Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 2758, for Henry W Mandeville, New Jersey
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(8-1776)

SERVICE | NUMBER
New Jersey | Mandeville, Henry W. | S.2758

carded
CONTENTS
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30,194
New Jersey 

Henry W. Mandeville, of Bergen Co. in the State of New Jersey, who was a private in the Comp(any) commanded by Captain Kinsland of the reg(iment) commanded by (blank) in the [crossed out: (illegible)] N.J. line for 7 months and 26 days.

Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey at the rate of 26 Dollars 22 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 16 day of Sep. 1833 and sent to 11th Coldery Tempton.

Arrears to the 4th of Mar. 1855......$104.88
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4th Sep.....13.11
                                     =======
                                     $117.99

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by Chas. Boyle, Clerk,
Book C; Vol. (blank); Page 122.

[illegible]

1890 April 3 - S. Victor Constant, history [illegible].

Aged 76 May 1, 1835 of Pompton, Bergen Co., N.J.

Pension 18 Sep. 1835.
[illegible] Recording Agent 2 Oct. 1835.
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Declaration

State of New Jersey
Bergen County//

On the 14th day of March 1834, personally appeared before me. William Colfax, a Justice of the Peace and one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Bergen in the State of New Jersey, Henry W. Mandeville, a resident of the Township of Pompton in the County and State aforesaid, aged Seventy four years last May, 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 7th June 1832. That he entered the service of the United States in the month of June 1776 at Morristown in the State of New Jersey as a volunteer under the command of Capt. Edmond Kinsland, was marched to Springfield then to Newark, where we lay at the time independence was declared, then was marched to Bergen and served out our tour of six weeks and was discharged.

After this, the militia to whom the deponent belonged was classed into two equal parts and served alternately by monthly drafts. He was then drafted in the same year, 1776, believes it was in the month of September under Capt. Jonas Warden, was marched to Newark and Acquackanonk along the lines, Col. Drake of Morris County commanding. Served out his tour of one month and was discharged. He then was drafted under Captain Layton, was marched to Elizabeth Town and along the lines of the British, he believes it was in the year 1777, to the best of his recollection. Served his monthly tour out and was discharge.

He was then drafted under Capt. Henry Mandeville...
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...[duplicate: Mandeville], was marched to Newark and along the British lines, believes it was in 1777. Served out his tour of one month and was discharged.

He was next drafted under Capt. Benjamin Minor, was marched to Elizabeth Town in New Jersey; employed in guarding against the incursions and depredations of the enemy. The British in possession of Staten Island, he believes it was in 1777. Col. Drake comm(anded) him. Served out his tour of one month and was discharged.

He was then drafted under Captain Layton, was marched to Elizabeth Town and different places along the lines guarding and protecting the inhabitants against the common enemy, as well as he can recollect. It was in the year 1778. Col. Ford of Morris Town comm(anded). Served his tour of one month & was discharged. 

He was then drafted and served one month under Capt. Minor, was marched to Elizabeth and from place-to-place guarding against the incursions of the enemy. Served my monthly tour out and was discharged; thinks this was in the year 1778. Col. Drake and Col. Ford comm(anded) alternately, monthly.

He was served two weeks under Capt. Bates, a substitute for his father, Wm. Mandeville, dec(eased), was marched to Elizabeth Town; duty to guard the lines aga(inst) the incursions of the enemy. Served out this tour of two weeks and was discharged at Elizabeth Town.

He served sundry times on alarms; believes it would amount altogether to two months but cannot give any particular acct. of these services.

He never had a written discharge at any time.

He has no written testimony to support his claim but must rely on the testimony of himself, David Provost & Evant Van Gilder.

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any of the United States. He...
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...[duplicate: He] further states that he is old and poor, has no horse or horse team or the means to pay team here to the County town (Hackensack) 23 miles from his place of residence. Therefore, is compelled to make his application through the aid of Judge Wm. Colfax near his residence.
s/ Henry Mandeville

Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written.
s/ Wm. Colfax
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Interrogatories.

1st: Where and in what year were you born?
Answer: Was born in Pequannock Township, Morris County, in the year 1759.

2nd: Have you any record of your age and if so where is it?
Answer: My age is recorded in my Family Bible  and the book of record of Pompton Plain Church.

3rd: Where were you living when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live?
Answer: When called into service I was living in Pequannock, M(orris) County; lived there till the year 1800; since that time to the present day I have lived Pompton Township.

