Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 10,830, Peter Vanauken, Penn.
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Penn.
Vanauken, Peter
NUMBER
R.10.830
CONTENTS
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State of Pennsylvania}
Pike County ss.}
 On this twenty eighth day April Eighteen hundred and thirty five before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Pike County now sitting personally appeared Peter Vanauken a resident of the Township of Milford in the County and State
aforesaid aged sixty nine years 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 passed June 7th 1832. The Deponent says that from the information received from his parents he was born in the County of Northampton (now Pike) in the State
aforesaid, and has continued to reside in said County from his infancy up to the present period with the exception of about ten years. This deponent further states that from the information he received from his parents he was born on the
twelfth day of September seventeen hundred and sixty six and that there is a record of his age, in the possession of his brother who resides in the western part of the State of New York as he has been informed. That he lived in the County where he now resides when he entered into the service of the United States. that he attached himself to the company of Capt [Captain] Jacob Dewitt in Col Strouds Regiment of Pennsylvania Militia as a volunteer in the month of April seventeen hundred & Seventy nine. that he was stationed at a place called Fort Defiance during which year he remained there for the space of six months the service of this deponent consisted in traversing the ┃
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mountains with others in order to gain and give information respecting the movement of the hostile Indians who were frequently making inroads and incursions upon our people, said Fort Defiance is situated on the western bank of the Delaware River in Pike County Pennsylvania at which place this deponent was stationed in manner aforesaid to protect the inhabitants during that year Colonel Brandt who commanded the Indians and Tories burnt the Fort in Orange County in the State of New York and the inhabitans [inhabitants] were drove to Fort Defiance for the safety of
their lives - on the morning following Fort Defiance was attacked by Colonel Brandt and his troops who after a siege of a few hours were repulsed by us and compelled to retreat across the Delaware and join their main party in Orange County this was a few days previous to the fatal battle of
Minisink, that in the winter of that year he returned home for a short time and in the spring following (viz) seventeen hundred and eighty in the month of April he returned to the defence [defense] of the same fort under the same officers where he served in manner aforesaid for the space of six months at least and that in the spring of the year seventeen hundred and eighty one he again returned to the defence [defense] of said for under the same officers where he 
continued to serve in the manner aforesaid for at least six months. That all the officers under whom this deponent served are dead to the best of this deponent belief that he never received any discharge from the said Officers
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that this deponent is known to Cornelius Middaugh and Jacob Lott of Milford township Pike County who will testify to his character for truth and veracity and Revolutionary
services that there is no clergyman living in the vicinity of this applicant with whom he is acquainted and he hereby relinquishes all claim whatsoever to a pension or Annuity
except the present he declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of any agency in any state. Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
J. H. Broadhead Proty [Prothonotary]
his
Peter X Vanaukin
mark

