Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 6295, Abraham Van Neste, New Jersey
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
New Jersey
CONTENTS

Van Neste, Abraham

NUMBER
S.6295
Carded
Page 2

17.675(6 ?)
New Jersey
-
Abraham Van Neste –
Hillsboro
in the State of N J
was a Captain
commandedel

of the Reg commanded
Col Quick
in the N J Militia –
2 years
---
-
on the Roll of N J –
rate of 480 Dollars — Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

[indeciberable] of Pension issued the 28 day of Augt 1833
and sent L Condict
Morristown, N.J.
[indecipherable] to the 4th of March 33 $9
[indeciperhable] allowance ending Sep. 4
240
$1200
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
[indecipherable] by E D Bullock Clerk
Vol. 3 Page 137
Page 3

[indecipherable left column]
letters to P. A. & Han. 
Nov. 12. 1833 do to [indecipherable]
Nov. 28. 1833 – suspension
Page 4


State of New Jersey
County of Somerset
On this fifteenth day of August A.D. 1832
Personally appeared in open Court before the Judges
of the Court of Common pleas of the County of Somerset
now sitting. Capt Abraham Van Neste a resident
of Hillsborough Township in the County of Somersel
and State of New Jersey aged Eighty two 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 act of Congress
passed June 7th 1832. That he entered the
service of the United States in the Militia of
New Jersey under the following named officers
and served as herein stated, Abraham Quick
Lieut Col Henry Van Duck Capt Henry Pro
as and Lieut James Van Duyn
of Capt Henry Probascos Company at the first
organization of the Malitia at the commencement
of the Revolution - and was on duty one month
at Bridgtown near Elizabeth Town, and one
Month at Perth Amboy N.J. after which
the British took possession of New Brunswick
N.J. Genl Howe issued a Proclamation
inviting all persons to come to him and take
protection, the said Capt. Henry Probasco and
Lieut James Van Duyn (of the said company to
which I belonged) took, Protection under
Genl Howe, whereby they forfected their
Page 5

Commissions; when a new election for officers
took place, and I was Elected Capt of said Company
formerly Commanded by Capt Henry Probasco
in the spring of the year 1777 in which office
I continued untill after the conclusion of the
Revolutionary War, in the Month of November
of December went in Company with Col. John
Neilson, Frederick Frelinghuysen and others to
Pennsylvania and volunteered as privates under
Genl Mercer, and served under him at the
Capture of the Hessians at Trenton in N. Jersey
after which recrossed the Delaware River at
Keys Ferry in the same boat with General
Washington and Frederick Frelinghyson
In the month of October in the year 1777 I went
to Pennsylvania and served as Capt at the Battle of
Germantown in Col Vrooms Regiment and
Genl Furmans Brigade - and thinks it was
one Monthly tour at the time I volunteered
under Genl Mercer done one and a half month
Duty in June 1778 was at the Battle of
Monmouth and served as
Captain in said Battle in Genl Dickerson
Division and served one Month Tour
in the year 1780. served as Capt at the Battle of
Springfield N.J. under Col. John Taylor of
Hunterdon County and Barron Stuben
and saw the Enemy set fire to Village
of Springfield-- was out one Monthly Four
at the time. Served three Monthly
Page 6

ours in Bergen County N.Y. of which Monthly
Town Commonhough- one Monthly
and
do
Four at Bergen Neck one at Bergen Town of
the three in Bergen Co
one at aquacanack Bridge - under Fred Frelinghyson but cannot say what commission he held at the time - served three
months at least and thinks it may have
been more at Elizabeth Town - and served
two or three monthly tours at New ark-
Cannot say which - nor do not recolect
under what officers the several above
Tours where performed - also served
one Monthly Four at Griggs Town Bridge
do not recollect the officers that commanded
but was their at the time Maj Benjamin
Baird died, in all the tours I served
as Capt, except the Tours of Bridgtown and
North Amboy in which I served as Ensign
and as a private when I volunteered under
Genl Mercer. I was so near the Enemies
Lines when at my residence that I was
frequently called out on special emmergencies and continually under orders
to be ready to march at a minutes
warning-- I resided when I entered the
Service in the Township of Franklin
in the County of Somerset and State
Page 7

