Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 10896, Peter Huff, New Jersey
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(8-1776)
Service                                  Number
New Jersey  Huff, Peter      S. 10896

                                                  carded
contents
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1762
Kentucky
=====
Peter Huff
[illegible] in the State of Kentucky
who was a private in the Compy commanded
by Captain Hankerson of the Regt commanded
by Col. Taylor in the New Jersey
[illegible] for 2 years from 1776
=====
Inscribed on the Roll of Kentucky
at the rate of 80 Dollars -- Cents per annum,
comment on the 4th day of March, 1834.
=====
Certificate of Pension issued the 10th day of Nov
1832 and sent to R. B.
McAfee Harrodsburgh, Ky.
=====
Arrears to 4th of Sep 1832 120--
Semi=anl. allowance ending 4 March 1833 40
$160.00
d. Nov. 11, 1840
{Revolutionary Claims, Act June 7, 1832.}
Rrecorded by Nathan Rice Clerk,
Book D Volo. 9 Page 43.
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8140
Peter Hugg 
from 1776 private
2 yr $80

R. B. McAfee
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8140 Brief in the case of Peter Huff
County of Mercer in the state of Kentucky
(Act 7 June, 1832)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or Judge? Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 76
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period.
July In 1776 cold.
in what was called the Flyng Corps. He was called out every other month and in this way served in actual service
Duration of Service.
years, months, days.
3-         ~            ~
Rank.
As a private
Names of General and Field officers under whom he served.
Gen.
Capt. N. Stillwell
Col. Jon. Taylor
Capt Hankerson
" Edwd. Wilmot
5.In what battles was he engaged? Monmouth
6. Whare did he reside when he entered the service? Huntington City New Jersey
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Witnesses and Traditionary
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct

I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.  T. Waugh Examining Clerk.
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State of Kentucky }
Mercer County SS }
On this 3rd day of September 1832, personally appeared in open court before the Justices of the court of Mercer County now sitting Peter Huff [illegible], a resident of said county & state aged 76 years who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of congress passed June 7th 1832. I Peter Huff do hereby state that I am seventy six years of age and was born in Leyden Township Huntingdon county and state of New Jersey where I resided when I was called into the service of my country on the southern branch of the Raritan, and where I also resided until the year 1794 when I removed to Kentucky and settled in Mercer County where I now live. In the month of July 1776, I volunteered in the militia service of New Jersey i n what was called The Flying Camp service my engagements was to hold myself in readiness at a minutes warning to march to any place when I might be ordered. My first Captain was Captain Nicholas Stillwell of Col. John Taylor Regiment. Capt. Stillwell was afterwards promoted to be a major and after he was promoted he was succeeded by Captain John Hankerson. We were so classed that one half the militia was called out every other month and on some occasions additional calls were made and in this way I was called out and served from the time I first volunteered until the war ended. When Genl. Washington in the fall 1776 retreated through Jersey, our company retreated with him across the Delaware into Pennsylvania, but we soon returned each to Jersey and altho our time was expected to expire in December, yet I again engaged in the same company and when about Christmas and New Years Genl. Washington took the Hessians
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at Trenton my company was stationed at Millstone and after, the British retreated from Jersey in 1777 my company was station at New Brunswick, and at Amboy under Capt. Stillwell and I was regularly called out every other month in the year 1777. Part of the time I was at Elizabethtown, and when in the fall the British sailed around and took Philadelphia my company was stations ultimately at Elizabethtown & Amboy and next spring in the month of May 1778 I march to Hackensack where we had a skirmish with the British and in the month of June 1778 my company was a part of the reserve and rear guard in the Battle of Monmouth, and I was commanded by Capt. Hankerson who had succeeded Capt. Stillwell in Col. Taylor's Regt and the [balance] of my tours of the year 1778 I was stationed ultimately at Amboy and Elizabethtown from which places we always march to any point we were surrounded having served three months in 1776 six months in 1777 & the same in 1778 with an extra tour to Hackensack. In 1779 I was called on a guard to the same points every other month under Capt. Hankerson we were often across on State Island when we had a skirmish and at one time took some Prisoners, and in the year 1780 I served in the company commanded by Capt. Abraham Cowingour who was succeeded by Capt. Moses Easty in the year 1781 and my last Captain was Edward Wilmot. Col. Taylor was Colonel of the Regiment until near the close of the war when he was promoted to be a General. After Lord Cornwallis was take I do not recollect of being called out service than once or twice
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when I was finally discharged at Elizabethtown after the war was considered over. I further solemnly state that my whole service was upwards of three years actually out in the service of my country and at all times ready when called on, I do not recollect at this time of any other Captains besides those I have named. My discharges have long since been lost or mislaid, and I do not recollect of any other persons except Daniel Cowert and Lieut. Cornelius Vanandall [illegible] all by whom I can prove my services at this time. I hereby relinquish all claims to a pension except the present and I am not now on any pension roll. Witness my hand this 3rd day of September
Peter Huff.

