Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 25492, for Isaac Tompkins, New Jersey
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE
New Jersey

Tompkins, Isaac
Jane

NUMBER
W.25492
B.L.Wt.31.725-160-55
===
CONTENTS
Page 2

[Left side]
Vol T. page 118

[Right side]
176.203
Act Mar 3/1855
June 23
---
Jane Tompkins
Wid. Isaac Tompkins [in different hand] Tompkins
---
Priv:
Capt. James Hedden
Col.
Mil.
Eenb.
Dr's.
War of the Revo.
---
Pensioner
NJ Feby 53-5324
---
Ctr: 160 Clc [illegible] 25/56
[illegible signature] BOY...

Joseph C. G. Kennedy
Present

[Written diagonally] No. 31.7251 ss June 30/56
Page 3

29.819
New Jersey. Revolutionary
===
Isaac Tompkins
of Essex County in the State of New Jersey
who was a private in the company commanded
by Captain Ogden of the Regiment commanded
by Col Van Cortland in the New Jersey
line for twenty two months
===
Inscribed on the Roll of the New Jersey Agency
at the rate of 73 Dollars 34 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
===
Certificate of Pension issued the 4th day of March
A.D. 1835 and sent to the Hon S. Frelinghuysen, Present
===
Arrears to the 4th of March AD. 1835 $293.36.
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4th Sep. 1835 36.67
[total] $330.03
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by C. W. Kelso Clerk,
Book E. Vol. 3 Page 133.

[Right side]
29 March 39

[Written vertically at right]
Lett to Pension Agent, Trenton, N.J. March 4th 1835.
Certificate sent to Hon T. Frelinghuysen, March 4, 1835.
Page 4

5324
New Jersey -
Jane Tompkins -
widow of Isaac Tompkins NJ
who served in the Revolutionary war, as a private -
===
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 73 dollars 34 cents per annum, to commence on the 3d February, 1853.
===
Certificate of Pension issued 3d day of July 1855 and sent to J C G Kennedy Present
===
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 3, 1853. Page 99 Vol. A

[written vertically, right side]
176203 [illegible initials]
Page 5

E
Declaration of Isaac Tompkins
15732
Return to Lewis Condict
Morristown N. Jersey
Poor
Page 6

State of New Jersey
Essex County ss Personally appeared before me John I Plume one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the County of Essex Isaac Tompkins who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service but according to the best of his recollection he served not less that the periods mentioned below and in the following Grades;-- For Four Months in the year 1780 I served as a Substitute under Captain John Ogden and Captain Thomas Williams for James Williams Samuel M Ward, Joseph R Crane and Job Crane, one Month Each -- For Two Months in the said year I served as a Volunteer Private Soldier one Month under Captain John Ogden and one Month under Captain Thomas Williams; for one Year I served as a private Soldier under Captain Stephen Wheeler Captain Jonathan Condit & Captain Thomas Williams and Captain Ogden, four Months of said time as a Volunteer under Captain Condit this service was performed in the years 1781 and 1782, and For Four Months as a Substitute for Joseph Baldwin, Abraham Birgen James Williams and Ezekiel Baldwin -- and for such service I claim a pension

Isaac Tompkins

Sworn and subscribed before this 25th day of May 1833.

John I Plume Justice of the Peace

State of New Jersey County of Essex ss: I Elias Van Arsdale Jun'r. Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in & for said County of Essex Do hereby Certify that Samuel B Miller Esquire whose name is subscribed to the several affidavits within mentioned & before whom the same were made & taken, was when the affidavits were made & taken & when he signed the certificate thereunder written one of the Judges of said Court, residing in said County duly commissioned & sworn, & that the signature thereto "Sam'l B. Miller", is genuine. I further certify that John I Plume Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavit of Isaac Tompkins was made & taken was at the time when the same was made & taken and still is one of the Justices of the peace for said County residing therein, duly commissioned and sworn, & that the signature "John I. Plume" above written is the proper hand writing of said Justice.

In Witness whereof, I have hereto set my hand and the Seal of said Cou[nty at Ne]wark the Twenty ninth day of May AD Eighteen hundred and thirty three (1833)

E Van Arsdale Jn Clerk
Page 7

To the 1st Interrogatory this declarant answers
That he was born in the Township of Newark in the County of Essex New Jersey on the sixteenth day of May 1765.

To the 2nd Interrogatory this declarant answers
He has no copy of the Record of his age. The old Family Bible which contained the original Record is lost.

