Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 5087, for John Meeker, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New jersey
Meeker, John
S. 5087
CONTENTS
Carded.

29.818.
New Jersey. Revolutionary
John Meeke's
of Essex County in the State of New Jersey who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Chandler of the — commanded by — in the New Jersey — line for six months.
Inscribed on the Roll of The New Jersey Agency at the rate of 20 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 21 st day of March A.D. 1835 — and sent to Hon. T. Feelinghuyse — Present.
Arrears to the 4th of March A.D. 1835: $80 0 0 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 th Sep r 1835. 10. 0 0 $90. 0 0
{ Revolutionary Claim, { Not June 7, 1832.
Recorded by C. W. Nelson Clerk. Book E. Vol. 3. Page 122.
John C. Paine Agent March 4, 1835. Trenton, N.J. Certificate sent to Hon. T. Feelinghuyse March 4, 1835.
Rate of pension paid on A.B.

State of New Jersey Essex County 3 S.S.
69 On this Eighteenth day of September in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and thirty two personally appeared in Open Court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Essex aforesaid now sitting, John Meeker a resident of the Township of Orange in the County of Essex Aged Sixty nine years, who being first sworn according to Law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed the Seventh day of June A.D. 1832
That he was born on the Sixteenth day of December Seventeen hundred and Sixty two at Parsippany in the County of Morris. The family Bible which contained the original record of his age, has been lost or missing for nearly fifty years, and he has no Copy of it.
When he first entered the service of the United States during the Revolutionary War, he resided in the Township of Elizabethtown in the County of Essex, and has resided in the County of Essex ever since with the exception of three or four years, when he resided in the County of Bergen - He served at different times in the Revolutionary War as a Volunteer and drafted in the Militia.
6 6 He first volunteered in Captain Stephen Chandlers Company in the year Seventeen hundred and Seventy nine in the fall of the year, and served under him during the fall and Winter and continued under him in the year Seventeen hundred and Eighty, cannot state the exact time he then served, but is confident he served at least six months, in the year Seventeen hundred and Eighty one, was drafted under Captain Matthias Lyon and served under him as Second Sergeant for six months, after the expiration of said time, volunteered again under Captain Stephen Chandler, during which time was taken Prisoner, together with Captain Chandler, Captain Obed Meeker, Captain Thomas Boorman, Lieutenant Chandler and six or seven others, and made my escape from them during the night, the others were all carried to New York and kept six weeks in the Sugar House when they were exchanged, during Captain Chandlers imprisonment I served under Captain Lyon, after the release of Captain Chandler I joined him again, and continued to serve under him to the end of the War, is confident he served over

Two Grass, was under Colonel Samuel Potter, Majors William Brown and Ezekiel Woodruff - was in the Battles of Springfield and Connecticut Farms does not recollect any Continental or Militia Regiments by name or number except Colonel Elias Dayton's Con- -tinental Regiment which was in the Battles of Springfield and Connecticut Farms
never received a written discharge from service is personally acquainted with and refers to the following persons for a statement as to character and traditional evidence of service in the Revolution, namely General Thomas Ward, Rev d . Asa Hillyer, Joseph Bounel, George Price and Aaron Thompson
Joseph Bounel, Aaron Thompson and George Price are the only persons living that he knows of who served with him - They can all testify to his service.
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 or Territory in the United States
Sworn and Subscribed this 3 John Meeke day and year aforesaid
Sam l B. Miller Judge
We Asa Hillyer a Clergyman residing in the Township of Orange and John S. Plume of the Township of Newark do hereby Certify that we are well acquainted with John Meeke who has Subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration, that we believe him from our knowledge to be sixty nine 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 -
Sworn and Subscribed this 3 Asa Hillyer day and year aforesaid
Sam l B. Miller Judge John S. Plume

State of New Jersey
Essex County ss
Personally appeared before me John J. Plume one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the County of Essex John Meeker who being duly sworn deposeth and saith, that by reason of old age and consequent loss of memory, he cannot now 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 six months I served as a Volunteer Private under Captain Stephen Chandler in the fall of Seventeen hundred and Seventy Nine, and Winter of Eighty. - For six months I served as a Second Sergeant (having been drafted) under Captain Matthias Lyon in the year Seventeen hundred and Eighty one, about the first of July. - For about two years I served as a Volunteer Private under Captain Stephen Chandler, with the exception of about six weeks while Captain Chandler was a prisoner in New York, which time I served under Captain Lyon, and on his release from Prison I immediately joined him and continued to serve under him as above stated, and for such service I claim a pension. thinks he served at least two years under Chandler Lyon as a volunteer
Sworn and subscribed before me at Newark this 24 th day of May 1823
John J. Plume Justice of the Peace
John M. Meeker
State of New Jersey - County of Essex ss I Elias Van Arsdale Junior Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in for said County of Essex Do hereby certify That John J. Plume Esquire before whom the foregoing affidavit of John Meeker was made & taken, was, when the said affidavit was made & taken a Millisa Justice of the Peace for said County, residing therein duly commissioned & sworn: That the signature "John J. Plume" subscribed to said affidavit is the proper handwriting of said Justice & that full faith is due to his official acts. In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court at Newark in the County of Essex on the Twenty Eighth day of May A.D.
Eighteen hundred & thirty three (1833)
Elias Van Arsdale Jr Clerk

