Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 90, for Sylvanus Pierson, New Jersey

SERVICE
Dear Jersey,
NUMBER _____
W. 90
P. Pierson, Sylvania Mary.
CONTENTS

New Jersey 4633
Mary Pierson
widow of Sylvanus Pierson
who was a pensioner under the Act of and who died on the 1826 of Essex Co. in the State of N. Jersey who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Cogane of the _____ commanded by _____ in the N. Jersey mil. time for 7 months
Inscribed on the Roll of N. Jersey at the rate of 23 Dollars 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26. day of Nov. 1839 and Supt S.B. Miller Newark, N.J.
Arrears to the 4th of Sep. '39 81.65 Semi-annual allowance ending Dec. 1840 11.66 $93.31
{ Act July 7, 1838 }
Issued by D. Brown Clerk Vol. 2. Page 132

Mr. Ben o Coz
Petition to the Widow Mary Garrison
add d Evidence Inc d
28 Aug 1837
(Faint, mirrored bleed-through text from the reverse side of the page)
Rec d 8 Aug 1837

Declaration
In order to obtain the Benefit of the third Section of the act of Congress of the 4 th July 1836, State of New-York, Essex County — ss. on this Twenty fifth day of October In the year of our Lord one Thousand Eight hundred and Thirty six. — Personally appeared Before the Judges of the Superior Court of Common Pleas In and for Said County of Essex in the State of New-York, Mary Pierson, A President of the Said County of Essex & State aforesaid aged Seventy five years, Who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on her Oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the Benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed July 4 th 1836. — That She is the Widow of Sylvanus Pierson Late of the Township of, Westfield in the Said County of Essex Deceased who was a Corporal and private Soldier during the Revolutionary War as She has always understood and fully believes & She as always understood & heard her Said husband say that he Belonged to a Company of Militia under the Command of Captain John Sudder of Westfield in Said County when Not Engaged in other Military duty, and This deponent further saith that She has heard the Said Sylvanus Pierson say that he was out on duty and in actual service more than one Third of his time during Said War. — And the Said, Mary Pierson, further declares that She was Born, December 10 th 1760, and Was Married to the Said Sylvanus Pierson on the Thirteenth day of January 1782 By the Rev d Benjamin Woodruff of Westfield in Said County, — Which Marriage took place before the Expiration of

of the last period of his Service, — And that her husband the said Sylvanus Burson was Born February 13 th 1754 and died on the first day of October 1826, at his residence in Westfield according to the Family Record now in her possession, — And that she has remained a Widow ever since that period, — As will more fully appear by the proof, herewith Annexed. Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before the said Court — } Mary Burson E. M. Andross
I Elias Van Arsdale Jun. Clerk of the Superior Court of Common Pleas, In and for said County of Essex in the State of New Jersey do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the Original proceedings of the Court in the Matter of the Application of Mary Burson for a Pension.
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this Twentyfifth day of October, In the year of our Lord one Thousand Eight hundred and ThirtySix. E. M. Andross

State of New-Jersey
Essex County - ss Personally appeared before me
Samuel B. Miller a justice of the peace for and for said County Clerk Miller - of the County of Essex and State of New-Jersey well known to me to be a in good standing in Society and in all Respects Entitled to belief as a witness. - And being he me duly Sworn on his oath saith that he is about Nine — years of age. — That he was a Soldier in the Revolution that he was well acquainted with Sylvanus Berson of the County of Essex and State of New-Jersey during the Revolutionary war and believes that if the said Sylvanus Berson was now living he would be as much or Eighty two years of age. — And this deponent further saith that that he is knowing that the said Sylvanus Berson was a private Soldier during the whole of the Revolutionary war that he was Enrolled in and belonged to a Company of Militia Commanded by Captain John Sudder in the Year 1776. That he this deponent & the said Sylvanus Berson was on duty together At Elizabeth Town point in the Summer of 1776. under the Command of Colonel Thomson, — That they was in the Three Month Service together under the Command of Colonel Spencer, and this deponent further saith that he and the said Sylvanus Berson were on duty together every year during said war & that he is well knowing that the said Sylvanus Berson was a good & Faithful Soldier and done More then Two years Service in said war as he was always on duty when his turn came Station at Elizabeth Town Mahwah Trench point Woodland and along the Lines — under the Command of Colonel Thomson Spencer Butter Yaques & Berson. — & This deponent further saith that the said Sylvanus Berson was Married to