Mercer County } This day Cornelius Vanandall formerly a Lieutenant in the New Jersey Militia in the revolutionary war and Daniel Cowart [illegible] came into open court and being first sworn according to law do hereby state, that, we are well acquainted with Peter Huff who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration. we lived his neighbors in New Jersey dur the revolutionary war. We know that said Huff served in the Militia as they were classed from 1776 to the capture of Lord Cornwallis. We frequently saw him while in service. The militia was called out every other month and said Huff was an active & [illegible] soldier. We know that he served in Col Taylor's regiment who commanded as [illegible] the whole of the war and altho we were with said Huff every time he was in service, yet we lived near him we know that he served every time he was called on, and we know that he was [illegible] service in the militia more than two years in and of this we are certain altho we cannot give the names of his officers. He was always regarded as a good soldier and true [illegible] the said Peter Huff which in [illegible] at Amboy and Elizabeth-
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town, and at New Brunswick at different times, and that [illegible] know that he was at the Battle of Monmouth & Springfield. Witness our hand this 3rd day of Sept 1832.
Cornelius Vanandall
Daniel Covart

Mercer County } We Thomas Kyle a clergyman residing in said county and Malichi Randolph & John W. Kyle residing in the same county do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with the above named Peter Huff who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration. That we believe him to be of the age he has stated and that he is reputed in the neighborhood in which he resides to have been a revolutionary soldier and can concur in this opinion after conversing with him with subject. We further certify that the said Peter Huff is a respectable citizen and a man of truth in whom we have full confidence. With our hand this 3rd day of September 1832
Thomas Kyle
Malichi Randolph
John W. Kyle

State of Kentucky }
Mercer County SS }
September County Court this Sept 3 1832
This day Peter Huff the applicant herein and Cornelius Vanandall, Daniel Covert, Thomas Kyle, Malichi Randolph & John W. Kyle the subscribers to the annexed Certificate came into open Court & severally made oath to the truth of the statement by them respectively subscribed and the Court hereby declare their opinion after the civility [illegible] 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 Thomas Kyle who has signed the preceding Certificate as a Clergyman, resident in the County of Mercer and that Cornelius Vanandall, Daniel Cowart, Malichi Randolph and John W. Kyle who have also signed the same are residents in the County and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I Thomas Allin Jr. Clerk of the County Court aforesaid by Philip T. Allin his Deputy do hereby certify that the foregoing [illegible] the original proceedings in the matter of the application of Peter Huff for a Pension.
Iin Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the Seal of the County at the Courthouse in Harrodsburg the 3rd day of September 1832 and in the 41st year of the Commonwealth.
Philip T. Allin Clerk
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January 23, 1939

BA-J/AWF
Peter Huff
S. 10896

Mrs. D. A. Farley
Madison
Indiana

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Peter Huff, who received a pension while living in Mercer County, Kentucky.

The data furnished herein were obtained from papers on file in claim for pension, S. 10896, based upon the military service of Peter Huff in the Revolutionary War.

Peter Huff was born in Leyden Township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey. Date of his birth and names of parents are not shown.

While residing in said Leyden Township, Peter Huff enlisted sometime in July, 1776, served at various times as a private in Colonel Taylor's New Jersey regiment, under Captains Nicholas Stillwell, John Hankinson, Covenhoven, Moses Esty, Edward Wilmot; he was in the battles of Monmouth, and Springfield, and continued in the service until the close of the war, length of entire service about three years.

Peter Huff moved in 1975 from Leyden Township, New Jersey, to Mercer County, Kentucky.

He was allowed pension on his application
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executed September 3, 1832, at which time he was seventy-six years of age, and living in Mercer County, Kentucky.

The soldier, Peter Huff, died November 11, 1840.

The papers on file in this claim contain no discernible data in regard to family.

