Jacob Petty

Revolutionary War Patriot Profile

  • Revolutionary War Patriot

    Patriot Summary

    Jacob Petty (1760-1837) served in the New Jersey militia as a private and waggoneer in Captains White, Henry, McCullough, and Petty's Companies; and Colonels West, Hooper, and Morgan's Regiments. He also served in Morgan's Rifle Regiment. He claimed to have served in George Washington's bodyguard. Jacob Petty was born in Mansfield, Sussex County, New Jersey in 1760. He was married to "Effy" Eve and they had six children. He moved to Michigan in 1834. Jacob Petty died June 17, 1837, and is buried in the Sashabaw Plains Cemetery in Clarkston, Oakland County, Michigan. SAR Patriot Number P-269299 DAR Patriot Number A132076 Find-A-Grave Number 75583263

    From the History of Oakland County, Michigan by Thaddeus D. Seeley (1912)

    Jacob Petty, of Independence, Oakland county, claimed to have belonged to Washington’s bodyguard. His remains were removed from the farm where he died, to the cemetery at Sashabaw Plains, Oakland county.

Pension Records

  • Page 1

    Page 1

    (3-1776)
    SERVICE
    New Jersey
    Petty, Jacob
    NUMBER
    S29.346

  • Page 2

    Page 2

    30.483

    Michigan

    Jacob Petty

    Oakland Co. in the State of Michigan who was a teamster in the company commanded by Captain McCullough of the regt. commanded by Col West - in the N. Jersey for two years

    subscribed on the Roll of Michigan at the rate of 80 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1831

    Certificate of Pension issued the 22nd day of March 1836 and sent to Thomas J. Drake, Esq. Detroit

    Arrears to the 4th March 1836 $400 -
    Semi-aml. allowance ending 4 Sept. 1836 40.
    [total] $440.-

    Revolutionary claim Act June 7, 1832

    Recorded by Wm S. Allison, Clerk
    Book E2 Vol. 9 , Page 105

    Date of death not on AB.

  • Page 3

    Page 3

    Application of Jacob Petty of Warren Co. New Jersey for a pension

    27370


    Twin Condict, N. July Morristown
    D.A. Hale, Washington

    Belvidere [crossed out]
    Warren Co. [crossed out]

    New Jersey

  • Page 4

    Page 4

    State of New Jersey
    Warren County ss.

    On this 30th day of August AD 1833 personally appeared in open court before the inferior Court of Common Pleas Now setting at Belvidere in and for said county Jacob Petty a resident of the township of Mansfield in said county aged seventy three years and upwards who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress passed June 7 1832. That he entered the Service of the United States under the following named officers and serves as herein stated
    answer to interrogatory
    I. I was born at township of Mansfield County of Warren and state of New Jersey in the year 1760.
    II. I have no record of my age and never had one, but I know my age from what my father and older brother have told me. I am no scholar, can neither read nor write -
    III. I was living at Mansfield County of Sussex now Warren and State of New Jersey when called into service - where I have lived ever since the revolutionary war and where I now live -
    IV. when called into service I went volunteer, was never drafted and never went as a substitute for any person.
    V. My services were all performed as a private int he Quater Masters department to perform the duties of a waggoner - I enlisted during the war - under Captain Alexander White and Colonel Jacob West at Greenwich in the said county of Sussex and recalled that the first service I performed that I went out in the month of October 1776 from Greenwich aforesaid to Easton and took sick people and their baggage to Reading

  • Page 5

    Page 5

    in Pennsylvania and continued in that country all the winter and next spring carting grain, feed, wood, baggage and everything that was required of us - we did not return to Jersey until about 1st May 1777 - In this same month after being back but a few days I was put under command of Captain William Mc Cullough, Colonel Hooper and General Moore Furman and continued under them for two years and better during all which time I was engaged carting from Easton to Harrisburgh and Carlile in Pennsylvania - from Easton and Bloomsberry to Morristown - from Pitts-town to Morristown. I recalled carting a load of English and another of Hessians during this time from some where along the North river to French town in New Jersey - it was said they were part of Burgoynes army that had been taken prisoner - I recalled carting several troops during one winter to the Valley Forge while the army laid there and when we got there the last troop we were kept carting about there until the next April or May. I recalled distinctly seeing General Washington there and his talking to me asking me where I was from and asking me if I would not go with him to me of his farms at the end of the river during this time also. I recollect going several troops to New Windsor or New York - once in the winter season but can't specify the year. One April I helped move the sick from, Newburgh in state of New York to Lebanon in Pennsylvania. by reason of my great age and consequent loss

