Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 13,073, Thomas Fort, New Jersey
Page 1

New Jersey     Fort Thomas    S 13073
                                 or
                        Fourt      
                                           carded
Page 2

17346
New Jersey
Thos Fourt

of Middlesex in the State of N. Jersey who was a private in the Comp. commanded by Captain Pomeroy of the Reg. commanded by Col. Quick of the N. Jersey line for 2 years. 
Thomas Fourt  Records corrected Jan'y 5/068
_________________________________________________
Inscribed on the Roll of N. Jersey at the rate of 80 Dollars     Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1831
_________________________________________________
Certificate of Pension issued the 17 day of Aug. 1833 and truth J. F. Randolph  M.C. present
____________________________________________
Arrears to the 4th of Ma.'11                      $160
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept. '11        40
                                                                ______
                                                                  $200
                                                                 ______
                        {Revolutionary Claim, 
                         Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by So. A Stebs    Clerk
Book E, Vol. 8  Page 111
Page 3

Date of death
not on A.B.
Page 4

State of New Jersey
Middlesex County ss:
  On this twenty 22d day of August Eighteen hundred and thirty two before me John S. Vandike one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Middlesex and State of New Jersey personally appeared Thomas Fourt a resident of the township of West Windsor in said County of Middlesex (who from bodily infirmity is unable to attend and appear in court) aged seventy five years the tenth of this month--who being duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of congress June 7, 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated --
  That he was born on the tenth day of August, 1757 in the township of Franklin in the County of Somerset and State of New Jersey his age is recorded in the family bible, which he has copied into his own family bible now per [illegible] he lived in the township of Franklin aforesaid when he entered the service and lived since the revolutionary war in the township of South Brunswick, Middlesex County till
Page 5

last Spring two years ago. He entered the service a volunteer militia man in the company of captain Peter Pommey - Major Baird - Col. Abraham Quick - Lieut Col. Henry Vandike = they  marched into New Brunswick-Newark and thence to New York City - The British fleet was there in sight - we staid some few days and were marched over into Bergen County and from thence to Elizabeth town point=He thinks that [illeg] Heard had command of the New Jersey militia - he was there in the month of July 177- for the declaration of Americans as  independence was read to us = they were at Elizabeth town some little time and were then marched to Bergen town in the County of Bergen in this State and remained there some considerable time - they were a few weeks stationed at [communipaid] not far from Beyers town - they were then marched to New:ark and remained there till the time of Washington's retreat to Pennsylvania = we were then marched from  New:ark to New Brunswick with the main army under Gen. Washington - Putman and Green - from New:Brunswick the militia were marched to Somerville thence to Penny town - and thence  to Slacks
Page 6

ferry on the Delaware - we crossed the river and remained  a short time and again recrossed and marched to Pennytown and staid there one week and thence to Sherred's ferry to take all the boats worth taking and what we left, we cut holes in the bottom. Major Grovener Hyde had command of the detachment to whose charge this [illegible] was committed - we carried the boats and lumber across the Delaware - this was in the month of December 1774 - and we were then directed to return home and recruit and get warm cloths - we remained at home till after the battle of Princeton and was called out and was in this company of captain Peter Pommey and [illegible] the bridge at Griggstown some time and then were stationed at six mile Run to [illeg] the British, who were then at New Brunswick - it was winter - and he remained doing duty at several places up to the time that the British left the City of New Brunswick which he thinks was in the months of June 1777= during the Summer of 1777 he marched up this Somerville thence to Baskin ridge and so to Morristown and from thence to Pompton where a fort was building for a place of deposit as the
Page 7

applicant understood - the only officer he can recollect was Captain William Baird - on this tour he was a month's= He then returned home and does not recollect of being called out, till he went out in the company of Captain Wm Jones - Lieutenant James Witlock and Ensign Albert Hoagland - we marched to Pennsylvania - then a place called the [illegible] billet - thence to new town thence to Germantown and were stationed above the town for some considerable time before the battle which was on the 4th day of October - New Jersey militia were under General Forman of Monmouth. The officers of the regular army, that he recollects - are General Washington - Putman and Green. After the battle he returned home. He next went out under Captain James Moore at Elizabeth town for one month=
He next served one month under Captain Morgan at [illeg]-
He was at the battle of [illegible] under Captain Wm Jones - the militia were under Colonel Henry Vandike - the battle took place on a very hot day in the month of June 1778-
He was afterward at the battle of
Page 8

