Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 2267, John Hall, New Jersey.

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey
Hall, John
S 2267
CONTENTS
Carded

30,0003
New Jersey
John Hall
of Somerset Co in the State of New Jersey who was a private in the company commanded by Captain M c Reys of the reg t commanded by Col. Trickett in the New Jersey line for one year and six months
Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey at the rate of 60 Dollars 41 2/3 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 th day of July 1835 and sent to Secy of War Gardner, Morristown N.J.
Arrears to the 14th of March '35 $ 240.00 Semi-ann. allowance ending Sept r 30.00 $270.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Dan d B. B. Clerk, Book 2 Vol. 3 Page 135

53.027
Declaration of John Hall, of Somerset Co. N. Jersey.
Impounded Return to Lewis Condict Morristown, N. Jersey. at Leonard Volume 1835
Adm'd 18 mo. pri 60 $

Vernon W. B. can in the year of 1834.
A. Ware (Albine) 19 June 1834

State of New Jersey, Somerset County.
On this 28 th day of November, Domini 1834, personally appear in open Court, before the Judges of the Court of Common
Plas of said County now sitting, John Hall, now a resident of Somerset County, & having first been 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. — I was born in Bernardi town, Somerset County New Jersey, on the 18 th June, (old stile) in the year of our Lord, 1752, agreeably to a record of family ages kept by my father in the family bible kept by my father not now in my possession, but from which I have always computed my age, & according to which I am now in the 83 rd year of my age. — In the year 1794, according to the best of my recollection & belief, I removed from Somerset County into the State of New York, near to Geneva, in a town called Benton, now in Yates County, where I lived until last July (1834) when I removed back from New York to my native County Somerset, Bernardi township, where I now live, & where I expect to live so long as my life shall be spared. It was here that my Militia service in the revolutionary war began, & here the few surviving witnesses of my service live, altho' by far the greater part of them are dead, & I am almost a stranger where I was born & spent all the prime of my life. — I belonged to Captain Goin M c Koy's company of Militia in the beginning of the war, & I performed Militia duty in every year whilst the war lasted, & most of my duty was done under his command, or under the orders of his company officers. Mr. Davison was our 1 st Lieut., John Boglan, 2 nd Lieut., & George Grant, Ensign. — James Linn was Major of Battalion, & Col. Abraham Leick, commanded our Regiment, when ever the whole body of Militia were out. — The early part of my service, which was performed in the beginning of the war, are better remembered by me, than those in the middle & latter part of the war. — I well know, that I faithfully served my Country, in Militia service, not less than two years & a half, from 1776 to the end of the war, altho' I may not be able to state with accuracy, all the places in which, the precise times when, nor in every instance the names, with certainty, of the officers who commanded me. As far however, as my memory will serve, I will endeavour to particularise my towns of duty. —
I believe it was late in the year 1777.

My first tour of duty was in the summer of 1776, under the command of Captain McKoy. The whole County was alarmed by the news that the British fleet was daily expected at New York. Our whole company was ordered out forthwith, & if I mistake not, the whole Regiment also. We left home the last part of May, or the 1 st of June, marched through Newark, where we staid one night, & proceeded the next day to Bergen, near to New York City, where we were stationed. There was a large body of Militia assembled. The Somerset Militia, under command of Major Leam & Colonel Quick, & a Regiment from Morris County, under Col. Ford. Whilst here, the British fleet sailed into the harbor - the Roebuck & Asia, ships of war, fired upon some forts on the islands in the Bay. We could see them distinctly from our encampment. I had permission from my officers to go across into the City, where I staid one night. - In the course of the day, I went to the top of Patrick Dennis' house, & with a spy-glass, saw the enemy's land troops on Staten Island. - The news of Independence was received whilst we were stationed at Bergen & at Communipaw near the City, & we were not permitted to return home before the last of July, having been engaged on this tour of duty two months. I had not been at home more than 4 or 5 days, when upon an alarm an order for a draft was made & I was drafted on a tour of service, together with about one 4 th part of our company, as near as I can recollect. - Capt. McKoy, I think, went  himself went himself, with his men, & probably one of his under officers. - We were marched to Newark, where we were stationed to perform guard duty, & to protect the inhabitants against the depredations of Tories & Refugees. - We quartered at the house of John Crane, & Capt. McKoy's quarters were at one Banker's. We remained on this duty one month, when all were dismissed, except those who hired themselves as substitutes. - Other Militia had been sent down to relieve us, & most of those who had been drafted with me went home. I remained in service as a substitute for my brother Richard Hall, for a month, & was accepted by his Captain, (Logan) under whose command I performed a month's Militia duty, in Richard Hall's stead. We were marched from Newark to Aguekannock, where we were stationed on guard duty, protecting the inhabitants along the Raritan river from Tories & Refugees. - Whilst we were stationed at Newark, in my former tour under Capt. McKoy, the battle of Long Island was fought. - We heard the cannonade plainly at Newark. We remained on duty at Aguekannock under Capt. Logan, till the month expired, when we were relieved by another detachment of Militia, & most of Capt. Logan's company went home. My brother Jacob Hall had been drafted for duty in Capt. Nath l Porter's company. He desired me to take his place, & serve in his stead. Capt. Porter consenting to receive me, as a

