Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 4542, for Elias Leonard, Pennsylvania

SERVICE
NUMBER
Penn.
Leonard, Elias
S. 4542
carded
CONTENTS

New Jersey 17902
Miss Leonard.
(6) of East Rutherford the State of New Jersey who was a Private in the Co. commanded by Captain Boyd. - of the Regt. commanded by Col. Mattack in the Pennua line for Seven months.
No. 20.269.
Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey at the rate of 23 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 7th day of Octr. 1833 and sent to John R. Hack.  W. Hooley.  N. L.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1833.  58.33 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Mar '74.  11.66
$ 69.99
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by C. M. Palmer Clerk, Book Vol. three Page 120.

20249
In the matter of the application of Elias Leonard for a pension under act of June 7. 1832
6

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7 th 1832.
On this sixth — day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight- hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open court, before the Judges of the Superior court of common Pleas, in and for the county of Burlington, now sitting Elias Leonard , a resident of Juliastown in the county of Bur- lington, and State of New Jersey, aged 86 years who being first duly sworn  sworn  affirmed  oath according to law, doth on his solemn, affirmation  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. —
First. - This declarant volunteered for two months, as a private in the 2 nd Battalion of Philadelphia Mi- litia, in the month of December 1776, under Genl. Potter, Col. M'attack and Capt. Boyd. - During this term of service, he was with the Battalion at Bristol, Penna. the day before the capture of the Hessian at Trenton by Genl. Washington, & was prevented from crossing the Delaware by the ice. - Shortly afterwards, this declarant with the Battalion crossed the Delaware, between Burlington City, & the Dutch-neck; - marched through Burlington City, to Mount Holly, and thence to Mill Hill, where they arrived while Washington was camped encamped on the South side of the Assunpink Creek, and the British on

the north. - The Battalion encamped a short distance from Washington's Army. - On the morning of the new days of January 1777 this declarant, under his said officers accompanied Washington to Princeton, and was placed on the right, at the battle of Princeton. - After this battle he marched to Morristown, in Morris county, & returned home from that place. - He volunteered for two months actually - at this time, but, served three months.
Second. - This declarant volunteered for and served two months, as a private, in the same battalion, in the year 1777 under Capt. Slaughter, and the same field Officers as above. - During this term of service he was not engaged in any battle, but was rambling about from place to place. - He started from Philadelphia, went to Billingsport, in New Jersey, thence to Wilmington in Pennsylvania , and to Brandywine, where they arrived a few days after the Brandywine battle, and then marched to Philadelphia com mence and there served the remainder of the two months: - The State of Delaware
Third. - In 1777 this declarant went out as a substitute for some one, whose name he believes was Joseph Painter, and served for two months in a private in the Germantown Militia, under Genl. Potter and Capt. Haslewood. - During this time of service while his battalion lay at Chestnut hill near Germantown with the rest of Genl. Washington's army, this declarant, and two others, whose names he cannot recollect were placed at the head of the 9 th regiment of Virginia troops, under Col. Stewart, as guides to lead them through a by road to Germantown, where the British were then encamped. It was at this time that the battle of German-

town took place, in which this declarant was engaged. After the battle they marched back to Chestnut-hill, where they again encamped, and was afterwards marching about until the end of this term of service, making in the whole, at least six months . —
This declarant has no doubt, that some of those with whom he served, are still living and could testify to the truth of his statement but he does not know where they may be found. — He has no documentary evidence of his service, nor has he any record of his age, but he knows the time of his birth from tradition. — He was born at Peekskill in the state of New York Septem- ber 10 th A.D. 1756. He was an apprentice in Philadelphia when called into service. — After the Revolution he remained a short time in Phila., then moved to Burlington City in New Jersey & lived there for 2 years. — He then went to sea and was absent for about 6 months. — After his return, he lived 9 years in Chester county Pennsylvania — then moved into the state of New York near the place of his nativity, and remained there for 6 years, when he moved into Burlington County N. Jersey, and has lived there ever since. He now resides at Lucas town in said county. This declarant is not acquainted with any clergy- man to whom he can apply for a Certificate, and he offers in lieu thereof the subjoined affidavit of Thomas Haines and William Swain.
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. -
Sworn and subscribed in open court, the day and year aforesaid. -
Elias his + Leonard marks
Richard Eaye Zebedee M. Wells Geo. Haysom
We Thomas Haines and William Swain of the county of Burlington and State of New Jersey, hereby certify, that we are well ac- quainted with Elias Leonard , who has sub- scribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 76 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
Sworn and subscribed in open court, the day & year aforesaid.
Thomas Haines
William Swain
Richard Eaye Zebedee M. Wells Geo. Haysom
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of

