Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 1833, John Chamberlin, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey
Chamberlin John Chamberlain,
R. 1833
CONTENTS

N.C.
John Chamberlain
Declaration
B. Brown.
Senate H. S.

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7 th 1832.
State of North Carolina County of Caswell. § 98.
On this 9 th day of July 1833. Personally appeared in open Court. (the Court of Pleas and quarter Sessions of the County and State aforesaid) now sitting. John Chamberlin a resident of the said County of Caswell and State of North Carolina, aged Eighty six Years on the 4 th day of 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 th , 1832. — That the entered the Service of the United States, under the following named Officers, and served as herein stated — To wit Same time in the month of May 1776, as well as This Declarant now recollects at the darkest period of our revolutionary History. This Declarant This Declarant who at that time resided in the County of Sussex in the State of New Jersey was drafted in the said County of Sussex under one Captain William Lehart in the Company or Regiment Commanded by Colonel Houghton and of the Brigade of Genl. Dickinson and was marched with the rest of the troops to a place called Elizabeth Town, and were there stationed and remained, for several months watching the enemy, who were then off the Coast and about Long Island and Staten Island from this place, we here marched to Springfield and

and were there stationed some time, and returned back to Elizabeth Town, and from thence, from place to place, according as we were ordered. At one time at a place called Steel's Gap, and to Drumwick and from thence, to Elizabeth Town, where we were lying. When we had orders to march upon Trenton; we accordingly took up our march and pursued our route. - We joined the main American Army under Genl. Washington on Christmas Day, and that night while it was snowing as hard & as fast as ever snow fell from the clouds. We attacked Trenton, and beat the enemy, & captured upward of one thousand Hessians while they were frolics and carousing.
During this engagement this declarant was under the said officers as well as he can now recollect, although it frequently happened that they were taken out & put under different officers for scouting and capturing purposes -
After the Battle of Trenton. This declarant was again marched to Elizabeth Town, and was there continued until he was discharged which was in the month of March 1778 1777. When he again returned home - This declarant could state many things which he saw and suffered, during the winter of 1776. - But he will here only remark, that the road to Trenton on Christmas night 1776. was stained with the blood of the bare foot, and frost bitten feet of the Americans soldiers - and many cried and shed tears, as they were driven through the snow and ice to that glorious Battle - Thus this

declarant served his Country this Term of Two Months, he is sure it is not less than Two Months, and returned home into Sussex County in the State of New Jersey some time in the month of March 1777. — This declarant after returning home, moved his Family into the County of Brunswick in the State of New Jersey near to where his Father lived, and there took up his residence — But had not been on that County long, before he was again drafted or drafted in Brunswick County, New Jersey under a Captain Titus, in the Company of a Regiment commanded by Col. Philips; under Genl. Dickerson again, and was marched to the direction of the New York line and along about Elizabeth Town, and in that section of the State, from Place to Place, But most generally at Elizabeth Town, until the Spring of 1778. When he was ordered to, march in the direction to Monmouth , to join the Main American Army, and to head the enemy under Sir Henry Clinton, who were then leaving Philadelphia — accordingly This declarant, with the regiment to which he belonged, under the Command of Genl. Dickerson, joined the Main American Army, before reached Monmouth Meeting House, where they attacked the enemy, and drove them. This declarant was in the fight in that engagement — — — This declarant thinks that this Battle was fought some time about the last of the Spring or the first of the summer 1778. — Some short time

after the Battle of Monmouth this Declarant with the rest of the New Jersey Brigade was disbanded, for We had but one little fighting after this time. This Declarant has not in the Service any more.
Thus he again in the second tour of duty which he served his Country. he served something over fourteen months, it being from March 1777. until (he thinks) about the last of June 1778. at which time as well as he can now recollect, he was disbanded or discharged — he is sure it was not less than fourteen months — This Declarant would state that he served his Country two tours of duty, one of ten months and one of fourteen months — which together in all the time he served his Country during the war of the revolution, is two years, and for which time he claims a pension. In the last engagement in which this Declarant was in was at Monmouth, His officers were, Captain Titus. Col. Philips & General Dickerson — under the Genl. Command of General Washington. — This Declarant would also state that in his campaigns, he was the most of his time in the State of New Jersey, But that he was frequently over in the State of New York — This Declarant has no documentary evidence of his service, nor does he know of any person by whom he

