Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 7579, for Jonathan Sofield, New Jersey
Page 1

SERVICE NUMBER
New Jersey Sofield, Jonathan S. 7579
carded
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Pittsburgh
30469
Jonathan
of Geauga Co. in the State
who was a Private in the
by Captain Randolph of the
by Col. Crown in the N. Jersey
line for 6 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Pittsburgh
at the rate of 20 Dollars --- Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 11th day of March
1836 and sent to Hon. [Illegible]
Whittlesey H.R.
Arrears to the 4th of March '36. 100.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sep. '36 10.00
$110.00
{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by D. Brown, Clerk,
Book E.2. Vol. 5 Page 154
See Letter to Hon Elisha Whittlesey
March 28, 1836
[Illegible] to Same Jan 20, 1838
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Jonathan Sofield
Application 14851
Page 4

STATE OF NEW YORK} ON this first day of October 1832,
Wayne COUNTY,} SS. personally appeared in open court before the Judges Jonathan Sofield - a resident of Arcadia in the county of Wayne and State of New York, aged Seventy Two years, who being 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.
He served in the Revolutionary War in the Minute Service from the year 1778 until the Close of the War or until the end of the year 1782 - He enlisted first under Captain Asher Randolph. Secondly, under Captain Mathew Freeman And Thirdly under Capt. Ross, all of New Jersey Militia in Col. Crows Regiment. He was a resident of Woodbridge County of Middlesex and State of New Jersey at the time he entered Service - His Service were principally performed on the Jersey Shores, at Woodbridge, Amboy, Rhaway, Elizabeth Town Point, Newark, &c - Had a great number of Skirmishes with the enemy, Some of which were Seven Wks in the Battle at Monmouth in the month of June 1778 was that day under Command of Saml. Lee who belonged to the Continental line, and who had command as near as he can recollect of the left wing of the Army - in that battle he received a Slight wound in his left wrist, the Tear of which is yet Visible - That during the whole of his Service he was in but one (the last named) regularly Contested Battle, but in his Services on the Jersey lines he had to [illegible] as Much danger, and great fatigue - He was born in the year 1759 in the Town of Woodbridge, County of Middlesex and State of New Jersey - in which Town he resided after the War until the year 1810 when he removed to the State of New York in which State he has since resided - That he never received any other discharge from Service except verbally - That he has no documentary evidence of Service, but is well acquainted with John [Illegible]age - who resides in Woodbridge & County of Middlesex, New Jersey whose affidavit is herewith attached, who knew him when in the Service who reside in his neighborhood - and who will certify to his character for veracity and their belief of his haveing Served in the Revolution
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatsoever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Jonathan his [cannot transcribe this] mark Sofield
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We, Theodore Partridge 
[the words a Clergyman are crossed out] residing in in the Town of Arcadia, County,
of Wayne and State of New York-
and Rhoderick Price residing in the same place
hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Jonathan Sofield who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be Seventy Two years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. Theodore Partridge
Rhoderick Price
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the
interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named Applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states, and the Court further certifies that it appears to them that the Theodore Partridge
and Rhoderick Price, are residents of Arcadia, County of Wayne and State of New York
and are credible person and that their
statement is entitled to credit.
I John S Cuyler Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Jonathan Sofield for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this first day of
October 1832
John S Cuyler Clerk
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State of New York}
County of Wayne ss} John Gate of Woodbridge Middlesex County New Jersey being duly Sworn Says, he is well acquainted with Jonathan Sofield of [Illegible] (late of New Jersey,) that he was acquainted with the Said Sofield during the revolutionary war, that he the said Sofield was a Minute man, under the command of Capts Asher Randolph & Matthew Freeman, in the regiment commanded by Col Crow, to guard the Jersey Shores, that this deponant intered the Service in the fall of 1778, that the said Sofield, was then a Soldier and Continued as such Minute Man untill the end of the War, that he the said Sofield was Several times Called into actual Service and belonged to the same mass with this deponant and further Saith not
Sworn & Subscribed} John Gage
before me this 2d day}
of July 1831}
Wm. Sisson First Judge
of Wayne County Courts
State of New York}
County of Wayne} Ss: I, John Barber Jr Clerk of said County do certify, that William Sisson before whom the foregoing affidavit purports to have been Sworn, was that the date of the same, First Judge of the court of Common Pleas of the said County, and that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name subscribed to said affidavit to be his proper hand writing and Signature
Witness my hand and Seal of Office 
this Second day of July 1831
John Barber Jr Clerk
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14,851
Jonathan Sofield
[illegible]
Supsd.
Hon. E. Whittlesey H.R.
Ohio - [Illegible]
$20 per ann
[The words Claimant - care of David McNeil - Phelps On (illegible) County T (illegible) are crossed out]
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.

