Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 1120, for Willet Taylor, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey
Taylor Willet
S 1120
CONTENTS
Carded. ✓

Engr. and Hon. Mr. Schenk June 4 th 1834
Let ter to Hon. J. H. Randolph - 19 Feb- ruary 1840
Duplicate certificates issued 22 nd Feby 1840 and sent to Hon. J. H. Randolph. House of Reps.
New Jersey - N 28.131
- Willet Taylor (7)
of Somerset Co in the State of New Jersey who was a private in the County command by Captain Trick of the Reg t . command by Col. Nelson in the New Jersey line for 13 months -
Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey at the rate of 43 Dollars 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 8 th day of March 1834 - and sent to W. H. Tho- mas, Somerset, N. J.
Arrears to the 4 th of Mar. 1834 - 129.99 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 th Sep r . " - 21.66 $ 151.65
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Not Jany 7, 1832. }
Recorded by R. Burdine Clerk. Book E. Vol. 3 Page 133

(1) State of New Jersey, County of Somerset ss - On this fifteen the day of August in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two Personally appeared in open Court. Before the Court of Common pleas of said County now sitting Willet Taylor, a resident of the town- ship of Hillsborough in said County aged seventy two 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 act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers. Col John Neilson of New Brunswick, Col d Brown. Col Van Dike. Col Quick - Gen Hurd - Maj Gordon - Capt Quick - and others whom I cannot now recollect - That I served at diff- erent times and places in this State under these named officers When I first entered the service I lived in New Brunswick in New Jersey Then he entered the service in the fall - In the Year 1776 and served one month at Bergen and also one month as a substitute for my Brother. I was a private in the militia Company was commanded by Capt Quick - after the Hessians were taken by Gen Washington at Trenton I was again called out by draft we were along the Millstone when the American army came there after the Battle at Trenton and remained there the whole time the British lay at New Brunswick which was about six months. During this time We had an Engagement with the British at Van Nest's mills - I was one month at Hackensack there we had a Battle with the Refugees on Bergen - Was one month under Gen Hurd at Pompton - was out one month after during this time was in the Battle of Germantown in Penn. for this month I volunteered - Was out one month at this time was in the Battle of Monmouth - Was at the Battle of before and after the Battle of Springfield was out this time one month - I went out several times as a substitute for my Brother - I was out a great many other times for a few days at a time, upon alarm - held myself in readiness during the whole war, and was very frequently called out for a short time at a time. Thinks he served during the war for upwards of two Years or more but cannot now particularly recollect
He never Received a written Discharge from the Service nor has he any documentary evidence of his service - That he was born the 1 st day of July 1759 at the time he was called into the service he was an apprentice to John Dreyer to the mercantile business in New Brunswick was born in the County of Somerset, he has a record of his age in my family Bible.
That he has lived ever since the Revolutionary war, where he now lives

He is known to a great many in the County who have testified to his good character -
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and future that his name is not on the pension Roll of any agency of any state -
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid -
A. J. Gaston
Willet Taylor
Somerset County ss Be it Remembered that on this fifteenth day of August A.D. 1892. Personally appeared in open court before the same court Andrew J. Taylor and Being duly sworn on his oath saith that he is well acquainted with Willet Taylor the above named applicant. That he is about the age which he states That he was out in the service of the United States in the war of the Revolution with the respondent. was with him in the Battle of Monmouth (served as a mattham-an) That he has always Been understood in the neighborhood where he resides that he served in the war of the revolution. That said Taylor has lived in the same neighborhood where he now lives ever since the war of the revolution - That said Taylor is a man of truth and honesty That this respondent is about seventy five years of age
Sworn to in open court
Andrew J. Taylor
A. J. Gaston

We Peter Labagh - a Clergyman residing in the township of Wellsborough - and Andrew J. Ten Eyck residing in Lanesboro - do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Willet Taylor who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration and that we believe him to be forty two years of age that he is respected and beloved in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in the opinion -
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid -
Peter Labagh
Andrew J Ten Eyck
And the said Court hereby declare their opinion after the investigation and after the putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the above applicant was a Revo- lutionary Soldier and served as he states. And the court fur- ther certifies that it appears to them that Peter Labagh - - a Clergyman residing in Wellsborough was living - and that Andrew J. Ten Eyck who has also signed the same is a resident in the said county and is a credible person And that the statement is entitled to credit -
W. H. Gaston
Other Vandermeulen
Dan. A. Distervegh