Can prove his services, for he is now living in the State of North Carolina, Caswell County, at a great distance from his former place of residence, and from where he lived, when he was in the service, away from his old associates in arms —, he (this declarant) having left the State of New Jersey something like thirty five years ago —
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 — Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Interrogatories, propounded by the Court to the applicant and his answer —
Question 1 st Where and in what year were you born? Ans r — I was born in Windsor County in the State of New Jersey, on the 4 th day of March 1747.
Question 2 d Have you any record of your age & if so, where is it? Ans r — I have no record of my age — My father's family register or record — was destroyed by the British, during the revolutionary War & I have retained, a knowledge of my age in my memory, having known it in former times.
Question 3 d Where were you living when called into service, where have you lived since the revolutionary War and where do you now live?
Ans r — I was living in Sussex County in the State of New Jersey, when I was first called into service. I was living in the County of Windsor, when I was last called into service — I have lived until the year 1798 in Windsor in New Jersey and moved from there to Prince William County,

in the state of Virginia. Where I lived four years & from thence I moved to Caswell County in the state of North Carolina. Where I now live
Ques n 4 th Have ever you called into service. Were you drafted, did you volunteer or were you a substitute, & if a substitute, for whom?
Ans n - I was drawed as it was called on those days. - I suppose it meant drafted - all I know about it, was this. I was forced & compelled to go; & when they got us into service they kept us in service as long as there was any danger about
Question 5 th State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops where you served; such continental and militia regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service - ?
Ans n - I was with the whole American force of the regular troops, under the command of Genl Washington, at Trenton. But I can't tell their names nor the number of their Regiments. nor
I was also with nearly all the New Jersey Militia, & Regular troops at Monmouth. But them also. I would not now undertake to name - Genl Washington, was the head & commanding officer at Monmouth - & Genl Lee, and Scott. & Lafayette & others were there - My Genl who commanded the New Jersey Militia, at that Battle was Genl Dickerson, & this is as far as I can now go in my statements. - The general circumstances of my service, I have before endeavoured to detail -

Question 6th - Did you ever receive a discharge from the Service, if so, by whom, was it given and what has become of it?
Ans r - I never did receive any discharge from the Service - I was always or rather both Services, disbanded as it was called - and sent home with whole bodies, whenever we were not wanted -
Question 7th State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood, who can testify as to your character for veracity and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution - ?
Ans r - I am known to most to my neighbours and I trust they will prove for me a good character; I know of no person by whom I can prove my services & I have therefore to rely upon my own oath & such character as my neighbours will  prove prove for honesty and truth for me -
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid -
Test.
John his Chamberlin mark
Paul H. Haradson G.W.
"

the County of Coxe and State of North Carolina, and Lewis Barton residing in the County and State aforesaid, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Chamberlin who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing Declaration, that we believe him to be Eighty six years of age as he has stated 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 to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid Not: Paul H. Haralson J.P.
George A. Swift Lewis Barton
We Thomas Williamson, Freeman Leath, Samuel Filder and John Boswell all of the County of Coxe and State of North Carolina, do hereby certify that we have known John Chamberlin for near thirty years, and we unhesi- tatingly say that he is an old gentleman, of strict veracity, and honor, and a man whose character stands as fair, and as free from reproach as any man of our acquaintance, having ever been considered a man of truth, of credit and honor, and a man in whose statements, we have always & do now confide — Sworn to and subscribed this day of July 1833
Not: Paul H. Haralson J.P.
Thomas Williamson
F. Leath
Samuel Filder
John Boswell

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 George A. Smith who has signed the preceding Certificate is a Clergyman resident in the said County of Cabell and State aforesaid and that Lewis Barton who has also signed the same, and also Thomas Williamson Freeman Clerk, Samuel Fulder and John Bowell who have signed the above & preceding Certificates are gentlemen of Credit and of the first standing in said County and that their statements are entitled to the fullest Credit, they being residents of the said County and known to the Court.
John C. Harvey Rich. J. Smith Thos. W. Graves —