  • Page 6

    Page 6

    of memory I cannot recollect dates, nor specify the duties performed in the order of time they were performed, but am certain I was out as a waggoner, not less than three years, during all which time I was engaged in no civil employment.
    VI. I never received a discharge in writing nor have I any documentary evidence - nor do I know of any person living by whom I can Prove my services except it be Col. William McCullough, Peter Petty and James Gardner whose affidavits are attached.

    VII. Col. William McCullough and Peter Petty have known me in my present neighborhood and can testify to my character for veracity and their belief of my services as a soldier of the Revolution. There is no Clergyman living in my neighborhood. O have obtained all the l living witnesses within my knowledge during the whole time known set forth I was engaged in no civil employment. I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.

    Jacob Petty \ (his mark)

    Sworn and subscribed - Open court the sate above.
    Wm P. Robeson

    We William McCullough and Peter Petty residing in township of Mansfield in said county hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Jacob Petty who has subscribed from the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy three years of age; that he is reputed to have lived in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion.

    Wm McCullough
    Peter Petty

    Subscribed in open court the date above
    Wm. P. Robeson

  • Page 7

    Page 7

    [appears to be exact copy of previous page (6)]

  • Page 8

    Page 8

    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 Col William McCullough and Peter Petty who have signed the preceding certificate are residents of the township Mansfield in that county and state aforesaid; and are credible persons and their statement entitled to credit. also that there is no clergyman living in the neighborhood of the said applicant.

    Wm P. Robeson
    Wm Kennedy
    Charles Carter
    P.W. Blair

    I Phineas B. Kennedy clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in & for said County certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Jacob Petty for a Pension. That the signatures of William P Robeson Esq. and John Kennedy Esq. to the annexed affidavits are genuine and that the doing thereof they were Judges of said Court - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of my office this 14th day of September 1833 -

    Wm. B. Kennedy Clk

  • Page 9

    Page 9

    State of New Jersey

    Warren County

    Before me one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said county on the 20th day of August AD 1833 personally appeared Col. William McCullough of Asbury in said county aged seventy three years and upwards, whom I certify is a credible person and his statement entitled to credit, who being duly sworn according to law saith that he is well acquainted with Jacob Petty of Mansfield in said county who is applying for a pension under the act of congress of June 7 1832 - that I well know said Petty in the time of the Revolution and that he served regularly as an enlisted waggoner in the quarter masters department , under Colonel West, and Hooper: and General Moore Furman. That deponent was out with him more than two years beginning in the fall of 1777 and thence thro 1778, & art of 1779 and saw him driving a continental team at other times until the close of the war and further saith not

    Wm McCullough

    Sworn and subscribed the date above before e
    Wm P. Robeson

  • Page 10

    Page 10

    State of New Jersey

    Warren County
    ss

    Before me one of the Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said county, on the 30th day of August AD 1833 personally appeared, Peter Petty of said county aged seventy four years and upwards, whom I certify is a credible person and his statement entitled to credit who being duly sworn according to law saith that he is well acquainted with Jacob Petty of Mansfield in said county who is applying for a pension under the act of congress of June 7 1832: that I knew him in the time of the Revolutionary War and that he served as an enlisted waggoner in the Quarter Masters department for two years and upwards under Captains White, McCullough, Colonels West and Hooper and General Moore
    Furman, that I well recalled he first was out in October 1776 under Capt. While & in 1777 under Captain William McCullough and during the whole of the time I knew he was engaged in no civil employment and further saith not, except that during the remainder of the war I was not in the same part of the country to see him in the service altho I have heard he served until the termination of the war.

