Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 550, for Samuel Kirkendall, New Jersey
Page 1

(8 - 1776)
SERVICE
New Jersey
Kirkendall, Samuel
NUMBER
S. 550
carded
CONTENTS
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[crossed out: Set to John Linn
May 12 illegible]

(408)
New Jersey, R
Samuel Kirkendale*
Captain of a company of the New Jersey militia in the service US during the Revolutionary War.
---
Ratio of disability, Total
Time of closing the itinerary}
10. March 1818
---
Inscribed on the roll of New Jersey
at 20 dollars per month, to commence on the
10th of March,1818.
---
Certificate of pension issued the 19 of April 1819 and sent to the Pensioner Knowlton,
Sussex New Jersey
---
Increased Invalid pension
[illegible] 3 of March, 1819

Arears from the 10 Mar: 1818 to
March 1819 [illegible] 26/31 months of $20}
236.77
Amt paid [crossed out: for] to 10 Mar 1818
to 4 Mar 1819 at $10 per mo:} 118.38
Dif. between Original & increased}
pension on 4th Mar. 1819} $118.39
Mo. ending 4th [illegible] 1819 $120.
$238.39
Samuel Kirkendall
Records corrected June [illegible]
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To the Honorable -
the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States in Congress Assembled. -

The memorial of the subscriber a citizen of the State of New Jersey [crossed out: and]
in the county of Sussex humbly herewith. -
That during the Revolutionary war I took an early and decided stand in favour of our American Independance, and was frequently called on to defend its cause - living on the frontiers I had many serious conflicts to encounter, - the Indians in the rear the English in front [underlined: and the most of all] the Tories in the centre shrouded in midnight darkness; and having had the honor
of a Judicial appointment as well as a military commission I became an object for their destruction - notwithstanding my zeal for Independence became more and more inflamed. - I together the with many of our copatriots finally routed the Tories orders from their dens and secret recesses, some of which was shot I others hung - In the month [crossed out: illegible] of December 1776.  A Gen. order from his Excellency Geo. Washington was issued for all the militia of New Jersey to be called out in service of our country, among many patriotic Whigs I freely turned out but unfortunately on the 17th of December at the Battle of Springfield I got wounded by a musket ball, in my right arm and hand, and [crossed out: was] am thereby disabled from doing military duty. - documents of which will
appear by the enclosed affidavit of Col. John Cleves Symmes and a Certificate from the Court of General Quarter Sessions of the peace
for the County of Sussex duly certified.

Your memorialist further represent to your
Honorable body that at the time I where wounded I had the honor of commanding a company of militia and was
Page 4

duly commissioned - and agreeably to a Resolution of Congress and the acts of the assembly of New Jersey I was entitled to receive half pay as a captain which was twenty dollars per month. But unfortunately for me in consequence of my having discomfited the Tories as above put fourth for my application to the Legislature of New Jersey a brother in law, and relative to many of the Tories was a member of the house from my own county; his being exasperated for my treatment to his Brethren, by many false representations, and
me to get quarter pay, instead of half pay, as by resolve of Congress I was justly entitled-

Your memorialist further states that owing to many [illegible] & sacrifices by him during the war, he has been struggling ever since to satisfy his creditors, and to support a large family; but finally has had his property sold by the Sheriff to pay his debts, and become very poor, - he is aged and very infirm, and totally unable to do any kind of labour for his support, and that of an aged wife - your memorialist, convinced of the equity & justness of [crossed out: his] a claim on his country, with becoming infirmed, humbly pray that your honorable body, will take his case into serious consideration; and grant him such relief as your wisdom may direct, - and as in duty bound will ever pray
Knowlton March 10th 1818 - Samuel Kirkendall
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COPIED BY ADY
[illegible initials]
January 17, 1929.
Honorable E. C. Finney,
Department of the Interior,
Washington, D. C.