To the 3d Interrogatory this declarant answers
When he first Entered the service during the Revolutionary War, he lived in Bloomfield in the County of Essex and has lived in said County ever since, that he now lives in Newark in Essex County

To the 4th Interrogatory this declarant answers.
When he first Entered the service which was in April 1780 it was as a Substitute for one James Williams in Captain John Ogdens Company

To the 5th Interrogatory this declarant Answers
That he served principally in Col'o Philip Van Courtlandts Regiment Samuel Hays was Major and James Hedden was adjutant in Gen'l Winds Brigade, that a more full statement will be found in his declaration hereto annexed as sworn to by him in Open Court

To the 6th Interrogatory this declarant Answers
That he never received a written discharge, nor Commission

To the 7th Interrogatory, this declarant Answers
That the answer thereto is fully embodied in the certificate & declation hereto annexed and sworn to by him to the best of his recollection
Page 8

State of New Jersey
County of Essex } ss:

Before the subscriber, a Justice of peace in said County of Essex, personally appears Isaac Tompkins of said County who having been duly sworn saith as follows, viz:-- I am 69 years old, was a soldier in the Militia service in the war of the revolution, & made a declaration of my services before the Essex Court of Com. pleas to obtain a pension under the act of Congress of June 7th 1832, on the 27th day of September 1832. My Declaration has been returned by the Commissioner of Pensions, requiring a more detailed account of the times, places & officers of each tour of service, & requiring the evidence of survivors of each term if there be any. If there be any survivors, who did duty with me excepting John Hewett, whose testimony is annexed to my Declaration, I do not know them. Should I be able to find any by diligent enquiry, I will obtain & forward their evidence. So many years have passed, it will be impossible for me to give full [underlined] & perhaps a strictly accurate statement of all [underlined] the time, places [underlined], & names [underlined] of the officers, connected with my service, but according to best of my remembrance & belief, I will endeavour to state them.

[margin] 1780. 1st tour.
My first tour was as a substitute for James Williams, & was in April 1780 Under Capt. Ogden, Col. Van Cortland's regiment -- Sam'l Hays Major, James Hedden Adjutant. We were stationed at Newark at the house of one Nesbitt, performing guard duty for a month. The Pissaic [Passaic] river runs thro' Newark & separates Essex from Bergen County. That part of Bergen lying between Pissaic & Hudson rivers was occupied by the enemy nearly the whole of the war, & was the place of rendezvous for all the tories & refugees & runaway Blacks in that vicinity. They had a fort on Bergen neck not far from Newark, & from this place they issued forth at night & all seasons convenient for them, to plunder & burn, & carry off the active Whigs & patriots whom they could seize & carry off to N. York, to perish in the Sugar house & prison ship. This made it necessary to keep up an active & efficient guard at Newark & all along the line of Bergen County through the war. This guard was made up altogether of Militia, & and varied in number & efficiency, according to the dangers which from time to time threatened. I was young & active, & fond of Military life & when my own tours of duty did not interfere, I always found others who were desirous that I should serve in their stead. In this way I served almost constantly [underlined] & continuously [underlined], either as a substitute, or on my own [underlined] account, & my service was guarding the lines at & near Newark, sometimes with but a small part of a Company at other times with a full company. Our tours of duty, were of a months duration.
Page 9

[left margin] 1780 2d
At the expiration of my tour last mentioned, I volunteered my service for another month's duty, under Captain Ogden -- was stationed part of the time at Newark on the same service as in April. -- We made occasional excursions from Newark to 2d river so called, & thence to Acquackanonk & back again, till my month expired. --

[left margin] 3d

I served my 3d tour as a substitute for Sam'l M Ward, in June, was stationed at Newark, as before, in Ogden's company, performing the same duty.

[left margin] 4th 5th & 6th
I next performed three monthly tours in continuous service, in Capt. Thomas Williams' company one tour as a substitute for Joseph R Crane --one as a volunteer on my own account, & one as a substitute for Job Crane. I do not remember whether Capt Williams in person [underlined], commanded us each tour, but it is not improbable, that some of his company officers, Lieut or Ensign -- might have had command in some of these 3 tours. Our station was in Newark, & we often reconnoitered the Bergen line on the neighbourhood of 2d river & Acquackanonk. -- I do not certainly know, whether or not my 3 tours last mentioned, followed immediately after the one in which I was a substitute for Sam'l M. Ward -- They terminated however some time in the fall.

[left margin] 1781 1st
My first tour in 81 was in cold muddy weather, in the spring season, probably in March. I am not certain who was my Captain in this month, whether Williams, Wheeler, or Condict. I served under each one in this year, & in each tour we were stationed at Newark performing guard duty along the lines as before, under the orders of Major Hays. --

[left margin] 2nd 3rd 4th
The 2d tour in 81, was in July, & the 3d in Nov. -- In one of these 3 last tours, we made an excursion over the Hackensack river. In May of this year I was a substitute for Abraham Bergen, & served a month for him in Capt. Wheeler's Company, which was performed at Newark, guarding the lines.