the matter, and after putting the interrogations 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 Thomas Haines, and William Swain who have signed the preceding Certificate are residents of the county of Burlington, and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit. -
Richard Eayrs Zebadiah M. Willy
G. H. Haines
I Samuel J. Read, Clerk of the court Inferior court of Common Pleas in and for the county of Burlington, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Elias Leonard for a Pension. -
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this Sixth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and thirty two.
Sam Read
of the ... proceedings ... and the ...

Perkins
4542
INVALID.
Am
(3)
File No. 4542
Elias Leonard
Print Rev War
Act: June 7  P32
Index:—Vol. A , Page 219
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Elias Leonard N 9
Adm J. Moat $ 23. 33
John R. Slack Mount Holly -
John this Bart

(2)
BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Elias Leonard which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?
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?
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 See page 5
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?
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?

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? No
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? No
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?
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? No See q u er ie 16
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
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.

2 2 2

(5)
Mount Holly Augt. 20 th
Sir,
The objections in the case of Elias Leonard's application for a pension, as they were understood, are fully answered in his declaration de novo accompanying this letter. - As no further objections will be made to the original declaration, and as those heretofore made have been answered, I can apprehend no further difficulty. - Please direct your answer to
Yr obedient
John T. Black
J. B. Edwards Esq.

Declarations of Elias Leonard for a pension.-

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832.
State of New Jersey Burlington County } } to wit:
On this seventeenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three, personally appeared in open court before the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Burlington, the same being a court of record, now sitting Elias Leonard , a resident of Julius town in the County of Burlington and State of New Jersey, aged Seventy six years, past, who being duly sworn, according to law, doth on his solemn 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. —
First: - This declarant volunteered for two months, as a private in the 2 nd Battalion of Philadelphia Mili- tia in the month of December, seventeen hundred and seventy six under Genl. Potter, Col. Mattack and Capt. Boyd. - During this term of service, he was with the Battalion at Bristol, Pennsylvania the day before the capture of the Hessians at Trenton by Genl. Washington, and was prevented from crossing the Delaware by the ice. - Shortly afterwards, this declarant with the Battalion crossed the Dela- ware, between Burlington City & the Dutch-neck; marched through Burlington City, to Mount Holly and thence to Mill-Hill, where they arrived while Washington was encamped on the South side

of the Spanpink Creek, and the British on the North. - The Battalion encamped a short distance from Washington's army. - On the morning of the day of January seventeen hundred and seventy seven this declarant under his said Officer accompanied Washington to Princeton, and was placed on the right at the battle of Princeton. - After this battle he marched to Morristown, in Morris County & returned home from that place. He volunteered for two months at this time, but actually served three months. -
Second: - This declarant volunteered for and served two months, as a private, in the same Battalion in the year seventeen hundred & seventy seven under capt. Slaughter, and the same field Officers as above. - During this term of service he was not engaged in any battle, but was marching about under the orders of his said Officers from place to place. - He started from Philadelphia, went to Billingsport in New Jersey, thence to Wilmington in the State of Delaware, and then to Brandywine, where they arrived a few days after the Brandywine battle; and then marched to Philadelphia Commons, and there served the remainder of the two months. -
Third: - In ( 1777 ) seventeen hundred and seventy seven this declarant went out as a substitute for some one, whose name he believes was Joseph Painter, and served for two months as a private in the Germantown Militia, under Genl. Potter and capt. Haslewood. - During this term of service while his battalion lay at Chestnut Hill near Germantown, with the rest of Genl. Washington's army, this declarant and two others whose names he cannot now recollect, were placed at the head of the Ninth regiment of Virginia

