Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 938, William Huffman, New Jersey
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
in Jersey
Huffman, William
or
Hoffman
●
Mary

NUMBER
W. 938.
Page 2

[Handwritten]

3916
New Jersey

Mary Hoffman
widow of William Hoffman
who died on the 22 January, 1826
of Middlesex Co. in the State of NJ
who was a private in the company commanded
by Captain Polhemus of the Regt. commanded by Col. [illegible] in the New Jersey 
line for 14 Months & 13 days

Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey
at the rate of 48 Dollars [illegible] Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831

Certificate of Pension issued the 22nd day of August
1843 and sent to [illegible]
Chesney Trenton, NJ
Arrears to the 4th of March 1843 $577.20
Semi=annual allowance ending 4 Sept $24.05
$601.05

Revolutionary Claim,
Act July 4, 1836,
Section the 3

Recorded by the [illegible] Clerk
Book C Vol 3 - Page 141
Page 3

William Huffman sen. Was Born May the 10 1742 
Mary Huffman Was Born November 22 1748
Henry Huffman Was Born April 22-1767
William Huffman Junr. was Born May the 4-1769
Margret Huffman Was Born November 16 1771
John Huffman Was Born March the 14 1774 -
Godfre Huffman Was Born March the 13th 1777-
Mary Huffman Was Born September 29 1779
Ann Huffman was Born December the 25-1781
James Huffman Was Born January the 15 1787
Thomas Huffman Was Born February the 17 1790

1838
1777
_____
    61

Thomas

1838
1748
_____
    90
    71
_____
    19

1835
1790
____
    45

1838
1767
_____
71
Page 4

William Huffman Sen. was Born
[rest is completely illegible]
Page 5

Declaration of Mary Hoffman
"act July 4, 1836"

State of New Jersey
Middlesex County  } SS

On this Twenty third day of June Eighteen hundred and forty three, Personally appeared
before the Subscriber one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for said County Mary Hoffman a resident of Monroe in the County and State aforesaid in the Ninety fifth year of her age, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4, 1836.  That she is the widow of William Hoffman who resided in the township of Amwell in the County of Hunterdon and state of New Jersey, before and during the Revolutionary war, being married long before the said war and had before said war three children, applicant recollects that her husband enlisted under Capt John Polhemuas in Jany.
and marched to the north with many others under Col William Winds in 1776. that when he returned home he served his monthly tours of duty in the militia, under the following named Captains, Grunendike, Opdike, Rhinehart,  Hoppock, Cacheart, Bray, Quick &  some others under Col Chambers and Beavers, and was
stationed during said tours, as she remembers to have heard him say when he returned at Paramus, Bergen, Bergen Point, Powleshook, Elizabethtown Woodbridge, Morristown,  Haddonfield, Amboy, Cheesquakes. he was
also at Germantown and the places that applicant has forgotten, at this great age she cannot specify each separate tour of duty and name the months and years Except in 1776. when he enlisted in the years service & marched
Page 6

to Canada. & Albany, and come home in January 1777.  She well recollects that he never hired a substitute but performed besides his enlistment his regular tours of militia duty. remembers that during the Battle of Monmouth he was at Bergen Hill (in June 1778)

She further declares that she was married to the said William Hoffman on the Eighteenth day of December seventeen hundred and Sixty Seven (1767) by Joseph Reading Esqr of said Amwell township, who was a Justice of the Peace, on enquiry said Reading has left no
docket of marriages, nor does deponent know any person now living who was present at her said marriage.  applicant received no certificate of marriage nor has she any record other than what is now attached- which deponent has always had in her family and is in the handwriting of William Huffman her husband
which was written upwards of fifty years ago
and is a true and correct statement.

