Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 8797, John Van Lew, New Jersey Pensioned In S.C.
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
New Jersey

Van Lew, John
Margaret

NUMBER
W.8797

Pensioned in S.C.
-----------------------------------------
CONTENTS
Page 2

Sh 93. d Apl 2nd 1833
12.305
South Carolina
--------------------
John Van Lew
of Union in the State of S. Car.
who was a pri. in the Compy commanded
by Captain Phillips of the Regt. commanded
by Col. Chambers in the N.J.
line for 11 months
------------------------
Inscribed on the Roll of South Carolina
at the rate of 36 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, 
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
----------------------------
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 day of Apl "33
and sent to Jno. Rogers -
Unionville C. H. S. Car.
------------------------------
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833          73.32
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept. "    18.33
                                                             $91.65

{Revolutionary Claim,.}
{Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by Nathl. Rice Clerk,
Book E  Vol. 6  Page 82
Page 3

State of South Carolina
Union District        To Wit


On this 6th day of October A.D.
1832 personally appeared in open court being the 
Court of Sessions and common pleas in and for
the District aforesaid now Sitting John Van Lew
a resident of the State and district aforesaid aged
Seventy Seven years the Sixteenth of January past
who being first duly sworn according to law, doth
on his oath make the following declaration in order
to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed
June 7th 1832.
that he entered the service of the United 
States under the following named officers and Served
as herein Stated. -
I entered the Service of the United States 
in August 1776 in Huntington County New Jersey
as a militiaman, having been drafted for three months
under Captain Phillips in Majr. Phillips Battallion
in the Regiment commanded by Colo. Chambers and 
marched to Woodbridge the place of rendezvous for the 
troops to which I belonged  At Woodbridge we were
divided and the party to which I was attached marched
to Smiths Farms where we remained untill the American
army retreating under Genl. Putnam passed Brunswick.  
My term of Service having expired which was 
Three months I entered the Army as a volunteer in 
November 1776 under Genl. Putnam in the Regiment
commanded by Colo. Chambers in the Company commanded 
by Capt. Phillips.  From Brunswick the retreat was
Page 4

continued to Trenton there we crossed the Delaware
river into Pennsylvania where we remained about one
month when we recrossed the river to Trenton attacked
a party of Hessians and took them.  We then crossed
the river again into Pennsylvania and remained a 
few days when we recrossed the Delaware to Trenton
we had a little fireing with the enemy the night 
after which the American army left Trenton & marched
to Princeton under the command of Genl. Washington where 
we had an engagement with the enemy in which the
American Army proved triumphant - The American
Army marched from Princeton to rocky Hill in the 
neighborhood of which we remained untill the next
Spring when I was dismissed and returned home having
Served about Five months - I remained at Home
about one month when the British Armies from Brunswick
and N. York under the command of Genl. How
marched to Somerset County.  I then entered the Service
again as a volunteer about the first of May 1777 under 
Capt. VanCleif in the Brigade commanded by Genl.
Dickerson, in Somerset County, N. Jersey the Brigade to which 
I was attached remained in Somerset County and some 
of the adjoining counties untill the British army marched
to Amboy & from thence to a place called the narrows
where they took Shipping  I was then dismissed sometime
in June having served about one month.  I returned
home and remained there untill sometime in May
1778, when the British Army left Philadelphia.  I then 
entered the Service again as a Volunteer under Capt.
Vanclief in the Brigade commanded by Genl. Dickerson
and marched to Monmouth and was in the battle there
on the 27th or 28th of June 1778.  Genl. Washington commanded
the American Army and Clinton commanded
Page 5

the British Army.  After the battle the British Army
having left the State I was dismissed having Served about
two months.  The principal American officers in that
battle were Genls. Washington, Lafaette [LaFayette] & Lee, with may
others who I cannot recollect.  I then remained at 
home as an alarmman untill the the of the war
during which time I was in actual Service for about
Two months
I have no documentary evidence of my
Services nor do I know of any person living
to whom I can refer for proving [?] my services-
I do hereby relinquish every claim
to a pension or annuity except the present &Roll 
of the agency of any State -
 enumerate [?] 1st & 2nd per written - 2nd a Record to
the Nath but now here - 3? See the written
declaration - 4?  See written - 5.  See the written
6.  I never received any Discharge -
7.  I refer to the Revd. John Jennings  a clergyman
of Said District & Maj. Thos. Yange [Young] to 
prove my character for truth and & moral department

