
I transmit the Declaration of James Westbrook, an applicant for a pension, accom- panied by the Certificates required by the Department.
Very Respectfully Yr. Obt. Servt.
Henry B. Curtis

War Department Pension Office
July 24. 1836
Sir
The papers of James Westbrook an applicant for a pension under the act of June 7 th 1832 have been examined and placed on file - The applicant states in his declaration that he spent a term of five months in Capt Gears Company in 1778 at Wyoming and three months in Capt Gears Company, standing on guard etc To these terms it is objected that there is no evidence in the Department of such service in the Militia at the period and place at that period  under which : That description of force only The Militia were out occasionally and for short terms The service duration of each term of actual service must be specified according to the

negativeness before a satisfactory examination can be had - The claimant should likewise assign a sufficient reason for having so long delayed making his application
Henry B. Curtis Esq
July 21. 1836.
O. C.
Henry B. Curtis Esq Mount Vernon Ohio
Ms. A. 1. 6 v. 21, p. 31