Springfield under Captain Jones. The regular army moved off the night before the battle - under the command of Genl Washington. It was said, that the militia of Somerset were under the direction of Baron Steuben=the militia were driven off by the British, who burnt the town.
  He was called out when the Pennsylvania line revolted in 1781- under Captain William Jones. From the lapse of time and great bodily afflictions, which has affected his memory, he cannot recollect more distinctly than he has stated the times and places he has been in actual service during the revolutionary war but he is satisfied, that he was in such service as much as fourteen months. He has no documentary evidence. He refers to Henry Fourt and Captain James Moore to prove a part of his service and to the Rev David Comfort to whose congregation he belongs and to William Bickner, a respectable free holder residing in the township of West-Windson in the County of Middlesex with whom he at present lives for his character for truth and for the reputation. he has in the neighborhood for being a soldier in the revolutionary war, and he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever
Page 9

a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
 Sworn to and subscribed the day + year aforesaid before me John L. Van dyke - one of the judges of the inferiour court of Common pleas of the County of Middlesex}  Thomas Fort

Capt James Moore aged Eighty two years being duly sworn in his oath saith that he is well acquainted with Thomas Fort who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration-that the said Thomas Fort was a corporal in this deponents company and served in the revolutionary war was with him- the said Thomas Fort served at Elizabeth town one month from 26 of Feb. to the 28 of March 1778 in the regiment commanded by Col Sceley - as appears from the copy of a Pay Roll now in my possession and I have no doubt he did other services, but from the length of time elapsed, cannot now detail it -and further saith not -
Sworn and subscribed the day and year afor: before me John L. Vandyke one of the judges of the inferior court of Common pleas of the county of Middlesex}  James Moore
Page 10

We, David Comfort, a clergyman residing in Franklin township, Somerset County and William Bickner residing in the township of West-wind in Middlesex County hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Thomas Fourt, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declarations, that we believe him to be seventy five years old - that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he now resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
                   David Comfort   William Bickner
Sworn and subscribed the day + year aforesaid before me John L. Vandyke one of the judges of the inferior court of common pleas in and for the county of Middlesex}
and I, John S. Vandyke, judge of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Middlesex and State of New Jersey do hereby declare my opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories by the War Department hat the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states - and I do further certify that the said Thomas Fourt, the applicant, cannot fro mbodily infirmity attend the Court - and I do further certify, that it appears to me that David Comfort who has signed the preceding certi
Page 11

ficate is a clergyman resident in the township of Franklin in the county of Somerset and that the said applicant has for many years belonged to his congregation, and that William Bickner who has also signed the said certificate and Henry Fourt and Capt. James Moore examined as witnesses before me are entitled to credit. John S. Van dyke
I.F.S. Vanarsdalen, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Middlesex, do hereby certify that John S. Vandike Esquire is one of the judges of the said Court of Common Pleas (being a court [smudged]) and that the signature annexed to the foregoing proceedings in the matter of the application of Thomas Fourt for a pension is his genuine signature.
Page 12

Rev. & 1812
AWF:MLB    am

September 22, 1930

Mrs. C. R. Forbes
300 West Eighth Street
Rolls, Missouri

Dear Madam:

You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 13073, that Thomas Fort (pensioned Fourt), was born August 10, 1757, in Franklin Township, Somerset County, New Jersey.
  While residing in said township, he served in the New Jersey troops, as follows:
  From in June, 1776, six months in Captain Peter Pumyea's company, Colonel Abraham Quick's regiment; in 1777, five months in Captain William Jones' company.  He continued to serve in monthly tours until in 1781, under Captain William Jones, James Moore, Morgan, Probasco and Faulkner, and Colonels Seeley and Henry Vandike.  He was in the battles of Germantown, Monmouth, Springfield, and was out when  the Pennsylvania Line revolted.
   His services in all amounted to two years.
  After the Revolution, he lived in South Brunswick Township, and then moved to West Windsor Township, Middlesex County, New Jersey, where he was living when allowed pension on his application executed August 22, 1832.
  His brother Henry stated that he served with him a part of the time
  There are no further family data.
     Very truly yours

