Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 1901, John Fite, New Jersey
Page 1

Service: New Jersey
Fite, John
Number: S.1901
Carded
Page 2

7111
Tennessee (Cont.)
John Fite
of Smith Co in the State of Tennessee who was a private in the company commanded by Captain White of the [?] commanded by Col. McCinny in the NJ ma for 9 mo from
Inscribed on the roll of Tennessee at the state of 30 dollars 00 cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 2 day of March 1833 and sent to Hon Wm Hall H of Reps
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $60.00 Semi-anl allowance ending 4 September 1833 $15.00 
$75.00
Revolutionary Claim
Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by W.L. Williams, Clerk
Book 2 Vol 7 Page 78
[?] 16 Jan 1836 N. J. B. Forester
do. to Penhoner Nov 2. 1836
do. to Hon B Peyton Nov 7. 1836
do. to Hon. J.B. Forester HPagt 26 Dec. 1836
do. to P. Agt 11 April 1837
Page 3

21,058
John Fite

from - private
9 months.
$30
admit for 9 mo
private


Hon
W. Hall
H. R.
Page 4

BRIEF in the case of John Fite County of Smith in the State of Tennessee
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge?  Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he?   73
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
-------------------------
[table follows, with 4 columns; column headings as follows:]
(1) Period.
(2) Duration of Service. {sub-headings: 
 a. Years,  b. Months, c. Days.
(3) Rank.
(4) Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.

[text beneath column headings as follows:]
(1) volunteer'd --- In 17 , drafted---,  drafted---,  ", ",  Engaged ---, "
(2) a. [blank]. b. 2, 2, 2, 2, 1, 3x, 3x. c. [blank]
(3) As a private-, --, ", --, ", Waggoner, --
(4) Capt Wm White in Jersey troops, 
" Jas Anderson -, " Mackey, --same - Col. John Fleet, Col A McCinney, Major Hoops, Capt. Wm. White, " David Phillips
[following is written across all columns at bottom:] then ----for ----12 x Butchering - Major Hoops
[end of table]

5. In what battles was he engaged?
Millstone
 
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?
Sussex Co. New Jersey

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

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
not properly attached

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
---
Chas G Wilcox Examining Clerk
28 July 1833
Page 5

John Fite
21058

Hon Wm Hall
Tennessee

Hon W Hall
Page 6

State of Tennessee }
Smith County }
On this the 27 of [blank] in the year of our Lord
One Thousand Eight Hundred & thirty Two, personly [personally] appeared before David Hogg Solo Ichaw & Mr. Wm C Garrison now holding Court for the County & State aforesaid, in open Court John Fite a resident of the County & State aforesaid, age 73 year the 1st day of April last 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 the 7th June 1832  and Entered the United States army as herein Stated (to wit):
that he volunteered under Capt William White- both him and myself were at that time living in Sussex County State of New Jersey-- and marched with him from our Residence to Perth Amboy - where we remained in the Amboy force two months-- when we were dismissed-

We was then drafted under Capt James Anderson and marched with him, to Perth Amboy where we remained two months, during which time we Built, what is caled [called] the Amboy Stone Battery & intrenchment-- We were then disinessed by Capt Anderson he was then drafted under Capt Mackey, and marched
with him, to the many Cinques, on the Delaware
River, about 60 miles above Easton, against the
many Indians, and in said tour we made our
Station at one Colo. Rosequonees where we
Remained two months. When we were were dismissed he was drafted again under the command of Capt Mackey, and marched with him down to the Raritan River, and was stationed at one Freelinghuysen where head quarters were held at that time  during this tour he was in what was called the Millstone Battle, where they defeated the British and took the property of the Enemy to a considerable
amount which was in fact estimated at about three Thousand Dollars
Page 7

all of which was sold by the officers at auction
and the money that was Received on the account of said sale was divided among the officers and soldiers that were engaged in that action.  the British were just before the Millstone Battle in Brunswick the Commanding officers at that time were Colo. John Fleet Major Robert Hoops, and Adjutant Catnam- he remained in the above town Two months & was dismissed-  he was then drafted under the command of Major Hoops & Colo. A. McCinney, to march against the Torys, who were at that time Expected to be at Manankachink- or a little Lake called greens Pond, and in this tour he remained one month- he then engaged as a Waggoner in hauling Clothing from Major Hoops 
Head quarters to Powleshook thence to the Valley Forge.  Just above Philadelphia which he believe was procured from France and at this business he remained- three months under the
command of Capt William White whose name
appears in the foregoing part of this declaration
he then waggoned under Capt David Phillips
in Hauling provender & such other articles for
the benefit of the army as he was ordered to do- he hauled flour &c. from John Fites Mills and Major Hoops head quarters &c.- in Sussex 
County to the North River &c.- he was engaged in this Business about three months

