Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 3893, Walter Van Pelt, New Jersey
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
New Jersey
CONTENTS
Van Pelt Walter
(
Nancy
NUMBER
W. 3893
Page 2

yes
New Jersey
Nancy Van Pelt
widow of Walter Van Pelt
who served in the Revolutionary war
, as a private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
5 Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the
25 day of Mch 1849
and sent to
J. Patterson J.
Freehold
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
February 2, 1848, Page 33 Fol.
Page 3

4195
Nancy Van Pelt
in
2
Marie
1779
Husband died 28 Feb 1814
15 mo pri
Page 4

a
Mon
6
ten day
South Co
On this twenty sixth day of November Eight
teen hundred and thirty eight personally appeared
before me one of the Judges at the Infenor Court
of Common Pleas in and for the County aforesaid
Nancy Van Pett a resident of the Township of
Middletown in the County and State aforesaid aged ┃
Seventy nine years & upwards who is frombodily
infirmity to appear in Court and who
being first duly sworn according to law, doth
on her oath make the folowing declaration in
order to obtain the benefit of the portion made
by the act of Congress passed July 4th 1836 -
That she is the widow of Watter Spelt who was a
private in the Revolutionary War, that he is
in a company of State troops under Capt Samuel
Carhart for a period of six month
7
-
in time & ending in December in the year 1779
and served the said town of six months under the
said Captain - That immediately after this
tom of service her said husband entered the
Militia under the said Captain Samuel Carhart
and served as often and whenever the said Company
was called into service which she has been
formed and believes was at least eight months ┃
during the year 1780 - That he continued to be
in said Militia during the years 1881 and 1782
but how long she cannot say - That the head
quarters of Capt. Carharts company were it not
Pleasant in Middletown aforesaid, and their nets
to guard the haves of said Township from the
depredation ┃
enemy - She cannot state
the names of all the field officers though the like
Page 5

that Hunn was Major, Holmes Col: & Forman Genl
that he resided in Middleton when he entered
the service, where he lived until his deaththat
he was a volunteer in the six months ser
vice & was called out by the Laws of the State in the
Militia - He was engaged in the Battle at Pleasat
Valley with 1500 of the Enemy in the year 1780.
His march were principally confined to his native
County in guarding the shares as aforesaid - that the
has no documentary evidence whatever of her claim,
but she is informed that there are some documents
of Col. Holmes which will prove his services-
The further declares that she was married to the
said Walter Van Pelt in the year seventeen hundred
and seventy nine the day and month from old age
and infirmity & consequent loss of memory she cannot
recollect - she has no record of her marriage
the public or private, all her family records were
distroyed in the burning of their house and particularly
the bible in which was recorded their marriage-
She is however perfectly satisfied that she was
married in the year 1779, but she knows that she
had been married sometime and had one child
at the time of the engagement with the 1500 British
and tories at Pleasant Valley in 1780, for the recollects
and the never will forget it as long as the least recollect
tion remains that her husband the said Walter Van
Pelt brought home with him from that engagement
the coat of a Hepean, who had been killed in
the Battle, and being it up in her bedroom,
and she insisted upon her husband removing the cout
before she would go in the room - that her hus-
U
and the said Walter Van Pelt on the twenty eighth day of
February Eighteen hundred and fourteen
Page 6

she further states that the raised a large family
of children Eleven in number by the said Walter Van
Pelt ten of whom are now dead-- that she lives entirely
alone and has no friends to assist her, and that is
one reason why she has not made application
for a pention before-- that he has remained the
widow of the said Walter Van Pelt ever since his death
all which with affia by the proof hereto an
nexed
Sworn to & subscribed before
me Judge as aforesaid the
day & year first above written
Francis Murphy
her
Names
war part
State of New Jusey
Monmouth County SS
John H. Van pelt being duly sworn according to
law deposeth and saith that he was well acquainted
with Walter Van Pelt in his lifetime the
husband of Nancy Van Pett above named - that the
said Walter Van Pett died the year Eighteen hundred
and fourteen and the said Nancy Van Pett has
remained his widow ever since that period.
Sworn to & subscribed before me
Judge of Court of Common Pleas of
the County aforesaid by the said
John W. Vanpelt who is a credible
person and Statement is entitled
to credit. December 11th AD. 1838.
Francis Murphy
in W Banpelt
Page 7

State of New York
Monmouth County, SS:
Personally appeared before me one of the
Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas
of the County and State aforesaid, John Lequer
who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that
he was well acquainted with Walter Van Pelt
in the Revolutionary war, the husband of
Nancy Van Pelt - that he knows that the said
Walter Van Pelt was married to the said Nancy
Van Pelt formerly Nancy Roberts, he thinks
in the year 1779, because he knows that
they were married previous to the year 1780-
from a little incident which occurred in
that year, which is as follows - In 1780 a
party of 1500 of the enemy came from New York
and landed on the there of Middletown
and the militia had an engagement with
them at that time at Pleasant Valley in which
the said Walter Van Pelt & this Deponent was engaged
- that the said Walter Van Pelt took a
out from one of the enemy a Hessian who was kills
in that engagement, and carried it have and
being it up in his bed room, and he recollects
that the said Nancy Van Pelt would not go
in said room, until the coat was taken away
He knows further that the said Walter Van Pelt
and Nancy Van Pelt raised a large family of
children, and always lived together as man
and wife and were always reputed and believed
to be such in the neighborhood where they livel.
this Deponent was invited to their wedding
but he did not go, yet he is as perfectly
satisfied that they were married as though
the
Page 8

