Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 8181, for Christopher Philhower, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey
Philhower, Christopher R 8181
CONTENTS
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for handwritten entries.
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for handwritten entries.

Mrs Young -
P.W. Young

State of New Jersey
Hunterdon County ss. Be it known that before me Isaac G. Hasley one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the said County of Hunterdon personally appeared Philip Young and Elizabeth Young his wife of full age, who being duly cautioned and then sworn in due form of law, state that Elizabeth Young is the wife of Philip Young and the daughter of Christopher Philhower, who was a Revolutionary Soldier in the State of New Jersey - that he died on the 22 nd of February A.D. Eighteen hundred and Forty Six - and that the said Elizabeth Young's mother named Elizabeth Philhower died on the 24 th of May 1834 and that the said Christopher and Elizabeth were married on the 22 nd day of March A.D. 1792 - and that they were residents of the Township of Lebanon in the County of Hunterdon aforesaid, and that they resided there until they respectively - died -
And we do hereby appoint, constitute, and fully empower and authorize, invariable and with power of Substitution George H. Brown Esq. of the County of Somerset in the State of New Jersey as our true and lawful attorney for us and in our name and stead, to examine into, to prosecute, to demand, and to receive from the United States Government and State officers - the rights in all and in any manner of Claim. In Pensions, Land, in any form whatever - that

may be due the sum of the said Christopher Philhower deq - which are as follows to wit. Catharine Morgan widow of Arthur Morgan & wife Christopher Philhower - - Mary Spigar wife of Adam Spigar, Charity wife of Adam Phil hower - George Philhower, Elizabeth Young wife of Philip Young, Sarah Struble wife of William Struble - - the said Chris- topher Philhower having died without the said Pension - as we right he may let him be entitled
In witness whereof we the said Philip Young and Elizabeth Young have here unto set our hands and seals this thir- teenth day of November A.D. Eighteen hundred and fifty two -
Witness my hand Isaac G. Farlee
Philip his mark Young
Elizabeth her mark Young
Signed sealed acknowledged and sworn to before me, and I further certify that Elizabeth Young is the wife of Philip Young and always by the community been known as the daughter of Christopher Philhower deq.
Dated on this thirteenth day of November 1852.
Isaac G. Farlee, Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Huntingdon County

Christopher Phelps
24488.
Certificates to be sent to G. Bartles. Huntington N. Jersey.
8181
pen harbor New U.S. and the in
The next time... — years from now... the next time...

State of New Jersey, Hunterdon county, ss: On this fifteenth day of August, in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open court before the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the county of Hunterdon now sit- ting Christopher Shellehoover now a resident of the Township of Raritan  Bethlehem in the county of Hunterdon & State of New Jersey aged sixty eight years & upwards who being first duly sworn according to Law on his oath maketh the following declaration in order to ob- tain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832. — I was born in the Township of Tewksbury & county, aforesaid, my age I do not certainly know but think I am will be sixty nine in October. — I have no record of my age. — I lived in the Township of Tewks- bury aforesaid when the Revolutionary war took place where I always resided until about 4 or 5 years ago when I removed to Bethlehem. I entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as follows. 1 st I volunteered in 1777. the month I cannot recollect, about the age of fifteen under Capt. Elias Godfrey Rhinehart. William Elyk lieutenant, Ele- nezer Berry was Major & John Taylor was Colonel General Dickinson commanded We went to Elizabeth- town. General Dickinson commanded there. While there I was among those who went over to Staten Island to engage the Tories, then there. Major Heard commanded us. Colonels Taylor, Seely, & Frelinghuysen was in the same engagement. The Tories being reinforced we they were compelled to retreat. — At this time served one month. — The next town was in the spring ensuing when I went out under Capt. Cooper. (I think John Porter was Lieutenant) to Elizabethtown. I think

State of New Jersey, Hunterdon county ss: on this fifteenth day of August in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open court before the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the county of Hunterdon now sit- ting Christopher Shellehoover now a resident of the Township of Raritan  Bethlehem in the county of Hunterdon & state of New Jersey aged sixty eight years & upward who being first duly sworn according to Law on his oath maketh the following declaration in order to ob- tain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 1832. — I was born in the Township of Tewksbury & county, aforesaid, my age I do not certainly know but think I am will be sixty nine in October. — I have no record of my age. — I lived in the Township of Tewks- bury aforesaid when the Revolutionary war took place when I always resided until about 4 or 5 years ago when I removed to Bethlehem. I entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as follows. 1 st . I volunteered in 1777. the month I cannot recollect, about the age of fifteen under Capt. Calvin Godfrey Rhinehart. William Eyre lieutenant, Ele- nazar Berry was Major & John Taylor was Colonel  General Dickinson commanded We went to Elizabeth- town. General Dickinson commanded there. While there I was among those who went over to Staten Island to engage the Tories, then there Major Heard commanded us. Colonels Taylor, Seely, & Frelinghuysen was in the same engagement. The Tories being reinforced they were compelled to retreat. — At this time served one month. — The next tour was in the spring ensuing when I went out under Capt. Cooper. (I think John Porter was Lieutenant) to Elizabethtown. I think 2. — Heard was Major. — I was there one month. —
The next tour which I before overlooked when relating was under Captain Rhinehart, Ebenezer Berry was Major and John Taylor Colonel, we went to Springfield and was there during the engage- ment at that place and engaged in it. General Maxwell was there. The next tour was I think in 1780 when he went.

