Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 2272, Abijah Harrison, New Jersey.

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey
Harrison, Abijah
S 2272
CONTENTS
Carded

29. 817. New Jersey. Revolutionaries Abijah Garrison
Ebenezer Housley in the State of New Jersey who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Parson of the _____ commanded in the New Jersey _____ for eleven months.
Enscribed on the Roll of the New Jersey. & given at the rate of 36. Dollars 67 - Cents per annum. commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 1 st day of March 9. St. 1835. — and sent to Hon. J. Prelinghuyse Minut.
Arrears to the 4th of March. 1835 — $ 11. 6. 68 Pemi-ant. allowance ending 1 st Sep r 1835 $ 18. 33 1/3 $ 165. 01 1/3
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by C. M. Nelson Clerk, Book E. Vol. 3. Page 116.
Letter to Pension Dept. from J. P. about 4.5. 175. Certificate sent to Hon. J. Prelinghuyse March 4. 1835.

State of New Jersey { Be it known, that on this 28 th day of Septem- Essex County ss } ber A D 1832 Personally appeared before me one of the justices of the peace in & for said County of Essex - 60 th John Condit of said County, who being duly sworn on his oath deposeth & saith that he has known Capt. Abijah Harrison at least sixty years, that for a greater part of the time has lived in his immediate neighborhood & is free to say that the he considers said Harrison as a man of very good standing in society and of strict veracity and integrity, & that this deponent knows that said Harrison was engaged in the service of his country during the Revolution as a soldier in the Militia of New Jersey, & this deponent further saith that he knows that a number of officers named by said Harrison were officers of the grade by him named and engaged in active service during the time of the Revolution, as aforesaid & this deponent further saith that from bodily infirmity he is unable to attend the County Court, and further saith not
Subscribed & sworn before me { the day and year above written { Amos A. Harrison Justice of the peace
John Condit
I, Amos A. Harrison do hereby certify that John Condit the signor of the foregoing affidavit is resident in the town- ship of Orange in said County of Essex and in my immediate neighborhood; and that he is a man whose character for verac- ity is above suspicion; and that his declarations and assertions are justly entitled to the highest respect and credibility
Witness my hand
Amos A. Harrison
For Certificate of Amos A. Harrison being Justice (See Certificate above made)

Declaration of Abijah Harrison
15738
harrison

State of New Jersey Essex county S.S.
On the twentieth day of September in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and thirty two personally appeared in Open Court before the judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Essex aforesaid now sitting Abijah Garrison a resident of the Township of Orange in the County of Essex aged eighty one years who being first sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed the 7 th day of June A.D. 1832.
That he was born on the fourteenth day of February Seventeen hundred and fifty one at Orange in the County of Essex aforesaid. The Family Bible which contained the original record of his age was in the possession of one of his Brothers, has a Copy taken from the original many years since, can't say where the original now is. When he first entered the service during the Revolutionary War he resided in Orange in the County of Essex where he has continued to reside ever since - he served at different times in the Revolutionary War and under different officers as herein after stated. He first entered the service in Seventeen hundred and seventy six when all were called out, he went under Captain Samuel Parson, Joseph Quimby first Lieutenant Benjamin Baldwin second Lieutenant and Henry Squire Ensign. The Company was called Cadets went with Company to Long Island, does not now recollect how long he was out at that time, recollects they returned to Elizabeth town point and was afterwards on duty two or three months at Newark, Second River now called Belleville and other places as a patrol and keeping guard remembers well of seeing the British fleet come in while they were on Long Island, In the year Seventeen hundred and seventy seven thinks the Militia were classed into four classes in the Township where he lived, acted from that time he had to turn out regularly with his Class, on monthly tours besides being called out on alarms, and continued to do my duty with my

Clap regularly every third month or fourth month in each year until the two last years of the War, when he procured a substitute to enlist in the Regular Army - after that was only called out on alarms. He was in service when the American Army crossed at Aquackanock Bridge and saw them or a part of them cross over. Doctor John Condit of Essex a Physician in the five months service was with them, remembers this perfectly well, in addition to the officers before mentioned, he was under Captain Thomas Williams and Captain Robert Nichols and several other officers whose names he cannot now remember is pretty certain he served over nine months himself under the different officers, numbers serving under Colonels Thomas Cadmus, Colonel Matthias Kraus, Colonel Philip Van Courtland, Major Samuel Hays, and George Harrison and James Heddles as adjutants - remembers seeing General Washington and some other officers pass up the South Orange Road with a Brigade of Continentals, thinks it was Bells Brigade, they encamped at South Orange for the night on their way South. Remembers General Williamson at Elizabethtown, stood guard at his quarters, was on duty at the Battles of Connecticut Farms when the British burnt the Meeting House and also at Springfield - does not recollect any Continental or Militia Regiments by name or number - never received a written discharge from service, is personally acquainted with and refers to the following persons for a statement as to character and traditional evidence of service in the Revolution namely The Hon ble Dr. John Condit Rev d . Asa Hillyer, Colonel William Williams - Jacob Baldwin, Linus Baldwin, John H. Baldwin, David Lyon, and Samuel Ward.
Does not know any one living who served with him except Jacob Baldwin, Linus Baldwin, John H. Baldwin, David Lyon and Samuel Ward. They can all testify to his service.