    E. W. MORGAN
   Acting Commissioner
Page 13

Supplemental declaration of Thomas Fourt an applicant for a pension named in paper number No 6619 -- State of New Jersey.
  Middlesex county Ss Personally appeared before me the subscribed one of the Justices of the Peace in + for said County Thomas Fourt who being duly sworn deposeth + saith that by reason of old age + the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of all his services yet to the best of his recollection he served not less than the period mentioned below in the following grades. He entered the service of the United States in June 1771 as a volunteer served six months in [illegible] without interception as a private under Captain Peter Pommey [illegible] Baird Col Abm Quick [illegible]: Col Van Dyke They were marched thro' New Brunswick in [illegible] to Pauly Hook + over to New York - The British fleet then were in the Bay - They then returned to Bergen County in N Jersey I remained in Esex + Bergen counties till the time of the retreat of the American Army under the Commander in chief [H    ] Putnam H[   ] and then were marched to Brunswick + the militia was marched to Somerville thence to the Delaware + crossed + recrossed that river + thence to Grinard's ferry with a detachment under _Colonel Grovenends(sp?) He took + destroyed four boats then crossed the Delaware again + were discharged + went home to get clothes [illegible] themselves. Immediately after the Battle of Princeton in the early part of 1777 he volunteered again + served five months in [illegible] as a volunteer + private under Captain P. Pommey + was stationed chiefly at the bridge at Griggstown + was part of the time at the old church at six mile run. Engaged all the while
Page 14

guarding in the vicinity of these places + [illegible] the enemy - protecting the defenceless families of the Inhabitants + their property, from the depredations of the plundering parties of the enemy - then at Brunswick under Cornwallis. Shortly in the [illegible] after the volunteers again  served one month under Captain William Baird + was marched up into the north of New Jersey at Pompton + was engaged there in building a fort in place of deposit. He does not recollect being out again until fifth of this year 1777 then volunteered + served one month under Capt Jones + Lieut Whitock then marched to [illegible]  in Genl Furman was in the battle at Germantown. Afterwards in the same year he volunteered again + served one month at Elizabeth town under Capt Moore + was engaged guarding the lines.  In the winter of '77 and '78 he volunteered again + served one month under Capt Morgan at Cheesequake and was there engaged during the month. He volunteered again when the enemy attempted to re-crop New Jersey in the summer of 1778 + served one month under Capt Jones + Col Van Dyke + was marched to Monmouth + engaged in that [illeg] contest. He afterwards in this year volunteered he distinctly recollects + served three terms of a month each under Captain Moore at Woodbridge Station + along the line guarding the scouts + matching the enemy stories. In 179 he served two tours of a month each under Capt Moore in the middle of the [illegible] Early in 1780 he performed three tours of a month each on the same station engaged as before - one term of a month under Capt Probasco + two tours of a month each under Capt Fulkerson. In the summer of 1780 he volunteered again + served a month under Capt Jones + was marched to [illegible] + was
Page 15

in that great battle, Washington commanded the regulars & Baron Steuben he thinks the militia-  He also well recollects being called upon & volunteering in the beginning of 1781 serving one month under Capt Jones at the time of the revolt of 1st Pennsylvania line at Morristown. He also recollects in addition to
the services specified of volunteering & being one month at Amboy in the year '80 under Capt Jones & engaged guarding along shore recollects one of his associates shooting down one of the enemy's guards across the river. He is sure he served even more than he has specified having served faithfully during the war
volunteering whenever his country demanded his services. He is & has always been very desirous of making his statement according as he believes is truth & heretofore limited his services very much below what he knows he served for the want of not being able to specify the particulars.   On further reflection and connection with others he is enabled to enlarge the amount of his services & in the particular which he has now done to the best of his recollection & for the services asks & hopes to receive full pension
               his
Thomas   X   Fourt
             mark

