Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 3976, for Zephaniah Steelman, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey
Steelman Zephaniah
S. 3976
corralled
CONTENTS

6944 New Jersey
Zephaniah Steebman
of _____ in the State of New Jersey who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Lister of the Key Stone Battery by Col. Smith in the New Jersey line for 2 years subsequent to Private $80.00
Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey at the rate of 80 Dollars _____ Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 11 day of March 1833 and put on the Roll of Pensioners Cum dum et. New Jersey
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $160.00 Semiannual allowance ending 11 Sept - " 40.00 $200.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Viral Luce Clerk, book D Vol. 4 Page 175

Zephaniah Steelman
D
Canada
Hampshire Co
N. H.
a miller

State of New Jersey } County of Gloucester } ss.
On this Fifteenth day of October A.D. One thousand eight hundred and thirty-two, personally appeared in open Court, before the Honorable Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the said county of Gloucester, now sitting, Lephaniah Steelman a resident of the said county of Gloucester and State of New Jersey aforesaid, aged 72 years on the 25th day of December last, who being 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 7th 1832 entitled "An act supplementary to an act for the relief of certain surviving Officers and Soldiers of the Revolution."
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers and served as here in State.
In the month of June 1776, I was drafted in Capt. Nathaniel Dipple's company and Col. Richard Jones' Battalion, Barracks at Jones Point at the mouth of Great Egg Harbor river in the county of Gloucester in the State of New Jersey. We were quartered in the Guard house at that place in which service I continued one month and was discharged.
In September 1776 I volunteered in the service of the United States under the command of Capt. William Price and Col. Richard Jones. We met at Mays Landing in the said county of Gloucester and marched from there to Woodbury.

in the same county. Service One Month and was discharged.
In January 1777 I entered in Capt. John Scull's company and Col. Hitten's Battalion. We Paraded at Kays Landing and Marched from there to Haddonfield in the county of Gloucester, after a few days, I was sent to Burlington with prisoners, under Sergeant William Beaster. On our Return, at Moore's Town, we fell in with General Wayne's Men from whom we learned that the Hessians were in Haddonfield. We went with Gen. Wayne to Mount Holly, in Burlington county. Staid at Mount Holly until we were joined by a detachment of Horse, I think part of General Pulaski's Troop, which came from Trenton Marched together to Haddonfield. At Kays Mill, near Haddonfield, our advance Guard shot one of the Hessian Picket Guard, when upon they ran and gave the Alarm, in Haddonfield. As they were evacuating the place, we pursued them to Cooper's Ferry. We saw their Fins which they had left running. Near Spies Bridge, now called Cooper's Creek Bridge - Some of our Troops had arrested their progress and brought them to an engagement. The Battle had commenced before we arrived. It was a pretty smart action while it lasted (about two hours, a considerable number of the British and Hessians killed. We lost but few either in killed or wounded. We Marched Back to Haddonfield that Night. We were relieved by fresh Troops from Egg Harbor and were discharged after a Month's Service.
In May, or June 1778 I again served a Month

under Capt. Samuel Price and Col. Robert Taylor. During this time we had a long chase after a company of Refugees who had landed from two Boats and were plundering the inhabitants. We took 20 or 30 Prisoners and their captains Turner and Howlings, very notorious characters, we took them a mile or more, to a house where we left them under a guard and went in pursuit of the Boats. During our absence they rose on the guard but did not succeed. We tied them and marched them to Mays Landing, from there they were sent to Prison at Philadelphia.
In August 1778 I again entered the service under Capt. William Price. We met at Muscat Neck, on Little Egg Harbor river in the county of Gloucester. Some of us were stationed at Seds Point about 2 or 3 miles further down the river. I was at the latter place. We were joined by 400 or 500 Troops under Col. Proctor.
The British lay with six heavy Vessels within Little Egg Harbor Inlet and a number of smaller Vessels; they lay there about a Month, as near as I recollect, during which time their crews were frequently engaged in plundering the inhabitants. They burnt houses vessels and hay stacks, and carried off a great deal of plunder, more particularly, on Bass River and in the neighborhood, in Burlington county, where we had not the opportunity of opposing them. From there we marched to Jones Point, but not till after the Ships had passed out of the Inlet. One of them struck on the Outer Bar, on going out, and they set