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State or Territory in the United States
Elijah Harrison
Sworn and Subscribed the
day and year aforesaid
in open Court
E. M c Kendree J d Clerk
We Asa Hillyer a Clergyman residing in the Township of Orange and William Williams of said Township do hereby Certify that we are well acquainted with Elijah Harrison who has Subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration that we believe him to be Eighty one years of age that he is respected and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Asa Hillyer
W m Williams
Sworn and Subscribed the
day and year aforesaid
in open Court
E. M c Kendree J d Clerk
We David Lyon Samuel Ward and John N Baldwin do hereby Certify that we are personally acquainted with Elijah Harrison who has Subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration that we know him to have been a soldier of the War of the Revolution having served with him at different times and under different officers not now recollected.
David Lyon
Samuel Ward
John N Baldwin
Sworn and Subscribed the
day and year aforesaid
in open Court
E. M c Kendree J d Clerk

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 Asa Willys who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the Township of Orange in said county of Essex & that William Williams who has also signed the same is a resident of the same place & is a credible person & that their statement is entitled to credit
By order of the Court - E. M c Intire J. Clerk.
Essex ss. I Elias M c Intire Clerk of said Court of Common Pleas do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said court in the matter of the application of Abiah Garrison for a Pension -
And I do further certify that Amos A. Garrison Esq. before whom the annexed affidavit of John Bondit was made & taken at the time of taking the same was & that is a justice of the peace in & for said county of Essex & that the name Amos A. Garrison subscribed to the jurat of said affidavit is the genuine signature of said justice - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this tenth day of October 1832
E. M c Intire Clerk

No 15738 Abijah Harrison Essex County New Jersey
Return of Admission Private 11 Months
specific Sproue being at 15 per diem must cash in
Hon. T. Frelinghuysen born in 1751 - was 25 years old instead of 15. Served under Capt. Williams in June 1780. as appears by Rolls of said Capt.
J. I. Plume, (New Ark), New Jersey Hon. T. Frelinghuysen

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
15 th May
1833
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,  showing the Service of Abijah Harrison Essex County New Jersey
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Called out 1776 Not stated private Capt Parsons 81 years Orange Traditionary evidence Witness certificate Credible - Clergymans certificate.   Served 1777 Not stated - - Essex County None living witness - papers & roots   Served Not stated - Capt Williams, Capt Nichols & others New Jersey properly attached  
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 days 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] 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.
[l] 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.
[k] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of _____ a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     1776 Served at various times amounting to 11 mos. Pvt. Samuel Parsons Sherman Williams Robert Nichols Spears Gale Wood Percy & William Josephson Thomas Cadmus Matthew Ward Philip Van Cortlandt N.J.  
Battles engaged in, _____  Residence of soldier at enlistment, _____  Date of application for pension, Sept. 20, 1832. His d. at _____  Residence at date of application, _____  Age at date of application, Feb. 14, 1851. Orange N.J.
Remarks: _____
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

# 21 Prospect St. East Orange N.J. March 22 d 1918.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington D.C.
Dear Sir - Will you kindly send me the "Military Record", of "Abijah Harrison late of Orange N.J. a soldier of the Revolution, and my Great Grandfather. He was born at Orange N.J. Feb 14 th 1751, Died in the House where he was born Feb 26 th 1846, Aged 95 Yrs." Was a Pensioner,
Any information in regard to Company, Regiment, State or Continental Line, length of Service, Amt of Pension etc, will be thankfully received,
Yours, with Great Respect Charles H. Laing. late Sergeant Co E. 12 th N.J. Vols. Civil War.

No 14 South 13 th Street Newark Co. N.J. Feb 1 st 1898.
Hon H. Clay Evans
U.S. Commissioner of Pensions.
Dear Sir. Will you kindly send me the Military record (if possible) of "Abijah Harrison" a Soldier of the "Revolution", who was born at , and died at the the old Harrison Home stead, in Orange, Essex Co. New Jersey in the Year 1846, aged 96 Yrs. He was my great-great grand father, and was a Pensioner.
If you could give me any information as to what Co. Regt. service or time of service or any record of his Military service, (His application for Pension will probably do that) You will very much oblige -
Yours Very truly Charles H. Laing.
late 1 st Sergt E. Co. 12 Regt N.J. Vols

Feb. 24/98. Mr. Chas. H. Laing - Newark - N. J -
1915 Apr. 16. Reist to Chas H. Thompson Mo. Botanical Garden St. Louis Mo. (see letter in Thos. Harrison 5583) and 1918 Apr. 25 Hist. to Chas. H. Laing.
Rev War
22 1/2
INVALID.
File No. 2272
Elijah Harrison Print Rev War
Act: June 7  P32
Index: —Vol. A , Page 157
[Arrangement of 1870.]

