Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 1,038, for Cornelius Latourrette, New Jersey
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Service New Jersey Latourrette, Cornelius S. Number 1038 carded Contents
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New Jersey No 28, 20 Cornelius Latourrette of Monmouth in the State of New Jersey who was a private in the company commanded by captain Frazer of the Rv commanded by col Hunt in the N. Jersey line for 2 years. Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey at the rate of 80 Dollars - Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. Certificate of Pension issued the 10th day of April 1834 and Hon. Jos. Parker. Arrears to the 4th of March 1834 240.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 4th Sept $40.00 [totaling] $280.00 Revolutionary claim Act June 7, 1832. Recorded by R Burdine, Clerk. Book E. Vol. 3, Page 120
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Declaration of Cornelius Latourrette
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Declaration of Cornelius Latourrette in order to obtain teh benefits of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June 1832. State of New Jersey. Monmouth County. On this fourteenth day of March one thousand eight hundred and thirty four personally appeared in open court before the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for the county and state aforesaid Cornelius Latourette a resident of the poor or Alms house of the county and state aforesaid aged seventy six 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 papered June 7th 1832. That he enlisted as a volunteer in the Militia of New Jersey to reinforce the army of the United States then lying in New York in the month of July (just about the time the Declaration of Independence was declared) in the year 1776, and served in the Hunterdon County Regiment of the New Jersey Brigade (which was raised to reinforce the army at New York.) A continued tour of at least five months , beginning about the first of July 1776 and ending about the first of December the same year; that Stephen Hunt was Colonel of the battalion to which the above named regiment belonged and Philip Johnston Lieutenant Colonel and Joseph Phillips Major; That David Frazer was Captain, David Schamp was Lieutenant, and (one) Johnson was ensign of his company: that he enlisted at Readington in the County of Hunterdon, and marched immediately to New York under the above named officers (except Colonel Hunt who for some reason did not go) and there joined Washington’s Army: that after
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a short time he crossed over to Long Island with the army and remained there until after the Battle at Brooklyn Heights, in which this applicant was actually engaged: that Colonel Johnston was killed in that engagement, and then the command fell upon Major Phillips; that early the next morning after the Battle he crossed back again with the Army to New York, and marched to Fort Washington, thence to White Plains where they had a skirmish with the enemy, thence to Kings Ferry where they crossed the Hudson river to the Jersey Shore, thence to Fort Lee, where they remained some time, thence to a place called Six Mile Run; six miles from New Brunswick, where he was discharged verbally by his officers (in December 1776) no discharge in writing every being given to the militia enlisted as this applicant ever hear of, at least none was given to him. That he served a tour of one month as guard on the Raritan River just above Bound Brook in Somerset County under Captain Cornelius Land and Lieutenant Isaiah Cole, Commencing in the month of January and ending in February 1777; that then headquarters were at the house of one Abraham Demun at the last named place and their duties were to watch the motions of the enemy who were then lying in Winter Quarters in New Brunswick, and to prevent as much as possible their foraging; that he served another tour of one month in length at the same place as a substitute for (name not remembered) commencing in February and ending March same year under Captain Benjamin Alligor and Lieutenant William VanSickle their head quarters and duties were the same as above mentioned, John Taylor was their Colonel; and one Berry was their Major; that he served another tour of one month as a volunteer under Captain John Stryker beginning in May and ending in June 1777 as he thinks (for he knows that the British evacuated New Brunswick during this month’s service) part of the time
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Captain John Stryker beinning in May and ending in June 1777 as he thinks (for he knows that the Brittish evacuated New brunswick during this month’s services) part of the time at MillStone in Somerset County, and the remainder in Marching to Sourland Mountain to join the main army and then to New Brunswick; that about the first of September 1777 he went to Long Branch on a visit to his grandfather Cornelius Lane in Monmouth County and while there he volunteered (after some persuasion from his friends) and went out in actual service in the Militia of said county under one Captain John Dennis stationed on the coast at Long Branch- after being out in service about two weeks, he together with his Captain and Lieutenant William Cook and six other privates were taken prisoners by a party of the Tories and refugees under the command of one John Taylor. Sometime in the beginning of October in same year, about daylight in the morning, that particular day he cannot recollect but he know that it was within three or four days of the Battle at Germantown in Pennsylvania. That he and his comrades had been stationed on guard that night and were surprised by this part of the enemy consisting of about thirty or forty being a much larger force than the guard. That these Tories and Refugees kept up a continual intercourse with the British, who paid them liberally for all the prisoners they could take, for what produce they could furnish them with; that he together with his companions in misfortune were conveyed to Sandy Hook and put on board of a british ship and taken to New York and there confined in the Old Sugar House. That he was an actual prisoner to the enemy closely confined in that worst of all prisons the Sugar House for the space of ten months towit from about the first of October 1777 to about the 1st of August 1778, the exact time of commencement and ending he cannot recollect, but he know that he was such prisoner at least ten months for he received a certificate for ten months pay from Colonel Hendrickson
