Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 10,865, Jacob Vanfossen, Penn.
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(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
Penn
CONTENTS
Vanfossen, Jacob
NUMBER
R. 10,865
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State of Virginia
and County of Augusta Se:
On this 27th day of November 1832, personally appeared in open Court before the Justices of the County Court of Augusta now sitting Jacob Vanfossen a resident of said County aged 76 years the 9th day of September last, who being first duly sworn, 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 
In the year 1776 he joined a volunteer company then forming, in his neighbourhood [neighborhood] about 20 miles from Philadelphia
This company were to remain at home and like minute men to hold themselves in readiness for imediate [immediate] service whenever it might be required. They frequently assembled and were kept together only a few days and were then permitted to return to their respective homes. The company officers were Jacob Wentz Captain Christian Weaver Lieutenant, Benjamin Weaver ensign, and this declarant himself was first Sergeant
In August 1776 they were assembled at the tavern of Jacob Wentz their captain and marched to Philadelphia where they joined a body of men under the command of Col. John Bull-- among the other officers were Major Robt. Curry & Adjutant William Armstrong from Philadelphia
They proceeded to Amboy, passing through Trenton, Princeton & Brunswick, and crossing the Delaware & Raritan rivers on their March. They were stationed at Amboy to prevent the enemy, who then held possession of Staten Island from landing at this place. They were employed for several weeks in digging entrenchments. & compelled to work altogether at night in consequence of the constant fire kept up by the enemy from the Island, and
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always paraded in the morning before day in their entrenchments. The soldiers suffered greatly from the unwholesomeness of the provisions, it was found that lime had been mixed with their flour by a tory who owned a mill from which they had ben [been] supplied. After remaining some time at this place they were permitted to return home, having been out he believes about two months-
In September 1777 the company were again called out- Capt. Wentz at this time been deprived of his commission and Christian Weaver their former Lieutenant appointed in his room. This declarant was also promoted to the
office of Ensign which he continued to hold during the war. They assembled at [Capt. crossed out] Wentzes tavern about the 8th of September and were marched to Brandywine between 25 & 30 miles distant where they joined the American Army under the command of General Washington. That they were in the battle of Brandywine fought on the 11th of September. In this action the Americans were entirely defeated and the whole army compeled [compelled] to retreat
This declarant was also at the battle fought at Germantown on the 4th day of October 1777. in which the Americans were also defeated-
He was also at the battle fought at Monmouth in on the 28th of June the year 1778.
He was constantly under arms from the time of the battle at Brandywine until after the battle at Monmouth a space of nearly twelve months in all, except that being in the immediate neighbourhood [neighborhood] of his home he was sometime permitted to return there a short time
These were the most remarkable duties which he
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performed his company continued always ready and prepared for actual service during the rest of the war. 
Their mustering place was Wentzes tavern, where they could be paraded at any time on a short notice. He could not pretend to state to the the minute particulars of his services. sometimes when the enemy were in that part of
the Country, as he stated before, the company would be hastily collected and kept together only a few days - 
He knows of no person now living who served with him who can testify as to his service. He received a commission but cannot recollect by whom it was signed, he preserved it for several years after the war, but it has been since lost or mislaid. He would further state that he was born in the 8th day of September 1756 in Worcester Township about 20 miles from Philadelphia then  in the Philadelphia County but now called Montgomery - He resided there till after the termination of the war when he removed to Augusta County Virginia where he has ever since resided & still resides 
He has a memorandum of his age in a bible now in his possession copied from a record in a family bible belonging to his father. He would suggest the names of [illegible] William Wilson & Maj. John Crawford as persons to whom he is known and who can testify to his veracity & their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Paul Vanfossen
We William Wilson residing in the County of Augusta
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Jacob Vanfossen
22672
& John Cranford residing in the same hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Jacob Van Possen who has subscribed and Sworn to the above declaration & that we believe him to be 76 years of age, that he is reputed & believed in the neighbourhood [neighborhood] where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution & that we concur in that opinion
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Wm Wilson V D M
John Crawfor
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after 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 court further certifies that it appears to them that Revd [Reverend] William Wilson who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the County of Augusta & that Majr [Major] John Crawford who has also signed the same is a resident in the same County & that their statement is entitled to credit.
I Jefferson Kinney, Clerk of the Court of Augusta County in the State of Virginia, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court  in the matter of the application of Jacob Vanfossen for a pension.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 27th day of November AD 1832 and in the 57th year of the Commonwealth.
Jefferson Kinney C.A. Cl.
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[Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873. crossed out]
REJECTED
10,865.
P. O.
Jacob Vanfosson
Service: Vanfossen
Enlisted: A. O. T., 18
Discharged Aug. 27, 1906  , 18
Application filed:  , 18
Alleges:
Re-enlisted:
Attorney:
P. O.: 
Recognized. Contrac
Cert. of Dis. Searched for  , 18
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Jacob Vanfossen
Virginia
Suspended
Letter not found 5 Decr [December] 1834
William Kinny
[let to N. K. Trait Sept 23d 49 crossed out]
10865
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Virginia Augusta County se.
This day Philip Fishburn aged about fifty one years a resident of Augusta County, known to me as a credible witness, appeared before me, and being duly sworn, does on his oath say that he has been acquainted with Jacob Vanfossen who is an applicant for a pension under the act of Congress of the 7th June 1832, for something upwards of forty years, he having lived ever since he recollected, within about a mile of where he the said Fishburn was raised untill [until] within about two years since when the said [Fish crossed out] Vanfossen removed from the neighbourhood [neighborhood] -  that he can recollect as far back as thirty years, to have heard the said Jacob Vanfossen in conversation with this affiants Father and others, speak of his the said Vanfossen's services in the war of the revolution, that he recollects in these converations to have heard [of crossed out] the said