Mary Gory during the Revolutionary war, & that he saw the said Sylvanus Pierson on duty & in active service after he was married to the said Mary Gory but as to the particular times and places of said service he cannot now state. And this deponent further saith that he believes the said Sylvanus was once impressed by General Washington to ride express but can't be certain as to the time or length of time service. — And further saith not. —
Sworn to and subscribed at Westfield in said county the 15 th day of October A. D. 1836
Clark Miller
Before me — Samuel B. Miller — Justice of the peace
Clark Miller Notary Public Sylvanus Pierson

State of New-Jersey,
Essex County. S. Personally appeared before me
The subscriber a Justice of the Peace for and for said County Sarah Clarke of the County of Essex and State of New Jersey Personally known to me to be a Woman of good standing and entitled to belief as a Witness - And being by me duly sworn on her oath saith that she is Seventy Three years of age. - That she was Well acquainted with Sylvanus Pierson and Mary his wife formerly Mary Clarke of the Township of Westfield in the County of Essex and State of New-Jersey, That she saw the said Sylvanus Pierson & the said Mary Clarke Married by the Revd Benjamin Woodruff on or about the First of January 1792 and that the said Sylvanus Pierson and the said Mary has always resided together as husband and wife until the death of the said Sylvanus Pierson which I took place about Ten years ago. - And that the said Mary Pierson widow of the said Sylvanus Pierson is still living and has never since been Married and is at this time about Seventy five years of age. And further saith not.
Sworn and subscribed at Westfield in said County October 15 th 1836. before me
Sarah Clarke
Saml H. Miller Justice of the Peace

W th Mary Brien

State of New-Jersey
Essex County — Is Personally appeared before me
The subscriber a Justice of the peace In and for said County. William Clarke Esq of the Township of Westfield in the County of Essex and State of New-Jersey To me, Personally known to be a Man of good Standing and Entitled to belief as a witness. — And being by me duly sworn on his oath saith, That he is Eighty years of Age. — That he was a Soldier in the Revolution, that he was well acquainted with Sylvanus Pierson of the County of Essex and State of New-Jersey during the Revolutionary War and believes that if the said Sylvanus Pierson was Now Living he would be as Much as Eightytwo years of age And this deponent further saith that he saw the said Sylvanus Pierson, Married to Mary Gory in the winter of Seventeen hundred and Eightytwo as he now believes in the Month of January by the Revd. Benjamin Woodruff of Westfield in said County and that the said Sylvanus Pierson and the said Mary has Always Resided together as husband and wife until the death of the said Sylvanus Pierson which was about Ten years ago — And this deponent further saith, That the said Mary Gory, Now the Widow Mary Pierson is Still Living and is about Seventy five years of age & has Never been Married Since the death of her said husband, But Still remains the Widow of the said Sylvanus Pierson deceased. And this deponent further saith That he is knowing that the said Sylvanus Pierson was a private Soldier in the war of the Revolution, And Belonged to a Company of Militia commanded by Captain John Sudder of Westfield in said County. And that he this deponent and the said Sylvanus Pierson was on duty together in New York when the the British Landed on

Longisland, In the year 1776, And Immediatly after the Long-Island Battle was marched to Elizabeth Town point in New-Jersey, under the command of Major Goguish (Afterwards Col Goguish) and was Stationed at Elizabeth Town point under the command of Colonel Thomas as much as Three Months that year. And in the Month of December the same year of 1776 he this deponent and the said Sylvanus Beersen Enlisted for Three month under Captain Isaac Groom and served together the Term of Three Month Stationed at Connecticut Farm Elizabeth Town and along the enemys lines under the command of Col Thener. & the said Sylvanus Beersen done a corporals duty, — And this deponent further saith, That he and the said Sylvanus Beersen was on duty together at the time the British army came to westfield and took the Well from the Church But dont now recollect the year And is also knowing that the said Sylvanus Beersen rode Express for General Washington some length of time not less than six months during said war, but cant now recollect the year, — And he further saith that when the said Sylvanus Beersen was not on duty as an Enlisted Soldier and as Express he done his regular hours of duty in Captain Sunders Company & is certain that the said Sylvanus Beersen done more then Two year actual service during said war & is certain that he saw the said Sylvanus Beersen on duty & in actual service after he was Married to the said Mary Gory, and further saith not.
Sworn to and subscribed this 27 th day of October in the year of our Lord 1836
William Clark
before me
Almon Coe Justice of the Peace

State of New Jersey County of Essex
ss.
I Elias Van Arsdale Junior Clerk of the County of Essex & of the Inferior Court of Com- mon Pleas in and for said County Do hereby Certify That Samuel B Miller Esq: before whom the several Affidavits hereto annexed of Clark Miller & Sarah Clark, were respectively made & taken; And Aaron Love Esq: before whom the affidavit of William Clark was made & taken, each are, and were at the time when the same were taken, Justices of the Peace in & for the said County of Essex, reading therein, duly commissioned and sworn: and that the respective signatures "Sam d B. Miller" and "Aaron Love" subscribed to the Jurats of said Affidavits are genuine In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto Subscribed my name & affixed the Seal of said Court, at Newark in the County of Essex aforesaid the Seventh day of December A.D. Eighteen hundred and thirty Six —
E. Van Arsdale Jr. C.B.