State of North Carolina County of Caswell 3
I Paul A. Haralson Clerk of the Court of Pleas and quarter Sessions of the County of Caswell and State of North Carolina, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Chamberlin for a pension
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 9 th day of July 1833.
Paul A. Haralson Clk "

State of North Carolina Giles County
Be it remembered, That
Personally appeared before me Thomas Williamson the undersigned a Justice of the peace of the County and State aforesaid John Chamberlin 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 services, nor positively as to all the facts and circumstances connected with his services in the Revolutionary War. But according to the best of his recollection he served not less than in the whole time than two years. And as he in his declaration has stated that he served But two periods of duty - one of ten months, and one of fourteen months, - He does not intend to be understood that these two periods were the length of time, which the New Jersey Militia were called out - He states that the New Jersey Militia were called out for one month at a time, only, But this declarant and affiant when he was called out in May 1776. He was only compelled to serve but one month, at the expiration of his month's service, He was prevailed upon and was induced by the persuasions of his officers, and by the necessity of the case, and the importance of the great glorious Object which our Country had in view, to volunteer, again & again from month after month until he served the ten months as he has stated in his declaration - And so also when he again in the Spring of the year 1777, was called out he was called out But for one month only, and when his month expired he was induced to volunteer as before stated which he did, successively, month after month until after the memorable Battle of Monmouth in 1778. - It is a fact well known to all old men who is familiar with the history of the Revolutionary War, that the section of the United States spoken of in the declaration of this declarant, was generally the seat of war where the Tens and the labourers were to be induced - and that the only way to be free, was to fight - which facts and circumstances, this declarant & affiant submits to his Country and to its proper authorities and for which he claims a pension.
Sworn to and subscribed before me a Justice as aforesaid this 24th day of May 1834. Thomas Williamson J.P.
John Chamberlin Mark

State of North Carolina Cocowill County - 3 rd P.
I Paul A. Aracdon Clerk of the Court of Pleas and quarter Sessions of the County and State aforesaid do hereby certify that Thomas Williamson esquire before whom the foregoing affidavit was made and who here certified the same, is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly Commissioned and sworn according to law, and that the signature thereto purporting to be his is genuine —
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of Office of said County this 24 th day of May A.D. 1834.
Paul A. Aracdon of Cocowill County South

1833
REJECTED
No. John Chamberlain
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

M. Chankalin N
Ad Laill Hon P. Brown June 28 B 1824 L Ho AH Sheppard July 27 187
1833
at 7 June In
16 16
  1500  260    125  21.66    21.66     146.66   

Stokes N. Carolina County July 28 th 1836.
This day came John Eppes before me R. Wolger One of the Justices of the peace in & for said County and made oath in manner & form as follows (Viz) — he swears that he was a Soldier in the Revolutionary War & served under Capt Ragsdale & Garland & in his service he was well acquainted with a Soldier by the name of John Chamberlain who served under Capt Philips & afterwards under Capt Fitz; but (as to what kind of Soldier (he Chamber- lain was) he at this time is not certain whether a regular Soldier or in the Militia but he thinks he was certainly One or the other — To the best of his knowledge & belief sworn to & subscribed the day & date above written.
attest R. Wolger
his John Eppes Mark

Stokes County
State of North Carolina To John Skill clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions Stokes County certify that Reuben Fogle is a magistrate as above and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of office and subscribed my name this 11th day of February 1837
John Skill C.C. By W. Brudon de
John Skill

State of South Carolina Calhoun County - S.C.
Be it remembered, that this is to certify that We the undersigned, Revolutionary pensioners of the United States have long known John Chamberlain an applicant for a pension for services in the Revolutionary War, and we have ever considered him and believed him to have been in the war of the Revolution - It is true we know nothing of his service not having known him while in service. But from the facts which he has related as having been and known of, which facts are known to us - and also from upright life of the man, the credit to which he is entitled, and the high standing which he has ever maintained since our acquaintance, as a man of truth we do not hesitate to give it as our decided opinion that he was a Valiant soldier of the Revolution, and justly deserves the provision which Congress has made for persons in his situation. -
September 5th 1836.
David Barbed
Wm H Rue
Elisha his Evans
William mark Roberts mark