Pike County ss.
We Cornelius Middaugh of the Township of Milford aforesaid and Jacob Lott of the same place who being duly sworn according to law depose and say that the said Peter Vanauken who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration from their acquaintance with him is as they believe in the sixty ninth year of his age that is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood [neighborhood] where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that
opinion and further that we believe that he served the time and times herein specified and further I Cornelius Middaugh do swear that I saw the said Peter under arms and stationed at a place called Fort Defiance at the time it was attacked by the Indians as mentioned in his the said Peters declaration 
his
Cornelius X Middaugh
mark
Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
J H Broadhead Proty [Prothonotary] Apl. [April] 28th 1835 - 
his
Jacob X Lott
mark
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We the Judges of the Court of the Common Pleas of the County of Pike do hereby declare our 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 certify that it appears to them that Cornelius Middaugh and Jacob Litt who has signed the preceeding [preceding] certificate residing in the respective places aforesaid are credible persons and that their statements are entitled to credit
John Cootbaugh
Dan. W. Dingman
33.534
P Vanauken: Pennsylvania
[illegible]
State of Penna}
Pike County SS}
I John H Brodhead Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of the County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the Matter of the application of Peter Vanauken for a Pension under act of
Congress passed June 7 1832 In testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court at Milford this 28th day of April AD 1835
J. H. Brodhead Proty [Prothonotary]
[white paper affixed to left margin]
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State of Pennsylvania}
Pike County} ss
On this 20th day of February in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and
fifty six, personally appeared in open Court Before the Court of Oyer & Termines held in and for said County, James Van Auken, aged fifty seven years and upwards, a resident of the Township of Slichola in said County of Pike and State of Pennsylvania, 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 passed June 7th 1832 and the several Laws supplemental there to, to wit: That he is the son and heir at Law of Peter Van Auken deceased, who was a private in the war of the Revolution. That said Peter Van Auken served in said War under the command of Captain Jacob DeWitt, in and near fort Van Auken, situate and being near the Delaware River in the said County of Pike and that said Peter Van Auken did serve in said war for about the term of three years as near as this deponent can learn, and Verily believes
And this deponent further states that said Peter Van Auken died in the Township of Milford in said County of Pike, on or about the first day of January AD 1849, and was at the time of his decease upwards of Ninety six years of age - That said Peter Van Auken did not have a widow, but that he did have three children, whose names are David Van Auken Mary Clark, James Van Auken
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and who are the only living Children of said Peter Van Auken. and that this deponent makes this Declaration for and in behalf of all the aforesaid Heirs in order to collect what pension money may now remain due to said Peter Van Auken in accordance with the acts aforesaid
his
James X Van Auken
mark
Sworn and Subscribed Before me in open Court, the day and year first above written. as Witness my hand and the seal of said court
James E. Eldred Prothy [Prothonotary]

[faint stamp on left margin]
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State of Pennsylvania}
Pike County} ss
On this 25 day of February in the year Eighteen hundred and fifty six Before me the undersigned Justice of the Peace in and for said County personally appeared John H Brodhead & Jonathan Rosencrans being by me duly sworn according to law depose and say that they are acquainted with James Van Auken whose name is mentioned in the foregoing declaration - That they verily believe the statements contained in said Declaration to be true and that they the said deponents are not in any manner interested in the claim stated in said declaration or in the prosecution thereof
John H. Brodhead
Jonathan [illegible]
Sworn and subscribed before me the day and year first aforesaid}
Moses Bross Justice Peace
I Moses Bross the Justice of the Peace before whom the foregoing joint affidavit was taken do hereby certify that John H Brodhead & Jonathan Rosencrans the persons by whom such affidavit was made, are credible persons, and that I am in no wise interested in the claim of James Van Auken as set forth in his declartion, [declaration] or in the prosecution of the same Dated 20th Feby 1856
Moses Bross J.P.
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[record at top of page crossed out]

State of Pennsylvania}
Pike County} ss
On this 20th day of February 1856 Before me the undersigned
Justice of the [illegible] in and for said County of Pike personally came Lodiwick Dewitt who being by me duly sworn 
Deposes and says that he is a Resident of the Township of Westford in the said County of Pike - that he is of the age of Ninety and Years. That he was acquainted with Peter VanAuken the person mentioned in the declaration of James VanAukin. That said Peter VanAukin was [illegible] man [illegible] this deponent That he said Peter Van Auken was a private in the war of the Revolution and that he [illegible]  military Service therein [illegible] the command of Captain Jacob DeWitt who [illegible] a commander in Fort [illegible] situate near the Delaware River in the said County of Pike and State of Pennsylvania all of which is true to the best of my 
knowledge and belief
his
Ludiwick X Dewitt
mark
Sworn Before me the day and year aforesaid}
Moses Bross J. P. 
Present Moses Bross Miss Lydia I Dewitt
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State of Pennsylvania}
Pike County} ss
I James B Eldred Esqr [Esquire] Prothonotary of the Court of Common Please in and for said County do hereby certify that Moses Bross Esqr [Esquire] before whom this within and foregoing affidavits were taken was at the time of taking the same and still is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly commissioned & sworn and authorized to administer affidavits
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Milford the 20th day of February 1856.
J. E. Eldred Prot. [prothonotary]
[faint stamp on left margin]
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[illegible]
Peter Van Auken
Penna
33,534
Reject
Let, 12 [illegible]6
[illegible] & Dismissed [illegible]
Termination [illegible] 
Lucinda Albee Feby 28, 1855
Hon A. S. Murray April 1/56
Henry De Witt Sep 17 1856
10830
J[illegible] 7 1832
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Milford Pike County [illegible]
Decr [December] 1" 1835