V722. 3. Sw. Declaration of
The W d Mary Berson for a pension.
Marryed 13 th Jan 1782 Husband died 1826
Mary Berson 1782
7 Mo may be allowed in this case
Saml H. Miller Newark New-Jersey

In the matter of the application of the widow Mary Pierson for a pension under the act of Congress passed July 4 th 1830.
State of New Jersey
Essex County ss. Personally appeared before me Sam l B. Miller a Justice of the Peace in & for said county. The Rev d James M. Hunting of Westfield in said county who being sworn, on his oath says. That since he made an affidavit relative to the marriage record kept by the Rev d Benjamin Woodruff whilst he was pastor of the church at Westfield, in said county, said record has been found in the possession of the Rev d W. Perrine, of the Village of Bottlehill, in the county of Morris, supposed to have been left there, by the Rev d Alex. Fraser, which re- cord is now in his deponent's possession, and further it ap- pears by said record, that Silvanus Pierson was married to Mary Cory Jan y . 13 th  1787 1782.
Sworn to and subscribed at } The foregoing was arrived Westfield In said County } before signing Sat Eve this 4 th day of August A.D. } James M. Hunting 1837. Before me —
Sam l B. Miller - Justice of the peace
State of New Jersey
County of Essex ss.
I Elias Van Arsdale Jr. Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Essex and Clerk of said County, do hereby certify that Samuel B. Miller before whom the foregoing, I annexed affidavits of James M. Hunting & Benjamin Cory were severally made & taken, at the time of taking the same, was & still is a Justice of the peace of said County duly commissioned & sworn; and that the signatures "Sam l B. Miller" affixed to the foot of said affidavits respectively are genuine In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand & Seal of Office the fifth day of August A.D. 1837 — Elias Van Arsdale Jr. Clerk

Rev M c Hunsberg

In the Matter of the application of the Widow Mary Pierson for a pension under the act of Congress passed July 4 th 1836.
State of New-Jersey.
Essex County - ss. Personally appeared before me Samuel B. Miller the Justice of the peace in and for said county Benjamin Cory of the Township of Westfield in the County of Essex New-Jersey. To me personally known to be a Man in good standing and entitled to belief as a witness - And being he was duly sworn on his oath saith that he is sixty seven years of age that he is the Brother of the above named Widow Mary Pierson. That he has the following record kept by Sylvanus Pierson deceased in his possession. - Of which the following is a true copy
Family Record
Names Born Married Deceased Sylvanus Pierson Feb y 16 th 1754 Jan y 13 th 1782 Oct r 1 st 1826 Mary Pierson Dec r 10 th 1760 ----- -----
And this deponent further saith - That the said Mary Pierson is still living and remains unmarried and the widow of the said Sylvanus Pierson deceased and further saith not. Benj m Cory
Sworn to and subscribed at Westfield in said county this 4 th day of August A.D. 1837 before me
Sam l B. Miller Justice of the peace

V 7 22 New Jersey
Mary Pierson widow of Sylvanus
Inst o
ans o Saml B. Miller
Nov 26 '36.
Hon. M. Chetwood, March 2, 1837.
Let 10 Apr 1837 P.B. Miller. do. 5 Sept '87 to same 15. Nov. 1839
Act July 4 1836 & 1838

90 WIDOW, &c. Recy
File No. 90 Mary Pierson Widow Sylvanus Pierson Rev. Rev. War.
Act: July 7. 1838.
Index:—Vol. M. , Page 130.
[Arrangement of 1870.]
✓

M rs Mary Brien

Westfield Essex County New Jersey November 19 th 1839 J. S. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of pensions
Sir having understood By a Letter signed Jo h Wm Crump Esquire directed to Sam l B. Miller. Dated your department Pension office November 15 th 1839. that you were Willing to allow me the Subscriber Mary Berson Widow of Sylvanus Berson deceased A pension for Seven Months Service performed by my said husband during the war of the Revolution.
Now therefore this may certify that I do hereby agree to accept and take a Certificate for the above stated amount of Service under the Law of Congress Passed July 7 th 1830 and Relinquish all other claim that I might have for my said husband's Service under said Law. — Witness my hand and Seal the day and year first above mentioned.
In presence of Sarah H. Lory
Sam l B. Miller
Mary Berson —