4th: How was you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
Answer: My first tour of service, I volunteered at Morris town under Capt. Kinsland & after that the companies were classed, and from the classes drafted out as the service required from time-to-time.

5th: State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops when you served; such continental and militia reg(iments) as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your service?
Answer: There was no continental officers or reg(ulars) with us. We served by companies on guard duty generally. Remembers well that he was the person that took charge of the first British [crossed out: prisoner] deserter on Bergen Point while he stood continual. This soldier having swam from Staten Island to Bergen Point. The British firing at him many shot while he was in the water.

6th: Did you ever receive a discharge from the service and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it?
Answer: I never rec'd a written discharge.

7th: 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?
Answer: Judge Martin J. Ryersen, Major Van Gilder, Sam'l Roone, David Provost, Jno. D. Pratt.
s/ Henry Mandeville

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 28th Nov. 1834.
s/ Wm. Colfax, J. Peace
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Bergen County
State of New Jersey//

Personally appeared before me, William Colfax, a Justice of the Peace and one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Bergen in the State of New Jersey, Isaac L. Demund, a Clergyman residing at Pompton, Bergen County, and John D. Pratt residing at the James Place, hereby certify that we are acquainted with Henry W. Mandeville, who has subscribed and sworn to the annexed declaration in order to obtain a pension under the Act of Congress of the 7th June 1832, and we believe him to be about Seventy four 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 the deponents further certify that the said Mandeville is a person of good repute, as to his honesty and integrity, and full credit may be given to him under oath.
s/ John D. Pratt

Sworn and subscribed before me this (blank) day of January 1833.
s/ Wm. Colfax

Having no personal acquaintance with Mr. Mandeville, who is known to live on the outskirts of my congregation; yet from what other reputable persons declare to me, I am free to venture my opinion that the statement he makes relating to his Revolutionary Service may be regarded as correct.
s/ Isaac L. Demund, Pastor of the Reformed D.C. at Pompton
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Bergen County
State of New Jersey//

Personally appeared before me, Wm. Colfax, a Justice of the Peace and one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Bergen in the State of New Jersey, Evant Van Gilder, aged Seventy nine years, resident at Pompton Plains, Morris County, who being duly sworn doth on his oath declare that he was well acquainted with Henry W. Mandeville, now an applicant for a pension under the Act of Congress of the 7 June 1832, upwards of Sixty years and resided within a few miles of the s(ai)d Mandeville during the whole time. The deponent well recollects that the s(ai)d Mandeville entered the service of the United States in the year 1776 at Morristown, State of New Jersey, under Capt. Edmond Kinsland, was marched to Springfield and Newark at the time independence was declared where he served six weeks. Deponent served with s(ai)d Mandeville.

The s(ai)d Mandeville served one month with Capt. Jonas Ward at Newark, Acquackanonk and along the lines of the enemy. Capt. Drake comm(anded) as well as he recollects at this time.

The s(ai)d Mandeville served one month under Capt. Layton at Elizabeth Town guarding the lines; believes it was in 1777.

The s(ai)d Mandeville served one month under Capt. Henry Mandeville guarding the lines. This service was in 1777, as the deponent believes.

The s(ai)d Mandeville was drafted and served one month under Capt. Benj. Minor at Elizabeth Town in New Jersey; their duty as before. The British then in possession of New York.

The s(ai)d Mandeville was then drafted and served one month under Captain Layton...
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...[duplicate: Layton] at Elizabeth Town; their duty as before, to guard the lines and prevent the incursions of the enemy into the County. Believes this service was in the year 1778. Col. Ford of Morris County comm(anded).

Said Mandeville was then drafted under Capt. Minor and served one month at Elizabeth Town doing guard duty. The enemy then at New York and on Staten Island; believes this service was in the year 1778. Col. Ford comm(anded) at one time and Col. Sealy at other times.
s/ Evant Van Gilder

Sworn and subscribed before me this 23rd day of January 1835.
s/ Wm. Colfax
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Bergen County
State of New Jersey//

Personally appeared before me, Wm. Colfax, a Justice of the Peace and one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Bergen in the State of New Jersey, David Provost, aged Eighty four years, resident at Pompton Plains, Morris County, who being duly sworn doth on his oath declare that he has been well acquainted with Henry W. Mandeville, now an applicant for a pension under the Act of Congress of the 7 June 1832, from the year 1776 or 1777 to the present day. And who has resided [crossed out: within a few miles] all that time within a few miles of the deponent. The deponent well recollects that the said Mandeville was in actual service of the United States under Capt. Ed(mond) Kinsland; believes it was in the year 1776 at the time independence was declared. Believes he served out his tour of six weeks, as well as he can recollect at this time.

