Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 124, Henry Colley, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
New York
Colley, Henry Elizabeth
W. 124
CONTENTS

let. 11 Aug 1842 J. R. Meeker, clo. to L. Condit Sept. 20. 1843 - Same Oct 24. 1843
See let to Hon. Lewis Condit Febry 19. 1841.
9190  New Jersey Henry Colley of Pa. Township in the State of N. J. who was a Pri — in the Com commanded by Captain Mitchell of the Reg commanded by Col. Malcom in the N. Y. line for
Inscribed on the Roll of N. Jersey at the rate of 33 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 5 - day of April 1833 and sent Hon L Condit Morristown N. J.
Arrears to the 4th of March 33 $ 6 66 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sept. 33 1 66 $ 83.33
{ Revolutionary Claim, { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by E. D. Bullock Clerk. Book 6 Vol. 3 Page 115

N. Jersey. 8162.
Elizabeth Colley widow of Henry Colley
who was a Private Col d Malcolm N.Y. in the N. J. Line
He died Nov. 4. 1838.
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 33 Dollars 33
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12 th day of May 1843 and sent to
D. L. Condict, Morristown N. J.
[Acts of March 3, 1843, and June 17, 1844.]
Recorded in Book A, Vol. 2. Page 94
Rep. 2 butts.
Set to Dr. L. Condict May 28. 43
Dead Letter to Series Condict 11. Nov 1847.

Declaration the of Henry Colley N o 3121 PP
Doct r Canuit

DECLARATION, IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE BENEFIT OF THE ACT OF CONGRESS, PASSED JUNE 7, 1832.
STATE OF NEW-JERSEY, } County of Morris } ss.
On this Twenty eighth day of July 1832, personally appeared, in open court, before the judges of the Inferior
the court of Common Pleas now sitting. Henry Golley a resident of Randolph township in the County of Morris and State of New-Jersey, aged 75 years in March last, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth. on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named Officers, and served as herein stated:
He lived in the State of New York, Long Island, Queens County, Oyster Bay, in the year 1776, & then & there enlisted, about planting Corn time, probably in May, under Capt. Thomas Mitchell, Lieut. Cornell, & Ensign Laurence being Co. officers, - Colonel Malcom commanding the Regiment, which was known as the 3 d . Battalion, New York Line, of the Continental establishment. - Shortly after enlistment, this Deponent, with his Company marched to New York city, when Genl. Gates took the command in Chief, & here we were quartered till the enemy landed. - We then went to Long Island, into entrenchments which had been thrown across from Red Hook to the Wallabout. Remained there till the battle of Long Island was fought, in which we did not engage. - We then retreated with the main Army across the river to N. York city, where we remained about two weeks & then followed Washington's Army from the City & our Regiment was left as a guard at Fort Washington for a week or so. We were then relieved, & crossed the Hudson at Kingsbridge, marched thro' English neighbourhood, so called, - thro' Tappan - crossed back to Peekskill & White Plains & joined Washington's Army, where we fought the enemy a pitched battle, in which I was personally engaged & was wounded by a musket ball in my left leg, the scar of which is yet plainly visible. I was ordered by Genl. Washington himself in consequence of my wound, to get into a baggage wagon. I was unfit for duty from the wound, about three weeks, when I took my place at Company duty. We proceeded by a march down the Hudson river to Kingsbridge - remained there some weeks, & at Havrestraw, when our time of service or enlistment expired. - Genl. Washington personally entreated us not to leave him, but to remain half a month with him, to go to Hackensack, to relieve that place from the plunderings of the Tories & Refugees. We all agreed to remain with our General, marched to Hackensack, - drove off the Tories - took many prisoners & relieved the place. Then we marched to Paramus & rec d . our discharge in Paramus Church. My Discharge I have lost. - I did no further duty as a regular soldier in the Army, but was drafted for Militia duty for two months, at a place called

the Vine Partners, under Capt. Southland, Lieut. Sawkins being our Company officers. - We were stationed at Fishkill, & staid only two weeks myself, but hired a substitute, named Potter, to take my place, received a verbal discharge from my officers & went home. - This tour of Militia duty was done in 1777 as I think, & in the summer time.
I paid my substitute forty dollars, & gave him a Beaver State, to take my place for three years to come, whenever I was called on, or should be required to serve my Country. I do not recollect the names of any of my superior officers who commanded at Fishkill - & having lived in New Jersey but a few months, have no persons on whom I can call to testify as to my character in this State, nor on the other side of Long Island, except one man, viz: Samuel Barnes, with whom I have been personally acquainted these 30 years.
I am a cripple by a disease of the Hip joint & have been unable to walk except with the help of two crutches, for the last ten years, & am without any property or means of support myself, but am dependant on my son, with whom I live. I cannot therefore go to Long Island to obtain any testimonials of my character, but must rely on my Country & its records for proof of my services. - I have this day accidentally met with a fellow soldier named William Ball, living in Hanover, Morris County, who served in Malcoms Regiment as I believe, & his testimony will be herewith annexed

