Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 857, Joseph Brittin, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey
Brittin, Joseph
8857
Carded
CONTENTS

17.147 17147
New Jersey
Joseph Britton
of Morris - in the State of N.J. who was a Pri - in the Com commanded by Captain Parker of the Reg commanded by _____ in the N.J.
time for Troops 9 mo
Cavalry 12 mo
Inscribed on the Roll of N.J.
at the rate of 80 Dollars Cents per annum, & commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the - 5 th - day of Aug 1833 and Rent Woon L. Condict Trust
Arrears to the 4th of March 33 $ 16 6
Pemi-anl. allowance ending Sep 4 " 40
$200
{ Revolutionary Claim, { Act June 7, 1832. $
Recorded by E. D. Buellock Clerk, Book E. Vol. 3 Page 102
order to pay. See letter to P. Reg 2 X Hen. L. Condict Nov. 9. 1836 Arrears to pay & letter to S. Condict 17. Sept 1838. S. to Hon. J.W. Miller Aug 9. 1842

Declaration of Joseph Brittin
No 6101.
admit 9 th priv Infantry 12 th priv Cavalry $80-
Hon L. Conditt President

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 30th day of July 1832 personally appeared, in open court, before
the court of Common Pleas now sitting Joseph Britton a resident of the Township of Chatham in the County of Morris and State of New-Jersey, aged Twenty Six 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: I Joseph Britton was born in Bucks
County about 17 miles from Philadelphia in the year 1756 - the record of my age is in the family Bible some where in the State of Pennsylvania among my family or friends - the last I new of was in the hands of Mary - where I was called into the United States Service in the Militia in the year 1776. I was then living at Basking Ridge the place where I had lived for some time - I went out under the command of Capt John Parker of Basking Ridge Warren County - I went over on Bergen County - and staid there some time. I have lived in my native State Pennsylvania since the year 1784 - untill 1822. Since that period I have lived mostly in the County of Morris - New Jersey - I was called into the Militia Service by Capt John Parker as aforesaid, was at the Battle of Bound Brook under his command - I think in the year 1777. He was the commander of the Company in pursuing the British army through Elizabeth Town , and Newark to Second River - Genl. Mines Commanding - we marched to Skullers Mine - and Belleville - we had a skirmage with the British at that place - Some time after, period I enrolled myself in Capt Jacob Arnold Troop of Horse at Morris Town and found my own Horse and equipped myself in complete order - and was in his Troop at the Battle of Kingston in Essex County - I continued in the Troop of Horse performing various duties - for some time; after that I was chosen as one of the body guard of Governor Livingston : went with him as he went to

Princeton at the meeting of the Governor and Council I also attended the Court at New Ark. and was with the Governor at Philadelphia and conversed with him executing various duties. I was with Genl. Morris at Redbank and had a skirmage with the British at Red- bank. I had also been in the service of my country conveying munitions of war to various parts of the country under the Honourable Henry Southard then waggon Master - and remained in service for some time cant say how long, dont recollect - I continued in Colt Jacob Morris's Troop of Horse untill close of the Revolutionary war - I never asked for a discharge nor did I obtain one. - I refer the Court to William Fittle and Israel Ganfield ————— as to my character for veracity in their beliefs of my services as a soldier of the Revolution - and that I have no witness now living to prove my service in the Revolutionary war - the whole period of service in the Revolutionary war is at least one year -

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
Joseph Britton
William Little & Israel Canfield, residing in the County of Morris hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Joseph Britton who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy six 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.
Wm Little
William Britton
Israel Canfield
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 William Little
who has signed the preceding certificate, is a resident in the Township of Morris in the County aforesaid, and that Israel Canfield who has also signed the same, is a resident in the Township and County aforesaid and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credul.
William Britton
Stephen Vail
Silas Lindley
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 Joseph Britton for a pension.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this thirtieth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
David Day Clk

