Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 22,133, Samuel Bowen, New Jersey

SERVICE
New Jersey
Bowen, Samuel
NUMBER
S. 22,133
CONTENTS

25.711.
Ann a Pittsburgh.
Samuel Bowen, of Beaver in the State of Penn a , who was a Private in the Co o commanded by Captain Marshall of the Reg t commanded by Col o Potter, in the New Jersey line for one year .
Inscribed on the Roll of Penn a P en s ions , at the rate of 40 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 th day of Dec r 1833 and sent to Joseph Humphill, Beaver. Penn a
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 — 100. — Semi-ant. allowance ending Dec r 34. 20.
$120.
Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Miss Sallee, Clerk Book 5 Vol. five Page 72.

Sam. Bowen
23508
direct to Beaver to the Corp of, Judge Henry, Beaver County

State of Pennsylvania Beaver County ss
On the 15 th day of November 1832 personally appeared before Thomas Henry one of the Judges of the Court of Common pleas for said County Samuel Baween a Resident of said County aged ninety four 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 the 7 th day of June 1832 From his age and infirmity of both mind and body he cannot now rise to duties, but knows that immediately after the commencement of the Revolutionary war he was drafted as a Militiaman in the State of Jersey Coehorn County the place where he then lived. That he marched under Captain Mabel in the Regiment commanded by Col. Potter was taken up opposite Staten Island & kept there for three months, & returned home at the end of the term, was not at home more than three months when he was again drafted as a Militiaman under the Command of Captain John Barker & marched to Mount Holly and stationed there for more than two months, he performed two other tours of two months each at Mount Holly under Captain Barker, not being permitted to remain at home between each tour more than three months, while he was at Mount Holly Genl. Wayne came there, and he fought a Sharp battle under him, After having served the three tours at Mount Holly he was called upon by Capt Barker to perform another tour & marched toward Philadelphia above Red Bank fort & built a small battery and remained stationed there for about two months When the enemy came upon them with a piece of Cannon & battered down their fort, and their detachment were surrounded

forced to retreat, The next day Genl. Washington sent them a reinforcement, which enabled them to contend with the enemy & they had a battle, & beat the enemy and drove them, The Lieutenant of his Company Lieutenant Mulford was killed, having served this term of at least two & a half months he was discharged, & went home,
Some time afterwards, the enemy consisting of about one thousand men landed at Salem Town or Salem Bridge, This detachment was called upon to march by Capt. Barker, & he immediately marched, under him there was two companies of them Captain Barkers & Capt. Smiths, There was an engagement & Capt. Smiths Company was nearly all cut off, he was then kept out half a month before he was discharged, This includes his whole service amounting in all to thirteen months, he received written discharges but long since lost them, and has never no documentary evidence to show any thing about his service, nor is there any person living by whom he can prove his service
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatsoever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state. He was born in Jersey, he has resided in Penn a since 1794, & now resides in Berks County. He has a record of his age in a book.
He never was called into service in any other way than he has stated, His memory is so defective he cannot name the Genl. or Regular officers where he served, Having lived long in the country where he resides

Besides he could name many respectable men who have a knowledge of his character for veracity, &c, he will name Genl. Saml. Paver & Robert Davidson
Sworn & Subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Thos Henry
his Samuel X Paver mark.
We Samuel Paver and Robert Davidson both Residents of Beaver County Pa hereby Certify that we have been long acquainted with Samuel Paver who has Sworn and Subscribed the above declaration, and we believe him to be ninety four years of age, as he states, or at least near that age that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he lives to have been a Soldier in the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion, and we do further Certify that Saml. Paver has always sustained a good character for veracity and truth,
Sworn & Subscribed before me the 21 st day of December 1832
Thos Henry
Samuel Paver Robert Davidson
I Thomas Henry one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Beaver County do declare it to be my opinion after the investigation of the matter and putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states, and I do further certify that Genl. Saml. Paver & Robert Davidson who has signed the preceding certificate, are Gentlemen of good character and in every way credible persons, and that their statements are entitled to full credit. And I do further certify that, from Mr. Paver's old age & infirmity of body he could not well attend in open court to make his declaration
Thos Henry