Son
me
said
C
State
Sch
he had been present and seen it-- that he
has always lived in the same neighborhood
with the said Walter and Nancy Van Pelt
that the said Walter Van Pelt had his house
burnt forty years ago or more, and he always
understood that all his family records and
papers we destroyed. That this Deponent
know that the said Walter Van Pett was an
enlisted soldier in Capt Saml Carhart
company of State troops for six months in
the year 1779. for this deponent frequently
saw him in said company during that to
that the said Walter Van Pelt died about twenty
years ago, and that the said Nancy Van Pett
has remained his widow ever since that perriod
-
to subscribed before
John Requer
Judge as aforesaid by the
John Lequier who is
Credible person and whose
ment is entitled to credit
20th 1838-
Francis Murphy
State of New Jersey
Monmouth County
Pleas of said
here whom
Court at the
that his
.
I Daniel H. Ellis Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common
County do hereby certify that Francis Keph Esquire
the foregoing proceedings were taken was a rider of the said
respective dates thereof duly commissioned and grand
is signatures thereto are genuine.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand
and seal of office this Seventh day of December
A.D. Eighteen hundred and thirty eight -
Hill
Page 9

Samuel Gummer Clerk of the Court of Chancery of the State of
New Jersey, do hereby certify that James M Hartshorn of Freehold
in the County of Monmouth, is a Master and Examiner of this Court
and as such, is by the laws of this State, authorized to administer of the
and take testimony
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand
and the seal of the said Court, this twenty sixth
day of November, in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and forty two 1842
-
Samuel R Gummen, Ole
Page 10


State of New Jersey
Monmouth County  Personally appeared before me
a Master in Chancery of said State & Sarah
Van Pelt, who being duly sworn saith that she ┃
is eighty one years of age and uphed; that she
is the sister of Nancy Van Pett the widow of Watter
Vanpelt, and she further saith that her sister
the said Nancy Vanpelt, (who is about 24 month
older than this Deponent was married to the
said Walter Van Pelt at least one year and six
months before this Deponent was married ten
drick Van Pelt, and this Deponent was married
on the 25th of November 1781 - this Deponent
recollects that her Sister Nance Vareth after
her marriage was a living with her said
husband and keeping house for at least
eighteen months before this Deponent was married
, for this deponent lived with her said
Sister Stancy while he was thus keeping house
And this deponent further with that during the
Revolutionary war and prior to the marriage
of this Deponent, the said Walter Van Pelt had
his house burned, by a party of the enemy:
And this deponent knows that the said Walter Van-
Pelt was out in the service of his country as a soldid
nearly all the time after his marriage,
for this Deponent lived in his family, and in
act he was to noted for his seal and activity
in the cause of American liberty, that the
enemy marked him as an object of their
Vengeance and burned his house and destroyed
property, as they did all others, who were
known to be active in the American causeworn
to & subscribed before me ⎬
her
21st day of November 1842. I do Sarah Van Pelt
tify that the said Sarah Van Pelt
a credible person & that her statement
Mark
is entitled to credit
J. M. Hart have Master in
cers of her
Page 11

State of
New Jersey
SS:
Be it remembered that on this 21st
day of November A.D. 1842 Personally appeared before
me the Subscriber one of the Masters in Chancery
of their persey Matthias Smith who being duly
sworn deposeth and saith that he is a surviving
soldier of the Revolution aged eighty five years
and upwards that he was well acquainted with
Walter Van Pelt and Nancy his wife in the Revolutionary war: that the said Walter Van Pelt belonged
to and served in the same company with this de
ponent during the Revolutionary War; that in the
year 1776 the said Walter Van Pelt Served three months
in tours of one month each. In the year 1777, he
served six months in towns of one month each- this
service was under Captain Thomas Harn; and
Lieut. Samuel Carhart, but some time in the year
1777, the said Samuel Carhart was appointed Cap
tain of said Company the said Thomas Henn being
promoted to Major and Peter Van Pelt Lieutthat the
said Walter Van Pelt Still continued
to serve in said Company and served therein
at least every other month atternately in out of
one month each, until Captain Samuel Carhart
raised a company of State & caps for six months
which this Deponent thinks was in the year 1780-
and in fact Capt. Carhart's company was in service
nearly all the time during the years 1777. 1778. 1779
& 1780, in defence of themselves and the inhabitants
of the frontiers-- their homes being within a short dis
tance from the shores of New York & Amboy days
their property and the lives of themselves and families
were continually exposed to danger from the repeated
incentions and depradations of the Brittish ┃
and Tories from New York & Long Island: and they me
obliged to keep up a constant guard along the
shores, which was done entirely by the militia
Page 12

untill State troops were raised, which partially
relieved the Militia - that the said Walter Van
Pelt joined the said Company of State troops
under the said Capt. Samuel Carhart, and served
out his full tour of six months, as this Deponent
verily believes, for he frequently saw him in service
in said Company of State troops during said person
and immediately afterwards entered the Militia
again under the command of Lieutenant, and
served therein at least three months actual service
in each of the years 1781 & 1782 - that this
deponent belonged to and served in the same
Company of Militia with the said Walter Van Pelt
during the tours above mentioned, but this deponent
cannot state the beginning and ending
of each tour of service at this remote period, yet
he knows that the said Walter Van Pelt served
in the Militia of Monmouth County in said
Company at least the periods above mentioned
in monthly tours - that their duties were to
the shores aforesaid, and to protect the inhabitants
of the frontier from the incentions of the enemythe
field officers me General David Forman
Col. Asher Holmes & Major Thomas Hunn - And this
Deponent further saith that the said Company of
Militia in which the said Walter Van Pelt Served
as aforesaid, was an embodied corps called into
services by the authority of the laws of New Jersey
that the said service was performed in field
and not in garrison, and that for the time de
ing which the said service was performed
the said Water Van Pelt was not employed in any
Civil persuit. and that the said service was all
performed in the grade of a private-
And this deponent further saith that he
has been well acquainted with the said Walter
&
Van pelt and Nancy his wife from their child-
Page 13

