Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 510, Aaron Deacon, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey
Deacon, Aaron or Dacon
N. 510
Wilcox, Patience
(Former Widow)
See claim of Daniel Wilcox (S. 3,562) widow's other husband.
CONTENTS

6597 New Jersey
Patience Wilson, dec d formerly widow of Aaron Deacon who was a Corporal in the Rev. War
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 88 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843. Aug. 3. 1843, when she died
Certificate of Pension issued the 13 day of Aug. 1843 and sent to Lewis Condict, Morristown, N. Jersey
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A Vol. 2 Page 101
Pay d to Ezra Wilson Exec r of Patience Wilson, deceased

2 Certs. 100.00
1 act July 1838 }
1 " Mar 1843 }
Reps. see let. to agt. Jany 13 '45
let to Hon. S. L. Condiet, Jany 25 '45
Cert. corrected, and sent to S. Condiet. Jany 30 '45.

9428
New Jersey. Morris 6 o .
Patience Wilcox, widow of David Wilcox, and formerly widow of Aaron Bacon.
Declaration for a Pension.
Law of July 7 th 1838. Resolution July 7 th 38 Law of Aug t 23 rd '42. " March 3 rd '43.
Return to Lucia Condit Morris Town, N. Jersey.

Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the acts of Congress of 7 th July 1838, entitled, an act granting half pay & pensions to certain widows - a joint resolution of 7 th July 1838 - "an act passed August 23 d . 1842, to amend the acts of July 1836 & of 1838, allowing pensions to certain widows" - & of an act passed March 3 d . 1843. -
State of New Jersey } County of Essex } On this twentieth day of May 1843, before the undersigned, a judge of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of said County of Essex, personally appeared Patience Wilcox, a resident of New Providence in said County & State, aged 80 years, personally known to me, & who is, as I hereby certify, unable, by reason of age & bodily infirmities to attend at the County Court house, who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth, on her oath, make the following Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the several acts of Congress - viz: act of July 7 th . 1838, entitled, an act granting half pay & pensions to certain widows: a joint Resolution of July 7 th . 1838: an act passed 23 d . August 1842, to amend the acts of July 1836, & 1838, allowing pensions to certain widows: & also of the act passed 3 d . March, 1843, "granting a pension to widows of persons who served during the revolutionary war".

Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the acts of Congress of the 7 th July 1838, entitled, an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows; & of an act passed 3 rd of March, 1843, granting pensions for one year to certain widows who have received pensions under the act of July 7, 1838.
State of New Jersey, Essex County ss.
On this day of  Domini 1843, before the undersigned, a Judge of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of said County & State, personally appeared Patience Wilcox, a resident of the township of New Providence, Essex County, New Jersey, personally known to me, & who is, as I hereby certify, unable from age & bodily infirmities, to attend at the County Court house, or even to go out from her dwelling to a neighbour's house; who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on her oath make the following Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed July 7 th 1838, entitled, an act, granting half pay & pensions to certain widows — & also, of the act of Congress passed 3 rd March, 1843, granting a pension to certain widows who have received pension under the act of July 7 th 1838.
I am the widow of Daniel Wilcox, who was a soldier in the Militia of New Jersey in the war of the revolution as I verily believe, & a pensioner under the law of 1832, receiving a pension at the rate of twenty dollars per annum till his death which was on the 28 th February, Domini 1842. I cannot state, except from hearsay, any thing in detail relating to his Militia services, but refer the Commissioners of Pension to his Declaration & Documents on file in the Pension Office. I was married to said Daniel Wilcox on the 4 th day of June in the year of our Lord 1827, by Stephen A. Day, a Minister of the Methodist Church, whose certificate of my marriage, I hope & expect to receive, to be annexed to this Declaration.
Said Daniel Wilcox, was a resident of Morris County New Jersey, several years after our marriage. Some time in the year 1841 he sold his farm there, & we removed to New Providence Essex County, where he died on the 28 th day of February, 1842. & I remain his widow. And if I am entitled, as his widow, to a pension, on account of his revolutionary services, after an examination of all the incidents of my life relating to my claim for pension on account of the services of said Daniel Wilcox, & of my first husband Aaron Dacon, who also was a soldier of the revolution, then it is my express intention & desire, to be considered a claimant of a pension for the revolutionary services of both of my before named husbands, to whom I have been lawfully married, being not only aged & very infirm, but also poor & dependent in a great measure, on friends, for the few comforts which I have. But if it shall be found on examination, that I cannot be

