Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 6269, for Benjamin Thompson, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey
Thompson, Benjamin Melisent.
N. 6269
CONTENTS

New Jersey 1307
Belicent Thompson widow of Benjamin Thompson N.J. who died on the 14 Oct 1830 at Morris Co in the State of N. Jersey who was a Sergeant in the Company commanded by Captain Day — of the regt — commanded by Sels — in the N.J. mil — for eighteen months.
Date of death not on AB
Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey at the rate of 90 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 10 day of Augt 1837 — and sent to the  the conduct. Morris town.
Swears to the 4th of March 1837 $ 540. — Pensional allowance ending 10 Sep '37 40 5
# 585. —
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act July 4, 1836, } { Section the 3 d }
Recorded by Wm H Gibson Clerk Vol. 2 Page 132

New Jersey, Morris Co.
M rs . Melicent Thompson. Widow of Benj m Thompson.
Non. d. 18mo. Ser g 90 pp
Return to Lewis Conditt Morris Town, N. Jersey.

Declaration to obtain the benefit of the 3 rd section of the Act of Congress of the 4 th of July, Domine 1836.
State of New Jersey, Morris County, ss:
On this 30 th day of March, 1837, personally appeared before the Inferior Court of Common pleas for the said County of Morris, Mrs. Melisent Thompson, a resident of Chatham township in the County & State aforesaid, aged 78 years, & well known personally to this Court, as a woman of unblemished reputation & in all respects fully entitled to belief, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath, make the following Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4 th . 1836. - viz: -
I am the widow of Benjamin Thompson, who was, as I believe, an orderly Sergeant in the New Jersey Militia of Morris County, regularly appointed as such, & served in that capacity & character as I have understood & believe, from the earliest period of the Revolutionary war, to its end. The names of the officers who commanded him - the times when - & places in which his military public services were performed, are to me, but very imperfectly known, & that imperfect knowledge is derived principally from conversations with my deceased husband himself. He was much from home in time of the war after our marriage, with his musket & bayonet & knapsack & canteen box - his ammunition & provision & on his return has told me & others, of his services & his perils, some few instances of which are not entirely blotted from my memory. I believe he was upon Militia duty at New York city, before the landing of the British troops from Boston, employed in throwing up breast works for its defence, in the first year of the war - & that afterwards he performed many tours of duty at Elizabeth town - at the landing place opposite Staten Island - at Newark - Springfield Connecticut farms, Rahway, New Windsor & elsewhere: - that he was marched with others of the Jersey Militia, with Genl. Washington's Army, in his retreat through N. Jersey in 1776, called the "Mud march" - that he was engaged personally with the enemy in several skirmishes & battles - particularly at Connecticut farms & Springfield & others not remembered by me. I believe he was under command of Captain Stephen Day, Captain Benjamin Cartar, Captain Israel Ward, Colonel Ford, Colonel Suly, General Winder, General Heister & others, & that with other Militia of the State, he was marched through New Windsor, to aid in the capture of Burgoyne's army. For details of his services & names of his officers, I must refer to the depositions of one or two of his comrades & neighbours who knew him in the revolution & served with him in many cases, & who have survived him.
I was born in Hanover, (now Chatham) in Morris County, on the 2 nd October, in the year 1758. James Burnett of that place was my father. I was married

to Benjamin Thompson of the same place by the Rev. Mr. Richards, Pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Rehoboth, at my father's house in Boothill, now called Madison, Chatham township, on the 19 th of May, 1779. I have a family record of the births of my children, but it does not contain the date of my marriage. — My first child, was still born; & my eldest living child (William Thompson, now of Ohio) was born 2 years & 8 months after my marriage. & by the record before mentioned, he was born January 14 th . 1782. I am told & believe it is true, that there are no records of marriages in the Parish books of this Church. Major Luke Miller, is the only living witness, who was present at my marriage, as I believe. His testimony I hope to obtain & to forward with my papers. My husband, Benjamin Thompson, was born in Elizabethton & when he was 14 years of age, his father Jonathan Thompson, removed with his family to Boothill, Chatham, (then Hanover) & lived near to my father James Bunn, during the remainder of the lives of the parents, where also my husband spent the remainder of his life. He, the said Benjamin Thompson, died at his own residence in Chatham township, on the 14 th day of October, 1830, & I have remained a widow till the present period, as will manifestly appear, by reference to the proof hereto annexed. — My husband as I verily believe, was in the service of his country as a Sergeant of Militia, at the time of the battle or skirmish at Connecticut farm, when the wife of the Rev. James Caldwell was shot thro' a window, with her child in her arms; — & again at the battle of Springfield, when the enemy burnt the Church & the village, as they had done a few weeks before at Connecticut farm. Aside from special duties, which I distinctly remember, being within 6 or 7 miles of my home, I verily believe he performed others after the time of our marriage, which I cannot particularise. I do not know that he ever rec d . a written discharge, or any commission, or exercised any command, except as a Sergeant, in which character, I verily believe all his Revolutionary Militia duties were performed.
Sworn & subscribed, in Court, at Morristown, this 30 th March, 1837, before me.
John Brooks one of the Judges of Court
By order of the Court,
John Dabridgeport Clerk
Melisent Thompson

