Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 8589, for Thomas F Randolph, New Jersey
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(8-1776)

SERVICE | NUMBER
New Jersey | Randolph, Thomas F. | R.8589

CONTENTS
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War Dept.
Pension Off(ice)

Sir,

I have the honor to inform
286
you that the claim of Gideon Salsbury (O.S.T. Admitted S.28863) has been examined. He claims for 9 mo. service in '77; Capt. McKinstry, Col, McKinstry. 12 mo. in '80; Capt. Harrison, Col. Willett & 9 mo. in '82; Capt. Wright, Col. Willett.

The testimony of his elder brother is silent as to the first term and states in general terms that he served two companies under Willett and one of his witnesses supposes the second term to have been 4 mo. The term of 9 mo. in '77 under McKinstry is not sustained by any information of the dept., but on the contrary, his declaration is the first to allege such a service. It could not be admitted unless the records of New York can show the comm(ission) & service of the designated officers and some one or more of his comrades shall prove his service under them. Nor do the records show that he received the County land to which he would have been entitled for the alleged service under Col. Willett. That service...
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...should also be proved by the most satisfactory testimony [crossed out: of] which it is believe [crossed out: sh] is abundant. In the case of Henry Leonard (O.S.T. Admitted S.29288) you will perceive [crossed out: of] by referring to my letter of 7 [illegible] last that his claim was resisted upon the ground that the officers designated by him did not, as he alleged, belong to the New York line & that there were no enlistments in '75 for three years or during the war. His claim is still liable to the same objections.

The supplemental statement of [crossed out: James] Thomas F. Randolph sets forth that, in Nov '76, he entered the service under Capt. Reuben Randolph and served 2 mo. & in March '77 entered the service in the same company & continued in actual service in the field until [illegible] '79. In his original declaration, he stated that, "On the last day of Nov. '78, he enlisted as a volunteer under Capt. Reuben Randolph. That he lived in Monmouth Co., N. Jersey. That he continued to serve in said company to the close of the war." You will readily perceive the discrepancies between his own statements & duly appreciate the difficulty of forming any satisfactory opinion upon his claim. Capt. Randolph [crossed out: was] is understood...
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...to have been an active officer of the New Jersey militia [crossed out: and] but that he was actually in service from Nov '77 to Apr. '79, could not be
admitted without some record evidence from the archives of New Jersey. If he claimed for various terms of service, each should be detailed as required by my letter of 27 Oct. '33. John Shultz asserts two tours of 3 mo. each in the militia of Orange County and produces no evidence of either. The regulations require the best evidence in the power of claimants to produce, and from the numerous claimants for similar service in Orange Co., it is believed that any service rendered therein must be susceptible of abundant proof. His claim is suspended & his papers placed on file.

Act 7 June.

Hon E. Howell
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State of New York
Allegany County//

On the first day of [crossed out: February] July 1834, personally appeared in Open Court before Andrew C. Hull, Daniel L. Gilman and Josiah Utter, Judges (of) the Court of Common Pleas of said County, now sitting Thomas F. Randolph, a resident of the town of Birdsall in said County, aged Seventy seven years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7 1832.

That on the last day of November and as this declarant thinks in the year 1776, he entered the service of the United States of America in the Revolutionary War as a private soldier in the militia of the State of New Jersey under Captain Reuben Randolph. That he served in the same company at least two months at this time. That on the first of February 1777, he was dismissed with the company and went home. That at this time he received no other discharge than to be dismissed. That while on this tour he was in a skirmish with a scouting party of the enemy near Toms River. That sometime the last of December, as this...
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...declarant thinks, General Washington had a battle at Trenton and took a large number of Hessians. That at the time of this battle, this declarant was stationed with a part of the regiment at Manahawkin as a guard. That in March 1777, he was again called out in the militia of the State of New Jersey as a private soldier in a company commanded by the same Captain Randolph and continued to serve constantly in the same company until the fore part of April 1779. That during this last term of service, he was stationed a part of the time at Toms River and a part of the time near Manahawkin in Monmouth County, New Jersey. That during the last two years, he was in three skirmishes with small parties of the enemy in Monmouth County & was once taken prisoner by a company of the enemy, commanded by Captain Davenport. That he was carried part of the way to Tuckerton. That they were colesly [closely] pursued by several companies of the Americans in consequence of which the prisoners were released.