he then Buchard [butchered] one month at John Fites Mills in Sussex County under the authority of Major Hoops. he was also in the general Retreat in New Jersey, and at the cutting down of the Raritan Bridge and assisted in the Cutting down the same-
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3

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pention [pension] or anuity [annuity] Except the present and he declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of any agency in any state or Territory of the United States.  he has no documentary evidence, and knows of no
person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to the same except Leonard Fite whose Certificate is annexed to this declaration-

The Court put the following Interragatorys [interrogatories] :
Question 1st.  where and in what year were you born
Answer- I was born in Sussex County New Jerseythe 1st day of April 1758

Q2nd. Have you any record of your age & if so where is it
Ans.- my age was recorded on the greenwick Church Books at Greenwick Church in the County & State aforesaid, where I have frequently seen it in my life

Q3rd. Where were you living when called into service, where have you lived since and where do you now live
Ans. I lived in Sussex County aforesaid when called into service. Left there immediately after the war was over, went to Lincoln County State of North Carolina where I remained about 14
years when I removed to Smith County Tennessee where I have lived ever since and where I now live

the 4th and 5th Interogatorys [interrogatories] are answered & explained in the foregoing declaration-

Q6th - did you ever receive a discharge from the service if so by whom was it given and what
has become of it-
A. I did receive a discharge from the different officers under whom I served- but about the close of the war I deposited my discharges and papers with my Brother Peter Fite of said Sussex County and a short time after my deposit my Brothers House was burnt and consequentally [consequently] consumed.
Page 9

all my papers
qu [illegible] State the names of the persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood and who can testify as to your character for veracity and good behavior your services as a soldier of the Revolution
A. Cantrell Bethell a Clergiman & Wm C. Garrison.

Sworn & subscribed to in open Court-
27 Nov. 1832                  John Fite
J. Pickett Clk

We Cantrell Bethell a Clergiman residing in the
County & State aforesaid & Wm C. Garrison residing in the same do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Fite who has sworn & Subscribed to the above declaration- that we believe him to be a man of the age set out in his declaration that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he lives to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
J. Pickett clk

Wm Garrison
Cantrell Bethell

I Leonard Fite a resident of said County do hereby certify that I was an eye witness to the
most of the facts contained in the foregoing declaration and they are substantially true and specified in the same-- Sworn to & subscribed the day and year aforesaid-
J. Pickett  clk-     Leonard Fite
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5

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed of the war department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he States, and the said Court further certifies that Cantrel Bethel who has signed the preceding Certificate is a Clergyman resident in said County, and that William C. Garrison who
has also signed the same is a resident in the said County of Smith and are credible
persons, and that their statement is entitled
to credit.
John Chambers Chairman
of Smith County Court

State of Tennessee
Smith County
I Jonather Pickett Clerk of the Court of pleas and Quarter Sessions for said County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the Original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Fite for a pension

In Testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and affixed
the seal of said Court at office
in Carthage this 12th day of
December 1832 and 57th year of
Our Independence
J Pickett clk
Page 11

From the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, Survivor File Number 1901, it appears that John Fite was born April 1, 1758 in Sussex County, New Jersey, and resided there during the Revolution when he served about sixteen months as a private and Wagoner, at various times, dates not stated, under Captains William White, James Anderson, Mackey, and David Phillips, and Colonels A. McCinney and John Van Vleet, in the New Jersey Troops.
He was engaged at the battle of Millstone.

He was allowed pension on his application executed November 27, 1832, while living in Smith County, Tennessee. Date of his death not on record, nor is it stated whether he was married.

Herewith is returned the letter of Mr. C. Fite,
311 Formwalt St. Atlanta, Georgia.

Sincerely,
Signed by Mr. Van Der V. personally
Deputy Commissioner.