That her husband the aforesaid William
Hoffman died on the twenty second day of January Eighteen hundred and Twenty six (1826)

That her Declaration was taken before Judge-
Joseph McChesney some time in the year 1837, which has been destroyed and lost as she believes and understands that she has remained a widow since the death of her said husband as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed

           her
Mary    X   Huffman
          mark

Sworn to and subscribed
the day and year above
written Before
Charles Abraham Judge
Page 7

State of New Jersey
Middlesex County } SS
On the 23d day of June A.D. 1843 Before the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said County Personally appeared Henry
Hoffman of Monroe Township formerly Amboy in the County and State aforesaid in the Seventy Seventh year of his age a person of credibility and truth who being duly sworn according to law on his oath deposeth and saith. That he well recollects his Father William Hoffman, being out in the Revolutionary war under Capt Polhemus, Capt Carhart, Capt Grunendike, Capt Opdike, Bray, Hoppock, Quick, Stout &c. well remembers Col Chambers and Beavers & remembers to have seen his father go out on his militia tours and heard him repeatedly speak of the places where he had been stationed- at Bergen, Paramus, Elizabethtown, Powleshook, Woodbridge, Amboy, Morristown, Cheesquakes, Haddonfield and many other places.  remembers his mothers declaration was taken in the year 1837, which was soon after lost, as dept has never heard of it since. deponents father the said William Hoffman died on the 22d day of January 1826, and his mother the said Mary Hoffman has remained a widow ever since and has again applied by making her declaration for a Pension. deponent is the eldest son of said Mary & Wm Hoffman and that he was old enough to remember his father
going out to leandru first,
Hennery Huffmann

Sworn to and subscribed the
day & year above written
Before Charles Abraham J.P.
Page 8

5876

Declaration of Mary Hoffman

Act July  (4th or11th), 1836

Remitted   14 months 13 days

(prior)

$48.10 per annum

C.G . Mc Chesney
Trenton, NJ
Page 9

Trenton
June 24. 1843

Dr Sir

I well recollect that in the year 1837, I wrote the Declaration of Mrs Mary Huffman of Monroe Township in the County of Middlesex and was present when she was sworn to and Subscribed the same before Judge Joseph McChesney under the act of Congress of July 4, 1836

that I had charge of the same- which
Declaration together with the affidavits of
Jesse Moore, John Burroughs and one or two
others pensioners - who served with said Huffman were all destroyed in April 1838
when my Dwelling, store, offices &c were burned together with their contents-- The Declarations of Mrs Henry Rogers Mrs Ann Voorhees and a number of others was destroyed at the same time & that I have recently been induced to assist the old Lady in renewing her application after repeated solicitations by her sons-- her son- Thomas has been in his Fathers old neighbourhood but cannot find any of the old people living John Burroughs, Jesse Moore & Joshua Forman all
being now deceased.  so far as my recollection
serves her statement is the except she was more specific in the militia service. her marriage was was [sic] proved by a Mr Rockefellow now decd who was present. she cannot furnish any further proof I am desired to say by her sons.

Respectfully
Yr obt servt.
Charles G. McChesney

J. L. Edwards
Commr of Pensions
Page 10

State of New Jersey
 I Charles G McChe(s)ney, Secretary of State of the State of New Jersey do hereby certify that Charles Abraham Esq. before whom the declaration of Mary Hoffman and affidavits of Henry Hoffman and Thomas Hoffmean were made and taken was at the time of the doing thereof one of the judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas and Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Middlese in said state and that Hnery Sillcocks Esq, before whom the avidavit of Francis Setts was taken was at the time of the (  ) there of a Justice of the in and for said County of Middlesex.both duty appointed confesioned and sworn, that  full faith and credit are to be given to their official attestations and that the signature thereto are in the proper hand writing of the said Charles Abraham and Henry Sillicocks, Esq

In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed my seal of the Office at Trenton in said State the twenty fourth day of June one thoudsand eight hundred and forty three.

Charles Mc Chesney
Sectretary of  State
Page 11

May 17, 1937.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Mr. Dirk P. De Young
Avenel
New Jersey

BA-J/ady
William Huffman
W. 938

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter relative to William Hoffman, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.

The data contained herein were obtained from the papers on file in the Revolutionary War claim for pension, W.938, based upon the military service of William Huffman in that war.

