Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 9816, Nicholas Bigelar, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey
Bigelar, Nicholas
S 9816
CONTENTS
barded

Albany 31.800
Nicholas Bigelar
of Schenectady Co. in the State of N. York who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Frazier of the regt. commanded by in the N. Jersey Militia line for 7 months & 2 days,
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 23 Dollars 55 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 th day of Sept. 1840 and sent to Henry Day Conesawango. N.Y.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1841 235.50 Semi-annual allowance ending Sept. " 11.77
$247.27
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk, Book E. 2. Vol. 11. Page 7.
Letter to Alt. agent to Henry Day, Apr 6. 1841
" Hon. W. T. Jackson 6 th May 1850

State of New York } Cattaraugus County }
On this ninth day of July 1889 personally appeared before me Thomas J. Wheeler Esq. a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County of Cattaraugus and State of New York Nicholas Bigelar resident of the town of Leon in the County of Cattaraugus and State of New York aged Ninety two three years who being first duly sworn according to law on his oath made the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers and served as herein stated That he was born in the year Seventeen hundred forty seven  six in the City of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania That in the time of the Revolutionary War he resided in the town of Bethlehem in the County of Hunterdon in the State of New Jersey That he has no record of his age but has kept it only from recollection That he volunteered his services as a private for the term of Six months in the State troops of the State of New Jersey under Capt David Fraser and Colonel Dayton That he first marched to Elizabethtown in said State of New Jersey and from there to Kingsbridge and back to Elizabethtown cannot recollect the year he entered the service but thinks he was one of the members of the first troops that were raised in the said State That about the time his said Six months expired he with the other troops to which he belonged marched to and onto Long Island and was present at a Battle fought there with the enemy and that at the Battle General Arnold had Evans as he was then informed

That in consequence of superior force in the part of the enemy the Americans were forced to retreat that a portion of the American troops in the retreat returned to New Jersey and this deponent with them. That on his return to the main army saw General Washington who as he was then informed was on his return from Philadelphia that soon after the Battle he returned home and remained at home about six weeks. That he then volunteered his service for the term of one month under Captain Fauntleroy and Col. Beane which service he performed at Amboy in said State of New Jersey that the enemy at that time were on Staten Island. That at the expiration of this month's service he returned home and remained about one month and again volunteered for one month under Captain Cornelius Cooch but does not recollect the name of his Colonel that during this month's service he was stationed at Amboy and while there one of the enemy's army vessels sailing sailing to and fro called the Red Bank. That he saw also General Taylor and General Maxwell. That at the expiration of this month's service he returned home and remained about one month and again vol- unteered for one month under Captain Francis Smith and Morris and was stationed at Springfield in said State of New Jersey. That a company of about three hundred was also stationed at Springfield called Ranges. That the American troops while there were attacked by the enemy called British and Hessians and that a sharp engagement was had of about two hours when the Americans

1 1 Our Victorious and Success in driving the Enemy back and over a Stream of Water and that the Enemy took up the Bridges over the Stream thereby preventing pursuit of the Ammunition troops. That during this Battle Capt Lock was killed and that this Regiment with his own hand shoved the said Captain after he was killed and helped to lay him in his Coffin which his friends came to take and carried him away for interment Think that Capt Lock had Command until he was killed. Thinks that there was no Colonel in Command then at this time. That Soon After this Battle he again returned home and remained about one month and again Volunteered for one month under Captain Jacob Coehorst and Col Dayton and Newberrie etc. and was stationed at Elizabethtown. That at the expiration of this month he again returned home and remained about one month and again Volunteered for one month under Capt Grummetke and Col Beadon and was stationed at Bergen Point in said State. That nothing of importance took place while there. That he remained at this place during his month and then returned home and remained about one month and then again Volunteered for one month under Captain Grummetke Maj Haldrey and Colonels Sayers and Newberrie etc. a place called Piamus in said State of New Jersey. That in this month to this place passed through Morristown Gen General Washington then who met the troops and gave orders. That at the expiration of this month's service he returned home.