Vanfossen speak of being for some time first Sergeant of his company, and of being afterwards promoted to the office of Ensign in Capt [Captain] Wentz's company - in which capacity he acted for some time - he has heard read the declaration of the
said Vanfosson dated the 27th day of November 1832. and his amended declaration dated the 8th August 1833, and the history the said Vanfossen has [theirin crossed out] given of his services, as respond with the statements he heard the said Vanfossen make at least thirty years since, and these statements and the history
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of his services he has repeatedly heard the said Vanfossen recount up to within a few years past, and his account of the services he performed has uniformly been the same, and he has never entertained a doubt in his own mind nor heard it doubted by others, but that the said Vanfossen did serve as he states in the war of the revolution, that the character of the said Jacob Vanfossen as a man of truth has ever been regarded as good as that of any other man, and that from his long acquaintance with the said Vanfossen, and his general character, he would give full credence to any statement he would make -
Philip Fishburn
Witness my hand this 24th day of October in the year 1834.
Sworn of subscribed to before me a Justice of the Peace for the County of Augusta, the day & year above mentioned.
John C. Sowers J P
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Virginia
Augusta County, to wit
I Jefferson Kinney Clerk of the County Court of Augusta, do hereby certify that John C. Sowers Esqr [Esquire] whose name is subscribed to the certificate on the 
preceding pages is, a Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid and that the preceding signature purporting to be his is genuine
In Testimony whereof I have hereto affixed the seal of my office and subscribed my name this 24th day of October 1834 and in the 59th year of the Commonwealth.
Jefferson Kinney C. A. C. 
[white paper with zig zag edges and string attached to left margin]
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Virginia Augusta County. Sc.
On this 24th day of October 1834 personally appeared before the undersigned a Justice of the Peace for the County of Augusta Jacob Vanfossen who made the following supplement to his declaration heretofore made, one bearing date on the 27 day of November 1832 and his amended declaration bearing date on the 8th August 1833, the said Jacob Vanfossen being duly sworn, doth on his oath say that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of time he was in actual service, but he feels justified in swearing, that he did serve not less that the periods mentioned below, and was in actual service for those periods - that is to say, for the period of two months he served as first Sergant [Sergeant] of Capt [Captain] Wentz company of Volunteers, and that he was in actual& constant service as Ensign of said
volunteer company, for a period not less than nine months and Twenty days, for which service of two months as first Sergent [Sergeant], and for nine months & twenty days as Ensign he claims a pension
Sworn & subscribed before}
me the day of year aforesaid} Jacob Vanfossen
John C Sowers J. P.
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I John C. Sowers one of the Justices of the Peace for the County of Augusta in the State of Virginia do hereby certify, that I have known Jacob Vanfossen who subscribed & swore to the foregoing statement before me for the space of something like twenty five years, that the said Jacob Vanfossen has ever been regarded by [illegible] as well as the public, as a man of strict truth and that I would from my knowledge of the said Jacob Vanfossen, and his general character, place full confidence in any statement he would make
Given under my hand this 24th day of Oct. 1834
John C. Sowers
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Staunton Va. Sep 20. 1844.
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Commr [Commissioner] of Pensions
Dr Sir:
On the 27th of Novem 1832 Jacob Vanfossen a soldier of the Revolution, made a declaration in due form before the County Court of Augusta, in order to obtain a pension for his services, which declaration, certified as required, is said to have been sent to your department and the application rejected. The lawyer who attended to the business has lost all the papers as well as his memory in relation to the application. & we are consequently in the dark as to the reason of the refusal of a pension. The old soldier is now very aged & infirm, & dependant [dependent] upon the cold charity of the world for the necessaries of life. He is exceedingly anxious to know why his country thus leaves him destitute & refuses to reward him in the smallest degree for his sacrifices & services in her defence [defense]. By reference to his papers you will find that he was in the battles of
Brandywine, Monmouth & Germantown, & suffered besides many privations. that
he was a member of a volunteer company in Pennsylvania acting at first as Sergeant & subsequently as ensign -
You will be doing a favor, for which you will be held in grateful remembrance by this war worn soldier if you will refer to his papers on file in your office. & write me at an early day informing me why his application was rejected. If not then entitled to a pension as an Officer whether he was not entitled as a private, or if the law did not allow him a pension then whether there is any previous or
subsequent act of congress which will embrace his case.
I suppose a pension was refused on the ground that he was not in actual service six months, but does not the character of the company of which he was a member remove that objection-- to wit: minute man who were always ready were frequently called from their homes upon parade for several days at a time & acting thus during the whole war when not in actual service, were not their  readiness for service & nearness to Philadelphia & other important points reasons operating upon those who had the power to call them out to compel them to remain at home? If they are not entitled to pensions it is not their fault certainly - 
I know that this is asking much at your hands, but I hope under the circumstances of the case you will give it both your willing and early attention
I am, very respectfully.
your Obt Servt [obedient servant]
Nicholas K. Trout
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418
Pension office
Sept 23d. 1844
Sir,
In the case of Jacob Vanfossen, my letter of the 5th Decr [December] 1834 to Mr William Kenny, of Staunton, a copy of which I herewith enclose, will shew what is wanted. No papers in the case have been received since that date. Unless he can shew by the necessary testimony that he performed six months actual service, it is not in our power to grant him a pension
Nicholas K. Trout, Esqr [Esquire]
Staunton Va. 