That Capt. Jonas Ward was in actual service. Don't remember how long Mandeville served with him to any certainty.

The deponent well recollects that said Henry W. Mandeville served one month with Capt. Henry Mandeville on the lines at Newark; don't remember the year. 

The deponent remembers that s(ai)d Mandeville was out in the service of the United States a number of other months; cannot be particular as to the length he serve with or the time of service at this late day but has no hesitation to say that the whole of said Mandeville's service would amount to six or seven months.
s/ David Provost

Sworn before me this 22 Jan. 1835.
s/ Wm. Colfax
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I do hereby certify to the Hon(ora)ble the Sec(ret)ary (at) War and Comm(issioner) of Pensions that I have been intimately acquainted with Henry W. Mandeville, John D. Pratt, Evant Van Gilder and David Provost, whose affidavits are hereto affixed for something rising Fifty years, living in their neighborhood during that time. That they all sustain unblemished characters as to honesty and integrity and are entitled to full belief under oath.

Given under my hand this 28th day of January 1835.
s/ Wm. Colfax, Justice of Peace and Judge of the Common Pleas Court of Bergen County

I also certify that Isaac L. Demund is a Clergyman residing at Pompton as herein stated by the s(ai)d I.L. Demund.

Given under my hand this 28th day of Jan. 1835.
s/ Wm. Colfax

H.W. Mandeville
H.W. Mandeville
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And the said William Colfax, Judge of the Court of Common Pleas Bergen County as aforesaid, doth hereby declare that it is his opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant, Henry W. Mandeville, was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states. And it further appears to the said William Colfax, Judge as aforesaid, that James R. Talmage, who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman resident at Pompton Plains, and that Daniel Worden, who has also signed the same, is a resident in the same neighborhood and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my Hand this 28th day of January 1835.
s/ Wm. Colfax
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State of New Jersey
Bergen County//

I, Abraham Westervelt, Clerk of the County of Bergen and Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for said County, do hereby certify that William Colfax, Esquire, before whom the within and annexed deposition of Henry W. Mandeville, John D. Pratt, Evant Van Gilder and David Provost were taken, is a Judge of the said Court and also a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly authorized and commissioned and that the signature of his name to each of said depositions and the certificates thereon is genuine.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribe my name and affixed the Seal of the said Court this Twenty eighth day of January A.D. Eighteen Hundred and Thirty five.
s/ Abraham Westervelt, Clerk 

32,951
New Jersey
H.W. Mandeville
Entered.

Let(ter to) Hon. P. Dickenson
27 March 1835

Adm(itted)
7 mos. 26 d(ays); Private

Wm. Colfax, Esq.
Pompton, N. Jersey

[crossed out: Hon. P. Dickenson]
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Thornall, Squires & Constant
Attorneys & Counselors
120 Broadway

EDWARD V. THORNALL
JAS. DUANE SQUIRES
S. VICTOR CONSTANT

New York, March 10, 1890

The Hon. Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir,

Will you kindly let me know what particulars as to service of one Heury or Henry W. Mandeville of New Jersey; a soldier in the Revolutionary Army.

The information is desired to complete necessary papers for application for membership in the, "Sons of the Revolution," a Society duly incorpo(rated)...
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...(incorpo)rated in this State on May 3, 1884, of two descendants of said Henry Mandeville.

Yours respectfully,
s/ S. Victor Constant
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16/1015

2758
INVALID.
Rev(olutionary) War

File No. 2758
Henry W. Mandeville
Pri(vate), Rev(olutionary) War

Act: June 7, 1832
Index: -; Vol. A; Page 235
{Arrangement of 1870.}
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Henry W. Mandeville
Born May 1st 1759 in Pequannock, Morris Co., N.J, & on record at Pompton Plains Church & moved to Pompton, Passaic Co., N.J. in 1800; was April. (son, H.W. Mandeville, deceased) 1835 of Pompton, Bergen Co., N.J.