John Van Lew

Sworn to & Subscribed
the day & year aforesaid

Jno. B. O'Neall
Pres. Judge
Page 6

[along left margin]
John Van Lew  15285

We John Jennings a clergyman of Union District
& Major Thomas Young of Said District do hereby
certify that we are well acquainted with John
Vanlew [Van Lew] who has subscribed & sworn to the foregoing
declaration, that we believe him to be Seventy
Seven years of age, that he is reputed and believed
in the neighborhood where he resides to have 
been a revolutionary Soldier & that we concur
in that opinion -

Jno Jennings
Thomas Young

Sworn to & Subscribed
the year & day aforesaid

Jno B. O'Neall
Pres. Judge

And the said Court does hereby declare its opinion
of the investigation of the matter & after putting
the interrogatories prescribed by the War department
that the above named applicant was a revolutionary
soldier & served as he states, & the said Court further
certifies that it appears to it that John Jennings who
has Signed the above Certificate is a Clergyman Resident
in the District of Union & that Maj. Thomas Young 
who has also Signed the same is resident in the 
same are creditable persons and that their
statements are entitled to credit - 

Jno. [John] B. O'Neall
Pres. Judge


State of South Carolina
Union District

I John Rogers Clerk of the Court of
Sessions & Common Pleas for Said District of Union do hereby certify that the
foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in 
the matter of the application of John Van Lew for a Pension
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand & Seal of office at Union
Court House this 15th day of October
1832 -

J. Rogers Clk
[seal]
Page 7

5453
South Carolina
-----------------------
Margaret Van Lew
widow of John Van Van Lew
NJ
who was a pensioner under the Act of June 1832
and who died on the 4 May 1835
of Union Dist. in the State of S. Carolina
who was a private in the company commanded 
by Captain Phillips of the regt. commanded
by Col. Chambers in the N. Jersey
line for 11 months
--------------------------
Inscribed on the Roll of South Carolina
at the rate of 36 Dollars 66 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
-----------------------------
Certificate of Pension issued the 7th day of Novr.
1840 and sent to Hon. W. K.
Clowney, Unionville, S.C.
--------------------------------
Arrears to the 4th of March 1841       $183.30
Semi-annual allowance ending    [blank]

{Act July 7, 1838. }

Recorded by D. Brown Clerk,
Book A  Vol. 2  Page 195


[notes on right side of page]
Let to P Agt & Hon J. Rogers June 23
1841 - do. to same July 16, 1841
do. to P. Agt. July 26. 1841
Page 8

Henry Van Lew
born January [illegible]
6 day 1794

Mary Van Lew
Born 15 Day of 
May 1795

George Van Lew
Born 17 day of
May 1797

John Van Lew
born 8 day of 
March 1801
Page 9

Eleanor Van Lew
Born June 28, 180[? - edge of paper torn]


by George Linley
[last line illegible]
Page 10

7048



Hon. Jas. Rogers
H.R.
Page 11

State of South Carolina
District of Union

On this fifth day of May in the year
eighteen hundred & forty personally appeared before 
John J. Pratt Judge of the Court of Ordinary for
the District & State aforesaid, in open Court
Elenor VanLue [Eleanor Van Lew], a resident of Union District
in the State of South Carolina, aged thirty five
years, 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 June 7th 1838 
entitled "An act granting half pay & pensions to certain 
widows"  That she is the child of Margaret Vanlue [Van Lew]
who is the widow of John Vanlue [Van Lew], who was a 
private in the Army of the revolution, & was a pensioner
of the United States according to the certificate of pension
herewith enclosed, dated the 20th day of April 1833.
She further declares, from the information of the said
Margaret Vanlue when in her right mind, that she 
the said Margaret was married to the said John 
Vanlew deceased on the second day of April in the year
seventeen hundred & ninety three & that the said John Vanlew
died on the fourth day of May  eighteen hundred & thirty 
five; that the said Margaret was not married to the
said John prior to his leaving the service but the marriage
took place previous to the first of January 
seventeen hundred & ninety four, viz at the time above
stated.  

