Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 10,913, Abraham Van Zile, New Jersey
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SERVICE NUMBER
New Jersey Van Zile, Abraham R. 10,913
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No. 38,202
Abraham Van Zile
N.J.
Act 7 June 1832.
Let M. N. Wisewell, Augt 20/51.
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Declaration, to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.
State of New Jersey County of Passaic Ss:
Be it known, that on this 29th day of April in the year of our Lord 1851 personally appeared before the subscriber, one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of said County, Abraham Vanzile, a very aged man, & a resident of said County, reported to be a man of the truth,  by me believed to be fully entitled to credit - who being by me duly sworn according to law, on his oath makes the following Declaration, to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7th 1832.
I am in the 96th year of my age, a native of Morris County in the State of New Jersey, & was an enlisted Soldier in the New Jersey line of the Continental Army, & served as I verily believe in that character, throughout the Revolutionary war. My memory is so frail from the infirmity of years, that I fear it is not in my power to give the name of any of my Officers - either of the Company or of the Regiment to which I belonged - nor do I now know a single comrade who served with me & who is yet living. I know John Sanford as enlisted continental Soldier, who was a pensioner as I am told, under the law of March 18th 1818 - whether we belonged to the same company or regiment, I cannot tell - but I respectfully request of the Commissioner of Pensions, & of the Secretary of the Department of the Interior, that I may have the benefit of all the Muster rolls, pay rolls & other records pertaining to the New Jersey line of the Continental Army, relying on them to furnish proof of my service as a Soldier of the Continental Army, & of the duration of such service. There may be found perhaps a few aged people, who can testify to my reputation as an old Continental soldier, whose evidence I may hereafter sent to the Pension Office, in support of my claim.
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I have lived in obscurity & poverty; & altho I have sometimes heard of pensions being granted to the old Soldiers, I have been ignorant of the laws myself, & have had no friends to advise me what steps were necessary to procure, & no measures have been taken to obtain a pension for me, to the best of my knowledge & belief.
I am now a Pauper of the township of West Milford in the County of Passaic & have been chargeable to said township during a period of 15 or 16 years - having no real estate, nor personal property except my wearing apparel.
If my name shall be found on the public records, either at the War Department, or at Trenton in New Jersey, as a Continental Soldier by enlistment, I would respectfully claim the benefit of the law which passed for the relief of Such Soldiers, & is said to bear date, March 18th 1818 - instead of the Act at first referred to in this Declaration. his
Abraham X Van Zile
mark
Sworn to & Subscribed this 29 day of April AD. 1851
Before me Geo. A Ryerson
I, George A. Ryerson, one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common pleas of Passaic County, do hereby certify, that Abraham Vanzile, the above Declarant, being very aged & infirm, cannot consistently with Safety, travel to the Courthouse, & make his Declaration in open Court - I have therefore taken his deposition at his residence in the township of West Milford in said County of Passaic, the date above mentioned.
Geo. A. Ryerson
I am of opinion that the above named Abraham Van Zile was an enlisted Soldier in the Revolutionary war, and that his statements above, are entitled to full credit and belief.
Geo. A. Ryerson Judge of the
Apl. 29, 1851 Court of Com. pleas of Passaic Co
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State of New Jersey}
County of Passaic} SS
I I John Keenan Clerk of the County Court in and for the County and State above mentioned, do hereby certify that Geo. A. Ryerson whose genuine Signature appears above is and was at the time of Signing the above declaration and Power of Attorney, one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County; that all his official act, as such, are entitled are entitled full faith and Credit; and that the afore said County Court is a Court of Record, having general jurisdiction.
Given under my hand and Seal of Office at Peterson this Seventh day of May
AD 1851 John Keenan Clerk
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State of New Jersey}
County of Passaic} SS
Know all men by these presents that I Abraham Van Zile of the County and State aforesaid have made authorized nominated and appointed Moses N. Wisewell of the County of Morris State aforesaid my true and lawful attorney, for me and in my name to receive all money that may be due me from the government of the United States of America as a pensioner, and to transact all business as I myself could do if I were personaly present.