allowed a pension for the services of both of my said husbands, then it is my desire to be considered as a Claimant on account of the services of Aaron Daeon my first husband, relinquishing my claim as the widow of said Daniel Wilcox.
My first husband, the before named Aaron Daeon, I verily believe, was regularly enlisted as a soldier in the Continental Army of the revolution, & served as a subaltern Officer, viz: as a Corporal or Sergeant, or both, for several years, & probably during the whole war. I have often heard him, in early life, speak of the perils & hardships which he endured in said war - the battles in which he had been engaged - the Officers under whom he had fought for many years. I shall not attempt to repeat them, because my memory is too weak. I fear also that I may not be able to prove by living witnesses, any important particulars of his services, as all of his comrades known to me, have died - or removed - or their memory so impaired, as not to remember the names of the officers, or the time of his enlistment & duration of his service. I have no certificate of his appointment as Corporal or Sergeant - no discharge, or other document of his service. I hope some satisfactory proof may be found of his service in the public records of the Army, & as his widow, I respectfully solicit & claim the benefit of all the testimony which may be found, either in Washington, or in the State records of New Jersey.
Among the names of Officers mentioned by my husband, said Aaron Daeon, I recollect that of Captain Dayton, & Colonel Ogden. & it is my belief, that he served throughout the war, in what he used to call, "the Jersey line". His name was always pronounced Daeon, as if written with the letter "E". He himself wrote it Daeon - but people generally wrote it as they pronounced it. If his own signature can be found on the army records, it will be found written Daeon, & yet in public accounts or pay rolls, it may, when written by clerks be found written as pronounced.
If proof cannot be found sufficient to sustain my claim on account of his services, or if any other valid objection be found against it, then & in such case, I desire to rely & insist on my claim, resting on the services of my late husband, Daniel Wilcox: - demanding both however if equitably so entitled, & soliciting a liberal & generous interpretation of the Law & custom, in behalf of the aged & poor widow of two husbands, who had hazarded life & property in defense of our common Country.
I was married to said Aaron Daeon, by Reverend Alexander Miller, then Pastor of the Presbyterian Church, at a place or village which now is called "Madison", then commonly called "Bottle Hill", in Morris County, on the 2 nd day of April, in the year 1784. We lived together as husband & wife, in the County of Morris, until his death, which took place in the year of our Lord 1808, on the 5 th day of March, leaving no children.

on the 5 th Decem r .
I was again married, in the year 1808, to Samuel Oliver of Morris County, with whom I lived in wedlock till his death, which occurred in the year of our Lord 1811, on the 9 th day of August.
I was again married, in the year 1813, on the 4 th day of April, to Benjamin Freeman of Morris Town, who died on the 6 th day of August, in the year 1826, & I remained his widow, until the 4 th day of June, in the year 1827, when I was married to my 4 th husband, Daniel Wilcox, before named, whose widow I now am. I am informed & believe, that there can be found no records of marriage in the Presbyterian Church at Botten Hill (now Madison) as early as the year 1784, they having been lost or destroyed. My husband (Mr. Deacon) desired a marriage certificate from the Glycerian Mr. Miller, who stated it was not necessary, as he should record it, & declined giving a certificate. I believe there is no person now living, who was an eye witness of our marriage. I remember that Major Luke Miller, now an aged pensioner at Madison, was at what was called the "Infair", or "Money making", that evening - or the next day, & perhaps may recollect it.
Doctor Lewis Condict, was our family Physician for many years before the death of my first husband, & attended him during his last illness. He can testify to the fact of our living together many years as husband & wife, provided no proof of higher grade can be found.
In respect to my marriage with my second & third husbands, (Messrs. Oliver & Freeman) I have not supposed that it could affect in any way, my claim; but I deem it correct & proper to state the facts as they are: & if the Commission of Pensions shall deem it necessary to require the proof of said marriages, I will endeavour to obtain & find forward the testimony.
My peculiar circumstances, as the widow of 4 husbands, 2 of them being Revolutionary soldiers & one of them a Pensioner at his death - all taken in connection with the several laws relating to Pension applications, render it difficult to adapt my Declaration to the several Laws, & to the regulations of the Department. It is therefore highly probable, that in the form of my Declaration, & reference to the Laws, there may be some errors; which if they are but matters of form merely, I trust & hope may not be deemed obstacles in the way of substantial justice . If however, in the judgment of the Com- mission of Pensions, or of the Secretary of War, they are of such nature as to require my attestation & signature to another form, I would respectfully ask him to furnish such a form as shall be required to supply all defects & correct all the errors found in this. Probably the Secretary, may possess the power to dispense with what is wanting in form, & to order an adjudication on the merits of the case.
If it shall be decided, that I am entitled to a pension for