Personally appeared before me the Subscriber, a justice of the peace in and for the County of Somerset. Willet Taylor who being duly sworn deponeth and saith that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of Service But according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned Below and in the following grades For nine months as a private Soldier in the militia for which Service he claims a pension.
Sworn and Subscribed this 8th day of March 1833
Willet Taylor
Ferd Van Derveer
Willet Taylor
I John M Mann Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Somerset hereby certify that Ferdinand Van Derveer Esq before whom the above affidavit of Willet Taylor was taken and whose signature to thereto subscribed was at the time thereof a Justice of the peace of the County of Somerset in full commission to wit's my hand & seal & Office March 9th 1833.
J. M. Mann
State of New-Jersey Somerset County The Court of Common Pleas in and for said County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the Application of Willet Taylor for a pension. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this sixteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
J. M. Mann

State of New Jersey Somerset County ss
I John M. Mann Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the Affiliation of Willet Taylor for a henson.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this sixteenth day of August in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty two.
J. M. Mann

29,934
Willie Taylor
.. If allowed send Certificate to W. Thomson. Somerville N. Jersey
13 th April
43.33
Gen. M. Schenck
KB

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Willet Taylor 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? 
C No
 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 Issue 5. He should state as nearly as possible the length of each tour.
 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? XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? 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 has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? 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? 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 the 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.
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 authenticated 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 end 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.

Pub. Doc:
Thos. F. G. Schuch. H. of R. City of Washington

Somerville Feby 7 th 1834 (3)
Dear Sir. I again take the liberty of sending the Pension papers of Willet Taylor and would thank you if you would give them new
all well. hope you are
I am your friend
W. Brown
Dr. Schenck
(4)

Feb 21. 1840.
Dear Friend,
W. Randolph
J. L. Edwards Pension Office Washington
Hon. J. F. Randolph W.D.

(6) Haver of Rep Feb 20.. 1840
J L Edwards Esq
Being acquainted with Judge Gaston, I have affixed my certificate which I presume will be sufficient -
Yours &c
J. H. Randolph

INVALID.
New York
File No. 1120
Willet Taylor.
Pris. N.Y. June.
Act: June 7, 1892.
Index: —Vol. a , Page 368
[Arrangement of 1870.]
(8)

The Amended declaration of Willet Laylor a Soldier of the Revolution - Being sworn according to Law on his oath Subs. that
In the fall of 1776 I entered the service of the United States under Col John Nelson of New Brunswick when we marched to Bergen where I served one month as a private militiaman for this month I was drafted after I had served my month out my Brother was drafted I took his place and served one month in the same year at Bergen as a private under Capt Quick of Somerset. and retreated with Gen Washington after the Battle of After the Battle of Princeton on the 3 rd of January 1777 I was again drafted and turned out in the militia as a private where we were commanded by Capt Quick we marched to Millstone Maj Benjamin Bird commanded the Battalion I served this tour the whole time the British were at New Brunswick when I was discharged and sent home I was out this time at least six months. The British left N. Brunswick on the last of June and I was not discharged until a few days after they left. During the time we were along the millstones we had an engagement with a party of British at Van Nest's mills - In the fall of this year I was again drafted in the militia and marched to Pompton under Capt Quick and Gen Hand I served one month as a private - In July 1778 I served one month at Hackensack was drafted. Commanded by Capt Olverton and Col Van Ryck we had a Battle with the Refugees on Bergen - I volunteered and was out a month in the year 1777 I was commanded by Capt Quick and Col Vroom we marched to Pennsylvania during this time the Battle of Germantown took place I was in the Battle which took

on the 4 th of October 1777. This month's service is not included in any of the times above specified - In the year 1778 I again Volunteered and was out one month at this time I was in the Battle of Monmouth which took place on the 28 th of June of that year my Col. Was Van Dyke the Major B. Baird - I was out one month in the year 1778 at Springfield when the Battle took place. Col Van Dyke Commanded - I was out a great many times more but I cannot at this day particularly recall each - I served the whole time as a pri- vate militiaman - Willet Taylor
Sworn and Subscribed the day and Year aforesaid before me.
A. W. Gaston