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who was the Colonel of the Monmouth militia at Long Branch after he returned from his imprisonment, which he recollects amounted to 25 pounds, then pay being then 50 shilling per mont but he sold it for half that he was exchanged when he returned, but that all the men who were taken with him died in prison except two, who enlisted in the British army, so that it is impossible for him to prove his imprisonment, all the other prisoners being strangers to him. that in the year 1779, after having helped his father get in his harvest, he enlisted in the Militia called the State troops of New Jersey on the first of August, and served a four of actual service of at least five months stationed at Elizabeth Town, commencing on the first of August 1779 and ending on the first of January 1780 (for he recollects it was New Year’s Day) under Captain Adam Hope, Lieutenant Jacob Emmons, and Sergeant John Middlesworth. That Taylor was colonel and Berry Major: that he served a tour of one month as a militia man under Captain Ebenezar Berry at Paramus on the Passaic River not far from Patterson. Sometime in the spring of the year 1780, but the particular time he cannot recollect; That on the first of August 1780 (after harvest as aforesaid) he enlisted again in the said Militia called the State troops raised for the defence of the frontiers and actually served a tour of five months at Navesink in or near the northern boundary of New Jersey commencing on the first of August 1780 and ending 1st of january 1781 (for he recollects it was New Years day again) (under Captain Cornelius Johnson and Lieutenant Jacob Emmons, and this applicant was orderly Sergeant) defending the frontier against the inroads of the Indians, who had previously made their incursions in the Northern part of the State. that in in both these tours of five months he enlisted at Readington his native place and then marched to the respective places where
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part of the State; that in both these tours of ofive months he enlisted at Readington his native place and then marched to the respective places where the above tours were performed. That in the summer of the year 1781 he served a tour of three months at a place called Connecticut farms about five miles from Elizabeth Town defending the country against the inroads of the Brittish that were then lying at that place; that he cannot recollect when this four commenced and ended precisely, nor can he recollect the Captain’s name he being an entire stranger; that one Colonel Seely had command of the troops stationed at Connecticut farms, and William Herrington was Lieutenant; that these men for this four of three months in 1781 were raided from the different counties in the state, a few men from each regiment of Militia and it feel to this applicant’s lot to be one of them, but he was exempt from duty in the Militia for nine months after it, and he don’t recollect that he performed any actual service after that time. That Nathaniel Heard was General of the New Jersey Brigade that marched ti reinforce the army at New York in 1779; that all the above service was performed in the grade of a private except one tour of five months as orderly sergeant, and for such service and his imprisonment he claims a pension.    In answering the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department he says 1st. that he was born in the Township of Readington County of Hunterdon and in the state aforesaid, in the fall of the year 1757, he does not know the month but has alwasy heard his parents say that it was about the time of threshing buckwheat and he thinks  that it was in the year 1757 from the fact that his father told him that he was 21 years of age shortly after he returned from his imprisonment in August 1778, and that he must then pay his tax. 2. That he has no record of his age and believes that his
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parents kept none, this applicant never saw or heard of any. 3. That he lived in Readington aforesaid when called into service and has always resided there until  within about ten years; that afterwards he lived at Long Branch in Monmouth County and for the last six years and more he has lived in the poor house of said county being reduced to pauperism. 4. That he manner of his being called into service is stated above. 5th That he recollects Colonel Martin of the New Jersey Line and also General Sullivan who was taken prisoner at the Battle of Brooklyn. 6th. That he received no discharge in writing from any of the above service none being given as he ever heard of, and has no documentary evidence of his services. 7th. That he was known to a number of persons in Readington, Nicholas Wikoff, Michael Kinney and others but he does not know whether they are living or dead. he is also known to Abraham Lane and Cornelius Lane at Long Branch who can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution. He further states that he knows of no person or persons now living who served any of the above tours with him that he is a pauper in the poor house of Monmouth County and is not able to procure any testimony which is positive with regard to his services; that he always served with an embodied corps called into service by the authority of the Laws of New Jersey; that he served in field and not in garrison, and that for the time during which his service was performed he was not engaged in any civil pursuit; That 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 state. Cornelius Latourette. Sworn to and subscribed in open court the day and year aforesaid. William Lloyd
