Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 22,299, Gersham Herin, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
New Jersey
Herin Gersham
S 22,299
CONTENTS

Pennsylvania 22.63
Thomas Herin
of Northampton in the State of Penn. who was a Private in the Co. comm. by Captain Gould of the Regt. command by Col. Brook in the Valley line for two years.
Inscribed on the Roll of Penn. at the rate of 80 Dollars 00 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 27 th day of Nov. 1833 and sent to Hon. Lewis. Decart. Sunbury. Penn.
Arrears to the 4th of Sep 1833 — 2 00. Semi-annual allowance ending Dec 31, 40.
$ 24 00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Asst June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Wm. A. Palmer Clerk Book E Vol. 85 Page 24

Dead
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 1. April 1838, from 4 March to 17. June 1839. the day of his death Agt notified 7. March 1840

Columbia County Pa
Be it known that on the 5th day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight Hundred & thirty two ... personally came Peter Sarker who being duly sworn, deposes and says that he is well acquainted with Frederick Herring who has subscribed to the above declaration. That he recollects perfectly well of seeing him at the Battle of Marmouth in the State of N. Jersey and several other skirmishes when they were together arresting the Prisons & Depredations of the Enemy, and he does know of being in the service but cannot tell how long sworn & subscribed before me John F. Derr Peter Sarker
State of Pennsylvania, Columbia County p. 3
I Jacob Ely Notary Public of the County of ... do hereby certify that John F. Derr Esquire before whom the above affidavit was taken was and still is an acting justice of the peace in & for the County of Columbia aforesaid and to all whom official acts as such are faith & credit is and ought to be given as well in Courts of Justice as elsewhere & that the signature of John F. Derr as shown is the proper hand writing of the said John F. Derr Esquire In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Danville this thirteenth day of October A.D. Eighteen Hundred & thirty two Jacob Ely Notary

I, John Dorr, before whom the within affidavit was taken do certify that the witness, Peter Porter, is a credible person, whose affidavit is worthy of full credit and belief.
Witness my hand and seal this 10th day of November 1833.
John Dorr
per J. D. - 25 pg P by Jacob Richter. Jacob Richter

The said Court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I Edward G. Bright, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of the County aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the Application of Gresham Harris for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office at Sunbury in the County of Northumberland this 11 th day of November — AD 1833
Ed. G. Bright, Proth.
In the several interrogatories proposed by the Court the said Gresham Harris
1 st I was born in Hopewell Township, Hunterdon County New Jersey on the 6 th day of May AD 1752
2 nd I have a record of my age at my parents house in Luzerne County Penna. in the Family Bible. I saw it about two years since
3 rd I lived when called into service in my native place Hopewell Township Hunterdon County N. Jersey. I lived there from the time of the revolutionary war until about the year 1802 when I removed to Northumberland County Penna. where I have continued to live ever since excepting a period of about six years in Luzerne County Penna. I now live in Chillicoque Township Northumberland County.
4 th I was drafted.
5 th This has already been answered in part at Manassas General Washington Genl Lee & others. Our duties principally consisted in checking the ravaging parties of the enemy and foraging parties of our own and were engaged in small parties detached convenient to each other and commanded sometimes by a Captain at other a Lieutenant or major (the officers named in my declaration)
6 th I never received any discharge other than verbal ones by Captains of Companies.
7 th Philip Hauer Esqr. James Reed (there being no clergyman resident in the immediate neighborhood.)

We James Reed, Philip Hassel
inhabitants of
Chillicoque township Northumberland County Pennsylvania. Hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Gershon Henin who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be upwards of eighty years of age; that he is respected and beloved in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Given at Nov 4 th 1833 Edw G Bright Atty
Philip Hassel James Reed
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories presented 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 Philip Hassel & James Reed are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit also that there is no obnoxious person resident in the neighborhood of the applicant.
Ellis Lewis Pres't Judge.
Isaac Leachard Clerk
John G. Foster
I, Edward G. Bright Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Northumberland do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Gershon Henin for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office the 4 th day of November 1833 Edw G. Bright Prothon.

