Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 7117, for John Mercer, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey.
Mercer, John.
R 7117
CONTENTS

State of New York
Rensselaer County
On Thirteenth Eight day of April Eighteen hundred and forty three. Personally appeared before the Justices of the Justices of the Peace court in the City of Troy in the County aforesaid (being a Court of Record) Henry Mercer a resident of the town of Lansingburgh in the County of Rensselaer aforesaid. Who being duly sworn according to Law. Testifies. That he is one of the surviving Children with Benjamin Mercer of John Mercer who was a Soldier in the Revolutionary War. and that he has often heard his Father John Mercer deceased . rehearse over his Services. That he belonged to the British Fleet . laying near New York. That he deserted . and joined General Washington Army and continued in the Service to the Close of the War. he thinks his Father joined the Army in the State of New Jersey. And deponent further testifies that. he knows of no person now living. nor of any documentary evidence of his Father's Services. that their Mother died about two years since. leaving this deponent and the above named Benjamin Mercer only the surviving Children of the said John Mercer and claim a Pension under Act of 1832. Henry Mercer
Sworn to and subscribed
this 28 th day of April 1843 before me. Hiram Taylor
Justice of the Peace
Rensselaer County ss. Justices Court. the said Court do hereby certify that it was satisfactory made to appear. by proof before said Court that the above named Henry Mercer and Benjamin Mercer were the only surviving Children of John Mercer. at the time of his death on the Seventh day of July Eighteen hundred and forty. and that their Mother died about two years since
Hiram Taylor Justice of the Peace

State of the
State of New York Rensselaer County
I, William Hoag, clerk of the Justice Court of the City of Troy, County of Rensselaer & State of New York do hereby certify that Herman Taylor was, on the day of the date of the within Certificate a Justice of the Peace of said County & one of the Justices of the said Justice Court and that the said signature within purporting to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of said Court and subscribed my name this 29 th of April AD 1843. — W m Hoag, Clerk of the Justice Court of the City of Troy

71117
P. O.
John Mercer
Service:
REJECTED
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: 1852 Printed; 18
Alleges: Book, Rejected and suspended pensions, gives reasons for suspension - "no
Re-enlisted: _____ Claim - he died in 1812
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

Dec 12. 1846 Mrs. Moore
10
J. L. Edwards Com' of Pension Washington City
12 1846

Lansingburgh December 8 th 1846 Sir, In answer to yours of Nov. 24 th and July the 7 th in the case of the heirs of John Mercer deceased, requiring me to inform you in what evidence I have assumed to appropriate the service of John Mercer of New Jersey in the early part of the war. To a British deserter who could not be enlisted, without a violation of enlistment orders, I answer, the statement of the son in his declaration of what he had heard his Father state in his life time, of his being a British deserter, and enlisting in Washington Army, who could state no more being only 12 or 13 years old at the time of his Father's death as well as the evidence of several respectable persons who were personally acquainted with said Mercer a long time before his death. And likewise at the time of the application being made sent to the Secretary of New Jersey for the services of said Mercer, which in answer could not be found, which caused the delay in the case. And about the time I first wrote to you in March 1846, having sent to the Secretary of New Jersey for the services of other persons, and he having found the services of John Mercer was sent to me, which you have, all of which fully satisfied me beyond a doubt of the justice of

the Claim, In answer to the enlistment I have to say it was not uncommon for the British to desert and enlist in our service nor for ours to enlist in the British Service.
I have known men, who have taken and carried our men as prisoners to the British, and afterwards enlisted in the American Army and served out their enlistment out faithfully received a Pension. John Mercer did not live long enough to receive a pension under any of the pension laws. You can have more testimony of creditable service to the effect as that you already have. We as to what the said Mercer always stated in his life time as to his service, and when done.
I am Yours Respectfully
J. L. Edwards
Comr. of Pensions.
Andrew Follet

State of New York Rensselaer County } ss On this 10 th day of September 1846. Personally appeared before me the undersigned Justice of the Peace of the aforesaid County, James Marden of said County aforesaid. Who being first duly sworn according to law. Deposeth in addition to his former evidence taken before me in the case of the heirs of John Marden and Wife, deceased, now applying for a partition. That on further examination of the time of said John Marden death, I find by the charges on my book. That said John Marden wife, came to keep house for me the 27 th of December 1812. which was shortly after the said John Marden death, and which time she had her son Henry about 10 or 12 years old with her one of the applicants. That I was at the said John Marden funeral, and will remember that W m Brattle a Church Minister, attended the funeral service and who is now dead -
Subscribed and sworn this 10 th day of September 1846 before me James Marden Thos C. Parnell Justice of the Peace
I certify that I am personally acquainted with the above deposition, and that he is a person of truth and veracity. Thos C. Parnell Justice of the Peace