A Statement, shewing the Service of 
Period when the service was rendered Duration of the claimant's service Rank of the claimant. Name and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.
from 1778 till the close Minute Man Capt Colo Battle Performed Woodbridge
of the war or untill Randolph Crown of Monmouth his service Middlesex Living
the end of 1782 Freeman Genl Lee at woodbridge County Witness
Ross Genl [Illegible] Amboy New Jersey
Newark
aged 72 years
I am, respectfully
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
No such service known -
the date & length of each tour of service must be
specifically stated.
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REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832. The following regulations have been adopted: This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia" and "volunteers, all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service. Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law: 1. The Regular Troops. 2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers. 3. Persons employed in the Naval service. 4. Indian Spies. As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record. DECLARATION. In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832. Sate, Territory, or District of} County of} ss. On this day of A.B. a resident (b) of personally appeared (a) before in the county of and State, Territory or District years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers: [Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company officers; time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged; and the country through which he marched. [Illegible] This form is to be varied to as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.}f He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. A. B. [And then will follow the certificate of the Court.] And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c. If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out. except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz: (k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with and C.D. residing in (the same) who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. And then will follow the certificate of the Court. And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this &c. Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction. If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
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will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted
; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account
of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State
troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6. {To a Soldier}Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it?
{To an Officer} Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion.
If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, an in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquire whether the belief [illegible] generaland whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirm may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of the Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whether any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, of by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper
office will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a]The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b]The declarant must make his declaration in the county wherehe resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule. 
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. 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 that 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."
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
days, I served as and for such service I claim a pension state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting the 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 the 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.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if he has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he 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.
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 papers 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.
Proof of Service.
[j] 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 magistrates 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.
[Illegible] The notes from [a] to are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m]The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
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The State of Ohio}
Geauga County Ss} On this Eighth day of September A.D. 1835, before me Joseph Perham a Justice of the Peace in & for the County above mentioned, personally came Jonathan Sofield of Huntsburg in said County & State, who, being duly sworn on his said oath, declares & says, that he is the same Jonathan Sofield (or Sofer as sometimes written) who formerly resided in Wayne County in the State of New York, and there made, in the year 1832, a declaration in order to obtain a pension for Services performed during the Revolutionary War, which Said declaration he believes is now on file at the War Office of the United States; And in order to amend the same, and give as full & specific a Statement, as age and an impaired memory will enable him to do, of his different tours of Service, he declares & says: that in the summer of the year 1777, he resided with his father at Woodbridge, County of Middlesex & State of New Jersey; that the militia in said Woodbridge & its vicinity were formed into classes & required by classes to perform monthly tours of Service in guarding against the British who lay upon Staten Island, & to protect the Country against the incursions of the Tories & Refugees. How extensive the body of militia thus classes was & into how many classes formed, he cannot with certainty state; that on the last of June, or first of July of that year, his father, Nathaniel Sofield, with the class to which he belonged, was called out to do a tour of duty of a month; that in about a week or ten days thereafter, his said father became sick, & returned home, & he (this affiant) went to the village of Woodbridge, which was the head quarters of the militia thus called into service, and about three miles distant from his fathers house, & was accepted & served during the residue of said month as a substitute for his father, under Captain Robert Ross, as his waiter, or servant, the Lieutenants name was John Martin, and the Colonel of the regiment to which he was attached with Col. Samuel Crow, and the General in command of the whole militia, whose Head Quarters was Woodbridge
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was General Hurd, and they were employed in guarding the lines as aforesaid. At the end of said month, liking the service, he engaged, & served immediately thereafter, as a substitute for Thomas Freeman under Captain David Frazzy as a private in the ranks, in the same regiment, under same Colonel. At the end of said Second month of service, he continued without interrupion to perform monthly tours of service, at said Woodbridge in the said regiment of Colonel Crow, until the last of May or first of June 1778, under the following named Captains, and as substitute for the following named persons successively, & according to his best recollection in the following order, viz: one month as a substitute for Thomas Pike under Capt. Ebenezer Ford; one month as a substitute for Crampton Cutter under Captain [Illegible] Freeman; one month as a substitute for Jonathan Horner, under Captain Asher Randolph, another month as a substitute for his father under said Captain Ross; a second month as a substitute for Thomas Freeman under said Captain Frazey; a second month as a substitute for said Thomas Pike under said Captain Cutter under said Capt. Freeman, a second month for said Horner under said Captain Randolph, a third month for his said father under said Captain Ross. That during said Eleven months he served as a private, in the ranks, excepting when under said Captain Ross when he acted as his waiter; that he was employed on several scouting parties, & during the time, the lines were once attacked by the British Refugees & Tories, & the militia driven from the said Woodbridge Village from two to three miles into a swamp called the "Ash Swamp" when, receiving a reinforcement from the neighbourhood, they drove the enemy until they retreated on to Staten Island. At the end of said Eleventh month he was required to do a months service for himself, being classed as aforesaid; while he accordingly performed under the command of said Captain Frazey in said regiment, as a privateer. During this month, he was in the Battle of Monmouth. The militia of Woodbridge, as well
Page 13