State of New Jersey, Morris County:
On this 3 rd day of April 1837, before the Judges of the Superior Court of Common Pleas in & for said County of Morris,
Personally appear Major John Miller, of said County, aged 78 years, a native citizen of this County, & personally well known to this Court, as a man of unblemished character
fully entitled to implicit belief, who being first duly sworn according to law, on his oath declares as follows, viz. — I am in the 78 th year of my age, was a soldier in the New Jersey Militia of Morris County in the war of the revolution, & performed Militia duties in defense of the country throughout the war. I was personally & intimately acquainted with Benjamin Thompson & with his widow, Mrs. Melicent Thompson, now an applicant for a pension on account of the Revolutionary services of her husband. He was born in Elizabeth town N. Jersey, & when he was a lad, quite small, his father Jonathan Thompson moved from Elizabeth town to Morris County & settled in what is now Chatham (then a part of old Hanover township) a near neighbor to my father. This was about the year 1770. Benjamin Thompson & I were boys together, school mates & play mates, & our intimacy continued till his death. James Bennett, who was the father of Benjamin Thompson, also lived a near neighbor to us, & I have been well acquainted with him from the time almost of our childhood. When the war of the revolution began, we both belonged to the same Militia company & trained together under the same officers, & performed many tours of Militia service together. Thompson was about 18 months older than myself. I had a brother, John, older than myself, not now living, who was in the same company with Thompson, & in March 1776, when the British fleet & army were expected in New York Benjamin Thompson & my brother John, both went as Militia soldiers under Captain Stephen Munn, to the city of New York, where they were stationed a month, in throwing up breast works & fortification for its defense. There was a large Militia force from New Jersey collected here on that occasion; & I think Col. John Munn had command of one of the New Jersey Regiments. John Doughty, a young man from Morris town, was Adjutant, & afterwards was a Captain of Artillery in the U. S. Army. — Thompson & John Miller were out upon this duty a month. In the same summer, just at the time when the wheat fields were coming out & showing the heads, Benjamin Thompson & John Miller were again out upon a month's tour of Militia duty, under command of Capt. Stephen Day, & were stationed at Bergen, near in sight of New York city. It was at the time of the landing of the enemy on Staten Island & Long Island. They stayed a month & returned home. — In August of the same year, Col. Ford of Morris town, with his Militia Regiment was stationed at Elizabeth town point, opposite Staten Island, throwing up breast works & performing guard duty. Benjamin Thompson & John Miller were stationed there under his orders, in the company of Captain Hadach Kitchell, & continued a month upon that duty. —

Early in October of the same year, Benjamin Thompson served on Militia duty under Captain Fitchell, at Elizabeth town point. I was with him on this tour, & we were quartered in board huts or cabins. We lay here, till General Washington with his retreating Army passed through Elizabeth town, & all the Jersey Militia stationed there fell into his rear & followed his retreat as far as N. Brunswick. Then our Militia filed off up the Raritan river by Boundbrook Pluckemin Vinalton & home by Morristown. On our way through Morristown we halted at Colonel Ford's house, the same in which Judge Ford his son, now lives. We were discharged at Chatham, the 1 st week in December, having been on duty two months. This march or retreat of the Army across New Jersey is commonly known by Revolutionary men by the name of the "Mead's rounds"; in which the whole body of Militia were out on duty. Soon after (within a week) on return from the Mead's rounds, an alarm was made that the enemy were in a large body, marching toward Springfield. Thompson & myself marched from Chatham under command of Capt. Israel Wood Stephen Day, & Israel Wood Lieutenant, to Springfield, where there was a severe skirmish with the enemy General Haskel, Colonel Ford & Major Bott were in command of the Militia. Robert Pollard a neighbor of ours, was shot through the breast, with a musket ball. A large portion of the enemy were dispersed & refugees. We were detained to guard the country throughout the month of December. This battle at Springfield, is sometimes confounded with another, which was fought at the same village in the summer season of 1780, in which the town & church were burnt. The Major Bott, spoken of above, often acted as Adjutant of the Regiment. Captain Seely, (afterwards Colonel Seely) raised a company of 3 months men in January of this winter (1777). Benjamin Thompson & myself, both enlisted in Seely's company, on the first day of January, to serve 3 months, which engagement was fulfilled. - Genl. Moxham Col. Spencer, Major Lindsley & Major Hays, afterwards Col. Hays, were our officers. We were more under Major Hays's immediate command, than of any other officer. He was familiarly known among the troops by the name of "Old Mark knife" either from the shape of his sword, or from having been a carrier & dealer of leather. He was a brave man & good officer. Our duties were performed at Chatham - Springfield, Connecticut farms, Newark. Cornelius Osborn & Benjamin Thompson enlisted in this 3 months service, in the artillery & acted as drivers - having charge of the piece of ordnance & the horses. Some time in January, we had an engagement with the enemy near Connecticut farms, in which 60 or upward of 70 prisoners were made prisoners & were sent to Morristown & thence farther into the country. - One British Light horse man, was shot off his horse, & one horse shot under his rider. Thompson served out his enlistment, & was discharged at Westfield, where