    Peter Petty

    Swprm and subscribed the date above before me

    Wm.P. Robeson

  • Page 11

    Page 11

    State of New Jersey

    Warren County ss.

    Before me one of the Judges of the court of Common Pleas and for said county, on the 14th August 1832 personally appeared Jemes Gardner of said county aged seventy two years and upwards whom I certify is a credible person and his statement entitled to credit, who being duly sworn according to law saith that he is well acquainted with Jacob Petty of Mansfield who is applying for a pension under the act of Congress of June 7 1832 that he knew said Petty performed services regularly in said war as an enlisted waggoner, at the Valley Forge in Pennsylvania and at several other different places , at frontier in New Jersey & along North river in New York, at Easton in Pennsylvania and during which time I was enl. myself at least two years.

    James (x) Gardner
    [his mark]

    Sworn and subscribed this date above before me J. Kenney Jr

  • Page 12

    Page 12

    BA-H/ MMHF/ILL
    Jacob Petty
    S.29346

    Memorial Branch
    Office of The Quartermaster General
    War Department
    Washington, D.C.

    Dear Sir:

    Reference is made to your SPECIAL FOLLOW-UP memorandum in which it is stated that on May 10, 1933, an Application for Headstone for Jacob Petty, New Jersey Troops, Revolutionary War, was sent to this office for verification of the soldier's service and has not been returned to your office.

    No record has been found of receipt of the application above named.

    The record of Jacob Petty is given herein as found in the papers on file in the claim for pension, S29436, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.

    Jacob Petty was born in 1756, in 1757, or in 1760 (all three years stated), in Mansfield, Sussex County, which was later Warren County New Jersey.

    While a resident of Mansfield, New Jersey, he enlisted in October 1776 served as a private and wagoner under Captains Alexander While, Henry, William McCullough and John Petty (no relationship to Jacob stated), and colonels Jacob West and Hooper in the New Hersey troops; he also served in colonel Morgan's riflemen; a part of his service was in the quartermaster department; the entire length of his service was between three and four years.

    He was allowed pension on his application executed August 30, 1833, at which time he resided in Mansfield, Warren County, New Jersey. He had lived there ever since the war.

    In 1836, the soldier was a resident of Pontiac, Oakland County

    [handwritten across top as follows]

    I called the Record Div. & the Mid. Rev div., did not find the appl. one there. MME

  • Page 13

    Page 13

    Michigan: he had moved to Michigan about two years previously.

    The soldier referred to his older brother but did not give his name.

    In 1833, Peter Pettey, aged seventy-four years, was living in Warren County New Jersey, no relationship to the soldier stated.

    Your SPECIAL FOLLOW-UP memorandum is enclosed herewith.

    Very truly yours,

    A.D. HILLER,
    Assistant to Administrator

  • Page 14

    Page 14

    1932 - Aug. 18 Hist. to Mrs. E.V. Howlett. ILF
    1933, June 2 - Hist. to Memorial Branch War Dept. ILL

    29346

    INVALID
    Revy

    File No. 29.346

    Jacob Petty

    Teamster Rev War

    Act: June 7 32

    Index: - Vol. 2, Page 296

    [Arrangement of 1870]

    [handwritten at bottom of page] Have A Ju Petty

  • Page 15

    Page 15

    New Jersey

    Revol

    Jacob Petty

    Suspended

    See letter
    Hon Lewis Condict
    25 Oct. 1833

    Act 7 June '32

  • Page 16

    Page 16

    Admitted
    2 years, teamster
    $80

    See Cpt Wm McCullough's papers N.J. Roll
    No 17156

  • Page 17

    Page 17

    Territory of Michigan
    County of Oakland ss.