Lansingburgh. April 29 th 1843
Sir
I send you the affidavit of Henry Mercer a Claimant for a Pension, under the act of 1832 for the services of his Father John Mercer. It will be seen that Mr Mercer deserted from the British Fleet and joined the Army of the Revolution under Genl Washington. The son Henry Mercer, states all the information in his knowledge, and depends on Mr Edward for a candid decision of his case - there are many persons who will make this affidavit of what the said Mercer, rehearsed even of his services, before a Pension was talked or thought of. All of his deserting from the British and joining the American Army.
I am Sir
Respectfully
J. L. Edward Com d of Pensions
William C. Follett

July 31. 1846.
Admiral of the U.S. Navy.
J. L. Edwards Comm ee of Pension Washington City
Chas. H. Davis Aug 27 46

Lansingburgh August 26 th 1846
Sir
In answer to yours of August 17 th past I forward you the further proof in support of the Claim of the Children of John Meara for a pension for their Father's Services in the war of the Revolution as a Soldier — You state in yours that the power of Attorney affords no explanation of the character of the Claim, which was as fully set forth as required, as you have the evidence set forth in the application, compositing with all the evidence in the case. —
I am Sir again with Respect
J. L. Edwards Com d of Pensions }
Andrew Follett
N.B. Yours of April 1846, requiring me to state the Christian name of Bryant, and also the act under which the Children Claim a pension. I have to say that yours was answered shortly after, stating that his name was Jacob and that the Claim was under the Act of 183 8 . Since which time I have received no answer

Grand Haven
June 29, 1876 Recd. John Miree
John Miree City of Grand Haven Michigan

Lansingburgh 24 th June 1846
Sir
In Answer to yours of the 18 th Inst. In the Claims of the Heirs of John Mercer - I desire to say that the Claim is For the Services of John Mercer in the Revolutionary War as an Enlisted Soldier In the New Jersey Line, for what was Due their Mother - under the Act of 7 th July 1838 The Application was set Up by the Heirs of the Town of Lansingburgh County of Rensselaer & State of New York Respectfully Yours - Andrew Pellet
I otherwise Andrew Pellet Esq. of Lansingburgh of the County of Rensselaer Agent to Do and Receive All Papers as the Attorney in Relation to what May be Required to be Done in the Cause - this 24 th June 1846 -
Henry Mercer

Mar 26 '45
Mexico My Ship
J. L. Edwards, Coast of Peru Washington

Lansingburg March 20 th 1845
Dear G. L. Edwards,
Sir, Please to send me a copy of the letter on my loan, for a Pension for my Father's Service according to the claim that was made by myself and Brother.
Yours Respectfully Henry Mercer

No 35-522
John Merven and N.Y.
let to Andrew Follott Feb 1 46 let to Andrew Follott Aug 17 44 let to W.C. Follott June 17 1845 " " to Merven Mar 26. 1845. " " " " J. L. Filly Oct 10. 1845. " " Andrew Follott July 3. 1846 Act. June 1842

35.523 —
John Mercer, dec d .
Collets, Nov. 24. 1896. Dec. 18. 1896 Same Dec. 18. 1896.
7117

Important
Index
John Mercer R-7117

Aug 7. 1844 Rev. J. G. Cass, heir of John Mercer.
FREE
J. L. Edwards Com d of Pensions Washington City

Lemington August 4 th 1844
Sir
In the case of the Heirs of John Mercer, who made application for a Pension, I received an answer which is lost or mislaid - Mr Edwards will please send me a copy of his letter, that I may know the objection that was then made
I am Yours Respectfully
J. L. Edwards Com te of Pensions -
William C. Follet

35-522
John Mercer. dec d
NY
Act 7. June '32.
Follet says claimt died 30 years ago - The justice that he died in 1840 his widow in 1842 — Evidence that he died in 1812

State of New York } Rensselaer County } J.S.
On this 22 nd day
of April Eighteen hundred and forty three personally appeared before me the undersigned Justice of the Peace of the Town of Linton in the County of Rensselaer aforesaid Henry Munn Who being duly sworn according to Law, Testifies and says that he was well acquainted with John Munn and is well acquainted with Henry Munn, and that I have often heard the said Munn when on his deathbed in the Revolution and of his deserting the British Fleet and Join- ing the American Army, under Washington and that the said Munn took great pride in rehearsing over his services in the American Service and died July 7 th 1820. James Moulton the under Benjamin Munn indicted before me
sworn to and subscribed this 22 nd day of April 1843 before me
S. S. Hunt Justice of the Peace
I certify that I am well acquainted with the above deponent and that he is a person of Truth and veracity
S. S. Hunt Justice of the Peace -