That then [crossed out: they] he went back to the camp of the Americans. That sometime in the month of September or the fore part of October, preparations were made by the regiment to which this declarant belonged, to join Washington's army near Germantown but before the regiment began the march, orders...
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...were received not to [crossed out: join] leave the camp. That the regiment remained there until towards spring. That in the summer of 1778, the regiment to which this deponent belonged received information that the British were passing through the State of New Jersey and was ordered to join Washington's army but that the regiment did not arrive on the ground until after Washington's army had a battle with and draw the British from Monmouth. That then they received information that the enemy had left the state. That the regiment to which this declarant belonged was then ordered back and General Washington's army went up the Hudson River. That this declarant remained in the camp until April 1779 and was there discharged. That at this time he received a written discharge and thinks it was signed by General Forman. That his said discharge has been long since lost or destroyed; has not seen it in more than ten years; does not now know where it is.

That during the whole of the above tours of service, this declarant was continually employed in the camp and in the field and was not employed in any other kind of business. That among the officers, he recollects General Forman of Freehold in Monmouth County, New Jersey. That his captain's name was Reuben Randolph. That the lieutenant's name was Hull Randolph. That the adjutant's name was Nathan Crane.

That he served in both terms at least two years and two months. That is to say the first term at least two months and the last term at least two years. That he was born in Monmouth in the...
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...State of New Jersey in the year 1757 as he has always understood by his parents and as he has seen his birth recorded in the family record in a Bible. That the said record has been lost or destroyed and is not now in existence within this declarant's knowledge or belief. 

That this declarant lived in Manahawkin in the State of New Jersey when he joined the army and during the whole terms of service and ever since the war, until about six years ago, when he moved to the town of Birdsall in the County of Allegany and State of New York, where he now lives. That when he first entered the service, he volunteered. That when he entered the second term of service, he was droughted [drafted] in the militia.

He hereby relinquishes every claim 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.
s/ Thomas Randolph

Sworn and subscribed before me this first day of July 1834.
s/ J.W. Sherman, Clerk

We, William Lippincott, a Clergyman residing in the town of Almond but in the neighborhood of the said Thomas F. Randolph, and [crossed out: Barrett] Merrit B. Dake, residing in the same place, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Thomas F. Randolph, who has subscribed and sworn to the...
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...above declaration. That we believe him to be Seventy seven 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.
s/ Merrit B. Dake
s/ William Lippincott

Sworn and subscribed [crossed out: before me] the day and year aforesaid before me.
s/ J.W. Sherman, Clerk

And we, the said Court, do hereby declare our opinion after the investigation [crossed out: and] 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 we further certify that it appears to us that William Lippincott, who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman resident in the town of Almond and that [crossed out: Barrett] Merrit B. Dake, who has also signed the same, is a resident in the said town of Almond and are both in the vicinity of the neighborhood of the said Thomas F. Randolph. Aand that their statements are entitled to full credit.
s/ Andrew C. Hull
s/ Josiah Utter
s/ Daniel S. Gilman
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State of Newyork
Allegany County//

I, Judson W. Sherman, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the said County, do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Thomas F. Randolph for a pension.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal of Office this first day of July 1854.
s/ Judson W. Sherman, Clerk
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Jan. 22nd

Thomas F. Randolph

Add(itional) evi(dence).

Hon. E. Howell
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State of New Jersey
Monmouth County//

Stephen Pangburn, being duly sworn saith that previous to the American Revolutionary War, he, this deponent, lived in Stafford Township in said County and that he was personally acquainted with Thomas F. Randolph, who lived at the same place. That in the month of November, as near as this deponent can recollect in the year 1776, the said Randolph went into the service of the United States as a private soldier under Captain Reuben Randolph and served under him until in the latter part of the winter of 1777. Thinks in February or the last of January when he, the said Thomas F. Randolph, was dismissed and came home. Deponent understood at the time that said Thos. F. Randolph was in a battle with the enemy at Toms River. This deponent saith saw Randolph, while he was stationed near Manahawkin in December 1776.

