Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 844, Benjamin Clinton, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
New Jersey
Clinton, Benjamin Elizabeth
N. 844
CONTENTS

3716
New Jersey
Elizabeth Clinton
widow of Benjamin Clinton, dec.
who died on the 12th October 1818
of Middlesex in the State of New Jersey
who was a Private in the Comp. commanded
by Captain Scott of the P'vate commanded
by H. Head in the N. Jersey
line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey
at the rate of 80 Dollars Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 5th day of May 1834 sent to J. M. Kirtshorne, Newark, New Jersey.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1834 $880.00
Semi-annual allowance ending Sept. 40.00
$920.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 }
Recorded by William Adison Clerk, bk Vol. 13 Page 137

State of New Jersey Middlesex County } ss
On this Second day of April - One thousand eight hundred and thirty Eight personally appeared before the Subscriber, one of the Judges of the Superior Court of Common Pleas in and for said County Elizabeth Clinton a Resident of the township of South- Amboy in the County of Middlesex and State of New Jersey, aged Eighty years on the twentieth day of this present month, a Person of credibility and truth Eighteen miles distant from the County seat for holding Courts and on account of bodily infirmity is unable to appear in open court, 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 4, 1836" That she is the widow of Benjamin Clinton late of Middlesex County, who was a private in the State troops and militia of New Jersey in the series of the United States during the Revolu- tionary war, that before this applicant married the said Clinton she can only specify such service as she has heard him relate and as she nearly believes he performed. First that he enlisted under a Captain Scott in June 1776 in what was called the Flying Camp for either five or six months, has heard him say that General Heads commanded, he enlisted at Cranbury on the Raritan cannot say which, marched to Elizabet- htown by the way of New Brunswick, on to Long Island where was engaged in the battle on that Island in the latter part of August - when his enlistment expired, he returned home, and soon after was drafted in the militia under Captain John Dey and Peter Persin, this was in 1777 while the British were in New Brunswick, he served a number

of town then and other places. Also in the year 1778. and 79. in June 1778 he was under Capt. Day and was in the battle of Shippensburg. He was also a member of town in the militia at Elizabethton, Woodbridge and other places. Some time in the Summer of 1780 he again enlisted under a Capt. Freeman at Woodbridge for six months as she understands & believes had quarters at Elizabethton or Woodbridge. During this service this applicant married him. Some time in October he came home on furlough. married this applicant and returned to camp again the next day when his enlistment expired he returned home. and in a few days again enlisted four miles from this place for one year under Capt. Chidester in Shippensburg County. at a place called Red Horse (now Wagon Hills), his headquarters was at the town of Freehold. During which term this applicant's first child was born. She declares that she was married to the said Benjamin Clinton on Thursday the twenty fifth day of October. Seventeen hundred and Eighty by Kenneth Anderson Esq. a Justice of the Peace who upon diligent en- =quiry has left no record or docket of marriage. that she has no certificate of said marriage nor any record. Joseph Hornet was a witness being personally present. this applicant's name was Eagle. That her husband the aforesaid Ben m Clinton died on the twelfth day of October Eighteen hundred & Eighteen (1818), and that she has remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof annexed. Sworn & subscribed this day and year above written before me Joseph H. Hornet Judge
Elizabeth her Clinton mark

 Monmouth Inquirer.
FREEHOLD, N. J., June 16 1877.
To the business of Persons Dear Sir
The inquiry in regard to the descendants of Elizabeth Clinton was duly received by the undersigned Postmaster, Freehold, N.J.
Several of the descend- ants are living in this vicinity - all grandchildren.
Mrs. Elizabeth Elmer, Mandalapan
Ellison Clinton, Mandal- apan.
If the Bible is sent to the care of the under

signed, as Postmaster, he will see that it properly delivered, and receipts therefor returned to your office.
Very Respectfully, E F Applegate
Postmaster at Freehold N.J.

File No. 8444 Elizabeth Clinton Wid of Benjamin
Receipt for Bill to be filed Nov 1. 1877
Evans

Bounty Land Div N.B.E. N
Department of the Interior PENSION OFFICE
Washington, D.C. June 5 th 1872.
Dear Sir,
Please furnish this office with the names and Post Office address of some of the descendants of Elizabeth Clinton Widow of Benjamin Clinton late a private in the Rev. War.
Application for pension was made by the Widow in 1838. She was then 80 years of age.
A Bible, containing a family record, was filed in Evidence. It is now desired to return said Bible to the family.
Any information you can gather, having this object in view, will be thankfully received at this Office.
Please return this letter with your reply.
To the Post Master Freehold Monmouth Co N.J.
Very respectfully J. A. Bentley Commissioner

