Documents

1853 Revolutionary War Widows Pension - Testimony of William C Smith

3 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. William C Smith was a witness.

The testimony of William C Smith, age 79:

-He was well acquainted with William Gardner and with John, James, and Joseph, sons of William. He lived within a mile from them as a child.
-John Gardner was a Wagon Master during the Revolutionary War and had a brigade of teams under his charge.
-He had seen John, James, and Joseph Gardner among the wagon teams as they passed near his house in Bloombury.
-He can't recall the exact date, but the Gardner sons were part of the wagon teams for over 2 years.

Fold3.com, Revolutionary War Pensions (New Jersey), Joseph Gardner, p. 56-57 of 62