That in the Spring of 1777, the said Thomas F. Randolph was again called into the service under the same captain and [crossed out: continued to] served continually, as this declarant thinks, until the spring of 1779 when he, the said Randolph, was discharged and came home.

That during the last two years, the said Randolph was stationed at Towns River and Manahawkin in New Jersey.

That the said Randolph was once...
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...taken prisoner by the enemy but was released and came back to the camp. That the said Thomas F. Randolph served in the last tour, as this deponent thinks, two years. That this deponent was in the service a part of the time with the said Randolph and he the said Randolph was called a good and faithful soldier. That after the war was over, the said Thomas F. Randolph continued to live neighbor to this deponent in Stafford Township in Monmouth County until about six or seven years ago when he, the said Randolph, moved to the town of Birdsall in the County of Allegany in the State of New York where he now lives, as this deponent is informed and believes.
s/ Stephen Pangburn

Sworn and affirmed before me this 17th day of January 1835.
s/ J.F. Randolph, Just(ice)
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State of New Jersey
Monmouth County//

Uriah Bennet, being duly sworn, saith that he has always been acquainted with Thomas F. Randolph from a boy and that they lived and was brought up in the neighborhood together in Monmouth County in the State of New Jersey. And that said Randolph was a soldier in the American Revolutionary, was under a captain by the name of Reuben Randolph and under General Firman. That said Thomas F. Randolph served two tours; thinks the first tour was in the fall or winter of 1776 or in the fore part of the year 1777. Cannot recollect particularly about the length of time, thinks it might be two months. That the next term of service by the said Randolph was from March or April 1777 to March or April 1779. That he served the whole time under the command of the same captain. Thinks the said Thomas F. Randolph was continually in the service the last tour. Thinks the term of the last services was called at the time two years.

That this deponent was a part of the time in the service with said Randolph. That this deponent was considerable younger than said Randolph and did not go into the army so soon as he did...
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...This deponent further saith that the said Thomas F. Randolph was once taken prisoner by the enemy. That the said Randolph was in several battles with scouting parties of the enemy. That the said Randolph was in the battle at the time that one Luis Parryham and one Sylvester Tilton was killed and that was the time the said Randolph was taken prisoner. And this deponent further saith that the said Randolph was stationed at part of the time at or near a place called Toms River and a part of the time near a place called Manahawkin. Seen him frequently in the army when this deponent was not in the service.

That the said Randolph served the last tour two years as this deponent believes, according to the best of his recollection and as this deponent understood at the time. That after the war, the said Thomas F. Randolph continued to live in Stafford Township until between six and seven years ago, when he moved to the west, and as this deponent understood, to Allegany County, New York State. Since which time this deponent has not see him.
s/ Uriah Bennet

Sworn and subscribed before me this 17th day of January 1835.
s/ J.F. Randolph, Just(ice)
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State of New Jersey
Monmouth County//

I, John F. Randolph a Justice of the Peace of the said County, do certify that I am personally acquainted with Stephen Pangburn and Uriah Bennet, the persons who have made and subscribed the annexed affidavits this day before me. And that the said Stephen Pangburn and the said Uriah Bennet are both men of good standing and of truth and veracity. And that their statements are entitled to full credit. Given under my Hand and Seal this 17th day of January 1835.
s/ J.F. Randolph, Just(ice)
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I, D.H. Ellis, Clk. of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Monmouth in the State of New Jersey, do hereby certify that John F. Randolph, Esq., before whom the foregoing affidavits of Stephen Pangburn and Uriah Bennet were taken and by whom the Certificate of Credibility is signed, was at the time of taking and signing the same a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly sworn & enrolled in my office and that full faith and credit is due and owing to all his official acts as such. And further that I am acquainted with the handwriting of the said Justice and that the named signed J.F. Randolph in the three several places are the proper handwriting of the said Justice.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and affixed my Seal of said Court at Freehold this Seventeenth day of January A.D. Eighteen Hundred and Thirty five.
s/ D.H. Ellis, Clk.
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No 22845
Thomas F. Randolph, Allegany Co., N.Y.