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Cornelius Latourrette. Sworn to and subscribed in open court the day and year aforesaid. William Lloyd. John M. Davison John Hull.    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 he served as he states. And the Court do further declare their opinion that the said applicant cannot without too much expense and inconvenience to him, produce in court his witnesses and that the affidavit  of William Anderson, Abraham Land and Cornelius Lane taken before Joseph Brinly and John Chamberlain esquires are satisfactory and further that there is no clergyman residing in the neighborhood of said applicant. William Lloyd, John Hull, John M. Davison.  I, Daniel H. Ellis, clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for the county of Monmouth and State of New Jersey do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said court in the matter of the application of Cornelius Latourrette for a pension. In Witness whereof I have here unto set my hand and seal of office this fourteenth day of March AD. 1834.  D. H. Ellis, Clerk
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Cornelius Latourette New Jersey 2 year private $80 Hon. J. Parker N.J.
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War Department Pension Office. 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 more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margins with a brace (this:}). 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 showing the service of C Latourette. Period when the served was rendered. Duration of the claimant’s service (years, months days) Rank of the claimant Names and rank of the field officers under whom he served. Age at present and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported. If the applicant is disabled by old age and bodily infirmity from appearing before a court of record, he should make his declaration before a Judge or Justice of a Court of records and he [illegible] be so certified by the clerk of the Court, see regulations on page February 7, 1834. I am, respectfully, Your obedient servant. J. L. Edwards, Commissioner of Pensions.
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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 wolunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who weve occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, etc, Teamsters, Boatmen, Etc. 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, mucicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a (marked by illegible writing ] Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considred a Court of Record. Declaration, In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832. State, Territory, or District of County of}ss. On this. day of. personally appeared (a) before A.B. a resident (b) of aged (c) 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 teh act of Congress, passedJune 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , with 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; the time he left the service;(and if he served under ore than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;)the town or 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. this form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, etc.]. He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his names 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. [section marked j and k] Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers, or Militia 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 and C.D. residing in(the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with. ,, 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. Worn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. {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 proceeding of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set by hand and seal of office, this. day of &c. [ this sentence marked within document] 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. [this sentence marked in document] 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- [ folling marked in handwriting] In 1776 the lying camp men were raised for 5 months If men were subsequently raised for the same term by N. Jersey as full particular of circumstances of capture must be set forth
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alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person 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 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 received 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 anems 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 the 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 person giving such certificates. The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry where the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject. [sentence following marked in handwriting] Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of 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 fro doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance. [b] The declaratnt must make his declaration in the county where he 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 sas 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.D. who deing 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 his best recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: - For —year ——months, ——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 state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers [ also indicated by handwriting the following sentence] the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement ; the particuliar 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 has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal , or if he has no public seal of iffice, 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 paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.  Proof of Service [j]Proof of Service. In as 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. [following sentence marked] The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. the notes from [a] to [i] 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 be written and sent to the War Department. stated in [illegible] of M. Hartshorne, a referum to the law is requested.