The revolutionary services of my first & fourth husband, I desire it to be understood as including the 5 years pension under the Law of 1838, as well as the Law of March 3 rd 1843, allowing one year pension.
The introductory part of this Declaration as first drawn, so far as it refers to the general pension laws applicable to my case, having been considered as defective, has been erased, with my consent, & another form substituted with my approbation. It is drawn on another paper, which covers the face of the erased paper of 15 lines, the substitute consisting of 18 lines & is annexed to the other pages.
The interlineation of my age (80 years) was done with my approbation, as I believe myself to be eighty, or eighty one years old. Also, the day & month of my 2 nd marriage.
Sworn & subscribed at New Providence, Essex County at the residence of said Patience Wilcox this 20 th day of May, 1843, before me,
Patience Wilcox
William Stites
State of New Jersey, Essex County ss.
I, John P. Jackson, Clerk of Essex County, hereby certify, that William Stites Esq. before whom the foregoing Declaration of Patience Wilcox was taken on the 20 th May inst. is a judge of the Superior Court of Common Pleas of said County, of Essex, duly commissioned & authorized, & that the signature of his name thereto, William Stites, is genuine. Witness my signature & the seal of my office, at the Court house in Newark, this Twenty Seventh day of May, A.D. 1843.
J P Jackson Clk

This Certifies that Daniel Willcox and Ed. Patience Honeymoon was married on the fourth of June Eighteen hundred Twenty Seven by me - Stephen Day D.D. in the M.E. Church Morris County & Township N.J.
July 6 th 1843
Stephen Day

I, William Stites, a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas & Justice of Peace in & for Essex County New Jersey, hereby certify, that Stephen Day, the person subscribing the within certificate of the marriage of Daniel Wilson to Patience Freeman, is, as I am informed & verily believe, a Minister of the Gospel, & a preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church. And I certify also, that said Stephen Day has this day testified & swore — before me, in due form of Law, that said certificate of marriage is true in its contents, as he verily believes. Sworn & subscribed, this 6th day of July 1843. before me,
William Stites
Stephen Day

First Regiment. Capt. Dayton's Company
   Names Rank Time in Service Pay per month Amt. of Depts. State Stores Cash rec d Com d ! Bal due   $     Aaron Deacon Corporal Mar. 1. 1777 to Aug. 1. 1780 2. 15. 0 93 14. 6 4. 0. 0. 1 17 6 87 17 0  
State of New Jersey
I Charles G. M c Chesney Secretary of State of the State of New Jersey do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true abstract from Book of Auditor's Accts page 8 as taken from and compared with the original now on record in
my Office.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Seal of Office at Trenton in said State this tenth day of May A.D. One thousand eight hundred and forty three.
Charles G. M c Chesney Secy of State

State of New Jersey Morris County ss:
Before the subscriber, a justice of peace in & for said County of Morris, personally appeared Deacon David Lindley, an aged citizen, highly respected for his moral & religious character & personally well known to me as a man of truth - who being first duly sworn according to law, saith as follows - viz:
I am in the 83 rd year of my age - a native of this township, born & have spent all my years, on the farm where I now live. I have known Aaron Deacon & Patience his wife, (now the widow of Daniel Wilcox) since the close of the war of the revolution. His name was always called Deacon, tho' he wrote it Daron. He was reputed & believed to be a soldier in the continental Army, by all his neighbors. He bought a small farm & built a house in my neighbourhood about the close of the war, & according to the best of my remembrance, about the year 1784, & he lived with his wife, the said Patience, from that time, & in that place, until his death, which took place according to the best of my knowledge & belief in the year 1808. I always considered them to be husband & wife, & they were so reputed & considered by all the neighbors, nor did I ever hear it doubted that they were husband & wife.
After the death of said Aaron Deacon, his widow the said Patience Deacon was married to Samuel Oliver, with whom she lived as his wife, & as a near neighbor to me, for a few years, when said Oliver died, & in some few years she was married to Benjamin Freeman: & he dying a few years thereafter, she was married to Daniel Wilcox who died within one or two years past, & she remains his widow as is said & as I believe. She had no children, as I believe.
Sworn & subscribed this 8 th day of June 1843,
before me,
David Lindley
Silas L. Condict J.P.
State of New Jersey Morris County ss:
Before the subscriber, a justice of peace in & for said County & State, personally came Doctor Silas Condict of Morris town N. Jersey, whom I believe to be a man of truth & worthy of belief, who having been duly sworn according to law, on his oath saith as follows - viz: I became personally acquainted with Aaron Deacon & his wife Patience Deacon, in the year 1788, when I was a school boy; my Mother's residence in this township, being adjacent to said Deacon's, & the two families familiar with each other, as near neighbors. Said Aaron Deacon & Patience Deacon were then living together as husband & wife, & were universally considered & believed by the neighbors to be husband & wife; nor was it ever