substitute for Jacob Hall, I took his place & served a month under Capt. Porter. We were first stationed at Newark a week or ten days, when we were marched to Elizt. town, & thence to Rahway, performing guard duty at each place & protecting the inhabitants. This month's service under Capt. Porter, was, as nearly as I can recollect, divided nearly equally between Newark, Elizt. town & Rahway, remaining from 10 to 12 days in each place. At the expiration of this term, we were discharged bubally, & I returned home the last of October, or the first week of November according to the best of my recollection & belief, having been absent from home & engaged in Militia service constantly, since the fore part of August, two months of the time as a substitute, & one month on my own account.
We had been home but a very few days, when the whole Militia in this part of N. Jersey was ordered out to re-enforce Genl. Washington after his defeat at White Plains, Fort Washington & after his retreat across the North river into N. Jersey, & across the State into Pennsylvania. It was early in November when we were ordered out in service under Capt. Mr. King & Col. Leick, & marched across the mountains into Essex County, & were stationed but a very few days at any one place. We went at Scotch Plains, Bound Brook, Leible town & near New Brunswick, watching the movements of the enemy, who were in close pursuit of Genl. Washington, & sometimes we were divided into small bodies, as reconnoitering parties, & giving protection as far as possible to the inhabitants, against plundering parties of the enemy, & against Tories & Refugees. — We were kept out on this service, till after the Christmas holidays some time. — General Lee was taken prisoner whilst we were on this tour. He was taken capt d by some British light horse, at a public tavern near Baskingridge. — The battles of Trenton & Princeton were fought before we were discharged from this tour, & a party of the enemy made their way from Staten Island & Elizt. town to Springfield in Essex, where there was a battle fought. Our company was employed in defence of the County between Bound Brook & Scotch Plains, & were on our march for Springfield, but did not reach the place till after the battle was over. We were stationed part of the time also at Pluckemin in Somerset, & were at this place when Genl. Lee was made prisoner. We were dismissed & went home in cold wintry weather, not earlier than the 10 th or 15 th of January 1777. — During this winter, the enemy occupied New Brunswick & Perth Amboy, as well as New York & Staten Island. Part of the time they held Elizt. town also, & a large Militia force was kept out to watch their movements & protect the frontier from their depredations. — General Wind, had his quarters near Leible town, at one Vermulies, or Van Madlenis, near the mountain & Scotch Plains, where a large body of Militia was encamped & remained in service until some time in the spring season. I had not been at home from my last tour but a very few days, before our company was ordered out on duty to this place. It was not later than the 20 th of January, when we were marched under Capt. Mr. King, to Van Madlenis, where we were stationed under command of Genl. Wind, where we were detained in service till the middle of April, when farmers were plowing their ground for corn planting. — The enemy often sent out foraging & plundering parties, & we had several skirmishes with them during this winter.
When it was late in the year 1777.