Sworn & subscribed this
24th July A.D. 1833
before me
Simon Mundy
Justice of the Peace
Page 16

 I Nicholas Booraem Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the County of Middlesex do hereby certify that ['Josiah Ford' crossed out] Simon Mundy is a Justice of the Peace in
& for the said County duly commissioned & that
his signature to the foregoing declaration is genuine

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this twenty fourth day of July Anno Domini Eighteen hundred & thirty three-
N Booraem Clerk
=
Page 17

Thomas Fourt
6619

Admd
24 mo.
_____
80$


James F. Randolph
New Brunswick
Page 18

No. 6.619
Thomas Fourt

admd

James F. Randolph
N Brunswick
N.J.
.
Page 19

BRIEF objection to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Thomas Fourt which require further proof or explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes

II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes

III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?

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

V. *Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amou[n]t of pension he is entitled?  No

VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes

VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes

VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes

X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes
Page 20

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

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

XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?

XIV. +If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? yes
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? yes- before the Judge

XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes-

XVI. ++Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?  Not properly attached--
otherwise correct-

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
----------------------------

EXPLANATORY NOTES.
*QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For [blank] year [blank] months and [blank] days, I served as a [blank].  For [blank] months and [blank] days, I served as a [blank] andfor such service I claim a pension."
Page 21

3

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the 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.

+QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he
must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which be belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.

++QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated 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 end 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.
Page 22

Rolla, Mo.
Aug. 7 -30

Another Inquiry

Name of Soldier - Thomas Fort
Res. at enlistment- Dover, New Jersey
Name of State "                     "         "
Res. after war of Rev.  Dover, New Jersey
Approx. date of birth-  1754
Approx. date of death- 1820


Mrs. C.R. Forbes
500 W. 8th St.
Rolla Mo

[stamp:] U.S. PENSION OFFICE AUG 9 1930
Page 23

1930 - Sept. 22 - Hist. to Mrs. C.R. Forbes  AWF

Rev War 13.073
INVALID.
------------
File No. __ 13.073 ____
___ Thomas Fo['u' crossed out]rt ___
__ Priv. Rev. War _____
--------------
Act: ___ June 7th 1832. ____
Index: -- Vol. ______, Page ______

[Arrangement of 1870.]

Thomas Fourt
Records corrected Jany 5/06
                                   8.---
Page 24

New Jersey
Middlesex County
application of
Thomas Fourt for
a pension under
act of June 1832
No.  6619
Page 25

Henry Fourt aged seventy six years- being duly sworn according to law saith that he is the brother of the said Thomas Fourt, who has sworn to and subscribed to the foregoing declaration- that this deponent and the said Thomas Fourt entered the company of Captain Peter Pommey- and they marched to New York - General Heard had the command of the militia-- we then came to Elizabeth the
command devolved on Gov. Livingston. He was along with the said Thomas Fourt when the militia were ordered to Pennsylvania and thinks
the statement of the said Thomas as to the route we took and what took place, as correct. that he was with the said Thomas Fort in the company of Peter Pommey captain and assisted
in guarding the bridge at Griggstown and were stationed at six mile Run as stated by the said Thomas Fort in his declaration. This deponent knows that the said Thomas Fort was at the battle of Germantown in the company of Captain William Jones. This deponent and the said Thomas Fort were together at the battle of
Monmouth in the company of
Capt. William Jones-
This deponent saw the said Thomas Fourt doing duty as a militia
Page 26

man at Springfield- and this deponent further saith, that the said Thomas Fort was out more than this deponent. the said Thomas went out on his own account and as a substitute for his master and thinks the said Thomas Fourt did
military duty in active service and in the American revolutionary war at least fourteen months-
Henry Fourt

Sworn to and subscribed
the day & year aforesaid
before me John S. Vandyke one of
the judges of the inferior Court of
common pleas in and for the County of Middlesex
-