William Huffman, the name is also shown as Hoffman, was born May 10, 1742, place, and the names of his parents are not stated.

While a resident of Amwell Township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, he enlisted January 22, 1776, and served one year as private in Captain John Polhemus' Company, Colonel William Winds' First New Jersey Regiment. He served subsequently in the New Jersey Militia on various short tours under Captains Growendyck, Opdycke, Rinehart, Hoppock, Carhart, Bray, Quick, Stout, and Colonels Chambers and Beavers.

The soldier, William Huffman, died January 22, 1836, place not stated.

Soldier married December 18, 1767, place not stated, Mary, her maiden name not given. She was born November 22, 1748, place, and the names of her parents are not shown.

Soldier's widow, Mary Huffman, was allowed pension on her application executed June 23, 1843, while a resident of Monroe, Middlesex County, New Jersey.

William Huffman and his wife Mary had the following children:
Henry or Hennery Huffman born April 22, 1767.
William Huffman, Jr.            "  May 4, 1769.
Margret Huffman               "  November 16, 1771. John Huffman                    " March 14, 1774.
Page 12

Godfre Huffman born March 13, 1777.
Mary Huffman       " September 29, 1779.
Ann Huffman         "  December 25,1781.
James Huffman     "  January 15, 1787.
Thomas Huffman   " February 17, 1790.

In 1843 soldier's son, Hennery or Henry Huffman was living in Monroe Township (formerly Amboy ) Middlesex County, New Jersey. In 1843 soldier's son, Thomas Huffman
was residing in Monroe, New Jersey.

In 1843 Francis Letts, aged eighty-four years was a resident of "North Brunswick", Middlesex County, New Jersey.  He was a near relative of the soldier, degree of relationship not stated. There are no further family data.

Please accept thanks for the interesting little
pamphlet "How surnames originated.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 13

No. 2

Receipt for cash paid for the 4th year interest on notes given by the Commissioners in the several Counties for Militia serviced

No of  vouch 351
No Certif.  277
Date May 1, 1784
Signed by Nath. Hunt
Payable to William Huffman
Amount 6.1.6
[illegible]             .7.3

State of New Jersey
I Charles McChesney Secretary of State of the State of New Jersey do hereby certify that foregoing is the true extract from a Muster Roll of  Capt John Polhemus and that No 2 is a true extract from a book headed as above, as taken from and compared with the originals now remaining in my Office. And I do further certify that Nath Hunt was by a law by the Legislature of New Jersey Dec. 20,1783, entitled "an act to procure an estimate of the sums due to the militia and troops who have been raised for the defense of the frontiers of the State and to provide for the settlement of the same appointed a Commissioner for the County of Hunterdon for the pure purpose of settling and adjusting the payrolls of the militia and books of this State as aforesaid, and also for signing and delivering out to each and any person a note for the payment of what may be justly due.

In Witness whereof I have here unto set my hand
Page 14

and affixed my Seal of Office at Trenton in said State this twenty fourth day of June AD Eighteen hundred forty-three.

Charles G. McChesney
Secretary of State
Page 15

No 1.

A return of men enlisted by Capt Jno Polhemus and officers in the 1st New Jersey Regt commanded by Col William Winds for 1 year- Dated Ticonderoga June 13, 1776

[table follows with 8 columns; column headings are as follows:]
(1) Mens Names.
(2) Date of Inlistment.
(3) By whom Inlisted
(4) Place of abode.
(5) Age.
(6) Person.
(7) Complexion
(8) Dead Deserted

[text beneath column headings:]
(1) 14. William Huffman
(2) Jany 22, 1776
(3) Cap. Polhemus
(4) Amwell
(5) 35
(6) ft. 5 in. 6
(7) Fair
(8) [blank]