Making in all that he served in the State Troops and Militia of the State of New Jersey twelve months That he did not at any time receive any written discharge from his officers but that at the expiration of each term of service was dismissed by his officers and permitted to return home.
That he further declares upon his solemn oath that after remaining at home about six months next after his last term of service expired he then enlisted into the service of the United States for the term of three years on joining the War Union Captain John Moffitt is not certain of the name of the Colonel commanding the Regiment to which he belonged but that it was either Col Thomas Reading or Col Brock is not certain which was personally acquainted with the two He further declares that he cannot recollect the day this enlistment was made but that it was on the twenty day of July and from his best recollection is very sure he enlisted in the Gear Seventy fourth and Seventy fifth That soon after his enlistment he marched to and was stationed at a place called Mill Stone in the State of New Jersey That he remained there until the summer after his enlistment That while at Mill Stone the American troops were frequently attacked on their outposts by the enemy and this regiment was itself frequently engaged there in That there was also a General Engagement of the Army at this place and that the Americans were victorious that the American loss was small compared with that of the enemy.

111 Cannot recollect the Year this Battle was fought but is sure it was in the cold season. Does not recollect the names of all the Officers with whom he was acquainted that was in this Battle. That General Maffield was one of the Officers then in Command. That from this place he was moved and was stationed at Princeton in the said State. That he was present at a Battle fought at Princeton. Does not recollect the Year this Battle was fought but is sure he is right in saying it was on the third day of December. That General Maffield had Command of that portion of the troops to which he belongs Saw General Washington during the day of Battle. That the Battle commenced sometime in the forenoon of the day and continued until near night. Saw a number of the enemies Soldiers who deserted their army and came to the American Camp. That he was some time in the day of the Battle ordered by the Surgeon to assist in taking care of the wounded. Does not recollect the Surgeons name. That he further declares he was from Princeton moved to Monmouth in the said State. That he was present at a Battle fought at this place. Cannot recollect the Year this Battle was fought but that it was on the twenty eighth of June on a Sabbath day. There he saw that day General Washington and General Maffield. That he further declares he does not recollect but very little of the transactions of this day for the reason that some time in the day of Battle in consequence of the excessive heat of the day and extreme thirst for want of water

He was taken blind and continued perfectly blind for three months and did not fully recover for more than a year. That in consequence of this then ability General Mansfield gave Special Orders that he be ordered home and that the said General promised a waggon for that purpose. That in consequence of his ability he remained at home until peace was declared. That during his stay at home he was frequently visited by General Mansfield who was a resident of the same town and neighborhood. Therefore did not return to the Army. The further avers that he did not receive any written discharge although he had often seen his officers after the troops were disbanded who frequently made mention of it but suppose it to be of little use and not make the application for any discharge. That he further avers that he has no documentary evidence in proof of his services - and that he does not know of any person living whereby he can prove his services.
That the reason why he has not before made application is that he supposed that he had a sufficient property for his support during life. That when he entered the service of the United States for the defense of his country he gave his service and pledged himself that he would receive no pay. That he had conscientious scruples against receiving any pension in consequence of his former declarations that his services are gratuitous. That by misfortunes he was now reduced to poverty and want and is dependent upon a generous public for support.

And he was now convinced that he was not only right in asking for a pension, but that he was wrong in not accepting the generous offer of his Government. Therefore he makes this Application. That he further declares that 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 in any State and that he was not employed in any civil pursuit during the time which he was in the service of the United States as in the foregoing declaration is stated.
That he further declares that he resided in the Town of Bethel now in the County of Washington in the State of New Jersey after the War about twenty years that he removed from that place to the County of Seneca in the State of New York where he resided about six years that he removed from that place to the County of Monroe in said State of New York where he remained about sixteen years that he removed from thence to the County of Cattaraugus his present place of residence where he has resided about seventeen years. That he further declares that by reason of bodily infirmity he is not able to attend at Open Court to make this declaration. Therefore he appears before a Judge out of Court as further declaration will appear.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
before me Thomas McIntire Judge
of Cattaraugus Common Pleas
his Nicholas Bigelar Mark