8589

C.

W.M. Hawley, North Almond, Allegany Co., N.Y.
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
May 30, 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, shewing the service of Thomas F. Rudolph, Allegany Co., N.Y.

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. | Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. | Battles in which the applicant was engaged. | Country through
which he marched. | Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. | Evidence by which the declaration is supported.
[illegible Nov. 1778 | Time not stated. | Private | Captain Randolph, Ensign Enam, Lieut. Randolph, Captain Stone. | Gen'l German | Skirmish | Manahawkin, N. Jersey, Toms River, Manahawkin, Trenton, Tuckerton. | 76 years, Monmouth County, N. Jersey | Traditional evidence.

He states his serves a better than 3 years but time not specified.

I am, respectfully your obedient servant,
J.L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

It is believe that all the requirements have been complied with by the new affidavit. If not, will the department her the goodness to forward particular directions.

Respectfully,
s/ W.M. Hawley
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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 branch 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 where 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 //
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 entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. (illegible) 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 soldier, 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 days 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 knowledge 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...
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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 in 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 whom 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 the 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 whom 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 soldier, 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 inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.

Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of 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 transmit such evidence 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 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 in 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 ______ year ________ 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 to the 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 expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. 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 term 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 was the 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 sheet 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 ends of which must
pass under 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.

(Illegible) 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 (illegible) 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 sent to the War Department, with the declaration:
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REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION. | 3-525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D.C., (blank) 19 (blank)

In reply to your request of (blank), received (blank) for a statement of the military history of Thomas F. Randolph, a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. | LENGTH OF SERVICE. | RANK. | OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. (CAPTAIN/COLONEL) | STATE.
1776 | Pvt. | At various timed during the Rev(olutionary War) | Reuben Randolph in the Militia of N.J.

Battles engaged in, Many skirmishes and was once captured but immediately released.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Monmouth County, N.J. Manahawkin.
Date of application for pension, Feb. 13, 1833.
Residence at date of application, Birdsall, Allegany Co., N.Y.
Age at date of application, Born in Monmouth Co., N.J., 1757.
Remarks: Soldier's son, James L. (Randolph), was alive in 1833. Name of wife not stated. The claim was not allowed for he failed to furnish sufficient proof of six months military service as required by the pension laws.

Respectfully,
Commissioner.

6-2856
Page 23

8,589
P.O. Thos F. Randolph
Service: (blank)
REJECTED
Enlisted: (blank)
Discharged: (blank)
Application filed: (blank)
[crossed out: Alleges: (blank)]

The printed list of 1852 gives cause of suspension as, "His alleged militia service in N.J. is no doubt overrated. He should specify each tour by itself, no matter how short."

1920 Nov. 13 - Hist(ory sent) to Mrs. Chas. O. Norton. A.W.
Page 24

[illegible]
See letter to W.M. Hawley.
[illegible]
Page 25

FREE

Hon. Wm. A. Newell
Washington City, D.C.

Pension Office. 
Answers in services.
Page 26

Freehold, Feb. 7/'49

Sir,

Will you please look at the papers on file in the Pension Office of Thomas Randolph of Allegany County, New York, formerly of Monmouth County. He is still living and very poor. Please urge it through and advise me of your success.

Your &c.,
s/ I.S. Lawrence

Hon. Wm. A. Newell, Washington

P.S. Mr. Randolph is very old and infirm
Page 27

Wm. M. Hawley, N.Y.
29 Oct. 1833
D.C.

Rec'd Vol. 30; p. 87
Page 28

War Department
Pension Office
Oct. 29, 1833

Sir,

The papers in support of the application of John M. Dake (Dake admitted on S.19272) have again been examined. On a former examination, the applicant was required to specify the duration of each term of actual service, the time & place when performed & [crossed out: &c.] the names of the officers under whom he served. These questions not having been complied with, the case is suspended & the papers placed on file.