Sworn to
the day &
Matthias
that he ┃
that his
to credit
hood-- they were all children brought up in the same
neighborhood together - that he recollects well
their marriage - that he was present and danced
at the wedding. This deponent cannot recollect
the exact time of their marriage, but he knows
that it was in the time of the Revolution, and be
fore the expiration of the service of the said Nather
Vanpelt - He recollects well that the house of
the said Walter Van Pelt, was burned by a party
of the enemy during the Revolution, and at that
time they were keeping house, and had been
married for a year or more, and he remembers
that all their property and furniture in the house
distroyed
and they did not even have the bible
in which their marriage was recorded, and from
all the circumstances which this deponent can
orting to his recollection that the Marriage
of the said Walter and Nancy Vanpelt took place
in the year seventeen hundred and eighty -
And this Deponent further saith that after
that time, the said Walter and Nancy Van Pelt
&
lived together as man & wife until the death
of the said Watter, and that they raised a
lage family of children, ten or eleven in num
be, and that she has followed them all to the
grave, but one and that she is now very old
and infirm, and entirely dependent upon
the charity of her friends, and the public for support
-
subscribed before me Matthias
his Smith
year aforesaid by the said
Smith, & I do certify
Mark
a credible person and
Statement is entitled
J. M. Hartshore Master in Chancery of New Jersey
Page 14

and 1812 Wars Section.
Alz
September 25, 1928.
Mrs. Abner V. Freer,
Lock Box 146,
Brandon, Vermont.
Madam;
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War
pension claim, W. 3893, it appears that Walter Van
Pelt, while residing at Middletown Township, Monmouth
County, New Jersey, served from in 1776 to the close of
the war as a private in Captains Thomas Hunn's and Samuel
Carhart's Companies, Colonel Asher Holmes' New Jersey
Regiment, he was in the battle of Pleasant Valley and
served in all more than two years.
He died February 28, 1814 or 1816 at Middletown, New Jersey
.
The soldier married in 1779 or 1780 Nancy Roberts.
She was allowed pension on her application executed
November 26, 1838, at which time she was living in Middletown
, New Jersey, aged seventy-nine years.
She stated that she had eleven children, only one
living in 1838, their names are not given.
Page 15

relationship shown.
Owing to the very large number of inquiries similar to
yours and the lack of a clerical force available for the
purpose, the bureau is unable to made immediate reply to
each request pertaining to soldiers of the Revolution and
War of 1812.
Letters are being answered as rapidly as possible in
the order of receipt.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT,
Commissioner.
COPIED BY ADY
Page 16

let.
to
to
Nancy
Nancy Van Pelt
J. M. Hartshorn 18. May 39
same 20 Aug. 1839
same 12 Dec. 1842
same 8 Aug. 1843
Same 19 "
Act July 1836
Page 17

Wars in
AWFfeel
L
to
Mrs. A. V. Freer
Lock Box 146
Brandon, Vermont
of
I
Ⓧ
3
X
J
I
W
June 5, 1829
of
a
C.
to
&
S
of
&
Madam:
I advise you that in order to obtain the date of
last payment of pension, the name of person paid and possibly
the date of death of the Revolutionary War pension
er, Nancy Van Pelt (W.3893), you should apply to the Recfords
Division, General Accounting Office, Washington, D.C.,
citing all of the following data:
Nancy Van Pelt, widow of Walter Van Pelt, Certificate
No. 4508, issued March 23, 1849, rate $50 per annum, conmenced
March 4, 1848, Act of February 2, 1848, New Jersey
gency.
Respectfully,
EARL D. CHURCH
Commissioner.
Page 18

Brandon St
Jan. 14 - 1929
Commissioner of Pension is
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
Sir:-
Referring to Revolution
ary War pension claim,
W. 3893- that of Nancy
Van Pelt - could you give
me some idea of date of
her death from time when
pension ceased
Does the name of Garret
Van Pelt appear on the
Revolutionary War pension
Page 19

rolls as from either
New Jersey of New York V
fro, will you please
give me what information
there is. I would greatly
appreciate it
Very truly yours
(Mrs. A.L. Katherine G. Freer
Brandon
Lock Bot
14
Vermont.
Page 20

1928 Sept 25 Hist C
Mrs Abner V. Greer
1929, June 5 Mrs Abner
Freer Adv. how to obtain date
of last pay any
Revy WIDOW, &c.
File No. 3895

Nancy Van Pelt
Wid
the
the
---
Act: Feby 18
Index: -- Vol. M, Page 294
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 21

AI / Machine-Generated
(10 months ago)
New Jersey
1518
Nancy Van Pelt
widow of Walter Van Pelt
who was a Private
in the Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
50 Dollars
-
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the
20th day of Jany 1844
and sent to
M. Hartshorne
Freehold
1
Recorded in Book
Vol.
Act of March 3, 1843.}
Page 127
●
Rebated
Page 22