Eleanor Van Lew

Sworn to & subscribed on the day & year
above written before me

J. J. Pratt Judge
of the Court of Ordinary
Union District S.C.
Page 12

State of South Carolina
Union District

Personally appeared before me
John J Pratt Judge of Ordinary of the District and 
State aforesaid Elenor Vanlue [Eleanor Van Lew] of said District
& State, and first being duly sworn on oath
declares, that the papers herewith enclosed containing
the age of Henry Vanlue [Van Lew] and others, is a true
an original record of the ages of the children of John
Vanlue [Van Lew] deceased & Margaret Vanlue [Van Lew], entered in the 
handwriting of John Vanlue deceased, & kept in a 
family bible which is now & always has been in 
the possession of the family

Eleanor Van Lew

Sworn to & subscribed
before me this 5th of May 1840

J. J. Pratt
Judge of the Court of 
Ordinary Union Dist. S.C.


State of South Carolina
Union District

Personally appeared before me 
John J Pratt Judge of Ordinary for the District & State
aforesaid Isaac Gregory & made oath that he is 
well acquainted with the handwriting of John Vanlue [Van Lew]
deceased & also with the names of his children here
recorded & he saw the record herewith enclosed taken
from a family bible in the possession of Elenor Vanlue
by Leonard Baker in his presence & he believes the
record to be the handwriting of John Vanlue
deceased, and that is is genuine.

Isaac Gregory

Sworn to & subscribed
before me this 5th May 1840

J. J. Pratt
Judge of the Court of
Ordinary, Union Dist. S.C.
Page 13

The State of South Carolina

I J. J. Pratt judge of the court
of ordinary for Union District in 
the state aforesaid, do certify that 
I have the most satisfactory evidence
from the statements on oath of Isaac
Gregory and Leonard Baker, that 
Ellenor [Eleanor] Van Lew is the daughter
of Margaret Van Lew & that the said 
Margaret is the widow of John
Van Lew deceased, and also that 
the faculties of her mind are so much 
impaired by the infirmity of disease
and old age that she is incapacitated
from any business, and unable to appear 
in court - 
Given under my hand at Union
C. House this 5th day of May 1840.

J. J. Pratt
Judge of the 
Court of Ordy - 


South Carolina
Union District

I William Ray clerk of the court of common
pleas for Said District do certify that J J 
Pratt whose genuine Signature appears to 
the above certificate is Judge of the Court of
Ordinary in and for Said District and that
due faith & credit is & ought to be given to
his official acts as such   Given under
my hand & Seal of office at Union Court
House this 9th day of May in the year 1840

Wm. Ray Clerk of 
Union District

[seal]
Page 14

15265
John Van Lew
Union District
S.C.


Admit as private
for 11 mo. - 36.66


 E


John Rogers Clk
Unionville C.H.
S.C.
Page 15

BRIEF in the case of John Vanlew [Van Lew]
of Union district in the State of South Carolina
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1.  Was the declaration made before a Court of a Judge?  Court

2.  If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  [blank]

3.  Hold old is he?  77

4.  State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
-----------------------------------------------
Period.
Drafted in 1776
Duration of Service.
Years, Months, Days
3 [months]
Rank.
As a
Private
Names of General and Field Officers
under whom he served.
Capt Phillips in Maj. Phillips bat

Period.
Volunteer 1776
Duration of Service.
Years, Months, Days
5 [months]
Rank.
As a
Private
Names of General and Field Officers
under whom he served.
Gen. Putnam, Col. Chambers
 

Period.
Volunteer 1777
Duration of Service.
Years, Months, Days
1 [months]
Rank.
As a
Private
Names of General and Field Officers
under whom he served.
Gen. Putnam, Col. Chambers

Period.
Volunteer [twice] 1778 at different periods 
Duration of Service.
Years, Months, Days
2 [months]
Rank.
As a
Private
Names of General and Field Officers
under whom he served.
Capt. Vanclief, Gen. Dickerson
same officers

5.  In what battles was he engaged?  Trento, Princeton, Monmouth

6.  Where did he reside when he entered the service?  Huntington County N.J.

7.  Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by
incidental evidence, or by the rolls?  traditionary

8.  Are the papers defective as to form or authentication?  and is so, in what respect?  Correct

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above
mentioned.