here on fire and she blew up.
Col. Proctor directed Two Small Forts to be built. I stood by when Col. Proctor drew the lines to dig the entrenchments and Forts by. I assisted in throwing up the entrenchments and when we finished them Col. Proctor had a Brass piece, I think 4 or 6 pounder charged and fired in order to try how far they could throw a ball. The ball struck the Ocean about 3 Miles from the Fort this service lasted two months.
In October 1778 I entered the service under Capt. Samuel Snell and Col. Robert Taylor in "The Egg Harbor Guard" We, in that neighborhood were informed by Col. Richard Jones that, that those who enlisted in the Guard Service would not be called out elsewhere and that he had procured an arrangement to that effect to be made with the Commander in Chief and under this assurance I enlisted and served three years.
Our service in the Guard was a hard exposing and often dangerous service involving in it the duty of guarding the whole line of the Sea coast of the State of New Jersey and the frequent descent of the British or Hessian on some part or other of the coast kept us almost constantly on the alert without the possibility of often bringing them into a regular action and was replete with small actions and skirmishes of which, I have now little recollection.
I recollect a skirmish in June, I think 1779 with a Capt. Perry from New York; he, on board of a Boat called the Blue had captured

a United States Boat Mounting 24 Brass Six Pounder and 8 Four pound Howitzers commanded by a Captain Allen, they had come out of the Delaware and was captured by Capt. Perry off Cape May. After which they came into Great Egg Harbour Inlet when we attacked and took both boats and 45 prisoners. We sent them to prison at Philadelphia.
In one of our excursions I remember we took a Refugees trading boat on the North end of Guan Beach with 60 ambergris and Tart in her, we saved the articles but burnt the boat.
• At another time one Bacon a noted Refugee had killed Capt. Andrew Steelman of a look out Boat (Privateer) and wounded Lieut. David Scull so that he never recovered from it and did more much other Mischief. Capt. Snell sent a company in pursuit of Bacon, we went as far as Barnagat, obtained a pilot to direct us to his father-in-law's house and we surround- ed it in the middle of the night it was full of traders, but Bacon was not there nor did we obtain any tidings of him so we returned. I have been on duty all along the the coast as far as Sandy Hook and at all the intermediate places.
After being discharged from the Egg Harbour Guard I was not out again during the war.
I was born in the Township of Egg Harbour in the year 1760. I have no record of my age. I was living when called into service in

the same. Friendship where I was born and have lived there ever since, I was drafted the first time and after that Reluctantly whenever I was in the service.
I saw Col Procter at Leeds Point and Somers Point, he was with the Troops there, where we served. I saw Gen Wayne at Coopers Creek Bridge called Spicys Bridge, I saw Gen Newcomb at Woodbury Col Ellis at Haddonfield. I saw Col. Procters Regiment of Artillery at Leeds Point and Somers Point and Gen Waynes Troops or some of them at Coopers Creek Bridge, a company of Horse was there also - three of them were killed.
I never received a written discharge -
I am acquainted with Daniel Baker Esq. Jesse Smith Esq. Sheriff of this County. Jacob Glover Esq. Surrogate of this County. Dr. Mahlon Stanfield, Gideon Leeds, Major John Aspinwall others in my neighbour- hood.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a Pension except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of any State,
from New Jersey in Open Court 15 Oct 1837 J. H. H. Miller
Zephaniah by Steelman mark

We Jesse Smith and Jacob Glover residing at Woodbury in the County of Gloucester New Jersey do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Zephaniah Steelman who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy two years of age, 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.
Affirmed & Subscribed Oct 15, 1832 before me Ephraim Miller
Jesse Smith Jacob Glover
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after hearing 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 Jesse Smith and Jacob Glover Esquires, who have signed the foregoing certificate are residents in the said County of Gloucester and are highly respectable Citizens, the former filling the Office of Sheriff and the latter of Surrogate in and for said County and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Ephraim Miller

I, John C. Smallwood, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the said County of Gloucester do hereby certify that the fore- going contains the proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Leahaniak, Stetson for a Pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 15th day of Oc- tober 1832
Smallwood Clerk

The state of New Jersey Gloucesters On the fifteenth day of October AD 1832 before me the subscriber one of the judges of the Inferior Court of Com- mon Pleas of the County of Gloucester personally appeared James Steelman of the said County aged seventy four years and upwards, who being duly sworn according to Law, saith that he is well acquainted with Zephaniah Steelman and knew him during the Revolutionary War. That they served in the said War as follows
In the Month of June 1776 they served together in a company Com- manded by Capt. Nathaniel Sipples in Col Richard Somers Battalion, the company was quartered at the Guard House at Somers Point, and remained there one month, and was discharged —
The next time they served to- gether was in the Month of September 1776 in a company Commanded by Capt William Price in Col Somers Regiment the company met at Mays Landing and marched from there to Woodbury, where we were quartered for one month, and discharged —
The next time they served together was in the month of Jan- uary 1777 in a company Commanded by Captain John Scull in Col Williams Battalion, we paraded at Mays