those who were on tours of service, as those who were not, were marched to Monmouth, a distance of some fifteen miles. At the time he cam upon the ground, a body of American troops had been driven into a swamp, & the British Light Horse were riding around it, & firing upon them, & he recollects that the Woodbridge militia were marched through a field of rye then standing to attack the British troops. After the battle of Monmouth, he continued to serve in Col. Crows regiment, by successive monthly tours, as a private, in the same kind of service as aforesaid, for himself, and as substitute for the following persons, under the following officers, without any intermission of service for twelve successive months; viz. One month under said Captain Ford, a substitute for Samuel Willson; one month as a substitute for one Alexander Thompson under said Captain Freeman; one month as a substitute for his uncle Ephraim Sofield; a fourth month as a substitute for his father aforesaid under said Captain Ross; then one month for himself under said Captain Frazey; then a Second month for said Samuel Willson under said Captain Ford; then a second month for said Alexander Thompson, under said Captain Freeman; then a second month for said Ephraim Sofield; then a fifth month for his father under said Captain Ross; then another tour for himself under said Captain Frazey; then a month as a substitute for his brother George Sofield, under said Captain Freeman; then a month as a substitute for James Thompson; then a tour of one month as a substitute for one Gibson - That in July or August of this last twelve months of his service, the militia stationed at Woodbridge were marched down to Elizabeth Medows, to repel an incursion of British & refugees, who had seized & were driving off cattle, and a severe action, or skirmish, took place in which he was engaged, & in which many of his regiment were killed, among others the said Captain Randolph. He continued to serve as aforesaid, at Woodbridge, & vicinity until some time in the summer of 1779, when he entered into service on board of a gun boat under Captain Highler in which service he spent that, or the residue of that, & the succeeding summer
Page 14

From old age, & the consequent loss of memory, he cannot be positive that he has stated the order of time in which he served monthly tours of duty, for himself & as substitute for the before mentioned persons, or the order in which the before mentioned officers commanded, correctly, though he believes he has; but that he entered the service, about the time & in the manner aforesaid, & continued to serve in manner aforesaid for himself, & as substitute for the aforesaid persons, & under the officers aforesaid, uninterruptedly, by successive monthly tours, for the period of two years, he is positive according to his best recollection; and for two years of such service as a private, he claims a pension. In relation to which said service he heretofore obtained, & forwarded to the War Office, the affidavits of Joseph Sofield & Jackson Ross which affidavits, he believe, must now be on file in the War Office, to which he refers for proof of his said service.
In presence of Jonathan his [unable to transcribe his mark] mark Sofield
Alfred Phelps
Jas. Porham
Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year
aforesaid - Before me Jas. Perham Jus. Peace
The State of Ohio}
Geauga County Ss} I, D.D. Aiken, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County, do hereby certify that Joseph Perham Esquire, before whom the foregoing affidavit of Jonathan Sofield appears to have been taken, on the Eighth day of September A.D. 1836, was, at that time, and Still is a Justice of the peace within and for said County duly commissioned and sworn according to law, and further that I am well acquainted with the hand-writing of the said Justice, and do verily believe the above signature, purporting to be his, is true & genuine.
In Testimony whereof, I hereunto set my hand, and affix the seal of said Court, at Ch[illegible], this 11th day of September A.D. 1835
D. D. Aiken, Clerk
Page 15