State of New York } Cls
State of New York Rensselaer County Clerk's Office
ss I Charles Hooper Clerk of said County do hereby certify that J. J. Hunt Esq before whom the within deposition purports to have been taken, was at the time it purports to have been sworn to, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Rensselaer duly Commissioned Sworn, residing in said County. That I am well acquainted with the handwriting of the said Justice and verily believe his signature, subscribed to the Jurat of said deposition, is genuine.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto at my hand affixed my official Seal this 28 th April 1843. Charles Hooper Clerk

State of New York } Rensselaer County } ss. On this 16 th day of July 1846 Personally appeared before me the undersigned Justice of the Peace of the County aforesaid, James Maulin a resi- dent of Lansingburgh in the County of Rensselaer aforesaid Who being duly sworn according to law, Testifies and says that he was personally acquainted with John Muer- durst who was a resident of the aforesaid County for more than fifty years. Since, to the time of his Death, the Father of the Children now applying for a pension due their Mother for the services of said Muer in the Revolutionary War. I further depose that I had frequent conversation with the said Muer in his life time, in regard to his services in the Revolution. In which he always sta- ted that he came to America with the British troops in the time of the War between England & America and having come to anchor near New York, he let himself down softly by the side of the ship by a rope and swam to the Jersey Shore, and when on shore the darkness of the night was such that he knew not where to go, at length discovered a light and went to a house and enquired for Washington Army, they accused him of being a spy, he replied he was no spy, but a British deserter. That he came to join the American Army and fight for liberty, that he had been a slave to the British about five years, and abused more than a dog, that he would spill the last drop of blood in his body for liberty, They directed him to Tullahoma, according to my best recollection he said Trenton, when he said he went next morning, and an interview with Washington, and told him what he knew of the British intentions, and then joined the Army, and shortly after had a battle with the British, and he paid them off for their cruelty to him - and that he was in several engagements, all of which I have heard him often tell in his life time and he often showed me the wound he received in his thigh and leg with the bayonet and his skin bare when it was shivered by a ball. I further

depose that I was well acquainted with a person by the name of Frederick Sherman, who he has often had tell of being in the service with the said John Muen and that they were in several engagements together. I further say that all the aforesaid statements made by the said Muen, I believe to be strictly true, and it was always believed in the neighborhood where he resided that he was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and served as stated by him.
James Muen
Subscribed and sworn before me this 16 th day of July 1846 Stephen S. Hunt Justice of the Peace
I certify that I am personally acquainted with the above deponent, and that he is a person of truth and veracity. — S. S. Hunt Justice of the Peace James Muen
N.B. James Muen signed the above certificate through mistake as he was about to sign the affidavit — S. S. Hunt Justice of the Peace —
STATE OF NEW-YORK, RENSSELAER COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE, } ss.
Stephen S. Hunt was made
I, AMBROSE H. SHELDON, Clerk of said County, do hereby Certify, that before whom the annexed affidavit and whose name is thereunto subscribed, was at the day of the date thereof a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, and duly authorized by law to take the same; and that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of the said Justice and verily believe that his signature to the said affidavit is genuine.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said County, this fourteenth day of
July
1846
A. H. Sheldon CLERK.

Simsbury July 1846
Sir
I enclose you further Evidence in the Case of the Claims of the heirs John Mercer for a Pension - which must satisfy you on what grounds I assume John Mercer as a British Deserter - - - - - You State that John Mercer in the midst of numerous advents refused to assert in his life - John Mercer having As I have bin informed as the Inclosed Will show more than 31 years of no law in his life under which he could have asserted - As to nothing of the proceedings in the first nor what they contain but as far as I have any knowledge of it have no doubt of the justice and equity of it - And that as far as I have acted it has bin In good faith - Nor would nor have I ever acted otherwise
Yours Respectfully
Andrew Tollett
N.B.
I have other Evidence as the Inclosed if required

State of New York } Rensselaer County }
Ys on this 25 th day of August 1846, Personally appeared before me the undersigned Justice of the Peace of the County aforesaid. Joseph Fox a resident of said County, who being duly sworn according to law, Testifies and says that he was personally and intimately acquainted with John Mercer, whose Children are now applying for a Pension, for about twenty years previous to his death. And have often heard him speak over his services in the Revolutionary war he always stated (he being a foreigner) That he came to America with the British Troops, by water that when they arrived near New York, and near the Jerseys, he deserted - Swam ashore, and joined the Washington Army, in the State of New Jersey. All of which was believed in the neighborhood where he resided.
Subscribed and sworn before me this 25 th day of August 1846 } Joseph his Fox mark
Thos G. Parnell Justice of the Peace
I certify that I am personally acquainted with the above deponent, and that from debility is unable to write, and therefore makes his mark, and that he is a person of truth and veracity.
Thos G. Parnell Justice of the Peace