[left margin]  5th
My 5th tour in 81, was as a substitute for Jos. Baldwin, in September, in time of early cider making, duty the same as before. During this last tour, we had a fight with the enemy at second river. They were too strong for us, & we had to retreat into a piece of woods. I think Gen'l Maxwell was present & commanded on this occasion. We afterward rallied under Gen'l Maxwell & drove the enemy across 2nd river & over the Pissaic [Passaic] also. A few days after, we had another skirmish at the same place, with a party of refugees & runaway negroes who had joined them. -- The fort which the refugees & tories held on the Bergen side of the Pissaic near Newark was a refuge for negroes, who were enticed by the refugees to run away from their masters.

[left margin] 6th
My 6th tour in 81, was as a substitute for James Williams under Capt Condict in October -- our station & duty the same as before.

[left margin] 7th
In Dec'r & January, I performed my 7th tour & was a substitute for Ezek'l Baldwin, the weather was cold & snowy. We had some skirmishing with refugees near Newark, on the Marsh. It is probable however, that I might have served as a substitute in October [underlined], For Baldwin, & in the winter for Williams. Of this I am not certain -- but, I certainly served as a substitute for each at that season, performing guard duty on the lines, in & near Newark. The tours of this year (81) are not stated in the order of time, but as they have occurred to my memory. --

[left margin] 1782. 1st
In 1782, I performed 3 monthly tours of Militia duty. The 1st on my own account, under Capt Ogden, in cold muddy weather in the spring -- probably in March -- stationed at Newark on guard duty.

[left margin] 2nd
The 2d as a Substitute for Sam'l M. Ward, in May, he wishing to stay at home to plant his Corn.

[left margin] 3d
The 3d was in Harvest season, on my own acc't stationed at Newark, & each time in Ogdens comp'y performing guard duty. I know that I did other Militia duties, which my memory cannot particularise at this late day. --
Page 10

The point or neck of land between Newark & the Hudson river, with the fort before mentioned, was held by the enemy, till late in the year 1782. The fort served as a rallying point for the runaway blacks, tories & refugees, for some time after the fighting ceased, & made it necessary to continue a line of guards, if I recollect aright; until the following spring. -- During the tours which I have endeavoured to specify according to the best of my remembrance, I was in constant & faithful service, never absent from duty, unless permitted by my officers to go home for a day or part of a day for a change of clothes, & in no part of these tours was I engaged or employed in any civil pursuit. -- I was a private in all my services, & believe I never rec'd any written discharge. -- If there be found in my statement, any errors of date, or in the names of my officers, they are errors of memory. The services specified, fall short of the services actually performed.

Isaac Tompkins

Sworn and Subscribed before me this 17th day of July 1834

John I Plume
Justice of the Peace

State of New Jersey Essex County ss: -- Nov'r 13th 1834.
Before the subscriber, a Justice of peace in said County, personally appears Isaac Tompkins above named, & having been duly sworn saith as follows, viz. -- John Hewett, the Deponent who testified formerly, viz. when my first Declaration was made, that he "knew me in time of the war of the revolution, & knew the greater portion of my statements in said Declaration to be true, removed from Essex County about two years since, into that part of the Western Country called the Genesee Country, where said Hewett has since died. Had said Hewett still lived, I should have expected that his memory would probably enable him to give some specific details of some portion of my revolutionary services. I have taken pains to enquire among revolutionary men, but have not found any, nor do I know of a single living man who served with me in the same tours of duty, except James Hedden, who was then the Adjutant in Col. Van Cortland's Regiment, & who acted in that capacity in several of my tours stated in my Declaration & particularly in one tour in which we had a skirmish with the enemy not far from Belleville at a place near the foot of Long hill, in which Samuel Crane was killed, by a ball through the lower part of his body. I was present in that skirmish, but cannot tell now, the year [underlined] or month [underlined].
Page 11

4.
This tour I believe was performed under command of Capt Wheeler, & Mr. Crane was of the same company. -- In another skirmish had with the same enemy & within a few days of the same time, another fellow soldier was badly wounded, whose name was Mathews, who was for many months under the professional care of Doct'r John Condit, who was Surgeon of the Regiment. In the summer of 1781 I was stationed in Newark with Capt Wheeler's company at the barn of Elliott Ward as a guard house, William Kusler, shot a Hessian officer by moon light through the Loin, so that he bled to death in a few minutes. The Hessian was with a party of Refugees & tories, down by the bank of the Pissaic [Passaic] river in Newark, & Kusler with a few others on sentry, with a fence between them & the Hessian. The Refugees ran off as the Hessian fell, & Kusler wore his gold laced hat, his coat, & kept his rifle or musket, for a long time. -- I have to day, learned that John P. Baldwin was present at this time, & recollects these circumstances, & Col. Hedden also. -- I was in actual service almost constantly from the time I began, some of the time on my own [underlined] account; but longer I believe, as a substitute [underlined]. Sworn & subscribed before me, Nov'r 13th 1834.