At Ash swamp - at Martin's woods - at Short hills, we skirmished with them, as well as at other places where the affairs were less noted. I was personally engaged in some of these fights. - Major Cook of Newham was badly wounded in one of them - Nathaniel Lyon was killed & Robert Dozeme also. The Tories & Refugees, aided by the British, gave the inhabitants much trouble by carrying off their cattle & sheep, & making prisoners of the leading inhabitants, & carrying them off to the Sugar house & Prison ship in New York. I was engaged on this tour, in constant service, not less than two months & twenty days, before we were dismissed & went home. - Toward the last of April 77, I was ordered by Capt. Mr. Koy to go as an Express to Moravian town in Sussex County, with a letter from Quarter Master, or Deputy Quarter Master Haines, to Major Abraham B. Sherwood, or Sheron, or some similar name, who had the charge of some Continental horses for the past winter. The horses were shod, & harness ready. I brought away with some help, 15 horses, which by order I delivered to the commanding officer at Morris town. I was absent on this service ten days. In the latter end of May, I was ordered on the same service again by Capt. Mr. Koy to Moravian town, bearing another order from L. M. Haines for horses, & brought away 15 more, which were also delivered at Morris town as before. I also was charged subsequently with the delivery of an order from Col. Asariah Dunham of Morris town to Major Hoops of Sussex, for Flour, & 10 teams were dispatched laden with Flour, which was delivered at Morris town. I was absent on this service 10 days, under an agreement from Capt. Mr. Koy, that it should be allowed to me as so much Militia service. - I was occupied in executing these 3 orders, which were at different times, 30 days - viz: 10 days for each - delivering myself - the horses & the Flour to the officers at Morris town. - The flour was delivered in hot weather in July. - In Sept. following, (77) I performed a month's Militia service under Capt. Mr. Koy, - was stationed about 2 weeks of this month at Eliz th town point, & two weeks at one Miller's toward Rahway, on guard duty. A regiment was stationed upon the lines in the neighbourhood of Eliz th town, of which Col. Taylor had the command. Col. Martin was also there In December following (77) I performed a month's duty under Capt. Mr. Koy, & was quartered at Widow Graham's house in Eliz th town, performing guard duty. - Was dismissed & went home in January. - In April (78) I performed a month's Militia duty in Capt. Mr. Koy's co: under command of Col. Sayers or Col. Drake, & I do not remember with certainty which of the two had command. We were stationed near Rahway, on guard duty. - In time of Wheat harvest, I performed a month's Militia duty under Capt. John Parker of Vinal town Somerset Co: we were stationed at Eliz th town, & quartered at the house of one Miller - keeping sentry, & doing guard duty at the landing places. I believe Col. Felighayse commanded the Militia collected on this occasion. Late in the fall of 78, I performed a month's Militia duty under Capt. Mr. Koy, Col. Felighayse & Genl. Wines, guarding the lines along the river near Aquackanonk, & after being dismissed & returning home in December, I was inoculated for the Small Pox.

In the spring season of 1779. (early corn planting) I was ordered out under Capt: M c Rae, & was stationed at Bridgetown & Rahway under Col. Feltingey, performing guard duty & protecting the citizens from Tory depredations opposite the Staten Island shores, for one month. — I performed another month
duty in August of this year, under Capt: M c Rae, at Eliz t . town, & at the landings below the Tow. Genl. Winder commanded the Militia stationed in & near this place. — In the fall of this year, during cold frosty nights, I was ordered on militia one month, under Capt: Parkers — was stationed at Newark, at the house of our General. Major Hays, & Col. Matthias Ward had the command. Late in the Winter, (February) I performed another month of militia duty at Eliz t . town point, under command of Captain M c Rae, protecting the inhabitants from the enemy then in great force on Staten Island, & frequently annoying the inhabitants, under the guidance & pilotage of the Tories & Refugees. — In May 1780, just before the burning of Connecticut farms by the enemy, we were ordered out on alarm under Capt: M c Rae, & were not discharged from service till near the last of July. We performed guard duty between Rahway & Eliz t . town, Connecticut farms & Springfield. The battle of Springfield & burning of the Church & village took place whilst we were out on this alarm, & the whole County was under arms. We were not in the engagement, not arriving on the spot till after the Church was mostly consumed, but joined the rest of the Militia in pursuit of the enemy as they retreated through Eliz t . town & across to Staten Island. We were discharged & went home after Wheat harvest, near the last of July, having been on duty a little more than two months. — In the year when the army under Genl. Washington, captured Lord Cornwallis' army at the South, I performed two tours of monthly duty, one under Captain M c Rae at Rahway & near Eliz t . town, in the fore part of the summer — & another under Captain Parkers, near Newark & Lewis farms, in the season of making Cider, under command of Major Samuel Hays, guarding the lines, & protecting the inhabitants from the Tories. —
Beside my regular tours, there were many alarms, in which I was out on militia duty for a few days, & sometimes for a week or two, which I cannot particularise, but which I know would exceed 3 or 4 months, if summed up. — I am confident I have performed other tours which I cannot now specify in detail, but which, if I could now recollect distinctly to remembrance, would amount to more than two years in all. — Those which I have en- deavoured to specify, amount to 22 months & 20 days, for which I claim a pension. — Of this time 20 months & two thirds of a month, were performed on my own individual account, & the two months as a volunteer substitute, — one for Richard Hall, & the other for Jacob Hall, my brothers. —
L. Condit.
When it was late in the year 1777.