No 22672
Va. Act 32 
[illegible]
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Jacob Vanfossen

Amend to Decd
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Augusta County to wit
This 8th day of August 1833 Jacob Van Possen [Vanfossen] personally appeared before me the undersigned, a justice of the peace for said County and made oath to the following amendment to his declaration made in in the County Court of said County on the 27th Novr [November] 1832 in order to obtain a pension for his revolutionary services. That he was engaged in service constantly from the first of August 1776 untill [until] after the battle at Monmouth on the 28th of June 1778 comprising a period of not less than one year, ten months and 28 days. Only that he was permitted sometimes to return home during this time, being a volunteer
and being in his own neighbourhood. [neighborhood]. He was not however engaged in any civil employment, during that space of time. He would state his particulars of service briefly as follows: His your to Amby [Amboy] he was
engaged for two months from the time of his return untill [until] about the first of September 1777 he was in no engagements with the enemy but was allowed frequently to visit his home. He always however considered himself in the character of a soldier & returned to his place in the army whenever he was required. he had not time to engage in any civil pursuits from the first of September 1777 untill [until] after the 28th June 1778. [illegible, smudge] enemy being the immediate neighbourhood [neighborhood] he was constantly engaged in the most dangerous & difficult kind of service - he was in severe battles Viz: at Brandywine, at Germantown and at Monmouth-- besides some skirmishes after the battle at Monmouth, the enemy left that part of the country and he did not perform any other service of much consequence during the war, tho [though] his company always held themselves in readiness for service whenever they might be called out, and attended musters regularly once a week or sometimes once in two weeks. He would mention by way of explaining his declaration, that at the time that was drawn, he had been advised that he was entitled to [illegible] for his services until the termination of the war. He therefore only thought it necessary to mention the most important particulars
During the whole term of his service his Colonel was John Bull Robt Curry, Major, and William Armstrong adjutant, the officers of his company mentioned in his declaration held their commissions untill [until] the termination of the war (i. e. after the promotion of Christian Weaver to the office of Captain about the 1st Sept 1777
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of the time during which this declarant was in constant service he acted 13 month in the capacity of first Sergeant, and the residue of the time/viz 9 months & 28 days in the capacity of Ensign
This declarant believes he cannot specify his service more particularly, he finds it utterly impossible to mention each particular time he was permitted to return home and called out again - [illegible crossed out] He can produce no testimony to prove
that he served with a commission, having removed to Virginia after the War, where he knew no person who served with him or who could testify as to his services-
John [illegible]
Given under my hand the 8th day of Augt [August] 1833
Wm Young