John I. Plume Justice of the Peace
Isaac Tompkins

State of New Jersey Essex County ss:

Before the subscriber, a Justice of peace in said County, personally appears Colonel James Hedden of said County, one of our most aged & respectable citizens, well known to me as a man of unimpeached character & of sterling integrity, & having been duly sworn, saith as follows, viz:

I was an officer in the Revolutionary war, & belonged to Col. Van Cortlands Regiment of the New Jersey Militia which was raised for the protection & defence of Newark & the neighbouring Country, generally situated on both sides of the Pissaic river which separates Essex from Bergen County. This was a frontier & was greatly exposed to the ravages of the British, & still more to the predatory incursions of the Tories & Refugees. No part of the Regular troops of the United States were ever stationed here, & the militia were in constant requisition for defence of the frontiers. I was Adjutant in Van Cortland's Regim't & was well acquainted with most of the officers & probably with all of them, I very well recollect Major Hays, Capt Williams, Ogden, Condict & Wheeler, under whom Isaac Tompkins States he performed Militia duty. I have at this day very little recollection of any of the privates of the Regiment. I do not remember Isaac Tompkins as belonging to the Regimt. altho' from facts which he has stated, & recalled distinctly to my memory, & believe he must have belonged to Van Cortland's Regim't & performed duty therein. -- I recollect very well the fact of Samuel Crane being killed in a skirmish with the enemy at a little [inserted: "Long hill"] place called Newtown [lined out], not far from [inserted: "Second River now called"] Belleville in this County, & of another man whose name was Matthews, being badly wounded about the same time, & being under the professional care of Dr. John Condit Surgeon of the Regiment.

James Hedden

Sworn and subscribed before me this 14 Nov. 1834 [illegible signature, likely John I. Plume] Justice of the Peace
Page 12

State of New Jersey, Essex County ss:

Before the subscriber a Justice of peace in said County personally app[eared] John P. Baldwin of said County, personally well known to me as a man [of] good character & fully entitled to belief, & being by me duly sworn, saith [as] follows viz: I was a Militia soldier in time of the war of the revolution & per[formed] duty as such in the County of Essex, & was often stationed in the town of Newark along the Pissaic [Passaic] river, to protect the inhabitants against the depredations of the British, & more particularly against the tories & refugees. -- I performed duty in C[ol] Van Cortlands Regiment & after having conversed this day with Isaac Tompkins, [I] have a distinct remembrance of seeing him engaged in militia duty in the same regiment at Newark in the latter part of the war. I well remember an instance, hot summer weather, in 1781 as I believe. A party of Refugees & Tories was discovered by moon light, behind a fence on the bank of the river in Newark, by a guard who had b[een] placed as a sentry. -- William Kusler, who belonged to the guard fired upon them, & shot [4 words illegible] down the bank, near the water's edge. He seemed to be an off[icer] or subaltern, having a hat bound with gold lace round the brim, which Kusler afterward wore. He also took & kept a very handsome gun, & a coat from the Hessian, who seemed to bleed to death from the wound in his groin. -- I was present & Tompkins also on the tour. I belonged to Capt. Jones' company I think at that time -- but do not remember to whose company Tompkins belonged. It was the next summer after Springfield was burnt

I was also present when Samuel Crane was killed in a skirmish with the enemy, & saw his corpse in a wagon, carrying it to the grave. I saw Tompkins present at this time & believe he was in the skirmish. The ball passed through the lower part of his belly, & he entrails were hanging out at the openings. -- It was at the foot of a hill, not far from Belleville. In another skirmish, I think upon the following day, one Matthews, from Orange, was shot through the upper part of the thigh, & was a long time under the Surgeon's care. This skirmish was at a little place called Newtown, & I recollect seeing Tompkins on that occasion. I think it was in the fall season of 1781, or 1782. --

Sworn & subscribed before me, at Newark this 13th Nov'r 1834. [signature] John P. Baldwin
[signature] John I Plume
Justice of the Peace
Page 13

Essex County ss

On this twenty Seventh day of September in the year of our Lord one Thousand Eight hundred and thirty two personally [left margin: 1832] appeared in Open Court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Essex aforesaid now sitting Isaac Tompkins a resident of the Township of Newark in the County of Essex Aged Sixty Seven years who being first sworn according to Law doth on his Oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed the 7. June 1832.