Declaration In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7 th of June 1802 -
State of Pennsylvania } County of Northumberland } S 3 :
On the 4 th day of November, A. D. 1823 personally appeared in open Court of Common Pleas for North County aforesaid - Gershon Herring, a resident of Chillicoque township in the county of Northumberland and State of Pennsylvania aged eighty one years who being 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 7 th 1802: That he entered the service of the United States in the month of February in the year 1776 or 1777 as a drafted soldier. That he was then about twenty-four or twenty-five years of age, and when he entered the service resided in Hopewell township, Hunterdon County, State of New Jersey; That General Dickinson was then General of the West-Jersey Militia and General Herd of East-Jersey. Jacob Houghton of Hopewell, was Captain of the Company when I joined the army in 1776 or thereabouts. Capt. Houghton was afterwards made Col. of the first Regiment, West Jersey Militia. Joseph Phillips of Maidenhead township, Hunterdon County N. J. was Lieut. Colonel; Joseph Braly of Maidenhead, and Peter Gordon of Hopewell townships, were our two Majors and Elias Phillips was adjutant. After Captain Houghton was promoted Col. Ralph Guild was Capt. of the company to which I belonged a number of years: The first I rendered the country was under Capt. Guild. I also served under Captain Philip Phillips. Captain Mott. Capt. John Hunt, Capt. Hopback, and Capt. Philip Snook; Our own Lieutenants: when I entered the service were 1 st Lieut. William Park - 2 nd Lieut. John Drake. Ensign Benjamin Stout, and afterwards Timothy Brush. John Herring (my brother) was first Sergeant. I also served under Colonel Bangs of East-Jersey Militia. I entered the service under Capt. Guild as stated above and marched to Milston where I served one month . My next station was on the Rariton where I was one month . I was then dismissed and returned home and in three days was called back to Rariton where I was left one week . I was one month stationed at Samuel Hill in Hopewell township. I served this year before 1777 in all upwards of six months principally about Milstone and the Rariton but am unable at present through loss of memory to name the other towns in 1778 & 1779. I was employed in garrison duty at Elizabeth town throughout the entire month of March. We had a skirmish at Elizabeth town Old point opposite Staten Island preventing the British and Tories from landing. I was also stationed one month at the Widow Hovitt's in Springfield township Somerset County this I believe was in the month of

May. My next service was rendered at Monmouth the time of the battle. General Dickerson Command the Militia on that day. Genl. Hove was also there. Jacob Haughton was our Col. on that day. The company to which I belonged being broken and scattered I fell under the command of Captain Trigley of Trenton where I continued until the battle was over and was on duty this time ten days. I also served two tours of one month each at Kanefort Mill. I was likewise two tours of one month each in the vicinity of New Brunswick and each time had a skirmish with the British and Hessian. One of the times I was at the taking of the Hessian outposts at the mile run near New Brunswick, about thirty of us under the command of Captain Guild volunteered to dislodge them after our fire they retreated and we took one of them prisoner. The other time I was there I was one of a volunteer party under Captain Thomas Ward of Trenton which attacked a British troop of Horse near the same place several were killed and two men and two horses taken - I was also stationed one month at Springfield we encamped in Hopewell and marched through Hightstown to said place. I was again called to Mill-stone and from thence marched through Princeton, Nassau ridge, real town (where the small fort raged violently), Morris town, Whippany to Pompton. From Pompton we marched through Bernards in a direction to Fort Lee, after taking some refreshment at Bernards we marched all night - and dislodged a band of Tories who were engaged in trading with the British at New York and captured one waggon the others having escaped the night before. I also kept guard one month at Princeton what year I cannot recollect, it was the time the Pennsylvania line seceded. I was on duty one month at Lambertville Monmouth county. When the army was in Philadelphia I was also one month at Boundbrook. I was also called out various other times and places but my memory is here so frail that I cannot particularize them.
I was also two tours of one month each stationed at Fort Pandeurs in Somerset County. He He cannot state precisely the length of all the tours of service but is confident that they all amounted to not less than two and an half years - and his impression has always been that it was three years. The testimony of Peter Sorter of Perry township, Columbia County Penns is herewith forwarded which proves in part the fact above stated. I know of no other living witnesses who can prove these facts. Unless Timothy Brush or Jacob Blackwell is yet living. They were both alive about three years ago as I was informed and resided in Hopewell township Hunterdon County N.J. I have no documentary evidence. During the time of my service I was not employed in any other pursuit. I had not time to be engaged in any other business, although our regular tours of duty was one month on and two off, I was frequently not two weeks at home and sometimes not three days until I was again called out. I was much longer in the service I done little else from the beginning of 1777 until the spring of 1781 but through loss of memory am unable to name the particular times. The only only person that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Sworn to Nov 4 th 1833 Ea B Bright - Clerk
Gershom K Merin his mark