This is last page of a letter dated June 9, 1923 -
to  Hon. Wm J. Harris U.S.S.
see first page in Leonard File W790
to which it refers
Page 12

[left side]
Sept. 26 - 1903- Hist. to
Mrs. C. B. Bryant
Charlotte N.C.
--------------------
Oct. 5 - 1903 - To same
Date & place of death not
shown Ho to get date of last
payment.
---------------------
Sept. 26, 1905. History to C. C. Fite M.D.
New York-  M.R.
1911 Mch. 7 To Mrs. W. H. Kistler
1915 Aug 12: history to Mrs Otis Huffsmith
1920 May 29 Hist to
Beatrice Turner
1923 June 9. Hist to Hon. Wm J. Harris
U.S.S. for Mr. C. Fite AW

[right side]
Rev War.   1901
INVALID.
-----------
File No. __1901___
___John Fite___
___Pvt. N. J. Line___
-----------
Act: __June 7, 1832__
Index: -- Vol. _A_, Page __124__

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 13

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which these answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of John Fite 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?

IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?   No

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 amout [amount] of pension he is entitled?    No

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 14

2

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

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

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?

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?
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?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? Yes

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? Yes

XVI. ++Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so 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 [blank] year [blank] months, and [blank] days, I served as a [blank].  For [blank] months and [blank] 
days, I served as a [blank]; and for such service I claim a pension.
Page 15

Alexandria Ten
Oct 28th

Nov 7

Jn-at

Jno Fite
Leond Fite
Wm H[cut off]

hon. B. Peyton

Free
Balie Peyton
M.C.

J.L. Edwards Esq
Washington D.C.
Page 16

Alexandria Smith Cty.
Oct. 15th 1836

Dear Len,

I have just been informed by Jacob Fite Esqr of this place that Leonard Fite & John Fite have been discontinued as Pensioners in consequence of their not drawing within the
last two years, & that he has forwarded an 
application to you with affidavits  certificates &c 
for their reinstatement.  He is somewhat uneasy
lest they may be disappointed by some 
informality in the papers.  I write this letter to inform you that I am personally acquainted with both the said John Fite & Leonard Fite, residents of Smith County Tennessee, who have  been drawing Pension heretofore at Nashville Tennessee-, They are still living & are the same
persons identically, I have no doubt, who are now applying to be
Page 17

renstated as pensioners. They are both men
of the first respectibility cases in their
pecuniary circumstances, old,  & frail, &
living at a considerable distance from
the agency which I suppose to be the 
cause of their not applying before
the experation of the time

I hope there be no difficulty
to matter of [illegible] for I am
sure it is all right in fact, just
as I have stated.

I am sir
with due respect
Yours tr
Balie Payton

Mr. J. L. Edwards
Page 18

own

102 W. 93st
New York, Sept. 8/1905

Commissioner pensions.
Dear Sir
Some time since
I wrote and ask you
for a copy of the Revolutionary 
record of John
Fite--I have not received
said record.
John Fite was living in
DeKalb Co. Tenn. with
Henry Fite at the time
his pension was granted,
I think.
Please let me hear from
you.
Very truly
Mrs. E. M. S. Fite
Page 19

O.W.& N. [Old War & Navy] R
102 W. 93rd R
New York Aug. 21/1905

Commissioner of Pension
Dear Sir-
Please send me
the Military Record from
your office, Revolutionary 
War, of John Fite
He lived in De Kalb
Co. Tennessee when he
applied for Pension.
Very truly
C. C. Fite, M. D. 
per E. M. 

[stamp upside down]
OLD WAR & NAVY
AUG 23 1905
FILES

[round stamp]
U. S.
PENSION
A
AUG
22
1905
OFFICE
Page 20

Rev Sec
C
Greeley, Colorado
August 2 - 1915

Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

Gentlemen: - 
Can you furnish me with a record of the services of John Fite, whose name is given in the list of Cap't Hazletts "Minute Mue"?  (possible minute men)
He enlisted for different periods
Page 21

John Billingsley is said to have served
for twelve months in 1876 [as written] under Capt.
James Mc Fadden, late under Capt. John
Arnold, and again under Captain Fuller
Any official documents you are
able to send me, verifying the statements
concerning the services of these
men, will be greatly valued by
me-
Yours very truly
Helen C. Huffsmith

Mrs. Otis Huffsmith
1632 Eleventh Ave.
Page 22

during the war, was wounded
in the battle of Millstone, and
made application for a
pension, November 27, 1832

I shall greatly appreciate
any data you can send me
in regard to the aforesaid
(Greeley, Colo.) John Fite

If you can furnish any
data concerning John Billingsley,
it will help me greatly
in tracing family records.
Page 23


Bureau of Pensions
Washington D. C. 