the Artillery had been for the most part stationed. Genl. Maxwell treated his thanks to the men before discharging them, for their good conduct, & was desirous
to have them remain longer in service. They were discharged on the 1 st of April.
In the summer following, Thompson & I performed a month's tour of duty at Elizabeth town & at the point, opposite Staten Island, under Captain Ward, in the latter part of May & June.
In September, in the year of Genl. Burgoyne's surrender, Benjamin Thompson & myself, under the command of Captain Daniel Beers, afterwards Major Brown, were ordered on a tour of Militia
duty, & were marched through Morris plain  town , Succasunna, Superior & Goshen, to New Windsor on the
Hudson river. General Winds commanded the Militia force, which composed  consisted of a large body. Hiram
Smith Esq., afterwards High Sheriff of the Co. for many years a member of the Assembly, (now dead) was
our Ensign. A British frigate lay in the river a few miles below Newburgh, near where it was said
a chain had been stretched across the channel. We marched no farther North than the neighborhood
of N. Windsor, where we heard the surrender of Burgoyne. We reached home late in October having
been absent a month & more. — I performed a month's militia duty with Thompson at Elizabeth
town, under Captain Israel Ward & Major David Beers. I boarded in the house of the Widow Bell, &
gave my rations for my board. Thompson had an Aunt living next door to Mrs. Bell, with whom he
quartered. Our duties were guard duties, to protect the citizens against Tories & the enemy on Staten Island.
This service was in the fall season, but I cannot particularize the year, nor the month.
I performed a month's Militia duty with Benjamin Thompson at Lyons farms, between Newark &
Elizabeth town, guarding the lines & the citizens against Tories & the British, under Capt. Ward in the
season of planting corn — the year, I cannot recollect. I performed another month's duty with
him in the summer season, under Capt. Ward & Genl. Winds in the neighborhood of Hackensack
& Acquackanonk, where we had a skirmish with the Greencoats, (Refugees) & the British, the year
not remembered. When the Monmouth battle was fought, Benjamin Thompson was on a month's tour
of duty under Genl. Winds & Capt. Ward, & marched toward Monmouth, where Ward hearing that a
bridge had been destroyed over some stream, & learning that the Refugees were coming to Elizabeth town, he
returned to that place. My brother John Miller, was with Thompson on this tour.
I was called out on a tour of a month with Benjamin Thompson in the fall season, when the
enemy were in force at Newark. We were quartered near Lyons farms, S.W. from Newark a
mile or two. The enemy marched out of Newark toward Belleville & 2 nd river, & our Militia
under Genl. Winds & Colonel Sely followed them & had an engagement, in which Josiah Burnet
a brother of Thompson's wife & a neighbor of mine was wounded by a musket ball, which passed through his leg
breaking both bones, & made him a cripple for life. He was carried home by 12 men, of whom I was one.
& I returned back next day to my company & regiment. — During this month, Thompson was taken ill
with Quinsy, & was carried to the house of a Mrs. Gliby, from thence was finally carried home,
sick. It was in the fall season, — the year, I do not remember, nor my Captain's name, with certainty.