B. L. D. [ ] Evans W
Department of the Interior PENSION OFFICE
Washington, D.C. June 23 rd 1877
Dear Sir
At your request I herewith transmit to you the Prayer Book formerly the property of Benjamin and Elizabeth Clinton - which was sent to this office in 1838. to be filed in Evidence in the application of the widow for pension
You will please hand the person to whom you deliver the Book acknowledge its receipt on the back of this letter and return it to this office in the enclosed envelope.
To the Post Master Freehold Monmouth Co. N. J.
Very respectfully
J. A. Bentley Commissioner per Mrs

Freehold, N.J.
Received of Edwin F. Spofford Postmaster at Freehold, New Jersey Prayer Book referred to in the accompanying note to him.
Amos Elmer Husband of Elizabeth Elmer Formerly Elizabeth Klein

Mar 11. 1842
N.J.
Clinton Mount Smith
Genl. J. W. Mansfield H. H. H.
J. L. Edwards Com. of Business Washington D. C.
J. F. Mansfield H. H. H.
Answered March 12. 1842

House of Rep March 10. 1862
J L Edwards Esq
D. Sir
May I ask the Department to have the following cases of examined W. Mrs Clinton widow of Benjamin Clinton - Mrs Mount widow of Peter Jobs - & the children of Rachel Smith who was the widow of John Smith - the cases were forwarded by J M Hartshorne Esq of Freehold N. J.
Yours &
J. V. Randolph

Freehold Jan'y 4 th 1842
Sir
I herewith enclose to you the papers of Elizabeth Clinton widow of Benjamin Clinton upon her application for a pension -
She claims for 6 mos: Service in the Jersey troops raised to reinforce the army at New York in 1776 under Capt. Piatt - Genl. Heard Commanding - For proof I refer to the records of this Service in the Department and also to the affidavits of Joseph Mount and Andrew Applegate -
Also 6 mos: in State troops in 1780. at Woodbridge under Capt. Freeman - proved by Daniel Petty who served with him, and also strongly corroborated by Joseph Mount & Andrew Applegate -
Also 1 year in State troops in 1781. under Capt. Chadwick in Monmouth County - proved by James Yetman who served with him, and corroborated by Joseph Mount & Andrew Applegate -
You will find in your office a certified copy of an order given by the Paymaster on the Treasury to pay Thomas Chadwick for his State troops of 1781 - I sent it to the Department in 1837 - You will also find full evidence of the raising of Chadwick's Company in the papers of Mary Shockmorton widow of Job Shockmorton sent to Department in 1837 -
There are also several months Service in the Militia fully proved by Mount & Applegate -

The marriage is fully proved by Joseph Mount who was present - and also by the testimony of Andrew Applegate - I also enclose to you an ancient prayer book, which contains the family record - First are set down the ages of Clinton and his wife then the birth of their children - It commences on page 46. of the book & is continued on page 72.
You will be good enough to return the book without cutting out the record if it can be done consistent with the rules of the office - If not, you are liberty to take out the leaves containing the record.
You will easily perceive the reason why the date of the marriage was not set down in the record - It was to avoid perpetuating the evidence of their own shame.
Most Respectfully
Your obt. Servt.
J. M. H. Atkinson
J. L. Edwards Esq. Comr. of Pensions.

(N o . 1.)
Sir
Please to pay the bearer Capt. Thomas Chadwick One thousand pounds in State money, in part pay for the State troops for the year 1781, and this order shall be your voucher for that sum.
Upper Freehold. Monmouth March 4 th 1782
I am your friend and very humble servant.
Peter Coovenhoven P. M o
To
John Stevens Esq r . The cashier Jersey.
May 20 th 1782 Rec d of John Stevens Esq r . One thousand pounds in State money being the amount of the within order.
Thomas Chadwick.
(N o . 2.)
Peter Coovenhoven Pay Master to the Militia of Monmouth Co to May 1 - 1782 in Specie.
  By Capt. Chadwick's pay roll discharged N o . 3 110 12 2 
State of New Jersey
Charles G. M c Chesney Secretary of State of the State of New Jersey do. hereby certify that the foregoing (N o . 1) is a true copy of an Order dated March 4 th 1782, and that N o . 2 is a true extract from Book B of Auditor's after page 206

as taken from and compared with the originals now on file in my Office: and I do further certify that there are no returns of the State levies for the year 1781 on file in my Office.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Seal of Office at Lancaster in said State this twenty ninth day of March A.D. One thousand eight hundred and forty two.
Charles G. M c Cluskey Secy of State

J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Revenue
[Faint, mirrored handwriting from the reverse side of the page]