New Jersey
7.942.
Nancy Van Pelt
widow of Walter Van Pelt
who was a pensioner under the Act of
and who died on the
of Mormon in the State of N. Jersey
who was a private in the Company
commanded by Captain Carhart of thecommanded

by--
---
the N. Jersey line for 15. Man the
in
Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey
at the rate of 50.
Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day
of March, 1836.
-
Certificate of Pension issued the 25th
day of
November 1843 and sent to J.
Hartshorn, trecheld A.J.
---
Total amount,
$250.00.
(Act July 7, 1838.)
Clerk,
Recorded by A. S. Evans
Book D. Vol. M. Page 211
Reported
Page 23

be
E. N. Miller and Chas. L. Stay
Establishments
ABNER V. FREER
( Incorporated )
FURNITURE AND UNDERTAKING
BRANDON, VERMONT
Dept. of Interior,
Sept. 20, 1923.
B
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sirs-
Not having received a reply to my letter of Sept. 3, 1928, and for
fear that it may have gone astray, I am sending a copy of same?
Sept. 3, 1928.
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sirs --
Will you kindly give me whatever data you may have concerning
Walter Van Pelt, who served in the Revolutionary War from Monmouth Co.
Middletown; his war service, marriage, children, with all dates
you may have et cetera. I think his wife received a pension would appreciate
that facts you may have concerning her so.
Very truly yours,
(Mrs.A.V.)
Katherine F. G. Freer
Brandon
Lock Box 146
---
Vermont
Page 24

Brandon St
Sept. 3, 1928
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sirs:-
Will you kindly in
whatever data you may
concerning Walter Van Pelt
who served in the Revolutionary
War from Monmouth Co
N. J. (Middletown); his war service
, marriage children
with all dates you may have
at Celora
S
I think his wife received
a pension, would appre-
Page 25

ciate what facts you may have
concerning her also
thanking you in advance
for any farms, I am
Very truly yours,
(Mrs.A.V.
Katherine F. G. Freer
Brandon 146
Rutland Co
Vermont
Page 26

Sir
Freehold N. P. Dec 6th 1842
J
herewith enclose to you some additional
evidence in the case of Nancy Van
Pelt widow of Walter Van Pelt on her application for a pension under the act of July 4, 1836.
By the evidence it appears that Van Pelt
served in Hunt & Carharts company for more than
two years during the war-
Capt. Carharts company was in service month
in the year 1778. See Exhibit A. B. C. & D. on the
application of chuch
men of Rachel Smith
widow of John Smith
him and exhibits No 1 & 2 on
Jane Van Derbette application - In 1779 his com
pany was in service 10 months see exhibits No 3.
4.5. and also I exhibit filed with the papers of
Caly Bennett widow of Barnes Bennett I
1780 his company was in service 9 months see
Exhibit No 6 & 7. & Exhibit A. From the history
of the times it reasonable to infer that the
service was not be in the year 1776 & 1777
-
After 1780 Capt Carhart raised a company
for 12 months see exhibit, E & No 7 -
son will perceive by Exhibit A. that
Capt. Carhart's company was paid up to the
15th March 1780. Col Holmes acted as pay master
in 1778. 1779 & 1780 - Carhart Company was also
paid for 2 months after that period
to wit
Page 27

March & July 1780. see exhibit -
The certificates issued by the Commissioner
in 1784, which I have heretofore enclosed to
you, were given for services performed after
that period-- they were for the balance due at
the end of the War-
He served 3 Mo. in 1776 - 6 mo. in 1777- 6 mo
in 1778 - 6 mo. in 1779 - & 9 months in 1780- making
yrs & Co. actual service (to say nothing of his service
1781 & 1782)-
of H
In order to corroborate the statements
Witnesses we shew that all the militia
of Monmouth County were ordered to remain
in their own County-- See the proceedings of the
New Jersey Convention in 1776 page 38-- We also pro
by a list of Capt Carhart's Company heretofore but
you in this case, that Walter Van Pelt was out under
and in that company upon the Special occased
of the taking of the Big Brittany on the Bay shore
We further prove by Col. Holmes abstracts that the
company was out more than is alled-
We also shew by the certificate of the Secretary
of State herewith sent, that Walter Van Pelt enlisted
in Capt. Carhart's company of State troops in 1780
In addition to all this we have the certificate
issued by the Commissioner at the close of the War
It shikes me that a Shonger case for militia
Service could not be well made out - the service
is proved by living witnesses and strongly corrobrated
by Documentary evidence.
In relation to the marriage, no have the eve
dence of Sarah Van Pelt in adde
Page 28

tion to that already adduced. Sarah Van Pelt
swears that the Marriage took place at least
18 months prior to her own marriage which was
on the 25th Nov. 1781, which makes it as early
as May 1780 - For proof of Sarah Van Pelt Marriage
See Church record filed with her papers under act of
July 1858. she gives circumstances by which the
knows and recollects these facts, such as her living
with her Sister &
Matthias Smith also proves the marriage
and that it was in 1780 & prior to the expiration
of his service. The family record was destroyed
and no public record of marriages was at that time
kept. See Certificate of Clerk Sent to Department
the
the papers of Elizabeth Clinton widow of Benja
in Clinton, Act of July 1836 -
under this evidence she claims full pay
under the act of July 4, 1836 -
I am very Respectfully
Your Obt Servt
J. M. Hart home
J. L.
Edwards Esq
Com of Pensions
Page 29