To the 1 st Interrogatory, the declarant answered.
That he was Born at Parsippany in the County of Morris, on the Sixteenth day of December in the Year Seventeen hundred and fifty two.
To the 2 nd Interrogatory, This declarant answered.
he has no record of his age. The Family Bible which contained the record has been lost or missing for nearly fifty years he thinks, cannot now say Certain.
To the 3 rd Interrogatory, This declarant answered.
When he first entered the service during the Revolutionary War, he lived in the Township of Elizabeth Town in the County of Essex; and has lived in said County of Essex ever since with the exception of three or four years when he resided or lived in Bergen County. That he now lives in Orange in this Essex County.
To the 4 th Interrogatory, This declarant answered.
That he first entered the service as a Volunteer in Captain Stephen Chandlers Company in the fall of the Year 1779.
To the 5 th Interrogatory, This declarant answered.
That it is fully & particularly as far as he can recollect, stated in the proceeding declaration and sworn to by him.
To the 6 th Interrogatory, This declarant answered.
That he never received a written discharge, nor Commission.
To the 7 th Interrogatory, This declarant answered.
That the answer thereto is embodied fully in his declaration as sworn to by him, as well as all the previous ones.

Ch. 15730
John Meeker Essex County New Jersey
Admitted Private business
Return d. No.
must set forth times, places offices of each term state whether services of each to prove due best evidence
Hon. T. Frelinghuysen
Hon. L. Corlies Acting Attorney, New Jersey Providence Essex County, New Jersey

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
15 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 show what is necessary to be done. Those 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, shewing the Service of John Meeker Essex County New Jersey
   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, when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Vol. Fall 1779. — 6 — Capt Chambers, 69 years Traditionary Evidence, Holigman's   Draft. 1781 — 6 — 2 Serg t . Capt Lyon Elizabeth Town Certificate, M c Intosh certified credible   Vol. " " Not stated Capt Chambers & Capt Lyon Essex County New Jersey papers Correct.  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

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
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 of the Court of 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) 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 and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the 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, (l) 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 sign 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 [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule [a] 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.
(m) The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.)

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section
AWF:MLB
July 23, 1930
Miss Reignette Marsh 11 Maple Avenue Plainfield, New Jersey
Dear Madam:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 5087, that John Meeker was born December 16, 1768, in Parsippany, Morris County, New Jersey.
While residing in Elizabethtown, Essex County, New Jersey, he enlisted in the fall of 1779 and served as a private and second sergeant in the New Jersey Militia, under Captains Stephen Chandler, Matthias Lyon, Abraham Lyon, William Britten, John Wood and Thomas Mulford. A part of the time he was in Colonel Samuel Potter's Regiment. He was in the battles of Connecticut Farms and Springfield and was once taken prisoner but made his escape the same night. He served until the fall of 1782, amounting in all to about two years.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 18, 1838, at which time he was a resident of Orange Township, Essex County, New Jersey.
He stated that his parents lived in Morris County, New Jersey during the War of the Revolution. Their names are not given and there is no reference to wife or children.
Very truly yours
E. W. MORGAN Acting Commissioner

Reuben
5084
INVALID.
File No. 5087
John Meeker
Print Rev War
Act: June 7 th 1832.
Index:—Vol. M , Page 253
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1930- July 28. Hrst to Miss Ragnette Marsh Cuy.