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State, is not on that of the Agency of the State of New Jersey.
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Henry Colley We I, Samuel Barnes residing in the township of Randolph, Morris County, N-Jersey hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Henry Colley, whom I have known thru 30 years who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we I believe him to be seventy five, forty five 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.
Jesse Upson
Samuel Barnes
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 Samuel Barnes
who has signed the preceding certificate, is a resident in the Township of Randolph in the County of Morris & State aforesaid, and that  who has also signed the same is a resident in the  his and is a credible person, and that his statement is entitled to credit.
Jesse Upson Stephen Dail
I David Day Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Henry Colley for a pension.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this twenty eighth day of July in the year of our lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two
David Day

State of New Jersey } ss: Personally appeared before me the undersigned, Morris County } a Justice of Peace for said County, Henry Colley, a Resident & respectable citizen of this County, well entitled to belief, who being duly sworn deponeth & saith, that he is the same Henry Colley, whose name is subscribed to the annexed Declaration, dated July 28 th 1832, & that the precise term for which he enlisted in Capt. Thomas Mitchell's company upon Long Island, in Malcom's Regiment, was nine months, & that he faithfully served out the full period of nine months, in the manner set forth in his Declaration, & was discharged at Paramus, Bergen County, N. Jersey, which discharge he has lost. — He further saith, that his term for which he was drafted in the Militia of Dutchess County at the time of his enlistment in Capt. Sutherland's company was for two months, — of which term, he served but two weeks, stationed at Fishkill, & hired a substitute for the residue of the 2 months, as stated in his declaration. That the whole period of his service, under his first engagement, & in his Militia duty, was as follows, — viz: — Under Capt. Mitchell, 9 months, & half a month over, at the special request of Genl. Washington, our Commander in Chief, & two weeks in Capt. Sutherland's Company of Militia — making in all ten months service, for which he claims compensation, as a private soldier. He further deponeth, that he does not know a living witness except William Ball by whom he can prove his services, altho' it is possible, there may be men living on Long Island, who can per- haps testify, but he is old, lame, poor & utterly unable to go there. Sworn & subscribed before me } The exception of the name "William Ball", was made at Morristown, March 27 th 1833. } before signing.
Charles Freeman Justice of Peace      Henry Colley
I hereby certify, that Charles Freeman Esq r . before whom the foregoing Deposition was taken, is a Justice of Peace in Morris County, duly authorized & commission- ed to act in that capacity, & that the signature of his name thereto is genuine.
Morristown N. J. March 27 th 1833.
Lewis Condict, late a Rep r . from New Jersey.

Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7 th July 1838, entitled "an act, granting half pay & pensions to certain widows"
State of New Jersey, Morris County ss:
On this 29 th day of March, Domini 1839, personally appeared before the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the County of Morris, Elizabeth Bolley, a resident of Morris County, Hanover township, aged between 71 & 72 years, who being by me 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".
I am the widow of Henry Bolley, who was a Militia soldier of the State of New York in the Revolutionary war, who resided upon Long Island, where, I believe his services were principally performed. The names of his officers & the various particulars of his services in said war, I cannot relate with any accuracy, altho' I have often heard him mention them. For these details, I respectfully refer the Commissioners of pensions to his Declaration now on file in the Pension Office, upon which a pension was granted him on the 5 th of April 1833, & which was regularly paid him, up to the 4 th March 1838, by the Pension Agent of New Jersey, at the rate of $33.83 cents per annum. — I have no record of my age, nor of my marriage, nor of the births of my children. I have my age from the tradition of my parents, which I verily believe to be true. I am now in my 72 nd year, & was married to my husband, the said Henry Bolley, when I was in my 23 rd year, in the first fall month, at Patchogue on Long Island, New York, by Rev d Mr. Reeling, a Baptist Minister at that place.
I have taken much pains to enquire at Patchogue, & am informed, & so believe, that no marriage record can be found in that parish or town, of that period; & I believe there is no person living but myself, who was present at my marriage.
My husband was considerably older than myself — was a widower, with 1 child a daughter, when I married him, & she  some of his children may perhaps be able to tell how many years we have lived together as husband & wife. I may perhaps be able to find some aged person living on Long Island, who may testify how long they have known us living in the marriage state together. I had been married 4 years, when my first child was born. She died at the age of five weeks. — My 2 d child died at the age of two years. My 3 rd child, Alexander Hamilton Bolley, is now in his 42 nd year. His deposition, I expect to obtain, to be annexed to this Declaration.