Sir
Treehold Decr 7th 1838-
I herewith send to you the papers in the case
of Nancy Van Pett widow of Vanshe
claims for six months service under Capt Samuel
Carhart in 1779, as proved by John Leginer
Also for service in the Militia under Corbett in
1780. 1781 & 1782. That he belonged to Capt Carhart
company is proved by the Roll of that Company herewith
&
sent-- It was found among some old papers relating to the
Captine & condemnation of the Brigantine therein mentioned
That Capt. Carhart Company was in service in 1779 & 1780
is proved by Col. Holmes abstract No. 4, 5, 6 & 7. attached
to the papers of Jane Vanderbett, and it appears farther
by Abstract No. 6. that his company was paid in full to
the 15th March 1780. I will also appear by the certificate
of the Treasurer attached also to the papers of Jane Vanderbetthere
was due to Luther Van Pelt at the close of the Nos 135,
& also $2.50 amounting to a sum a little resing $40, which
must have been for service performed after May 15 1780-
I think you can have no difficulty in allowing her for
6 mo: in 1779 - 3 me: in 1780 to 15 March, and then
adding thereto the service proved by the balance due
him at the close of the war.
she was married in 1779. & therefore presents her
claim under the act of July 4, 1836.
Her helpless, lovely and infirm state has prevented her
from making application sooner-
Yours Respectfully
Henthone
J.L. Edwards Esqr
Com of Pensions
Page 30

Sir
Freehold N.J. Augt. 11th 1843
on behalf of Nancy Van Pelt widow
of Walter Van Pelt I have to request that you
will send a certificate of pension for the
service indicated in your letters of the 12th
Decr last, & the 8th August inst, which was for
15 month service under the act of July 1838.
I am most respectfully
Tom Obt. Let
J. M. Hartshome
J.L. Edwards Esq Comr of Pensions
P. S.
In the case of Catharine Mount
widow of Moses Mount, I forwarded
to you on the first of August inther
old certificate agreeably to the request
of your letter of the 20th July Est. Be
good enough to send me her certify
icate for the increase -
To
J. M. H.
Page 31

Sir
Freehold N.J. Augt. 2. 1843
On the 4th day of May last I wrote
to you requesting a reexamination in the
case of Nancy Van Pelt widow of Walter Van Pelt
In your letter of the 12th Dec last, you state
that you are willing to allow her for 10 months
under the act of July 7, 1838 -
I believed at the time & still believe that justice
had not been done to her in that conclusion, and
I therefore most respectfully in my letter of the 4th
of May called your attention particularly to all
the facts and circumstances of the case-
I am aware, that from the press of business at
your office, it is hardly possible at the first examination
to do entire judice in all cases
But the objections stated in your letter of the
12th Dec last are fully answered and treated in
my letter of the 4th May last-
Although nearly three months have elapsed, I have
as yet received no answer from my last letter
28
knowing that cases have been answered in
less time than that, I suppose this case by some
accident has lost its time, according to the sole
of your office. I therefore be that you will give
it your immediate attention-
Yours most respectfully as
J. M. Hart home
J. L. Edwards Com. of Pensions
Page 32

Field
May
my
at May
J.L. Edwards Esq
Comm of Pensions
War Department,
Washington City, D.C.
Page 33

J
C
de
of
An
.
he
a
a
Freehold N.J. May 6th 1839
Sir
A short time before the meeting of Congress
last winter I towarded to the Pension Office
the papers of Ann Conrose & Carche Vanchal
Martha Forman, and Caty Bennett applicant
for pensions - also on the 7th Decr last I forwarded
the papers of Maria Voorheas & Nancy Van Pelt and
shortly after that the papers of Ann Mount
& Hannah English - I also sometime previous sent
the papers of Mary Johnson & Leah Mason, and
I have received no answer in any one of the cases.
Before the adjournment of Congress I requested the
Hon: Jos. F. Randolph to call at your office and
request an examination, and he informed me that
examination was promised immediately after the
adjournment of congress. He now informs me that he
has recd no answer as yet. I am fearful that the
he may have been missed by accident, and
therefore by leave to call your attention to them
I also requested sometime ago to have a copy of the
pers of Febreton Clayton under act June 1832. Mary
Layton his widow has applied for a pension and the claim
ned for want of sufficient proof, I therefore with a copy
her husbands paperly deficiency, if possible
your answer as soon as convenient will much oblige
Your Most Obt Sert
J L. Edwards by
John
of Pentions
M Hartshome
Page 34

ing
2695
5
J. L. Edwards Esq
War
commsioner of Pensions
Department
Washington City, D.C.
Page 35

Sir
Freehold Sept. 5, 1843
herewith enclose the declaration of
Nancy Van Pett widow of Walter Van Pelt
under the act of July 7. 1838.
In your letters to me of the 12th Dec. & 8th
Augt last, you state that she may be allowed
for 15 months service under that act -
Please forward to me the certificate-
I am Respectfully
Your Obt Sert
J. M. Hartshome
J. L. Edwards Comm of Pensions
Page 36

State of Newjersey S.
I Isaac Southard Treasurer of the State of New Jersey
do hereby certify that the following extract
are truly taken and copied from the original
Margie of Certificated issued by Thomas Henderson
to the Militia of the County of Monmouth at the
close of the revolutionary War for the amount due
to them for their services to wit:
No. 393
Walter Van Pelt
13.5.0
No. 871.
Walter Van Pelt
2.5.0.
May 1st 1784. A. May 1st 1784.
D.
which said Margin is now on file in my office-
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal
(having no seal of office, this third day of May A.D.
Eighteen hundred and thirty nine -
-
Isaac Southard
13.5
25
15. 10.
138
266
8
1.23
to
Page 37