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Rev War. Invalid File No. 1038 Cornelius Latourrette Private, N.J. Line Act: June 7, 1832 Index: Vol. A, Page 214. Arrangement of 1870. x W.D.G. Act 10,06.  1919 Apr. 29 Hist to Wm. M. LaTourette Leter in S. 33364 Daniel Laurrette . 1923 October. 18 Hist to P. LaT Heibbler, his letter in Peter Latourette.
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Revolutionary War records section 3-525 Department of the Interior bureau of Pensions. Washington, D.C. , ———, 19---S.F. 1038.    In reply to your request of ——, received—— for a statement of the military history of Cornelius Latourrette a soldier of the Revolutionary War, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow’s) application for pension on file in the Bureau. dates of enlistment or appointment; length of service; rank; officers under whom service was rendered (captain, Colonel) State. 
July 1, 1776, Dec 1, 1776, Private, Captain  David Schamp, Colonel Stephen Hunt; N.J.; January 1777, 1 mo, Captain Cornelius Lane, , N.J.; February 1777, 1 month, private, Captain Benjamin Allegar, Colonel John Taylor, N.J.; May 1777, 1 month, private, Captain John Stryker, N.J.; September 1, 1777, 2 weeks- taken prisoner and sent to New York and confined in Sugar House 10 months and then exchanged. Captain John Dennis, Colonel Hendrickson, N.J.; August 1778 to January 1, 1780, private, Captain Adam Hope, Colonel Taylor, N.J.; Spring 1780, 1 month, private, captain Ebenezer Berry, Colonel Taylor, N.J.; August 1, 1780, 5 months, orderly Sargeant, Captain Cornelius Johnson, Colonel Seeley, N.J.; June 1782, 3 months, private,  Colonel Seeley. N. J.; Battles engaged in, Brooklyn, and White Plains.Residence of soldier at enlistment, Readington, Hunterdon County, N.J. Date of application for pension, March 14, 1834.. His claim was allowed. residence at date of application, Monmouth county, N.J. Age at date of application, born in the fall of 1757 at Readington, N.J. remarks: Soldier’s grandfather was Cornelius Lane. No other data on file as to his family
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Washington 28 March 1834. Sir; I find the [illegible] the amended papers of Cornelius LaTourette from J. M. Harshorne and transmit them for examination with the affidavit of David Schamp proving part of his services. Yours respectfully James Parker. James L Edwards, Esquire
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Freehold March 14th 1834. J. L. Edwards Esquire Sir; Enclosed herewith is a new declaration of Cornelius Latourrette taken before a court of records, and also the affidavit attached to his old declaration, which the court has certified as satisfactory. and the court have further certified that it is too much expense and inconvenience to produce the witnesses in court. The court have also certified that there is no clergyman residing in the neighborhood of said applicant in that case the traditionary evidence may be proved by other respectable persons ( see affidavits of Anderson Lane and Lane.) His first tour of 5 months was authorized by the ordinance of the N.J Convention papered June 14, 1776, (see proceedings of said convention page 77). And is proved by the affidavit of David Schamp, which was handed in the Department by the Honorable Jas. Parker about three weeks ago. His imprisonment is set forth with great particularity and is proved by circumstances that cannot lie. (See affidavits of Anderson Lane and Lane). The tour of 5 months in 1779 was authorized by the Act of June 2, 1779 (see Wilson's Las of N.J. page 77:) The tour of 5 months in 1780 was authorized by the Act of June 7, 1780. (See Wilson’s Law Page 129). The tour of 3 months in 1781, was authorized by the act of June 27, 1781 (See Wilson page 212.) His other services came under the common militia system. I believe that you have a copy of Wilson Laws at the Department, forwarded by Mr Ryall of this place, but if not, you will
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find these laws more particularly set forth in my letter of the 1st of November last. You will observe that the old man lives in another part of the country from that where his services were performed, and it is impossible from the nature of the case to obtain positive testimony to all his service, but his story is told in such a plain and simple manner that it is impossible that it should be fabricated, and his first declaration was drown before I was aware that there were any laws authorizing enlistments in the militia and yet you find that his statements agree almost exactly with those Laws. The old man is very poor is dependent entirely upon public bounty for his support, and if one was ever entitled to a pension I firmly believe this he is.  Very Respectfully Your obedient servant. J. M. Hartshorne. J. L. Edwards, Esquire Commissioner of Pensions Mrs. Edwards will file a confirmation of this statement of Latourette as to his five months service in 1776 by reference to the declaration of John Clifford No. 23722 and in which third two persons concur with great exactings as to the battle of Long Island. This auth of Col. Johnson.