In the spring, (May I believe), before the burning of Connecticut farms, Thompson was on months a tour of militia duty at Elizabethton, & with the other militia stationed there, was marched to the farms, where a battle was fought & the Church burnt, with the village. I saw him there on duty. — I saw him again in the same summer, at Springfield, when that Church & village were burnt by the enemy. — I was myself, at home, when the Springfield alarm was made, & went down immediately to the place, but a few miles off & when I arrived near Campbell's mill above Springfield, I saw Benjamin Thompson at the head of about two hundred men, approaching toward the enemy, & with no officer of higher grade than himself, he being a Sergeant. He had not yet been home, as I understood after the burning of the Farm's village. This was a year or more, after Thompson's marriage & the whole militia of the State were out & under arms, & were kept out on guard duty, along the lines, at Springfield & the Farms & Elizabethton. I believe that Thompson was not discharged till late in the summer, & that he was absent from home & on duty, at least, for two full months. Israel Ward, I think was his Captain.
I am confident that Benjamin Thompson performed as much & as faithful Militia service in the war of the revolution as any other man in his township, & much more than I have now mentioned. Perhaps I have stated his official names incorrectly in some instances, as well as the seasons & years in which particular duties are mentioned. I give them according to the best of my remembrance, of events so far back. I do not think we ever rec d . written discharges, nor do I believe that Thompson ever rec d . any commission, except perhaps a Sergeant's certificate. He was a Sergeant in our Company & always performed Sergeant's duty. I do not recollect to have seen his Certificate.
Benjamin Thompson was married in the spring of the year, (May I believe) Anno Domini 1779. The day, I do not recollect, but it was about corn planting time in that year. I was present at the marriage, — at James Burnett's house, the father of Mrs. Melisent Thompson, his now widow — an applicant for a pension. I was invited by Benjamin Thompson to attend his wedding, when we were plowing our corn ground, about a month before his wedding. The marriage ceremony was performed by Rev. Aaron Richards of Rakevaz, who then was preaching temporarily at BATTLE HILL (then so called) where we lived. Mrs. Melisent Thompson has remained his widow ever since his death, which was in October in the year 1830, to the present period. — In the winter of 1780 or 1781, when the Pennsylvania line revolted, I was on a month's tour of militia duty between Morris-town & Basking-ridge under Capt. Ward, & Benjamin Thompson was with me performing militia duty at the same time. It was two weeks before my own marriage.
Sworn & Subscribed before My Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Morris By order of the Court, Lutke Miller J. P. Dabrinsfile Clerk Stephens Clerk

State of New Jersey Morris County
Be it known, that on this 5 th day of April, 1837, before the
Superior Court of Common Pleas of said County, personally appeared
Abraham Brittin Esq. of said County, aged 55 years, well
known to this Court as a man of truth & fair character, & who
having been duly sworn according to law, on his oath saith as follows, viz:
I am in the 58 th year of my age, have resided in Morris County, in Hathorn
township since the year 1796. — I was personally well acquainted with
Benjamin Thompson dec d & with his wife, Mrs. Melicent Thompson, now his
widow & an applicant for a pension, very soon after I came into the bounds
(being within a mile of them) until the time of Benjamin Thompson's death,
which was in October, 1830. The said Thompson & his said wife Melicent,
ever then living together, when I first knew them, as husband & wife. They raised
a family of children, sons & daughters, — always lived respectably, & were universally
esteemed & respected by all who knew them, & by all were considered & believed to be
husband & wife, to the time of his death; & she, the said Melicent Thompson, has
remained a widow to the present period.
Sworn & subscribed before me, the date above mentioned.
Stephen D. Ladd The Court of Common Pleas For the County of Morris
Abraham Brittin
Personally appeared before the subscriber, a justice of peace in & for Morris County, Lewis Bondict of said County, believed by me to be a man of truth, who having been duly sworn according to law, saith as follows, viz: I was personally well acquainted with Benjamin Thompson, husband of Melicent Thompson, the foregoing applicant for a pension, from the year 1798, to the time of his death. He lived many years within 4 miles of me, & he lived respected & esteemed by all his acquaintances, in the bonds of wedlock, with said Melicent Thompson from the time when I first knew them, to the time of his death. The said Melicent Thompson remains his widow to this period. — I have been personally well acquainted with Major Luke Miller for 30 years past. No man in my knowledge is esteemed more deserving of belief than he. He enjoys the confidence & respect of all his neighbours.
Sworn & subscribed at Morristown, May 15 th 1837.
Lewis Bondict.
before me. William Brittin Justice of the Peace Morris County. N.J.

State of New Jersey, Morris County ss.
Personally appear before the subscriber, a justice of peace in said County, Reverend Clifford S. Ames, Minister of the gospel, & Pastor of the first Presbyterian Church in Chatham, a man in all respects fully worthy of belief, & having by me been duly sworn according to law, saith as follows, viz: — I am the stated & settled Pastor of the first Presbyterian Church in Chatham, formerly called in common language "North Hill Church"; & more recently, the Church "at Madison". To the best of my knowledge & belief, we have no Church records, nor records of marriages of a date earlier than the summer of 1795, altho' this Church was organized as I believe, before the war of the revolution. — I am personally well acquainted with Mrs. Meliant Thompson, who is the widow of Benjamin Thompson decd. & is a member of this Church, in good standing, possessing the respect of all who know her. Her character is in every respect, above reproach, & we all have the utmost confidence in her piety & in her integrity. Major Luke Miller, belongs to this Congregation — is a man of integrity & excellent moral character, & shares largely & justly in the confidence, & respect of this community, & of all who know him. — Sworn & subscribed this 18 th day of May, 1837 before me. William Britton
Clifford S. Ames
Justice of the Peace of Morris County N.J.
I, Joseph Dalrymple, Clerk of Morris County N. Jersey, hereby certify, that the foregoing Declaration of Mrs. Meliant Thompson, widow of Mr. Benjamin Thompson decd. together with the deposition of Luke Miller Esq. & of Abraham Britton, are the original proceedings before the Court of Common Pleas, for a pension from the U. States; & I also certify that William Britton Esq. is a Justice of the peace in & for said County of Rev. C. S. Ames, & of said County & that the signature of his name to these depositions, is genuine, & that he the said William Britton Esq. is duly commissioned & authorized to act as justice of the peace — In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name, & affix my seal of office at Morristown, this 18 th day of May, 1837.
Joseph Dalrymple Clerk