My services were all performed as a private. — I never rec d . any commission, nor any other than a verbal discharge. Whenever claims were given — or orders were rec d . from our commanding officers, I was always in readiness for duty, & never failed to perform it. During all my before mentioned tours of Militia duty, I was not engaged nor employed in any civil pursuit, nor was absent from duty, unless with permission from my commanding officers. My tours were faithfully performed, in active service, under the orders of my commanding officers, on all occasions. —
I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, & declare that my name is not on the pension roll of any State or Agency. — There are very few living witnesses who served with me in the revolutionary war. Most of my comrades are either dead, or have removed. I well remember Nath l . Whitaker, who was a Sergeant in Capt. Mc c oy's company, & who served with me on many occasions. — Dennis Morris, & Joseph Armin Esq r . also served with me on several occasions, & I hope to obtain some testimony from them in support of my claim, if their memory be not too much impaired by age to recollect me. — My officers were older men, & I believe they are all dead. — I knew Colonel Frelinghuysen, Colonel Abraham Leach, Colonel Taylor, & I often saw Genl. Hears & Genl. Winds, when on command, & I believe Genl. Dickinson also. — I have lived so little time in N. Jersey, until this present year, that I have little or no personal acquaintance with any clergyman in this State. — Sworn to & subscribed in open court, the day & year first mentioned — before me,
A. M. Gaston
John his Hall mark
We, Joseph Armin & Thomas Talman age — residing in the County of Somerset, do hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with John Hall, who has subscribed & sworn to the above Declaration: — that we believe him to be in the 83 rd year of his age; — that he is reputed & believed in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution & that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn & subscribed, the day & year aforesaid. —
A. M. Gaston
Jos. Armin
Thos Talman age

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, & 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 certify - that it appears to them, that Joseph Annin Esq. & Thomas Talmadge, who have signed the preceding Certificate, are residents in the County of Somerset aforesaid, & are credible persons, & that their statement is entitled to credit.
A. H. GASTON
I, John M. Mann, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Somerset County, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of John Hall for a Pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office, this twenty eighth day of November, A. 1834
And I do hereby further certify, that Nicholas C. Job Esq. before whom the deposition of
Nathaniel Whitaker
was taken, & which is hereunto annexed, is a Justice of the peace in said County, duly commissioned & authorized, & that the signature of his name as specifically to each of said deposition is genuine.
Witness my hand & seal of office as aforesaid.
J. M. Mann
When the above certificate for the signature of the Clerk was written, it was believed that the deposition of Dennis Morris would have been also taken, as well as that of N. Whitaker. It was therefore written in the plural number as it appears now on reading; & has been varied to suit the facts of our deposition only being taken. - See the draft of Morris' deposition, following Whitaker's, & the explanatory note at bottom thereof by L. Condit.
I believe it was late in the year 1777.

