Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 6,424, Benjamin Wilson, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey
Wilson, Benjamin
S 6,424
carded
CONTENTS
b. June 25, 1751 in Somerset Co. N.J. + res. thereat until in 1832 res. of Washington Co. Pa.

29.969 Pennsylvania, Pitts
Benjamin Wilson of Washington Co. in the State of Pennsylvania who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Moffett of the reg t commanded by Col. Frelinghuysen in the N. Jersey mile stone for 84 mos. from 1776
Inscribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh) at the rate of 28 Dollars 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 19 day of June 1835 and sent to David Acheson Washington Pa
Arrears to the 4th of March 1835 $ 113.33 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sep: '35 14.16
$ 127.50
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. M. Allison Clerk, Book E. 2 Vol. 5 Page 136

Declaration of Benjamin Wilson. In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 State of Pennsylvania
Washington County ss. On this 8 th day of June A.D. 1835
Personally appeared before the Hon. Boyd Mercer one of the associate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said county of Washington, Benjamin Wilson a resident of Morristownship in the county of Washington and State of Pennsylvania aged Eighty four years, the 25 th instant, 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 June 7 th 1832. That in the year 1776 he lived in Somerset County and State of New Jersey and entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers, and served as herein stated. I belonged to Captain William Moffitt's company of Col. Frederick Frelinghuysen's regiment of Militia Somerset County New Jersey. In the Summer of 1776 I performed my first tour of duty under the command of Major Gears, being drafted and marched to Amboy, and there stationed during the term which was one month, the portion of our company drafted at the same time were also placed under the command of Major Gears, the object and duty in which we were engaged in, at Amboy, was to prevent supplies falling into the hands of the enemy or any intercourse with them, the draft must have been made early in June as the term ended soon after the landing of the British army in July on Staten Island under General Howe. Prior to the Jerseys being overrun by the enemy in the fall of the same year , I was again drafted and served a tour of one month being stationed at Elizabethtown under the command of Captain Gideon McCay, this tour took place I think in the month of September probably may have commenced the last of August 1776, during the continuance of this tour I received an account from home of my wife being very ill and in consequence I made an application to the Commandant, of the troops then stationed at Elizabethtown, General or Col,

Wines for a furlough, accordingly General Wines gave me a furlough for a week, I went home and returned again to the Camp at the end of the week and reported myself to the Commanding Officer. My next tour was late in the fall of the same year, and was but of short duration. About the time of the Capture of Fort Washington and evacuation of Fort Lee a draft was made from Col. Heilighausen's regiment, and I was among the drafted men, ordered to strengthen the Army under General Washington in opposing the powerful eruption of the enemy into the Jerseys during this tour I was under the Command of our Lieutenant Kelly. Col. Heilighausen was also I think sent on this occasion, this tour continued but two weeks and terminated in consequence of the Jerseys being overrun by the enemy. In the Spring of the year 1777 I was drafted and served a tour of one Month during which time I was stationed at Newark, but the name of the particular Officer under whom I served I cannot recollect, it was not however an officer of my own company. In the Summer, and I think in the Month of July of the same year, I was drafted and served a tour of one Month being stationed at Elizabeth town under the Command of Major Davidson, and late in the fall of the same year 1777 I was drafted and served a tour of one Month being stationed at the same place under the Command of Captain Leechman all of said regiment.
In the Month of June 1778 I was drafted and served a tour of one Month under the Command of our Lieutenant Mr. Melancon Freeman, and during this tour I was present and engaged with the enemy at the battle of Monmouth.
In the Summer of 1779 I was drafted and served a tour of one Month, under the Command of Captain Moffit, during which time I was stationed at Elizabethtown. June 1780 I was drafted and served a tour of one Month, under the Command of our Lieutenant James Smalley, and during this tour I was present and engaged with the enemy at the battle of Connecticut Farms and the battle of Springfield. In the winter of 1781, at the time of the revolt of the Pennsylvania line, I was again drafted and served for one Month during which time

I was stationed at New Brunswick, I cannot however recollect the name of the Officer under whom I served this time, I believe it was not one of the Officers of my own Company.
I was born in Somerset County in the State of New Jersey on the 25 day of June 1751. The record of my age duly registered in my fathers family bible I copied therefrom thirty or forty years ago into my own family bible now in my possession. I continued to reside in Somerset County New Jersey until 1791, when I moved to Washington County Pennsylvania, where I have resided ever since. I was always drafted into the Service, I never received any written discharge, owing to extreme old age, bodily infirmity and consequent loss of memory I cannot now recollect the names of any other Officer who was out with me, at any time, except the names which I have already given, to the fifth interrogatory of the War Department I have made as full an answer as my recollection will now allow of. I refer to the following named persons who are well acquainted with me in the neighbourhood where I reside to prove my character and their belief of my services as a soldier of the Revolution. The Reverend Isaac Pettit, Samuel Ruten, William Clutter, John Ruten. I know of no person living who has any personal knowledge of my services, I have no documentary evidence to prove my services and can prove none. Having as I have stated served the following period and in the following grade, viz, nine months and a half as private drafted Militia soldiers and for such service I claim a pension. I turned out moreover on many other occasions of alarm but I am now unable to give the particular detail of them.
I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of any agency of any State.
Sworn and Subscribed { Benjamin L. ... the day and year aforesaid
Boyd Merson

