Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 5172, John G Holmes, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey
Holmes, John G.
R. 5-172
CONTENTS

John G. Holmes, John G. Holmes P a Pennsylvania N o 22642.
msf o
18. April 1833
Obj. e & j
E
Mr. John G. Holmes Shrewsbury Miss Pleasant Lycoming County Pa a

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of John G. Holmes
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     1778 Pri. Lt. I. Shadwick Genl. D. Furman Col. From Mount Pleasant 74 years   June 1778 more than 1 month " Capt. Shank Wicoff Maj. Van Brunt to English town Shrewsbury   about 1 Capt. Ho Keen Col. Hendrick From Corrells Ferry to the Scotch Plains Monmouth C.O. N.J. Traditional Witness   1780 vol. 3 or 4 weeks, served as a Ferryman =ronover= =son col. S. Furman Maj. Montgomery From Correlly Ferry to Kingston   returned home about Lang. 1781 Capt. Phillips Col. Cham   " berlin  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I _____ of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ 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.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
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 A. B.
who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C. D., who has also signed the same, is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following ( m ) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. 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 services. 
 6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
 7. 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 services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. 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 each 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. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f"> [f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable. 
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends 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.
Proof of Service.
[j] 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 claimant's 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.
[k] The notes from [a] to [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

June 9. Holmes
22642

State of Pennsylvania Lycoming County ss
on this, Sixth Day of February AD 1833 personally appeared in open court before the judges, of the court of common pleas now sitting, John G. Hokeins, a Resident of the Township of Shrewsbury, County of Lycoming & State, of Pennsylvania, of the age of Seventy four years, 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 7th 1832
That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officer, and served as herein stated,
in the forepart of the Summer of the year 1778, (Say May) I went to Shrewsbury Township & County of Mifflin in the State of New Jersey, about Six Miles from the Sea Shore & 16 ten from the Light House on Sandy Hook, at which place he Remained for Eighteen Months, In consequence of our living so near the Sea Shore, & the British loaming our almost every Day, or night we were held under General orders to be Ready at a Minute's Warning & an alarm gun was placed at Colonel Jonathan Holms in Middletown, on the Report of which, we had all to Meet at our place of Rendezvous, General David Ferman, had the Command most of the Time, we were often out on Scout, & had a number of Skirmishes, in one of which, our Lieutenant who, acted as Captain of our company that Day, was killed and one private & Six Wounded, General Colonel Woodoff Major Van Brant & Captain Thomas Shadnick were Taken prisoners

At Sometime in June 1778 we were called under Cap- Shank & we gained Major Hens Batallion & Col Hendricksons Regiment at Mount Pleasant, & Marched to Spotsylvania, thence to Englishtown & gained the army , & our Regiment were ordered on the Left Flank of the Enemys advanced guard on the Day of Monmouth Battle, we contin- to harass the Enemy for about Six Miles untill we came to Col Holmes, where we had a Smart Engagement and we had two Men Killed & two Wounded, we continued our March on the Left untill the Shore, and the Enemy Embarked on Board of their Boats & Vessels, & we Returned to Finton Falls, He was out something more than a Month on this Tour they were then ordered to Return home & Remain Ready at a Minutes Warning at another time they were Stationed at Monmouth to Guard the prisoners then in Jail, as the Jail was thought not to be Sufficiently Strong, at which time we was out about one Month at another time we were called and were out about one Month principally in the neighbourhood of Shrewsbury at another time the Enemy came over to destroy our Salt works, for was taken in company with James Reed David & William Gaskin & others not Recollected to Barragat the Enemy Destroyed the Salt works at Egg harbour & several other places, at this time we were out under Cap. Konover Major Montgomery Col Samuel Furman we lay at Barragat three or four weeks, the Enemy Landed on a small Island & Burnt some Houses, but could not Effect a Landing to destroy the Salt works, after the Enemy Disappeared we Returned home again and held in Readiness at a Moments Warning, During the aforesaid Eighteen Months Service it would be in vain for me to undertake Enumerate the Scouting parties and Skirmishes I was in, as

our Services were principally confined to the vicinity of Shrewsbury in preventing the Enemy from Plundering, our Services was more fatiguing than those of the line, and Dangerous in consequence our being often times but few in Number
Sometime in the begining of January 1780, I left Shrewsbury and went to Corrells Ferry on the Delaware River about 16 Miles from Trenton, at which place I remained untill the close of the War under contract to Ferry the Troops & all publick property at half price. Sometime in June the Regiment of Col. Chambers of the same place was called, I volunteered and hired a ferrymen in my place, we Marched to Middlebrook, thence to Spanktown & the Scotch Plains & after sometime we Returned home to the Ferry Sometime about the first of January 1781 at the time the Pennsylvania Troops Lay at Morristown, & Refused to serve any longer unless their Greasiness were Redressed, there was a Bell made of the Metallica & volunteered under Captain Phillips, Col. Chamberlin Regiment & marched to Kingston, about one Mile from Princetown, and we Remained there untill Matters were Settled, and we Returned home, (before I volunteered & hired a Ferrymen) when I Returned I took charge of the Ferry again, the time whilst I was at the Ferry, General Washington, Marched out of the garrison & near to cross the Delaware River at Trenton, I was called on to send all the crafts and ferrymen down to Trenton to assist in crossing and I did so.
I hereby Relinquish every claim, whatever to a Pension or annuity, Except the present, & I declare that my claim is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any State.
Sworn and Subscribed this Day and year aforesaid in open court.
J. Wood Prob.
John G. Holmes