Benjamin Thompson Born Sept. 16 th 1737 Nathaniel Thompson Born Oct. 21 th 1758 William Thompson Born Jan. 14 th 1782 Nitty Thompson Born Dec. 26 th 1783 Elizabeth Thompson Born July 8 th - 1785 Polly Thompson Born July 11 th - 1788 John Thompson Born June 28 th 1790 John Thompson Departed this life February 3 rd 1792 aged one year, 7 months and 6 Days Jonathan Thompson Born August 12 th 1792 Juliet Thompson Born April 15 th 1795 Elizabeth Thompson Departed this Life February 15 th 1803 aged 17 years 7 Months & 7 Days Jonathan Thompson Departed this Life Dec 20 th 1817 aged 83 years 11 Months & 16 Days Benjamin Thompson departed this life Oct 14 1830 aged 73 years 1 month & 1 Day

Blessings to those that fear God.
CHAP. IV.
The day of the Lord reckoned
Malachi ch. 4.
16 Then they that feared the Lord spake one to another, and the Lord hearkened and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name.
Or, special treasure.
17 And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels, and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
18 Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God, and him that serveth him not.
CHAP. IV.
1 God's judgment on the wicked, 2 and his blessing on the good. 4 He exhorteth to the study of the law, 5 and telleth of Elijah's coming and office.
For, behold, the day cometh that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh
shall leave them neither root nor branch.
But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.
And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the Lord of hosts.
Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments.
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord:
6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers; lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.
a Luke 1. 76.
b Exodus 17. 3.
c Mark 11. 14.
d Mark 9. 11.
The End of the OLD TESTAMENT.

State of New Jersey County of Morris S sp .
I, Elijah Ward, a Justice of peace in & for the County of Morris, do hereby certify to the Secretary of War, and Commissioner of Pensions, that I am personally well acquainted with Mrs Melicent Thompson, widow of Benjamin Thompson deceased, now an applicant for a pension on account of the Revolutionary services of her deceased husband; I have known her many years. She has resided within four miles of me, more than twenty years, & still resides in the same place. - She is a woman of exemplary character, & of unquestioned morality, & is fully entitled to the confidence & belief of all. I have seen & examined her large Family Bible, in which is kept a Record of the births, deaths &c. of her family. I am also perfectly satisfied that said Family Bible is her property, & that the Record therein contained is authentic & genuine. I was also well acquainted with the hand-writing of said Benj s Thompson previous to his death, and know that the entries of births, & deaths, - previous to his own death, were in his own proper hand-writing. - I also further certify that the leaf hereunto annexed, & herewith sent, was taken carefully out of said Family Bible by me, for the purpose of being forwarded to the Pension Office, being part of the said original Family Bible. In testimony whereof I hereunto subscribe my name, at Morris. Town. this 17 th day of May. A.D. 1858.
Elijah Ward J. P. -

July 7, 1933
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/EBL
Helen M. Wright 161 Harrison Avenue Jersey City, New Jersey
Dear Madam:
The data furnished herein are obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, 7.6369 , based upon the service of Benjamin Thompson in that war.
Benjamin Thompson, the son of Jonathan, was born September 18, 1757, at Elizabethtown, New Jersey, and when fourteen years of age moved with his father and family to Bottle Hill, Chatham Township, Morris County, New Jersey.
While residing in Morris County, New Jersey, he enlisted in March, 1776, and served at various times amounting to at least eighteen months in all, as a sergeant under Captains Stephen Munson, Stephen Day, Obadiah Kitchell, Seely, Daniel Brown and Israel Ward and Colonels Jacob Ford, Spencer and Seely in the New Jersey Troops. He was in the battles of Connecticut Farms and Springfield.
He died October 14, 1830, at his residence in Chatham Township, Morris County, New Jersey.
Benjamin Thompson married May 19, 1779, Melisent, the daughter of James Burnet, at her father's home in Bottle Hill, Morris County, New Jersey. Melisent was born October 2 or 20, 1758, in Hanover, Morris County, New Jersey.
Soldier's widow, Melisent, was allowed pension on her application executed March 30, 1837, while residing in Chatham Township, New Jersey.