Freehold April 12 th 1842
Sir
I herewith enclose some additional evidence in the case of Elizabeth Clinton. You will perceive by the Secretary's Certificate that he finds all the evidence on file in his office touching the service under Capt. Freeman and Capt. Chadwick.
You have allowed Mary Shockmorton widow of Job Shockmorton for the service of her husband under Chadwick in the year 1781. You have also allowed for service in the same Company to Elihu Chadwick, who was the Lieutenant of said Company. He resided in Pennsylvania when he obtained his pension.
In relation to the marriage, you have the best and highest evidence which the nature of the case admits of. You will perceive by the Certificate of the Clerk that there is no record. Parol evidence must therefore be used, and how can it be stronger than the evidence of Mr. Mount who was present & who states all the circumstances attending it, and which were calculated to make an impression on his mind. He is corroborated by two other witnesses who swear as to the reputation in the neighborhood at the time. In addition to this you have the family record of the births of their children.
By a decision of the Supreme Court in this State a marriage may be proved by parol, even since the passage of the Act requiring a registry or record. See Pennington's reports page 473.
Mrs. Clinton wishes you to return her book. If necessary you may take from it, the leaf containing the family record.
Yours Most Respectfully &c J. M. Hartshorne
H. L. Ednard Esq. Couns. at Law

apl. 22 1842
Eng Edw. Clinton
W. Randolph
L L Edward Comt of Pennsylv Washington De 6-
J. Randolph

Hn. J. F. Randolph H.R.

State of New Jersey } ss: Monmouth County }
I Samuel Mairs Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of said County, do hereby Certify that there is no public record of Marriages in said County prior to the year seventeen hundred and ninety five: And I do further Certify that the Law requiring records of Marriages to be kept in the State of New Jersey, was passed by the Legislature of said State on the 4 th day of March seventeen hundred and ninety five.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this twelfth day of April in the year eighteen hundred and forty two.
Samuel Mairs Clerk

(No. 1)
An Act to raise and embody for a limited time, Six hundred and twenty four men for the defence of the frontiers of this State.
Section 1 Be it therefore enacted by the Council and General Assembly of this State, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, that there shall be immediately raised and embodied for the defence of the frontiers of this State, Six hundred and twenty four men, exclusive of Field Officers to continue in service until the first day of January next unless sooner discharged, and that the said Six hundred and twenty four men be enlisted and raised from the several Counties of this State in the proportion following that is to say.
From the County of Middlesex, One Captain, one Lieutenant one Ensign and Forty four non Commissioned Officers and Privates including two horsemen.
(proportion of other Counties omitted)
and that forty seven men thereof including Officers and horsemen be stationed in the County of Middlesex on the North Side of Raritan River under the command of one Captain, one Lieutenant and one Ensign, the whole of which to be under the command of Major Samuel Hayes.
Passed June 7. 1780.

(No. 2)
A return of Capt. Matthew Freeman's Company of State troops from Middlesex County Stationed at Woodbridge.
1 Captain
1 Lieutenant
1 Ensign
Rank & file 43.
Unfit for duty 6.
Prisoners 2
Present fit for duty 35
Total 43
The above is a true account Matthew Freeman Capt.
November 5 th 1780.
Ino Capt St. S. D.
State of New Jersey.
I Charles G. (McCluskey) Secretary of State of the State of New Jersey do hereby certify that the foregoing (No. 1) is a true extract from a Law passed by the Legislature of this State June 7 th 1780, and that No. 2 is a true copy of the return of Captain Matthew

5514
Elizabeth Clinton
N.J.
act. 4 July 30
M. 82 d. 18
  76 - Fiall - 5 mo.   77. May 1. -   78. - 1 -   80 Freeman 6 mo.   81 Chadwick 12 
adm'd 2 yrs pri
80 $
5514
No deduction
J.M. Hartshorne Esq Freehold N.J.

State of New Jersey } Middlesex County } ss
Be it known that on the 2 d day of April 1838. Before the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said County personally appeared Joseph Morant a resident of South Amboy County and State aforesaid a person of Credibility and truth and a pensioner of the United States. who being duly sworn according to law on his solemn oath deposed and said that he was well acquainted with Benjamin Clinton and Elizabeth Eagle before the Revolution. this deponent very well recollects that some time in the Autumn of 1780 the said Benjamin Clinton was in the six or nine months Service at Elizabethtown he came home on furlough as he stated which at home he was taken by a writ at the suit of the said Elizabeth Eagle who stated that she was pregnant by the said Clinton at the solicitation of the said Clinton this deponent accompanied them to a Mr Anderson a Justice of the peace and was one of the masters and then saw the said Justice of the peace many the said parties. after their return home the said Benj. Clinton started off again for the camp. this deponent recollects that he was in the five months Service under Capt Pratt in 1776. also that he was under Capt John Dey and Capt Peter Perrine two or three times in the winter and spring of 1777. in the village of Cranberry. in 1778 recollects that he was under Capt Perrine or Dey in June in the Battle of Monmouth. he was at the time of his marriage in either the six or nine months Service cannot say which. after his return home and after his marriage he was said to have enlisted for one year in Monmouth County. this deponent very well recollects that he was absent for a year and has no doubt that he was in the year Service. he was a good Soldier.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year above written — before me Joseph Morant
Joseph Morant