7579
Rev War
INVALID.
File No. 7579
Jonathan Scofield
Priv. Rev. War
Act: June 7th 1832
Index: - Vol. [Illegible], Page 352
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 16

14851
Jonathan Scofield
Ohio.
Page 17

State of New Jersey} 
Middlesex Co.] SS: On this twenty ninth day of April, one thousand eight hundred & thirty five, before me a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, personally appeared Jackson Ross, of said County, known to me as a credible person, whose testimony is entitled to credence, who being duly sworn, on his oath saith, that he is in the 74th year of his age, is a solider of the Revolution, and receiving a Pension as such - that he is well acquainted with Jonathan Sofer (sometimes written Sofield) formerly of the state of New Jersey, and now residing in the County of Geauga, State of Ohio - that he Knows his to have served in the War of the Revolution, under Capt Ross - belonged to the same company with him, and occasionally served with him at Woodbridge - cannot [illegible] in any case the said Soper performed - that is next to impossible for one person to do for another at this remote period, and under such circumstances as the New Jersey service embraced - but he can say, generally, that said Sofer was a good [illegible], and a faithful soldier throughout the War, and from the constancy of the service required, he has no doubt that said Sofer served in all from eighteen to twenty four months.
Subscribed & Sworn to the} Jackson Ross
day & year aforesaid, before me}
[Illegible] Ford
Justice of the peace
State of New Jersey-Middlesex County Clerks office Ss
I Nicholas Boor[illegible] clerk of the County of Middlesex aforesaid Certify that [Illegible] Ford before whom the foregoing and Subjoined affidavits or all [illegible] were made was at the time of the making Said affidavit or [illegible] a Justice of the peace in and for Said County duly commissioned and Sworn and whose official acts are full faith
Page 18

and evidence is Given that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the Said Justice and believe the Signature Jas Ford attesting the foregoing and Subjoined affidavits are [illegible] to be his proper handwriting.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto Set my hand and affixed the Seal of Said County at New Brunswick this twenty ninth day of April AD 1835
N Boor[illegible] Clerk