I do hereby certify that I have known the above named Jacob VanPossen [Vanfossen] for upwards of 25 years and that his character as a man of truth, has always been unimpeached, so far as I know, and that I believe his statement is entitled  to full credence - 
Wm Young

State of Virginia
Augusta County Court Clerks office to wit:
I Jefforson Kinney Clerk of the County Court aforesaid do hereby certify that William Young Esqr [Esquire] whose name is subscribed to the foregoing certificate is a Justice of the peace for the County aforesaid, duly commissioned and qualified according to Law, and that full faith and credit are due to all his attestations as such and I further certify that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine
In Testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and seal of office this 8th day of August 1833 and in the 58th year of the Commonwealth
Jefferson Kinney
C A C
[white square of paper with round stamp attached to left margin]
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Augusta County Sct.

This day Jacob Vanfossen whose name has been improperly written in this
declaration heretofore "Van Possen, appeared again before me a justice of the peace as aforesaid and made oath that he did serve as aforesaid under a commission of Ensign, which since the revolution has been lost or mislaid, that he does not remember who signed it, but that it was sent to him by Andw [Andrew] Knox - he knows of no other proof that he can get unless it would be of his integrity & veracity
given under my hand this 8th day of [August crossed out] October 1833
Wm Young J.P.

Virginia to wit
I Jefferson Kinney Clerk of the County Court of Augusta in the State aforesaid do hereby certify that Wm Young whose name appears to the above certificate now is and was at the time of signing the same an acting Justice of the Peace in & for said
County and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and affixed my seal of office this
8th day of October 1833 & in the 68th year of the Commonwealth
Jefferson Kinney C A C
[white square of paper attached to left margin]
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Jacob Vanfossen
                       Va.
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J.L. Edwards Esq.        Staunton 2nd Oct. 1836

Commis of Pension

 Sir,

    I send you at the request of Mr. Jacob Vanfossen his two former and a supplemental statement, with some additional evidence which I hope upon examination will be found such, as to entitle this poor man to a pension. Will you have the goodness to communicate the result to me as early as (??) your commissioner.

Very respectfully yours
//s//
Wm Kinney