Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 1059, for Luke Miller, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey
Miller, Luke
S. 1059
carded
CONTENTS

9587
New Jersey
9587
Suke Miller of Morris Co. in the State of New Jersey who was a Pvt in the Company commanded by Captain Brown of the Regt commanded by Col Ford in the New Jersey line for
19 Mo Private - $ 63.33
Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey at the rate of 63 - Dollars 33 - Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 15 th day of June and sent to 1833 Hon L. Condict, Merriam, N.J.
Arrears to the 14th of March 1833 - 12 6.66 Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 Sept. 31.66 1/2
$ 158.32
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. D. Sprague Clerk, Book 8 - Vol. 3 Page 121
Date of death not on A. B. - J. A. C.
W

DECLARATION, IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE BENEFIT OF THE ACT OF CONGRESS, PASSED JUNE 7, 1832.
STATE OF NEW-JERSEY, } County of Morris } ss.
On this thirteenth first day of July 1832 personally appeared, in open court, before the judges of the Inferior the court of Common Pleas now sitting before Miller a resident of Chatham Township in the County of Morris and State of New-Jersey, 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, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named Officers, and served as herein stated:
That in the Month of June 1776 he turned out and went into service as a Volunteer when the British Troops landed at Staten Island and joined a company then commanded by Lieutenant Hood and marched to Elizabeth Town Point & continued in service until relieved. That sometime in August same year he was drafted as a Militia Man and called into Service Marched to Elizabeth Town with the Morris Militia & commanded by Col. Jacob Ford and continued in Service during his term - was engaged in making the best works near Elizabeth Town Point - was called out again in October Marched to Elizabeth Town Point - was there when the British Troops landed in New Jersey, retreated before them when they went on to Princeton & Trenton ever marched to Morris Town & back to Elizabeth Town and after some time was discharged. They enlisted in the three Months Militia under Capt. Sylvanus Saly Marched to Springfield & the Farms & Elizabeth Town and continued on the Lines during his term. Then in 1777 he was drafted and Marched to New Windsor on the North River about the time General Burgoyne was captured - he then being in Capt. Brown's Company and in General Washington's Brigade was at New Windsor when the British Fleet came down the North River returned back again after guarding New Windsor some time - in 1778 the Indians becoming troublesome near Minnisink in the upper part of this State he Marched there in Washington's Brigade in Lieutenant Caldwell's command, that he returned from that town and was dismissed.

That he was drafted and called on duty and marched to Monmouth in New Jersey was in the Battle fought between the British & American Armies at that place - That he served several Terms of duty on the lines not particularly mentioned. The first for some time having been for the protection of Morris County, to serve every other month, and that he frequently took out as a Volunteer on the alarm being given, and was at several Battles & Skirmishes with the Enemy.
That the deponent served during the war the term of two years or more as he believes. That he then lived in the Township of Roxbury Morris County State of New Jersey, and has always lived in the said county. That the deponent was born on the 3 rd of September 1759 cannot find the record of his age, is now seventy two years old. That he has no documentary evidence of his service -

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State, is only on that of the Agency of the State of New Jersey.
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
William Britton  Luke Miller We Joseph M. Ogden a Clergyman & William Britton both residing in the Township of Chatham County of Morris - hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Luke Miller who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be Seventy two years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Stephen Dail " "
Joseph M. Ogden William Britton
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the court further certifies, that it appears to them, that Joseph M. Ogden a Clergyman who has signed the preceding certificate, is a _____ resident in the Township of Chatham in the County - aforesaid, and that William Britton who has also signed the same, is a resident in the Township of Chatham in the County of Morris aforesaid and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Stephen Dail Jesse Elyson Daniel Horton
I David Day Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Luke Miller for a pension.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this thirty first day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two
David Day " "

State of New Jersey Morris County
Be it remembered That on the 31 st day of July 1832 before the court of common Pleas of the county of Morris appeared in person Israel Lunn who being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say That having heard the declaration rec d of the said Luke Miller made before the said court. he says he is knowing to many of the services having been performed as stated in the declaration he having been out in service several times in company with him & that he believes all the services as stated has been performed sworn and subscribed in open court.
This 31 st day of July 1832 — Israel Lunn
William Britton
Israel Lunn, the above deponent, has been long & well known personally to me, as a man of irreproachable character for truth, & one who will be believed fully & implicitly, whenever he is known.
Morris town Apr. 15 th 1833.
Lewis Condict, late a Asst. from N. Jersey.
Declaration of Luke Miller

Luke Miller Feb 6 97
New Jersey
Susp. S. Jan. 33
Obj 4. 5. 11. 12
Mr. L. Conditt
Admitted 19 months
62.37
Hon. L. Conditt
p 198 Monistown N.J.
{

BRIEF in the case of Luke Miller of Chatham  County of Morris in the State of New Jersey  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court.  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 72.  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     In 1776-1777 1778 As a Gen. Capt. Seely, Capt. Morris Col. Ford, Genl. Morris    "This Deponent served during the War the term of 2 Years or more as he believes."
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Monmouth  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Morris County New Jersey.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Living & traditional  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Defective Dates of service not given 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Jas O'Brien Examining Clerk.

