Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 2,827, Elias Decker, New Jersey

SERVICE
New Jersey.
Decker, Elias
NUMBER
R. 2827
CONTENTS

State of Ohio.                      On this 26 th day of August Hancock County ss in the year One Thousand eight hundred and fiftyone Personally appeared before me Garmalel ss Barns, a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for Hancock County and State aforesaid. Elias Decker, a reside- -nt of said County and State of Ohio. aged 90 years. who being 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 on the 7 th day of June 1832.
That he entered the service under the following named officers. (Vis) Captain John Vannatta and Col Rosecrance. of the militia of New Jersey. About the year 1778. as a substitute for Abram Dekins. two months. and after that term of service was out. Some time, I was enrolled in the militia. and was called into service. About July 1779. and served three years.
1 st Where and in What year were you born.
Ans. I was born in Northampton County, Pa on the 30 th day of May in the year 1761.
2 nd Have you a record of your age and if so where is it.
Ans. I have a record of my age, in my possession, and herewith send a copy the original
3 rd Where were you living when called into service; Where have you lived since the Revolutionary war and where do you now live.
Ans. I lived in Northampton County. in Upper Smythfield Township in the state of Pennsylvania some years after the war. and from there I went into Luzern County Pa and lived there some

years and from thence I removed with my family to Fairfield County, Ohio, and there lived until I came to Hancock County, Egal Township, Ohio.
4 th How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer or were you a substitute, and if a substitute for whom. I was a substitute for Abram Dabins as before stated and after that term was out, I was called into the service by the community men of the Township where I lived, and was placed under the command of John Wannate Captain of the Militia, and was Garrisoned in Sussex County in the state of New Jersey for the purpose of defending the neighborhood against the Indians and Tories.
5 th State the names of some of the Regular officers who were with the troops where you were and pitched the Continental Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service.
Mrs. I knew Captain John Tyler, which I now remember but I have forgotten the names of those Regular officers whom I have seen and as I was but a boy, and never took charge of their names, except those who commanded me. The circumstances of my service was, covered by many defeats, as skirmishes with the Indians, and Tories, one circumstance was this an insurrection took place in the neighborhood a party of Indians penetrated the neighborhood and killed some of our people and stole two horses and fifty head of sheep, and fled. Captain John Wannate was ordered by Andrew Dingman our community man to meet Captain

John Taylor of the New-York militia at Scituate to join with a Regular Officer. with his troops to follow the Indians, we took up our line of march five days. and the Indians and some Tories was killed and taken prisoners and the property brought back and sold. and the money was divided with the men. to the amount of $5 each and other similar circumstances. transpired during my service I also remember the troops that crossed the Delaware river. under the direction of our community man Dingman who had the charge of the boats at the ferry. I was engaged two days. in ferrying those troops. across the Delaware river to join General Washington at York- Town in Virginia. for the purpose of taking Cornwallis.
6th Did you ever receive a discharge from the service; and if so by whom was it given and what has become of it.
Ans I received a discharge from Captain John Vanatta. for my two months service. for Abram Dekins.
The discharge I gave to Abram Dekins. and for my own service I was dismissed by our community man Andrew Dingman. after the news came that Cornwallis was taken and according to that order we returned home. and I know of no person by whom I can prove my service. except Sarah Lee. who has made an affidavit in my favor. she was well acquainted with her in the Revolutionary war. where she lived in New Jersey. at the time. 7th State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity. and their belief of your service as a soldier in the Revolution.