New Jersey - was born in the year 1750
in April - have resided in Somerset
County and State of New Jersey ever since
Entered the service at the commencement
of the Revolution- except about five
years that I resided in Hunterdon County in the State of New Jersey and
about five years in Middlesex County
New Jersey - my residence out of
Somerset County was long since the
Revolutionary war-
The commission that I held as
insign the date of the same and by
whome signed I cannot recollect-
The Commission I held as Captain
was dated in the Spring of the year
1777 and was signed by Governor
Livingston of New Jersey - Both of
which Commissions are either lost or
Missland. I have not any record
of my age - -
I hereby relinquish every claim whatever
to a Pension or annuity except the present
and declare that my name is not on the
pension roll of the agency of any State.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
A. Gaston
Abm Van Neste
Page 8

Somerset County ss Personally appeared before me the
Subscriber one of the Justices of the Peace in the said County
John Baird a holding now in his pension as such
a Captain of the Revolution, in
the seventy eighth year of his age who being duly sworn
on his oath faith that he is has been well acquainted with
Captain Abraham has rest who has for the
enjoy declaration from early life - that he
he that said bar net was a soldier office of
the revolution - that in the earlier period of the war
he was an Ensign & served as such in the year 1776
in the firing he thinks of 1777 he was elected
Captain in the room of & as successor to retain
Probasco & served as such the years 17778
179 30 1 Set and to the law of the war
that he saw him at request in each of the
years numerated and knows that he is a
not deal faithfully - he believes that he
always served his regular tour, which we
from John to fire tons at least every year
his regular tour being on her situation necesarily compelled to sen a case of alarms on
Mersercies. He takes pleasure a fayer
that left an that was a faithful I efficient
her a valuable friend to the cause of his County
and has always as a man sustain a righ
reputation for truth veracity and probity
and that his statement in relation to his service,
obliged to credit
all be over to
the 20th Sept. 14153 before
John Baird
John Perham Justice of the peace
I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Capt
John Baird who has parted from to the preceeding affidant
that he is a man of truth socity & that his statement
may be relied upon John Terhune
Page 9

Somerset County personally appeared before me the liber
one of the relies of the Peace of said County Peter Monfort
the seventy one of his age a soldier of the revolution
receive a pension as such her duly from
on his oath saith that he is has been acquainted with
Captain Abraham has to assign the
foregoing declaration supplemental declaration,
from early life-- that writing that he resided a
near neighbour of the said last man he well recollect
that at the Jail organization of the militia 1770
he was an Ensign in Captains company
such regiment of the counsel militia served as such
the year 1776 & the in the ⌨ of 1777 left Praser
having forfeited his commission of the protection
any the wish or Pension in Howe was
duly elected Captain from that period of the one of the
war he acted as Captain honestly of faithfully
he will recollects having resided all the war within a few
hundred yards of Capt Va hats house that said the part
other serving as he is in the winter of 1776 277 was absent
was attached to Genl Washington's army was at the
caption of the Nepean as I was then informed has always
orderstood-- there at his election as Captain in the prey
of 1777 I recollect he served as Captain in that year several
town of a month each above the Millstone under Col Luce
In the face of 1777 I recollect serving at least a town of
one half months under him he actiy as leftain was
marched to Pomery Marian was in the table of Glenaston
in the Col Vrose to Genl I rement began, Howell
remember that it was not only along but a from said
duty in the year 1775 he knows that his far hat as
Captain named several town of a month each of the
eastern part of the late war in this year the performed
another town of a month as captain for he was with him
both in the various tours or to
Genl Dickenson was handed to but Jury
Page 10

thence to Monmouth was in that lot five contal
In the year 1779 he Lapt War he also served a
town as Captain Bern County and Col Prelinghington
seal the sins of the Millstone as Captain
in the year 1780 he knows the Captain or at her
formed two or three tours of a month last as Captain
Each any of the Elisabeth town Station under
Smith act recollects also in this year that
said has had as Captain performe tom of a
month at the period of the hill at said
was in it. In the Succendey years he so
that said Far West as captain and seal to
in each of the years in farther pay under Col
in a favor by son Woodland therwill
and in that pation of the State. He shows as he
as before remarked that he resided near Capt bar his
that left the net purpose the town paper
Mary more being always ready willers- He
know that said war hast done a great deal of it
service or claims emergencies-- that he was an
the efficient friend to his country in her case
awarded him at his property this life. He cannot
forbear adding that to be his indefatigable exections
as an office may be in his charret as a man
Being sionally esteemed wherever shown as a man
of truth I prolity & that his statement in relation
to his services is entitled to full credit
charter from to
the 20th
for me on June
Monfort
Justice of the Peace
I hereby certify that Peter Monfort who has signed Sworn to
the immediately preceeding affidavit is one of our most respectable
Citizens-- a man high esteem in his truth & veral &
that his statement may be relied on
John Terhune
Page 11