We Robert Taylor & John Little, Residing in the Township of Shrewsbury, and County of Lycoming, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John G. Holmes who has subscribed & sworn to the foregoing Declaration, that we believe him to be Seventy four years of age, that he is Reputed and believed in the Neighbourhood where he Resides, to have been a Soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion
Sworn & Subscribed the Day and year aforesaid in open court.
J. Wood Pres.
Rob. Taylor John Little
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, & Served, as he States, and the court, further certifies that it appears to them that Robert Taylor & John Little, who have Signed the preceding certificate are Residents of the Township of Shrewsbury & County of Lycoming, and credible persons and that, their Statement is entitled to Credit
Seth Chapman John Cummings
1 st I was born in the County of Monmouth and State of New Jersey in the year 1758
2 nd I have in the family Bible in my possession

3 d I Resided in The Township of Shrewsbury County of Monmouth & State of New Jersey until the year 1780 when I went to New Jersey & remained there until after the close of the War when I Returned to Monmouth County for one year & then went to the City of New York & lived there about six years & then Returned to Monmouth County in the year 1804 I came to Shrewsbury Township County of Lycoming & State of Pennsylvania where I now Reside
4 th I was held by General orders as well by the Law of the State of New Jersey to be ready at a Minutes Warning, and as a volunteer & ferrymen as I have stated in my Declaration
5 th - - - - - General David Ferman, Col s Biscoff, Hendrickson, Holms, Sam l Ferman & Chambers Majors Van Buren, Hurn, & Montgomery Captains Jeremiah Shadrick, Skank, Konnover Phillips & Thomas Shadrick - and I can state nothing further, but as set forth in declaration.
6 th I never got a Written Discharge
7 th - - - - - I never Received a commission
8 th - - - - - For this I am sure that I am known I have no documentary evidence and know of but two persons, viz John Little, and David Little whose testimony I procure to testify to my services, and this certificate accompanies this declaration and I am personally known to Robert Saylor and John Little who can testify to my character for veracity and their belief in my services as a soldier of the Revolution. There is no clergyman living in the neighborhood who is acquainted with me.

I, Joseph Wood of the Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, of the County of Ly co- ming, do hereby certify, that the above proce- dings and a is a true copy of the proceedings had in the above case in said Court.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of my the Prothonotary's office, this 6 th day of February 1833 —
J. Wood Protn.

State of Pennsylvania
ss
Lycoming County
Seal
personally appeared before me the Subscribed justice of the peace in & for the county of Lycoming Daniel Little who upon his solemn oath Dath Depose and say that whereas this Deponent was Brought up and Resided near Shrewsbury Monmouth county & State of New Jersey & that this Deponent knew John Holmes the aforesaid applicant & to the best of his Recollection saw the afore said applicant under arms the time of the Revolutionary War & that this Deponent recollects Well that the aforesaid applicant, was reputed and believed by the inhabitants of Monmouth county to have been a soldier in the Revolutionary War & that this Deponent never heard of the aforesaid applicant's services being Disputed as a soldier of the Revolution & further saith not
Sworn and Subscribed before me as my lawful my hand and Seal this 30th day of January 1833
Daniel Little
Henry Hunsdon
I, Henry Hunsdon, the aforesaid justice of the peace for Lycoming county, do hereby certify that the above named deponent, Daniel Little, is an honest, and credible Witness, and that his statement is entitled to credit. Witness my hand this 4th day of December A. D. 1833 Henry Hunsdon

State of Pennsylvania Lycoming County
I Joseph Mundy Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the county aforesaid, hereby certify that Henry Hunston Esq re is a Magistrate as aforesaid and that the above signature purporting to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court this fourth day of December A. D. 1833
J. Mundy Prothon.

State of Pennsylvania } County of Lycoming }
I personally appeared before me, the undersigned a justice of the peace John G. Holmes, 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: but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below and in the following grades viz Six months as a private; and Seven Months in actual service as a Minuteman; and two years as Ferryman and for such service I claim a pension
John G. Holmes
Sworn and subscribed before me Thurs th Day of October 1834 as my touch my hand & Seal (Henry Huston)

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
P. O. 5172.
Service: John G. Hobbes
REJECTED
Enlisted: _____, 18 .
Discharged: _____, 18 .
Application filed: _____, 18 .
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18 .

John G. Holmes Suspended
See letter to Geo. W. Lathrop Williamsport Pa. 4. March 1835
let 7 Oct 1837 Hon. R. H. Hammond.
5172

Thursport Nov. 3 rd 1854
Rev. is Capt See Mr. Ward —
W. L. S. —
Enclosed I found the Declaration of John P. Hobbs, for a pension with the required amendments &c. as per reference will appear — if sufficient the applicant will feel obliged if the matter is attended to as soon as practicable —
Yrs B
John Lathrop
Ellison Ellison Ellison