questioned or doubted by any one within my knowledge, that they were lawfully married. I knew them both well, as long as said Aaron lived. Whilst I was a student of medicine, (from 1789- to 1793-4) my medical preceptor Doctor Johnson was his family Physician, & with him I frequently visited said Aaron Deacon & his wife. And from the year 1795, I became myself his family Physician, & so continued until he, the said Aaron Deacon died, which was in the year 1808. I frequently visited his widow Patience Deacon, whom I have known to the present time. In Deacon's last illness, which was a lingering one, she was a most faithful & devoted nurse - a kind & affectionate wife. It was the general belief of the neighbors, that said Deacon was a revolutionary soldier; & I often heard him relate many incidents connected with his services & fatigues whilst in the U. S. Army. He had a brother, as he said, a Captain Deacon, in the U. S. Navy.
The family name, was usually pronounced Deacon , as if written with the letter "e"; & many people wrote the name " Deacon ", but I believe he himself generally wrote it Deacon .
Patience Deacon, his widow, was married about a year after his death, to a neighbor, Samuel Diver, with whom she lived till the summer of 1811, when he died; & in the year 1813, she was married to Benjamin Freeman of Morris town; with whom she lived till the summer of 1826, when Freeman died, & in the year 1827, she was married to Daniel Wilcox, a pensioner of the U. S. who died in the year 1842. I have personally known her four husbands & have visited each family frequently - I did not see her married to either of them - but know they were beloved & reputed to be husband & wife.
Sworn & subscribed at Morris town, this 12 th day of June, A.D. 1843.
Before me
Levi Condict.
Silas L. Condict J.P.
New Jersey
Morris County
I David B. Hurd, Clerk of Morris County, hereby certify, that Silas L. Condict, before whom the preceding deposition of Levi Condict & David Lindsly were taken & subscribed, is a justice of peace in & for said County, State, duly authorized & commissioned, & the signature of his name to each, (Silas L. Condict) is genuine.
Witness my hand & the seal of my office at the Court house in
Morris town,
June 14 th 1843.
D B Hurd Clerk

Col: James L. Edwards Committee of Pension Washington

Morris-town N. J. Aug 5 1843.
De r Sir,
Enclosed is the Pension Declaration of Patience Wilcox widow of Daniel Wilcox late a Militia Pensioner under the act of 1832. Her situation is somewhat peculiar. The leading facts I will state in this note, to render the case more intelligible. She has had 4 husbands the first, Aaron Deacon or Daron, having been an enlisted soldier in the Continental Army - who died before the pension law of 1818. The last, (Wilcox) rec d a pension of $20. pr. an. If she can receive a pension for the services of Daron & of Wilcox, she so claims. If not for both , & is entitled to her choice, she of course will prefer to claim as the widow of Daron, who was a Subaltern, & was longer in the service. The two husbands between Daron & Wilcox, will probably not affect her claim in any way - they are named, as being connected with her history. If proof as to her marriage with them - or the time of their decease be necessary - it can hereafter be provided.
Respectfully &c.
Your ob d serv t
Levi Condict
Col: James L. Edwards Comm r : of Pensions.
P. S. The delay has been occasioned by the Declaration remaining several weeks in the Ex h 6 o Clerk's Office.

Col. James L. Edwards Commission of Pensions Washington.