State of New Jersey, Somerset County, ss:
Before the subscriber, a Justice of peace in said County, personally appears Nathaniel Whitaker of said County, to me well known as a man of truth & of good & respectable standing in society, having been first duly sworn, doth on his solemn oath declare as follows:
I am now in the 74 th or 75 th year of my age - was a soldier in the war of the revolution & performed Militia duties in said war. I then lived in Somerset County N. Jersey when I now live, & was then well acquainted personally with John Hall, now an applicant for a Pension. We were boys together, & performed many tours of Militia duty together on the same station - some under a different Captain, & many under the same Captain & at the same time & place. I do not believe it will be in my power to particularize at this day, one half of the duties which Hall & I performed together, but such are are within my memory, I will relate. In the first year of the war, in the summer when the British took possession of N. York & Long Island, I was on duty near the City of New York in Bayen, N. Jersey, & then knew John Hall as a Militia soldier on duty in Capt. Packer's company, or in Capt. Mr. Koy's company, I am not positive which of the two, but am positive he was there on duty. I remember Hall again on Militia duty under Capt. Mr. Koy at Newark, both of us were then doing duty in Capt. Mr. Koy's company, & I believe it was in the fall season of the first year of the war, & I think Major 1777 Koy commanded us. - I remember Hall again on the Militia station at Van Brunsden, near Leipsic town, under the mountain in the winter when the British army lay at New Brunswick & Amboy. A large Militia force lay at this station encamped, for the winter, under command of Genl. Wind, to check the movements of the enemy. - I was then a Sergeant in Capt. Mr. Koy's company, & Hall performed duty under me in the same company. I was there several months, as well as Hall, & there were frequent skirmishes & fights between the Militia & enemy, who sent out plundering & foraging parties to annoy the inhabitants. Some of our men were killed in those fights. Nathl. Lyon - one Waltham, & one Doorne. - Some cattle which the enemy had taken & were driving off to Amboy, 20, or 25 in number, belonging to our farmers were captured by the Militia. I recollect Hall being stationed with me once at Rahway, & Blighttown where a party of Hessian prisoners were taken by Colonel Moulton. There was snow on the ground. I think we were then in Capt. Mr. Koy's company. I remember being on duty with Hall also at Elizabeth town, & at the landing places below the town, sometimes under Capt. Mr. Koy, & at other times under Packer, in the instances which I have before mentioned. - I remember him also on duty at Aquackanonk in the fall season of 1778 as I believe in Mr. Koy's company. I am confident that I have known Hall engaged on Militia duty at different times, under different officers & in different years of the war, at least as many as 12 & probably 15 months, & he was always considered to be a good soldier.
Sworn & subscribed before me, at Liberty Corner Somerset County, this 21 st December , 1834 28 th November Nicholas H. Joby Justice of peace
Nathl. Whitaker The date was changed from Dec 21 st to Nov 28 th . N. C. Joby J. Peace
I believe it was late in the year 1777.

State of New Jersey Somerset County ss:
Before the subscriber, a Justice of peace in said County, personally appear Dennis Morris, an aged man, & entitled to full faith & belief as a witness, & having been duly sworn, saith as follows, viz: — I am now in the 84 th year of my age. I was a Militia soldier in the war of the revolution, & performed Militia duty throughout the war. I was then well acquainted with John Hall, now an applicant for a pension for his Militia services. I knew him as a Militia man, in the performance of Militia duty in said war. We were frequently associated together in Capt. John M c Koy's company, in active service at different places & in different months & years & I verily believe there was scarcely a year whilst the war lasted, in which I did not see him on Militia service, & often times in the same year. — We were not always in the same company, but were often on the same station, performing similar duties, & often recognized each other as acquaintances. From my age & failure of memory, I am not able to state particularly all the instances in which we either served in the same company together, or in different companies, & near together. — I believe however I am within the bounds of truth in saying, that I verily believe that I must have seen Hall employed in the Militia service in the different years whilst the war lasted, at least as much as twelve  15 months, tho' perhaps I may not be able to specify perhaps one half of them. — The first instance in which I distinctly recollect Hall in the service, was in the summer when the Enemy sailed into New York & took possession of the Islands & harbor. We were then stationed together at Bergen, opposite New York, with a large body of Jersey Militia. Col. Taylor, Col. Leake, Major Linn & other officers of rank were there, & I think Hall & myself belonged to M c Koy's company. — I was upon this station, near New York several times during this summer & fall, & believe Hall was there as often as I was, but probably in different companies part of the season. According to the best of my remembrance the whole body of Militia of this part of the Country was in almost constant service throughout this season, from spring till winter. — I remember Hall on Militia duty in the winter when the Militia was encamped at Van Maline's under the mountain, where the enemy lay in New Brunswick & Amboy. General Winder had the command, & lay there all winter & till some time in the spring season. — I recollect Hall on Militia duty at the time when General Lee was made prisoner by a few British light-horse men at Parkersburg, near Christmas time. — I saw Hall on duty as many as 4 or 5 different times of a month at Eliz t . town & Rahway, & at the landings opposite Staten Island — the seasons & particular years, are gone from my memory. I have served with him also at Newark, & at Springfield, when Springfield was burnt, & I believe Hall was with me on a tour at Somerset plains, to suppress the London trade which was carried on through that quarter.
I do hereby certify to the Commissioners of Pensions, that I had a conversation with Dennis Morris respecting his personal knowledge of the Revolutionary services of John Hall & that Morris detailed to me all the above particulars, which I briefly noted at the time, & directly afterward drew the above deposition from my notes, all of which notes were admitted by him to be correct & true. A few weeks thereafter, the magistrate called with me to take his deposition, when Morris' memory & health had failed so much from a slight paralysis, that we deemed it improper then to administer the oath. His memory has failed still more since then, & his recollection seems to have quite forsaken him, altho' it was clear when he gave me the foregoing narration. Lewis Condict, late a member of the A. S. R. from N. Jersey.
December 5 th 1834.