John M. Mann Clerk of the Inferior Court of
Common Pleas of the County of Somerset do hereby
certify that the going annexed papers contain the
supplemental declaration & proceeding in the matter
of the application of Abraham Van Neste for a pension
do further certify that Peter P Staats I John M Mann Esquires before whom the former papers in
take executed on Justices of the Peace in for said
County of Jement duly commissioned Sworn and
that the signature affixed thereto are genuine in
then our hand writing
In witness whereof I have hereunto
set my hand seal of office this
twenty second day of August in the
year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred & thirty three-
J. M. Mann
Page 12

Abraham Van Neste
brief sent.
where is it?
there
Captain
2 years
$480
[Hon] L Condict.
Page 13

We John L. Labriskie Clergyman residing in the [crossed out: County] Township of Hillsborough in the County of Somerset and State of New Jersey and Abraham Voorhees, residing in said County, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Capt. Abraham Van Neste, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be Eighty two years of age- that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood [crossed out: to be] where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.

Swon and subscribed the day and year aforesaid

[Signatures]
John L. Labriskie
Abraham J Voorhees
Ames Gaston
Page 14

This is to certify that I the subscriber Peter Montfort of Franklin Township County of Somerset and State of New Jersey- do know that Capt. Abraham Van Neste of Hillsborough Township and Somerset County and State of New Jersey- done Duty as Captain in the Militia in the Regiment commanded by Col. Abraham Quick- from about April in the year seventeen hundred and seventy seven till the end fo the revolutionary war- and that I served under him when he done duty as Captain in the Battles of Germantown in Pennsylvania and Monmouth in New Jersey-

Sworn to and subscribed this fifteenth day of August 1832- 

[Signatures]
P. Montfort
Ames Gaston

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interagatorries 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 John L. Labriskie who has signed the proceding certificate is a Clergyman resident in the Township
Page 15

of Hillsborough Somerset County and state of New Jersey- and that Abraham Voorhees who has also signed the same is a resident of the county of Somerset and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit

[Signature]
Ames Gaston
W. L. Rodgers
[illegible]

State of New Jersey
Somserset County ss.

I John M. Mann clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for the county of Somerset do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the
Page 16

application of Abraham Van Neste for a pension - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this fifteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two-

[Signature]
J. M. Mann

No 4.549
Page 17


office ye guarding and also a tour of a month
1778 one tour of a month under the and of
relation and also served as he survey
under him two true of a month the mere 1778
as being the time at Rosa Quibble toknow
from my situation that left far not
his regular to bring the war this
election that he had more than his regular
his his always sandy Miller - that he
was a truly a good soldier efficient office
that he is a man well esteem in his County
for his track veracity & intensity to his
statement in relation to his feet
be turly lies upon Isaac huff
Subscribed or to
the day year aforesaid
Peter P Staats Justice of the peace
Somerset County personally appeared before me the
subscriber one of the Justices of the Peace in for said
County Cornelius D Howe aged Seventy six years
a soldier of the revolution who being duly from
on his oath faith that he is has been will be
painted with Capt Shaw her not who has
Signed the pregoing declaration from all life
that for her best wa a Solder of the revolution
an officer, that he was elected Capt 1777
as part of that period to the end of the
he hath no under a Captain
town of a month each at Newark under Major
Hear lot Smile guarded there- that he
house bar has lived as last always faith
was an officer good true-- is a man of track and
that to almost reliance can be placed on his latement.
share pro to
the day in aprised
Peter Staats Justice of the peace
Com I Lowe
Page 18