This Bureau can furnish the military record of only such Revolutionary soldiers as were pensioned or whose widows were pensioned for their services.
Such of the original muster and pay rolls of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 as are now in the possession of the Government are on file in the Record and Pension Office, War Department. Original rolls and other records pertaining to service in the Revolutionary War may also be found on file in the archives of many of the original States.
L. W. B.
I. 857.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C.,
O. W. & N. DIV.
REVOLUTIONARY.
November 18th, 1897.
Sir:-
Replying to your request for information concerning Joseph Britton, a soldier of the Revolutionary war, I have the honor to advise you that he made an application for pension on July 30, 1832, at which time he was 76 years of age and residing at Chathan, Morris County, New Jersey, and his pension was allowed for one year and nine months' actual service as a private in the New Jersey troops, Revolutionary war; a part of the time he served under Capt. Parker. He enlisted at Baskinridge, New Jersey.
Very respectfully,
Acting Commissioner.
Mr. John D. Biddis,
Bureau of Construction & Repairs,
Navy Department, City.

Nov. 18/87 John D. Biddis, Navy Dept. City - July 24, 1905 History to Adjt Gen of Mendenhall thro 1st Deputy Commr
New York
INVALID.
File No. 875 Joseph Britton Dist. N. J. Line
Act June 7 1832
Index :— Vol. 9 , Page 41
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Division.
Department of the Interior,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Washington, D. C. Nov 17 1897
No. Claim,
Cert. No.
Claimant,
Soldier,
Co. FIRST CITY Reg't
Respectfully
Referred to Hon. James L. Davenport Acting Comr of Pensions with request that if proper, the information desired may be given to the writer Mr John S. Biddle Bureau of Coast & Revenue Navy Department Wash. D.C.
L. H. Meinigfield P. of Rev.
Chief of Division.

Dear Sir,
Joseph Britton, whose papers are enclosed for your inspection, has been travelling from place to place this summer & has not applied till now for his pension & there is due therefor 12 months pay. By a recent regulation or instruction recd. from you, it must be sent to the Commissioner's Office before payment. - He has long been personally known to me. You will see by your files, that his supplemental Declaration & some depositions in his case, were prepared & presented by me. - It will be obliging him very much, to have your decision sent to me, with the power of attorney, as soon as may suit your convenience.
Yours with esteem
Morris town, N. Jersey, Oct. 25 th 1836.
Lewis Condict
Jas. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions.

Jas. L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington.

Suate Chama Aug 8 1842
Dear Sir
I have been requested to make the following inquiries as to previous
1 as to Dr Moses Elmer when it commenced? How much back pay was due date of certificate of his years pay etc
2 The same as Joseph Britton both of New Jersey Your answer to the above will oblige Yours Respectfully J. W. Miller

Yrs
L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington

Sept 6/14 Kurt W. W. van
32

Morris town N. J. Sept. 10 th 38
Dear Sir,
The Pension of Joseph Britton not having been applied for since Sept. 1837 - it becomes necessary under the regulations of the Department to submit the papers herein enclosed to your examination. If approved - will you be kind enough to return them as early as may be practicable to Philemon Dickinson Esq. Pay Agent at Trenton with your directions thereunto?
Very respectfully &c.
Yours
Levi Condict
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commission of Pensions.