Sir
Freehold N.J. May 4th 1843
I have to request in justice to Nancy
Van pelt that you will re-examine the papers
in her case, and I think you will come to the
conclusion that justice has not been done to
her - In your letter of the 12th Dec last you
say that the evidence is insufficient to establish
the alleged date of the marriage with the requisite
certainty - you admit the marriage to be proved
but the objection is as to the time.
the same witnesses who prove the marriage prove the
time, and their evidence must be taken altogether
Matthias Smith swears that he was present at
their marriage-- that it was in 1780 - that he know
he served after marriage - that his house was burnt
by the enemy after the marriage & while they were
living together as man & wife & that they lost every thing-
Sarah
A Van Pelt swears that she is the sister of Nancy
Ranlett - that she the witness was married the 25th
Nov. 1781. (that date is fixed by record evidence, see
the Marriage Register of the Revd Benj" Dubois attached
to the papers of Sarah Vanpelt widow of Hendrick no
on file in your office)-- she swears that Nancy was
married at least 18 months before her marriage that
she the witness lived with them during that time & before
her own marriage - & that while she thus lived with
them that Walter Vanpelt was out in the service
nearly all the time - that they enemy burned his house
& destroyed all his property-- the marriage must have been in 1783
John Lequier Swears Walter Van Pelt was married
while in the enlistment under Carhart which, he thought
was in 1779, but the record from the Secretary State
Page 38

shews that the enlistment was in 1780 - the important
fact proved by Sequier is that he was married
while under that enlistment & before the expiration of
that service-
The applicant also states the time of the Marriage
& then the ages of her children to prove it--
If this evidence proves any thing it proves that the
marriage took place before the expiration of
that enlistment in 1780 - That enlistment did not exfive
until the 31st December 1780. (see exhibit No 7
on Jane Vanderbelts application filed in your office
But he was out in service even after this, as proved
by the witnesses -
In the same letter you state that my estimate
of Capt. Carhart's services in the Militia is not borne
out by the exhibit referred to and is inconsistent
with the known course of the Monmouth Militia
service.
In making this remark you have evidently
fallen into an error. I beg leave again respectfully
to refer you to the exhibits -
In 1778 - Carhart's company was in service 7 months
See exhibits A. B. C. & D. filed with the papers of the children
of Rachel Smith widow of John & also exhibits
No. 1. 2. filed with the papers of Jane Vanderbell -
In 1779, his company was in service 10 months
See exhibits No 3, 4, & 5 on Mrs Vanderbett applica
tion & one exhibit filed with the papers of Caty Ben
nett widow of James Bennett
from the 17 Dec. 1779 to the 31st Decr 1780-
his company was in service 12 months & 14 days-
See exhibit No. 6. on Jane Van Dabett application
which proves 3 months, and exhibit No 7. filed
with the same papers which proves 9 months to
Page 39

from the 16th March 1780 to 31st Dec 1780-
making an aggregate of 29 months during
those 3 years while Col. Holmes acted as payas
to his regiment besides all the service both
before and a known from the history of the Revolution
that New Jersey & particularly Monmouth County was
overan by the enemy & 1777 and that
there was greater need of the services of the militia
during those years than any other time-- and when
we have it proved by credible witnesses that Walter
Van pelt was in service at least every other month
from July 1776. & during the year 1777, the conclusion
is insistable that it must be to when taken
in connexion with the other circumstancesthere
is a resolution passed by the hempsey conven
tion in 1776 requiring all the Militia of Monmouth
County to remain in the County, their services being
needed there. The law of New Jersey at that time
was that the militia should serve every other month
or be fined $50.00 for each default of a month - and
it is proved by at least fifty witnesses from the
County of Monmouth, whose affidavits are now
on file in your office, that they as part of the
militia served at least every other month until
the latter part of the war - and that that was the
regular combe of Militia service in the County
seven of all this one I think you must in candor acknowledge
of Monmouth that
my estimate of Capt. Carhart serviced is
borne out by the exhibit referred to, and is con
sistent with the known course of the
on mouth Militia Service
Upon evidence of the same character as in this
case you allowed full pay to the children of a
Chel Smith Widow
of John Smith, and the same
Page 40

rule ought to apply in this case - Smith
was in the same company & evidence almost ide
tically the same excepting that Smith served under
an enlistment in 1776. & Van Pelt under an entistment
in 1780-
you say that you are willing to allow her for
9 mo in 1780, & for 6 mo: covered by the certificate of pay
issued in 1784. In this you have omitted the service in
1778 & 1779 which is fully proved by the witnesses & by the
exhibits before refered to, and it is also proved by those
exhibits that Capt. Carhart received all the pay for his compay
up to March 1780 - therefore the service in 1778 & 1779 is
different from that covered by the certificate of pay in 1784
which will make more than 2 years service altogether
to say nothing of the service in 76 & 77
Most Respectfully
Your Obt Sew
J. M. Harthome
Page 41

In 1779
the
Co
F
C
In 1778.
of
1 &
Va
Sir
Freehold A. F. Dec 1. 1843
I herewith enclose to you the declara
tion of Sarah Van Artsdalen and Nancy
Van Pelt under the act of March 3 1843-
In the case of Nancy Van pelt, she claims
a pension of $80 and an increase to that a
ment under the act of July 1838-
In your letter of the 8th of August last you state
the service is not sufficiently specified and provedunder the
act of July 4, 1836.
since then she has made a declaration under the
act of July 7. 1838, in which the service is
specified, and the proof is beyond all doubt, and
for which you have allowed several pensionsshe
claims that her husband served 3 mo in 1776-
6 months in 1777- 6 mo. in 1778. 6 mo. in 1779. & 9 mo.
in 1780. (besides 6 mo in 1781, 1782)
The testimony of Matthias Smith fully prove all this service
, which is also corroborated by the documentary in due
In your letter of the 8th of August, you state that Campain
was a militia officer and subject to the Alternate service
established from Summer of 1776 to last of 1779 by the
Laws of New Jersey. Now that is all I claim in this
case - yet I maintain that Col. Holmes pay abstract
her that Capt. Carhart's company performed more
on their regular alternate monthly service, and it is
tainly no objection that we prove more than we claims
these original abstracts in the hand writing of Col. Holmes
not be questioned -
Capt. Carharts company was in service 7 months. see
stract marked Exhibit A. B. C. & D. attached to the papers
the children of Rachel & John Smith, and also Exhibit No
2. attached to the papers of Jane Vanderbelt -
Company was in service of mo. See Exhibit No. 3, 4, & 5. on Jane
Herberts application, and one filed with the papers of Caty
Bennett, widow of Barnes Bennett
Page 42