State of New Jersey}
Middlesex County} Ss On this twenty ninth day of April 1835, before me a Justice of the Peace in and for the county afsd personally appeared Joseph Sofield (commonly called and written Sofer) known to me as a credible person, in whose statement reliance may be placed, who being duly sworn, on his oath, saith, that he is the brother of Jonathan Sofer, of Geauga County, Ohio, now an applicant for a pension; Knows of his Services in the War of the Revolution - belonged to the Same company with him, and served sometimes with him, is younger than him, & therefore did not enter the service as soon, nor do so much as he did - Knows that his brother was out upon all requirements and occasions, and served truly and faithfully from the commencement to the end of the War.
Subscribed & sworn to before} 
me the day & year aforesaid} his
Joseph + Sofield
mark
Jas Ford
Justice of the peace
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The State of Ohio}
Geauga County Ss.} Be it known that before me Aaron Aaron Scott - Scott a Justice of the peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared Jonathan Sofield (sometimes written Sofer( who being duly sworn, on his oath declares that he is the identical Jonathan Sofield, who formerly lived in Phelpstown, Wayne County, in the State of New York, and who made a declaration at Lyons in said County in order to obtain a pension under the act of the 7th June 1832 and which said declaration is now on file at the War Office of the United States - The he received a communication from the Pension Office dated Octr 14th 1833 stating that "there does not appear to have been any such service as is alleged by Jonathan Sofield in the Militia of the State of New Jersey [Illegible] is no evidence in the department that there was any tour of 12 months uninterupted service in that class of troops"
he did not intent to state in his declaration that he served in any class of troops, which served twelve months, at any one time. His service was performed in the militia raised by companies to serve a month at a tour to keep guard, as he believes, at Woodbridge principally but sometimes were at Rahway, Amboy &c that he made it his business (with many others) to hire as a substitute for any one who did not wish to serve himself, that there were always enough by the time the term of one company was about to Expire, wishing to hire substitutes for the next, a part of his service however was for himself, and a part for his father That his memory is now much impaired by age & being young at the time, and not very well informed, he can not pretend to make a very particular statement of facts. He remembers the names of the follow
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ing Captains under whom he served during the 1/2 mo. mentioned & subsequently in the same kind of Service, to wit. Captn Ross, David Frazy or Frazier, Asher Randolph, who was killed in an encounter with the enemy at a place called Elizabeth town farms. & Captn Ebenezer Ford. - That he was under Capt Ross at the battle of Monmouth - That if it was Stated in his declaration that he had served a tour of 12 Mo at any one time in the same corps, it was the mistake of the person who drew up his declaration for him, he (not being able to read or write), could not Examine it for himself, & in being read to him it did not strike him that it would convey that impression -
Sworn and Subscribed this 27
day of June A.D. 1835 by the} his
said Jonathan Sofield (sometimes called)Jonathan [unable to transcribe his mark] mark 
Soper) who I hereby certify to be a}
person of veracity, being well acquainted}
with him Aason Scott Justice of the peace
[Illegible] 
John [Illegible] Scott} Witnesses to the mark of
Jonathan Sofield
The State of Ohio}
Geauga County Ss} J, D.D. Aiken, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County do hereby certify that Aaron Scott Esquire, before whom the foregoing affidavit of Jonathan Sofield appears to have been taken, on the 27th day of June A.D. 1835, was, at that time, and still is a Justice of the peace, within and for said County, duly commissioned & Sworn according to law: and further, that I am well acquainted with the hand-writing of the said Justice, & believe the above signature purporting to be his genuine - Witness my hand & Seal of Office, at C[illegible] in said County, this 1st day of July A.D. 1835. D.D. Aiken, Clerk
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State of New York} Personally appeared before me
Wayne County Ss.} the undersigned a Justice of the Peace for Said County Jonathan Sofield 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 that the periods mentioned below and in the following grades -
For Two Years I Serves as a Minute Man and private in Captain Asher Randolph Company of New Jersey Militia in Col. Crow Regiment Commenced My Service on the first of March 1778 and [illegible] it on the first of March 1780. Served at the places mentioned in my declaration hereunto annexed -
For One Year I Served as a Minute Man and private in Capt Mathew Freemans Company of New Jersey Militia in Col Crow Regiment from the first of March 1780 until 1st March 1781 Served at the places mentioned in my declaration hereunto annexed -
For One Year and five months I Served as a Minute Man and private in Captain Robert Ross Company of New Jersey Militia in Col. Crow Regt from the 1st of March 1781 until 1st August 1782 and for Such Service I claim a pension
I know my age to be Seventy Four Years, from a copy of a record in my possession taken from my Fathers Family Bible -
his
Jonathan [cannot transcribe his mark] Sofield
mark
Sworn to and Subscribed before me}
on this 22 day of May 1833 }
Theodore Partridge J.P.
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State of New York}
Wayne County Ss} I certify that Theodore Partridge before whom the within affidavit purports to have been sworn was at the date there of, a Justice of the Peace in and for Said County, and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his signature to said affidavit is genuine
On testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this twelfth day of June 1833.
Cullen Foster Acting
Clk
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Hon. E. Whittlesey H.R.
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In the case of Mr Sofield I wish Mr Edwards to designate which periods of Service he finds to have been proven by the testimony, and on which the allowance is made.
Yours
March 26th 1836 - E Whittlesey
N.Y. & Ohio.
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J. L. Edwards Esqr
Comr of Pensions
Washington
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Chardon, Ohio, July 1 - 1835
J. L. Edwards Esqr
Sir.
Accompanying this I send you an amendatory declaration of Jonathan Sofield who applied for a pension under the act of June 7 1832 - his declaration was made in Wayne Co New York since he has removed to this state, please to address any communication relating to his claim to your obt servt
Edwin F. Phelps
Chardon Geauga Co - Ohio
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Suspended
See letter 11 July
1835 to E. F. Phelps
Chardon [Illegible] 22 Sep
1835
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J. L. Edwards Esqr
Comr of Pensions
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Chardon Ohio. September
12th 1835
Sir. Accompanying this is another amended declaration of Jonathan Sofield in which he has Stated his tours of service as fully specifically as possible under the circumstances, & he hoped, as it is supported by depositions of respectable witnesses it will be sufficient to establish his claim - Please to address returns to Your obt Servant
Edwin F. Phelps
J. L. Edwards Esqr