under Captain Tebrook. John Reed was Lieutenant. We went up the Delaware after the Indians up into New York. There was a party of Pennsylvanians with us. The Hoard of the Indians but could not overtake them. —
3. I was out this time one month & was discharged. —
The next tour was under Captain Perrine. Reed was Lieutenant. in the latter part of the summer of the same year about 1780. We went to Elizabethtown and were engaged in traversing the country round there. Sometimes at Newark & sometimes at Hackensack. Colonel Seely was there. —
Perrine was a young man had no family & we were all young who were in the company so that we staid this tour 2 months. — I was also out several times
in alarms when we were out sometimes 6 week. Sometimes I think one alarm we went all the way to Hackensack. I think I can safely say I was out all together in
7. these different alarms two months. In the Spring of 1781. we enlisted with Capt. Read for three months, as they were to rendezvous at Morristown
He went there and attached myself to Capt. Peake's Company in Col. Seely's Regiment of volunteers. William Hearn was the Lieutenant of the Company. John Porter was our Mayor. — There were about 1500 at Morristown
We marched from there to Dobbs ferry on the North river where General Washington's army then lay.
17. We staid there until the month of August when the so engaged in active service, as scouting parties & when the whole army removed. I marched through New Jersey on their way to Maryland. We staid at Newark by the command of General Washington to protect the country & was there engaged until in December of the same year. We marched all through the neighbouring country sometimes almost up to Dobbs ferry again. I think I enlisted sometime in March & was out under this

sometimes almost up to Dobbs ferry again. I think I enlisted sometime in March & was out under this
enlistment nine months. While at Dobbs ferry and on the march back. I saw very many of the superior officers of the army. Genl Washington, La Fayette, Wayne etc. Our discharges in the militia were only verbal. My memory has so failed that I cannot recollect the place & months precisely when I was out. —
I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and I do declare that my name is not on any pension roll or agency of any state. John Blaine and John Powers can testify as to some of my military service. I do not know any others who are living who was with me. —
Sworn and subscribed this Chris Philhower
15 th day of August. 1832
in open court, "the tour to Springfield being first not appended"
J. Thompson Huntingdon County p: John Powers of the Township of Lewistown, afid being duly sworn according to Law on his oath saith that he is upwards of seventy seven years old. He is acquainted with Christopher Philhower the within named applicant and has been as long as he can recollect. He was with him two tours in the Revolution once at Elizabethtown, and once at Springfield when the Battle before mentioned took place there. I also heard of his being out in 1781. a term of 8 or 9 months together. —
Sworn and subscribed in John Powers open court this 15. Aug. 1832
J. Thompson
Benj. Engert

Hunterdon County ss.
We Isaac G Farlee and Charles Bartle of the Township of Amwell do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Christopher Phillimore who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be upwards of sixty eight years of age, that he is reputed & believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to & subscribed in open court this 18 th August 1832 J. Thompson
Isaac G. Farlee C. Bartle.
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 Isaac G Farlee and Charles Bartle who have signed the preceding certificate are freeholders resident in the county of Hunterdon and are credible persons and their statement is entitled to credit. And the said court further certifies that the said applicant is personally known to some of the members of this court and esteemed a man of truth & veracity but poor & in indigent circumstances and that they put confidence in his statements.
Done in open court. August Term 1832
J. Thompson Prov t Expert Rich d C. Coe
To be sent to C. Bartle, Flemington N. J. 24488 Christopher Phillimore

State of New Jersey Hunterdon county ss. I. Benjamin Egbert one of the Judges of the Superior Court of common pleas of the county of Hunterdon do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with John Sower the witness who has sworn to the foregoing affidavit and that full faith & credit is to be given to his statements in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 22 nd day of June AD 1833.
Benj m Egbert
State of New Jersey Hunterdon county ss. Christopher Philhower the person who hath sworn to the foregoing the foregoing declaration being duly sworn according to law on his oath saith since making the foregoing declaration he hath recollected one tour that was not stated in the foregoing decla- ration that went out under Capt John Reed Lieutenant about 1818. marched from the White House to Trenton from thence back to Bordelles Ferry on the Delaware where we crossed the Delaware and joined the army that was guarding Congress while they were removing to Allentown in Pennsylv- vania. Deponent staid there for some time as a guest to Congress while they sat at Allentown. I was out on this tour two months & upwards. I was also at the battle of Monmouth in June 1778. Col Taylor was our Colonel there. I think John Reed was Captain I recollect going with Dennis Wryhoff Esq. who is now dead to the battle of Monmouth. I recollect seeing General Lee at Monmouth.