Ans. Henry Sarker Jacob Sharp Julian Sharp. Erie Helpman. who has long been acquainted with me. and is my immediate neighbour.
He hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension or annuity. except the present. and declares that his name is not on the Pension Rolls of the agency of any state.
Elias his Decker. mark
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written. And I hereby certify that Elias Decker. who has signed the above declaration cannot from bodily infirmity attend the court.
Gamaliel C. Barnet { Associate Judge

Elias Decker was born in the year of our Lord 1758 February the 20th Elias Decker was married to Catharine Decker
Elisha Decker was Born August the 28 1785 on the Sabbath Day
Cherry Decker was Born on friday the 12th Day of October in the year of our Lord 1787
Coonrod Decker was born in the year of our Lord 1789 and the 13th of November on friday
John Decker was Born march the 7. 1792 on wednesday
John Decker was Born November the 7. 1793 on thursday
James Decker was Born August the 21 1795 on friday
Isabella Decker was born 21 st day of May in the year of our Lord 1797 on the Sabbath day
Mary Decker was born the 19. day of November in the year of our Lord 1798. on Monday first day
Winney Decker was Born December 31. in the year of Lord 1800. on wednesday the forth
Andrew Decker was Born August 8. 1803
Mary wife of Elias Decker was born August 11. 1752
Isaac Decker was born November

no. 38,108.
Chas Decker, Ohio. 2827
Let P. P. Turner, March 14, 1881.
Same Nov 21. 1881
June 7, 1882,

State of Ohio. { Within 9th day of Hancock County } ss. November one thou- -and eight hundred and fifty Personally appeared before me Eli C Dunning, a Justice of the Peace within said County and State aforesaid. Sarah Lee, who is entitled to Credit upon Oath says that she was acquainted with Elias Decker. from her childhood, then living with his parents in Northampton County, Pa. and at the age of about 16 years she joined the American Army, in the Revolution. as a substitute for a person living in the afore- -said County, to her own personal knowledge, under Captain Cannata commanded by Col. Rosecrance. and after his time was out as a substitute, he then entered the service as a volunteer under the aforesaid Captain and Col and was Garrisoned in Sussex County in the State of New Jersey, and continued in said war for some years, until near its close. She further states She has seen his mother Sarah Lee on account of her son Elias going into the service, and after the war she states that they lived in one neighbourhood in Wyoming County, Pa. and from thence she says they moved to Ohio, in Fairfield County, for some years, and at this time she states that from the best of her information he now is living in Hancock County, Ohio, and she says she further believes that he is justly entitled to a pension for his aforesaid services in the Revolutionary war. Sarah Lee.  (E. Decker) mark
Sworn to and subscribed the year and day last above written Eli C Dunning, Justice of the Peace.

THE STATE OF OHIO, } ss. HANCOCK COUNTY, }
I A. P. Ryals
Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, in and for said county, do hereby certify that Eli L. Dunning Esqr., before whom the foregoing  within  affidavit was made and who has hereunto subscribed his name officially, in his own proper hand writing, was at the date thereof, and now is an acting
Justice of the Peace within and for said county, duly commissioned and qualified according to law; and to all of whose official acts
full faith and credit are, and of right ought to be given, in judicature and thereout.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of this Court, at Findlay, this 22 nd day of November A. D. 18. 50
A. P. Ryals Clerk.

No 38,108
Elias Decker
Ohio
June 7, 1802
J. G. Turner, Tiffin. Ohio.

And that the said Judge do hereby declare his 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 deserved as he states and the Judge further certifies that it appears to him that J. B. Needles, who has signed the preceding Certificate is a Minister of the Gospel, or a Clergiman a resident of Hancock County Ohio. and Grover French who has signed the same is a resident in the above named County, and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
G. B. Barnd. Associate Judge.
I A. P. Byal Clerk of the Court of common pleas of Hancock County. do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceeding of said Judge in the matter of the application of Elias Decker. for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 22 nd day of November 1850.
A. P. Byal Clerk.

