Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 845, William Willis, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey
Willis, William
S. 845
CONTENTS
Carded:

17.192
New Jersey
William Willis
of Dept Co in the State of N. Jersey who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Bath of the Regt commanded by _____ in the N. J. Line for 11 Mos.
Inscribed on the Roll of N. Jersey at the rate of 38 Dollars 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 8 day of August 1837 and sent to L. Condit. Present
Arrears to the 14th of March 1833 $ 76.66 Semi-ant. allowance ending 1834  19.16 Died Dec. 19, 1835 $ 95.82
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by EDRuccock Clerk, Book E Vol. 3 Page 135

DECLARATION, IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE BENEFIT OF THE ACT OF CONGRESS, PASSED JUNE 7, 1832.
STATE OF NEW-JERSEY, } County of Essex } ss.
On this eighteenth day of September personally appeared, in open court, before the Judges of the Inferior
the court of Common Pleas now sitting William Willis a resident of New Providence — in the County of Essex — and State of New-Jersey , aged Seventy six 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 Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named Officers, and served as herein stated:
That he was born in the Township of Westfield in the County of Essex on the 1 st day of May 1756 according to the tradition of his family — he has no record of his age —
When he first volunteered he lived in Morris town in the County of Morris and went to Hanover and volunteered in Captain Bates' Company of Militia —
He has since the war lived in the Counties of Essex & Morris New Jersey — He never Received a written discharge
In the year 1776 (as he believes) he volunteered in Captain Bates' Company of the Militia for five Months
The Company with other Companies went to New York and after lying there some two or three weeks went to Long Island , and was there at the time of the famous Retreat from the Island to New York under General Lord Sterling and passed over to New York and was marched or ordered to the White Plains on the way he with a few others were detach'd to drive up cattle and drove them up — after which a detachment was ordered to march in the night to East Chester to take a nest of Refugees and on our arrival there in the morning the Refugees fired upon our Party first and wounded me in the thigh with a musket ball — The Party took about Thirty six of the Refugees Prisoners — and took them to the White Plains I was carried up in a waggon and from there was taken over the Hudson River at Kings ferry to New Jersey and lodged at a private house and in about ten or fifteen days obtained a private conveyance to Morris Town a few weeks say six weeks before the Term was out and did not join the Company again on account of the wound

He (thinks) in 1777 (having removed to Springfield Township of Essex) engaged as a Substitute for Joseph Meeker for three months in Captain Van Blarcom's Company of Patterson and was marched with the Company to Dobbs Ferry on the Hudson and he believes continued there and about there the three months out - does not recollect the name of any other Captain or the name of the Commanding officer there
He engaged and served another three months - four as a Substitute (for whom he cannot recollect) under Captain Sylvanus Seely - he does not recollect the year or who his Superior Officers were - In this tour he was on the lines from Elizabeth Town on towards Amboy and was dismissed at the Short Hills below Plainfield
He also served four or five or six months , at least four months - a month at a time under Captain Norton of Springfield this applicant then living within the bounds of Capt. Norton's - in the years 1777 and 1778 - In one of these Tours he was at the Wheat Sheaf - and word came that the enemy were marching up towards Springfield - when they arrived they burnt the village and the Company marched round and gained the mountains above Springfield, and was shortly after dismissed
In another of these Tours the Company was ordered to Monmouth County and marched to Spotswood at the time of the Monmouth Battle and there were ordered to march back to New Brunswick as they were not wanted - The Company was principally engaged (while he was with it) in guarding the lines from Elizabeth Town Southward towards Amboy -
Worn & substituted in open Court - M c Andrew J. B. B.
William Miller

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, is only on that of the Agency of the State of New Jersey.
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
We Stephen Day a Clergyman and John Osborn residing in the township of New Providence hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with William Willis who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy six 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 day and year aforesaid.
in open Court E. M. Judson
Stephen Day John Osborn
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 Stephen Day
who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman resident in the township of New Providence aforesaid, and that John Osborn who has also signed the same, is a resident in the same place and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
By order of the Court
E. M. Judson
I Elihu Van Andrae Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of William Willis for a pension.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this fifth day of October in the year of our lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two
E. M. Judson