Witness my hand and Seal this 29th
day of April A.D. 1851 his
Signed Sealed & delivered} Abraham X Van Zile
mark
in Presence of
Geo. A. Ryerson
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State of New Jersey
Passaic County Ss. Personally appeared before me the Subscribed one of the Judges of the Court of Common pleas in & for said County  Abraham Van Zile, who I am Satisfied is the person named in the written power of Attorney, and acknowledged that he Signed Sealed and delivered the Same as his voluntary act for the purpose therein mentioned, I having first made [illegible] him the contents thereof -
Acknowledged before me this 29th day of April A.D. 1751
Geo. A. Ryerson
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State of New Jersey}
County of Morris} SS
I Albert H Stanburrough Clerk of the County Court, in and for the County and State above Mentioned, do hereby Certify, that George R Colfax whose genuine Signature appears on the attac[illegible] affidavits, is and was at the time of Signing the same a Justice of the Peace in and for the county and State aforesaid duly commissioned and Sworn; that all his official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit; and that the aforesaid County Court is a court of record having general jurisdiction.
Given under my hand and Seal of Of[illegible]
at Morris Town this Twentieth Day of
September A.D. Eighteen hundred and f[illegible]
one A. H. Stanburrough Clk
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State of New Jersey}
County of Morris} SS
On this third day of April A.D. 1851 Personally appeared before me George A Colfax Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Morris and State of New Jersey Thomas Cahill aged Seventy five years who being duly Sworn according to law on his oath saith that he is acquainted with Abraham Van Zile (whose declaration for a pension is about to be filed in the United States pension  office) and has known him for Sixty five years and that he has always understood and it is the General belief in this neighborhood that he has been a soldier in the revolutionary war and he further saith that the said Abraham Van Zile has often talked  to him the deponent of his service under General Washington in the american Army. And he further saith that the said Abraham Van Zile is now so worn down by poverty and old age that he is unable to make a correct statement of the time and place of his service, he has been supported as a pauper for upwards of twenty years And he further saith that he has always known him as a man of truth and veracity his
Thomas X Cahill
mark
Sworn to and Subscribed before me the day and year above written and I do hereby certify that the deponent is entitled to full faith, credit and belief - "and that the words "he further saith that" were interlined before the affidavit was executed
George A Colfax Justice Peace
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State of New Jersey}
County of Morris} SS
On this twenty ninth day of March A.D. 1851 Personally appeared before me George A Colfax Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Morris State of New Jersey Peter Decker aged Eighty nine years who being duly Sworn according to law on his oath saith that his is acquainted with the Abraham Van Zile (whose declaration for a pension is about to be filed in the United States Pension office) and has known him for upwards of Seventy five years, and knows that he served in the American Army in the war of the American revolution, from the following circumstance. There were a number of his acquaintances and during the said war among whom were John Sanford, [Illegible] Sisco, James Skates, and the said Abraham Van Zile. Some of whom drew a pension while living and whose widows still draw it, that are still living. And he further saith that he never knew any cause why the aid Abraham Van Zile Should not draw a pension, further than that he has since the war lived in Extreme poverty and seclusion among the mountains of Passaic County N.J. and that he never but once made an effort to obtain it and he being then supported as a pauper be abandoned the undertaking, he has been supported as a pauper for the last three and twenty years
Peter his X mark Decker
Sworn to and Subscribed before me the day and year above written; and I do hereby certify that I believe the deponent to be entitled to full credit and belief, and I further certify that he word "Sworn" was interlined before the affidavit was executed.
George A. Colfax
Justice Peace
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State of New Jersey}
Morris County} SS
Personally appeared before me George A Colfax Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Morris and State of New Jersey, Catharine Sanford aged Eighty five years, widow of the late John Sanford a revolutionary Pensioner, who being duly Sworn on her oath according to law, Saith that she has been acquainted with Abraham Van Zile (whos declaration for a pension is about to be filed in the pension office) Since the year Seventeen hundred and eighty and knows him to have served in the war of the American revolution from the following facts viz. In the year 1783 the deponents husband the said John Sanford opened a public house in the City of New York and kept said public house Seven years and during that time (her husband the said John Sanford having been a Soldier) his house was frequently made a place of resort by those men whom he had known while in the Army during the war, among whom was the said Abraham Van Zile who together with one James Skates was on intimate terms with her the deponents family And the said Abraham Van Zile frequently spent a number of days in succession at her the deponents house, and she further Saith that she has time after time heard her husband the said John Sanford and the said Abraham Van Zile talk of their service in the revolutionary war, and is confident that they were acquainted while in the Service but whether they Served under the same officers or not she can not say. But she has frequently heard her husband the Said John Sanford say that the Said Abraham Van Zile was a Soldier throughout the war of the revolution.