State of New York } Cattaraugus County }
We Erra Amadon a clergyman resident in the Town of Leon in the County of Cattaraugus and State of New York and John Evarts and Abraham Low in the same place hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Nicholas Bigler who has sworn and subscribed the above declaration that we believe him to be ninty two  three years of age that he is reput- ed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a Soldier in the Revolution and that we concur in that Opinion and further that we the said John Evarts and Abraham Low do certify that we were personally acquainted with the said Nicholas Bigler (at the time previous to his present place of residence he resided in the State of New Jersey ) that we have frequently heard those who were reputed to have been in the Service with him in conversation state facts that corrob- orate the statements made in the above decl- aration which persons are now deceased and that it was generally believed in that neighbourhood that he was a Soldier in the Revolution. B. G. Amadon
Sworn and subscribed
The day and year aforesaid
before me Thomas Schults Judge of Cattaraugus Common Pleas
John his Evarts Mark Abraham Low

And I Thomas Wheeler the said Judge do hereby declare my opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogating prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And I the said Judge further certify that it appears to me that Ezra Amadon who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the town of Leon and that John Everett and Abraham Bow are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit. Given under my hand this ninth day of July A.D. 1839 Thomas Wheeler Judge of Cattaraugus Com. Pleas
And I the said Judge do also certify that all the interlineations which appear in the foregoing declaration and certificate (namely the words two, law into, and seven on the first page, the word sailing on the second page and the word Not on seventh page of the preceding declaration and also the words "two and previous to his present place of residence" in the foregoing certificate) were all made prior to the execution of the respective papers. Given under my hand this 9 th day of July A.D. 1839
Thomas Wheeler Judge of Cattaraugus Com. Pleas

State of New York } Cattaraugus County }
personally appeared before me the undersigned a judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County of Cata- rargus Nicholas Bigelow 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 time he served under the last mentioned enlistment in the foregoing declaration but according to his best recollection it was fourteen days up then three years making the whole time he served at the different times mentioned in the foregoing declaration four years short fourteen days
Sworn to and subscribed this 9 th day of July 1839 before me
Thomas Wheeler Judge of Cattaraugus Com Pleas
his Nicholas Bigelow Mark
State of New York } ss. Cattaraugus County }
I Francis E. Baillet-Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the County and State aforesaid do hereby certify that Thomas Wheeler is a judge in and for the County of Cattaraugus duly commissioned and qualified; that his commission is dated on the 9 th day of February 1838 and will expire on the 8 th day of February 1842 and that the above signatures purporting to be his are genuine
Given under my hand and the seal of said County this 13 th day of July 1839
Francis E. Baillet clk.

Rev.&1812 Wars Section.
Ady
COPIED BY ADY
August 30, 1928.
Blanche E. Bigler, 1004 Pacific Southwest Bank Building, Los Angeles, California.
Madam:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 9816, it appears that Nicholas Bigelar was born in 1747 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
While residing at Bethlehem, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, he enlisted and served with the New Jersey Troops as follows:
Six months in Captain David Frazier's Company, Colonel Taylor's Regiment and was in the battle of Long Island; and served several tours of one month each under Captains Groen- dyke, Cornelius Carhart, Jacob Carhart, Francis Lock and Colonels Beavers and Sayers and was in the battle of Springfield after which he served about three years in Captain John Maxfield's Company, Colonel Thomas Reading's or Brock's Regiment and was in the battles of Princeton, Millstone and Monmouth.
He was allowed pension on his application executed July 9, 1839, at which time he was living at Leon, Cattaraugas County, New York. There are no data as to family. Respectfully,
E. W. MORGAN, Acting Commissioner.