Somerset County ⎬ Personally appeared before me
September one of the Justices of the Peace in said
County Aaron Hageman who being duly from
on his oath saith that in is has been well acquaint
with Capt Wm Var not who has signed the
forgoing declaration from early life - that
said Van Ness was elected Capt Hy 77
far as not afterwards during the war
that he can in on him he acting as alter
two ours of a months in 1777 the midden
of the State on the west side of the late
up along the river and also a town of a month
early in the year 1780 on the west side of the late
de in as captain as before, waiving all the
give and 181 he also served two tour in a
month each under him he acting as Captain in
New Jeney aged sword, that part of
the jury under he thinks to & with & for
that his far best served faithfully held
afficiently as Captain - that he is one of our most
pectable citizens in Lee County - his esteemed
& served as a man of truth & veracity & that is
statement is entitled to full credit
tered into
day & year aforesaid
⎬
Aaron Hageman
Peter Staats Justice of the peace
-
Somerset County Personally appeared before me the
Subscriber one of the Justices of the Peace in for said
County James D. Perrin in the 80th year of his age
a soldier of the revolution who being duly from on
his oath saith that he is has been well acquainted with
Capt Abraham Van Nest who has in the
foregoing declaration in early life - that he was a
Captain in the war of the revolution elected in 1777
in that rood served faith, all as such during
Page 19

the war - that he served with and he hereby
as Captain-- that he served a tour of a monte
at Ranton Landing & 1177 by the said
Millston I also be find the town & under
him as captain of the Elizabeth town Station
under Col and he thinks he that lation
and also in the same way he soon or near
in the year 1781 at the Elisabeth town plation
chiefly under Col will - that said a part
was an active efficient captain-- is a
man, freely esteemed for his sake for a city ┃
that his statement is entitled to full cedit
Subscribe on to
the day & year aforesaid
Peter P Staats
Justice of the peace ⎬
James D Perrine
Somerset County ss Pasonally appeared before me
the like one of the Justices of the Peace in for said
County or other the my duty from or his
oath saith that he is has been well acquainted with
Captain Abraham Van Nest who has in the
pregoing declaration-- Bro Caly life-- that
he has served with under lie that said he must
was elected Captain in 1777 on that period
hand as Captain during the war - the third
under him a tour of a mine 178 between here
with John in that vicinity and
said that his father was a ford
an efficient Office - that he is a man of
truth that his statement may be relied upon
subsciber fron to
the day year aforesaid
Peter P Starks
Simon Tyler
Mark
Justice of the peace-
Witness Present
John Shop
Page 20

Somerset County Personall appeared before me the
Subscriber one of the Justices of the Peace in afor said
County Henry H Schenck a Soldier of the revolution
aged Seventy three years who being duly sworn on his
oath saith that he is has been well acquainted with
Captain Abraham has but from early life
who has five the pregoing declaration - that
he was a captain in the War of the revolution
elected in 1777 from that live served as first
being the war in Col Swifts regiment of that
at Albany the was attached to the same
regiment. He recollects that said war hast fund
of Captain too of month 1778 due at
the battle of Monmouth during the time was
marched to Burlington Court, thence to aller
town there to Monmouth I well recollects
it was a said even to-- that he served
as act Captain in the year 1771 78 1790 and
recollect the year and a tour of a month
satan was marched as I was
that engagement. He is in that her but
was a Captain performed his full times
may peace cities or excercies-- was
faithful I indefatigable Captain Labray
dead willing that he is was universally
esteemed thereon house for his track probit
that his statement is entitled to a cadit
hatter front
the day year presaid
Henry H. Schenk
Peter P Staats Justice of the peace
Thereby certify that John V. Middlesworth, Abraham Wilmack
Isaac Huff, Cornelius D one, Aaron Hynman, James
Simon Strykee & Henry R. Church who has signed the foregoing
affidavits in all respectable citizens of Somerset-- all men of
truth & veracity then statements entitled to credit & belief
Peter P Staats Justice of the peace.
Page 21

To Philip Dickinson
Pres't Trenton Bank
and Pens. Agent
Trenton, N.J.

Copy: War Dept – Pension Office –
Nov. 12, 1833.

Sir,
Be pleased to stop the payment
of the pension of Capt. Abraham
Van Neste, a pensioner under the
Act of June 7, 1832, until further instructions.

signed (Com. of Pens)
Page 22

Copy: War Dept – Pension office –
Nov. 28, 1833

Sir,
The suspension of the case of
Abraham
Van Neste, is removed.
He is dead. The money due
may be paid on the production
of the proper vouchers
(no sig.)