State of New Jersey
Essex County ss. Before The Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County of Essex personally appeared Abijah Harrison who having been duly sworn saith as follows vizt. I am 83 years old was a Soldier of the Revolutionary War, and performed Service in said War as a private Soldier. I am the same Abijah Harrison who on the 20 th day of September 1832 made a declaration of my Military Services to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of 7 th June 1832. which declaration has been returned from the pension Office requiring me to specify and explain the details of my Services the times, places and officers under whom each tour of duty was performed - at this late period of my life, and a long confinement by protracted disease and after the lapse of so many years since those events transpired a minute and circumstantial detail cannot be given of every particular, but so far as my memory will enable me, I will state them, claiming a reasonable indulgence for the failure of a very old and infirm mans memory, reciting the events of his early life at this time and after the lapse of more than fifty years - In the month of June 1776 he belonged to Captain Parsons Newborn Company called Cadets in Col o Ludlums 3 d Regiment. The Company Volunteered and went to Long Island in the State of New York, it was just before harvest, and we were stationed in the fort called Cobble Hill, while there the British Fleet came into the Bay of New York, after remaining there for some two or three weeks Genl. Washington gave out word that the men must go home and take care of their Harvests, and our Company returned to Newark and from there to Elizabeth town point. Thinks we were out about one month at this time, it might have been a few days over - Soon after, about the beginning of August the Company was out again, I went with it, and went to Elizabethtown point and were engaged guarding the lines, the Youngers British Troops lay on Staten Island directly opposite at the time in great numbers.

and the Company were constantly on active duty for at least two months. Major Stays was our Major General Williamson was Commander our Company were in Tents. There was several Companies there at the time. The enemy frequently used to fire their Shot across at us from a Six pounder - in the fall of the same year, think it was about the time of making side late, it was Cool weather was under Captain Speer one month during which time the Company were engaged guarding the lines, while in this month we were at Augeracknook where the British came over, remembers the circumstances well - in 1777 recollects being under Captain Parsons either three or four months during the year a part of the time at Elizabethtown, hinter part of the time at Newark and a part of the time at Belleville and Augeracknook guarding the lines as before, while at Elizabethtown point we lay in Tents. recollects also of being at Hackensack. Thinks under Captain Speer but cannot say positive at this late period, is confident he served under Captain Speer three different tours of duty of one month each in guarding the lines, when at Hackensack recollects that Genl. Windes Commanded, in 1778. recollects serving under Captain Thomas Williams during the Battles of Connecticut Farms and at Springfield - remembers well of serving under Colonel Cadmus, Colonel Ward and Colonel Van Courtlandt. recollects of serving under all of them several times, the latter more frequently than either of the others, recollects serving under Captain Caleb Doss one month Captain Williams several times. Captain Pierson, Captain Jerusalem, Captain Nichols and once under Captain Gillam. My tours were always for a month, and our duty was generally in guarding along the lines - during our tours of duty I never was home over one day at a time and then only by permission of our officers, generally our permits were to go in the morning and return in the evening. Except once when at Elizabethtown point in the year 1779 I was taken Sick and went home John Lindsly went with me and I remained a week and better before I was able to return - as soon as I got able I returned, am certain I never was absent from my duty a day without permission I cannot now remember who was my Captain when taken Sick in 79. nor can I

Say the months or years I served under Captains Pierson, Jonathan Dods, Speer, Williams, Nichols and Gillam, except it is stated in 76. 77. and 78. - always served as a private - besides the Captains named above. I am certain that I served under several others but cannot now remember their names - directly after the close of the War I received a Commission as Captain of Militia in which capacity I served for many years - having been sick and confined to my bed for a year past together with my advanced age must in some measure account for my want of recollection of events which transpired so many years since, when it is known that events of a year or two since have gone from me
Sworn and Subscribed before me this 16 th day of September 1834 John I. Plume
Abijah H. Garrison
Justice of the Peace
State of New Jersey County of Essex
ss. I, Elias Van Arsdale Junior Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Essex do hereby certify That John I. Plume Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavit of Abijah H. Garrison was made and taken at the time of taking the same was & still is a Justice of the peace for said County duly commissioned & sworn. That the name "John I. Plume" subscribed to the said affidavit is genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the Seal of said Court, at Newark the Seventeenth day of September A.D. 1834
Elias Van Arsdale Jr. Clerk