State of Pennsylvania Beaver County ss
I James Logan Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of said county do hereby cer- tify that the foregoing are the original proceed- ings relative to the application of Samuel Bowen for a pension and I do also certify that Thomas Henry Esq before whom the foregoing declaration and affidavit was made, is an Associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Beaver county and that the signature to the foregoing declaration & affidavit is the proper hand writing of the said Thomas Henry Esquire In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court the 23 rd day of November A.D. 1832
James Logan Proth.

Beaver County ss the Commonw. of Penn a
Personally came before me the undersigned a justice of the peace in and for said County Samuel Baccan who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively, or more so than he has done as to the precise length of his service, nor can he give the dates more particularly, that according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below and in the following grades (tours)
As a drafted militia man in the capacity of a private for three months under Captain Markel in the Regt. commanded by Col. Potter, and stationed at opposite Staten Island.
Second tour as a drafted militiaman as a private under the command of Captain John Barker, and stationed at Mount Holly for two months
Third tour at Mount Holly under the same Captain as a private and for two months
Fourth tour at Mount Holly under the same Captain for two months.
The fifth tour, above Red Bank fort, under the same Captain, two and a half months, in this tour his Lieutenant, (Ellisford) was killed.
The sixth tour under the same Captain at Salina Bridge, this was for half a month making in all twelve months and for which he claims a pension.
That he is now ninety five years of age, and from the frailty and imperfection of memory he cannot recollect the names of the Colonels under whom he served other than Col. Potter, nor can he name the regular officers other than those

those he has mentioned. Deponent further states that it would be inconvenient for him to procure a clergymen to testify in his behalf, but that there are abundance of other citizens that could testify for him Sworn & subscribed before me
the 6 th day of November 1833
has Samuel H. Barron mark
David Porter
Beaver County Pa
James Logan Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said county do certify, that David Porter Esquire before whom the foregoing declaration & affidavit was taken was at the time of taking said affidavit, an acting justice of the Peace in and for the county of Beaver to all whom official acts full faith and credit is due and of right ought to be given. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court the 22 nd day of November 1833
James Logan Protho
Prothonotary Public in the

23508 25.711 Booren Samuel Booren Beaver county Pennsylvania
His present name is Samuel Booren
Adm l. of estate $40-
Joseph Hemphill Judge Henry Beaver Penn Beaver Co

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Samuel Brown, Beaver county, Pennsylvania.
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Drafted 3 private Capt Marshall Col. Potter Halver Island 94 Tradition   do 2 Capt Barker Mount Holly Johnson   do 2 do Mount Holly county   do 2 do Mount Holly N. Jersey   do 2 do Red bank (his Son - tenant killed) Red bank fort   do 15 do  
Declares for 12 months in all
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 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.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
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 A. B.
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following ( m ) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. 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 that 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 shown 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.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he 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.
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 papers 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.
Proof of Service.
[j] 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 claimant's 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.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Protection
22133
own
INVALID.
File No. 22133
Samuel Bowen
Rev War
Act: June 7 th 82 nd
Index: —Vol. 2 , Page 44
[Arrangement of 1870.]
✓

pa Nov. uto
La Puente San Gabriel
Prison
Rev Department Washington City
FREE

Benton November 24 th 1833
J. H. Edwards Esq.
Dear Sir Inclosed you have a Deposition of Samuel Bowen taken before David Porter Esq. who went to the house of the Deponent and took his deposition he is very infirm and superannuated in body and mind from his extreme age, it go but to corroborate his former statement when you have despatched in his Cause please to let me know Yours Respectfully
Joseph Hemphill

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Bowen, Samuel GRADE Private LINE New Jersey
WARRANT NUMBER 8160 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED June 27, 1791 to  not shown
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.