State of New Jersey } Morris County } Be it known, that on this 23 d day of July, 1833, before the subscriber, a Justice of peace in & for said County, personally came Joseph Britton, formerly of Morris County, but now residing occasionally in Philada. aged 77 years, & being duly sworn saith, that he is the same Joseph Britton, who on the 30 th July 1832, made his Declaration before the Court of Common Pleas in said County, to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of June 7 th 1832, - which Decla- ration has been returned for amendment, principally for want of specification as to the periods of the revolution in which he served, & the length of his service. - In the little time allowed for making his declaration before the Court, he could not give to the subject that reflection which was necessary to enable him to enter into details, nor to recall to his mem- -ory all the services which he actually rendered his Country. His memory is very frail, but he has since the return of his Declaration, reflected much on the subject, & desires the Secretary of War & Commissioner of Pensions to receive this his supplemental Declara- tion, as giving a more full recital of his various tours of Militia duty. -
In the beginning of the revolution he resided in Baskingridge, Somerset County, N. Jersey, within the bounds of the Militia Company commanded by Capt. John Joseph Packer under whom most of his services were performed. - The Militia were divided, & each half were to perform duty in tours of alternate months, & when the service was urgent, by reason of the enemy overrunning the Country, the whole body of Militia were out, some- times for longer periods than a month, sometimes for life. -
In the year 1776, he performed four tours of monthly service, as he believes, each under command of Capt. Packer. The first was at the time of, or immediately following the battle of Long Island, soon after the enemy took possession of New York harbor & Long Island. He was stationed with his company in Bergen County at the ferry on Hackensack river, performing guard duty. - He thinks Col. Isaac Ford of Morris County had command. The Redbacks & Asse, men of War came into New York harbor & lay in the bay, whilst he was on this duty. Continued in service one month - was dismissed & went home. - This tour he thinks was late in July, & embraced also a part of August. - The enemy soon took possession of Staten Island, opposite the Jersey shores, & very soon sent out their scouting & plundering parties to annoy the inhabitants. Deponent was again soon called out with his company & was stationed at Elizabeth town point, to guard the landing places, & protect the inhabitants. He thinks Col. Drake, or Col. Ford had command, but is not certain. He served out his month & was discharged, early in October, as he thinks. - In the same month October following as he thinks, he was again

T. ordered out with his company under Capt. Parker, & joined a large body of Militia under Colonel or General Winder at Elizabeth town when the enemy came in considerable force - followed them through Newark & had a severe skirmish with them at Belleville, or Second river, as it was then called. - Recollects the enemy fired on the Militia from a corn field, where a part of their force was concealed in ambush. He saved out the mouth, was discharged & went home. - In a very short time, a very few days, as he thinks - the enemy being in great force & overrunning the whole of the Eastern part of N. Jersey, the Militia were ordered out in large bodies, probably the whole, that were able to bear arms, he & his whole company were ordered out with their officers upon the lines in the neighbourhood of Elizabeth town, to protect the inhabitants & guard the landing places along the shore. - General Washington with his army soon passed through N. Jersey, retreating before the enemy toward Pennsylvania, the Militia following in his rear. The British army took up its winter quarters in N. Brunswick, & continued to annoy the people around the country, with their foraging & plundering parties, which kept the Militia in constant service nearly the whole of the winter of 76, 77. This Deponent & his company did not accompany the American army further than the neighbourhood of N. Brunswick, & soon returned to the neighbourhood of Elizt. town where they were stationed for the rest of their time. He thinks they were out on this tour of duty as much as six weeks, returning home after being discharged, in cold weather, probably some time late in December, but before the capture of the Hessians at Trenton.
Early in the spring following viz: 1777, his company was again ordered out for the defence of the frontier opposite Staten Island & was stationed near Elizabeth town for one month, on guard duty. This was probably in the latter part of March & early in April. In the summer following (June he thinks) he was ordered out with his company, & was stationed one month, performing guard duty at Bound Brook, the enemy being in possession of N. Brunswick. A party of them coming out, a severe skirmish was had with them near Bound Brook on the Raritan, where the Militia were assembled in considerable force, under the command of Colonel Taylor of Hunterdon & Col. Philipheyser, as he thinks, but is not certain. He saved out the mouth & was discharged. - He was out again upon orders, with his company, & stationed for one month, near Elizabeth town point, performing guard duty, in hot weather, (he thinks in August) protecting the inhabitants from plundering parties of the enemy coming from Staten Island. And another month in the same year, in the fall season (probably in October) performing the same duty, at the same place, under Captain Parker. The superior officers, he does not recollect in these two last tours - but thinks that