State of New Jersey } Essex County } ss
Be it known that on the first day of August 1833 before the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Essex aforesaid came personally William Willis of said County age seventy Six years and being duly sworn on his oath says that he is the same William Willis who on the 18 th day of September 1832 made his declaration before the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in said County to obtain the benefit of the Law of the United States of June 7 th 1832 which declaration has been returned to him for amendment. And he first states that after much enquiry he cannot hear of any one now living who who can testify to or by whom he can prove his service and fears that by reason of old age and debility and consequent loss of memory he will not be able to specify very particularly his time of services or the names of the officers under whom he served. But according to the best of his recollection after having thought much upon the subject he served not less than the previous mentioned below viz He Volunteered in Captain Bates' Company of Militia for five months and went out on or about the 15 th day of May in the year 1776 and his Company with other Companies were marched to New York as stated in his declaration aforesaid and after continuing there two or three weeks were ordered to Long Island and was there at the time of the famous retreat from Long Island to New York under General Lord Sterling and returned to New York with the Retreating Army the Company was then ordered to the White Plains. On the way he with a few others were detached to drive up cattle - did drive them up after which a detachment was ordered to march in the night to Eastchester to surprise and take a small party of Refugees and the detachment arrived in the morning were discovered by the Refugees and fired upon and he this deponent was wounded in the thigh with a musket ball. The Party took about six and thirty Prisoners and led them on to the White Plains.
This deponent was taken up in a waggon and from there was taken over the Hudson River at Kings ferry to New Jersey and lodged in a private house and in about a fortnight obtained a private conveyance and went to Morris Town and arrived there about six weeks before the five months expired and was not able during that time to join the Company again on account of the wound.
He afterwards removed to Springfield in the County of Essex and as near as he can recollect the last day or about the last day of March 1777 he engaged as a Substitute for Joseph Meeker as stated in his declaration.

3 He engaged and served another three months as a Substitute (for whom he cannot recollect) under Sylvanus Seely as Captain he does not recollect the year - In this Four he was on the lines from Elizabeth Town and along a little back in the country towards the Short hills he recollects that the Enemy were at Amboy while he was on this Four He was discharged at the Short hills below Plainfield at the end of the term -
He served several months at different tours under Captain Morton but cannot now tell the Particulars but in two several monthly Tours - One of which commenced as he now has ascertained on or about the 1 st day of June 1780 He joined the Company near the Wheatheap and news arrived that the enemy were marching towards Springfield - they burnt the village and the Church - The Company marched round in the village and gained the mountain above Springfield and was dismissed at the end of the month - during this months tour Mrs Caldwell was shot through the window of the house where she was at the Farms -
In another Four which was for a month the Company was ordered to Monmouth County where the Company proceeded and arrived too late to answer the purpose intended, for on their arrival at Spotswood Orders were sent for them to retreat or return, and they marched back to New Brunswick - The Monmouth Battle was fought during our march Southward towards Spotswood
He cannot possibly recollect further as yet (notwithstanding he has thought much on the Subject) respecting the Superior Officers and finds it very difficult to relate with absolute certainty all his tours of duty and desirous of obtaining for more time than is above specified - he has related what he can recollect with as much precision as he can, and hopes that a reasonable allowance will be made for the frailty of a mind far advanced in years and much broken down by debility -
He conscientiously believes he served his Country in the war of the revolution the full of the "One year and one month" above stated of which services he remembers the particulars as he has related them - and a considerable more of which he cannot specify particulars - but thirteen months at least he can safely and honestly claim a pension for from his Country
Sworn and Subscribed before me at New Providence the date first mentioned -
John Littell Justice of the Peace
William F. Ellis

State of New Jersey County of Essex } ss. I Elias Van Arsdale Junr. Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in for said County of Essex Do hereby certify That John Little before whom the annexed affidavit of William Willis was made & taken at the time of taking the same was & still is a Justice of the peace in for said County duly commissioned & sworn: and that the signature "John Little," affixed to said annexed writing affidavit is his genuine hand writing —
Witness my hand and Seal of Office the First day of August AD Eighteen hundred and thirty three (1833)
E. Van Arsdale J. Clerk
Quit

and 1812 Wars Section EEL
July 11, 1930
Mr. Charles E. Willis 707 North Colonial Avenue Richmond, Virginia
Dear Sir:
You are advised that the references in your letter relative to Revolutionary War soldier, William Willis, pertain to more than one man.
From the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.845, it appears that William Willis was born May 1, 1756, in Westfield, Essex County, New Jersey.
While residing in Morristown, Morris County, New Jersey, he enlisted May 15, 1776, and served at various times until in 1780, amounting to at least thirteen months in all, as a private under Captains Bates, Van Blarcom, Sylvanus Seeley and Horton in the New Jersey Troops. He was wounded by a musket ball in the thigh in an engagement at East Chester, New York.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 18, 1832, at which time he was living in New Providence, Essex County, New Jersey.
He died December 19, 1835.
There are no data as to his family.
*****