The names of the following children of Benjamin and Melicent Thompson are shown in the papers in the pension claim:
William born January 14, 1782. Kitty " August 26, 1783. Elizabeth " July 8, 1785. died February 15, 1803. Polly " " 11, 1786. John " June 28, 1790. died February 3, 1793. Jonathan " August 12, 1792. Juliet " April 15, 1795.
The following also appears
Jonathan Thompson departed this life December 30, 1817, aged eighty-three years, eleven month and sixteen days.
There are no further family data.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator.

Jamie L. Edwards (1917)
Commencement of Pension.

Morris Town, July 24 th 1897.
Dear Sir,
In the case of Mrs. Melisent Thompson, widow of Benjamin Thompson deceased, examined by Doctor Bruns, I understand by your letter of May 25 th that the objection to its allowance to the extent claimed, is, that the specification is imperfect, "as to date, length & grade, names of officers - where stationed &c." - Permit me to remark, that when the widow is Declarant, for the services of her deceased husband, the specification cannot be expected to be as minute, & as much in detail, as if the services were stated by the person himself who was the actor. If Thompson himself had lived, he would have been able to satisfy the Commission in all these respects. The witness, Miller, whose memory is uncommonly good, & whose character for veracity, is of the first order, was very minute & circumstantial in his statement, & it does appear to me, has supplied what was defective in the Declaration of the widow. - She has however, found one other witness, whose disposition is here with sent, which cannot but sustain the claim, in connection with Miller, for the full time stated by Miller. He recollects distinctly, 18 months of duty performed by Thompson, besides the "Mid-encounter" march. - I most conscientiously believe, that Thompson performed more than two years service. I knew him personally & intimately; & there was no man here of his age, whose whole soul was more devoted to his Country's success, than Thompson's. - I trust & expect, you will, with all the testimony in the case, have no hesitation in giving the widow a six months pension for 20 months, at least. - If further testimony can be found in case of Mrs. Patton, it shall be forwarded. I cannot but believe her fully entitled, to a pension for 1 year service, at least; & I know, that her friends will believe that injustice is done, if it cannot be granted. John Hall's evidence is, as it seems to me, conclusive as to that amount.
In a former note, I sent you an abstract of a law, its date, &c. authorizing the pension performed by Mr. Slay. The Vol. itself, could be borrowed from the State Department at Wash ng . Robt. Young's testimony proves, that a man named "Mr. Slay", a foreigner, belonged to Wind's Regt. in the year's service. If I can find at Trenton, any records of that year's service, I will not fail to send it. My belief is, (from former enquiry) that the record is long since lost, in the frequent flights of our State officers & Legislature, & close pursuits by the enemy between 76 & 83. Yours truly, & with respect. Lewis Bondie.
# Miller proves 20 months, if I misstate nothing of service. Some details of some town, may be deficient.

State of New Jersey, Morris County p. —
Before the subscription, a Judge of the Common Pleas Court in & for the County aforesaid, personally appeared John Johnson of said County an aged soldier of the Revolution, living near me, & personally well known to me, as a man of truth & good reputation, & having by me been first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath declare as follows, viz: — I am now in the 85 th year of my age, was a Militia soldier in the war of the revolution, from its beginning to its end, & served as such in the Militia of Morris County. I was personally well acquainted with Benjamin Thompson of Morris County during said war, & until he died, about the year 1830. He was a Sergeant & whenever I saw him performing Militia duty, he acted as Sergeant & was always called Sergeant Thompson by his company & those who knew him. I often saw him acting in that capacity under different Officers & in different places of service, more frequently along the lines, in the neighbourhood of Newark Elizabeth town Rahway, New Brunswick & Springfield. — I cannot specify all the instances in which I have seen him employed in defence of the County, but such as I can recall, I will endeavor to mention, for I believe I was from out myself, performing Militia duty, but what I saw Sergeant Thompson. — In the summer season, when the British were expected in N. York, & at the beginning of the war, I saw Sergeant Thompson performing a tour of a month of Militia duty, stationed at Bergen, under Capt. the Col. Jacob Ford. — In the fall season of the same year, I saw him at Elizabeth town performing guard duty, a month, under Col. Ford, & Capt. Kitchell. — I remember him also marching with his company through Jersey, in what was called the "Muddy March", in the war of Genl. Washington's Army. — In December following I recollect him with his company, under a Captain Day on a month's tour of Militia duty, stationed near Springfield; & whilst on this tour, a body of Hessians & Refugees from Staten Island & Elizt. town to Springfield, when there was a sharp skirmish, & a number of Hessians were made prisoners. Col. Spencer Genl. Hight Col. Ford was present. Spencer's horse was killed under him.
I often saw him in the same winter, in the Militia encampment under Genl. Winder & Genl. Dickinson, at Quibbletown & near Bound Brook, the enemy then being in Amboy & New Brunswick. Thompson then belonged to what was called the 3 months men, & was a Driver of Artillery in the Jockey's company Spencer's Regiment. The whole Militia were kept in service from early in January, till some time in April, after the enemy left Amboy, & I often saw Thompson, who I believe was stationed with the Artillery near Watford. Frequent skirmishes were had with the British this winter.
I saw Sergeant Thompson with his company at Elizt. town, on a month's tour of Militia duty in the latter part of May, & early in June following, in Capt. Ward's company, guarding the landings opposite Staten Island. In August & Sept. following a body of Militia was marched from Morris County through Succasunna & Pompton, toward New Windsor & Newburgh, when we heard of Burgoyne's surrender. Sgt. Thompson was on this expedition, under Capt. Brown & Genl. Winder. Returning, we halted & stayed some time at Pompton & in that neighbourhood, & were absent on this tour, not less than 6 weeks. Late in the fall, (November) I saw him performing a month's tour of Militia duty at Elizt. town, under Capt. Day Ward. In the time of Cornwallis's next spring, I saw him engaged in a month's tour of Militia duty, under Capt. Ward at Lyons farm, between Elizt. town & Newark.
I remember Sgt. Thompson a month at Hackensack, in a skirmish with the enemy, at a small fort, called Poligly: Col. Sely & Genl. Winder commanding. — In the summer season, & in the fall of the same year, we had another skirmish with the enemy at Aquackunkon bridge, Genl. Winder, Col. Sely & Major Hays were present. Sergeant Thompson was there also, under Captain Ward. — The enemy retreated toward Newark & were pursued by Genl. Winder. The month's tour was completed near Newark. —