Nicholas Bigelar S. File #9.816
Certified Copy of letter from Col. Joseph Beaver to Gov. Livingston, requesting new commissions for the officers of 2 Battln. Hunterdon Co. Dated Alexandria May 10, 1777, has been removed from this case for the pur- pose of transferring the same to the War Dept. at some future time, it may be found in the safe, in the room of the Chief of the Old War & Navy Div.
Illb. May 28, 1903.
15. War Dept Copy of a letter dated May 10, 1777, from Col. Beavers to Gov Livingston, containing names of officers of Second Bat- al lion of Hunterdon county, certified by the Secretary of State of New Jersey April 10, 1840. Taken from the claim of Nicholas Bigelar, No. 9,816.

Apr 30, '04 Popen & Van alst. Memo. within c. 1928 Aug 30 - Hist Co Blanche E. Bigler Aug 3.
Resh
9816 INVALID.
File No. 9816
Nicholas Bigler Priv. Rev. war
Act: June 7 th 1852
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 32
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Nicholas Bigelow 11/1837 to William Cummins 11/1838 to H. H. Wilson
get out the other two cases. susp. No papers in file or any charged
Hon. J. S. Edwards Com'r of Pensions Washington D.C.
N. York Nicholas Bigelow let. to. Claimant 4. Dec. 1839 to Hon. R. R. Marvin 21. April 1840 to Henry Day 6. Aug. 1840 to same 28. Aug. 1840
Act June 1832

Washington Mar 8. 1858
Hon J G Edwards
Comr. of Pensions
Sir
Will you favour
with a reply in each of the following cases
viz Abia Tamey, widow of Matthew Tamey late a pensioner of New York. What are the objections to granting her a pension.
Sofia Wentworth of NY formerly widow of Jacob Wheeler, an applicant for a pension from NY.
Cataline Cummins a pensioner of New York at $30. her husband drew $98. will you furnish me with a copy of his alleged services.
Nicholas Biglow (or Bigelow) a pensioner of New York. will you favour me with a copy of his services.
Very Respectfully
Yours &c
W T Jackson

Washington City 21 Augt
25
Aug 27. 1840
Mr. [unclear]
J. L. [unclear]
Department of State Washington City

Conesville New York August 20 th 1840 Hon. J. S. Eads
In your letter of the 6 th of August has been duly received in which you state that Mr. Nicholas Bigela's claim to a pension for service rendered and two days hath been established from the evidence of the certificate of the Secretary of the State of New Jersey. You will you have the goodness to state to me what kind you take of that part of his declaration of Service rendered in the continental Service under his enlistment during the war. I would further ask for information if the Applicant's Service is considered no farther proved than the amount of money which shows to have been paid by the Second to the Regiment or Company to which he belonged.
Mr. Bigela has set forth in his declaration that he did not receive any pay for Service rendered that his Service were gratuitous. He will further testify that he did not now would not receive any pay for any portion of his Service rendered during the War notwithstanding others of his Regiment were paid in part or all - for the reason that his Service was rendered gratuitously.
Mr. Bigela will receive the certificate for so much as is considered proved.
I have the honor to be respectfully Your Obedient Servant Henry Day

Aug 17. 1840
My Dear Sir,
Nicholas Bigelow,
10 Canal Street
Summons of Return Making the City
Free
Answer anticipated of this day
Henry Day Aug. 11. 1840

Conewango Cattaraugus Co N.Y. Nov 11. Edwards
In same time in May last I forwarded by mail to your Office as Commissioner of Pensions a Certificate from the Secretary of the State of New Jersey relating to the services of Nicholas Bigler as a private Soldier in the Army of the Revolution. I have not received any information from your Department since and am in doubt of its being received Will you Sir have the goodness to inform me if that Certificate has been duly received and the prospects of Mr Bigler claiming a Pension
I have the honor to be very respectfully your obedient Servant
Henry Boy

Brewer N.Y. 27 March
for
Rev. J. S. Edwards
Commissioner of Surveys
Washington City
Ans. Apr. 6. 1841

1 Vernadange Cattaraugus County N York March 26th 1848 Hon J L Edwards Commr of Pensions
Sir Mr Nicholas Bigelow whose name was placed upon the Pension Roll last on the 29th day of September last made his certificate and Power of Attorney on the 4th of March last in due form of law which was presented to the agent for paying pensions in the City of Albany and rejected by him for the reason as he informs that the name of Nicholas Bigelow is not returned to him but that the name Nicholas Bigelow is on file in his Office the name on Pension certificate in his possession is Nicholas Bigelow which is the real name Your direction in the matter will be looked for
I have the honor to be very respectfully Your Rcd Servant Henry Drey