her
Catharine X Sanford
mark
Sworn to and Subscribed before me
this twenty first day of March A.D. 1851 and I
do hereby certify that I believe that the deponent
is entitled to full credit and belief
George A Colfax Justice Peace
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State of New Jersey}
County of Morris} SS
On this third day of April A.D. 1851 Personally appeared before me George A Colfax Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Morris State of New Jersey, Rachel Utter who being duly Sworn according to law on her oath Saith that she is Eighty five years of age and is a Sister to Abraham Van Zile (whose declaration for a pension is about to be filed in the United States Pension office) and, known that he served in the war of the American revolution, And she further saith that when her brother the Said Abraham Van Zile enlisted as a Soldier, General Washington and his army was encamped at Morristown New Jersey and when the Soldiers left Morristown her brother, the said Abraham Van Zile went with them, and he was gone two years before he came home again, and then he only stayed a few days and then returned to his place in the army; she further saith that She remembers to have heard her brother the said Abraham Van Zile remark to her the deponents mother that She was not as good a cook as they the Soldiers had in the army, and remembers to have heard him Say that his cooks name was James Skate: And she further Saith that two years after (or about two years she cannot say positively that it was two but over one year after her brother Abraham Van Zile was at home on a visit he can home to stay.) But who the officers were that he brother Served under the deponent cannot say. 
her
Rachel X Utter
mark
Sworn to and Subscribed before me the day and year above written and I do hereby certify that I believe the deponent to be entitled to full credit and belief
George A Colfax Justice Peace
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State of New Jersey}
Morris County} SS
On this thirteenth day of September A.D. 1851 Personally appeared before me George A. Colfax Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Morris and State of New Jersey Jonnathan Morgan aged Eighty Seven years who being duly sworn according to law on his oath saith that he is now a revolutionary Pensioner and that he is acquainted with Abraham Van Zile (whose declaration for a pension is now on file in the United States Pension office) and that he has known him for nearly eighty years, and that he the deponent and the Said Abraham Van Zile are both natives of Morris County New Jersey and lived neighbors to each other at the time of the breaking out of the revolutionary war and that the Said Abraham Van Zile is Eight nor nine years older than the the deponent is. And he further Saith that during the winter of the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy seven when General Washington was Encamped at Morristown New Jersey (about Eight miles from where he the deponent and the Said Abraham Van Zile lived) the said Abraham Van Zile Enlisted to serve in the Continental army, and that some time after that he saw the said Abraham Van Zile in service near the city of newark N.J. But the deponent can not say who the officers were that the said Abraham Van Zile served under further than that he served in that division of the Continental Army under the Command of Washington in Person as he supposes from the fact that he enlisted in that portion of the army that was quartered at Morristown N.J. at the time above Stated and from the fact that after the deponent volunteered to Serve in the
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Militia of N.J. he was at the Siege of Yorktown Va and there he again saw the said Abraham Van Zile in Service in the American Army and how much longer he served the deponent cannot say as he did not See him again till after the war
Jonnathan his X mark Morgan
Sworn to and Subscribed before me, the day and year above written; and I do hereby certify that I believe the deponent to be of the age above written and to be Entitled to full faith and belief.
The word "Volunteered" was interlined before the affidavit was executed.
George A Colfax Justice Peace
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10,913
P.O.
[The name Abraham Van Zill is crossed out.]
Service: Abraham Van Zile
Enlsited: REJECTED, 18  .
Discharged: _____, 18  .
Act
Aug. 28, 1905
Application filed: _____, 18  .
Alleges:
Re-enlisted:
Attorney:
P.O.
No service - P[illegible]
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18  .
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Not on N.J. Conl. Rolls
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Pompton Plais N.J. May 21st 1851
Dear Sir
Will you acknowledge the receipt of
the within declaration. When received
Hon M Heath} M [illegible] Wisewell
Com of Pensions}
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Newfoundland - Feb 28' 1855
S. P. Waldo Esqr
Dear Sir.
Will you please inform me whether there] was a pension granted to Abraham or Abram Vanzile. Some years Since - if there was who was the Attorney. And how much was [illegible] b said Attorney - &c
Your Obt Servt [illegible]
James Evans
Newfoundland
Morris County
New Jersey
Attorney of the [illegible]
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Additional Evidence
In Case of
Abraham Van Zile
Act 1832
J. H. G McCutchen
Atty
Present
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Mr McCutchen say that this
application was originally filed
more than 12 months ago - &
that the applicant is in the
Alms House New Jersey
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[Persons making application at the Comptroller's or Secretary of State's Office, for searches, or certificate of service of any person, in the army of the U. S. during the
revolutionary war, should give the name and ranks held by such person; the nature of the service; whether in the Infantry, Cavalry or Artillery, &c.; in the regular army or
name of the commanding the regiments and companies at the time of enlistment, service and discharge, as near as can be given. The names should be given with care, and in a legible hand.] 