Landing, and Marched from there to Haddonsfield from there to Bunting- ton then to Mount Holly afterwards to Haddonsfield again then to Coopers Creek Bridge where we had a pretty severe fight with the British Army after that we marched to Haddonsfield where we were discharged after one month's hard service.
The next time they served together was in June 1778 in a company commanded by Capt Snell in Col Saylors Regiment, during this tour we had a smart skirmish with the Refugees and took 20 or 30 of them prisoners we served together this time one month, and were discharged.
The next time we served together was in August 1778. in a company commanded by Capt William Price. We were at Chesnut Neck and Leeds Point Col Procter was there, with him or 500 of his troops this service lasted two months and we were discharged.
The next service was in what was called "The Egg Harbor Guard" it lasted from October 1778 till Octob 1781 it was under Capt Samuel Snell in Col Saylors Battalion and consisted in guarding the shore from Somers Point to Sandy Hook and was a very dangerous and arduous duty, and was more

different than any other duty that we performed — from the subscribers Oct 15 1832 before Ephraim Miller
James X Steelman mark
Gloucesters: On the 15 th of October A D 1832 before me the subscribers one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common of the County of Gloucester, personally appeared William Beaston aged seventy six years, who being duly sworn ac- cording to Law, saith that he is well acquainted with Zephaniah Steelman and knew him during the Revolutionary War, he remembers that the said Zephaniah performed a good deal of service during said War that he was in a Battle at Cooper's Creek Bridge, in Gloucester County, New Jersey, in a Com- pany commanded by Capt Scull, also that he was at Woodbury in company commanded by Capt Price, he also knows that he was in the Egg Harbor Guard so called and performed service for three years in a Company Com- manded by Capt Sam Snell in Col Taylor's Battalion —
from the subscribers { William X Beaston 15 Oct 1832 before { mark Ephraim Miller
And I the said Ephraim Miller Judge as aforesaid, do certify that the said James Steelman & William Beaston are known to me to be persons of credibility, and that their affidavits are entitled to credit, Jan y 8 th 1833 Ephraim Miller

I John Smallwood Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the said County of Gloucester, do hereby certify that Ephraim Miller Esquire before whom the foregoing affidavits of James Steelman and William Beaston appear to have been made, is one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of said County, duly commissioned and qualified, and that the signature of the said Judge thereto subscribed is genuine.
Witness my hand and seal of office this fifteenth day of October A D Eighteen hundred and thirty two Smallwood Clk
Gloucester County ss: On the 22 d day of January A D 1833 before me Ephraim Miller one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of said County personally appeared Zephaniah Steelman, the same person who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing Declaration who being duly sworn according to law saith that he has a distinct recollection of the time that he served in the Revolutionary War, it amounted in the whole to three years and five months during which time I served as a private as follows. to wit: One Month under Capt William Price in Col d Richard Spence.

Somers Battalion
Three Months in company Com- manded by Capt William Rice in Col Richard Somers Batts.
One Month in company Commanded by Capt John Scull in Col Silvanus West-
One Month in company Commanded by Captain Samuel Snell in Col Robert Taylors Regiment. And three years in what was called "The Egg Harbour Guard" in company Commanded by the same Capt Samuel Snell in Col Robert Taylors Regiment. And for which term of three years and six months as a private he the said Zephaniah Steelman Claims a Pension.
Sworn and subscribed date above before Ephraim Miller Chas Zephaniah + Steelman (mark)
Gloucester county ss. I John Smallwood Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the said county, do hereby certify that Ephraim Miller Esquire, before whom the above affidavit was made is one of the Judges of the said Court of Common Pleas duly commissioned and affirmed, and that the sig- nature of the said Judge thereto subscribed is genuine. Witness my hand and seal this twenty second day of January A D eighteen hundred and thirty three. Smallwood & Clerk