From
Dec 17. 1779. to March 16. 1780, Capt Carhart's com
any served 3 mo. and from Mar 16. to Dec 31st
1780. His company served 9 months and 14 days
See exhibits No. 6 & 7. on Jane Vanderbelt's application
Here then is positive proof of at least 6 mo in 1778. 6 mo in
1779. & 3 mo: in 1780, in the militia, making 15 mo in the militia.
The certificate of the Secretary of State shews 6 mo. service in
the State troops under an enlistment in 1780- making
Now let the service in 1776 & 1777 go for 3 mad and I
think it is no great thatch of liberality to call of to
and we have. I years service fully specified & provedupon
this same evidence, and upon the testimony of Mat
that Smith in substance the same as in this case you
allowed a pension of full pay to Rachel Smith widow
of John Smith, for service during the same period in
Capt. Carhart's company, excepting that Smith served
to of 5 mot in 1776, and did not serve the time
of six months in 1780, which Van Pelt performed, but their
militia service was identical and proved by the same
evidence-- I cannot percieve how in justice you can
refute her claim for full pay -
I am very Respectfully
Your Obt. Senr
J. M. Hartshome
J. L. Edwards Esq
Comr of Pensions-
Page 43

Time
enlisted
1780
June 28
A return of men inlisted by the First Regiment of Monmouth Militia
pursuant to a law of the State of New Jersey passed at Trenton
7th June 1780, entitled an Act to raise and embody for a limited
time six hundred and twenty four men for the defence of the parties
of this State
Ensign Peter Vanderhoof
Soldiers names
Place of Residence
County
Walter Van pelt Monmouth Middletown
State of New Jersey
Township
Age
17
Heighth Complection
5
in
yes
8 Blue
┃ Hair
Company
belonged to
Black Cap. Carhart
Asher Holmes Col
I Charles G. McChesney Secretary of State of
the State of New Jersey, do hereby certify that the
foregoing is a true abstract from a paper
headed as above, as taken from and compared
with the original, now on file in my office
In Testimony whereof I
have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office at
Trenton in said State this twenty
thousand eight hundred and forty two
Sixth day of November AD one
Charles. G. McChesney
Secy of State
Page 44

5012
Nancy Van Pelt
$50.
send the Certificate to
J. M. Harthome
Freehold N.J.
Page 45

I
be
the
her
Van Pelt
mark
State of New Jersey
Monmouth County SS:
On this Eighth day of of December A.D.
Eighteen hundred and forty three personally
appeared before the subscriber Judge of the Court
of Common Pleas of said County Nancy Van Pett
a resident of the Township of Middletown in said
County aged eighty four years and upwards, and
who is personally known to me, and who being
first duly sworn according to Law doth on her
oath make the following declaration in order
to obtain the benefits of the provision made by
the act of Congress passed on the third day of March
1843 granting pensions to widows of persons who
served during the Revolutionary War-
That she is the widow of Walter Van Pelt who
was a private in the Militia and State troops
of Monmouth County in the war of the Revo
lution, and that she received a pension of
fifty dollars per annum under the act of July
7th 1838, and she further declares that she
still remains a widow-
Sworn to & subscribed
fore me Judge as aforesaid Nancy
day & year above written
Francis Murphy
State of New Jersey Monmouth County SS:
I Samuel Mans Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas
of the said County do hereby certify that Francis Memphy Esquire
is a Judge of the said Court duly commissioned and qualified;
and that his signature to the above declaration is genuine.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set
my hand & the seal of the said Court
this eighth day of December eighteen
hundred and forty three -
Page 46


9626
Nancy Van Pelt
N. J.
Act 7. July 5.
And
15 Roper
50
1887
M Hartshorne
Freehold
N. J.
Page 47

State of New Jury
Monmouth County ⎬ ss:
On this sixteenth day of August. A.D.
eighteen hundred and forty three, personally
appeared before me one of the Judges of the Inferior
Court of Common Pleas of the said County Nancy
San Felt a resident of the Township of Middletown
in the County and State aforesaid aged eighty four
years and upwards, who is unable from bodily infirmity
to appear in Court, and who being
first duly sworn according to Law doth on her oath
make the following declaration in order to obtain
the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congres
passed July 7, 1838 entitled "An act granting
half pay and pensions to certain widows. -
That she is the widow of Walter Van Pelt who was a
private in the Revolutionary War; that she cannot
from old age, extreme dibility and the consequent
loss of memory pretend to give a detailed statement
of the services of her said husband, but
she always understood and believes that her said
husband entered the Militia Service of the said County
of Monmouth in the Beginning of the war in the year 1776
in a company commanded by Capt. Thomas Hunn, and
that he served in said Company in actual service at
least every other month, alternately in towns of one month
each day until he enlisted in a company of State
troops in the year 1779 or 1780, she cannot tell which,
she believes that Saml Carhart was capt of the said Com
pany after Hunn - that he served a tour of six months
under an enlistment in the State troops under Capt Saml
Carhart in 1779 or 1780, and that after that enlistment he
again entered the militia, and served therein in
the
said Company of Capt Samuel Carhart, attach
Page 48