In his supplemental declaration, the declarant alleges that he was in the Continental Service. There is no evidence in the department that the officers mentioned were in that service.

The papers of Thomas F. Randolph have likewise been examined. The inquisition of the department into a specification of the length of the different tours of service, the names of the officers under whom each tour was performed, the particular place or places when performed...

W.M. Hawley, Esq.
North Almond
Allegany County 
New York
Page 29

W.M. Hawley
25 Jan. 1836
D.C.
Page 30

War Dept.
Pension Off(ice)
Jan. 30.

Sir,

Agreeably to your request, I enclose herewith an extract of that portion of my letter to the Hon. E. Howell, which relates to the claims of Henry Leonard & Thomas F. Randolph.

Wm. M. Hawley, Esq.
North Almond
N.Y.
Page 31

War Dept.
Pension Off(ice)
Jan. 30.

Sir,

Agreeably to your request, I enclose herewith an extract of that portion of my letter to the Hon. E. Howell, which relates to the claims of Henry Leonard & Thomas F. Randolph.

Wm. M. Hawley, Esq.
North Almond
N.Y.
Page 32

War Department
Pension Office
Oct. 29, 1833

Sir,

The papers in support of the application of John M. Dake (Dake admitted on S.19272) have again been examined. On a former examination, the applicant was required to specify the duration of each term of actual service, the time & place when performed & [crossed out: &c.] the names of the officers under whom he served. These questions not having been complied with, the case is suspended & the papers placed on file.

In his supplemental declaration, the declarant alleges that he was in the Continental Service. There is no evidence in the department that the officers mentioned were in that service.

The papers of Thomas F. Randolph have likewise been examined. The inquisition of the department into a specification of the length of the different tours of service, the names of the officers under whom each tour was performed, the particular place or places when performed...

W.M. Hawley, Esq.
North Almond
Allegany County 
New York
Page 33

...nor having been complied with the case is suspended and the papers placed on file. By the regulations of the department, any claimant is required to produce the best evidence in his power. There are numerous applicants from the State of New Jersey who served under Capt. Randolph. 

In order to a favorable decision on this case, the testimony of some one of them should be obtained.

Wm. M. Hawley, N.Y.
29 Oct. 1833
D.C.

Rec'd Vol. 30; p. 87
Page 34

James L. Edwards Esq.
Comm(issioner) of Pensions
Pension Office
Washington

Jan. 26
N.Y.
Original

Hon. E. Howell
Page 35

House of Rep.
Jan. 24th 1835

J.L. Edwards

Sir,

The favor of an early answer to the enclosed pension application is earnestly requested.

I am, Sir, very respectfully your Obe(dient) Ser(vant),
s/ A. Howell
Page 36

State of New York
Allegany County//

On this 13 day of February 1833, personally appeared before Asa. S. Allen, Judge; Abram. Burr and Andrew Norton, Justices (of) the Court of [crossed out: Common Pleas] General Sessions now sitting Thomas [crossed out: F.] Randolph, aged Seventy (Sixty) six years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832.

That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.

On the last day of November 1778, he enlisted as a volunteer under Captain Reuben Randolph. That he then lived in Monmouth County in the State of New Jersey. That he continued to serve in the same company until the close of the war. That the ensigned name was Nathan Crane. That [crossed out: in the] lieutenant's name was Hull Randolph. That in the same regiment was a captain by the name of Stone. That the general's name was Firman from Freehold, Monmouth County. That he cannot now recollect the name of the colonel. That they first encamped at Manahawkin in New Jersey; from there he marched to a place called Toms River. Served there about six weeks and while there he was in a skirmish with a party of refugees. That they then went back to Manahawkin. That while there, he was in three skirmishes with scouting parties of the enemy and refugees. That about the time of the Battle at Trenton, the inhabitants at Manahawkin was driven back to Mount Holly. That in one of the skirmishes at Manahawkin, he was taken prisoner; carried to Tuckerton and released. That at the time of the Battle at Trenton, a part of the company went there and a part was left at Manahawkin and the vicinity as a guard. That he was among those that were left. That the name of the captain by whom he was taken prisoner was Davenport. That he recollects another captain of the...
Page 37

