My grandmother copied Garrett Tunison’s birth date from the family Bible as 12 Nov 1757. Wickes27 says that Garrett m Sarah Ten Eyck on 5 May 1783 and also that Garret was born 12 Nov 1751. The Pension list of 183532 lists Garret’s age as 74 implying a birthdate of 1761. In his pension application made 27 Jun 1820 Garrett said he was 68, implying a birth year of 1751 if he was born in November. I think that my grandmother mistook a 1 for a 7 when she copied the Bible and that Garret was born in 1751. This conclusion is confirmed by Garrett Tunison’s pension affidavit dated 28 March 1818 in which he states that he is 67 years of age.

The Pension file and the family Bible agree on the death dates of Garrett and his wife Sarah and on their marriage date.

• 10 Feb 1776 - Garrett Tunison writes to George Washington saying that he has nearly run out of medicine for the army company he is serving and requesting that he be formally appointed to the rank of Surgeon so that he may receive enough pay to buy more.29
• 25 Feb 1776 - George Washington issues a General Order requesting that the Director General of the Hospital examine all Surgeons and Mates and give certificates to those found qualified so that they may receive their commissions also that the Surgeon of each regiment report the condition of his supplies.30
• 9 Jul 1990 - Garrit Tunison, N.Y., Surgeon, receives a RW Bounty Land Grant for 1,900 acres31
• 5 April 1818 - Garrett placed on the pension roll32
• 1830 Federal Population Schedule, Bridgewater Twp. Somerset Co., NJ, p. 53, NARA Roll: M19-83, household of Dr. Garrett Tunison
white males 15 thru 19 - 2 [grandchildren?]
white males 30 thru 39 - 1 [Matthias or Garrett, Jr.]
white males 70 thru 79 - 1 [Garrett]
white females 20 thru 29 - 1 [Mary Magdelen]
white females 60 thru 69 - 1 [Sarah]
male slaves 24 thru 35 - 1
female slaves 55 thru 99 - 1
free colored males 10 thru 33 - 1
• 15 May 1828 until he "died 18 July 1837" - Garrett Tunison, Surgeon, was paid a RW pension of $300.00 per month.26
• 7 Jun 1834 - Garrett Tunison, Va., Surgeon, received a RW Bounty Land Grant for 6,000 acres.31
• 12 Dec 1836 - Garret Tunison of Bridgewater Twp., Somerset Co., NJ made his will:
Wife: Sarah
Grandsons: Peter Ten Eyck Tunison, Garret Tunison Wood, and Lawrance V. S. W. Tunison
Agnes Voorhees for her kindness to me
Daughters: Magdalen, Jane—wife of Jesse Wood
Sons: Cornelius, Garret, Mathias T. E.
Executors: son Cornelius G., son-in-law Jesse Wood
• 31 Aug 1837 - Will proved