My dear Mr. Finney:
In response to your request of the 18th instant,
in behalf of Colonel Edward Clifford, of 1331 G Street, N. W., this city, relative to Samuel Kikendall (or Kirkendall) of New Jersey, War of the Revolution, I advise you that this bureau has no record of bounty land having been granted a soldier by that name.
However, the records show that one Captain Samuel Kirkendall of Sussex County, New Jersey was allowed pension on account of disability resulting from wounds received in the battle of Springfield, War of the Revolution.
It is suggested that Colonel Clifford apply to
The Adjutant General of the State of New Jersey, Trenton, New Jersey, for further information relative to bounty land that may have been granted by that state.
Very truly yours,
WINVIELD SCOTT,
Commissioner
[illegible handwritten note or signature]
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INVALID.
File No. 55
[handwritten sideways and underlined: Rev War]
Samuel Kirkendall,
Capt. Rev. War.
Act. March 9, 1819
Index: - Vol. [illegible], Page 206
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Samuel Kirkendall*
Records corrected June 22/06
[illegible initials]

[Right top of page:]
1929. Jan 17. Hon. [illegible initials and name] 
advised relative to land. Inquiry in behalf of
Col. E. Clifford [illegible initials]
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[Handwrtten note:] Mrs Finch
Can you find anything on this - or any suggestions?
[signature] Black
[stamp] OFFICE OF
THE COMMISSIONER
Jan 10 1929
U.S. BUREAU OF PENSIONS
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[handwritten note:] American State papers searched
No widows claims - June [illegible] 1926
[signature illegible]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
OFFICE OF THE FIRST ASSISTANT SECRETARY
WASHINGTON
January 16, 1929.
Col. Scott:
Is there any record of this grant in your files?
[illegible signature]

Col. Edward Clifford, 1331 G St., NW., Washington, D. C., formerly Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, has made inquiry as to whether
there is any record in this Department of a
grant of lands in New Jersey made to his ancestor, Samuel Kikendall (or Kirkendall), who
fought in the Revolutionary War. He remembers the old folks of the family saying there was such a grant. Col. Clifford is considering membership in the Sons of the Revolution and in that connection desires to obtain all information possible concerning
the alleged grant.  If there is no record in this Department, can any suggestion be made as to the proper official in New Jersey with whom Col. Clifford should communicate?

[seal: Office OF THE COMMISSIONER
JAN 16 1929
BUREAU OF PENSIONS]
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Commission to
Abraham Clark's
                              Hon. Mr. Linn
Samuel Hayes [illegible]

[blurred signature: "John Linn"]
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District of New Jersey [illegible initials]:
To Abraham Clark & Samuel Hayes, Physicians & Surgeons. The District Judge of the United States for the New Jersey District reposing special confidence in your abilities doth hereby [illegible] request you to examine Samuel Kirkendall a Pensioner of the United States and now a petitioner for an increase of said pension and certify under your respective [illegible] the nature of his wound or wounds if any, and how for the same disabled him from getting a [illegible] by [illegible] of [illegible]

Witness my hand and the seal of the said
District Court at Newark this twelfth day of February in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighteen.
[signature] William S. Pennington
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January 2 1849
J.L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions [illegible]

In behalf of the heirs of Capt Samuel Kirkendall formerly of Sussex County in New Jersey, & who was a captain in the Service of the United Sates during the war of the revolution, I desire to know if there be any records in the Pension office, which show that he was ever entitled to a pension & if so whether,  or not having received the same in his life time, his heirs would be entitled to it after his death.

Any information that can be obtained from your office relative to this matter will be thankfully received
[illegible]
Sussex Co NJ
Yours
 [illegible: signature]
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War Department 
April 1st 1818
Sir,
In answer to your note of the 28 [illegible] the [illegible] to state that Mr. Samuel Kirkendall was placed on the roll of Invalid Pensions U. States for the State of New Jersey, in obedience to the law of the 23d March 1796 at the rate of ten dollars per month, and that there are now no documents on file in this Department which afford any further information in relation to this gentlemen's application.  His memorial is herewith returned.

I have the Honor to be 
Very respectfully, Sir,
Your most [illegible]
[signature] J. C. Calhoun

Honorable Mr. Noble
Chairman, Committee of Pensions & [illegible] Claims, Senate - U. States
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John Linn
May 12 '49
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Pension Office
May 12th 1849
Sir
In answer to your letter of the 2nd January last, reflecting the case of Samuel Kirkendall, I have to inform you that we cannot discern any evidence in this office that would entitle him to a Pension for his services in the Revolutionary War.  It appears from his declaration upon which his Invalid Pension was [illegible] that
he entered the same in the Militia of New Jersey in the month of December 1776 and at
the battle of Springfield on the 17th of that month he was wounded in the hand and arm
which [crossed out: so] disabled him [crossed out: that he] from doing Military duty afterwards.  Children have no claims to pensions in their own right, they are the recipients merely of any amount in unpaid balance that may have been due then Parents at his or her death-
We know of no balance now due in this case
[sideways signature] John Linn, Esq
Declaration
Sussex Co
NJ
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War Dept Pension Office
March 23d 1878