New Jersey Somerset County, ss.
On this 28 th day of November, 1834. personally appear in open Court, before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of said County, Joseph Annis, an aged & respected citizen of said County, & having been duly sworn, saith as follows.
(The said Joseph Annis is well known to this Court, as being fully entitled to belief.)
I (Joseph Annis) am 84 years of age, was a Militia soldier in time of the war of the revolution, & performed much service in that capacity. I belonged to Capt. Goin M c Key's company of Militia, in Col. Abraham Swift's Regiment of Somerset Militia & was well acquainted with John Hall, now an applicant for a pension. — We were boys together, living in the same neighborhood & brought up in habits of intimacy. Said John Hall belonged to Capt. M c Key's Militia company, & we performed Militia service together in many towns during the war, in different years, & in different months of the same year. I served under Capt. M c Key in 1776, in the summer season, at Bergen near New York City, at Communipaw, in the summer season, when the British took possession of New York. — I served also in the winter of 1776, 77 in the Militia under Captain M c Key, when the British possessed N. Brunswick & Perth Amboy. There was a large body of Militia encamped under the mountain near Little town under a command of Genl. Winds, stationed at Vernalis or Van Mulinis, to check & restrain the movements of the enemy in that quarter. I was on that station under Capt. M c Key & Genl. Winds for three months or more. John Hall was there doing duty in the same company, as well as at Communipaw & Bergen near New York. — I also performed many other tours of Militia duty in Capt. M c Key's company in other years & seasons which I cannot now specify particularly, in which said John Hall was a Militia soldier performing duty with me. Many of these tours were performed at Newark, Elizabeth town — at the landing places opposite Staten Island, & near Amboy & Rahway as well as at Springfield. — My advanced age has impaired my memory very much so that I cannot go further into details — but I am perfectly well satisfied that said John Hall performed much Militia service in said war, & that he was a good soldier.
Sworn & subscribed in open Court, November 28 th 1834. Before me
A. H. Gaston
Jos. Annis
I believe it was late in the year 1777.

The date of the within Deposition of Joseph Annis Esq. was erroneously written, & was corrected before signing, to read November 28 th 1834. — And I do hereby further certify, that the Deponent Joseph Annis Esq. is one of the most respectable men in the County of Somerset, & that he for many years in succession, filled & enjoyed many of the highest offices in the County, with great reputation to himself, & with entire satisfaction to the public. In his old age he has withdrawn from public affairs, & is universally esteemed, as a man of sterling integrity & piety. Somerville, 28 th Nov. 1834.
W. H. Gaston
I have been personally acquainted with Judge Annis for 20 or 30 years past & fully concur with Judge Gaston in all that he has said of him above, in regard to his good character & fair standing, not only in Somerset County, but throughout New Jersey. Morris town, N. J.
Lewis Condict.
May 5 th 1835.