May 16. 1840
Concord, N.H. May 19 th
Mr. Bigelow
James Folsom Commissioner of Pensions Washington City
free

Conesango Cattaraugus County N.Y. Hon J. L. Edwards.
In I hope you enclose the result of the examination of the Secretary of the State of New Jersey of the Books and Records of that State of Services of Nicholas Bigler in the Militia of that State in the Revolutionary War whereby better to establish his claim to a Pension from the United States.
And I have the honor Sir respectfully your Obedient Servant May 9 th 1844
Henry Dey

34,933 Oct. 19. '39
Nicholas Bigelar NY.
act 7. June '32

34933
Nicholas Bigelow
Act. June 7. 1832
E
New Jersey Militia
Capt Frayser 1776 } " Carhart } " Groen ditto }
Adm't
Priate 7mo & 2 days $23.55
Henry Day Esq. Conenanga N.Y.

Sept 26 1840
Townsend N.Y. Sept 26th
Free
Wm Lloyd N.Y. Jan 11 P. 1840
Commission of Pensions Washington City

W. J. Conner
Connersville New York September 12th 1842
In view of the 24th of August has been duly received in relation to the claim of Nicholas Bigler to a pension. In that letter you state in answer to my enquiries that in as much as it is alleged as stated in my letter that Mr Bigler never received any pay it is presumptive evidence that his claim to service is not well founded. I presume that you have put a new construction upon my words different from my intention as to the object of my enquiry. In your letter of the 5th of August you say that Capt. Lewis was in the 5 months service in 1876 that Capt. Parkhurst was paid for 1 month & 26 days service. That Capt. Gwendolyn was paid for 6 days service. Now this it occurred to me that if the term of service was computed from the amount paid to the company in proportion to the number in such company that if it could be satisfactory shown that Mr Bigler did not receive any portion of such pay for proper reasons shown that would not operate against his character as a soldier, would be presumptive evidence if nothing more to increase his pension to a further amount than is or has been by your decision established. You will find by reference to the declaration of Mr Bigler now on file in your office that Mr Bigler stated as a reason that he had not before petitioned for a pension was that when he entered the service he would receive no pay such was his zeal for his country's cause. And that he did not receive any for such reason that his services were gratuitous. That he refused to ask for a pension for the reason also that it would be a forfeiture of his word and be dishonourable. And did not therefore ask for a pension until necessity compelled him so to do for the want of means for his support. Under these heads of the subject I think Sir you will be perfectly satisfied that Mr Bigler is perfectly honest in his declarations and justly entitled to receive as much if not more than your decision has been shown. I have the honor to be respectfully your  Oberst Vincent  Henry Day

C. W. GOODMAN, PRES. GLENN A. GOODMAN, V. PRES. B. E. BIGLER, SEC. AND TREAS.
LOS ANGELES FINANCE COMPANY
CAPITAL STOCK $100,000 FIRST MORTGAGE LOANS AND INVESTMENTS SUITE 1002-1004 PACIFIC-SOUTHWEST BANK BUILDING LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA TUCKER 9244
Los Angeles, Calif., Oct. 14th, 1927.
U. S. Pension Bureau Dept. of Int. Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen:-
For the purpose of completing family records and proving eligibility for D. A. R. I would appreciate it very much if you will give me whatever information you may have on file in regard to my great grandfather, Nicholas Bigler, who was a Revolutionary War soldier and served under General Herkimer and was in the Battle at Oriskany, N. Y. Pension was pending at time of his death in 1846. He is burried at Napoli, Cattaraugus County, New York.
Thanking you in advance for your courtesy in the matter and, if there is a charge in connection, will be pleased to pay the same. An early reply will be appreciated.
Respectfully yours,
Blanche E. Bigler