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State of New Jersey Hunterdon County David Schamp aged seventy nine years residing in the township of Readington in said county, Lieutenant and Captain in the Revolutionary War was well acquainted with Cornelius La-Tourette who he understands resides in the County of Monmouth in said state and has made application for a pension that the said Cornelius La Tourette served a tour of five months under this deponent beginning in July 1776 about the 1st and ending the first of December same year that this deponent then acted Lieutenant during said tour under Frazer Captain and that the said Cornelius La Tourette was a private in said company  and performed the duty of a good soldier during said tour, that the said company about the first of July marched to New York to reinforce the army as part of the Hunterdon -Regiment under Lieutenant Colonel Phillip Johnston and that they within the time papers over to Long Islands with the army and where engaged in the Battle at Brooklin where Colonel Johnston was Killed that the said Cornelius La Tourette continued in service in said company untill the first of December 1776 when he together with the remainder of the company were discharged verbally by the officers (no discharge in writing being given). The deponent knows that the said Cornelius La Tourette was out on duty a great part of the time during the revolution and was taken prisoner by the British in company with several others in the County of Monmouth and carried to New York and Confined in the Sugar house for a considerable time where mostly all the prisoners died off, two of which where out of the neighborhood of deponent (Viz) Peter Biggs and Uriah Chamberlin the deponent was well acquainted with the said Cornelius La Tourette and believes him to be a man of good character for truth and veracity and that he was always reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he has always resided until within the last ten years to have been a soldier of the Revolution and deponent knows the fact to be so. [signed] David Schamp. Sworn to and subscribed before meeting the 18th day of December 1833. J.W. Thompson Justice Peace.  I do hereby certify that I am well aacquainted with the above deponent and believe him to be a man of good character as to truth and veracity. J.W. Thompson Justice of Peace
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State of New Jersey I, James D Westcott Secretary of State of New Jersey do certify that John Thompson Esquire before whom the within affidavit of David Schamp was taken and who hath attested the same, was, at the time thereof, and now is, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Hunterdon in said state, duly commissioned and sworn and that full faith and credit are to be given to his official attestations. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office at Trenton this eighteenth day of February QD one thousand eight hundred and thirtyfour. James D. Westcott
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See new declaration before a Court of Record. [ rest of document was x’ed out by large markings across the entire page but transcription reads as follows: ] Declaration of Cornelius Latourette in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress papered June 7, 1832. State of New Jersey Monmouth County Personally appeared before me Joseph Brinley A Justice of the Peac in and for the county and state aforesaid, Cornelius Latourrette a resident and inhabitant of the poor house of that said county of Monmouth aged seventy six years who being first duly sworn according to Law do on his oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of congress papered June 7th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following names officers and served as herein stated. He enlisted in the Militia of New Jersey at Readington, in Hunterdon County as one of the soldiers to re-enforce the army at New York, sometime in the month of July 1776 (for he recollects distinctly that it just about the time that the Declaration of Independence was signed and published) under Captain David Frazer Lieutenant David Schamp, second Lieutenant Jonathan Thomas, and ensign Johnston. that he enlisted for five months under the said Captain and marched immediately to New York from Readington to re-enforce the army at that place and there joined the army of Washington. that Phillip Johnston was their Lieutenant Colonel and Hund Colonel and Phillips was their Major, and that he marched to New York and performed this tour of five months under the said officers (except Col Hunt), that they soon crossed over to Long Island and he this applicant was actually engaged in the battle of Brooklyn; that Colonel Johnston his commanding Field Officer was killed at that Battle, and then the command of the Regiment feel upon Major Phillips. after the battle he crossed with the army to New York and marched thence to Fort Washington, thence to White Plains where they had a skirmish with the enemy, thence to Kings Ferry where they crossed teh Hudson river on the Jersey Shore, thence to Fort Lee where they remained a