Morris Town N. Jersey, Sept. 44.
Sir,
With this you will receive the depositions of Luke Miller & David Lindley, two of the most aged & respectable men of the County, in support of the Pension Claim of Patience Wilcox, under the law of 1838, for a 5 years half pay pension.
The principal point of their testimony, relates to the identity of the first husband of said Patience Wilcox, & the Aaron Deacon, whose name is found as a Corporal in Capt. Dayton's Co. 1 st Jersey Inf. from March 1 st 1777, to Aug. 1 st 1780, as appears by Secy. McPherson's certificate, on the files of the Penn. Office, with the claimant's papers.
This testimony is as conclusive as negative testimony can be, & this is all which the present case seems to admit. Unless there be strong reason to believe, that there is - or has been, another Aaron Deacon, I trust this evidence will be satisfactory.
In respect to the marriage - there is no record proof in being, nor is there a person living, who was an eye witness.
The evidence of aged neighbors - knowing the parties to live together as husband & wife, from their marriage to the husband's death (24 years) is the best & the only proof that exists. A reasonable doubt, cannot be entertained, & I think you will admit it.
Please notify me the result.
The widow is deceased her step son Wilcox, I learn, is her Executor - his first name not recollected.
Yours ob st . serv t . &c.
Lewis Bondict.
Col. Edwards. Commissioner of Pensions.

James L. Edwards Esq.
James L. Edwards Esq.

Morris Town N. J. Jan'y 27 th 45.
Sir
I return for amendment one of the 2 Certificates issued to Patience Wilcox, formerly Patience Deacon. The Error is merely Glacial — but knowing you would prefer to have the correction made where the mistake originated, I return it, lest the Agent at Younton might have some doubt on the subject.
The principal error is in the last line — where the name "Aaron Deacon", should read Patience Wilcox.
A small error will also be found 2 lines above — viz: — the word "he" should read she. I presume a new certificate is not needed.
Very respectfully &c.
Lewis Condell
James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions.
Patience Wilcox, decd, N.J. No 6597 act. 1843

Rev  WIDOW, &c.
File No. 510
Patience Wilcox, dec.
formerly Widow, of Aaron Deacon.
Confederal, Rev. War.
Act: March 3. 1843.
Index:—Vol. M. , Page 336
[Arrangement of 1870.]

9003
New Jersey
Patience Wilson, decd. Aug. 3. 1843 widow of Aaron Deacon
who was a pensioner under the Act of and who died on the 3rd inst 1808 of Essex in the State of N.J. who was a Corporal in the Co commanded by Captain _____ of the regt _____ commanded by _____ in the _____ line for 24 mos
Inscribed on the Roll of N. Jersey at the rate of 88 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 13 day of Augt 45 and sent to Service Quartermaster Morristown N.J.
Total amount, $ _____
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by J. S. Mann, Clerk, Book _____ Vol. 1. Page 211
Pay to Ezra Wilson, Cook of Patience Wilson, decd.

V 9.428 Patience Wilson formerly widow of Aaron Deane N Jersey
Suspended Set. to Lewis Condits 9. Oct. 1843 " " same July 26. 1844 " " same Nov. 28. 1844
Not July 7

510. Patience Wilcox, as widow of Aaron Deacon obtain d a pension for his Rev y Services - She was also widow of Daniel Wilcox ft Rev y pensioner file N o 3562 but elected to take her pension from the services of Aaron Deacon

New Jersey Morn 6 o Pension Claim of Patience Wilcox former widow of Aaron Deacon. Law of 1838. Additional Testimony
Return to Louis Bondiel Morris Town, New Jersey.