Rev. and 1812 War Section.
Nov 2 November 2, 1926
B. O. Hanby 107 Tenth St Mt. Vernon, Ind
Sir:
I have to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 3976, it appears that Zephaniah Steelman was born December 25, 1759 or 1760 in Egg Harbor Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey.
While residing there, he served as a private in the New Jersey Troops, as follows-
June 1776, one month in Captain Nathaniel Lipple's or Sipple's Company, Colonel Richard Somers' Regiment; September 1776, one month in Captain William Price's Company, Colonel Richard Somers' Regiment; January 1777, one month in Captain John Scull's Company, Colonel Hillman's Regiment, and was in an engagement at Cooper's Creek Bridge; May or June 1778, one month in Captain Samuel Snell's

Company, Colonel Robert Taylor's Regiment, and had a skirmish with the refugees and took some prisoners; from August 1778, two months in Captain William Price's Company.
From October 1778 to October 1781 he was in "The Egg Harbor Guard" in Captain Samuel Snell's Company, Colonel Robert Taylor's Regiment, and was in several skirmishes.
He was allowed pension on his application executed October 15, 1832, while a resident of Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey.
It is not stated that soldier was married.
The above noted Zephaniah Steelman is the only soldier of that name found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner.

State of New Jersey Gloucester County ss. On this twenty first day of February A d eighteen hundred and thirty three before the subscriber one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Gloucester, personally came Thompson Price who being duly sworn according to Law depos and says - that he will be eighty seven years of age the fourteenth day of August next, that he was born at Shrewsbury in the Eastern part of this State - and removed to Egg Harbor near Somers point in his one and twentieth year, where he has lived ever since - That he recollects a Body of troops called the Egg Harbor Grenadiers, for an account of whose duties he would beg leave to refer to the affidavits heretofore taken by this deponent in the cases of Abm. Atkinson & David Somers & others - This deponent recollects that Zephra- niah Steelman served in the Guards in the war of the revolution - He thinks he served during the whole service of the Guards - This deponent served in the Guards so long as it existed - and thinks that Zephaniah did also - Is confident he served more as much as two years - and believes he served more - The service spoken of he thinks must have been subsequently to the year 1778 - will not say in what particular years - The D o Zephaniah David Somers W m Beaston John Jeffries James Steelman and Abraham Atkinson all served together - He rec- -lects that Richard Somers, and Robert Saylors were Colonels and John Snell Jones, Samuel & Robert Snell were Captains in the Guards - there were many other Capt s - Robert Snell was killed by one of his own men 2 mds for omitting to give the Countermarch, our duty extended along the whole coast - sometimes at one place sometimes at another as we were needed - This deponent received a pension from the State of New Jersey for services rendered in the S d Guards - and further would not
Affirmed & Subscribed before me the day above Michael C. Fisher
Thompson Price mark

I Michael C Fisher one of the judges of the Inferior court of Common Pleas in and for the county of Gloucester, before whom the within affidavit was taken, do hereby certify that I believe the within deponent, Thompson Price to be a credible Witness and that his affidavit is entitled to full credit and belief.
Witness my hand this twenty fifth day of Febru- ary A D eighteen hundred and thirty three
Michael C Fisher
I John C Smallwood Clerk of the Inferior court of Common Pleas of the county of Gloucester do hereby certify that Michael C Fisher Esquire before whom the within name affidavit was taken is one of the Judges of the court of Common Pleas of said county, duly commissioned and qualified. and that the name "Michael C Fisher" thereto subscribed is the proper handwriting of him the said Michael C Fisher
In testimony whereof I have here- unto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said court this twenty fifth day of February in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty three
Smallwood Clerk

State of New Jersey. Gloucester County, ss: On this twenty first day of February A d eighteen hundred and thirty three before the subscriber one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Gloucester personally came James Somers who being duly affirmed according to Law upon his solemn affirmation says that he recollects distinctly that Zephaniah Steel man served in a corps called the Eggleston Guards during the Revolutionary war . The Guards was a corps detached for the protection of the coast from the depredations of the Enemy, who might land from the cruizers along the coast, and in conjunction with the Refugees who frequented that part of the country molesting the inhabitants thereof. They were paid by the then Colony of New Jersey. This affirmant knows that Zephaniah Steelman served in the said Guards at least two years and really believes he must have served as much as three years. He is sure that he has seen the said Zephaniah on duty in the said Guard at different times more than two years. A part of the time this affirmant served with the said Zephaniah when the Guard was stationed in the neighborhood of Somers point, where this affirmant lived and has ever since lived. This affirmant recollects that the said Zephaniah and James Steelman, David Somers John Jeffries & W m Beaston all served together in the Eggleston Guards. They and this affirmant have lived all their lives within two miles of each other. He recollects that when the boy was in service from his neighborhood that Zephaniah Steelman was absent from home and reported to with the Guards. This affirmant recollects that Richard Somers

