Documents

1853 Revolutionary War Widows Pension - Testimony of Sarah Gardner

4 January 1853, Warren County, New Jersey

In the 1850s, Sarah Gardner, wife of Joseph Gardner, was trying to obtain a widow's pension. Her husband died in 1838 and had not previously had a pension. In order to receive a widow's pension, she had to prove her relationship to Joseph and prove that Joseph served in the Revolutionary War. This required documentation and witness affidavits.

The testimony of Sarah Gardner, age 80, widow of Joseph:

-She was born 6 May 1774.
-Her maiden name was Hess.
-She was married to Joseph Gardner on 6 May 1892 at her grandfather's house in Greenwich Township.
-They had: Rachel, John, Elizabeth, Catharine Alherson, William, Mary, Sally Ann, Ellen, Lavira, and Joseph (Catharine, Ellen, and Lavira are deceased).
-Her husband died 17 Jun 1838.
-She personally heard her husband speak of his service in the Revolutionary War. Joseph's brother, John, was a wagon master. Joseph and another brother, James, drove the team at different times during the War.
-She has a family Bible which lists her family's birth information.

Fold3.com, Revolutionary War Pensions (New Jersey), Joseph Gardner, p. 5-7 of 62