State of New Jersey Middlesex County
Be it known that on the 2 nd day of April 1838 before the Subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for said County personally appeared Andrew Applegate a person of credibility and truth and a pensioner of the United States resident in South Amboy in the County and State aforesaid. Who being duly sworn on his oath deposeth and saith. That during the Revolutionary war and before this deponent was never acquainted with Benjamin Clinton and Elizabeth Eagle. The said Clinton was a good Soldier and was in the flying camp under Capt Pratt in 1776 - he was under Capt John Dey and Perrin in the months of February April and June of 1777. Stationed in the village of Cranley. Col. Scudder and Neilson commanded the enemy near there in Monmouth and nearly all the militia were called out. in the Fall thinks it was in October he spent a month at Elizabethtown under Capt Dey - this deponent recollects that in June 1778 he was out in the battles of Monmouth thinks & believes it was under Capt Dey - Some time in 1780 he came home and was compelled to marry the said Elizabeth. Soon after he went back again to camp being as this deponent believes in the size of a new militia company. He afterwards enlisted in Monmouth County and was gone for a long time. Benjamin Clinton died some time in the Fall of 1818 and his widow still resides near this deponent and has not married since the death of her said husband. this deponent was at his funeral. Andrew Applegate Justice of the Peace
Subscribed to the Day and year above written before Joseph H. Johnson J. P.
Andrew Applegate mark

State of New Jersey Middlesex County
Be it known that on the 21 st day of December A D 1839 Before the Subsc- -ribed a Justice of the peace in and for said County Personally appeared Daniel Fottly in the 77 th year of his age a resident in the County, and State aforesaid a Pensioner of the United States, a Person of Credibility and truth who being duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith. That this deponent was enlisted in the six months - service under Capt. Matthew Freeman, Lieut. John Bake and Ensign Asher Randolph in the early part of the month of June 1780. at the same time Benjamin Clinton was one of said company under the before named officers. we entered the camp- any at Woodbridge in Middlesex County - our head quarters was at Woodbridge. our company consisted of about fifty men and was out constantly on scouts and marches guarding along the shores - the said Clinton was a good and faithful soldier and remained in service until the six months expired and we were discharged on New Years - day 1781. Sworn and Subscribed the day and year above written Before John Perrine J. P. Daniel Fottly

State of New Jersey Monmouth County } ss
On the Eighth day of January A. D. 1840 Before the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for Said County Personally appeared James Yetman in the eighty fifth year of his age a Pensioner of the United States, a resident of said County, a Person of credibility and truth who being duly sworn according to law upon his oath deposeth and saith That during the Revolutionary war this deponent was in the 12 months Service commencing in the month of January and was under the command of Lieut. Thomas Chadwick and Lieut. James Elihu Chadwick. Benjamin Clinton was a Private in the same Service and served the twelve months out with this deponent we were discharged by the word of mouth on Newyears day 1782. our head Quarters was at Scotts neck the said Clinton was a good soldier, Given and Subscribed the day and year above written } James Y. Yetman Before Moses S. H. Chesney

State of New Jersey.
I Charles. J. M c Chesney Secretary of State of the State of New Jersey. do certify that Joseph. M c Chesney Esquire before whom the within declar- -ation of Elizabeth Clinton and affidavits of Joseph Mount and Andrew Spitzelgate were taken was at the time of the taking thereof one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas and Justices of the Peace in and for the County of Middlesex in Said State duly appointed Commissioned and sworn. that John Perrine Esquire before whom the within affidavit of Daniel Pettys was taken was at the time of the taking thereof a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Middlesex in Said State. duly appointed Com- -missioned and sworn. That Moses. J. M c Chesney Esquire before whom the affidavit of James Getman was taken was at the time of the taking thereof a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Monmouth in Said State duly appointed Commissioned and sworn and that full faith and credit are to be given to their official attestations and that their sig- -natures thereto I believe to be genuine.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Seal of Office at the city of Trenton in Said State this twenty fourth day of December A.D. One Thousand Eight hundred and Forty One. Charles J. M c Chesney Sec y of State

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 844 Elisabeth Clinton Widow Benjamin Clinton Priv. Rev. War.
Act: July 4, 1836.
Index:—Vol. A , Page 134
[Arrangement of 1870.] ✓

Asp. 534 Clinton N Jersey Jasper D. D. Lot 6 of 1. William July 26 1942 Wm. F. Randolph 150 Dre
act July 36