Sir,
By direction of the Secretary of War, I have
the honor to return to you the documents in
support of Capt. Saml Kirkendall claim to increase of pension and to inform you that it is not within the powers of the War Department
to manage the pensions of those officers & soldiers deriving their pensions from Congress. The proper course will be to lay his papers before the Committee of Pensions & Revolutionary Claims.  Mr. Kirkendall's present allowance is ten dollars per month. - from the documents now enclosed, he is fairly entitled
to total disability, & which to his rank, would entitle him by the Court, to [underlined: twenty] Dollars per month.  [illegible] final impact

Honorable Mr. Linn
of New Jersey
House of Rep U. States

I have the Honor to the Sec
Your most [illegible]
[signature underlined] George Boyd
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The Hon
The Secretary at War
Washington
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Mr. Abraham Clark & Samuel Hayes Physicians & Surgeons appointed by the Honorable William S. Pennington Judge of the District Court of the United States for the [crossed out: United] New Jersey District Commissioners to examine Samuel Kirkendall a Petitioner for an increase of Pension from the United States, Report our opinion as follows.
That [illegible] reflecting his hand by which the [illegible] signature [illegible] for [illegible] 
that the [illegible] incapable of performing any 
services [illegible] with the right [illegible] 
Abraham Clark
&
Samuel Hayes

Abraham Clark & Samuel Hayes [illegible]
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[illegible] herewith send to the Honorable The Secretary at War the foregoing report according to the form of the Act of Congress in this case made and provided.

[illegible] February 12th [illegible]
Abraham Clark
Samuel Hayes
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Exemplification from the Minutes of the Court of
Quarter Sessions of Sussex County, New Jersey - in the case of Capt. Samuel Kirkendall -
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At a Court of General Quarter Sessions of the Peace held at Newton in and for the County of Sussex the fourth Tuesday in May 1780 it being the 23 day.
Present Timothy Symmes  }
              Isaac Martin         }     Esquires
              Daniel Predmore  }
                             et all . . . }

Captain Samuel Kirkendall having presented a Certificate to this Court signed by Colonel John Cleves Symmes Esq. setting forth that on the seventeenth day of December in the year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred and seventy six, he then having the command
of the militia from the County of Sussex in the State of New Jersey [illegible] at Chatham in the said State, with other Battalions of militia forming a Brigade under the command of Colonel Jacob Ford, when Colo. Ford had advice that the British troops to the number of
eight hundred men under the command of Gen. Leslie had advanced to Springfield within four miles of Chatham, Colo. Ford thereupon ordered him to proceed to Springfield and check the approach of the Enemy if possible.
According to orders he marched to Springfield with a detachment of the Brigade and attacked the Enemy in Springfield that evening. In the skirmish Captain Samuel Kirkendall of the
Sussex Militia was wounded in the hand, his hand was split by a musket shot from his middle finger to his wrist by which wound
he has lost the use of his right hand. Upon which the said Captain Samuel Kirkendall presented a Certificate from the Court for half
pay & [illegible]. Whereupon the Court upon considering the said Certificate and the situation of the said Captain Samuel Kirkendall do certify that the said Captain Samuel Kirkendall is entitled to receive the half of a Captains pay from the said seventeenth day of December one thousand seven hundred and seventy six mentioned in the said Certificate of Colo Symmes agreeable to the Resolution of
Congress and the act of Assembly in this case made & provided.  
And the Court do further Certify that the said Captain Samuel Kirkendall is capable of doing Guard or Garrison duty in the Corps of Invalids -
In testimony that the foregoing is truly copied
from the minutes of the Court remaining in
Sussex County Clerks Office in the State of New Jersey.
I John Johnson Clerk of the said Court have to, 
these [illegible] subscribed my name & affixed
the seal of my said Office the twenty seventh Day of January Eighteen hundred and twelve -
[signature (underlined): John Johnson]
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[Left side of Page]:
67
[Illegible]

Petition of
Samuel Kirkendall
of New Jersey, who
was Captain of Militia
in the Revolutionary War,
& is now [illegible] 
--------------------------
1818. March 25 [illegible]
and referred to [illegible] on Pensions.
-------------------------
Insert in the Pension file, an increase
of $10.00

[Right side of Page]:
Petition of Samuel Kirkendall