...the enemy by the name of John Bacon. That he served, according to the best of his recollection, a little over three years. That at the close of the war, he received a discharge. That he has seen the discharge within a five years but does not know where it is now. That the last he saw of it, it was in a box or trunk of old and useless papers, which have been thrown away. That he knows of no person now living who was with him in the service or whose testimony he can procure to prove his services. That he has always lived the State of New Jersey in Monmouth County since the war until within four years. And that he then moved to the town of Birdsall in the County of Allegany and State of New York, where he now lives.

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 any State.
s/ Thomas Randolph

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me.
s/ J.W. Sherman, Clerk

I, Job Southern, do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Thomas F. Randolph, who has sworn and subscribed to the above declaration and believe him to be of the age set forth in his declaration above. That I have been acquainted with him over Twenty five years. That he has always maintained a fair character as citizen and as a church member. That he is reputed and believed to be a Soldier of the Revolution. That I concur in that opinion and that I have never had any doubts on that subject.
s/ Job Southern

Sworn and subscribed before me the day and year above written.
s/ J.W. Sherman, Clerk
Page 38

I, James L. Randolph, do certify that I am a son of Thomas F. Randolph, the person who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration. That I now live a neighbor to him. That I have been in company with him frequently among other men who were reputed to be Soldiers of the Revolution and have heard them talk of being in the army together. That I have often heard the age of his father and believes he is of the age set forth in his said declaration. And that I have seen his discharge, as near as I can recollect, about six or seven years ago and verily believe it was destroyed and thrown away among other old and useless papers. 
s/ James L. Randolph

Sworn and subscribed this 13th day of February 1833 before me.
s/ J.W. Sherman, Clerk

I, Elias Randolph, do certify that I have been acquainted with Thomas F. Randolph, Thirty years and upwards. And that I now live in the town of Birdsall in the County of Allegany and State of New York and in the neighborhood of the said Thomas F. Randolph.

That I have often heard the age of the said Randolph and believe him to be of the age set forth in the above declaration. That he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he now lives and also when he lived in the State of New Jersey to be a Soldier of the Revolution...
Page 39

...And there has been no doubt at any time of the fact and I fully concur in that opinion. And I do further certify that there is no Clergyman now living in the neighborhood of the said Thomas F Randolph.
s/ Elias Randolph

Sworn and subscribed this 13th day of February 1833 before me.
s/ J.W. Sherman, Clerk

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 there is no Clergyman living in the vicinity of the said Thomas F. Randolph and that Job Southern, James L. Randolph and Elias Randolph are credible persons and that the matter set forth in their several affidavit is entitled to credit.
s/ Asa. S. Allen
s/ Abram. Burr
s/ Andrew A. Norton

I, Judson W. Sherman, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas and General Sessions in and for the County of Allegany, do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Thomas F. Randolph for a pension.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal of the Clerk's Office this 13th day of February 1833.
s/ Judson W. Sherman, Clerk
Page 40

Allegany County//

Personally appeared before me the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace of the said County, Thomas Randolph, who being duly sworn deposes and says that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory, and having no means in his possession or power by which to rem(em)ber dates, he cannot be positive as to the precise times of his service as a Soldier of the Revolution. But that he is position from recollection that he joined the army first on the last day of November, and thinks it was in the year 1778 or [crossed out: nine] 1779, but cannot be positive which. That he continued to serve in the army as a private soldier in the militia in the State of New Jersey until the fore part of the winter, near the close of the war. That then a part of the soldiers of that regiment was discharged and that he was discharged at that time, but cannot be positive in what year. But that he is positive he served at least three years and one month. That during the said term of service, he was all the time engaged in actual service in camps or in the field and that he was not engaged in any civil pursuit from the time he first entered the service until he was discharged. And that for such service he claims a pension.
s/ Thomas Randolph