Wm Willis
admt 11 1/2 private $38.33
Hen Skandrid

B R I E F objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which these answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of William Miles which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? no V. * Has he mentioned 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? no VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? no
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? no
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. 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 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 shewn 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.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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.
‡QUERE XVI. 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 paper 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.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.
3.6 3.2 11.5

Charles E. Willis 707 North Colonial Avenue Richmond, Virginia.
Department of The Interior Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sirs:
I refer to William Willis a private in the Morris county and also in the Essex county militia, New Jersey State Troops, in the war of the Revolution. He had Invalid Pension Claim number 845 and his wife had Widow Pension Claim number 949.
Will you kindly send me copies of both the above mentioned pension claims at your early convenience and very greatly oblige,
Yours respectfully,
Charles E. Willis

Charles E. Willis 707 North Colonial Avenue Richmond, Virginia.
July 5th. 1930.
Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sirs:
One month ago today, June 5th., although I find I neglected to date the letter, I wrote and asked you to send me some data, but I have not heard from you to this date. This information is needed to complete papers for one of the patriotic societies and is required by the society immediately. I will, therefore, be greatly obliged to you if you will send it to me without further delay.
Below is copy from my former letter for your information. "I refer to William Willis a private in the Morris county and also in the Essex county militia, New Jersey troops, in the war of the Revolution. He had Invalid Pension Claim number 845 and his wife had Widow Pension Claim number 949.
"Will you kindly send me copies of both the above mentioned pension claims at your early convenience and very greatly oblige" Since writing the above it has been suggested to me that the two claims may not have been for the same soldier, but for father and son, therefore, the extra necessity that I have a copy of both papers. Your kind, immediate attention will be appreciated,
Yours respectfully,
Charles E. Willis

September 30, 1930.
Bureau of Pensions. Rev.&1812 Wars Section.
541
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Rev. War claim for pension of William Willis, S. 845.
Actual 1 of each page.
90¢.....6 pages
xxx
Kindly leave margin of 1½ in. at top of each page and return papers in each case in folder with corresponding name and number.
The word "omit" written in pencil on those pages which are not to be copied.
Chief, Rev.&1812 Wars Section.
See corres. in Rev. War Wm Willis S. 845
See list on reversal

September 20, 1836.
List of pages in Mr. Chas. Elliott's
  Rolls, decl. Rept - 18 - 1832  - 3 p    " " Aug. 1, 1833 -  2 p    ctf - jacket -  1 p  
 6
204.....6 pages
xxx
Kindly leave margin of 1 1/2 in. at top of each page and return papers in each case in folder with corresponding name and number. The word "copy" written in pencil on those pages which are not to be copied.
Chief, Rev. A.I.S. Exam. Section.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
S. 845-
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of William Killis a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     May 15, 1776 3 1/2 mos. Pvt. Bates ✓ N.J.   Mch. 1777 3 mos. Van Blarcum ✓   ✓ 3 mos. Sylvanus Seely ✓   1777-1778-1780 4 mos. Horton ✓   at various times  
Battles engaged in, East Chester where he was wounded in the thigh by Refugees Residence of soldier at enlistment, Morristown, Morris Co. N.J. Date of application for pension, Sept. 18, 1832. His wife was alive Residence at date of application, New Providence, Essex Co. N.J. Age at date of application, born May 1, 1756 in Nutfield Twp. Essex Co. N.J. died Dec. 19, 1835. Remarks: There is no data on file as to his family
Respectfully,
not sub.
Commissioner.

New War
INVALID.
File No. 845
William Willis. Prs. N.J. Lins.
Act: June 7, 1852.
Index: — Vol. a , Page 406
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1930-July 11. Hist. to Mr Chas E. Willis - E. Col
1930 Sept. 22. Charles E. Willis adv. cost of photos, M.M.H.F.
See Wm. Willis W. 949 Oct. 15. Photos mailed to Charles E. Willis. See Wm. Willis, W. 949 a. 204.