again army, this declarant and two others whose names he cannot now recollect, were placed at the head of the Ninth regiment of Virginia
troops, under Col. Stewart, as guides to lead them through a bye road to Germantown, where the British were then encamped. - It was at this time that the battle of Germantown took place, in which this declarant was engaged. - After the battle they marched back to Chesnut Hill, where they again encamped, and were afterwards marching about until the end of this term of service, and so this declarant on his oath saith that he did serve in the army of the revolution two terms of two months each, and one term of three months, making in the whole seven months , for which he now claims a pension. -
This declarant has no documentary evidence of his services. He never received a discharge He has no doubt that some of those with whom he served are still living and could testify to the truth of his statement but he does not know where they may be. - He has made he hath made all the exertion which his age and debility would admit of, to find some one who could prove his actual service, but his exertions have been unavailing. - He has no record of his age, but knows the time of his birth from tradition - He was born at Peekskill in the state of New York September 10 th A.D. 1756, and was an apprentice in Philadelphia when called into service. - After the Revolution he remained a short time in Philadelphia, then moved to Burlington City in New Jersey and lived there for two years. - He then went to sea and was absent for six months. - After his return he lived nine years in Chester county Pennsylvania - then moved into the state of New York near the place of his nativity and remained there for six years, when he

... he took and the British on the moved into Burlington County New Jersey, and has lived there ever since. - He now resides at Tuckerton in said county. -
This declarant is not acquainted with any Bergymans, to whom he can apply for a certif- icates. - None has resided with him at the place where he now does, and his  none of those with whom he was acquainted in earlier life are now living to the knowledge of this declarant. - He therefore on his oath saith that he verily believes that it impossible for him to procure the certificate of a Bergymans, and to require it of him would be to deprive him of the benefit of the law. - He is however acquainted with other individuals and he offers the subjoined certificate as the best and only evidence which he can at this time procure viz: the certificate of Thomas Haines, William Sweat, Isaac Ridgway, John Atkinson and William P. Shinn. whatsoever to a pension or reward of any the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
Sworn and subscribed in open court the day and year aforesaid.
Richard Eayre
J. Blackwood
Geo Haysom
Matthews W. Henry
Thos. J. Bunting
Elias his X Leonard marks

We Thomas Haines, William Swem, Jacob Ridgway, John Atkinson, and William N. Shinn of the county of Burlington and State of New Jersey, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Elias Leonard who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; - that we believe him to be seventy six years of age past; - that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resided to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion - that he bears a good character for veracity - that the belief among his neighbours that he served in the revolutionary war as he has above stated is general & never to our knowledge has been doubted. That there is no Clergyman who is a permanent resident of Delaware or its immediate vicinity - the only places of worship there being Methodist whose ministers are not located permanently or quakers -
affirmed and subscribed in open court, the day and year aforesaid
Richard Eayre Jn Blackwood
Jno Haysom Matthew M c Henry
Phin s I Bunting
Thomas Haines
William Swem
Jacob Ridgway
John Atkinson
William N. Shinn *
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 Thomas Haines, William Swem, Jacob Ridgway, John Atkinson and William N. Shinn.

who have signed the preceding Certificate are residents of the county of Burlington: - that the signatures affixed to the said certificate are their genuine signatures: - that they are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit; and that the said applicant Elias Leonard is also a person of credibility: - And the said Court do further certify, that they are satisfied the belief in the neighbourhood of the said Elias Leonard's having been a revolutionary soldier is general, and that no doubts have ever existed upon the subject; and that they are satisfied, there is not any clergyman resident in Juliastown aforesaid or its immediate vicinity, whose certificate the said Elias Leonard could procure. -
Done in open Court this seventeenth day of August, in the term of August A.D. 1838 -
Richard Eaye John Blackwood Geo Haywood Matthew M c Henry Phin s S Bunting
I Samuel J. Read, Clerk of the Inferior Court of common Pleas in and for the county of Burlington do hereby certify, that Richard Eaye, John Blackwood, George Haywood, Matthew M c Henry and Phineas S.

Beating and Images of the said court, duly commissioned and sworn, and that the above are their genuine signatures, and that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the said court in the matter of the application of Elias Leonard for a pension. —
hundred and thirty three.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office this seventeenth day of August, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
J. M. Read