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[this page also entirely crossed out] short time, thence to a place called Six Mile Run six miles from New brunswick, where he was discharged verbally by his officers, no discharge in writing every being given to the Militia as this applicant ever heard of; that it was some time in the month of December same year that he was discharge. that the above tour was five months in length and he was in actual service at the time as above mentioned to wit: from July to December 1776; that he then returned home to his father’s house in Readington: that he served one month as guard on the Raritan RIver just above Bound Brook under Captain Cornelius Land and Isaiah Cole Lieutenant, commencing as he thinks in the month of January and ending in the month of February 1777, for he knows that the British had possession of New Brunswick at that time; that their head quarters was at the house of one Abraham Demun and their duties where to watch the motion of the enemy; that he served one month at the same place, commencing in February and ending in March same year as a substitute for (name not remembered) under Captain Benjamin Alligor and Lieutenant William van Dickle; their head quarters and duties were as above mentioned. John Taylor was their Colonel and one    Berry was their Major; that he served on e month under Captain John Stryker some time about the month of May or June (he cannot exactly recollect time) but know that the British left New Brunswick during this months service); part of the time at Mill Stone in Somerset County, and the remainder of the time marching to Sourland Mountain, and back again, their duties were as before mentioned and also to attack foraging parties of the enemy; that he was engaged in one skirmish with such a party of the British at Millstone where Randolph Weaver was killed; that about the first of September 1777 he paid a visit to his grandfather Cornelius Lane at Long Branch in Monmouth county and while there about the middle of September 1777 he volunteered and served about two weeks under Captain John Dennis stationed at Long Branch; that while
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[this page struck out with a large “x” ] he was there stationed, he together with his Captain John Dennis and Lieutenant William cook and six other privates were taken prisoners by a party of Tories and Refugees about daylight in the morning about the first of October same year (the particular day he cannot recollect) but he knows that it was within three or four days of the Battle of Germantown; That the said Tories and Refugees under the command of one John Taylor conveyed them to the Light House at Sandy Hook whence they were sent to New York and confined in the old Sugar House; that he was an actual prisoner in close confinement for the space of ten months to wit: from about the first of October 1777 until about the first of August 1778, the exact time of the commencement or ending he cannot state, but he knows that he was such prisoner at least ten months, for he received a certificate when her returned home for ten months pay, which he recollected amounted to twenty five pounds, their wages being the fifty shillings per month, but he sold it for half price; he was exchanged when he returned but that all the men who were taken with him died in prison except two, who enlisted in the British army so that is is impossible for him to prove his imprisonment, all the other prisoners being strangers to him: that on the first of August 1779 (being out of service for one year) he enlisted in the Militia called the State troops under Captain Adam Hope at Readington in Hunterdon, and served five months stationed at Elizabeth Town under said enlistment that Jacob Emmons was Lieutenant and John Middleworth was Sergeant of said company; that John Taylor was their Colonel and Berry Major; that he served a tour of five months under the last mentioned enlistment to wit: from the first of August 1779 to the first of January 1780, for he recollects that he was discharged on New Year’s Day 1780 merely by word of mouth no discharge in writing being given; that he served one month under Captain Ebenezar Berry at a place on the Passaic River he thinks was called Paramus not
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[document with a large X across page] far distant from Patterson sometime in the spring of the year 1780 but the particular time he cannot recollect: that on the first of August 1780 he enlisted again in the Militia called the State troops, and served a tour of five months under said enlistment at a place called Navisink, or, near the northern boundary of Sussex County, to watch and guard against the inroads of the Indians, who had previously made their incursion in the North part of the State: that the officers under whom this tour of service was performed were Captain Cornelius Johnston, Lieutenant Jacob Emmons. And this applicant was orderly Sergeant; that the last mentioned tour commenced on the first of August 1780 and ended on the first of January 1781, for he recollects that it was on New Year’s day again. that in the latter part of the summer 1781 he served three months at Connecticut Farms about five miles from Elizabeth Towwn watching and guarding against the British that were then lying in that place; the time he cannot exactly, nor can he recollect