State of New Jersey Morris County } ss:
Be it remembered, that on the thirtieth day of August Eighteen hundred & forty four, before me, Lewis Condict one of the Masters in the Court of Chancery of the State of New Jersey, person- ally appeared Major Luke Miller of said County an aged citizen, personally known to me, as a man of truth, who being by me duly sworn according to law, on his oath declares as follows - viz:
I am now in the 85 th year of my age, am a pensioner of the United States - was born & brought up in Morris County New Jersey in the neighbourhood where I now live. I was well acquainted in early life with Patience Hutchings; we were then living in the same neighbourhood in time of the Revolutionary war & grew up together. I knew her till her death, which occurred as I believe, within a year or two past. Her first husband was Aaron Deacon, to whom she was married by Rev d Alexander Miller, then the settled Pastor of the Presbyterian Church in this place, then commonly called "Bottle-hill", now called "Madison", in Morris County N. Jersey. The precise day of their marriage, I do not know; but it was in the spring of the year before corn planting season, the next year after peace was proclaimed. Her husband the said Aaron Deacon, had been a soldier in the Army, & his intended wife being a neighbour & acquaintance, I was invited as one of the guests at the Supper or Merry making, which I believe I attended. The said Aaron Deacon & his wife, the said Patience, lived together on a small farm which he bought, within about three miles of Bottle hill, from the year 1784, which I only believe was the year of their marriage, until his death, which happened 20, or more years since. He was by trade, a shoemaker, & was believed by all who knew him, to have served as an enlisted soldier in the New Jersey line of the Continental Army. I have never known nor heard of any other Continental soldier or militia man of the name of Deacon; nor do I believe that any other man than this, served in the New Jersey line, by or under the name of Aaron Deacon. And this man was reputed & believed by all who knew him, to be a soldier in one of the New Jersey Regts. & if that name is found upon the records of said Jersey line, I am well satisfied that the same Aaron Deacon, the husband of Patience Hutchings is the identical man who performed the service, therein recorded.
Said Patience Hutchings, since the death of her first husband, Aaron Deacon, has been married to three different husbands, successively, all of whom are now dead. After Deacon's death, she was married to Samuel Oliver; & upon his decease she married Benjamin Freeman. After Freeman's death, she was again married

and became the wife of Daniel Wilcox who has since died, as I am informed & left her a widow.
I have been informed & believe, that there is no church or parish record of the congregation in Bothell hill or Madison, showing the marriages by its Pastor at the time when the Revd. Alexander Miller officiated. If such record was then made, I believe it has been lost or destroyed. The Revd. Doct. Hillyer became its Pastor about the year 1788 or 1790, & I am informed & believe, that said Records extend back no farther than that period.
I was & subscribed at the dwelling house of said Luke Miller, the day & year first before mentioned, before me.
Levis Gondiet M. C. C.
Luke Miller
The censors & interlineation, in lines 10 & 11, first page, were made, before signing & remaining.
Levis Gondiet. M. C. C.
I, Samuel H. Hummer, Clerk of the Court of Chancery of the State of New Jersey, do hereby certify that Levis Gondiet whose name is signed to the above deposition, is now, and was, on the day of the date thereof, a Master of the said Court, duly appointed and sworn, and as such, authorized to administer oaths and affirmations &c. that the said signature is his proper hand writing, and that all his official acts are entitled to full faith and credit in said State.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court of Chancery, at Trenton, the fourth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty four (1844).
Sam H. Hummer, Clerk.

State of New Jersey } Morris County }
Be it known, that on the 9 th day of September, 1844, before the subscriber, a justice of the peace in & for the said County of Morris, personally came Deacon David Lindley of said County, an aged man, of exemplary Christian character, personally well known to me as a man fully entitled to belief, & worthy of all confidence, who having been by me duly sworn on the holy evangelist, doth, on his oath declare as follows viz:
I am in the 84 th year of my age, was born in Morris township & County in New Jersey, in the same township where I now live, & where my father lived & died. I am the same David Lindley, who about two or perhaps three years since, subscribed to a deposition, testifying, that Aaron Deacon or Daeon, & Patience Deacon his wife, had lived together, as husband & wife, & as my neighbours, from the close of the war of the Revolution, up to the time of said Aaron Deacon's death, in or about the year 1808.
This Aaron Deacon, or Daeon, was reputed & believed by all his neighbours, to have been a Continental sold in & to have served as a corporal or sergeant in one of the Regiments of the New Jersey line, till the war ended. He then was married to Patience Hutchings, of Bottle-hill, now called Madison - bought a small farm near me, where they lived till his death. This man, is the only person known or called by the name of "Deacon or Daeon" within my acquaintance. I never heard of, or knew, any other Continental sold in or Militia man, of the name, Deacon or Daeon , except this same man. And if the name of Aaron Deacon, is found on the records of the New Jersey line of said Army, it is my sincere belief, that my former neighbor, Aaron Deacon, the husband of Patience Hutchings, is the very man therein intended, & who performed the service so recorded. The name was universally pronounced Deacon & was so written by all the neighbours. I have understood from some person or persons, that Deacon himself supposed or believed, that the proper mode of writing it was, Daeon , omitting the letter e : & perhaps he sometimes - or generally wrote it thus. Of this I cannot speak with certainty. But the pronunciation of it universally, was, as if written without the a - viz Decon . After his death, Patience Deacon or Daeon, the widow of this same continental soldier, was married to Samuel Oliver, who in a few years died, & she married Benjamin Freeman. With him she lived some five or 6 years, & after his death, she was married to Daniel Wilcox, who died some 4 or 5 years since, leaving said Patience his widow, who, I am informed has claimed a pension