Endorsed. Nov. 30. 1776. Papers relating to Jersey Brigade

#Amwell is a Township in Hunterdon County
Page 16

State of New Jersey
Middlesex County ⎬SS
Be it Known that before the subscriber this twenty third day of June A.D. 1843 a Justice of the Peace in and for said County- Personally appeared Thomas Huffman of Monroe in the County & State aforesaid in the Fifty fourth year of his age a person of credibility & truth who being duly sworn according to law on his oath saith that he is the youngest son of William Huffman and Mary Huffman, that the family record attached to his mothers declaration dept. recollects to have seen ever since he was old enough to read said record was taken from the old family Bible this day and is the only one the family have ever had   recollects well that Dr. McChesney wrote his mothers declaration
which was Sworn to before Judge Joseph McChesney of Cranberry in the year 1837, which was destroyed as dept. believes in the fire when Dr McChesney's House &c was burnt in the spring of 1838.  dept. procured the testimony of Jesse Moore & John Burroughs
of Hunterdon County (now Mercer) both pensioners, who are now decd and who knew depts. Father in the Revolution in the militia Service and knew that he enlisted under Capt
John Polhemus in the beginning of said war and went to Canada in the years service.  dept. has often heard his father tell about his Canada Campaign and how many died with the small Pox, also being in the militia at Powleshook when the ship Asia fired on one troops, also at Amboy, Newark, Woodbridge, Elizabeth Town and many other places depts. Father died in January 1826, and his widow depts. mother has not married since.
Thomas Huffman

Sworn to & subscribed the day and
year above written Before
Charles Abraham J. P.
Page 17

State of New Jersey
Middlesex County  } SS
On the 22d day of June AD 1843- Before the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for
said County, personally appeared Francis Letts
of North Brunswick in the County and State aforesaid in the Eighty fifth-Year of his age a person of Credibility and truth and a pensioner of the United States, who being duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith- That during the Revolutionary war he was well acquainted with William Hoffman the husband of Mary Hoffman now applying for a pension - said Huffman was a near relation to dept.
remembers to have seen the said William Hoffman and served in the militia two months viz, one month at Woodbridge and one month at - Amboy - when the said Hoffman was stationed at the same place, but under different Captains  General Heard commanded at the time as deponent resided many miles from said William Hoffman at the time, dept. cannot name the months nor the years, but being related to the said Hoffman he well recollects of those two tours of duty in which he was dept. has no doubt he performed such duty in the service in New Jersey during the Revolutionary war as all had to turn out who were friends to their country of which the said Hoffman was one

Francis Letts

Sworn to and subscribed the
day and year above written
Before
Henry Sillcock J. P.
Page 18

STATE OF NEW YORK,
INSPECTOR GENERAL'S OFFICE,
ALBANY, March 15th 1898
[stamp on the right:] OLD WAR & NAVY FILES MAR 18 1898

Hon. H. Clay Evans
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.

Sir: --

I received a letter from you dated Dec. 9th, 1897, which was in answer to a request from me for information about the record of the soldier of the revolutionary war named William Hoffman, and whom you informed me was a private in the New Jersey troops for a period of
fourteen months and thirteen days. Can you tell me when this service was performed -- that is -- between what dates?

Have you his descriptive list?

Please be kind enough to return to me the letter I sent you and which brought forth your letter of Dec. 9th, 1898 as there is some information in it which I desire to retain.

Thanking you for your kindness, I remain,

Sincerely your's
Edward M. Hoffman
Inspector General.

[stamp:] U.S. PENSION OFFICE MAR 16 1898
Page 19

E.M. & H.N. HOFFMAN,
Nurserymen, Florists, Landscape, Architects
---------------------------
CHOICE CUT FLOWERS
ARTISTIC FLORAL DESIGNS
PALMS
DECORATIVE PLANTS
HARDY SHRUBS
HARDY PERENNIALS
----------------------------
Greenhouse and Grounds, Cor. Hottimon and Clinton Streets
Cut Flowers, 116 Baldwin Street
Elmira, N.Y.

[stamp:] O.W. & N DIVISION NOV 16 1899 RECEIVED

[hand-writing too faint to be read]

[stamp:] U.S. PENSON OFFICE NOV 14 1899
Page 20

E.M & H.N. Hoffman,
Nurserymen, Florists, Landscape Architects.