    On this twenty eighth day of January AD 1836 personally appeared in the Circuit Court for the County of Oakland Jacob Petty a resident of the Township of Pontiac in the County of Oakland aforesaid and within the territory of Michigan aged seventy seven 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 during the Revolution, but in what year he cannot say but was in the service & served with the following named officers: This declarant entered the service of the United States as a citizen of the State of New Jersey under Captain White, who was as this Declarant believes under a Major Fleet of the Militia of the State of New Jersey and served under Captain White as this Declarant believes in and about Elizabeth Town point about three (3) months. That he next served under Captain Henry of the Militia for Nine months that Captain Henry was under the command of Colonel William McCullough and this Declarant went next under the command of Captain John Petty who served under Col. Morgan of the Riflemen and thru this Declarant served one full year and more as he believes this Declarant was at Valley Forge, the Winter General Washington quartered there, and then was employed mostly in Teaming. This Declarant, resided int he Township of Mansfield in the County of Sussex in the State of New Jersey, when he entered the service in this enlistment and he believes he served in the Militia of New Jersey one year and more and that he served in the Regular Army four years and that he was discharged from the servicer by Colonel Morgan but does not recollect the time he received his discharge.

  • Page 18

    Page 18

    this declarant cannot state when he was born but believes in the year AD 1756 or 57. at Sussex in New Jersey.

    That he has no record of his age. That he was living at Mansfield in the County of Sussex in the State of New Jersey when he entered the service, that after the Revolutionary War he resided at Mansfield in Sussex County of New Jersey.

    Until about two years since when he removed to Pontiac in the County of Oakland where he now resides.

    That he entered the service as a Militia man was drafted but served for himself and not as a substitute

    That he was discharged by Colonel Morgan, but cannot say what has become of his discharge

    This declarant cannot state the precise time he entered the service, nor the time he remained there but knows he was in the service as a soldier full four years. That he is known to Samuel Curl, Adam F. Phillips who reside in his neighborhood and can attest to his character for veracity and their belief of his service as a soldier in the Revolution.

    Jacob Petty \ his mark

    Subscribed & sworn to the day & year aforesaid
    John Goodich Deputy Clerk

    We the undersigned Samuel Curl & Adam F. Phillips residing now in Pontiac in the County of Oakland & Territory of Michigan hereby Certify that we are well acquainted with Jacob Petty who subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that from our acquaintance with him we believe he is of the age he represents. That he is reported in the neighborhood where he now lives and in Sussex in New Jersey from where he came and believed generally to have been a Revolutionary Soldier, and we believe him the same Jacob Petty referred to in the affidavit of William McCullough

  • Page 19

    Page 19

    and Peter Petty, hereto annexed. And we fully concur in the opinion that he was a Revolutionary Soldier.

    Subscribed & sworn to the day and year aforesaid.

    Samuel Curl
    Adam F. Phillips

    John Goodrich
    Deputy Clerk

    And the said court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant Jacob Petty, was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states.

    Wm A Fletcher, presiding Judge
    Ansara Bagley Associate Judge
    [illegible] Congress

    I John Goodrich Deputy Clerk of this Circuit Court in and for the county of Oakland and Territory of Michigan do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Jacob Petty for a Pension. In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and the seal of the said court this 25th day of January AD. 1836.

    John Goodrich
    Deputy Clerk

  • Page 20

    Page 20

    State of New Jersey

    Warren County ss:

    Before me one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for said county, on the fourth day of Jan. AD 1835 personally appeared Col. William McCullough of Asbury in said county whom I certify is a credible person and his statement entitled to full faith and credit, aged seventy six years and upwards, who being duly sworn according to law saith that he is the same William McCullough who is now receiving a pension under the laws of the United States; that Jacob Petty formerly of Mansfield & now of Michigan, who is applying for a pension, he has been well acquainted with, during and ever since the revolutionary war. that said Petty served under him at least two full years as an enlisted waggoner during the whole of the war or nearly so.