the captain’s name, be being an entire stranger; there was a certain number of men sent from the Hunterdon regiment to complete the number of this Captain’s company and this applicant was one of them; that one Colonel Seely had command of the troops at that place. William Harrington was Lieutenant of his company he thinks; that all the above service was performed in the grade of a private, except one tour of five months as above mentioned which he served as orderly Sergeant; that Nathaniel Heard was general at the time of service in the continental army; that for the above service and imprisonment he claims a pension. To the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department- he makes the following answers to wit: 1. That he was born in the Township of Readington county of Hunterdon, New Jersey in the fall of the year 1757 he does not know the month, but has always heard his parents say that it was about the time of threshing buckwheat; he thinks that it was in the year 1757
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[page with large X through entire page] from the fact of his father’s telling him, he was 21 years of age just after he returned from his imprisonment which was in the year 1778, and that he must then pay his tax. 2. That he has no record of his age, and believes his father kept no record of it. this applicant never saw or heard of any. 3rd. That he lives in Readington aforesaid when called into service and has always resided there until within about ten years, that afterwards he lived at Long Branch in Monmouth County and for the last six years he has resided in the poor house of the said Monmouth county, being reduced to pauperism. 4th. That the manner of his being called into service is stated above 5th. That he recollects Colonel Martin in the New Jersey LIne, also General Sullivan who was taken prisoner at the Battle of Brooklyn; 6th. that he received no discharge in writing from any of the above service. 7th that he was known to a number of persons in Readington when he resided there. Nicholas Wikoff, Michael Kinney and some others but he does not know whether they are living or dead. He is also known to Abraham Lane, and Cornelius Lane at Long Branch who can testify to his character for veracity, and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution. He further states that he knows of no person or persons now living who served any of the above tours with him; that he is now a puaper in the poor House of Monmouth County and is not able to procure any positive testimony as to his services. 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 State. that he always served within an embodied corps called into service by the authority of the Laws of New Jersey; that he served in field and not in Garrison and that for the time during which his service was performed he was not engaged in any civil pursuit. Cornelius Latourrette. Sworn to and subscribed this 27 day of August A.D. 1833 before me Justice as aforesaid. Joseph Brinley, Justice
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[paragraph with large X through writing] And the said Joseph Brinley, Justice as aforesaid ddo hereby declare my 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. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 27th day of August 1833. Joseph Brinley, Justice. [rest of page not crossed out] State of New Jersey Monmouth County William Anderson being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he is a surviving soldier of the Revolution aged seventy five years; that he is well acquainted with Cornelius Latourrette who has signed and sworn to the above declarations; that he recollects being called out on an alarm in the fall of the year 1777, at Long Branch, when he understood and verily believes that the said Latourrette was taken prisoner by a part of the Tories and Refugees, among a number of others under one Captain Dennis; that he is reputed and believed in teh neighborhood where he now resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and to be a man of good character for truth and veracity and that he this deponent concurs in that opinion. William Anderson X his mark. Sworn to and subscribed before me Justice as aforesaid August 27, A.D. 1833. Joseph Brinley, Justice.  And I the said Justice do hereby further certify that it appears to me that William Anderson who has signed and sworn to the above affidavit is a surviving soldier of the Revolution, resident in said county, that he is a credible person and that his affidavit is entitled to credit. In witness, I have hereunto set my hand August 27 A.D. 1833 Joseph Brinley, Justice