November 12 th 1850.
We B. J. Needham Ohio a Colungyman residing in Hancock County, and Grover French Residing in the same County testify, that we are well acquainted with Elias Dutton who has Subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be Eighty nine 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.
B. J. Needham Grover French
I do hereby subscribe the day and year above said.
Eunaliel C Barnbridge

We B. I. Needles a clergyman residing in Hancock County in the State of Ohio. and Grover French. Residing in the same County and State. Do hereby Certify that we are well acquainted with Elias Decker who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration and we believe him to be ninety years of age. And that he is respected and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a Soldier in the war of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
B. I. Needles Grover French
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written. And I do hereby Certify that after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrog- -atories prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states and I further Certify that it appears to me that B. I. Needles who has signed the proceeding Certificate is a clergyman resident in Hancock County Ohio. and Grover French who has signed the same is a resident of the above named County. And is a creditable person and that their statements is entitled to credit.
Gamaliel C. Barnard { Associate Judge Hancock County Ohio

The State of Ohio Hancock County ss
J. P. Byal Clerk
Records of the Court the Court of Common Pleas within and for said County of Hancock and State of Ohio do hereby certify that the within contains the original proceedings of Isamalie C. Barnd associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas aforesaid within and for said County in the matter of the application of Elias Decker for a pension - and that said Isamalie C. Barnd is duly Commissioned and qualified as such judge as aforesaid
Witness my Signature and the seal of said Court at Findlay this 12 th day of Sept A D 1837
J. P. Byal Clerk

State of Ohio } Hancock County } ss. On this 26 th day of August in the year One thousand eight hundred and fifty one Personally appeared before me Jacob Miller a Justice of the peace in and said County, and State, aforesaid. Jacob Sharp and Henry Sarker, of lawful age, and after being duly sworn according to law, deposed and said that they have been well acquainted with Elias Decker, for the space of twenty five years past in Fayette County in the State of Ohio. And that he has signed the foregoing declaration, and that he has always been satisfied and believed to have been a Revolutionary Soldier whose life has since our knowledge of him, and the belief is general and that doubt has never existed. Affiants further state that the said Decker, sustains a good character as to morality, truth and veracity, and that they have no interest in the matter of his application for a pension. Jacob Sharp } Witness Henry Sarker } Signatures
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written.
Jacob Miller Justice of the peace.
We the the undersigned do hereby certify that Henry Sarker and Jacob Sharp who has signed the above affidavit are persons that sustain a good character and are worthy of credit, and that we concur in their opinion.
B H Keede — C. Bergmann Grover French

Tiffin City O Nov 29 th 1850
Sir,
Enclosed you will find paper in favour of Elias Decker for a pension.
I am yours respectfully,
J. G. Turner
Hon J. L. Edwards Commissioner of pensions.

State of Ohio. } ss. On this 22 nd day of Hancock County } ss. November one thousand Eight hundred and fifty. Personally appeared before me John Kelly, a Justice of the peace in and for said County and State aforesaid, Samuel Kelly, who is entitled to credit, being sworn according to law, says upon oath, his father John Keller was well acquainted with Elias Decker, now a resident in the aforesaid County, in Northampton County in the State of Pennsylvania, in the Revolutionary war, and has heard his said father say, that he was in said war with Elias Decker, serving part of his time under the same officers together, in said war, and when he John Keller applied for his pension to the United States the said Decker was one of his witnesses in behalf obtaining his pension, in or about the year 1834. Affiant further says that he is well satisfied from all the information he ever had as to his father's knowledge of the said Decker being a soldier in the aforesaid war.  Samuel Kelly (Seal)
THE STATE OF OHIO, } ss. HANCOCK COUNTY, }  I, A. P. Byal, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, in and for said county, do hereby certify that John Kelly Esqr., before whom the foregoing affidavit was made and who has hereunto subscribed his name officially, in his own proper hand writing, was at the date thereof, and now is an acting Justice of the Peace within and for said county, duly commissioned and qualified according to law; and to all of whose official acts full faith and credit are, and of right ought to be given, in judicature and thereout.  IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of this Court, at Findlay, this 22 nd day of November A. D. 1850  A. P. Byal Clerk.