Newark New-Jersey April 25 th 1839.
J. S. Edwards Esq
Sir I herewith transmit to you the Declaration of the Widow Mary Beeson for a pension under the act of Congress of July 7 th 1830. Mr Beeson having thought proper to Relinquish all claim to her husbands service after Marriage. — I would therefore once more Respectfully Solicit, your attention, to the proof of her husbands Service before Marriage. Which on examination I apprehend you will find from the Affidavits of William Clark Esq & Mr Clark Miller, Six Months Service proven beyond all dispute viz Three months in the Common Militia as a private in the year 1776 and Three months as an Enlisted Soldier as a corporal. And the said Mary Beeson States to me, that although she is well satisfied from her own knowledge and from what she has understood from others, that her said husband was out on duty in the war of the Revolution A sufficient length of time to entitle her to a full pension, But being nearly done with this worlds concerns & having no further proof to offer as to her husbands Service she is willing to except the small allowance for the six Months Service above mentioned under said act. rather than have any further trouble about her Claim. — Unless you think from a further examination of the evidence on file in your office she is justly entitled to more. — And Remain Respectfully Yours &c. Sam l B. Miller.

Recd
Yomes M. Hunting
Affidavit

State of New Jersey Essex County ss Personally appeared before Aaron Coo one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas. James Hunting, who being duly sworn according to law deposes & says that he is the Pastor of the Presbyterian Church in the Village of Westfield, and that the records of said Church said to have been kept by the Rev. Benj m Woodruff pastor during the revolutionary war are lost or mislaid, and that he has made search for the same, having often been applied to by persons seeking evidence of their marriage, to wit: soldiers of the said war, and further saith not.
Sworn and subscribed before me this 18 th day of March. 1837 Aaron Coo Judge of the Court of Common Pleas
James H. Hunting.
State of New Jersey County of Essex ss
I, Elias Van Arsdale Jun. Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas, of the County of Essex do certify that Aaron Coo Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavit was made & taken, was at the time of taking the same & still is one of the Judges of said Court residing in said County duly Commissioned & sworn. That I am acquainted with his hand writing and know that the signature "Aaron Coo" subscribed to the affidavit is genuine. — In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court the Twenty fourth day of March. E. Van Arsdale Jr. Clerk
March 24. 1837

4633
5272
Declaration of the Widow Mary Berson For a Pension Under the act of Congress of July 7, 1813. —
N o 13 Jan 1782 Husband and 1826
7 mo Capt Crum
Admitted Private 7 months
Saml B. Miller Nason N. Ferrer 

Declaration
In order to obtain the Benefit of the act of Congress of the 7 th July 1830. Entitled an act Granting half pay and pensions to certain Widows.
State of New-Jersey,
Essex County — ss On this Twentyeighth day of March
In the year of our Lord one Thousand Eight hundred and Thirty nine, Personally appeared before me Samuel B. Miller one of the Judges of the Superior Court, of Common Pleas In and For said County, the Widow Mary Bierson A President of the Township of Westfield, in the County of Essex and State of New-Jersey, aged Seventy eight years last December
(Who I hereby certify, cannot from Bodily Infir-mity attend the Court. — And I do also further certify, that she is the Identical person who heretofore made a Declaration on or about the Twenty fifth day of October 1836. for a pension under the act of Congress of July 4 th 1836.) — Who being by me 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 7 th 1830. Entitled an Act Granting half pay and pensions to certain, Widows. That she is the Widow of Sylvanus Bierson Late of the Township of Westfield in the County and State aforesaid, deceased Who was a Corporal and private Soldier in the Service of the United States in the war of the Revolution and belonged to a Company of Militia under the Command of Captain John Sudder of Westfield in said County and was also, Enlisted for three Months under the Command of Captain Jacob Cron of said County, and under the Command of Colonel Shener, as she has often heard her said husband say and fully believes. — And the said
Mary