Sworn and subscribed before me this 27 day of June 1833.
s/ W.M. Hawley, Justice of the Peace
Page 41

State of New York
Allegany County Clerk's Office//

I, Judson W. Sherman. Clerk of the County of Allegany, do certify that William M. Hawley, before whom the foregoing affidavit of Thomas Randolph was subscribed and taken, was at the date thereof a Justice of the Peace of said County duly commissioned and sworn and that I am well acquainted with his handwriting and verily believe the name "W.M. Hawley" thereunto subscribed to be his genuine signature.

In testimony whereof I have here unto subscribed my name and affixed the Seal of the said County the 27th day of June 1833.
s/ J.W. Sherman, Clk.
Page 42

Thos. F. Randolph
Apr. 19; Act '32; N.J.
Page 43

State of New York
County of Allegany//

Be it known that on this Thirty first day of January A.D. 1853, before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared (1) Thomas F. Randolph, a resident of (2) Centre Almond in said County, and made oath according to law that (3) he is the identical man, who was a Soldier in the war of the Revolution, and who has heretofore made application for the benefit of the Pension Act of (4) (blank).

That (5) he is directly interested as a claimant in said Pension, and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence or arguments as my Agent may use in prosecuting said claim.

Countermanding and revoking all Powers of Attorney and authority heretofore given, I hereby constitute and appoint C.W. BENNETT, of Washington City, my true and lawful Attorney to prosecute the claim of (6) Thomas F. Randolph for any amount of Revolutionary Pension, or increase of Pension that may be due; and I hereby authorize my said Attorney to examine all papers or documents in relation to said claim, on file in the Department at Washington City or elsewhere, to file additional evidence or arguments, and to receive for my exclusive benefit, the certificate which may be issued for said claim, which certificate I wish made payable at the Washington City, D.C. Agency; to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purposes herein expressed, and to do all things that I might or could do were I personally present. Hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney and Agent shall lawfully do in the premises.
(7) s/ Thomas F. Randolph (X - his mark)

Sworn to, Subscribed, and Acknowledged before me the day and year above written, and I hereby certify that I believe the said (8) Thomas F. Randolph to be directly interested in said claim as set forth and to be the identical party therein alleged. 
s/ Joseph J. Dey, J.P.

State of New York
County of Allegany//

It is hereby Certified, that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited before me, Clerk of the Court of said County that (9) Thomas Randolph, the party who has sworn to, and acknowledged the foregoing Declaration and Power of Attorney is the (10) (blank) reputed soldier aforesaid. I further certify, that (11) Joseph J. Dey, Esq., before whom the preceding affidavits and Power of Attorney were made and acknowledged, was, at the time of so doing, a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County and that the signature purported to be his, I believe to be genuine.

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office, this 1st day of February 1853.
(12) s/ Jas. M. Mott, Clerk

1. Claimant's name or names in full.
2. Post Office address.
3. "That he is the identical man," or, "that she is the widow of the identical man," or, "that he or she is the legal heir of the identical man," &c., &c.
4. Leave this line bank.
5. "He is," "she is," of "they are."
6. Revolutionary soldier's full name.
7. Claimant's signature.
8. Claimant's name.
9. Magistrate's signature.
10. "Identical," "widow of," or, "child of"
11. Magistrate's name.
12. Clerk's signature.

N.B. - Should two or more heirs join in the foregoing, the plural should be substituted for the singular number.
Page 44

MRS. CHAS. O. NORTON
KEARNEY, NEBRASKA
Oct 12th 1920

Pension Department
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sirs,

Will you kindly inform me if THOMAS F. RANDOLPH, who served in the REVOLUTIONARY WAR from Essex Co., New Jersey, was pensioned?

His pension may have been applied for in Pennsylvania, as later in life I believe he lived in or near Uniontown, Penn.

Your early reply will oblige.

Yours very truly,
s/ Mrs. Chas. O. Norton
Page 45

Rev. Sec.