State of New Jersey, Morris County.
I subscribe, a Justice of peace in for said County of Morris, personally Robert Young, an aged man, known to me to be a man of respectability & good repute for veracity, & generally believed to have been a Revolutionary soldier, & having been by me duly sworn, saith as follows, I was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, & performed much service therein. From the beginning to its close, I think there was not a year in which I was not in active duty, either as a militia man, or as an enlisted soldier. — Much of my militia duty was per- formed upon the lines near the shores of N. Jersey, in the neighbourhood of Newark, at Elizabeth town, Rahway, near Amboy. Scituate town & Aguehannock, as the enemy occupied New York & Staten Island, & some of the time New Brunswick & Amboy also. In one of my early tours of duty, I became well acquainted with John Hall of Somerset County, near the line of Morris County. As nearly as I now remember, I was stationed near Powles hook, at Communipaw, in hot weather, when Independence was declared, & said John Hall was on duty at the same place under the command of Capt. H. Key & a Somerset Colonel. — I was then under command of Col. Decker, or of Col. Ford, as I now believe, & we were detained there on duty till after the British took possession of N. York city & Long Island. — Whether or not Hall remained there as long as I did, I cannot now tell. — I remember said Hall at ano- =ther time between Newark & Aguehannock, on militia duty, & upon another tour part of which was performed near Rahway, & a part of it near Elizabeth town, guarding the lines & protecting the inhabitants from the plundering parties of Refugees & Tories. I think it was in the fall season, but the year I cannot tell, nor can I tell with certainty, who commanded his company or mine, on this occasion, but I believe Col. Decker commanded the Morris Militia then on duty. — After the retreat of Genl. Washington through N. Jersey, & whilst the British held N. Brunswick & Amboy, a large body of Militia was stationed under the mountain at Van Mula- =ers, or Vermules near Scituate town, to watch the enemy in N. Brunswick, & afford protection to the country in that quarter. Genl. Wind had command of this force & I was upon that station with many others of the Morris Militia, as well as from Somerset. I remember John Hall there at that time, & often saw him on duty in the cold season, & I think it was winter, 1776-7 I believe Col. Frelinghuysen was with the Som- erset Militia as their commander at this place, under the orders of Genl. Wind. — I was once stationed near Rahway on militia duty, & quartered at the house of one Miller, & remember John Hall being on a tour of duty at the same time. We were often at Miller's together, altho', not belonging to the same company. — I remember Hall also on another tour at Elizabeth town, where we were both stationed on duty, & were quartered at the house of a Widow Graham, in cold weather, & I believe it was late in the year 1777.

I recollect Hall under the command of Genl. Windas H Col. Feeling a Militia tour on the river near Aguehank & toward Hackensack, a season. — We had some skirmishing with the enemy, but I do not know that was engaged. I saw him frequently when on this tour. The year, I do not remember. About the time of the battle of Springfield & burning of the Church & village, I saw Hall on a tour of Militia duty between Elizabeth town & Springfield.
My advanced age, & the long time which has elapsed since our Militia duties were performed, will not allow me to speak with entire certainty as to dates, or as to the names of our officers at the different times I have mentioned. But I know I am not deceived in my remembrance of John Hall, & that I often saw him performing Militia duties. The occasions & places which I have mentioned, are most fresh in my memory, & I verily believe I have seen him performing other Militia services on several occasions, which I cannot now specify. — I have not seen Hall for many years, until I accidentally met him lately at Morris town, when we renewed our acquaintance, & conversed freely concerning our hardships & exposures in the Revolutionary struggle.
Since the preceding statement has been read to me, I now recollect to have seen said Hall on a tour of Militia duty in the spring season of the year, near Rahway, under the command of Col. Moses Jacob, under whom I also did duty. Farmers were then engaged in sowing Flax.
Sworn & subscribed before me at Morris town, this 12 th May, 1835.
Peter A. Johnson Justice of the Peace
Robert Young
I hereby certify to the Secretary of War, & to the Commissioners of Pensions, that Peter A. Johnson Esq. the Magistrate before whom the foregoing deposition of Robert Young was taken, is personally well known to me to be a Justice of the Peace in said County of Morris, duly authorized & commissioned as such, & that the signature of his name thereto is known to me to be genuine.
Morris town, N. J. 12 th May, 1835.
Lewis Condict, late a Rep r in Congress from N. Jersey. —
Secy Dickerson of the Navy Dept. knows that Peter A. Johnson Esq. is a Justice of peace & if requested, will so certify. —

Rev War ✓
2267 INVALID!
File No. 2267
John Hall Privt Rev War
Act: June 7, 1832
Index: —Vol. A , Page 157
[Arrangement of 1870.]
✓