State of New Jersey
Essex County ss. Before the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Essex personally appeared John Meeker of said County who having been duly sworn saith as follows vizt. - I am 79 years old was a Soldier of the Revolutionary War, and performed service in said War as a private and Sergeant. I am the same John Meeker who on the 18 th day of September 1832 made a declaration of my Militia Services to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 1832. which declaration has been returned from the Pension Office requiring specific details of my services, the times, places and officers under whom each tour of duty was performed, and whether survivors of each - At this late period of my life and after the lapse of so many years since those events occurred a minute and circumstantial detail cannot be given of every particular, but so far as my memory will enable me I will state them claiming a reasonable indulgence for the failure of an old man's memory reciting the events of his early life after the lapse of more than 50 years - In the fall of the year 1779 it was cold weather I think November I volunteered as a Soldier in Captain Chandler Company at Elizabeth town and was out doing duty under said Captain and Lieutenant Chandler until the last of April 1780, guarding along the lines, part of the time at Elizabeth town point, part of the time at Woodruffs farms, and a part of the time at Lyons farms - a part of the Company only went out at a time and as I had volunteered I continued and done duty with both detachments of the Company - The Refugees and British at this time lay on Staten Island opposite the Point in sight of us and would frequently come down to the edge of the marsh and fire their field piece at us, their shot would go some distance over us, we would frequently get their balls. Major Woodruff was our Commanding officer - I think I served and was out as a volunteer at this time six months as near as I can recollect - during this time I think I was at home by permission of my officers at various times in all, about three or four weeks, but never remember to have left on any occasion without permission of my officers, being a young man and feeling anxious for the cause induced me to volunteer - after the six months tour was over I was discharged, verbally, and returned home to my Parents in Morris County, had been living previously with an Uncle between Newark and Elizabethtown, where I returned during the summer in the early part, May.

I served this our month under Captain Matthias Lyon at Elizabeth Point. Shortly after this tour I think only a few days, I was again called out, with all the rest of the Neighbors, and I cannot now be certain who I was under either Captain Chandler or Captain Lyon, in my declaration I named Captain Chandler, but upon reflection I cannot now say who but Col o Potter was our Colonel, this tour I think was one month during which I was in the Battle at Connecticut Farms and Springfield do not recollect of being out again that summer except on alarms which were pretty frequent, in the fall of 80 it was getting to be cool weather was drafted and served one month under Captain Chandler we were quartered at the Farms School house and were employed guarding the lines as before - Shortly after this tour I was drafted again and went under Capt. Lyon and by him was appointed Second Sergeant immediately on joining the company, at the expiration of the month, having no work at home and feeling elated with my appointment I continued out all Winter doing duty as Sergeant under Captain the Lyon. Captain Abraham Lyon Capt n Brittain and Lieutenant Ball, and served for at least six months - during which time he was constantly on duty with the exception of once leave of absence from my Captain for one week and once for three days to visit my Uncle, between Elizabeth and Newark, never was home during the time to see his parents, a part of the time Col o Potter commanded and a part Major Crane, our duty as before guarding the lines - after his discharge from this last tour and having been home for about a month his love for the cause induced him again to enter the field and he volunteered under his old Captain Chandler in the early part of June 1781. about three weeks after a party of Refugees of about 100 came over in a boat, crop lots, and took Capt n Chandler, Capt n Mucker, Capt n Brown, Lieutenant Chandler and six or seven others with this despatch prisoners. That in going out of the House in the dark he this despatch made his escape from them the remainder were taken to New York and confined in the Sugar House, which was used as a prison, for six weeks, recollects the facts from their circumstances Capt n Chandler had been in his harvest field that day cutting grain, was pretty tired and asleep when they came, Stephen and Job Hains were taken out of bed and not allowed time to get their cloths were taken off with nothing on but their shirts

While Captain Chandler was prisoner I continued to do duty under Captain Lyon and Lieutenant Sprague, until (their) Capt. Chandler's return, when I again joined him and continued to the close of the War, guarding the lines as before stated. Majors Crane & Woodruff were our Commanders and Colonel Potter was the Colonel, recollect also of being one month under Captain Thomas Nutford at Rahway kept Bridgetown duty as before, but cannot say when it was, that the month or year, but am positive as to the service being done in 1782 I am under the impression I served one month under Capt. William Britton, in the fall of the year either October or November recollect a part of the time Captain Wood commanded but cannot now remember the particulars - was out afterward under Capt. Chandler, my duty was in guarding the lines generally - I feel confident I have served under other officers, but at this late day cannot remember them. John Meekose
I sworn and subscribed before me This 25 th day of September 1834
John H. Hume Justice of the Peace

State of New Jersey County of Essex
ss: I Elias Van Arsdale Junr. Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the County of Essex do hereby certify that John J. Plume before whom the annexed affidavits of George Price & Aaron Thompson were made and taken at the time of taking the same was & still is a sitting the peace for said County duly commissioned & sworn: and that the signatures "John J. Plume" subscribed to the joint of said affidavits are genuine In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the Seal of said Court at Newark in said County the Tenth day of December A.D. Eighteen hundred thirty three —
E. Van Arsdale Junr. Clerk