State of Ohio. } ss. On this 22 nd day of Hancock County } November one thousand Eight hundred and fifty. Personally appeared before me John Kelly, a Justice of the peace in and for said County and State aforesaid, Samuel Kelley, who is entitled to credit, being sworn according to law, says upon oath, his father John Keller was well acquainted with Elias Decker, now a resident in the aforesaid County, in Northampton County in the State of Pennsylvania, in the Revolutionary war, and has heard his said father say, that he was in said war with Elias Decker, serving part of his time under the same officers together, in said war, and when he John Keller applied for his pension to the United States the said Decker was one of his witnesses in behalf obtaining his pension, in or about the year 1834. Affiant further says that he is well satisfied from all the information he ever had as to his father's knowledge of the said Decker being a soldier in the aforesaid war.
Samuel Kelley (Seal)
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written
John Kelly J.P.
own proper hand writing,
Justice of the Peace
county, duly commissioned and qualified according to law; and to all of whose officers
full faith and credit are, and of right ought to be given, in judicature and thereout.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of this Court, at Findlay, this 22 nd day of November A. D. 1850
A. P. Ryals Clerk.

State of Ohio } Hancock County } ss. On this 5 th day of November one thousand eight hundred and fifty Personally appeared before me Jacob Miller a Justice of the peace in and for said County and state aforesaid Eve Helpman who is entitled to credit upon oath. says that she been acquainted with Elias Dester for about 46 years. in Northampton County in the state of Pennsylvania, and have heard his father and mother say that he Elias was in the war of the Revolution some years but she does not remember of hearing how long he was in the service. and that for some years his mind is not as sound as it was formerly on account of his deafness.
Eve her X Helpman (mark)
I swear to and subscribed the day in year last above written.
Jacob Miller J. P.
THE STATE OF OHIO, HANCOCK COUNTY, ss.
I A. P. Byal
Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, in and
for said county, do hereby certify that
Jacob Miller
Esqr., before whom the foregoing
affidavit
was made
and who has hereunto subscribed his name officially, in his
own proper hand writing, was at the date thereof, and now is an acting
Justice of the Peace
within and for said
county, duly commissioned and qualified according to law; and to all of whose official acts
full faith and credit are, and of right ought to be given, in judicature and thereout.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of this Court, at Findlay, this
22 nd
day of November A. D. 18. 50
A. P. Byal Clerk.

State of Ohio } On this 5 th day of November Hancock County } ss. one thousand eight hundred and fifty Personally appeared before me Jacob Miller of the Peace in and for said County and State before said Henry Sucker who is Entitled to credit upon both says that he has heard Elisha Decker say that his brother Elias Decker was in the war of the Revolution and that about 20 years ago he heard him state also that he tried to have his brother Elias to apply for a pension but at that time he would not as he was in circumstances that he could live without it. he further states that Elias Decker is not as competent as he might be or as he was about 16 years ago as he is very hard of hearing and the loss of memory has affected his mind.
Henry Sucker Esq.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year last above mentioned.
Jacob Miller J. P.

State of Ohio. ss On this 26 th day of August Hancock County. ss in the year 1851. Personally appeared before me Jacob Miller, a Justice of the peace within and for said County and State aforesaid. Elias Decker, the above named in the foregoing declaration for a pension and after being duly sworn according to law. Deposeth and saith that from 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 three years, and two months.
Elias his X Decker. mark
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written.
Jacob Miller ss Justice of the peace ss

State of Ohio. } On this 26 th day of August. Hancock County } 80 in the year 1851. Personally appeared before me Jacob Miller, a Justice of the peace in and for said County. Eve Helpman and Julian Sharp, of lawful age, who being duly sworn according to law, deposeth and saith that they are well acquainted with Elias Decker. Mrs. Helpman as aforesaid, states that she has been well acquainted with the aforesaid Decker for the space of fifty years first in Luzern County in the state of Pennsylvania second in Fairfield County in the state of Ohio 3 rd in Hancock County Ohio as aforesaid, and that he was always reputed and believed to be a Revolutionary Soldier, whose he has lived as aforesaid, and that the belief is General in his present neighbourhood, and that doubts has not existed to the contrary. She further states that she has heard his father and mother say that their son Elias Decker, as aforesaid was in the war of the war of the Revolution, for the term of three years or over. Affiants further state that the said Elias Decker has and does sustain a good character for truth and veracity and also states - is a Christian character, and that they have no interest in the matter of the application of Elias Decker for a pension.
Eve her Helpman } Witnesses mark Julia Ann Sharp } Signatures Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written. Jacob Miller } Justice of the peace.