[stamp]
U. S.
PENSIONS
D
MAR
2
1911
OFFICE

Gentlemen
Will you kindly
send me record of services
of Rev. John File who
made application for pension
Nov. 27. 1832. He served under
Captains Wm White, James
Anderson, Mackay, David
Phillips and Major Hoops
in the command of Colonels
John Fleet and A. McCinney
(McKinney. His pension
was allowed
Page 24

and oblige
Yours truly-
Mrs. W. H. Kistler
1100 E. 7th Avenue
Denver Colorado
Feb. 27, 1911
Page 25

Charlotte N.C.
Sept. 29, 1903

[stamp]
DEPUTY COMMISSIONER
OCT 1 1903
U. S.
PENSION OFFICE

Mr. J.L. Davenport 
Actg. Commissioner
Bureau of Pensions
Washington
Dear Sir:-
Your favor of
Sept. 26 received, fast
which I wish to thank
you, and express my
appreciation of your
efforts to obtain this
Page 26

information.  I am so glad that you gave me 
the date of the birth of John Fite, as I knew of no other source, from which I could have obtained it. I suppose the pension stopped at his death.  Could you give me the date? I
know where he died, but not the date, and I
Page 27

am very anxious to obtain this information.
Again thanking you, I am

Yours very truly
Mrs.
C. B. Bryant.
Page 28

Box 587
Charlotte N.C.
Sept. 14-1903

U.S. Commissioner
of Pensions,
War Department Washington

Dear Sir:-

An ancestor John Fite, was a soldier
in the Revolutionary war, the only proof
of which I have, is, I believe he was a pensioner, which fact
Page 29

is recorded in the special appendix of the census of 1840.  Please let me know if you
could look up the records, and if you find his name, would you give me the necessary verification, and the costs of same. I enclose a clipping which may be of service, as De Kalb
Page 30

County, Tennessee (where my ancestor lived) was a part of Warren Co. at one time.  Hoping
to have a favorable reply soon.

Yours very truly,
Mrs. C.B. Bryant
Box 587, Charlotte
N.C.


[stamp:]. U.S. PENSION OFFICE SEP 15 1903
Page 31

Rev War

515- Sixth Ave. North
Great Falls, Montana
May 6, 1920

Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Gentlemen:

Will you please send me a statement of the Military History, ['and' crossed out] of Rev. John Fite, who was in the battle of Millstone in the
Revolutionary war, and acted in the capacity
of private.  I should like to know if he received
a pension, and the names of his children with their date of birth.

This information may be found by referring to
John Fite - Certificate 7-1116, Nashville Agency Revolutionary Roll, it will be found that the
records show last payment to have been
in Nov 1851- to Sept 4, 1851.

Yours Respectfully
Beatrice Turner

[stamp:]. U.S. PENSION OFFICE MAY 10 1920
Page 32

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 shewn 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
ployed in any civil pursuit.

+QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a 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 33

[top of document cut off]
for a statement of the military history of [blank]
a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
John Fite    S. File 1.901
------------------------------
[table follows with 5 columns; column headings as follows:]
(1) DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
(2) LENGTH OF SERVICE.
(3) RANK.
(4) OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. {sub-headings:  a. CAPTAIN. b. COLONEL.
(5) STATE.

[text beneath column headings as follows:]
(1) [blank]
(2) 2 mos., 2 ", 2 ", *2 ", 1 ", 3 ", 3 ", 1 "
(3) Pri., Wagoner ['Butcher' crossed out]
(4) a. William White, James Anderson, Mackay, 
Mackey, William White, David Phillips. 
b. [check mark, check mark, check mark], John Van Vleet, A. McKinney [check mark, check mark]
(5) N.J.
[end of table]

Battles engaged in, __ *Millstone_____
Residence of soldier at enlistment, __Sussex Co., N.J. _____
Date of application for pension, ___Nov. 27, 1832 ____
Residence at date of application, ___ Smith Co., Tenn. _____
Age at date of application, __ b. Apl. 1, 1758 in Sussex Co., N.J. ____
Remarks: _____His claim was allowed ____
___Not stated whether mar- ______