State of New Jersey
Essex County ss Personally appeared before me John Shaeffer a Justice of the Peace in & for the County of Essex, George Price who being duly sworn deposeth and saith, that he is personally acquainted with John Meeker, a Soldier of the Revolution and now an Applicant for a Pension, that in the year Seventeen hundred and Eighty this deponent, was in Captain Matthias Lyons Company at Elizabeth Town point in the month of May and until about the tenth day of June that the said John Meeker, was there a Soldier in said Company, and served one month, that on or about the 10 th of June their times were out & returned home, that about the 14 th day of the same month (June) they were all called out again, that said John Meeker was again under the same Captain Lyons Shaeffer, in the Battle at Connecticut Farms that after the Engagement, the Company continued at the Farms until the Battle of Springfield and was in that Engagement that the Company was out at that time one month. Colonel Potter was their Colonel, Majors Crane & Woodruff, that in the same year in the month of October, as this deponent thinks, he was again out - one month under Captain Shaeffer that John Meeker also served that month in the same Company - That on or about the first of July 1781. This deponent was drafted in Captain Matthias Lyons Company for six months, Aaron Ball was Orderly Sergeant and John Meeker was Second Sergeant of the Company, the Company was then stationed in the School house at Lyons Farms and kept a Guard between Newark & Elizabethtown, that the said John Meeker continued with the Company as Sergeant for the whole term, and had a pretty hard duty to perform
6- Searg

That in 1782 in the month of July or August, was again out one month under Captain Chandler at Woodruffs farms with the said John Meeker, that in the month of October or November he was out again one month with the said John Meeker, under Captain William Brittain who was taken sick and Captain John Wood took the Command of the Company - that Colonel Potter was then Commanding officer, & in 1783 one month under Capt Chandler
Sworn & Subscribed before me This 30 day of September 1893
George Price
John T. Thorne Justice of the Peace
State of New Jersey
Essex County ss Personally appeared before me John T. Thorne a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Essex Aaron Thompson who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he is personally acquainted with John Meeker above named, that he served with him during the War of the Revolution in the year 1779 in Captain Chandlers Company, recollect the fact from the circumstance of Meeker, being an apprentice to my Brother, & are going out to- gether, also recollect his serving in the year 1780, but cannot say as to the time, remembers. They were encamped at William farms, and in 1781, in the summer, was under Captain Chandler again, with said John Meeker, when the Captain, Captain Me Captain Boorman Lieut Chandler, John Meeker & several others were taken prisoners, recollects of his, Meeker, getting away, also recollect of his serving afterwards, but cannot state the time, he belonged to Colonel Potters Regiment. recollect of Meeker serving many different times during the War
Sworn & Subscribed before me This 10 th day of December 1833
Aaron Thompson
John T. Thorne Justice of the Peace

2
Declaration of John Meeker
15730
1780 July 20 th 1780
XX
paid

We George Price and Aaron Thompson of the County of Essex do hereby Certify that we are personally acquainted with John Meeker who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration, that of our own personal knowledge (having served with him) do know that he served as a Soldier in the War of the Revolution
Sworn and Subscribed the day and Year aforesaid
Sam l B. Miller Judge
George Price
Aaron Thompson
I Thomas Ward a resident of the Town of Newark do hereby Certify that I am personally acquainted with John Meeker who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration, that I believe him to have been a Soldier of the Revolution & that he has born the character of a Man of truth and honesty
Sworn & Subscribed the day and Year aforesaid
Sam l B. Miller Judge
Thomas Ward
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 Asa Billings who has signed the preceding Certificate is a Clergyman resident in the Township of Orange, and that John J. Plume who has also signed the same is a resident in Newark and is a Credible person, and the Court further Certifies that George Price, Aaron Thompson and Thomas Ward who has signed the annexed Certificate are all residents of Newark and are Credible persons and that their statements are entitled to credit.
Sam l B. Miller Judge

Essex ss. I Elias Van Arsdale Jr Clerk of said Court of Common Pleas Do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the Original proceedings of said court in the matter of the ap- plication of John Meeker for a Pension In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this twenty second day of October 1832 E. Van Arsdale Jr Clerk
State of New Jersey County of Essex ss.
I Elias Van Arsdale Junior Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in & for said County Do hereby certify that Samuel B. Miller Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavits were made & taken & who signed the certificate thereunder written, was at the time of taking said affidavits & signing the said certificate & still is a Judge of said Court residing in said County duly commissioned and sworn & that the signatures "Sam. B. Miller Judge" affixed to the same are genuine. — In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & the Seal of said Court at Newark the Twenty Eighth day of May A.D. Eighteen hundred and thirty three (1833)
E. Van Arsdale Jr Clerk

11 Maple Ave. Plainfield. N.J. June 14, 1930
Commissioner of Pensions Washington, D.C.
My dear Sir:-
Can your department send me a copy of the pension record of John Meeker who served in the Revolutionary War. in Essex County New Jersey.
In a statement from the Office of the Adjutant General of New Jersey. John Meeker's claim for pension is # Invalid # 5087 filed in the Bureau of Pensions in Washington. I need this record to complete papers for the D.A.R.
Yours very truly
(Miss) Reiginette Marsh
I hope the pension record gives names of wife + children - also his own dates -