The State of New Jersey Somerset County ss Before me Williams B. Gaston Esquire one of the Justices of the peace in and for said County, after John Van Middlerworth and being by me sworn according to law, deposes on this oath say that he is in his twenty seventh year of his age that he served in the war of the Revolution and is now receiving a pension under the late act of Congress for such services. And doth further say that he is well acquainted with Willet Taylor who doth now apply for a pension under said act of Congress that he knew him before the Revolutionary war that he knew him during the Revolution any war. that he was out with him in the service of the United States in the Revolutionary war. And was with him at Bergen under Capt. Quick of Somerset for one month in 1776 we both served as privates in the militia. - I served with said Taylor along the Millstone river in New Jersey at the time the British lay at New Brunswick he and myself both served as privates under Capt. Quick and May I said I do believe that said Taylor served as a private in the militia six months during this time which was in the winter and spring of 1777 - this lieutenant further saith that he was with said Taylor in the Battle of Monmouth in the year 1778 - was with him at the time when the Battle of Spring- field took place, in the year 1778 - And this lieutenant doth further say that he has been

acquainted with Willet Taylor even since the Revolutionary war, has always understood and Believes that said Taylor was out a great deal in the militia as a private during the Revolution = that Mr Taylor is a man of great dis- cerning ability. And his whose Statement the great rela- nce can be placed. - And for the South not.
John V Middleworth
Sworn and Subscribed before me the 3 rd day of February 1834. -
A. H. Gaston
Sommerville Somerset County
This may certify that I am well acquainted with John V Middleworth who swore to the above affidavit. and that he is a person of truth and veracity. and that his Statement may be relied on as strictly true and correct by the War department. - February 7 th 1834
A. H. Gaston

State of New Jersey Somerset County ss. I John M. Mearns Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for said County do hereby certify that William B. Carlton Esq. whom the within affidavit was made and by whom the foregoing Certificate is subscribed is at the time of signing the same duly qualified as Clerk of said Court in full commission & In the presence I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this sixth day of February eighteen hundred and thirty four - J. M. Mearns

29.934
Willet Taylor

4m J. T. Randolph H n

State of New Jersey, County of Somerset, ss. On this fifth day of February, 1840, before me, the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County of Som- erset, personally appeared Willet Taylor known to me to be the person he represents himself to be, who, on his oath, declares that he is the same person who in the time of the Revolution belonged to the company of mi- litia commanded by Captain Swift, in the regiment commanded by Col. Brown, also did duty in the service of the United States; that his name was placed on the Pension Roll of the State of New Jersey, that he received a Certificate of that fact under the seal & signature of the Secretary of War, which certificate, in the month of October - in the year 1839, he supposed was inadvertently thrown among some other papers, that they became lost or mislaid; that he made a residence at that time and all his goods and chattels and pa- pers were removed and thrown into confu- sion, and that since that period, not- withstanding his most diligent and anx- ious search, he has not been able to find it. He therefore respectfully petitions for a new one, or for such other authority as will enable him to draw his pension as usual. Sworn & subscribed to before me the day & year aforesaid
Willet Taylor
W. B. Gaston Clerk of the Peace

State of New Jersey County of Somerset ) On the fifth day of February, 1840, before me a Justice of the peace in and for the County, having appeared Richard B. Deychinch & known to me as a credible person, who being duly sworn, on his oath saith, that he is well and personally acquainted with William Tay- lor, the within named deponent; believes him to have been a source of the Revolu- tion, as he states; and knows him to have been in the receipt of a Pension for his services in the War of the Revolution for several years past. He also knows from Mr. Taylor that he has lost or mislaid his Certificate, and has been very anx- ious about it, not knowing what the conse- quences might be.
Subscribed and sworn to before me A. B. Deychinch Justice of the Peace
W. B. Gaston Judge of the P.
State of Rep Feb 20th 1840 I certify that I am acquainted with William B Gaston Esq & that he is one of the Judges of the Somerset Pleas and a Justice of the peace that the name of "W B Gaston" affixed to the peremptory of the foregoing affidavit is in the proper handwriting of Judge Gaston H. Randolph