from the United States on acct. of the Revolutionary services of her first husband, Aaron Deacon or Bacon. Each one of her 4 husbands, before named, were known to me, personally, the 2 first living about a mile from me, & the 2 last, about two miles. Sworn & subscribed this 9 th of September, 1844.
Before me
David Lindley
Elijah Ward J.P.
State of New Jersey } Morris County }
I, George H. Ludlow, Clerk of Morris County hereby certify, that Elijah Ward Esq. before whom the above deposition of David Lindley was taken & subscribed, is one of the Justices of the peace in & for said County, duly commissioned & authorized, & that the signature of his name above, "Elijah Ward", is genuine.
Witness my signature & seal of Official Morris Town, this 9 th day of September, 1844.
George H. Ludlow

June 11. 1844
Wilson M g
James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions War Department Washington

June 11. 1844
Wilson D. N. J.
Jamies L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions War Department Washington

Morris Town N.J. June 8 th 1844.
Sir,
Since the rec d of Doct r Greenup's letter of Oct r 9 th '43, I have sought for further proof of the marriage of Patience Wilcox to her first husband Aaron Daron (commonly called Deacon) but without success. There is, as I firmly believe, no record whatever to be found, & reliable must be had on the facts stated by those who have known them as neighbours since the year 1784. Deacon David Lindsly is, no doubt, the oldest man within many miles of the vicinity where Daron lived & died, & his testimony is, that they lived reputably as husband & wife & were universally so reputed & believed by all who knew them, from about 1784 to Daron's death in 1808.
There are younger neighbours, who will testify to the same effect, for a period of 15 & 20 years - probably from 1790. I supposed however, that Lindsly's testimony, going back still further, would be more satisfactory. My own affidavit was superadded, having known them as husband & wife from my boyhood in 1785 or thereabouts - to his death.
If more evidence of this character be required in corroboration, please inform me: - but no record evidence - nor living witnesses of the marriage can be had.
It is evident, on reflection, that as the widow of Wilcox, her claim cannot be sustained, & will not be urged. But as the widow of Daron, she ought to succeed.
Her memory of her husband's narrative would not enable her in her Declaration to state with any confidence the regiment or Co. in which her service was performed. The fact of service however, she does allege, & it is fully & unequivocally sustained by the record proof which accompanies her Declaration.
I do not know how it can be proven that this Aaron Daron or Deacon, is the identical man who served in Capt. Dayton's Co. as Corporal in 1 st Jersey Regt.
If there be another Jerseyman of the same name - or if two of the name on the rolls - it would be incumbent on this widow to identify her husband: but if not - may I ask in her behalf - is it not hard to refuse her claim on this ground - when her age & traditional evidence furnish strong presumptive evidence that this is the man who served in Dayton's Co. 1 st Jersey Regiment!
Please favor me with a reply,
very respectfully
Your ob st . serv t . &c:
Levin Condict
Col: Edwards, Commissioner of Pensions

James L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pension Washington.

Morris Town N.J. January 17 th 1845.
Sir,
I rec d the 2 nd butegates in favor of the Ex rs of Patience Wilcox formerly the widow of Aaron Deacon, a Corporal in the Continental Army, allowing a pension at the rate of $88.00 pr. an: *
By the record it appears that Deacon served as Corporal, more than two years. Had he been a private for so long - her pension would have been at the rate of $80. pr. an: Is not the difference between the pay of a private & of a Corporal, more than $8.00 pr. an? I observe that Thos. Cobb, as Sergeant in the Rev. Army, receives at rate of $120. pr. an. The Ex rs (Wilcox) thinks there is some mistake in the allowance of Deacon's pension, & that it ought in justice to be more than $88 pr. an. If there be any mistake, will you please to correct it - & if not to state a Corporal's monthly pay?
Very respectfully -
Your ob dt serv t .
Levi Condict.
* Law of 1838, 5 years pension
Col. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions.