saw Washington also there the night before the battle I was on duty all night & the next day Washington ordered us to be relieved from duty in the morning we went about the middle of the day. put to guard the baggage waggon. which we did on this tour. I was out one month. and the said Christopher Phelhower on his oath farther saith that by reason of old age & the consequent loss of his memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his services but according to the best of his memory he served not less than the period below mentioned below in the following periods for one year and eight months. I served as a private and for such service I claim a pension.
Sworn subscribed before me the subscriber one of the Judges of the court of common pleas of the county of Hunterdon aforesaid this 8 th day of September AD 1833
Chas Phelhower
Geo. Henry
State of New Jersey Hunterdon county I Isaac G. Farlee clerk of the Superior court of common pleas of the county of Hunterdon do hereby that the foregoing contains the original proceedings had before the said court of common pleas of the county of Hunterdon. in the matter of the applica- tion of Christopher Phelhower for a pension I do further certify that John Thompson Benjamin Egbert. Richard Cox and

George Henry Esquire. who have signed the preceding certificates I tested the foregoing affidavits were respectfully at the time of the signing thereof Judges of the said court and that their signatures to the same are genuine - In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the said court this fifteenth day of October in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred thirty three 1833.
Isaac G. Farlea. clerk

Rev. and 1812 War Section.
auz
October 16, 1925
Freeman Leigh 11 Court St Newark, N. J.
Sir:
I have to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, R. 8181, it appears that Christopher Philhower was born in October 1763 at Tewksbury Township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey.
While residing at said place, he served from in 1777 to in 1781 at various times as a private in the New Jersey Troops, under Captains Godfrey Rinehart, Tenbrook, Cooper, Perrine, John Reed, Rickey and Colonels John Taylor and Seeley and was in the battles of Springfield and Staten Island.
He applied for pension August 15, 1832, while a resident of Bethlehem, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, but the claim was not allowed, as he failed to furnish specific proof of the services.
Soldier married March 22, 1792, Elizabeth, her

maiden name is not stated. She died May 4, 1834 in Lebanon Township, New Jersey, and he died February 22, 1846 at same place.
A daughter, Elizabeth, wife of Philip Young, is referred to in 1852.
The above noted Christopher Philhower is the only Revolutionary War soldier of that name, on account of whose services pension was claimed.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner.
I did not give names of heirs - as they did state relationship

1925-Adj. 16-14-211 to the Freeman Sargt. and
8181
P. O. Christopher Phillips
Service: _____
REJECTED
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
The printed list of 1852 shows reasons for suspension Alleges: "For further proof and specification"
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Cont
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

New Jersey Rev. Act 7. June 1832 Christopher Philhower
Suspended
Letter to C. Bartles Nov. 8. 1833

6. Battles
8. Nov. 1833
O. E.
Recd. Vol. 29. p. 122.

War Dept
P.C.
Dec 8. 1833
Sir
The declaration of Christopher Philhower alleges various services in the militia of New Jersey from 1777 to 1781 amounting as he states states in his additional declaration to twenty months. service . The claimant is shown to have been but 68 years old and was at of course 16 when he alleges he entered the service. Service in the militia before the military age cannot be allowed unless distinctly proved in detail. As the militia of New Jersey was elapsed by law each class called out in rotation the duration of some of the terms stated by him are inconsistent with the course of the service, unless he served in permanent corps which should be shown with the officers, places of service and all the particulars required by the regulations. The best proof of each term of service must also be produced - and it should be stated after particularizing the service at each term whether there are survivors by whom it may be proved. The present papers are placed on file. A new declaration upon these principles should  to be forwarded when a decision upon the claim will be made. 6 Bartles & Fleming N J

Chris. Philhower
San Jacinto
✓
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Christopher Philhower 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? 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 page 5 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's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? No
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?
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?
No, See para 16
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 each 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. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement ; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
†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 authenticates 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 ends 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.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

11 Court St Newark. N.J. Oct 13, 1925
Commr of Pensions
Dear Sir
To join the S. A. R. please advise when the pension of Christopher (or Christian) Philhower, of the N.J. State troops was terminated by death He was a pensioner as late as 1840, from the Rev- olutionary War
Yours very resp Freeman Leigh.

11 Court St Newark N.J. Sept 8, 1925
Commiss of Pensions Dear Sir
Records show that one Christopher (or Christian) Phil- hower served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War from Hunterdon County, N.J. & was receiving a pension for such service as late as 1840, possibly under the act of 1832. His wife's name was Elizabeth Fox. Possibly your records would show the date of termination of the pension by death. Then the Philhower Family loss in could go to the news-

paper files and determine the place of burial. The descendants are very anxious to locate his grave & erect a memorial over it. So you see this information is requested for a worthy object & the date of his death from your left will help considerably.
Yours very resp Freeman Leigh.