That he was born on the sixteenth May Seventeen hundred and sixty five at Newark in the County of Essex aforesaid, the family Bible which contained the original record of his age is lost, he has no copy of it.

When he first entered the service during the Revolutionary War he resided in Bloomfield in the County of Essex aforesaid and has always resided in said County ever since, he served at different times in the Revolutionary War as a Substitute, Volunteer and drafted

He first entered the Militia in Captain John Ogdens Company [left margin: 1-] in the month of April Seventeen hundred & Eighty for one month as a Substitute for one James Williams, at the end of which time (having nothing to do, and his Father being a Soldier in the Standing Army under General Washington where he served nearly all the War except one year that he was in prison in New York) he volunteered under the said Capt John Ogden for one [left margin: 1-] month, after the expiration of said time went as a substitute [left margin: 1-] under the said Capt Ogden for one month for one Samuel M Ward. during the time aforesaid the Company was  in Newark & Second river, in the month of September in same year went under Captain Thomas Williams and served Three months [left margin: 1-] one month as a substitute for Joseph R Crane and one month [left margin: 1-] as a Substitute for Job Crane & one month volunteered.
Page 14

6.-
in the year Seventeen hundred and Eighty one was classed and served my regular Tours during that & the following Year
under different Captains recollect serving under Captain Stephen Wheeler Captain Jonathan Condit, Captain Thomas Williams recollects in 1781 [?] of serving under Captain Wheeler besides his regular tour twice as a substitute one month for Abraham Birgen and one month for Joseph Baldwin, -- and under Captain Condit one month as a substitute, for James Williams and one month as a substitute for Ezekiel Baldwin cannot now say wether the service under Captain Condit as a substi was in 81 or 82. -- feels confident he served at least six months in each of the two last named years, recollects well of serving the last years, Was under Captain Ogden is certain he served in all more than two years, he belonged to Colonel Philip Van Courtlands Regiment. Samuel Hays was Major and James Hedden was adjutant in General Wines Brigade never received a written discharge from service is personally acquainted with and refers to the following persons for a statement as to Character and traditionary evidence of service in the Revolution, namely Rev'd Stephen Grover Colonel John I Plume & John Hewitt. -- does not know any one living who served with him except Colonel James Hedden then adjutant and John Hewitt

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State or Territory in the United States

Isaac Tompkins

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid

Sam'l B. Miller Judge
Page 15

We Stephen Grover a Clergyman residing in the Township of Caldwell and John I Plume of the Township of Newark do hereby certify that we are acquainted with Isaac Tompkins who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration that we believe him to be sixty seven years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Stephen Grover
John I Plume

Sworn & subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Sam B. Miller Judge

I John Hewitt of the Township of Bloomfield aged 68 years do hereby Certify that I was well acquainted with Isaac Tompkins, who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration, during the Revolutionary War, and know the greater portion of his statements therein mentioned to be true, and think that he served at least two years during the Revolutionary War as a soldier

John Hewitt

Sworn and subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Saml B. Miller Judge

The Court certify the good character of John Hewett on the following page
Page 16

4
And the said Court do hereby declare their 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 certifies that it appears to them that Stephen Grover who signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman resident in the County of Essex and that John Plume who has also signed the same is a resident as aforesaid and is a credible person, and the Court further certifies that John Hewitt who has signed the annexed Certificate is a resident as aforesaid and a credible person that their several Statements are entitled to credit.

By order of the Court
E Van Arsdale Jr Clk
Page 17

Essex County ss:

I Elias  Van Arsdale Jr Clerk of said Court of Common Pleas do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Jane Tompkins for a Pension

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 22d of October AD 1852 - E Van Arsdale Jr Clk
Page 18

No 15732
Isaac Tompkins Essex County New Jersey
Admitted
Private 22 months
Return d e m

state time place & officers of each term -
Whether servivers of each term
Best evidence
returned

Hon Th Frelinghuysen
Senate, U.S.
[lined out: Hon L. Condict]
Morristown, N. Jersey
[crossed out: Jn'o I Plume Newark, N Jersey]
[lined out: P... illegible]
[lined out: Hon T Frelinghuysen]
Page 19

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
15th May 1833

Sir:

The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your
claim.

A Statement, showing the Service of Isaac Tompkins Essex County New Jersey

Period when the service was rendered.| Duration of the claimant's service Years | Months | Days | Rank of the claimant. | Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. | Age at present; and place of abode when he entered the service. | Proof by which the declaration is supported.