Afflicted with rheumatism for some years & unable to labor & confined to his home using crutches. In June 1776 he [crossed out: vol(unteere)d] he served 6 weeks under Capt. Edmond Kinsland; marched to Springfield & Newark at different places he says when independence was declared from the Congress. His company was after this classed into two equal parts with service alternate months. In Sept 1776, served under Capt. Jonas Ward along the lines from Newark to Acquackanonk. In 1777 served one mo. on the lines at Elizabeth Town under Capt. Layton then under Capt. Henry Mandeville. He served in 1777 another month at Newark & along the lines & also same year a month at Elizabeth Town under Col. Drake to prevent incursions & depredations of the enemy. They occupying Staten Island opposite [illegible]. In 1778, under Capt. Layton for a month, he served at Elizabeth Town & other places in Col. Ford's command & another mo. in 1778 under Capt. Minor at same places. Then 2 weeks as a substitute for his father under Capt. Bates at Elizabeth Town on the lines [illegible] on out on alarms.
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Pompton, 5 May 1835

The Hon. Lewis Cass, Sec(retar)y at War

Respected Sir,

At the request of Mr. Henry W. Mandeville, I enclose to you his additional declaration together with other evidence and explanations required by Mr. Edwards, Comm(issioner) of Pensions, as per his letter to Hon. P. Dickenson 27th March last.

He anxiously hopes his case may be favorable decided with as little delay as the public business will permit.

I am very respectfully your obe(dient) servant,
s/ Wm. Colfax
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WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.

I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Henry W. Mandeville of the State of New Jersey, who was a private in the Army of the Revolution is entitled to receive Twenty six dollars and Twenty two 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 Sixteenth day of September, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty five.
s/ Lew Cass, Secretary of War

Examined and countersigned.
s/ J.L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions

 26.22
    x4
______
104.88
 13.11
______
117.99
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Sep. 29, 1835 - Paid to Sep. 4, 1835.
Mar. 7 1836 - Paid to Mar. 4, 1836.
Sep. 10, 1836 - Paid to Sep. 4, 1836.
Mar. 22 - Paid to 4 Mar. 1837.
Paid to 4th Sep. 1837. Paid to 4th Mar. 1838.
Paid to 4 Sep. 1838. P.
Paid to 4 Mar. 1839.
Paid to 4 Sep. 1839.
Paid to 4 Mar. 1840.
Paid to 4 Sep. 1841.
Paid to 4 Mar. 1842.
Paid to 4 Sep. 1842.
Paid to 4 Mar. 1843.
Paid to 4 Sep. 1833.
Paid to 4 Mar. 1844.
Paid to 4 Sep. 1844.
Paid to 4 Mar. 1835.
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Bergen County
State of New Jersey//

Personally appeared before me, William Colfax, a Justice of the Peace and one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Bergen in the State of New Jersey, Lambert Sythoff, aged Forty two, resident in Bergen County and by profession a physician, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath declare that Henry W. Mandeville, an applicant for a pension under the Act of Congress of the 7th June 1832 is a resident of Bergen County and lives within the range of deponent's practice as physician. That his acquaintance with said Mandeville has been of considerable length of time, perhaps some nine or ten years. That said Mandeville is afflicted with the rheumatism and has been complaining a number of years. Deponent heretofore certifies that he knew said Mandeville to have been laboring under this complaint more than a year. I could have extended the time of his physical infirmity farther back had I know it would be necessary. I now declare according to the best of my recollection that I saw said Mandeville on the day of our fall election, 2nd Tuesday in October 1832. That he was then hobbling on his stick and must have been previously afflicted with this debilitating disease. That the complaint has the appearance of permanency in him as he is an old subject with a decaying constitution and I do not think that said Mandeville could at any time from October 1832 to the present have made a journey to Hackensack, the County town, a distance about 26 miles. That said Mandeville is a great cripple and his bodily powers greatly destroyed in consequence of so distressing and exhausting complaint.
s/ Lambert Sythoff, M.D.

Sworn & subscribed before me this 14th August 1835.
s/ Wm. Colfax
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State of New Jersey
Bergen County//

I, Abraham Westervelt, Clerk of the County of Bergen and Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for said County, do hereby certify that William Colfax, Esquire, before whom the annexed deposition of Dr. Lambert Sythoff was taken, is a Justice of the Peace and one of the Judges of the said Court of Common Pleas for the said County of Bergen, duly authorized and commissioned and that the signature to the Jurat of said deposition as well as to the certificate thereto subjoined is genuine.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribe my name and affixed the Seal of my office at Hackensack this Fifteenth day of August in the year of our Lord Eighteen Hundred and Thirty five. 1835.
s/ Abraham Westervelt, Clerk
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I, William Colfax, a Justice of the Peace and a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Bergen in the State of New Jersey do hereby certify to the Sec(retar)y at War and Comm(issioner) of Pensions that I am well acquainted with Doctor Lambert Sythoff, having lived with him in the same neighborhood many years. That he is a person of credibility and full faith may be given to his affidavit. 14th August 1835.
s/ Wm. Colfax
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Additional declaration of Henry W. Mandeville.