J. L. Edwards Esquire
Dear Sir,
I here inclose [enclose] you the application of Middough & Vanaucken for a
pentions [pensions] under the act of Congress. They Should have been forwarded last Spring but were mislaid and have not have found untill [until]
present time
Your erly [early] attention to the above will be conferring a particular favour [favor] on of
Applicant
your with Sentimt
of Respect & Et
Richam
M. M. Dimmit
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Repectfully referred to the Dept of the Interior and the writer so informed
War Dept
17 Feby '55

Peter Vanauken
Pa [illegible] 1832
Lucinda Vanauken now Lucinda Albers
White Haven, Luzerne Co. Pa.
February 14. 1855

Enquiries the amount of Pensions lately allowed to the Heirs of Peter Van Auken for his services in the War the Revolution

[illegible]
Respectfully referred to the Commissioner of Pensions 
[illegible]
Feb 19/55
Cole
Geo Whiting
[illegible] Clk [Clerk]
[illegible]
19 Feb 1855
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White Haven Feby 14th 1855
Luzern County Penna
Sir
I have just been informed by letter from my brother James Van Auken, that a pension had been granted to Peter Vanauken or his legal heirs, for services under during the revolutionary war, and that my name was required as one of his children or heirs. Will you be good enough to inform me what amount is due. and all other information
that is necessary and oblige me
Lucinda Van Auken now Lucinda Albee
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[illegible crossed out]
10.830.
Peter Van Auken
vice:
listed: , 18  .
Discharged: , 18  .
Application filed: , 18  . 
Alleges:
Re-enlisted:
Attorney:
P. O.
REJECTED
Recognized. Contract.
Cert. of Dis. Searched for  , 18  .
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Milford Sept 8/56
J Minot Esq. Pension Agent
Dear sir
James Vanauken, a citizen [illegible] of our County & formerly of our township but now of Shaola township (a [illegible] township) & within 9 miles of our place, called on me a short time since in relation to drawing a pension for his father now decd [deceased] His father died in Jan 1849 & his mother Hannah Vanauken died Feb 9th 1852 he says he got of his declaration  last winter nearly a year agoe [ago] that had it on & is on file. (he is poor & has no education & says he has had one or two to do a little for him) he said there was something lacking or wanting in the declaration, He came to me & wishing me to help him get it, accordingly write you on the subject & wish you to answer & give particulars as far as you can & if he succeeded in getting the pension will award you liberally & if not sucessfull [successful] will pay
you for your trouble, his fathers name was Peter Vanauken, he served at the same time & in the same company with, his
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brother John Vanauk & Henry C Middaugh his Brotherinlaw [brother-in-law] Peter was older than John, which can be shown if necessary, John Vanauk & H.C. Middaugh both drew pensions during their lives & untill [until] their death, Jahas Parmine & let me know what is necessary yet to be done to prove the pension & much oblidge [oblige] 
yours Respectfully
Henry De Witt
Milford
Pike Co
Penna
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Port Jervis Orange County Ky
8 March 1856
Hon J Minot}
Com of Pensions &C}
Sir
As the Attorney for James Van Auken I herewith forward to your address, the papers procured in proof of the Revolutionary service of Peter Van Auken deceased, and the claim of his legitimate heirs to such pension money as may now be due him
Being myself fully convinced of the legality of the claim thereby presented, permit me Sir, to solicit your early action upon it, particularly in view of poor and destitute condition of the heirs named in the declaration, and the great relief, which an allowance of the claim would afford them
Should the pension laws of the United States, or the rules of your Department, require any thing additional, Please cause me to be informed, and I will use diligent effort to comply with the demand; And sir, while I and most carefully avoid importunate action in the premises, I cannot well resist the impulse of a desire to urge upon you an allowance of this Claim
Should the same be allowed, it would be most desireably [desirably] drawn in the City of New York,
Please let me hear from you, and receive such instructions as may be useful and necessary
Your Obt Servt [obedient servant]
J.W. Johnston
Atty at Law
Port Jervis NY