I further declan, that I was married to the said Henry Colley, in the month of September, in the year seventeen hundred & eighty nine, the day of the month I cannot determine, & the year (1789) is ascertained from the calculation made upon the facts of my age when married, & my present age which I only believe to be truly stated.
My husband, the aforesaid Henry Colley, died, on the 4 th day of November, 1838, & I have remained his widow to the present time, as will appear by reference to testimony hereto annexed. I was not married to him prior to his leaving the farm, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January seventeen hundred & ninety four, viz: at the time above stated.
Sworn to & subscribed on the day & year above written, at the Court house in
Morris town, before me
Elizabeth Coeery
The erasure of part of the word "children", in the 27 th line, & the interlineation in the following line of the words "a daughter", & of the word "she", & the erasure of the words " some of his children " were all made before signing & swearing.
Stephen Coeery one of the Judges of the inferior Court of Common Pleas of S c County

State of New Jersey, Morris County ss.
Before the subscriber, a justice of peace in & for said County of Morris, personally appeared Alexander Hamilton Colley, of said County, aged 44 years, believed by me to be a man of truth & fair character, who having been by me duly sworn according to law, saith as follows, viz:
I am a resident of Randolph township, Morris County New Jersey, where I have lived since the year 1831. My father was Henry Colley, a pensioner of the United States, who removed from Suffolk County Long Island, to Morris County in New Jersey, in the month of September 1831. My father Henry Colley, died at the County Prison house of Morris County, in Hanover township, on the 4th day of November, 1835. I have a record of my own age, & of all my family, viz: of my wife & 4 children yet living, & of two who died. The time of my birth I have from the tradition of my parents, & also from the record of births kept by the Town officers of North Hempstead, Suffolk County Long Island, in the State of New York, by which I am well satisfied that I was born on the 15th July, 1795. I have always understood & believe, that I am not the oldest child of my mother, who is now the surviving widow of Henry Colley deceased. She lost 2 children as I believe before I was born. My father had one daughter, who is by his former wife, & she, the said daughter by his first marriage, is now living in the City of New York, as I understand. Her name is Hannah, & she married Henry Totten, who died some 10 or 12 years since & probably longer. If she is now living, she is probably between 50 & 60 years of age.
Sworn & subscribed at Morristown, March 21st 1840.
Before Silas L. Condict J.P. - Alexander H. Colley his mark
I also further declare, that my mother, said Elizabeth Hannah Colley, has not married since the death of her husband Henry Colley, but still remains his widow
Sworn & subscribed at Morristown, 21st March 1840
Before Silas L. Condict J.P. - Alexander H. Colley his mark
& also in presence of Lewis Condict.

New Jersey, Morris County ss.
Before the subscribers, a Justice of peace, personally appeared Samuel Barnes of Randolph township Morris County New Jersey, an aged man, believed by me to be a man of truth, who being duly
sworn, saith as follows. I was born on Long Island, South Hempstead Long Island, in the year 1771, as I verily believe, & spent my boyhood upon Long Island. When in my 20 th year, I came to N. Jersey & spent a little more than 18 months at Morris town, & then went to Long Island to Mauricetown where I resided about 3 or 4 months, thence I went to a place called the Manor & resided there about 4 months, perhaps 5 months. From thence I went to a place called Patchogue, in Suffolk County being there between 21 & 22 years of age. At Patchogue I became acquainted in the family of Henry Colly. He was then living with the same woman who is now his widow. I have known them both, well, from that time to his death, & know that said Elizabeth Colly is still his widow. When I first knew them in Patchogue, (which was directly after wheat harvest in the year 1793, as I believe, when I first went to that place,) said Henry Colly & Elizabeth his wife, had been living together as husband & wife several years as I verily believe, having then had 2 or 3 children, as I was informed & believe, all of whom had died, & they then had not one living child. They lived in Patchogue not less than 6 or 7 years after I became acquainted with them, & I never heard the fact of their being husband & wife questioned. They removed from Patchogue to some other part of Suffolk, & I only saw them occasionally.
In 1820, I removed to New Jersey, Morris County, where I have ever since lived. Said Henry Colly & his wife removed also from Long Island to the same township & neighbourhood where I now live, & here they have lived till Colly died, about 2 or perhaps less years ago. The precise time when they removed to Morris County, I cannot now tell, but I believe it is about 8 or 10 years of perhaps longer. Some of their sons first removed to Jersey, & the parents followed them.
Sworn & subscribed at Morris town N. Jersey, May 2 nd 1840
Before me
Phil. S. Condict J.P.
Samuel Barnes