Colonel Seely or Colonel Wind, commanded. —
He was stationed another month with his company in the same year, performing guard duty, part of the month at Van Keuren's Bridge upon the Raritan river, & part of the month at Bound Brook — the enemy still occupying N. Brunswick, & annoying the Country by their foraging & plundering parties. — He believes this month's service was prior to that last mentioned — the month he cannot tell, but it was in warm weather . He cannot remember who had command of the Militia assembled on the Raritan, but thinks it was a Col. l of the Somerset or Hunterdon Militia, whose name he does not remember.
In the spring season of 1778, he believes in April , he performed a month's Militia duty at Elizabeth town, guarding the lines & inhabitants, under command of his company officers. He is not certain what officer had the principal command, but thinks it was General Wind. — In the summer of 1778, in June (or more probably in May) he joined the Company of Cavalry commanded by Captain Jacob Arnold of Morris town, D r . William Liddel Lieut. l — Scouting parties of the enemy, conducted by Tories & Refugees, were continually devastating the Country & carrying off to the prison ship & S r John's house in N. York the most influential Whigs & leading men of the Country. — Governor Livingston, whose residence was near Elizabeth town, was obliged to flee from place to place in the neighbouring Counties, & rarely slept two nights in succession at the same house. A body guard was assigned the Governor, consisting of six men, & detailed or detached from Capt. Arnold's troop, under command of Sergeant John Wick, of which guard this Deponent was one. This guard constantly attended Governor Livingston, escorting him from place to place, whithersoever his public duties called him. He was in regular correspondence with Genl. Washington, taking measures to recruit the Army — to provide stores & facilities for the movements & operations of the Army & Militia — going frequently to Trenton, Princeton, Amboy, Morris town, Philadelphia & elsewhere, where his public duty called — sometimes to attend the Council of Safety, sometimes to meet the Legislature, sometimes to attend a Council of the General Officers of the Army, & his body guard, with this Deponent as one, to escort him. The Govt. & his guard were at the junction of the two branches of the Raritan river for several days, whilst the British Army lay in N. Brunswick. He was in constant service as one of the aforesaid guard, employed in active constant duty for four months, in the summer & fall of 1778. — In October 1778, he was with Captain Arnold, whole troop at Hackensack, on duty — watching the movements of the enemy, & actively engaged in a skirmish with them near that place. Continued in that service for one month, & returned home, being discharged. — In the year following (1779) he was

stationed with part of his company of horse at Elizabethtown & its vicinity, reconnoitring the enemy - watching & reporting their various movements, & intercepting their scouts, sent over from time to time from Staten Island & N. York. He thinks this was in May. He continued performing this kind of service for a month & was discharged. - In the course of this year he was ordered out, & continued in service for two months, in separate tours, under Subaltern officers, performing the same duty as stated in his last tour, in different parts of Ulster County at Newburgh, the farms Elizabethtown & near Haverback. The first of these tours was in hot weather, probably in July & August, & the last one in the fall season. -
In June 1780, he was out with Captain Arnold one month at Springfield & its neighbourhood - & was personally present & engaged with his company in the Springfield battle when the valley & Concord were burnt. - He was out another month in the same summer, & with his company officers, at Connecticut Farms, & was in the thickest of that place when it was burnt, & Mr. Paton shot, with his infant in his arms. - In 1781 - whilst Genl. Washington had gone to Yorktown, Depeyster & his Company were stationed on duty at N. Brunswick for one month, he & a company of volunteers composed of 70 men, formed a plan of taking some British stores on Staten Island by surprise, opposite the Blazing Star ferry. Boats for the purpose, were constructed at N. Brunswick landing, which conveyed the men in the night, down the Raritan, & past Amboy - but intelligence having been given the enemy, the attempt failed, the company returned up the river. Passing Amboy on their return, they were fired upon by some British vessels in the harbour, but they made good their retreat. - This Depeyster is confident he has not stated all the services he performed in the war - but he states all that he can recollect & specify. - He is very conscious of the frailty of his memory, & hopes that a reasonable indulgence will be extended to him, in recalling events which occurred more than 50 years since. He is probably in some respects incorrect as to dates, & names of his officers. In all the leading facts & duration of his service, he is conscientious in the belief, that they will be found substantially true, according to the best of his remembrance.
He believes that at the least, he has performed 9 months of Infantry service in the years 1776, 77, & 78, - as a private, & 12 months of service as a mounted Dragoon or horseman in 1778, 79, 80 & 81 - making in all, a term of 21 months, for which he claims a pension.
Sworn & subscribed before me at Kingston this 23 d July, 1833.
Joseph Britton
Notary Public