Jamies L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions

Morris Town Dec. 23 d . 44
Dear Sir,
Of the 5 or 6 cases named in a note which I left on your table - Arrowsmith was decided before I left - Deacon's (rather Wilcox's) is now before you - & of the remaining 3, I have rec d . no tidings. You thought you would be able to take them up immediately after Congress should convene.
Emmels - (if the testimony of Capt. Rodgers be not conclusive, with the record of four Bruns settlement certificate) may as well be deferred till you hear further from me, as I have found one other old man, who recollects George Emmels as I found him going to some of the Jerry line at Pompton & elsewhere.
The 2 or 3 remaining cases - viz: Phoebe Kitchel's - Doct. John Conditt's & Phoebe Hanchett's - I presume the calls of members have prevented you from examining.
As you allow to yourself no holidays - the absence of members freeing you from their intrusion, may enable you to look at the residue.
Yours very respectfully
Lewis Conditt.
Col. Edwards.

N. Jersey.
Pension case of Patience Wilson, former widow of Aaron Deacon, a Corporal & Sergeant of the Revolutionary Army. Lett. of July 1838 Joint Resol. same date, & Act of August 28. '42.

Washington 22 d Nov. '44.
Col. J. A. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions
Sir
The claim of Patience Wilcox, widow of Danl. Wilcox, & former widow of Aaron Deacon, wife of the Rev. Army, is yet pending. If practicable to decide it whilst I remain here - you will oblige all concerned. It is predicated on the act of July 1838 & joint Resol n of July 1838 & the act of 23 d Aug. 42. That part of the claim stated on the ground of her being the widow of Wilcox, is abandoned as untenable having married him long after the year 1794. — In the absence of all higher proof of marriage, resort has necessarily been had to that of old neighbors . — Proof has been sought from a child, who was brought up in the family of Deacon - long since married & removed to Ohio or Indiana. I have sought diligently for her residence - but it cannot be found - nor has she been heard of in many years - whether now living or dead, cannot be discovered.
Two new depositions (Luke Miller & David Lindley) were sent to your office in Sept r . last - & nothing heard of the claim since - probably it has not been examined since. The proof of service - its duration & grade (Corporal or Supt t ) being of Record , is brief & conclusive. Lindley & Miller, identifying the man the merits will be obvious on a short inspection.
If it can be now closed, I shall deem it a favor.
The widow is dead - left no children - Ezra Wilcox, son of her last husband is her Executor, as I am told & believe. I have here, no note of the time of her death - but that fact - & the Executorship, will be duly certified by the Court, to the Pay Agent at Newton - or to yourself, if essential.
Yours very respectfully
Levi Bonditch.

1428.
Patience Wilcox formerly widow of Aaron Bacon
N.J. Act 7 th July '38
Ad d
2 years Corp
$ 88 per an
also
Act March 3 rd '43
to exec Aug 28 th '43 day of claimants death - in favor of Ezra Wilcox Executor of Patience Wilcox adm.
Lewis Benedict Morris Town N.J.

State of New Jersey Morris County ss.
I, George H. Ludlow, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of said County, hereby certify, that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited to said Court, that Patience Wilcox, late Patience widow of Daniel Wilcox, formerly widow of Aaron Deacon, a soldier of the Continental Army in the war of the revolution was an applicant for a pension on account of the revolutionary services of her first husband, the said Aaron Deacon, & died in New Providence Essex County in said State, on the 3 rd day of August in the year of our Lord 1843, that she left no child or children — that Ezra Wilcox of Essex County New Jersey, is Executor of the last Will & Testament of said Patience Wilcox decd.
The name "Patience" in 3 rd line, was erased, before signing & sealing
Witness my signature & seal of my office, at the Court house in Morris Town, N. Jersey, this 21 st day of December, 1844.
George H. Ludlow Clerk
The above is forwarded to the Pension office in pursuance of a letter of Col. Edwards of the 1 st of Nov. or 1 st Dec r  44 desiring to know the time when M rs Wilcox died — whether she left children &c. — It will be seen by reference to the papers, that Aaron Deacon her first husband, was a non-commissioned officer (Corporal or Sgt. or both) more than 2 years. By the Law of '38. allowing 5 years pension she wd. be entitled to its benefit, & by that of March 43. to another year — & by the act of March '44. till she died — altho' her death was in '43. In other words — by the several enactments relating to widows in arrear after the war, & before January 94 — she became a pensioner from 4 th March 36 — to her death in Augt. '43.
Very respectfully &c.
L. Bondid
Dec r 23 rd '44.