State of New Jersey, Morris County:
Before the subscriber, a Justice of peace in & for said County, personally came Hannah Totten, aged 59 years, believed by me to be a woman of fair character & entitled to belief, who being by me duly sworn according to law, saith as follows, viz: My birth day was the 5 th October 1781, according to the tradition, which I have from my parents, & which I believe to be true. If I live to the 5 th of October 1840, I shall be 59 years old. — My father was Henry Golley, formerly of Long Island, in the State of New York, who died in Morris County New Jersey, a prisoner of the U. S. for his services in the war of the revolution. His first wife was my mother, who died when I was 8 years old. The next fall after my mother's death, my father, Henry Golley, again married, & immediately brought his wife home. Her name before marrying my father, was Elizabeth Hart, & I lived with my step mother & father from that time until I was married myself. They lived then at Patchogue in Suffolk County Long Island. I was not present at their wedding, but have a distinct recollection when they came home the next day; it was but a few days before my birth-day, & I was that fall, viz: in October, 8 years old. — My step mother had 4 children after her marriage to my father — the 2 first died, & the 2 youngest yet are living. Her marriage to my father, was by Rev. Mr. Ruling, a Baptist Minister on Long Island. Their marriage was never questioned nor doubted to my knowledge — the neighbours & acquaintances at Patchogue, always considered them as being husband & wife. — My father kept no record of his children's age, being an illiterate man, & there was no town nor Parish record of marriages or births kept at that time there, as I have been informed & believe. My father & step mother moved from Long Island to Morris County New Jersey, some 8 or 10 years ago, when he died, on the 4 th November 1838, & said Elizabeth, formerly Elizabeth Hart, still remains his widow, having not married since my father's death. I am myself a widow, & when at home, reside at Brooklyn Long Island.
Hannah her Totten mark.
Sworn & subscribed at Morristown N. J. June 4 th 1840.
Before me, the figure 8 in 10 th line being altered to a 7- (thus 7) before signing. Meaning, so as to read "7 years old"
Thos L. Condict J.P.
New Jersey, Morris County: Before the subscriber, a Justice of peace in & for said County

124
Rev. WIDOW, &c.
File No.
124
Elizabeth Colley Widow
Henry Colley Rev. N.Y. L.
Act March 3 rd 1843
Index:—Vol. A, Page 1411
[Arrangement of 1870.]
ny

Col. L. Edwards Colg. Commissioner of Pensions War Department.
$ 33.33 per ann
Hon. L. Condict Morristown N. Jersey

Dear Sir,
The Declaration & offer Brief of Henry Colley of Morris Co. N. J. are herewith returned. — The principal objection was, that no definite time, or duration of service, was stated. Most pro- bably it was my own oversight in drawing it — for he at once, in conversation to day, as soon as the defect was stated, said that his enlistment on Long Island, in Malcoms regt. was for 9 mos. — He has been before a Magistrate this day & made an Amenda- tory affidavit, clearly setting forth that fact. — The minor objec- tions, principally as to form, I believe are obviated, & I feel assured you will at first sight agree with me, that he is entitled to a Certificate for 9 1/2 mos. in the regular service in Malcoms regt. & for one half month Militia service — in all making but 10 months. I have been acquainted with him but a few months, but from this I slight acquaintance, I believe him to be conscientiously faithful to the truth. — He can walk only with two crutches, & very feebly. His extreme poverty & lameness plead strongly for an speedy aid, as may be in your power to bestow.
Sincerely — y r . friend &c.
Lewis Bondict.
Morris town, N. Jersey, March 27 th 1839. —
P.S. Lewis — If his claim be allowed, may it not be paid at Newton forthwith — or must he wait till 4 th Sept r ?

No 9922 Elizabeth Colley widow of Henry NJ Act 7 July 1838 and joint resolution of 23 January 1845 a/c md. 11 mo per $33 33 / 100 per ann from 4 March 1836 to 4 March 1841 a/c md. Act 3 March 1843 and 17 June 1844 $33 33 / 100 per ann d. 4 Nov. 1838.
L. Condict Esq. Morris Town NJ

Col: Jas. L. Edwards
Commissaire of Pensions.

Morris-Town 31 st Oct. '43.
Sir,
Your letter of 20 th inst. admits "the claim of Elizabeth  Elizabeth Colley to be acted upon her declaration as she left it". It is accordingly enclosed, bearing date, March 29 th . 1839. — After being prepared, I learned from you, that women who were not widows when the act of 1838 or 36 passed, were debared its benefits, & that is the reason it was not sent to the office. The same reason prevented me from sending the Declaration of Mrs. De Camp, widow of Enoch De Camp.
May not Mrs. De Camp's papers now be acted on, being a case similar to Mrs. Colley's? — In the case of Lydia Mitchell, you suggest the appointment of an Adm t & I will recommend it to her heirs residing now in this County, & forward you a copy of the Letter &c. I will also forward the Declaration of Mrs. De Camp, if you can receive it.
Yours with respect &c.
Levin Condict.
Col: Edwards, Commissioner of Pensions.

To The commissioners of Pensions
Dr Sir,
Will you favor the subscriber by informing him what was the yearly amount allowed as a pension to Henry Colley late of Morris Co. N.J. and also if a pension was ever awarded to Betsey or Elizabeth Colley his wife; and if so, the amt thereof. This information is respectfully requested by the son & widow of the deceased. Henry Colley first received his pension about nine years since, and the widow's application made between three and four years ago, or since that time.
Yr. obedt Servant
James R. Meeker "Elizabeth Town
Augt 8 th 1842.
Essex County, New Jersey."