Choice Cut Flowers.
Artistic Floral Designs.
Palms. 
Decorative Plants.
Hardy Shrubs.
Hardy Perennials.

Greenhouses and Grounds, Cor. Hoffman and Clinton Streets 
Cut Flowers, 116 Baldwin Street
Elmira, N.Y.,

have regarding his record for historical purposes.

Also, I should like information regarding the record of William Hoffman a soldier of the Penna Line during some portion of the War of the Revolution. Was a Pension certificate ever issued to him and if what organization did he belong. Also date of enlistment and discharge.
HIs home was Northumberland, PA, and died about 1820.
Respectfully,
H.N. Hoffman
[stamp too light to read; pershaps 1899]
Page 21

[stamp:] U.S. PENSION OFFICE NOV 14 1899

[remainder is hand-writing that is backwards, as it is the reverse side of a letter--cannot be read]
Page 22

Nov. 12,1899

Commissioner of Pensions
Department of Interior
Washington D.C,

Dear Sir,
I have the honor to request information from your office regarding the record in the Revolutionary War of one John Smith, a private of Chested, Orange Co State of New York, to whom was issued a pension certificate on the 20th day of March 1834, which is recorded in the Pension Office in Book E, vol 4, page 123 by D. Brown, clerk. the certificate does not give the dates of his enlistment or discharge, nor the organization to which he belonged. I'm anxious to get this information and any other you may
Page 23

[stamp:]
RECEIVED MAR 15 1935 MAIL SUB-DIV. READER VETS ADM.

[remainder cannot be read--it is hand-writing on the reverse side of a letter, so it is backwards and very faint]
Page 24

[seal:] VETERANS ADMINSTRATION

VETERANS ADMINISTRATION
WASHINGTON

March 12, 1935.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

IN REPLY REFER TO:
BA-J/ ady

Mr. Albert L. Stokes
Box 397
New Brunswick, New Jersey

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter relative to
William Hoffman, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.

As a means of identifying the particular record
in which you are interested, should it be on file,
as much as possible of the following data are essential:  approximate dates of birth and death, places of residence at enlistment and after service and given name of widow.

Very truly yours
A.D. Hiller
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
Page 25

[stamp]
RECEIVED 
MAR 15 1935
MAIL SUB-DIV 
READER 19
VETS ADM

Box 297,
New Brunswick,N.J. 
March 14, 1935

Veterans Administration,
Washington, D. C.,
Dear Sirs,
Replying to your letter BA-J/ady relative to
the Revolutionary War service of William Hoffman, I submit 
the following data.
Approximate date of death, 1826. Residence at time
of death, South Amboy Township, Middlesex County, N. J.
The name of his widow is Mary,

Very truly yours,
Albert L Stokes
Page 26

Apr. 26, 1937
Dirk P. De Young
Amwell, N. J. 

U.S. Pension Bureau
Washington, D. C. 

Dear Sirs:

Mary Hoffman, widow of William Hoffman, 
residing in Middlesex Co. N. J. received a pension
as the widow of William Hoffman, Revolutionary War  
soldier who served as an inlisted soldier from 
Amwell Twp. Hunterdon Co. N.J. 1771 on, the only 
William Hoffman from Hunterdon Co. in the Rev. War.

Is there anything in the records of the 
Pension Office to show the name of the father of 
said William Hoffman, or the maiden name of his wife
or widow, Mary, who received the pension?

Said William Hoffman was the 2nd great 
grandfather of Gov. Hoffman of New Jersey and I am
gathering the information for him. 

Thanking you for any information you may be 
able to extract from the files regarding the same, I am, 

Respectfully yours,.
D. P. De Young 

[stamp]
RECEIVED
APR 27 1937
MAIL SUB-DIV
[illegible] 34
Page 27

Apr. 26, 1937.
Dirk P. De Young
Avenel, N.J.