re 2-657.
19981
Geishan Herin Heron
Adm 2 years $80.-
auth. e.j.
July 10. 1855
e.j.
Hon. Lewis Howard Linsbury Poe claimant
Chatter B
✓

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office.
July 10 1883
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 show what is necessary to be done. Those 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, showing the Service of Gershon Heron of Northumberland County Pennsylvania
   Period of service. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of claimant. Name and Rank of the officer when he served. Name and Rank of the officer. Battles in which he participated. Company through which he served. Place of birth. Age at time of enlistment. Date of discharge.   Years. Months. Days.     1776 or 77 Capt. Houghton Genl. Dickerson of Monmouth Huntingdon County 80 years of age a living   Quar. Master Coe several skirmishes New Jersey Irregular   others Houghton prisoner   others no clergyman near  
Declarant says he was in service upwards of three years being one month on duty & two months off - but always ready to be called out -
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.
17 11
6

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 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 he 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 determination herein required to be made, the petition must be accompanied by a full and complete cure, 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, deposes 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, in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of service; 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] 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 identified, a certificate of the Clerk, under his seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and qualification 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 string, the date 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.
The objections have not yet been removed. See notes e and j. He must state each term and its length

Resolutions
22 299 INVALID.
File No. 22 299
Graham Heroin
By Rev War
Act: June 7 th 82 nd
Index: Vol. 2 , Page 178
[Arrangement of 1876.]
✓

Pottsgrove Northumberland County Pa December 27 th 1833
Dear Sir I have once more to trouble you which I hope you will not object to comply with my Request, that is Gershom Herin of Northumberland County Pa a Soldier of the Revolution who hath applied for a Pension under the Late Act of Congress his Petition hath been sent on a considerable time back and no answer to know if he is Placed on the Pension List or not, you will much oblige me to take as much trouble if it is not imposing on your time to examine the Applicant's Petition and let me know if they are any errors in the form of said Petition which I judge is the only Cause of Delay. I am Well Satisfied his Claim is just, As soon as possible you will Please let me know by letter the Particular Cause of his not being Placed on the Pension List and what is necessary yet to be Done. Mr. Herin is now upwards of eighty years of age without any means for his own support I should be much Pleased if some pains was taken to procure a Pension to make him more comfortable the few Days he hath yet to live in the Land he aided in setting free Your Best favours when you Represented the County of Montgomery in her State Councils is ever remembered by your friend
W m Joel R. Mann Esq r
Your Obedient humble Servant
John R. Kettler

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
February 26 th 1840.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," The child of Gershom Hoxin, dec d , a Pensioner on the Roll of the Philadelphia Agency, at the rate of Eighty - Dollars and _____ Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 1 st of March, to the 17 th June, 1839, the day of his death.
Respectfully, yours,
Wilson N. PASTEE Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Present.