August 2, 1933.
The Adjutant General War Department Washington, D.C.
BA-J/MOHF/ILL Luke Miller S. 1059
Attention: Old Records Division.
Dear Sir:
Enclosed herewith is a letter from Helen M. Wright, 161 Harrison Avenue, Jersey City, New Jersey, in which she requests to know from military records whether it is shown that Luke Miller, referred to in her letter, ever held the rank of major.
On July 6, 1933, Miss Wright was furnished all data this office has in regard to the above named soldier, as her letter signifies.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Assistant to Administrator.

July 6, 1933.
Helen M. Wright 161 Harrison Avenue Jersey City, New Jersey.
BA-J/ILL Luke Miller S. 1059
Dear Madam:
The record of Luke Miller is given below as found in the papers on file in pension claim, S. 1059, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
Luke Miller was born September 8, 1759, the names of his parents not stated.
While residing in Hanover Township, Morris County, New Jersey, he volunteered in June 1776, and served on various tours in each year following until some time in 1781, amounting in all to about two years, as a private in the New Jersey troops under Lieutenants Hand and John Caldwell, Captains Obadiah Kitchell, Stephen Munson, Day, Sylvanus Seeley, Daniel Brown, Bates, Crane, Hinnen, Ward and John Lindsley, and Colonels Jacob Ford, Sylvanus Seeley, Freylinghuysen, Potts and Spencer; during the period of this service, he was in frequent encounters with the enemy, was in an engagement with the Hessians in which fifty of said Hessians were taken prisoners, was in the battle of Monmouth, and in skirmishes at the time of the burning of Springfield in 1780. He stated that several tours in 1778 were rendered as substitute for his brother, but did not state the name of said brother. at Tarry Hall one at Short Hills one at Ash Brook
He was allowed pension on his application executed July 31, 1832, at which time he resided in Chatham Township, Morris County, New Jersey. The soldier stated then that he had always lived in said Morris County. At this time, he was referred to as Major Luke Miller, no explanation of this rank given.
It is not stated that Luke Miller was married.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Assistant to Administrator.
Heft time include names of places of battle

July 6, 1933.
BA-J/ILL
Helen M. Wright 161 Harrison Avenue Jersey City, New Jersey.
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the records of Jonathan Thompson, Benjamin Thompson, Daniel Haines Thompson and Luke Miller, soldiers of the Revolutionary War.
A search of the Revolutionary War records fails to show claims for pension or bounty land on file made to the United States based upon service of Jonathan and Daniel Thompson as described by you.
The records of Benjamin Thompson and Luke Miller are furnished you herewith.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Assistant to Administrator.

State of New Jersey County of Morris } ss
Morris Court of Common Pleas, Special term, April, 1833.
On this 10 th day of April, A. D. 1833, personally appeared in open court now sitting, Luke Miller, of Chatham Township in the County & State aforesaid, well known to this Court to be a man of fair character & good standing for veracity & being first duly sworn saith, that he is the same Luke Miller, who, on the 31 st day of July last made his Declaration before this Court to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832. - That at the time of making said Declaration, he was not apprized of the necessity of specifying minutely & in detail , each monthly term of militia service rendered by him in the war of the revolution, & that in the great number of applications then making before the Court, the time was too limited to allow that deliberate recollection & minute recital of events required by the rules of the Pension office, of events which occurred 50 years since. Since making his Declaration, he has reflected more upon his revolutionary services, & desires that this, his amended Declaration may be rec d . by the Secretary of War & the Commissioner of Pensions, as detailing more minutely his several terms of monthly militia duty, than could be done in the haste which seemed unavoidable in his first application to this Court.
In the month of June, 1776, he entered as a volunteer, in the militia company then commanded by Lieutenant Hand - was marched with said company to Elizabet town point, where he was stationed on guard duty, & in throwing up breast works, to defend the landing place against the incursion of the British, who were then in possession of Staten Island directly opposite. - He remained here for the space of two weeks on duty - was then dismissed verbally & went home.
In August of the same year, he again turned out with his class, joined the company then commanded by Capt. Obadiah Kitchell - was again stationed at Elizabet town point, on the lines, performing the same duties as before stated, the Regiment to which he was attached being under command of Col. Ford. This term of duty continued for one month, - he was then dismissed & went home. In October of the same year, he & his class again turned out & joined the company commanded by Capt. Stephen Munson, - marched again to the lines at Elizabet town point, assisted in throwing up breast works & defending the inhabitants. During this term, Genl. Washington's Army retreated through N. Jersey, in the march commonly distinguished by the name of the run -rounds - the British being in close pursuit. - Captain Munson with his company fell into the retreat in rear of Genl. Washington's Army, & followed him to the vicinity of New Brunswick. The Militia of Morris & the neighbouring Counties here filed off towards Bound brook & Pluckemin & were discharged late in December, having served on this term two months & a half. The first month of this term, this deponent was commanded by Captain Munson, & the rest of the term by Captain Day. A large body of the Militia, nearly the whole of this section of the State was in service on this term, under the command of Colonels Bott & Spencer, & General Williamson, as this deponent believes.