J. E. Bradford
Examining Clerk.
Page 16

5453
South Carolina
-------------------------
Margaret Van Lew
widow of John Van Lew decd.
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832
and who died on the 4th May 1835,
of Union Dist in the State of S. Carolina
who was a private in the Compy commanded
by Captain Phillips of the regt commanded
by Col. Chambers in the New Jersey
line for 11 months.
-----------------------------------
Inscribed on the Roll of S. Carolina
at the rate of 36 Dollars 66 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
-------------------------------------
Certificate of Pension issued the 27 day of May
1840 & sent to Hon. James
Rogers, H. Reps.
----------------------------------------
Arrears to the 4th of Mar. 1840             $146.66
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sep 40  18.33
                                                               $164.99  

{Act July 7, 1838.}

Recorded by D. McCurdy Clerk,
Book A.  Vol. 2.  Page 195

[notes on right side of page]
Let to Hon W K Clowney Oct 22d
1840.
Page 17

Revy  WIDOW, &c.
-------------
File No. 8797
Margaret Van Lew
Wid.
John Van Lew
Privt Rev. War
----------------
Act:  July 7, 1838
Index: - Vol. M, Page 295

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 18

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
John Vanlew [Van Lew] of Union district, S. Carolina which require 
further proof or explanation.

I.  Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?  yes

II.  Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?  yes

III.  If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason
assigned for his not doing so?  [blank]

IV.  Has the declarant mentioned the period of periods of the war when he served?  yes

V.  *Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he
served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension 
he is entitled?  yes

VI.  Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?  yes

VII.  Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of 
June 7, 1832?  yes

VIII.  Has the Court given their opinion?  yes

IX.  Has the Clerk given his certificate?  yes

X.  Is the Clerk's seal affixed?  And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished
from any other seal?  yes
Page 19

2

XI.  Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to 
their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his 
revolutionary service?  yes

XII.  If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not 
obtaining it?  [blank]

XIII.  If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one
living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?  [blank]

XIV.  †If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness
or witnesses as to his service?  [blank]
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath,
certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?  [blank]
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the
regulations direct?  [blank]

XV.  Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, 
as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?  [blank]

XVI.  ‡Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?  yes 

XVII.  Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily?  And, 
if not, which of them is not so answered?  all answered

------------------------------------
EXPLANATORY NOTES.

*QUERE V.  In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how
long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A.B. who, being
duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he
cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection
he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For -----
year-----months, and -----days, I served as a --------For -----months
and ---- days, I served as a -----; and for such service I claim a pension.
Page 20

3

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served,
and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the
pensioner and the length of his service.  The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite,
and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.  Some persons who apply for pensions
merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the 
officers, and other particulars respecting their service.  This form of a declaration is highly objectionable.
It must in every case be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration 
of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the
applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either
in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not 
employed in any civil pursuit.

†QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
In any case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must 
prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of 
the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the
regiment, company, and line to which he belonged.  The magistrate who may administer the oaths
must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate
must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.

‡QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not
written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the 
certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass
under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly
attached to the certificate.
☞In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of 
office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the 
certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Page 21

7048
Margaret Van Lew
wid of John
S.C.
Act July 7 1838
Married 1793
died 1835
Allow $36.66 per ann.


Hon Jas. Rogers
HR
Page 22

Issue new cert. in name of 
Margart Van Lew, $36.66 per
ann from March 4 1836 and 
send Hon W.K. Clowney Unionville S.C.
Page 23