Sub - Ap'l 1780 | - | 1 | - | private | Cap Ogden | 67 years | Traditionary evidence, clergymans,
| - | 1 - | " | Cap Ogden | Bloomfield | Witness certified credible, paper

Sub - | - | 1 | - | " | Cap Ogden | Essex County | Correct.

Sub - Sep'r 1780 | - | 3 | - | " | Cap Williams | New Jersey

Served 1781 | Monthly Tours not specified | Cap Wheeler, Cap Condict Cap Williams - | 

Sub - | - | 1 | - | " | " | |

Sub - | - | 1 | - | " | " | |

Sub - | - | 1 | - | " | " | Cap Condict |

Sub - | - | 1 | - | " | " | |

 | | 22 | | | | |

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 20

2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:

This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every brand of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.

Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval service.
4. Indian Spies.

As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County were such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.

DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.

State, Territory, or District of
County of } ss.

On this __ day of __ personally appeared (a) before A.B. a resident (b) of __ in the county of __ and State, Territory or District of __ aged (c) __ 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) __, with __ and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:

[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers, the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he enered [sic] the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]

He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of __

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. A.B.

[And then will follow the certificate of the Court]

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary solider, and served as he states.

I __ of the Court of __ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of __ for a pension.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this __ day of __ &c.

If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be
found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.

Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:

(k) We, A.B., a Clergyman, residing in the __ and C.D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with __, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration: that we believe him to be __ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.

[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]

And the said Court do hereby declare their 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 certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the __ and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the __ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

I __ Clerk of the Court of __ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of __ for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this __ day of __ &c.

Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledges of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.

If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
Page 21

3
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.

The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.

1. Where and what year were you born?

2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?

3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?

4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?

5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.

6. {To a Soldier. {Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by who was it given and what has become of it?
{To an officer. {Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?

7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.

The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.

The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -- one of who should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary solider, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.

The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.

Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of a bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.

Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record,
or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.

No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will trans-nit such evidenced as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
---
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity ; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.

[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.

[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.

[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.

[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:

"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c, A.B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and consequent loss of memory, he cannot sweat positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: -For __ year __ months, and __ days I served as a __. For __ months and __ days, I served as a __; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according tot he grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expression are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &e without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each tern of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.

[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.

[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.

[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.

[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

Mode of authenticating papers,
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same she et of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end of which must pass un der the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

Proof of Service.

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

[Pointing hand] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers, and State Troops, The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.

[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.

[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.

[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and seat to the War Department, with the declaration.

[All of note (e) is marked off in both margins. The last lines of this note, beginning with "(Some persons who apply", are underlined. Note (m) is also marked off in both margins.]
Page 22

This certifieth Mr Silas Condit Clerk of Essex County in the State of New Jersey that the Marriage of the following persons was at or about the time affixed to their several names solemnized by me
Abel Jackson
Bloomfield Apl 22, 1806
1801
Decem 24 Isaac Tompkins & Jane Chronk

State of New Jersey
Essex County ss } I, John R. Weeks Cerk of the County of Essex do certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the Record of the Marriage of Isaac Tompkins and Jane Chronk as the [illegible] is recorded in Book A. of Marriages page 48

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said County this twenty first day of April eighteen hundred and fifty four

J. R. Weeks, Clk.
Page 23

Isaac Tompkins was a pensioner - -
Jn C G Kennedy
Washington
Page 24

State of New Jersey
Essex County SS } On this Seventh day of June in the year of Our Lord One Thousand Eight hundred and fifty five, Personally appeared in Open Court before me Thomas B Pierson A Judge of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for said County Jane Tompkins a resident of the City of Newark in the County of Essex and State of New Jersey aforesaid, aged about eighty four years, who being sworn according to Law doth on her Oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed the 3d day of February 1853 Granting the renewal of half pay to Certain Widows and orphans; That she is the Widow of Isaac Tompkins, who was a Private and served in the Revolutionary War of the United States and who was a Pensioner of the United States, at the time of his death. She further declares that she was married to the said Isaac Tompkins on the 24th day of December One Thousand eight
hundred and one, In the township of Bloomfield, In the County and State aforesaid by the Rev. Abel Jackson who Preached in that Township at that time, and that her name previous to her Marriage was Jane Cronck and that her said Husband died on the 30th day of March 1839. She further declares that she was married to the said Isaac Tompkins at the time above Stated and not before the Year 1800. She further declares she has not inter-married since the death of her aforesaid husband and that she is now the Widow of the above named Isaac Tompkins

Jane Tompkins + her mark

Witness Present
D W Baldwin
O Tompkins

Sworn and subscribed in this Open Court this Seventh day of
June A.D. Eighteen hundred and fifty five before me

Thos B Pierson } Judge
Page 25

We Abaniah Tompkins and Elihu Hathaway residents of the City of Newark In the County and State above mentioned, upon our oaths declare, that we are well acquainted with Jane Tompkins and have known her for about Thirty Years, And that we also knew her late Husband Isaac Tompkins above named, and that they lived together as Husband and Wife for many years and up to the death of the said Isaac Tompkins. And that they had been lawfully married deponents have no doubt. And that the said Jane Tompkins is a credible person and worthy of belief, And that we have no personal Interest in the procurement of said Pension.