In the summer of 79, the Indians attacked a settlement called Minisink, near the Delaware river, & a body of the N. Jersey Militia under Genl. Winder, was ordered out to repel them. Sergeant Thompson & his Company were on that expedition, under Captain Ward, & were engaged in that service, not less than 6 weeks . The Indians had burned the settlement & retired before Genl. Winder reached the place. — I recollect to have seen Sergeant Thompson, commanding the guard stationed at Morris town jail, to guard the prisoners at that place, some of whom were hanged by Sheriff Carmichael, in the fall season; he was on that duty a month. And I remember him another month, at the same place, commanding a guard defending & watching the public stores kept at that place, under the care of Colonel O'Neal, in the spring season.
I saw Sergeant Thompson in May 1780, in Ward's company on a tour of a month's militia duty, stationed near Connecticut farms. During this tour, a large force of the enemy came from Staten Island & burnt the village & much of Connecticut farms, where there was a sharp engagement with them: Genl. Winder, Col. Seely, Col. Hathaway, being present, & pursuing the enemy in their retreat thro' Elizabeth town to Staten Island. The wife of the Rev. James Caldwell, was shot through a window, at Connecticut farms. — In the same summer, the enemy again came on in a large body, & made their way through Essex County as far as Springfield, which village they burnt, after a severe battle at a bridge. Genl. Winder, Col. Seely commanded the Militia, & Col. Dayton, Col. Angel the Continental troops. Sergeant Thompson & his company under Capt. Ward, was present, & the Militia was continued in service performing guard duty, & watching the movements of the enemy, after the battle, which was in June, till late in July. Sergeant Thompson was out on duty on this occasion, not less than 6 weeks .
The foregoing deposition having been read in my presence to said John Johnson, was sworn to & subscribed by him in my presence, by making his mark thereto, at his residence near me, in Morris township, this 25 th day of June, 1837.
John his X Johnson mark
Charles Ford
State of New Jersey, Morris County, ss. — I, Joseph Dalrymple Esq r , Clerk of Morris County, duly certified, that Charles Ford Esq r , before whom the foregoing deposition of John Johnson was taken, is a judge of the Court of Common Pleas of said County, duly commissioned & authorized to act as such; & that the signature of his name thereto, ("Charles Ford") is genuine. In testimony whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name, & affix my seal of office, at Morris town, this 24 th day of June, A.D. 1837 —
Joseph Dalrymple Clerk
Tour of Militia duty by Sgt. Thompson, testified by John Johnson — In 1778 at Ring in summer 1 mo " 9 th town fall 1 " " Mud run, not stated how long. " Springfield battle, Dec. 1 " 79 " Elizabeth town &c. — 3 mo. spring " Eliz th town, May & June 1 " Pompton &c. Sept. — 1 1/2 " Eliz th town Nov. — 1 78 " Lyons farm &c. May — 1 " Hackneck, summer — 1 " Aquackonk, fall — 1 79 " Minisink, summer — 1 1/2 " Morris the jail, fall. 1 " do. do. do. spring. 1 80 — Connecticut farm, May — 1 " Springfield — summer 1 18 months