We Isaac Pettit, a clergyman, and Samuel Rutan & John Rutan residing in the County of Washington and State of Pennsylvania do hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Benjamin Wilson who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be Eighty four years of age, on the 25 th of this Month, 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 certify, moreover, that he is a man of strict moral character, of undoubted veracity, and that he has performed the services which he has stated in the foregoing declaration is our firm belief.
Sworn and subscribed this 8 th day of June 1835 Boyer Mercur
Isaac Pettit Samuel Rutan John Rutan
I do hereby certify that from bodily infirmity the above named Benjamin Wilson an applicant for a pension cannot attend the Court. And I do hereby declare my opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant Benjamin Wilson was a Revolutionary Soldier and that he served as he stated. And I do further certify that Isaac Pettit — who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the township of Morris township in the said County of Washington and that Samuel Rutan & John Rutan who have signed the same are residents of said township in the County of Washington and State of Pennsylvania all highly respectable and credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit. Given under my hand this 8 th day of June 1835 Boyer Mercur

Rev. Mr.
6424 INVALID.
File No. 6424
Benjamin Wilson
Pri. Rev. Mr.
Act: June 1 th 82
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 408
[Arrangement of 1870.]
✓

June 15.
Phila
L P. Amaral Esquire Commissioners of Pensions Washington City

Sir
Washington, Pa. June 10th 1839
Herewith I transmit you an amended declaration of Benjamin Wilson taken before the Hon. Boyd Stuart, one of the Judges of the Courts held in this County. This declaration contains a claim for a month's service more than was in the former one, being the declarant's second term. The applicant is now reduced to great pecuniary circumstances, and in a very infirm state. I hope that this declaration will, therefore, have the satisfactory to the department, sustained, as it is, by the most respectable names in his neighbourhood, and that this good old man will receive, for a short period, for it cannot be long, something to comfort him in his last moments, for the faithful services which, I have no doubt, he has performed as detailed by him in his declaration. The 29th ultimo I transmitted you the application of John Ballou, of this county, for pension. I am very respectfully
Your obed. Servt.
David Acheson
H. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington City

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7 June 1832. State of Pennsylvania Washington County } ss. Personally appeared before me William Pinaloy Esq. one of the Justices of the peace in and for said county, Benjamin Wilson a resident of Morris township Washington County Pennsylvania aged Eighty four years past. 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 the 7 th June 1832. That in the year 1776 he lived in Somerset County state of New- Jersey and served the United States under the following named Officers as herein stated. I belonged to Captain William Moffet's company of Col. Frelinghuysen's regiment of Militia of Somerset County New Jersey. In the Month of July 1776 I was drafted and served a tour of one Month being marched to and stationed at Amboy where I remained until my term expired during the time I was stationed there, with part of Captain Moffet's company, I was under the command of Major Gears, the embarka- tion of the British Army on Staten Island took place at that time. In the same year 1776 at the time of the capture of Fort Washington or very soon after I was again drafted and served a tour of two weeks under under the command of Lieut. Kelly all of Col. Frelinghuysen's regiment, this tour ended and during its continuance I was present and engaged with Genl. Washington in opposing the enemies of the country until the country was entirely overrun by the British Army. In the Spring of 1777 I was drafted and served a tour of one Month being stationed at Newark, but owing to old age, bodily infirmity and consequent loss of memory I cannot state the name of the Officer under whom I served this tour nor can I state the Month. In the Summer of the same year, and I think in the Month of July, I was again drafted and served one Month being stationed at Elizabethtown during this tour I was under the command of Major Davidson of said regiment. Late in the fall of the same year I was again drafted and served a tour for one Month under the command of Captain Gelson all of said regiment, during which time I was stationed at Elizabethtown In June 1778 I was drafted and served a tour of one Month under our Lieut. Freeman and was present and engaged with the enemy at the Battle of Monmouth. In the Summer of 1779 I was drafted and served a tour one Month under the command of Captain Moffet during which time I was stationed at Elizabethtown. In June 1780 I was drafted and served a tour of one Month under the command of Lieut. James Grally of said regiment and was present and engaged with the enemy at the Battle of Connecticut