Charleston  21 July 1841

Sir

In answer to your letter of the 16 inst I 
beg leave to state that being doubtful as to the time 
the pension of Margaret Van Lew would become
payable at the Treasury of the U States under the 
law of 6 April 1838, induced me to make the inquiry
contained in my letter of 12 inst.
I had on the 4" May last transferred her account 
to the Office of the 2nd Comptroller of the Treasury Dept.
believing that she came under the law limiting the 
payment of Pensions at Agencys to eight months
after the same became due, but by your letter of 
the 23 inst it appears I was incorrect in so doing,
& being anxious to avoid a mistake of a similar
character was my motive in making the inquiry
alluded to, as it would enable me to ascertain what
time I should consider her pension becoming due at 
this Agency, whether on the date of your letter of
7 Nov 1840 ordering her name inscribed on the roll.
Page 24

or on the 4" of March 1841, and if in the event
of the pension remaining unclaimed for the term of 
eight months after either of the last mentioned dates,
I was to consider it as payable at the Treasury Dept.
in accordance with the law of 6 April 1838.
In my letter of 16 inst I alluded to the date of 
the Certificate instead of the letter
No part of the pension has yet been paid

I am very respectfully
Your Ob St [obedient servant]

A Spears
Pen Ag


J. L. Edwards Esq.
Comr. of Pensions
Washington
DC
Page 25

Unionville  Oct 15th 1840

Dear sir

On the 27th May last, a pension certificate
was granted to the widow of John Van Lew of
Union District So. Car. in the name of his
daughter Elenor [Eleanor] Van Lew instead of the name 
of the widow, whose true name will appear
from the papers on file - Elenor made the 
application for her mother whose imbecility of 
mind & body rendered it necessary - I presume
there is in error in the form of the 
certificate, as Elenor cannot execute the power 
of Attorney in her own name as the real 
pensioner, being only the agent for her mother.
Please to inform me, what must be done - If 
a new certificate be required corresponding with
the nature of the case the certificate now in 
my possession shall be promptly returned

Yours &c
W. K. Clowney
Page 26

Charleston  12 July 1841

Sir

Be pleased to inform me if the time 
of payment at this Agency to Margaret
Van Lew, a pensioner under Act of 7 July 1838
expires in eight months from the date of 
the Certificate, or whether she is allowed eight
months from 4 March 1841.

I am very respectfully
Your Ob S. [obedient servant]
A. Spears
Pen Ag



J. L. Edwards Esq.
Comr. of Pensions
Washington
DC
Page 27

Payment to be made
at Charleston
by A. Spears
Agent for paying pensioners,
in the Agency of S.
Carolina
Payable on the 4th March
and 4th September in each
year.  First payment to be 
made on the 4th day of 
September inst.
Recorded in the Pension
Office, in Book A.  Vol. 2.
Page 195 by 

D. McCurdy
Clerk.
Page 28

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Five years' Pension.

I certify that in conformity with the act of July 7, 1838,
Eleanor Van Lew of South Carolina
widow of John Van Lew deceased
who was a private in the Revolution
and died on the 4th day of May 1835
is entitled to receive five years' pension at the rate of Thirty six
dollars and Sixty six cents per annum, commencing on the 
fourth day of March, 1836; and in case of the death or marriage
of said widow before the expiration of said five years, the pension
will cease on the day of such marriage or death.
Given at the War Office of the United
States, this twenty seventh day of
May one thousand
eight hundred and forty.

[section of page torn where signature would be]

Examined and }
Countersigned.}

[seal]
Page 29

Payments to be made 
at Charleston
by the Presd: W.S. Br. Bank &
Agent for paying Pensioners,
in the Agency of South
Carolina -



Recorded in the Pension Office,
in Book E  Vol. 6
Page 82 by N. Rice
Clerk.
Page 30

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Revolutionary Claim.

I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United
States of the 7th June, 1832, John Van Lew
of the State of South Carolina
who was a private in the Army of the Revolution
is entitled to receive Thirty-Six dollars and 
Sixty Six cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing
on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 
4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United
States, this 20th day of 
April one thousand
eight hundred and thirty Three

Lew Cass
Secretary of War.

Examined and  }
Countersigned.}

J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.

[seal]