State of New York Rensselaer County.
On this 25 th day of August 1846 personally appeared before the undersigned Justice of the Peace of the County aforesaid David M c Murry, a resident of Rensselaer County aforesaid who being duly sworn according to law Testifies and says that he became acquainted with John M c Murry deceased in said County of Rensselaer about fifty years since, and was personally acquainted with him to the time of his death, and whose Children are now applying for a Pension, and have often heard the said M c Murry tell of his Revolutionary Service, in which he stated, he being a foreigner, that he came to America with the British Troops, in the time of the Revolution, that he deserted from the British Fleet and joined the American Army, as a Soldier, under Washington, all of which was believed in the neighborhood, when he resided - Subscribed and sworn before
Thos. C. Parnell Justice of the Peace
I certify that I am personally acquainted with the above deponent and that he is a person of truth and veracity
Thos. C. Parnell Justice of the Peace
to the said Certificate of proof or acknowledgment is hereby authorized to take such proof or acknowledgment. And that I am well at the time of taking such proof or acknowledgment, one of the subscribed to the Certificate of proof or acknowledgment of the annexed instrument, whose proof is Court. That V. VANCE, H. SHERWOOD, Clerk of the Court of Sessions in and for said

I, AMBROSE H. SHELDON, Clerk of the County of Rensselaer, do hereby Certify, That Chas. C. Parmelee whose name is subscribed to the Certificate of proof or acknowledgment of the annexed Instrument, was, at the time of taking such proof or acknowledgment, one of the parties of the first part Peace of the County of Rensselaer, dwelling in said County; duly authorized to take such proof or acknowledgment. And that I am well acquainted with the hand-writing of the said Justice and verily believe that his signature to the said Certificate of proof or acknowledgment is genuine.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my name, and affixed the Seal of said County, this twenty fifth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty six
A. H. Sheldon Clerk.

Nov 17. 1896
Recd of Mrs. [unclear]
10
L. L. Edwards Com te of Pensions Washington City

Simsbury 13 th M ch 1846
Sir
In answer to yours of the 18 th inst. In the Claims of the Heirs of John Mercer - Applying for what was Due their Mother - Under the Act of the 7 th July 1838 for what was due their Father for his Services in the Revolution - Shortly After Receiving yours as above - Sent on the Evidence of Joseph Joe & David M c Clurey - Since which I have Received no Answer - in the Case - Likewise in answer to yours of the 18 th of August last - Sent what you Required - In the Claims of the Heirs of Jacob Bryant - Of which I have had no Answer - An Answer in the above Cases would be thankfully Received -
Yours Respectfully Andrew Pitel
J. S. Edwards Comm ee of Pensions Washington City

July 23/96 Adal be. can John M. ... ... ..
Cb to ... 46 ...
J. E. ... ... ..

May 4. 1843.
NY
John Mercer
FREE
J. L. Edwards Com d of Pensions Washington City

June 25, 1846
Ida to care
John Mercer
J. L. Church
Com d of Pension
Washington, City.
20

Lewinsburg April 21 st 1846
Sir
About two years since the claim of the heir of John Mercer for a Pension was sent to the Department, And shortly after having sent on to the Jews for a certificate of his service, they were not able to find his name on file. And lately I have found the his name I enclose you the certificate of his service. Which I forward to you for further action in the case.
J. L. Edwards. Com te of Pensions.
I am Resp ly Yours. Andrew Follen
I hereby empower Andrew Follen Esq. Agent for the further prosecuting the claim for a Pension for the services of John Mercer. over all others. Henry Mercer

Sep 14, 1846.
Adelphi John Sleeper
J. L. Edwards
Concord Washington City

Lansdowne St Sept 9 th 1846
Sir
I enclose you the further evidence in the case of the heirs of John Mear and Wife as to the time of said Mear's death - in answer to yours of the first instant.
Sept 11 1846
Yours Respectfully
J. L. Edwards Loan of Pensions.
Andrew Follen
Received of J. L. Edwards the sum of Twenty Dollars for Loan of Pensions
Sept 11 1846

List of certificates issued to sundry officers and Staff, and Soldiers belonging to the State of New Jersey.
   No. letter date of cert. To Whom due board of int. Dolls. 90 th     83,851 R Dec. 2, 1784 John Mercer Nov 25, 1778. 80 00  
State of New Jersey.
I Charles G. M c Chesney Secretary of State of the State of New Jersey, do hereby certify, that the foregoing is a true extract from a Book headed as above, as taken from and com- pared with the original now remaining in my Office.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office at Trenton in said State this twenty sixth day of March One thousand eight hundred and forty six.
Charles G. M c Chesney Secy of State