We the under signed as aforesaid do hereby certify that Eve Helpman and Julian Sharp are persons of known respectability for truth and veracity. And that we concur in this opinion.
B. H. Wedels Grover French
The State of Ohio Hancock County ss. D. A. P. By al Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for said County and State do hereby certify that the said Jacob Miller before whom the foregoing affidavit was taken, is, and was at the time of taking the same an acting Justice of the peace within and for said County duly
Commissioned and authorized according to law to act in the capacity of Justice of the Peace, and further that I, Clerk as aforesaid have examined the signature of the said Jacob Miller, who has signed his name officially as above, and believe the same to be genuine. and In Testimony whereof I have set my hand and affixed the seal of this Court this 27 th day of August AD 1857.
A. P. By al Clerk By J. M. McEfferd Deputy Clerk

STATE OF
NEW-JERSEY.
I, THOMAS S. ALLISON, Secretary of State of the State of New Jersey, do hereby certify, that I have examined the Revolutionary records in my office, and do not find therein any evidence of the service of Elias Decker
and I do further certify, that the records of this office being only certificates for balance of pay due, the fact of the name not being found therein, is not conclusive evidence that he was not in the service.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed my seal of office, at Trenton, this twenty eighth day of April one thousand eight hundred and fifty- one .
Secretary of State.

State of Ohio } Hancock County } ss. On this 1 st day of November one thousand eight hundred and fifty personally appeared me one of the associate Judges of the Court of Common pleas in said county, and State aforesaid Elias Decker, a resident of Hancock Co age eighty nine years who first being duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress passed June 4 th 1832.
That he entered the service under the following named officers, and served as herein stated; he states that he was Garrisoned under Captain John Bennett. Commanded by Col Rosecrance as a substitute for two months and after the expiration of that time I volunteered under the above named Captain and Col in the State of New Jersey in the County of Sussex for three years and served out my time and received a discharge and lost it.
1 Where and in what year were you born I was born in Northampton County Pennsylvania on the 30 th day of May. 1761. (is it)
2 Have you any record of your age and if so where he states it, is in his possession  possession on record.
3 How were you called into service; were you drafted did you volunteer or were you a substitute for whom? I was a substitute in the first service for Abram Dobbins. and in the second place I volunteered for three years in the year 1777. in the 16 th year of my age.
4 Tell the the names of some of the Regular officers who were with the troops when you served such as

Continental and militia Regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your service I remember Col Denison of the militia and General Lee I think and the circumstances of your service was of building a fort and guarding of the British and Indians and a part of our circumstances was at one time that I do remember we were sent out after a party of Indians that stole and killed some of the white inhabitants. and we overtook three horses and fifty head of sheep that they left and we returned back with them. This is all he can state of this question.
Did you ever receive a discharge from the service and if so by whom was it given and what has become of it? I received a discharge when I was a substitute and gave it to Abram Debbins and John Bannata our captain gave it. I don't know what has become of my last discharge unless I lost it.
He hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension Rolls of the agency of any state
 Elias Decker mark
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year last above written.
G. B. Barnel Judge.
I do hereby certify that Elias Decker from bodily infirmary is unable to appear in open court
G. B. Barnel, Judge.

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
1890 Nov 11 Mr Beckwith history in person Prior
an LRB P. O. Elias Becket
Service: _____ REJECTED
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18