State of New Jersey, County of Before the subscriber, a justice of peace in & for said County, personally appear John Hall, of Barnards township Somerset County, aged 83 years, & believed by me to be a man of good standing for his veracity, & having been by me duly sworn, saith as follows, viz: — I am the same John Hall, who some time in the course of last autumn as I believe, but the precise month, is not now recollects, made my Decla- ration before the Court of Com. Pleas of Somerset County in New Jersey, to obtain the benefit of the law of Congress of June 7 th 1832 for my Militia services in the war of the Revolution; — which Declaration, is, as I understand, now in the Pension office, undecided, & I am required to state, whether or not, I ever made an application for a pension during my residence in the State of New York; & if not — why not. — In reply, I answer, that I never made application for a pension in the State of New York or elsewhere, before the one which is now in the Pension office, & which was made as above stated, before the Common Pleas Court of Somerset Co. N. Jersey, at which time Judge Gaston administered to me the oath. The principal reason of deferring my application for so long a period after passage of the law, was by me stated at the time, to the person who wrote my declaration, & I supposed it was mentioned therein. — It was, because there was not a person living within two or three hundred miles of me, who knew any thing of my Militia duty performed in the war. The services were rendered in New Jersey, & in the vicinity of New York city, & if any witnesses were living, I expected they must be found in New Jersey. My advanced being then 80 years old age, with very feeble health, & many infirmities, seemed to render it almost impossible for me to undertake a journey to N. Jersey, in quest of witnesses, & I then had very little reason to expect the continuance of my life beyond a few months at most. In 1834, being then in my 83 rd year, & having no means of support, nor any ability to work, I was driven to the necessity of returning to the place of my nativity, hoping for the aid of my friends for my bread & clothing, as well as to make enquiry for some proof of my Militia services during the war. On my arrival in Somerset Co. I found Lieut. Whitaker, a Sergeant in the war & at living, also Dennis Morris, & Joseph Anner, whom I well knew as old comrades; & some time afterward, I also found Robt. Young, whom I often met in Militia duty. — Dennis Morris, at first had quite a full recollection of me & of my services with him, & gave a narration of them. Soon after this, & before his narration was quite in reading, his memory & faculties seemed so much impaired by Age, or some other cause, that the oath was not administered to him by the Magistrate, & his deposition was left not executed. — The depositions of Sergeant Whitaker, of Judge Anner & of Young, were forwarded with my Declaration. — If I could have found evidence in the State of N. York when I lived when the law passed, I should probably have made application there & then. — Whilst I lived in N. York State, I conversed with David Cook Esq. & Col. Hall both of Geneva, on the subject of my pension: who informed me, that if I could find no witnesses there, it would be useless to apply there, & both of them advised me to try to go to N. Jersey, where probably some might be living. I thought, whilst I could earn my bread by my labor, I would not perform the journey. — About 4 years since I lost the sight of my left eye by a cataract, but still, I worked hard. About a year past, my right eye became dim, & I was soon entirely disqualified by blindness from any labor. — Col. Hall, before named, then urged me to go to New Jersey & apply there for the assistance of my country. — I had then no means, either

to pay my passage, or support myself on the journey. — (Col. Hall, a distant relation) then paid my passage in a Canal Boat to Albany, & thence to Newark by the way of New York, when a brother with whom I have since lived, met me & took me to his house. —
Poor as I now am, had not the infirmities of old age, & total blindness, entirely disqualified me for labor, I would not even now, solicit a pension from my County, for those services which I have set forth in my declaration, which I conscientiously declare, were all faithfully & honestly rendered, & for which I trust & hope, I may receive a stipend, to keep me from becoming a charge to the township, or a burden to my friends, during the few days which may remain of my pilgrimage on Earth.
Sworn & subscribed before me, at Morris town, in New Jersey, this 26 th of June, 1835.
This John Hall mark
P. A. Johnson
Justice of the Peace
I hereby certify to the Commissioners of Pensions, that Peter A. Johnson Esq. the Magistrate before whom the foregoing Deposition of John Hall was taken, is my near neighbour, & is personally well known to me to be a Justice of the peace, duly commissioned as such in & for this County, & that the signature of his name thereto is genuine. — I should have desired Mr. Hall to go to the County Clerk for his official certificate & seal of office, as to the character & signature of Justice Johnson, but I know that Hall had not 50 cents to pay his fee. Secy. Dickinson of the Navy Dept. will know Peter A. Johnson to be a Magistrate, & I am satisfied will so certify, if enquired of. — And I further certify, that I have this morning examined Hall's eyes, the above Deposition. — Vision in the left eye, is totally obscured, by a Cataract. A Cataract is forming also in the right eye, but so much of the power of vision remains, that he can tell when the window is placed in a room, & can distinguish in the street a man from a horse, by the difference of figure, & this is about the utmost, of which the eye is capable. His home is with his brother, about 7 or 8 miles distant from me, & he rode that distance this morning, to solicit me to draw up the preceding statement for him.
Morris town, N. J. June 26 th . 1835.
Lewis Condict. late a Member of the H. R. from N. Jersey.