    Wm McCullough

    Sworn & subscribed the date above before me

    Caleb H. Valentine

  • Page 21

    Page 21

    State of New Jersey Warren County ss I Phineas B. Kennedy clerk of the Inferior court of common Pleas in and for said County do hereby certify that Caleb H. Valentine Esq. before whom this written affidavit of William McCullough was taken was at the time and state is a Judge of the Inferior court of Common Pleas in and for said County and that Jospeh Karr before whom the above affidavit of Peter Petty was taken was at the time thereof and State is an acting Justice of the peace of said County, and that they respectively are duly commissioned and sworn into office and to whose official acts full faith and credit is due, and further I do certify that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of the said Valentine & Karr and am satisfied that the foregoing signatures purporting to be theirs are genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said court at Belvidere this 28th day of June AD 1835
    P B Kennedy Clk

  • Page 22

    Page 22

    J.L. Edwards, FREE
    Commissioner of Pension
    Office
    Washington City
    D.C.

    [stamped] PONTIAC
    JAN 28

  • Page 23

    Page 23

    Pontiac Jany. 25 1836

    J.L. Edwards
    Comm. of the Pension office

    Sir

    The enclosed Declaration has been drawn up at the special request of the applicant Jacob Petty some months since I was requested to obtain for him his pension, for which I understood an application had been made by him while residing in N. Jersey having rec from that Department a communication from which I learned that it was extremely doubtful whether his application would be granted owing to the impression that he had been while in the army under the civil contact. I have procured from New Jersey the affidavits of Col. McCullough and Petty as to that point as well as others, and the same are forwarded with a hope that the declaration & proof will be satisfactory when this Department shall determine favorable or unfavorable to the applicant, I hope to be informed by letter directed to me in the city of Detroit -

    Yours TL.

    Thomas J. Drake

  • Page 24

    Page 24

    Bureau of Pensions
    Rev. War Section
    Dept. of Interior
    Washington D.C.

    Sirs:

    Did Jacob Petty of Warren Co., N.J. receive a pension for service rendered in the N.J. Troops

    After 1830 Jacob Petty moved to Independence Tsp., Oakland Co. Mich. where he took up and from the govt., and died there abt 1836.

    Any and all data concerning this man will be greatly appreciated

    Thanking you. I am
    Very sincerely
    May R. Howlett (Mrs E.V.)
    53 1/2 W. Huron St.
    Pontiac, Mich

    [stamped]
    REVOLUTIONARY & 1812 WARS
    JULY 27 1932
    BUREAU OF PENSIONS

  • Page 25

    Page 25

    BA-J/ILL
    Jacob Petty
    S. 29346

    Mrs. E.V. Howlett
    53 1/2 West Huron Street
    Pontiac, Michigan

    Dear Madam:

    Reference is made to your letter in which you request the record of Jacob Petty, a Revolutionary War pensioner.

    The date furnished herein are obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 29346, based upon the service of Jacob Petty in that war.

    Jacob Petty was born in 1756, in 1757, or in 1760 (all three years stated), in Mansfield, Sussex County, which was later Warren County, New Jersey.

    While a resident of Mansfield, New Jersey, he enlisted in October 1776, served as private and wagoner under Captains Alexander
    White, Henry, William McCullough and John Petty (no relationship to Jacob stated in the papers on file in this claim), and colonels Jacob West and Hooper in the New Jersey troops; he also served in Colonel Morgan's riflemen; a part of his service was in the quarter master department; the entire length of his service was between three and four years.

    He was allowed pension on his application executed August 30, 1833, at which time he resided in Mansfield, Warren County, New Jersey; he had lived there ever since the war.

    In 1836, the soldier was a resident of Pontiac, Oakland County Michigan; he had moved to Michigan about two years previously.

  • Page 26

    Page 26

    The soldier referred to his older brother but did not give his name.

    In 1833, Peter Pettey, aged seventy-four years, was living in Warren County, New Jersey, no relationship to the soldier stated.

    Very truly yours,

    A.D. HILLER
    Assistant to Administrator

    [the following is handwritten on bottom of page]

    The record of Peter Petty - S3659-
    should be read also as it shows father's name -
    Mrs. Finch said to send it with Jacob Petty's record -
    ILL

    2.

Patriot QR Code

QR Code