State of New Jersey Morris County ss. I David Day Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Morris aforesaid do hereby certify that William Brittin Esquire before whom the fore- -going Deposition was taken, was at the time of the taking thereof a Justice of the peace duly Commissioned and sworn, and that full faith and credit are due to his official acts as such Justice and that the signature William Brittin thereto annexed is his genuine signature
In testimony whereof I have here- unto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said Court at Morris Town the twenty seventh day of July A. D. Eighteen hundred thirty three
David Day Clk

State of New Jersey Morris County ss -
Personally appeared before me Moses Beach one of the Justices of the peace, in and for the County of Morris & State of New Jersey -
Aaron Condit Minister of the gospel in Hanover in the County & State aforesaid who certified and said I have been long acquainted with Joseph Britton who made on the 30 th day of July 1832, a Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 and also an additional Declaration on the 23 d of July 1833 - I believe said Declarations to be true - I believe him to be of the age which he states - that he is respected and beloved in this neighbourhood and other neighbourhoods where he has resided, to have been a sol- dier of the Revolution; and I concur in that opinion
Sworn & Subscribed before me Aaron Condit - This 24 th day of July A.D. 1833
Moses Beach Justice of the Peace
I hereby certify that the Rev. Aaron Condit is now, & has been for the period about 40 years or more, the Pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Hanover Morris County N. J. & that the signature of his name to the above deposition is genuine. - Moses Beach, is known to me to be a Justice of the peace in said County, & I believe the signature of his name to the deposition is also genuine. Morris town, N. J. July 24 th 1833 - Lewis Condit, late a Refugee from N. Jersey.

Israel Canfield of the town and County of Morris State of New Jersey being called upon this day by Joseph Brittin a fellow Soldier of the Revolutionary War to testify what knowledge I possess of the services performed by the S. Joseph. I do hereby testify and make known to all whom it may concern that I knew the said Joseph Brittin as a mounted soldier or trooper in the year 1778 in the Horse company or troop commanded by Capt Jacob Arnold of Morris County New Jersey of which troop or company I was myself a Member. The term of service performed by the S. Joseph Brittin in said troop I cannot particularly state as some time during that year I quit the company my place being supplied by a prudent substitute. But I have good reason to believe from the knowledge I had of the S. Joseph during the War of the Revolution and up to this time that he continued to be a Member of S. Troop and performed various services up to the close of the Revolutionary War and that he is at this time a Man of Respectability and good standing in Society for Integrity and Sobriety and further this deponent saith not.
Israel Canfield Subscribed and sworn to at Morristown New Jersey before me this eighth day of July A.D. 1833
Charles Freeman J. Pease
I hereby certify that Charles Freeman Esq. before whom the above deposition of Israel Canfield Esq. was taken, is a justice of peace in & for Morris County New Jersey, & that the signature of his name thereto is genuine.
The deponent, Israel Canfield Esq. is well known to me as a man of strict integrity & high regard for truth.
Morristown N. Jersey, July July 10 th , 33.
Lewis Condict, late a Rep r . from N. Jersey.

FILE WITH CASE
Inv. File # 857
State of New Jersey.
Office of Adjutant General.
Trenton, July 21, 1905.
The Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Sir:
The Revolutionary pension case of John Wick, Widow No. 4103, contains the affidavit of Joseph Brittan, who was residing at Schenectady, New York, in 1845, and who claims service in Captain Jacob Arnold's Troop, Morris County, New Jersey Militia. Will you please inform me whether this Joseph Brittan was a pensioner, and if so, the number of his claim?
Inv 857 Per War
Very respectfully,
R. Haberbaum
Adjutant-General.
FILE WITH CASE
Attention and reply through desk. R. Dreyfuss First Deputy Commissioner.
10/3/05