[signed] A Tompkins
Elihu Hathaway X his mark

Witness to the Mark of Elihu Hathaway
J W Bateman

Sworn and subscribed in Open Court this Seventh day of June 7 1855 before me
Thos B Pierson Judge

State of New Jersey
County of Essex } I James J Terhune Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas (being a Court of record) ^in and for said County do certify that Thomas B. Pierson before whom the foregoing proceedings in the case of Jane Tompkins were had, at the date thereof was presiding Judge of said Court, duly commissioned and sworn, that the respective signatures "Thos. B. Pierson" to the Jurats of said proceedings and the above written affidavit are genuine and that full faith and credit are due to his official acts.

In Testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court the Eighth day of June AD. 1855 - the interlineaton made before signing certificate

J J Terhune Clk
Page 26

State of New Jersey
County of Essex | SS

On this Twentieth day of June AD. one thousand Eight hundred & fifty five 1855 personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid Jane Tompkins aged Eighty four years a resident of the County of Essex and State of New Jersey who being duly sworn according to Law declares that she is the Widow of Isaac Tompkins Deceased who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain James Hedden In the -- -- Regiment of -- -- Commanded by Col. -- -- -- In the War of the Revolution with Great Britain; That she was married to the said Isaac Tompkins in Bloomfield New Jersey on the Twenty fourth day of December in the year 1801. That her Maiden Name was Jane Crank That her Husband died in the year 1839 on the 3d day of March, And that she is now a Widow and that her Husband was a pensioner at the time of his Death She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty land to which she may be entitled under Act of March 3d 1855 never having received nor applied for Bounty Land under this or any other act of Congress. She hereby appoints Joseph C G Kennedy Esq her Attorney to prossecute and receive her Warrant.

Jane Tompkins X her mark

We William Wilkins and Sarah Hathaway both residents of the City of Newark in the State of New Jersey upon our Oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Jane Tompkins in our presence and that we know she is now a Widow and we believe from the appearance and Statements of the applicant together with our acquaintance with her that she is the identical person she represents herself to be.

Wm Wilkins
Sarah Hathaway
Page 27

The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and Subscribed before me on the day and year above written and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons that the Clament is the person she represents herself to be and that I have no Interest in this Claim.

David W Baldwin
Justice of the Peace

State of New Jersey
County of Essex } SS

I hereby certify that David W Baldwin Esq before whom the foregoing Declaration and affidavit were made is and was at the time of taking the same an acting Justice of the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid duly Commissioned and qualified and that his signature above is genuine

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Official seal this Twenty first -- day of June A D 1855

J. J. Terhune Clerk of the County of Essex & of the Court of Common Pleas of said County

[Written vertically]
Bounty Land Declaration of Jane Tompkins
War of the Revolution

Jos. C G Kennedy
Atty
Page 28

Mr Cole ^Chief Clerk says this is sufficient
T Triplett
Page 29

I certify that O Tompkins and Elisha Hathaway who testified before me respecting the widowhood & identity of Mrs Jane Tompkins are persons of good repute and that their statements are entitled to full credence -- as witness my signature this 13th day of June 1855

David W Baldwin
Justice of the Peace

I, A. C. M Pennington Representative of the 5th Congress'l District of New Jersey in the 33 & 34th Congress of the US do certify that David W Baldwin is known to me as a Justice of the Peace in the City of Newark, a man of respectability, and that any Statement made by him is entitled to full credence

A. C. M. Pennington
Page 30

Power Atty from Jane Tompkins widow of Isaac - a Revolutionary pensioner - to Jos C G Kennedy
Page 31

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, That I, Jane Tompkins of Newark, in the county of Essex, and State of New Jersey have made, constituted, and appointed, and by these presents do make, constitute, and appoint Jos. C G Kennedy of Washington, in the District of Columbia my true and lawful attorney, for me, and in my name, place, and stead, to prosecute my claim as the widow of Isaac Tompkins who was a soldier of the Revolutionary war and a pensioner at the time of his decease giving and granting unto my said attorney full power and authority to do and perform all and every act and thing whatsoever, requisite and necessary to be done, in and about the premises, as fully, to all intents and purposes, as I might or could do, if personally present, with full power of substitution and revocation, hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said attorney, or his substitute, shall lawfully do, or cause to be done, by virtue thereof.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this twentieth day of May, in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-4 --

Jane Tompkins X her mark

SEALED AND DELIVERED IN PRESENCE OF us
D W Baldwin & Paul Mandeville

State New Jersey County of Essex, ss.
On this twentieth day of May, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-four, before me personally came Jane Tompkins to me known to be the individual described in and who executed the annexed Power of Attorney, and acknowledged that she [the "s" inserted by hand] executed the same for the purposes therein mentioned.