State of New Jersey
Bergen County//

On the 29th April 1833, personally appeared before me, William Colfax, a Justice of the Peace and one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Bergen in the State of New Jersey, Henry W. Mandeville, aged 76 the 1st May 1833, [crossed out: years] resident in Pompton Township, County of Bergen, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath declare that he is the identical Henry W. Mandeville who did make his application to the Sec(retar)y at War and Comm(issioner) of Pensions for a pension under the Act of Congress of the 7th June 1832, some time in the year 1834 (the date not remembered), which application is now in the Pension Office of the Comm(issioner) of Pensions, "suspended until further explanation shall be received."

The deponent saith as to the matter, "that there is a similarity of the names of myself [crossed out: and] and that of Henry H. Mandeville." The deponent
declares that the persons named are two distant persons. The deponent is the son of Wm. Mandeville, deceased, resident in Pompton Township, Bergen County. Henry H. Mandeville is the son of Henry Mandeville, Esq., deceased, resident at Pompton Plains...
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...[duplicate: Plains] Morris County, about eleven miles distant from the residence of the deponent.

The deponent renders his declaration under oath as to his bodily inability to make a journey to Hackensack, the County town of Bergen County, near Thirty miles from his residence, to make his declaration in Open Court. That he has been so afflicted with the rheumatism for some years. That he is totally rendered unable to perform manual labor. That for a considerable part of his time he has been confined to his house and when little better has removed about his door with crutches, so that he has been for a long time unable to labor or ride on a wagon and is now unable to perform either.
s/ Henry W. Mandeville

Sworn & subscribed before me the day & year above written.
s/ Wm. Colfax
Page 26

Bergen County
State of New Jersey//

Personally appeared before me, William Colfax, a Justice of the Peace and one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Bergen in the State of New Jersey, Lambert Sythoff, aged Forty two years, resident in the Bergen County, by profession a physician, being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath declare that Henry W. Mandeville, now an applicant for a pension under the Act of Congress of the 7th of June 1832, is a resident of Bergen County and lives within the range of the applicant's practice as physician. That he has been acquainted with said Mandeville for many years. That said Mandeville is now and has been afflicted with the rheumatism about a year insomuch that at times he has been obliged to move about his house on crutches. That with his complaint together with old age, his infirmities are such that he is unable to perform a journey to Hackensack, the County town nearly Thirty miles from his residence. And the deponent further states under oath that he has been acquainted with the above named Henry W. Mandeville and with Henry H. Mandeville many years. That they are two district persons now residing eleven miles from each other. Henry W. Mandeville lives in Bergen County and Henry H. Mandeville is a resident of Pompton Plains, Morris County.
s/ Lambert Sythoff

Sworn & subscribed before me this 4th May 1833.
s/ Wm. Colfax
Page 27

State of New Jersey
Bergen County//

I, William Colfax, one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas [crossed out: for] for the County of Bergen and State of New Jersey, do hereby certify to the Hon. the Sec(retar)y at War and Commissioner of Pensions that Lambert Sythoff, the within subscriber, is a practicing physician at Pompton in my neighborhood. That the said Lambert Sythhoff sustains a good character as a professional man and of integrity and veracity.
s/ Wm. Colfax

Pompton 4th May 1833.
Page 28

And the said William Colfax, a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Bergen in the State of New Jersey, doth hereby certify to the Hon. the Sec(retar)y at War and Commissioner of Pensions that the said Henry W. Mandeville named in his additional declaration, hereto attached, is the identical Henry W. Mandeville named in his original declaration made before me (sometime in 1834), the date not remembered. Which application according to the letter of Mr. Edwards to Hon. P. Dickerson 27 Mar., "is placed on file and will not be examined until further explanation shall be received."

And the said William Colfax, Judge as aforesaid, doth hereby declare that it is his opinion that full credit may be given to the statement made by the s(ai)d Mandeville hereto attached and he, the s(ai)d Wm. Colfax, Judge as aforesaid, doth concur in the same.