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State of New Jersey Monmouth county Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for the county and state aforesaid Abraham Lane who being duly sworn saith that he is a soldier of the Revolution; that he well remembers the time that Cornelius Latourrette came from hunterdon to Long Branch on a visit to this deponent’s father; he recollects that the said Cornelius Latourrette volunteered under Captain Dennis and understood and verily believes that he was taken prisoner at Long Branch while on service with the said Captain Dennis, and that he remained such prisoner for the space of ten months. This Deponent was present at his own house when Colonel Hendrickson made out the pay roll of the men who were taken under the said Captain Dennis; This was a short time after the said Latourrette returned from his imprisonment. Latourrette was also present; This Deponent thinks it was in the fall of the year 1777 when the said Latourrette was taken prisoner; This deponent further saith that he is wel acquainted with the said Cornelius Latourrette; that he believes him to be seventy six years; that he is reputed and believed in this neighborhood of Long Branch to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that I concur in that opinion. Abram Lane. Sworn to and subscribed this 31st day of August A.D. 1833 before me Justice of the Peace of Monmouth County New Jersey. The words “and verily believes” first interlined. John Chamberlain Justice (For certificate of credibility see new affidavit). [next section with large Xs through it] And I Cornelius Lane Justice as aforesaid do hereby certify that I am well acquainted Abraham Lane who has sworn to and subscribed the above affidavit; that he resides at Long Branch, Monmouth County that he is a credible person and that his affidavit is entitled to credit; and I do hereby further
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[ first section with Xs through the paragraph] certify that I am well acquainted with the said Cornelius Latourrette, who has signed the annexed declaration; that it has always been a traditionary report in our family that he came to my Grandfather’s on visit during the revolutionary War and while there he went out in the service and was taken prisoner; that he is reputed and believed to have been a revolutionary soldier and that I concur in the opinion. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this thirty first day of August A.D. 1833. Cornelius Lane, Justice.      [No Xs in subsequent section] I Daniel H Ellis clerk of the Inferior court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Monmouth and State of New Jersey do hereby certify that Joseph Brinley, John Chamberlain, and Cornelius Lane before and by whom the foregoing proceeding were take certified, sworn to and subscribed are severally and respectively enrolled in my office as Justices of the Peace in and for said county duly commissioned and sworn into office, and that full faith and credit are due and ought to be give to all their official acts as such, and further that the signatures above are respectively the handwriting and genuine signatures of the said several justices. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the said county at Freehold this thirty first day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three. D. H. Ellis, Clerk
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State of New Jersey Monmouth County Personally appeared before me John Chamberlain Esq, a Justice of the Peace in and for said county Cornelius Lane, Esquire, who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he is well acquainted with Cornelius Latourrette who has applied for a Pension and whose Declaration is numbered 27837 by the War Department. that it has always been a traditionary report in his (Lane) father’s family, that he said Latourrette came to his Lane’s grandfathers on a visit at Long Branch Monmouth County from Hunterdon County, during the Revolutionary War; that while there he said Latourrette volunteered and served in the Militia and while in such service was taken prisoner: that he believes the said Latourrette to be seventy six years of age; that he is reputed and believed in his neighborhood to have been a soldier of the Revolution and to be a man of good character for truth and veracity and that he said same concurs in that opinion. Cornelius Lane, Esquire. Sworn to and subscribed this 22nd day  of November A.D. 1833. before me Justice as aforesaid. John Chamberlain, Justice. And the said John Chamberlain do hereby certify that it appears to me that Cornelius Land who has sworn and subscribed the foregoing affidavit is a credible person and that his affidavit is entitled to credit and that Abraham Lane who deposed and subscribed to an affidavit before me on the 31st of August last (which affidavit is attached to the declaration of said Cornelius Latourrette) is now and was then a credible and respectable person and that his affidavit is entitled to credit. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand . Nov 22nd A.D> 1833. John Chamberlain Justice
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I Daniel H. Ellis Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for the county of Monmouth in the State of New Jersey do hereby certify that John Chamberlain before whom the foregoing affidavit was sworn to and subscribed, is now and was at the date thereof enrolled in my office as a justice of the Peace in and for said county duly commissioned and sworn into office as such, and that full faith and credit are due and ought to be given to all his official acts, and further that the signatures “John Chamberlain Justice” signed to the foregoing are the true handwriting and genuine signatures of the said Justice. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 29th day of November A.D> 1833. D.H. Ellis, Clerk