D W Baldwin Justice of the Peace.

State of New Jersey Essex County Clerk's Office, ss.
I, John R Weeks, Clerk of the said county, hereby certify that D. W. Baldwin, Esq., whose name is subscribed to the jurat of the annexed affidavit, was, at the time of taking the same, a Justice of the peace in and for said county, and authorized to take the same; that I am acquainted with his handwriting, and believe the signature to the jurat of said affidavit genuine.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said county, this 25th day of May 1854.

Clerk.
Page 32

State of New Jersey
Essex County ss }
Clerks Office

I John R Weeks Clerk of said County hereby certify that D W Baldwin whose name is subscribed to the within Certificate of Acknowledgement was at the time of taking the same a Commissioner for taking the proof and Acknowledgement of Deeds and Mortgages & other Instruments of writing in and for said County and authorised by the Law of said State to take the same; And that I am acquainted with his Hand writing and believe the signature to the said Certificate of Acknowledgement to be Genuine

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said County this 20th day of May 1854

J R Weeks Clk
Page 33

Brief in the case of Jane Tompkins Widow of Isaac
County and state of New Jersey
act 3 Feby 1853

Claim, ("original," [lined out: or "for increase"])
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Her husband was a pensioner under the act of June 7 1832 at $73 34/ year (service proved in his papers)
Record of marriage

[lined out: (If for increase.) Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?]
Her identity as the widow of the pensioner, his death & her present and herd proved by O Tompkins & Elihu Hathaway, Certified to be credible.

Thornton Triplett [?]
Examining Clerk.

Name and residence of Agent
J C G Kennedy
Present
Page 34

Jane Tompkins
Widow of Isaac
New Jersey
Adm'd 3 Feb'y 1853
22 mos pri $73.34 per annum from 3d Feby 1853
Cert to J C G Kennedy Esq Present
Page 35

D'd 30 Mch 1839
Jane Tompkins
md 1801, Record.
O Tompkins & Elihu Hathaway
Page 36

Washington 12 June/55

Sir

I have the honor to inclose herewith the application of Jane
Tompkins the widow of Isaac Tompkins decd a Soldier of the Revolutionary War who was a pensioner at the time of his decease -- and I am
Very Respectfully
your obd't Serv't
Jos. C G Kennedy

I enclose also ^a certain letter ["s" crossed out] calculated to throw light on the case which I desire returned

Hon L P Waldo
Com Pensions
Page 37

Wash'n 22 June 1855.

Sir

I have the honor to enclose herewith the certificate of the magistrate who acted in the case respecting the credibility [underlined] of the witnesses who testified as to the matter of Jane Tompkins (widow of Isaac a soldier of the Revolutionary war) whose application for a pension is now pending before you

I remain
Your ob servt
Jos C G Kennedy
(City of Newark Co of Essex NJ)

Hon L P Waldo
Com'r of Pensions --
Page 38

Revy
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 25492
Jane Tompkins
wid. of
Isaac Tompkins
Pri Rev. war
---
Act Feb 3d 1853.
Index: Vol. 3 Page 423
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 39

Hon L. P. Waldo
Com'r Pensions
Washington D.C.

[written vertically at left:]
NJ
Jane Tompkins
wid
Isaac
Boynton
June 13/55
Page 40

Pen Off. June 30 1855

Sir
Please inform me when Isaac Tompkins of N J act 1832 $73[.]36 was last paid
Very Respectfy
S. Cole,
CClerk

R J Atkinson Esq
3'd Auditor

Triplett
Page 41

Isaac Tompkins died 29 March 1839
paid in full
Robt J Atkinson [?]
Auditor
Page 42

official business }
Mr Cole
Chf Clerk
Pension Office

[written upward at left:]
Jane Tompkins
Page 43

[Postmark] WASHINGTON D.C. FREE JUN 22 1855

Hon L P Waldo
Com'r Pensions
Wash'n

[Written vertically:]
Jane Tompkins
Page 44

5792
Jane Tompkins
Wid: of
Isaac.
Let. to Jos: C. G. Kennedy June 15/55.
Same June 26 1855
Page 45

31.725
[illegible]