In pursuance of a law passed the 27th of April, 1784, entitled "An act for the settlement of the pay of the Levies and Militia, for their service in the late War, and for other purposes
therein mentioned, the following certificates have been issued, bearing interest at five per cent per annum, viz:
1782 Decem 31 Abraham Van Zile Priv No. of Cert'e issued, 3665 £ 21 6 8
do do do
do do do
do do do
do do do
do do do
do do do
do do do
do do do
do do do
do do do
do do do
do do do
do do do
do do do
do do do
State of New-York,}
COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE, Albany, March 29, 1852}
I hereby certify the above to be true extracts from Book No. 1 now remaining in this office,
and that the service for which the certificates above named were issued, were performed under the following officers, viz:
1st under Capt. Prentice Bowen in Col. Fred Weisenfells Regiment
111
Col. Fred Weisenfelt Regiment.
2d " " " " "
3d " " " " "
4th " " " " "
5th " " " " "
6th " " " " "
7th " " " " "
8th " " " " " 
9th " " " " "
10th " " " " "
11th " " " " "
12th " " " " "
13th " " " " "
14th " " " " "
15th " " " " "
16th " " " " "
I have examined the records for the service of}
--- and find}
--- entries as above, amount-}
ing to £}
A.W. Lee Examining Clerk J C Wright 
Comptroller.
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Washington CIty D.C.
April 23rd 1852
Sir
I herewith Enclose a certificate proving the service of Abraham Van Zile in the New York State line. I am aware that the declaration States he was of the N-J line, but when it is remembered that the County of New Jersey in which the Claimant resided in 1782 and the County of New York from which the service was rendered are and were at that time contiguous or adjoining Counties and the cumulative proof of Peter Decker, Catharine Sanford Rachel Utter & Johnathan Morgan attached to his application it is conclusive as to identity. And believing that the claim is made out to the Satisfaction of the Dept. and that the Claimant is now living on the Charity of his County which is Known only furnishes the bare necessaries of life, I would therefore respectfully request that the Claim may be taken up and allowed immediately as an act of justice to the Claimant.
Respectfully
Your Obdt Servt
J H G Mc Cutchen
Atty of
Hon Jas E Heath Abram Van Zile
Com of Pensions
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Certificate of
Comptroller
Of the Service of
Abraham Van Zile
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Comptrollers Office
Albany March 29, 1852
I certify that the following is a true copy of an original certificate now on file at this office, viz - "I certify that Capt. Aric Smith has this day delivered me a man named Abraham Van Zile, inlisted in behalf of his Class, to serve in my Company until the first day of January next - Said Abraham Van Zile is properly furnished with arms, accoutrements & other necessaries according to law - This first day of May 1782 -
To all concerned Prentice Bowen Capt."
& I further certify that said Aric Smith was head of a Class in the Regiment of Militia commanded by Col. A. Hawk Hay of Orange County, and that said Class received Two hundred acres of Land for the service
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performed by said Abram Van Zile, as appears by a document, accompanying the said Certificate of enlistment signed Prentice Bowens, & which is on file at this office - and I further certify that the accompanying printed Certificate, appears to be for the pay of said Van Zile, for services ren'd under command of said Capt. Prentice Bowen -
J. C. Wright
A. W. Lee Comptroller
Examg. Clerk
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M. N. Wisewell Esq.
Sir - You will herewith receive Certificate regarding Abram Van Zile - There are two, the one attached hereto, is for the purpose of showing that your man - if he was a Jersey man, would be likely to enlist in Orange Co, it being contiguous - The duties of my desk have been lying dead, for some months on a/c of my illness, from which I am but just recovering - I have Scarcely done anything for 4 months -
The fee for this is $1 which please remit
Respty
AW Lee
Examining Clerk
Comptrollers Office
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STATE OF NEW-JERSEY.
I, THOMAS S. ALLISON, Secretary of State of the State of New Jersey, do hereby certify, that I
have examined the Revolutionary records in my
office, and do not find therein any evidence of
the service of Abraham Van Zile
and I do further certify, that the records of this office being only certificates for balance
of pay due, the fact of the name not being found therein, is not conclusive evidence that
he was not in the service.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed my seal of office, at Trenton, this twenty sixth day of August
one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one
Thos Allison
Secretary of State.
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No 38.202
Abraham Van [Illegible]
N.J.
Act of the 7th June 18[illegible] To M. N. Wisewell Augt 20 
1850 1851
G. H. G. McCutchen, May
26/52
Let J. Gra[illegible], March 9/55.
10913
[Illegible] 7th June 1830