Somers and Robert Taylor were colonels and John Somers Samuel Snell and Robert Snell were Captains in this Corps - the last named was shot by the Sentinels in attempting to pass without giving the noon counter-sign - This affiant is now upwards of seventy one years of age, was born and has lived all his life time at Somers point on Egg Harbor in this County.
Affirmed and subscribed before me the Date above
James Somers
Michael C. Fisher
I Michael C Fisher one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the County of Gloucester, before whom the within affidavit was taken. Do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with James Somers the affiant - that he is a wealthy and respectable citizen of this County - and that his affidavit is worthy of full credit and belief.
Witness my hand this twenty fifth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three
Michael C Fisher
I John C Smallwood Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the County of Gloucester, Do hereby certify Michael C Fisher Esquire before whom the above affidavit was taken, is one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the said County duly commissioned and affirmed, and that the name "Michael C Fisher" thereto subscribed, is the proper hand of the said Michael C Fisher.
Witness my hand and seal of office this twenty fifth day of February in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty three
Smallwood Clerk

Div. , _____, Ex' r.
Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
Washington, D. C., ----- 190
Respectfully referred to the Chief of the Record and Pension Office, War Department, requesting a full military and medical his- tory of the soldier -----
No other report on file.
No.
Name, _____
Co. _____, _____ Reg't _____
Commissioner.

C. S. Godfrey 2+2 papers Mar 26. 97 JMS 1926 Nov. 2 - Hask. to B. O. Hankly awg.
Rev War 3976 INVALID.
File No. 3976 Zephanih Stehna Priv Rev War
Act: June 7 th 1852 Index: — Vol. A , Page 356
[Arrangement of 1870.]

ASSISTANT AND CHIEF CLERK OCT 11 1926 WAR DEPT. G
The Unafraid Republican
B. O. HANBY, EDITOR
at War Dept.
Oct 8. '26
Washington - D. C. -
Memo: It has become necessary that the Rev. War record of one Capt. Stephenah Steelman be obtained He served under Col. Richard Somers of the New Jersey forces. —served, I think, until the close of the war. — was at Valley Forge, too, I think Kindly submit this inquiry to the proper officials, and greatly oblige,
RECEIVED OCT 12 1926 OLD RECORDS DIVN.
P.S.
Also, was he allowed a pension?
Am, very truly Yours for historical accuracy,
B. O. Hanby 107 Fifth St.
Could I hope for a reply by Oct 23 rd or earlier? Mt. Vernon, Ind.
18 Received A. G. O. OCT 11 1926

A. G. 201 Steelman, Zephaniah (10-8-26) ORD
WAR DEPARTMENT, The Adjutant General's Office, Washington,
October 13, 1926.
Mr. B. O. Hanby, 107 Tenth St., Mt. Vernon, Ind.
Dear Sir:
I have your letter of October 8, 1926, in which you request to be furnished with the Revolutionary War record of one Captain Zephaniah Steelman, who is said to have served under Col. Richard Somers of the New Jersey forces.
The records of this office show that one Zephaniah Steelman was a captain in the 3d Battalion of Gloucester County Militia of New Jersey. His name appears in a list of "Officers of the 3d Battalion of Gloucester County Militia - not commissioned." This list is dated Gloucester County, Sept. 18, 1777, and his name appears with the rank of a captain. No further record found.
It appears that one Summers or Somers was colonel of a battalion of New Jersey Militia but there are only two members of the organization shown by the records on file in this office, Colonel Summers and Captain Joseph Collins.
The collection of Revolutionary War records in this office is far from complete, and it is suggested as a possibility that additional information may be obtained from the Adjutant General of the State of New Jersey, Trenton, or from the Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C. I am forwarding your letter to the Commissioner of Pensions for any information in the case, from whom you will doubtless receive an early response. The last named official is also the custodian of the pension records.
Very truly yours,
Major General, The Adjutant General.
By

(10-8-26) ORD Zephaniah Steelman V. 8. 201
General 33' Lane Washington The Adjutant General's Office
A. G. 201 Steelman, Zephaniah (10-8-26) ORD 1st Ind. gaw
War Department, A. G. O., October 13, 1926. - To the Commissioner of Pensions.
Attention is invited to the letter of Mr. Hanby, who has been informed of this reference by letter, a copy of which is herewith inclosed.
Robert C. Davis Major General, The Adjutant General. BY
1 inclosure