And the said Wm. Colfax, Judge as afore(said), doth hereby declare to the Hon. the Sec(retar)y at War and Comm(issioner) of Pensions that he has been acquainted with Henry W. Mandeville & Henry H. Mandeville about fifty years. That they are two distinct persons, one living in Bergen County and the other at Pom(pton) Plains, Morris County, about Eleven miles distant from each other.
s/ Wm. Colfax

Pompton 4th May 1833.
Page 29

State of New Jersey
Bergen County//

I, Abraham Westervelt, Clerk of the County of Bergen and Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for said County, do hereby certify that William Colfax, Esquire, before whom the annexed depositions of Henry W. Mandeville and Dr. Lambert Sythoff were taken, is a Justice of the Peace and one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County, duly authorized and commissioned and that the signature of his name to the Jurat of each of said depositions as well as to the written and annexed certificates genuine.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribe my name and affix the Seal of my office this Fourth day of May A.D. Eighteen Hundred and Thirty five.
s/ Abraham Westervelt, Clerk
Page 30

Free

The Hon. James L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington

H.W. Mandeville

Pompton, N.J
9th Sep.
Sep. 12
Page 31

Pompton, 23 August 1833.

James L. Edwards, Esq.

Sir,

Your letter of the 19th of June was duly received, to which I would have replied sooner had I not been prevented by public advocating and want of health. Besides there appears to me so many new difficulties in those brought to bare in the cases of these remaining applicants, that I was quite discouraged in attempting to do anything more for them. And should not but for their incessant importunities. However, yielding to this solicitation of Henry W. Mandeville, I have procured the additional affidavit of Doctor Lambert Sythoff, which I believe will remove all difficulties respecting his inability to make a journey to Hackensack, our County town, and I do trust you will make a favorable decision in this poor old soldier's case without much delay. In your same letter of the 19th June, you say, "the long delay which occurred before any claim was made and the contradictions which exist between the affidavit of Event Van Gilder and his declaration for a pension renders this claim an exceedingly doubtful one." As to the long delay of the applications of Major Van Gilder, Samuel Roome, H. Mandeville and Henry H. Mandeville, satisfactory evidence has been testified to by the affidavits of these men and sent to the War Department some time ago. Add to that I have explained to you the causes of the delay ag(ains)t want of time and health in my req(uest). And also that their cases were not so urgent as other because three of them had considerable property and therefore under no distressing necessity. And now I am willing to swear, and you may take my word as under oath, that it is now more than two years since they first made their application to me for aid to procure their pensions. 

Now permit me to ask why delay should validate of lessen their claim on government for their honest due under the existing laws of Congress. Certainly...
Page 32

...[duplicate: certainly] no long delay would prevent the legal removing of an honest debt by our Statute of Limitations. Viz.: 6 years on book under note and fourteen years on bond or sealed will, but such limitation would never destroy the equitable right of recovery. And where they have over run the statute, the most trifling acknowledgment of the debt would revive and give legal existence.

Now certainly, Congress would not attempt to shield themselves from payment of an honest public under such pretensions. And why would a public officer construing the laws liberally and legally and, acting under them, withhold payment for reasons assigned, they will not. The contradictions in Major Van Gilders papers suggested by you might be reconciled if I know what they were. Will you be good enough to have them pointed out to me. Anything of this kind, if done, must have been unintentional. Hon. Major Van Gilder, there is not a man living in the said County that sustains a better character for integrity & honesty.

It has been proved that he was the first man that volunt(eere)d his services in 1776 on Pompton Plains and that he did serve (beyond a doubt) a sufficient time to entitle him to your favorable decision in his case. You will not turn of this less of man for trifling causes.

In speaking of the claims of the two Mandevilles, in one of your letters you said, "there was such a similarity of names that it might or might not be the same name." Now by implication this would, in effect, charge with making false representations to the War Department in as much at the writings was drawn up by me. Sir, I wish this matter was so explained as to ease my feelings and restore my character with you to what it previously was. I have long served the public (more than fifty years) unimpeached heretofore. Now entered my eighteenth year, I am still unaware as ever of my military and private character, nor my special trust in the Revolution. See the records in the War Department. And as to my character, I would beg leave to refer you to Gen'l Dickerson, Sec(retary) of the Navy, who served with me in our State Legislature some time and well known to me. I am more particular on this subject because I entertain an opinion from what has passed that there...
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...[duplicate: there] my old comradery in arms (from the great delay in your decisions and the many new difficulties that never occurred in former cases) sufferings because their papers passed through the ordeal they did.

I have the honor to be respectfully your obe(dient) serv(ant),
s/ Wm. Colfax

P.S. Will you, Sir, have the goodness to cause this letter to be answered and inform when these men may expect your decision in their cases.