Morris Town N. J. March 27 th 45.
Dear Sir,
In the case of Eliz th Colley, an applicant under the act 7 th July '38. alluded to in your letter dated 21 st March, I had taken the course mentioned  alluded to by you - viz; to obtain the testimony of aged respectable citizens, neighbors of Henry Colley & wife whilst living in Suffolk County Long Island - showing their relation as husband & wife, before their removal to New Jersey. The widow, some years since, on my enquiring, mentioned the names of several old neighbors who knew them, & I addressed letters to two respectable Physicians giving these names, & requesting their testimony on this point. The result of their enquiries was, that not one of these persons was then living. Their children & descendants in some cases, remained, & altho' they collected a family, many years since living in that quarter, & called Colley, who moved off somewhere - yet they could not tell the first name, nor give any details which either of these gentlemen could consider of the least importance - beyond a belief that such a family resided there & removed from there, some few years after the war ended.
Samuel Barnes you will rec d , testifies that he knew them well on Long Island from 1793, in the summer, & from that time to 1840 - always believed them to be husband & wife. He (Barnes) was a Methodist Minister on Exhorter, of exemplary character. Hannah Totten, a daughter of H. Colley by his first wife, born in Oct r 1781 - was 7 years old when her father married her present step mother at Patchogue, Long Island. I am convinced we can obtain no evidence which will be as strong as Barnes' & Totten's - & I believe there is nothing which can be alleged against their veracity or good standing. Alex. H. Colley, a son

of the claimant, speaks of a record of births &c. on Long Island - & his statement seemed to render it probable, that the record might furnish some further evidence as to the time of the claimant's marriage. Young Colley's statement was enclosed to the physicians before mentioned, & after much enquiry, they both answer, there is no record whatever of births or marriages there to be found, or heard of, & that he is altogether mistaken.
From what I have lately learned of young Colley, I believe he drinks - & perhaps was somewhat excited by liquor when he thought he saw a record of births or marriages in the office of Town Clerk. - The Town (Hempstead) spoken of by him, as in Suffolk, is the County town of Queens Co; but there is no such record there - nor is there a Town called by the name of Hempstead or any name like it in Suffolk. Under such circumstances, & with no expectation of further light - I hope you may find it consistent, to admit the marriage proved by Totten's & Barnes' evidence, & the declaration of the widow.
Very respectfully
Your obed. servt.
Lewis Bonditch.
Col: Edwards.
Amey

Feb 4, 1841
Recd of Elizabeth Colley
Jane L. Edwards Esq. Commission of Pension Washington
6

Morris Town N. J. Febr. 2 d . '47.
Sir,
Since I was at your Office in Dec. last, the pious of Elz th Bolley, widow of Henry Bolley, who was a Militia pensioner, have enquired of me, the result of her application. I had thought she was not living - but I find she is yet alive & in circumstances as destitute & needy as any can be. She was confined some months with a broken hip, & is a cripple for life.
Her Declaration under the Act of 1838, was made in 1840, but in consequence of information from you, that the Law embraced no case except such as were widows at its passage, her papers were not forwarded till Dec. 1843. The only difficulty was, the defective proof of marriage.
The additional depositions of Hannah Totten & Samuel Banns, altho' they do not ascertain the month nor the precise year - yet afford conclusive evidence, that the marriage occurred at least 6 or 8 years prior to the limitation.
A. H. Bolley, a son, states in his deposition, that there is a record of births, in the Town where he was born. The people who reside there have been consulted, the fact is not so. There is no such record.
There is no probability that any proof more conclusive can be obtained. And I think there can be no doubt, that the marriage was earlier than 1 st January 1794. Will you be kind enough to inspect the papers, & give to the widow such relief in her needy condition, as the case may admit?
Very respectfully,
Your ob t . serv t .
Lewis Condict
Col. Edwards. Commissioner of Pensions

Feb 16. 1841
NY
E. Colley Esq. Mr. Stiles
James I. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions War Department Washington.
FREE

Morris town, N. J. Feby. 8 th '41.
Dear Sir,
Henry Bolley, of this County, a pensioner under the Militia Law of 1832, died near this place some 2 or 3 years since, leaving a widow, who made her Declaration for a pension under the act of 36, or 38. I can not say which with certainty. There was difficulty as to the marriage, which took place on Long Island, & there was much delay in procuring proof, in consequence of the distance. The best which could be found, was obtained several months since; & altho' I find no memorandum of forwarding her papers to your office, yet I have an impression they were sent, & no entry made.
Permit me to enquire of you, whether her Declaration is in your office & whether or not an examination has been made, & the result.
The widows first name I think is Elizabeth, - but I am not confident. - Mary Stiles, widow of John Stiles, claiming a pension under the act of July, 1836, for services by her husband as a Company or Dr. Master, whose Declaration was sent to the office some months past, desires to be informed the result of her application.
Very respectfully
Your obed. Servt. &c.
Louis Bondil.

Mar 10 45
1286
James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington.