On the first of January following, viz: 1777, he engaged to serve three months, in Captain Sylvanus Selys company, (afterward Colonel Selys) in the regiment first commanded by Col. Ford, & afterward by Col. Spencer, in General Maxwell's Brigade. Was employed on the lines, at Eliz. town, Springfield & various other places mostly in Essex County, defending the inhabitants from the enemy then in very considerable force upon Staten Island & New York, & often sending out foraging & plundering parties of Hessian, Tories, & Refugees. — During this 3 months service, there were several severe skirmishes with the enemy — one at a place called Ash-swamp — another at Vaux-hall near Springfield — one at Short hills — in all of which this deponent & his company participated. — In the affair at Vaux-hall, a party of Hessian, returning from an excursion were attacked, 9 of them left on the ground — 50, taken prisoners & sent under a guard to Morristown, the deponent & his company being of the capturing party. — He served out his three months, & was honorably discharged, verbally, the first of April. —
In September of the same year, he was again in Militia service in Captain Daniel Brown's company, & in General Wind's brigade. — Was marched to New Windsor in the State of New York — continued in service one month, was then discharged & returned home. — He served one month in the following winter, & was stationed at Eliz. town upon guard duty, under Col. Selys. He is not certain, whether he served this month under Captain Hall, or Captain Minard. One of the two, he believes, commanded the company, & the month most probably included part of both January & February, 1778. —
In March following, (1778) he served one month in Militia duty, in Captain Ward's company, under command of (then) Major, Daniel Brown. Was stationed upon the lines, performing guard duty, at Eliz. town & other points in Essex County & along the shore opposite Staten Island. —
In June 1778, he performed a tour of Militia duty under Captain John Lindley, as a substitute for his brother. Was marched with his company to Monmouth, & was personally engaged in the battle with the enemy at that place. He continued in service one month & was discharged.
In September following, he served one month in his brother's stead, in Lieutenant John Caldwell's Captain John Lindley's company, — was marched to the Minisink settlement on the Delaware river, under General Wind's orders, upon an expedition against the Indians. — The Indians had burned the settlement & retired, before Genl. Wind's reached the place. He served out the month, & was discharged at Newton, Sussex County, N. Jersey, & returned home. —
In the years 1779, 1780, & 1781, he recollects distinctly to have served a monthly tour of Militia duty, under each one of the following named Captains, viz: Captain Bates, Captain Crane, Captain Hinman, Captain Hall, Captain Day, & Captain Ward. The incursions of the enemy were so numerous, & so often repeated that the alarms were in quick succession & the demand for Militia service was almost constant, the companies & companies going out in alternate monthly tours,

as the urgency of the times demanded. — His memory will not serve him, to fix with certainty, either the precise month, or the year in which these services were performed — nor can he state with accuracy, the order as to time, in which these events occurred — but he conscientiously believes, that he served the full period of one month, as he has stated, under each of the last six Captains, before named. — On every alarm given, he volunteered his services, & never waited to be drafted. — On one of these occasions, the enemy landed in considerable force at Elizabeth town point — over near the County to Newark, Hackensack, Raritan — the Militia collecting from every quarter, & skirmishing with them almost daily, harassing them in their marches, till finally they returned to New York. — Upon another occasion, the enemy came out in force to Connecticut farms in Essex County, where the Militia attacked & annoyed them — the enemy, after burning the Church & some houses in the village, retreated — the Militia hanging upon their skirts.
Upon another occasion the enemy after having retreated from Connecticut farms, again came over to New Jersey with a stronger force, & made their way as far as Springfield, where the Militia, with a part of the Continental troops made a stand against them, & a battle ensued, in which considerable blood was shed on both sides. — The enemy burnt Springfield Church, & many of the dwelling houses in the village, & retreated. The burning of Connecticut farms Church & village, and of Springfield Church & village, were upon different excursions, but both in the same year, & as this deponent believes in the year 1780 & in the warm season of the year, probably in summer.
In all the above instances, & others, which he cannot distinctly particularize, this Deponent was personally & actively engaged, under one or another of the before named Captains, & generally under the command of Colonel Seely & General Windes — other officers being sometimes also present with these commands, & among them, he believes were Major Hays, & Colonel Frelinghuysen, & others not remembered. — Beside the monthly tours which he has thus specified, he was often out upon other alarms, for periods less than a month each — sometimes for two weeks, sometimes for one week, or for a few days, at a time, of which he makes no account, & cannot particularize them.
He can specify but 19 months of service — yet he is fully persuaded, & firmly believes, that he faithfully served his County, the full term of two years, during the war of the Revolution. He claims compensation at least, for the period of nineteen months service, as a private. —
By mistake in his first Declaration, it was stated, that he had no record of his age. — He has a family bible, in which his age is recorded, & from which it appears that he was born September 8 th 1759. & is now in the 75 th year of his age. — He has no documentary proof of his service, excepting the attached deposition of Israel Lum Esq r . annexed to his original Declaration.
Isaac Miller