U.S. Pension Bureau,
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sirs:

Mary Hoffman, widow of William Hoffman,
residing in Middlesex Co. N.J. received a pension
as the widow of William Hoffman, Revolutionary War
soldier, who served as an inlisted soldier from
Amwell Twp, Hunterdon Co. N. J. 1777 on., the only
William Hoffman from Hunterdon Co. in the Rev. War,

Is there anything in the records of the
Pension Office to show the name of the father of
said William Hoffman, or the maiden name of his wife
or widow Mary, who received the pension?

Said William Hoffman was the 2nd great
grandfather of Gov. Hoffman of New Jersey, and I am
gathering the information for him,

Thanking you for any information you may be
able to extract from the files regarding the same, I am,
Respectfully yours,
D. :P. De Young 

[stamp]
RECEIVED 
APR 27 1937
MAIL SUB-DIV
[ILLEGIBLE] 34
Page 28

March 22, 1935.
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/ady
William Huffman
W. 938

Mr. Albert L. Stokes
Box 397
New Brunswick, New Jersey

Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter relative to
William Hoffman, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.

The data contained herein are obtained from the
papers on file in the Revolutionary War claim for
pension, W.938, based upon the military service of
William Huffman in that war.

William Huffman, the name is also shown as
Hoffman, was born May 10, 1743, place, and the names
of his parents are not stated.

While a resident of Amwell Township, Hunterdon
County, New Jersey, he enlisted January 22, 1776, and
served one year as private in Captain John Polhemus'
Company, Colonel William Winds' First New Jersey Regiment.
He served subsequently in the New Jersey Militia
on various short tours under Captains Growendyck, Opdyoke,[Opdycke]
Rinehart, Hoppock, Carhart, Bray, Quick, Stout, and
Colonels Chambers and Beavers.

The soldier, William Huffman, died January 22,
1826, place not stated.

Soldier married December 18, 1767, place not
stated, Mary, her maiden name not given. She was born
November 22, 1748, place, and the names of her parents
are not shown.

Soldier's widow, Mary Huffman, was allowed pension
on her application executed June 23, 1843 while a resident
of Monroe, Middlesex County, New Jersey.
Page 29

William Huffman and his wife Mary had the following
children:
Henry or Hennery Huffman born April 22, 1767
William Huffman, Jr. " [born] May 4, 1769
Margret Huffman " [born] November 16, 1771
John Huffman " [born] March 14, 1774
Godfre Huffman " [born] March 13, 1777
Mary Huffman " [born] September 29, 1779
Ann Huffman " [born] December 25, 1781
James Huffman " [born] January 15, 1787
Thomas Huffman " [born] February 17, 1790

In 1843 soldier's son, Hennery or Henry Huffman was
living in Monroe Township (formerly Amboy) Middlesex
County, New Jersey. In 1843 soldier's son, Thomas Huffman
was residing in Monroe, New Jersey.

In 1843 Francis Letts, aged eighty-four years was 
a resident of "North Brunswick", Middlesex County, New 
Jersey.  He was a near relative of the soldier degree of
relationship not stated. There are no further family data.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator

Date of
widow's
death
not on
aB
Page 30

I hereby certify that Mary Hoffman the above
declarant on account of Bodily infirmity is
unable to appear in open Court, and from personal
knowledge know her to be a person of credability [credibility] and truth
Charles Abraham Judge
Page 31

[left side]
Dec. 9/97 - History to Gen-
E. M. Hoffman, Albany, N.Y.

Mar 25 '98
E. M. Hoffman
Albany NY
---
Jany 20 1900
Hist Hoffman Elmira NY
mail history

1935 May 22. Hist. to Albert
L. Stokes A.D.Y.

1937 May 17. Hist. to Dirk P. 
DeYoung A.D.Y. 

[right side]
Rev.
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 938
Mary Hoffman
Widow
William Hoffman
Priv. Rev. War
Act: July 4, 1836.
Index: -- Vol. A, Page 340
[Arrangement of 1870.]