Nancy
Mark
three months in each of the years 1781 & 1782 as she ┃
has been informed and verily believes - She cannot
at this distance of time pretend to state, the different
towns of her said husband, although she has frequently
heard him talk upon the subject, and she has frequenty
heard him say that he was in the service nearly all
the time during the war until the year 1781, in Capt.
Carharts company - that his company being near the
shore was called almost constantly- that in the years
1781 & 1782 he was frequently out in the service, but not
so often as he had been prior to that timethat
for further proof and details in relation to her
said husbands service she refers to the papers and
evidence on file in the pension office on her former
application-
She further declared that she was married
to the said Walter Van Pelt in the year Seventeen
hundred and Seventy nine the day and month
she does not recollect, and that her husband the
aforesaid Walter Vanpelt died in the year eighteen
hundred and Sixteen as near as the
can remember: and that her marriage took
place prior to the first of January Seventeen hundred
and ninety four viz: at the time above
Stated -
Sworn to & subscribed before me
her
Judge as aforesaid by the said
Nancy Van Pelt, the same having been
first read over to her by
me, the day & year above written
David Waner
Van Pelt
11
Page 49


State of New Jersey
Monmouth County ⎬
I Samuel Marrs Clerk of the Inferior Court
of Common Pleas of said County, do hereby certify
that David Warner before whom the foregoing
declaration was made, is now and was at
the date thereof a Judge of the said Court
duly commissioned and qualified and that
his signature thereto is genuine, and I do
further certify that full faith and credit
are due and ought to be given to all his
official acts as such -
In witness whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and
Seal of Office this fifth
day of September eighteen
hundred and forty three -
Samuel Mairs
Page 50

Nancy Van Pelt
4528
Page 51

State of New Jersey Monmouth County ss
On this first day
of February 1849 personally appeared before
the Joseph D. Hoff one of the justices of the
peace in and for the County of Monmouth
and State of New Jersey duly authorized by the laws
of said State to administer oaths - Nancy Van
felt a resident of the township of Raritan formerly
Middletown, in the County of Monmouth
and state aforesaid aged Ninety Seven years
who being first duly sworn according to law
doth on her oath make the following declaretion
in order to obtain the benefits of the provision
made by the act of Congress passed on
---
the 2d February 1848 granting pensions to Widows
of persons who served during the revolutionary
war - that she is the widow of Walter
an Pett late of the township County and State
aforesaid deceased who was a private in
the army of the revolution and that she
drew a pension under the act of Congress
passed on the 17th June 1844 entitled "An act to
continue the pensions of certain widows at
the rate of fifty dollars per annum on ac -
Count of the revolutionary service of her husand
the said Walter Van Pett deceased
she further declares that she is still a
widow
Sworn to and subscribed
in the day and year above writher

the
Before me
Joseph D. Hoff Justice
In presence of-
George Gent
Nancy Van pelt
mark
Page 52

I certify that the above named affiant
is personally known to me and that she
is the same individual who drew a gension
as stated by her in the foregoing
Abidavit
Joseph D. Hoff Justice of the Peace
State of New Jersey
Monmouth County, Daniel Christopher Clerk of
the said County do hereby certify that
Joseph D. Hoff before whom the foregoing affidavit purports
to have been made is a Justice of the peace duly authorized
to administer oaths, and that his signature to the foregoing
declaration & Certificate is Genuine
In Witness whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed my official
Seal this fifth day of February
A Eighteen hundred & forty nine AD 1847
Daniel Christopher Clk
Page 53

,
N. Y.
Nancy Van Pelt
or
Mary Hill
212
19
Hon. Jos. F. Randolph
Washington City
C.
by Jane
---
-
wife
ing my
unto you of
upon us
thout
my
A
Page 54

J L Edwards E
Sir
may oth
the attention of the Department
to the within letter & papers
Yours Respectfully
of
Randolph
toung Rep Feb 12. By
2
---
him agony
of his
the
my
to
1
to my and
Will
Page 55

Pam
Dear Sir
Freehold Feby 9th 1839
1
that time before the commencement
of the present session of Congress, I sent to the Dan
missioner of Pensions, the papers of Ann Conover
Carche Vancleaf, Martha Forman, & Caty Bennett
on this application for pensions-- A short timeafter

I sent the papers of Nancy Van Pett, and
Foorhees, Leah Maxen, and Mary Johnston.
Will you be good enough to call on the com
and request an examination of these cases
In the case of Mary Hill widow of Daniel
Hill I sent to the Department additional
evidence explaining the difficulties suggested
in W. Edwards letter to me of March 21. 1838-
In the case of Mary Clayton widow of Zebulon Clayton
it appears that he was a pensioner in this lifetime, and
the Department reputed to allow her a pension until
the pay abstracts of Col. Holmes should be sent on
They have been forwarded and are now on file in
the pension office attached to the papers of Jane
Vanderbett. I think however upon looking over his
papers it will be found that he did not belong to Col.
Holmes Regiment - And I think it is a hand rule to require
more proof from the widow, who was maried after
the war, than was required from the pensioner himself.
If however the Law refuse to all of the pention upon the
present proof I have to request that he will send me
a copy of Zebulon Clayton's papers-
and the enclosed papers in Pension office. Most Respectfully
Hon. J. F. Randolph,
J. M Barthome