In order to obtain the name and address of the person who received the last payment of this pension, you should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, this city, and furnish the following data-

Peter Huff
Certificate #1762
Issued November 10, 1832
Rate $80.00 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832
Kentucky Agency.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
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left column
Rev War
10896
INVALID.
-----
File No. 10,896
Peter Huff
Priv Rev War
-----
Act: June 7th 1832
Index:--Vol. A, Page 185
[Arrangement of 1870.]

right column
May - 11 - 1900 history to 
Mrs. Jas. M. Waugh
Crawfordville Ind.
-----
1916 June 15 - Hist. to Harriet Talbot
1922 May 13 Hist. to Lilliam B. Grace
-----
1939 - Jan 23 Hist. to Mrs. D. A. Farley
AW
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Rev. - C.B.H.
Y. W. C.A. Annex
Nashville, Tenn.
June 10 = 1916.

Mr. G. M. Saltzgaber:
Dear Sir: Please send me the military services of Peter Huff in the Rev. War. He was a pensioner in Mercer County, Ky., in 1840 & was then 85 years old.
Be sure, please, to give me all the family data that there may be in the application for a pension.
Oblige by a prompt reply -
Respectfully,
Miss Harriet Talbot.
Page 13

Seattle Wa.
3.29.22

W

Rev. War Section -

Gentlemen -

I am a descendent of Peter Huff who was
born in Kentucky and who served in Army, 
don't know whether Kentucky or New Jersey-  
Would appreciate any data you could give me.

Sincerely Yours,
Mrs. Lillian B. Grace
6514 -18th N.E.
Seattle, Wash.

[stamp:]. U.S. PENSION OFFICE A APR 6 1922
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Peter Huff which require further proof or explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes

II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes

III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? -----

IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes

V. *Has he mentioned 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?     yes

VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?    yes

VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?    yes

VII. Has the Court given their opinion?   yes

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?   yes

X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?    yes
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2

XI.  Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? yes

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?  ---

XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? there are Witnesses

XIV. +If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? yes

XV.  Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such  as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes

XVI. ++Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? Yes

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
and
2, ['5' crossed out], 6 & 7th
------------------------
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
*QUERE V. 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 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 than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For [blank] year [blank] months and [blank] days, I served as a [blank]. For [blank] months and [blank] 
days, I served as a [blank]; and for such service I claim a pension."
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3

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the 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.

+QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
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 claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which be belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the affidavits must be properly authenticated, as above directed.

++QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end 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.
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Madison, Indiana
December 3, 1938

[stamp:]. RECEIVED DEC 7 1938 [illegible] VETS. ADM READER #15

Veterans Administration
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sirs;

Will you please send me the pension record of my ancestor, PETER HUFF, a Revolutionary soldier, who received a pension in Mercer County, Kentucky.

Yours truly,
Mrs. D. A. Farley
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REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION.

3 -- 525
----------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____________, 19__

S.F. 10896.

In reply to your request of ____________, 
received _____________ a statement of the military history of Peter Huff 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.
----------------------------------
[table below with 5 columns; column headings as follows:]
(1) DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
(2) LENGTH OF SERVICE
(3) RANK.
(4) OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.  {sub-headings:  a. CAPTAIN.
b. COLONEL.
(5) STATE.

[text beneath columns as follows:]
(1) July 1776
(2) served at Various times three years.
(3) Pvt.
(4) a. Nicholas Stillwell, John Hankinson, {'Abraham' crossed out} Cowingour {'Covenhoven' inserted above}, Moses Esty, 
Edward Wilmot  b. Taylor
(5) New Jersey
[end of table]

Battles engaged in,  Monmouth & Springfield
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Leyden Twp. Hunterdon Co. N.J.
Date of application for pension, Sept 8 1832 His cl. was al.
3
6
6
Residence at date of application, Mercer County, Ky. & since 1794
Age at date of application 76 years born in Leyden Twp. Hunterdon Co. N.J.   d. Nov. 11. 1840
Remarks:  There is no data on file as to his family.

Respectfully,
ACTING  Commissioner.

6-2856
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O. W. & N. division
May 10 1900
Received.
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[stamp:] U.S. PENSION OFFICE K MAY 8 1900

402 W. Wabash Ave.
Crawfordsville, Indiana
May 4-1900

Pension Dept
Washington, D.C.

Information is desired concerning Peter Huff a 
Revolutionary soldier who died in Mercer Co. Ky. about 1838. It is believed that he was an officer,
since he drew a large pension, supposed to be $96. per month.
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We suppose he enlisted from New Jersey. Wife's Christian name supposed to be Abigail or Ann.  She died before her husband.

I am a direct descendant and want exact date as to enlistment pension, dis charge, date of death, etc. to enable me to enter the D.A.R.

If expense attached to this investigation,
please inform me that I may remit.

Any advice along this line will be gratefully received.

Respectfully
Mrs. James M. Waugh