Rev. S.
26 Snowden Place Glen Ridge, N.J. Sept. 14, 1917.
Dear Sir,
If you have any records relating to the Revolutionary war services of my great grandfather mentioned below will you please let me have a copy?
Benjamin Thompson born in Elizabeth, N.J. in 1753 died Oct 14, 1830 at Madison, N.J. He is mentioned in Strickland's book of N.J. soldiers as a private & sergeant.
Benjamin Thompson lived in Bottle Hill (Madison) Morris Co., N.J.

and his widow (Milliarch (Burnet) Thompson died in 1838 eight years a widow so she may have been pensioned. Was my ancestor a sergeant or just a private?
Respectfully,
Mrs. L. Thompson

1510 Dempster St., Evanston, Ill.,
July 1, 1929.
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.
Revolutionary War Department.
Will you kindly tell me what the records state concerning my ancestor, a Serjeant in the Rev. War? He was Benjamin Thompson of ES Monmouth County, N. Jersey.
Was he married at the time of the War? He Was he wounded and how long did he serve? All information will be most gratefully received.
Truly yours, Verna
Verna Thompson Dunn.
V. T. D.

Benjn Thompson
March 76 - Mun on 1 mo.
June " Day 1 -
Aug - Mitchell 1 -
Oct - " 2 1/2 weeks Rec week after Day - to end of Dec.
May 77 Daily - Board - Dinner of artillery
Summer folow. Ward 1 mo
Sept Brown 1 -
Ward - 1 Elizabethtown
" 1
" 1
June 78 " 1.
fall -
Ward 1 -
81. Ward 1 -

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Benjamin Thompson a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau. W. F. 6269.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Mch. 1776 remained at Sergeant Stephen Munson ✓ N.J.   various Stephen Day Jacob Ford   times, Obadiah Mitchell Ford   amounting Seely Spencer   to Daniel Brown ✓   18 mos. Israel Ward ✓ Seely  
Battles engaged in, Connecticut Farms, Springfield.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Morris Co., N.J.
Date of application for pension, Mch. 30, 1837. Her cl. was al.
Residence at date of application, Chatham Township, Morris Co., N.J.
Age at date of application, Born Oct. 2, 1758, at Hanover, Morris Co., N.J.
Remarks: Soldier was the son of Jonathan Thompson and was born Sept. 18, 1757, at Elizabethtown, N.J. He mar. May 19, 1779, at Battle Hill, Morris Co., N.J. Incident, dau. of James Burnet. Soldier died Oct. 14, 1830, in Chatham Township, Morris Co., N.J. Children: William, born Jan. 14, 1782, Hitty, b. Aug. 26, 1783, Elizabeth, b. July 2, 1785, died Feb. 15, 1803, Polly, b. July 11, 1788, John, b. June 28, 1790, d. Feb. 3, 1792, Jonathan, b. Aug. 12, 1792, Juliet, b. April 15, 1795.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section RRL
September 24, 1929
Verna Thompson Dunn 1510 Dempster Street Evanston, Illinois
Dear Madam:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W.6269, it appears that Benjamin Thompson, the son of Jonathan, was born September 18, 1757, at Elizabethtown, New Jersey, and when fourteen years of age moved with his family to Bottle Hill, Chatham Township, New Jersey. Morris?
He enlisted in March, 1776, and served at various times amounting to eighteen months in all, as a sergeant in Captains Stephen Munson's, Stephen Day's, Obadiah Kitchell's, Seely's, Daniel Brown's and Israel Ward's Companies in Colonels Jacob Ford's, Spencer's and Seely's New Jersey Regiments. He was in the battles of Connecticut Farms and Springfield.
He died October 14, 1830, at his residence in Chatham Township, Morris County, New Jersey.
The soldier married, May 19, 1779, at the home of her

father, James Burnet, in Bottle Hill, Morris County, New Jersey, Melicent Burnet, who was born October 2, 1758, at Hanover, Morris County, New Jersey. OV 20,
She was allowed pension on her application executed March 30, 1837, at which time she was a resident of Chatham Township, Morris County, New Jersey.
Children of Benjamin and Melicent Thompson:
William born January 14, 1782. Kitty " August 26, 1783. Elizabeth " July 8, 1785. died February 15, 1803. Polly " " 11, 1788. John " June 28, 1790, " " 3, 1792. Jonathan " August 12, 1792. Juliet " April 15, 1795.
The following also appears on the family record:
Jonathan Thompson departed this life December 20, 1817, aged eighty-three years, eleven months and sixteen days.
Very truly yours,
EARL D. CHURCH Commissioner.

Rev. WIDOW, &c.
File No. 6269
Melisent Thompson Wid. of Benjamin Thompson Sergt. N.Y. Milia
Act: July 4 th 36, Sec. 3 d
Index: — Vol. 16 , Page 270
[Arrangement of 1870.] ✓

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Thompson, Benjamin GRADE Private LINE New York
WARRANT NUMBER 7871 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED June 2, (year not shown) 1790 above to Thomas Russell, assignee
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.