which deposition he desires may be admitted as proof of his services, so far as the deponent has been able to recollect & narrate them.
Sworn & subscribed in open Court, the day & year first mentioned.
The deponent or rather the Declarant, belongs to the Presbyterian Church & Congregation in Bottle Hill, in which the Reverend Mr. Arms, is Pastor, & is but recently settled there; not having lived in the place more than about six months - & of course can have no personal knowledge, or traditional knowledge of the Revolutionary services of this Deponent. Luke Miller
Sworn and subscribed in open Court - Stephen Dail
I hereby certify to the Secretary of War, & to the Commissioners of Pensions, that I have been personally acquainted with Major Luke Miller, the above Declarant for 30 years past - that his whole life as well as my own, has been spent in this County, & living within 4 miles of each other, his character & standing in society must be well known to me. - It affords me pleasure to state, that to the best of my knowledge & belief, his whole life is as blameless & as far from reproach as any man in the County. That for probity, veracity & integrity, he has the confidence of all who know him, & is universally believed in the neighbourhood where he lives, to have been a substantial Whig & firm friend of his County in the trying times of the Revolution. - I have for myself, the most entire confidence in the truth of all that he has stated as to his personal services in the war, & sincerely hope that his claim will meet with all that consideration to which it is fairly entitled.
Morris town, N. J. Apr. 10 th 1833. -
Lewis Condict , late a Rep n . from the State of N. Jersey.
I, David Day, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, do hereby certify, the above deposition, signed by Luke Miller, is the original amended Declaration of said Miller, taken this day in open Court, in the matter of the application of said Luke Miller for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & seal of my office, this 10 th day of April, A.D. 1833. -
David Day Clk

161 HARRISON AVENUE JERSEY CITY, N. J.
June 22, 1833
Bureau of Pensions Washington, D. C.
My dear Sir:
I have discovered some ancestors that have an interesting Revolutionary War history. I know the wife of one member of the family received a pension but I do not know whether the others did or not. May I ask you for a search of the other members who may have had some service record and may have received pensions.
First I know that Millicent Burnet Thompson widow of Benjamin Thompson who was a Sergeant and private, received a pension in about 1837. Benjamin was born Sept. 1758 and died Oct. 14, 1830; buried in Bottle Hill, N. J. (Madison). He served in N. J. and in New York. Millicent his wife, was born about 1758 and died 1833. Will you kindly verify or correct these statements. and give names of children if known. I know only two of them. They lived in Bottle Hill most of life. OK
Benjamin's brother, Daniel Haines Thompson we believe entered the war in 1778 and was discharged in 1784. Served in some of the same companies with his brother, - in New Jersey. Born 1762 and died 1818 in Mendham, N. J. where he and his wife are buried. not as OK
Major Luke Miller was a brother-in-law of these two, having married their sister. He was son of Andrew Miller of Bottle Hill born 1759 and died 1859. He was married (1) Rachael, (2) Mary.
Helen M. Wright

Thompson Family
2
Jonathan Thompson not us
The father of these three was born 1734 and died 1817 . He was born in Elizabethtown and died there, though he lived in Bottle Hill nearly all his life. We do not know whether he gave any war service himself or not, but if so he probably received a pension. He married (1) Abigail and (2) Rhoda Crane the widow of Isaac Pierson. The first marriage was in 1752 and the second in 1791.
I thank you for an early reply if possible.
Yours truly,
Helen M. Wright - 161 Harrison Av - Jersey City

Rev War
INVALID.
File No. 1059
Duke Miller, Prv. V.I. Line
Act: June 7, 1832.
Index: —Vol. a , Page 256
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1933 - July 6 - Hist to Helen M. Knight, ILL.
Aug. 2 - Letter of Helen M. Knight forwarded to A.G.O - regarding rank of Duke Miller M.P. 1933.