- farms and Springfield, and in the winter of 1781 at the time the Pennsylvania troops revolted I was again drafted and served a tour of one month during which time I was stationed at New Brunswick, I cannot mention the name of the Officer under whom I served but I know it was not one of my own company Officers. Besides the regular tours of duty which I have served I very often turned out upon occasions of alarm sometimes for a few days and sometimes for a week or ten days and upon two or three occasions for a longer period, but for the reasons which I have stated I am unable to give a particular account of them. I was born in Somerset County in the state of New Jersey on the 25 th day of June 1751 as recorded in my Father's family bible and by me copied many years ago which copy I have now in my possession. I lived in Somerset County New Jersey when I entered the service of the United States in 1776 and I continued to reside there until 1791 when I moved to Washington County Pennsylvania where I have resided ever since. I know of no person living who has a personal knowledge of my services, I have no documentary evidence to prove my service and can procure none. I refer to the Rev. Cephas Dodd, Pastor of the Presbyterian Church Amity, and to Sam l Norton & William Clatten to prove my character for veracity, and their belief of my services as a Soldier of the Revolution, and of my inferior and helpless state. Having as I have stated served the following periods and in the following grade, viz, Eight months and a half as a private drafted Militia Man and for such service I claim a pension. I was always drafted into the service and never received any written discharge. I have no recollection of the names of any Officers under whom I served but those I have mentioned. I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to pension or annuity except the present and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of any agency of any State. The words "during which time I was stationed at Elizabethtown," I sworn and subscribed this & inserted in the 28 line before sworn to 21 st day of May AD 1835 or signed, the interlineation in the 19 line was also made.
Wm Smith
Benjamin his mark

I William Lindley one of the Justices of the Peace, residing in Morris Township, in and for the County of Washington, hereby declare my opinion, after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a revolution- ary soldier and served as he states. Moreover from my own personal knowledge of the said Benjamin Wilson, for the space of three years and upwards, from old age, a fall he received in the winter of 1831 and a continual attack of inflammatory rheumatism and other complaints, he is unable to be removed from his house where I have now attended to take his declaration, living as he does ten miles from the borough of Washington where the Courts are held and fifteen miles from the residence of any Judge of any Court of record within the County and situated as he is and has been since the Winter of 1831 unable to walk or ride or suffer removal from his dwelling in any manner, hence the declaration of the said Benjamin Wilson could not be taken before Court, nor was it convenient or practicable to have it taken before a Judge, therefore the only way it could be done was to do it at his residence, as now done, before a Justice of the Peace. And the said William Lindley further certifies that the Rev. Cephas Dodd, Pastor of Amity Church, Samuel Rattan & William Glutter who have signed the annexed Certificate are near neighbours to the said Benjamin Wilson, resident in the County of Washington, all men of great respectability and highly credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit. Moreover that the foregoing, and annexed statement, contains the original proceedings had before me in the matter of the application of Benjamin Wilson for a pension. Given under my hand and seal this 21 st day of May 1835.
Wm Lindley
I am well acquainted with the Rev. Cephas Dodd & Saml. Rattan who have made the annexed Affidavit and know them to be men of truth & respectability. I am not certain (from the Christian name) whether I am a cousin to Wm Glutter or not -
Thos. M. T. McKearney May 22 nd 1835

We the undersigned, Cephas Dodd, pastor of the Presbyterian Church Amity, Samuel Rutan and William Clutter residing in the County of Washington hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Benjamin Wilson who has subscribed and sworn to the above, or foregoing, declaration, that we believe him to be Eightyfour years of age, past, a man of truth and veracity, that he is respected and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. We know moreover that he is now, and has been for several years, from bodily infirmity confined to his house.
Given and Subscribed this 21 st day of May 1835 { Cephas Dodd - Samuel Rutan William Clutter Wm Lindley
I do hereby certify that Cephas Dodd, a clergyman, Samuel Rutan and William Clutter who have signed the preceding certificate are resident in the County of Washington and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit. Given under my hand and seal this 21 st day of May 1835.
David H. Henson Washington Co. Pa.
Personal Notice 32.9.35
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania vs. William Lindley Esquire, before whom the foregoing proceedings were had, was at the time, a justice of the peace in and for said County, duly commissioned, and that full faith and credit is and ought to be given to all his official acts. - also I believe his signature to be genuine.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said court, at Washington, the 23 rd day of May A. D. 1835.
Z. Reynolds for Officer Pro.
cert. 25 etc.

Can only allow 8 1/2 mths $28.33

Washington County, Pa.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania I Thomas Officer, Prothonotary, of the court of Common Pleas of said county. do hereby certify that Boyd Muncer Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavits were made - was at the time, and now is an Associate Judge of this district and I believe the signature of his name to be his own hand writing. Given under my hand and seal of office at Washington the 9 th day of June A.D. 1835.
Thomas Officer, Pro
Boyd Muncer Esq. before whom the above declaration was made, and whose signature I know, is one of the asso- ciate Justices of the Court of Common Pleas in & for this County. The Rev. Isaac Pittel and Saml. Ruten are respectable and credible witnesses in whose state- ments implicit confidence may be reposed. I can- not say that I am well acquainted with John Ruten and cannot therefore say any about his character.
Th. M. T. McKernan June 10 th 1835

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Wilson, Calvin GRADE Private LINE Connecticut
WARRANT NUMBER 6656 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED Oct. 16, 1789 to Theodosius Fowler, assignee
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.