Morris Town N. J. March 7 th 1845.
Dear Sir,
You will pardon me for soliciting your attention to the case of Elizabeth De Camp, claimant under the Law of July 38, for a 5 year pension.
I did not feel willing till after the M c . C o had gone, to trouble you with it, altho' the immediate friends of the very needy old woman, have been, & still are very pressing in their requests.
The only point of question, relates to their marriage. There is no record, & all the circumstantial evidence which can be found after a diligent search, is before you. The eye witnesses - & Bluffton men are all dead. The testimony of Doctor Craig, who is as credible a witness as can be found in any community, is in point - altho' it brings the time of the marriage as nearly as I now recollect, to 1792.
The case of Elizabeth Colley, widow  wife of Henry Colley, a claimant under the same act (1838) is in the same predicament - viz: without record proof - or eye witness of marriage. The son, Alex r . H. Colley, by his disposition, led us to believe there was a Town record of marriage & birth at the old residence of his parents in Suffolk Co. Long Island. At your suggestion I have caused the most diligent enquiry to be made there of the Town Officers, who have repeatedly assured me that there is no such record whatever. This young man, as I have been informed, sometimes drinks - & may have been under some excitement from Whiskey when testifying - seeing things which to others are invisible.
I would not request a decision, if I believed there remained the least probability of any further evidence. But knowing there is none which can be expected, I hope you will act upon it as it is presented.
Very respectfully
Your obed. serv t .
Levin Bondiel.
Col: J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions.

April 18, 1841 Elizabeth Bradley. The Jan 25 1845.
C
James A. Edwards Esq. Commissaire of Pensions Washington.
J

Morris Town N. J. April 14 th 1847.
Dear Sir,
I send herewith the Declaration of Elizabeth Golly, widow of Henry Golly deceased, drawn under the Joint Resolution of January 23 d . 1845, so far as the circumstances of her case are applicable.
Her situation precludes all expectation of living many weeks, & her children are very solicitous for  of as early a decision of the claim, as may be practicable.
Very respectfully
Your obed. servt.
Levi Condict
James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions.

Mar 20/47
Recd Elizabeth Colby
10
James L. Edwards Esq. Commission of Pensions Washington.

Morris Town, March 17 th 1847.
Sir,
Your letter of the 15 th relating to the claim of Eliz th Bolley, is just now rec d . You refer me to yours dated May 15 th 1845. If it ever came to my hands, it has escaped my recollection - & on looking over her papers, I find no letter from you of that date, nor of any other, giving the information now mentioned. I will now make out a Declaration under the joint resolution pointed out, & forward it, as soon as it can be executed.
If I have correctly understood you in regard to the claim of Phebe Fairchild, nothing further was required of her, than to account for the Certificate issued to her at $100. pr. an: sometime last Nov: or Dec: -
In my last (some weeks since) I stated succinctly my own recollection of it - viz: that the last I saw it, was on Doctor Cump's table, with the understanding that it should await the final decision of the evidence relating to his service as Adjutant - not then determined. I also stated my willingness to make affidavit to that effect, if you would so direct, or judge expedient.
Since then, I have rec d . no intelligence relating to the case. Her first certificate for $20. pr. an: or thereabouts, has been sent to you, some weeks since - probably in January - & this is the only certificate of Phebe Fairchild which I have ever had.
Will you please intimate to me, what you may deem to be right & proper for me to do further in the case? Sooner or later, I feel confident, that the $100. certificate will be found among the papers then before Doctor Cump & upon his table.
Very respectfully
Your ob st serv t .
Lewis Bondick.
Col. Edwards, Commissioner of Pensions.

May 19/49.
Relative Case of Elizabeth Colby.
Col. Jas. A. Edwards
Commission of Pension War Department Washington.
Free
(Handwritten signature or mark)

Morris Town N. J. May 15 th 1847-
Sir,
I rec d . to day, 2 certificates for Eliz th Bolley, widow of Henry Bolley dec d . granting her $33.33 p. an: the one commencing on the 4 th . March 1836, & terminating 4 th . March 1841 — the other, commencing 4 th . March 1843, & terminating 4 th . March '48. unless &c. &c. —
There is a period of 2 years — viz: from March 41. to 43, during which she receives nothing. I have no doubt this is in conformity with existing regulations of the Department: but neither the widow nor her children, will be able to understand why it is so. They suppose, that from the commencement of her pension, to the expiration of the law, she would be entitled to its unbroken continuance, unless marriage or death intervene.
May I ask the favor of such an explanation, as may shew them plainly , the why & the wherefore ?
Very respectfully
Your ob t . serv t . &c:
Lewis Bondick
Col: Edwards
Comm te &c: Pens. Office

Nov 11 47
My dear Mr. Evans
James S. Edwards Esq. Commission of Pension War Department Washington.
Free
125
125

Morris Town N. J. Nov. 9 th 1847.
Dr. Sir,
8162 Eliz th Colley, of N. J. a pensioner under the act of March 43, & of June 17 th '44, widow of Henry Colley, died last summer, having drawn her pension to 4 th March 46. The precise time of her death, I do not now know. She left but 2 children, as I learn - both sons - 1 living in N. J. the other a preacher, between N. Orleans & the State bordering on the Mississippi - having no family nor fixed home. The last tidings from him (3 years past) he was at N. Orleans - about starting on his circuit.
The friends wish to know, whether or not, her annuity can be paid to her Adm rs with proof of the time of death &c. &c. on condition that the Bond requires distribution of the pension money to be made according to the Pension laws - or whether the son living in N. J. can draw the annuity, on producing proper proofs to the Pay Agent.
1524 Mary Garrison, widow of Jonah G. a pensioner under the act of 1838 & 1843, has died since 4 th Sept r '47. leaving no child or grand child.
Will the annuity be payable to her Adm rs or Exec rs on the same conditions as above?
Such information as you can give in these cases, will oblige the friends of the parties, as well as
Your very ob t serv t &c.
Lewis Condick
James L. Edwards Esq r , Commissioner of Pensions

James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions.

