ELIJAH STITES
(S39388, N. J. and Penn. Service; Hamilton Count, Ohio,
Agency; Cert. 22327 issued 12 Oct. 1833 at $80 per annum
from 4 March 1831, sent to H. J. Gaines, Agt.,
Cincinnati, Ohio, admitted to 2 years service, Act 7 June
1832).
Elijah Stites, before Court of Common
Please, Hamilton County, Ohio, 23 Feb. 1833, 74 years old
on 22 March 1832, resident of Warren County, Ohio, at this
time but for many years a resident of Hamilton County,
Ohio, applied for the benefit of the Act of 7 June 1832;
declared he entered the service of the U. S. in the
Revolutionary War at Elizabeth Town in New Jersey in
May 1777, in the company commanded by Capt.
Morrell, in the regiment commanded by Colonel Oliver
Spencer; he held no commission but was a private from
first to last; he was a "Minute Man' and acted in that
character for fully two years and upward; at all times
bound to perform duty and at no time exempt from active
duty for more than two weeks; stayed in New Jersey nearly
if not all of two years where it was the theatre of war
and British Army making frequent incursions in said state;
his company engaged in scouting, guarding the lines and
occasionally in actual battle; he was in the Battles of
Amboy and Monmouth; engaged in erecting breastworks at
Elizabeth Town Point, where frequently fired upon by the
British; in march to Monmouth his army passed through
Princeton; General Washington was present in
person at the Battle of Monmouth, General Lee having
retreated before General Washington arrived
and assumed command; in Battle of Piscataway in which
Regulars and Militia were opposed to the British Army; in
Battles at Quibbletown and Lyon's Farms; acquainted with
Col. Jaquish a Militia officer at Battle of
Monmouth; militia not much in company with Continental
officers; in Battle of Piscataway applicant states he saw
Col. Danl. Morgan with his rifle
company; Col. Spencer commanded the erection
of the breastworks at Elizabeth Town Point at which
Major Wade of his regiment was also present;
never received an official discharge but permitted to
resume his usual occupation on his father's farm in Essex
County on "Scotch Plains" soon after the British evacuated
New York and it was unnecessary to observe such rigid
discipline; knows of no person whose testimony he can
procure except Hezekiah Stites of Hamilton
Co., Ohio, who knows only a part of the time he served.
(Signed) Elijah StitesDan'l Gano,
Clk. Ct., attested.
Elijah Stites replied to interrogations as
follows: stated he was living with his father on
Scotch Plains, Essex Co., New Jersey, when called into
service; removed to Greene County, Penn., at age of 22
years and lived there for 14 years; since which he lived
in Hamilton County, and Warren County, Ohio; was a
volunteer 'Minute Man" and never drafted nor acted as a
substitute for any person whatsoever; names of regular
officers in the Continental and Militia regiments:
Col. Morgan of the Regulars, and Militia
Officers General Maxfield, Col. Winds, and Col. Spencer;
persons to whom known who will testify as to his veracity
and belief in his Revolutionary War service include those
back in Warren Co. where he now resides and also Hamilton
County where he resided for 22 years and to nearly all of
the early settlers; names particularly Gen. Jas.
Findley and Thos. Corwin of Congress; stated he
was induced to come to Hamilton County to make his
application because Hezekiah Stites was the only
witness who had actual knowledge of his service and he
lived in Hamilton County.
James Lyon, Jr., a clergyman, Hezekiah
Stites and John Ferris, all of Hamilton Co.,
Ohio, deposed they were acquainted with the applicant and
believed in his Revolutionary War service; Hezekiah
Stites and knew he was in service for 24 months.
Daniel Gano, Clerk of Court of Common Pleas,
Hamilton County, Ohio, certified 23 Feb. 1833.
Elijah Stites, Warren County, Ohio, 16 Sept.
1833, before the Court of Common Pleas in that county,
made an additional declaration; stated he was born in
Essex County, New Jersey; where he resided during all of
his service with exception of 8 months service; all
service as "Minute Man" in New Jersey, moved afterwards to
Red Stone County, Pa. and performed other service against
the Indians in time of Revolutionary War; served in N. J.
18 months; served Red Stone 8 months; service performed in
garrison or fort generally; did not perfect papers in
Hamilton Co. because of his age, infirmities and frailty
did not permit him to travel from his residence in Warren
County situated about 35 miles from Cincinnati where the
Hamilton Court was held.
Jonathan K. Wilds, Clk. of
Court, Warren Co., Ohio, attested 30 Sept, 1833.
Notation of old jacket: Elijah Stites, N. J. and
Pa. Lines, Records OK.
Date of Death not on papers.
Statement of SErvice made by Elijah Stites, 20
April 1833, 74 years old, Hamilton County, Ohio, as
follows:
Minute Man 1777 2 yrs. Pvt.
Capt. Morrell
Col. Oliver Spencer's Regt.
Gen'l. Washington
Maj. Wade |