Mary Pierson Further Declares that she was Married to the said Sylvanus Pierson on the Thirteenth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty two By the Rev d Benjamin Woodruff of Westfield in said County of Hampden and that her husband the Aforesaid Sylvanus Pierson, Died on the First day of October Eighteen hundred and Twenty six at his Residence at Westfield in said County of Hampden. — That she was not Married to him prior to his leaving the service of said but the Marriage took place previous to the first day of January, Seventeen hundred and Ninety four By at the time above stated, And this deponent further saith, that she has always understood that her husband the said Sylvanus Pierson served was on duty and in actual service in the war of the Revolution subsequent to her Marriage with him, as stated in her Declaration under the act of Congress of July 4 th 1836. But not being able to prove the same to the satisfaction of the War department she hereby Relinquishes all claim or demand to any service rendered the United States after the date of said Marriage, and also all the claim or demand that she may have for services rendered the United States as for riding Express, she having no further proof as to that service. — And also to her right of pension under the act of Congress of July 4 th 1836. — Provided she can have a pension allowed for the Three Months service as an Enlisted Soldier under Captain Jacob Grine and for which, Militia service is fairly proven under the command of Captain John Sudder in the common Militia before said Marriage. — All of which evidence is annexed to and filed with her Declaration under the act of Congress of July 4 th 1836. in the pension office. Mary Pierson Sworn to and subscribed at Westfield in said County of Hampden the day and year above written. Before me Sam l B. Miller — Judge S.C.

State of New Jersey
County of Essex ss.
I Elias Van Arsdale Jun: Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County of Essex Do hereby certify That the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of the application of Mary Pierson the widow of Sylvanus Pierson for a pension; That Samuel B. Miller before whom such proceedings were had & the annexed affidavit of the said Mary was made & taken; at the time of taking the same was and still is one of the Judges of said Court, and a Justice of the Peace for said County, duly commissioned and sworn; & That the signature "Sam B. Miller" affixed to the jurat of said affidavit is genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office at Newark in said County the Seventeenth day of April A.D. Eighteen hundred and thirty nine 1839 -
E Van Arsdale Jr

Newark New-Jersey March 14 th 1837
Y. S. Edwards Esquire
Sir I have delayed answering your letter of the 26 th November last, until this time on account. That you stated to me in said Letter Relative to the Application of Mary Beiron Widow of Sylvanus Beiron deceased. — That Sum Evidence may be had by applying to the Treasurer of the State In whose office is a Record of payments made to the officers and privates in service at that time. — I was at Trenton about ten days ago and Examined the records referred to. And find they only apply to Arrears of Money due to officers and Soldiers who had not received their full pay during the war of the Revolution. — Under an act passed December 20 th 17013. which will be found in Peter Wilson's Compilation Page 360 — Entitled an act to procure an Estimate of the Sums due to Militia. — &c. — And on Examination find a Number of Names of persons who I well knew that had drawn Small Ballances & in other places where Captains had drawn from Ten to one hundred and fifty Pounds. In sum of said Books which I previously was extended for the whole Company which payments were made in 1704 — I also find that there is no Mention made on said Books of a Number of Names of persons with whom I was well acquainted & knew was in the Militia Service during said war. — on the Whole I think we may safely conclude that there is no evidence In the Books in the Treasurer's office that can be relied on to show the amount of the Militia Service rendered by any one Man during said war, or there is no monies that were not entered until peace. As to the Marriage I herewith Enclose to you the affidavit of the Revd Young M. Hunting, For the purpose of showing that there is no Church Records to be found of the Marriage of Sylvanus Beiron & Mary Gory. Now the Widow Mary Beiron nor of any other person during the Revolutionary war

and Long after & Conclude you will Consider the affidavits of William Clarke Esq and Sally his wife who were present at the Marriage, Sufficient evidence as to that fact. — And as to the Service of the said Sylvanus Brien thereunder during the Revolutionary war I presume there cannot be any further evidence obtained Except that of the same Inquest as now filed with her papers in your office. —
As to your letter of March 2 nd 1837, to the Hon ble William Lockwood. (Which is now in my possession.) I can only say that in the case of Mrs Jane Vreeland And Mrs Sarah Halsey I am only waiting to obtain further evidence of Service if to be had, as soon as obtained I shall forward the same to you. — You state in that letter that it does not appear by the Register of Claims received under the act of 4 th July 1836 that the papers of Mrs Halsey Vreeland has been received. I can only say from my Memorandum made at the time. — It appears to have been sent to you on the 7 th November 1836, with the evidence & the same day that I sent to you the Declaration and evidence of Mrs Mary Brien and I believe in the same Envelope. — Which papers I presume must be in your office. — You further state that the papers in the case of Mrs Lydia Dean and Mrs Abigail Andrews has been mislaid. — It would Much oblige them if you would have a Search made for said papers and if found have them cited on or soon as convenient. And let me know the result. — I received Mrs Sarah Halsey certificate
With the Highest Respect I remain Yours &c.
Saml H. Miller