To Phil. Dickinson Esq
Pension Agent
Trenton, N..J.
Page 23

M. J.
Abraham Van Neste S. 6295

Remove these pieces before visitors or searchers
are permitted to read the other papers. The reason for suspension of pension is nothing but a suspicion & not even that is explained. Perhaps some enemy reported something. Just as well not air the insinuation. The pension was restored and his widow received the last payment of his
pension –
[signature illegible]
Page 24

'---
Copy War Dept. Pension Office, Nov. 12, 1833
To Hon. L. Conduit
have to request that you will be so good
as to inform me whether you are personally acquaint
ed with Capt. Abraham Van Neste, of Hillsborough
to Somerset County.
I am inclined to think that there is something
very suspicious in his case and I should
wish very much to got a statement in his own handwriting
respecting his service. An early answeris

requested. I have suspended the payment of
his pension-
I have the honor
no sig-
Morristown, N.J.
---
Page 25

RevWar
6295
INVALID.
our
File No. 6295
Abraham Van Neste
Captain Rev War
Act: June 7th 1832.
Index: -- Vol. [indecipherable; VN?], Page 387
Arrangement of 1870.
Page 26


NOV 16
Jas L.
free
Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of
Washington
Pensions
Page 27

Morristown, N Jersey, Nov 16th 
33.

Dear Sir,

I rec’d your favor of the [in] asking information concerning Capt Abraham Van Neste of Hillsboro, Somerset, adding that suspicion was so strong against him, that you had suspended payment of his pension. —
His character will stand the severest scrutiny to which you may incline to subject it. No man stands [far] (fairer?) for purity of life, & unsullied integrity. This is the first impeachment of it which has ever come to my knowledge.–  He lives some 20 miles from me but his character has by been known to me & I have the pleasure of some personal acquaintance with him also. – Many of my intimate friends are his near neighbours, without being related, or connected with him.

I understand you wish for "a statement of his services in his own handwriting"  If this be indispensible to his restoration, it is useless to wait or expect it. When I saw him on my way to commencement, at Princeton College in [indecipherable], he had been bedridden for several months, & I do not believe he will ever leave his room, until taken from it to his grave. – He was paralytic, & rec'd all his food in his bed, at the hand of his wife or daughter. – I would hope they might be spared the pain of an imputation against his character. Poor as he now is, he could not be tempted by the Treasury(?), to declare to a known falsehood. The late Genl. Frelinghuyson, his old Commander, had a high regard for Van Neste. – He spent his life near him – & I can, with pleasure, refer you to any & all the old people
who know him, to test his integrity & moral worth. Our present Senator Frelinghuysen, was born & reared to manhood near him, & knows him well. – Our present Governor (Vroom) lives within 6 or 8 miles of him, & if desirable, I will ask them, or any others you may name in Somerset, to certify concerning him.
I would write more at large respecting this worthy old man – but having a fractured arm, I
must defer it. – Please inform me, whether or not any thing further is required.

Yours respectfully

Lewis Condict,
Page 28

Jas. L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Present.
Page 29

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Washington Nov. 28th 1833–
J.L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Sir,
We have seen with regret your letter of the
12th [with] (mo(n)th?) suspending payment of the pension of the late Capt. Abraham Van Neste
of Somerset, N. Jersey, on the ground that "there is something very suspicious
in his case".–  We are willing you should institute any investigation which you
may deem proper & necessary, & pledge ourselves to aid your efforts to detect & punish
any & every fraud attempted against your office in our district & State.– at the 
same time, we deem it our duty to assure you, that Mr. Mollison of New Brunswick, 
who drew the amended Declaration & took the testimony in the case, is a
Gentleman of high &  honorable standing, & could not be prevailed on to lend himself
to any individual to defraud the government.– Captain Van Neste led a long
life of unsullied honor & integrity, & we challenge the world to fasten a stain upon
his reputation.–  Sincerely believing the Claimant & the claim to be honorable
& just, we desire to be informed (if the request be a proper one) what is the
nature of the charge, & who is it author.–
Capt. Van Neste died about the 15th or 20th Novr & his memory
& character are dear to his aged widow & children. For their sake we wish to
know the nature & origin of these suspicions, especially since they seem to have
made an impression on your mind, unfavorable to the claim.
Very respectfully
your [M. Gent]
Lewis Condict
Jn F Randolph