Morris Town N.J. Oct. 3 d 1844.
Sir.
The Declaration of Elizabeth Bolley, widow of Henry Bolley, rec. with your letter of 17 th July last, is herewith returned, the Clerk having corrected the mistake in the date of his certificate, as noticed by you, viz: the year having inadvertently been written "1840", when it is evident it should have been 1839, as he has stated.
I have written twice to acquaintances on Long Island, to obtain copies of the records of births spoken of in the deposition of Alexander H. Bolley, the son of this widow, & the result of the enquiry is, that the Deponent is probably mistaken in regard to a record of births. Doctor Purdy writes, that after a diligent enquiry, he can find no record of births in Hempstead, nor do the town officers know of such record. Bolley is an ignorant man & illiterate, & it is evident that he was in error as to the county - Hempstead being not in Suffolk, as he supposes - but in Queens County. Doctor Purdy also writes, that on enquiry, he finds there lived a family in that vicinity of the name of Bolley, many years since, but they removed long since, & that very little is known of them. The family whilst living in this county were in great poverty, & the father an intemperate man.
I am convinced, that no further testimony can be obtained in regard to the marriage. The circumstances & facts detailed by the widow, are all corroborated by the other witnesses, Totten & Barnes - agreeing also with Alex r . H. Bolley in all points except as to what he says of a record of births - in which he is undoubtedly in error. They had lived in various places on Long Island - as well in Suffolk as in Queens County - & young Bolley's mind has become confused, blurring places which are in Queens - with those in Suffolk. Please notify me the result of the case With esteem
Your ob t serv t . &c:
Levi Condict
Col: Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.

Henry Colley N. act 7 June 1832 $33 33 /p.m.
To what time was he last paid?
Pension Office May 5 1844 Paid 4 th Nov. 1838 Paid to his death G.C.A. R.H.B.

9922
Elizabeth Bolley N. J.
Defunct - July 19. '44 " Nov. 30 — " Mar. 21 45 " May 15 " Same March 15. '47

Return this. Henry Colley

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Henry Colley further proof or explanation.
which require
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?
No. (He enlisted in May, (planting corn) for 9 mo. in the year 1776.
V. * Has he mentioned 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?
No See Decree 5. In his amending affidavit of March 27 th 1833.
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
Making by Enlistment 9 1/2 mo. Militia Service 1/2 mo. Total 10 months.
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? XIV. † If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? No, see Quere 14. Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? * (See L. Condick's certificate as to the credibility &c.) XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No, see Quere 16.  See L. Condick's certificate XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. 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 the 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.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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.
‡QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end 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.
This name is not on the rolls of Malcom's regiment. see Quere 14 above. The Enlistment was prior to the Declaration of Independence, being in May 1776. Possibly there may be no rolls embracing that time. If Capt. Mitchell's rolls of May 1776. of Malcom's regim t . be found, Colley's name ought to be found upon it. — After his wound in the leg at the battle of White Plains, & whilst he was confined with it, his name may have dropped from the rolls, not being able for active duty, until he had recovered. I saw the scar, which is plainly visible in Colley's left leg, which he swears he rec d . in that battle, & which very much resembles the scar of a wound by a musket ball. Lewis Condict, late a Rep r . from N. Jersey. Morristown March 27 th . 1833.

N. Jersey. 10. 264.
Rep.
Elizabeth Colley Widow of Henry Colley who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832 and who died on the 4. Nov. 1838. of Rel. Twp. in the State of N. Jersey who was a Res t in the Company commanded by Captain Mitchell of the Reg t commanded by Col. Malcolm in the N. Y. line for 11 mo.
Inscribed on the Roll of Trenton at the rate of 33 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12 th day of May 1838 and sent to D. L. Condict, Morristown, N. J.
Total amount, $ 166.65
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by A. H. 23 Jan 1. 1843 Clerk, Book D. Vol. 1. Page 193.

New Jersey, Morris County. Pension claim of Elisabeth Golley, widow of Henry Golley, decd. Law of 1838, & Resolution. of January 23 d 1845.
Return to Lewis Bondict, Morris Town New Jersey.

Declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the resolution of Congress of the 23 d . January 1845.
Wheras, I was an Applicant for a pension from the United States, under the law of July 7 th 1838, as the widow of Henry Bolley dec d who was a pensioner under the law of June 1832, & who died in Morris County in the State of New Jersey, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty eight on the 6 th day of October.
My Declaration was taken before Stephen Bonner Esq r . a Judge of the Common Pleas of Morris County, on the 29 th . March 1839, as I am informed & believe; but not being a widow when the law was passed in 1838, I was informed by letter from the Pension Office that I was precluded from its benefits, & the Declaration on that account was not sent to the Commissioners until about December, 1843, when under some new regulation it was forwarded to him for examination, & from some defect in regard to proof of marriage, the claim has been suspended. And I now make the following statement under oath, to obtain the benefits of the resolution of Congress of the 23 d . January 1845.
I am the widow of said Henry Bolley, who was a pensioner of the United States as above stated. I have now received a pension for the revolutionary services of my said husband, who was as I believe, a private in the war of the revolution.
I made my Declaration before the 30 th day of April 1844, & I believe it was filed in the pension office before the 23 d . of January 1845. And in support of my claim, I would respectfully refer the Commissioners of pensions to my own & to my said husband's Declarations & the vouchers which accompany them, now in the office.
I am now about Eighty years of age - entirely dependent for my support upon the charity of my children & friends, & being unable from infirmities, to walk or move without assistance, I stand greatly in need of the assistance of my Country, & respectfully claim whatever may be properly due to me, under the several pension laws of the United States, on account of the Revolutionary services of my dec d . husband
Sworn to & submitted, at Elizabeth Town, Essex County, New Jersey, on the thirteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord, 1847.
Elizabeth her X Bolley mark.
Before me James T. Meeker Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for the Borough of Elizabeth
I certify that the Declarant is personally known to me, & that she is the same individual she represents herself to be in the foregoing affidavit, as I verily believe.
James T. Meeker Judge etc.

State of New Jersey } Borough of Elizabeth } p. I John R. Crane Clerk of the Borough of Elizabeth in the state aforesaid do hereby certify that Simon F. Meeker before whom the within deposition was taken is now Deputy Mayor of the Borough of Elizabeth and as such is a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the same, and is duly authorized to take acknowledgments and proofs &c, under the Laws of this state. That the signature thereto subscribed is in his proper hand writing and genuine, and that full faith and credit are due to all his official acts.
In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set the seal of the said Court and subscribed My name this Fifteenth day of April A.D. 1847
John R. Crane Clerk

State of New Jersey } Be it remembered that on the Morris County ss } twenty eighth day of July in the year our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two before the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Morris appeared in person Williams Ball who being duly sworn ac- cording to law doth depose and say that from conversation this day with Henry Colley and after hearing the declaration of the said Henry Colley before the said Court in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7 th 1832 that he believes that the said Henry Colley served in Colonel Malcoms Regiment the same Regiment in which the said William Ball served at the same time —
Subscribed and sworn in open Court — Jesse Upson Stephen Vail "
Williams Ball
Williams Ball, the above Deponent is well known to me personally, as a man of truth & well worthy of belief. —
Jan. 17 th 1833.
Lewis Condict, one of the Refs. from N. Jersey.
I hereby certify to the Secretary of War, that notwithstanding the papers composing the Declaration of Henry Colley were  are not attached together by seal & ribbon, as the Pension office requires, yet to my certain knowledge, no paper has been or is now attached thereto by wafer or otherwise, which was not so attached when the Declaration passed the inspection & examination of the Morris Court, except the amendatory Deposition taken this day before Charles Freeman Esq. attested by him & signed by said Colley, having reference to the duration of his service. — Williams Ball, being in Court & hearing Colley's Declaration read, remarked to Colley, that they must have been together on the same expedition, & upon further conversation became perfectly satisfied of the truth of his statement, & gave his own affidavit, as above stated.
Morris town, N. Jersey, March 27 th 1833.
Lewis Condict, late a Ref. from New Jersey

9922
579 9272 1421
New Jersey. Morris Co.
Elizabeth Colley Widow of Henry Colley Pension Applicant.
Law of July 7 th 1838.
m 84 D 38
Incl Receipt
Denin avr.
Return to Louis Bondit
Morris town, N. Jersey.

Morris County, New Jersey.
I David B. Hurd, Clerk of Morris County, hereby certify that Stephen Conger Esq. before whom the within & annexed Declaration of Elizabeth Golly, was taken on the 29 th . March 1839, is, & was, at the taking thereof one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of said County, duly commissioned & authorized. — And I further certify that Silas L. Condict Esq. before whom the several annexed depositions of Alexander H. Golly, Samuel Barnes & Hannah Totten, were taken & subscribed, is, & was at the taking thereof, a Justice of peace in said County, duly commissioned & authorized. And the respective signatures of said "Stephen Conger", & of said " Silas L. Condict " subscribed to said Declaration & depositions are genuine.
Witness my signature & the seal of my office, at Morris town, at the Clerk's office, this 5 th day of June, Domini 1840.
D B Hurd Clerk
N. B. the date of the year above, line 4 th having erroneously been written "1840" is by me corrected to read 1839, which is the true date of the Declaration of Elizabeth Golly.
D. B. Hurd