Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 13,233, Abraham Gulick, New Jersey
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(3 - 1776)
[column headings: SERVICE. NUMBER.]
[hand-written entries:]
 New Jersey. Gulick, Abraham.  S. 13,233. [hand-written:]
Carded.
CONTENTS
Page 2

[handwritten:] 20.757. Dead_
New - York
Abraham Gulick
of Madison, in the State of N. York who was a Private in the Comp commanded by Captain Jones of the Reg. commanded by Col Quick in the N. Jersey line for [illegible] 

Inscribed on the Roll of N. York at the rate of  40 Dollars [blank] Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 

Certificate of Pension issued the 2nd day of Oct, 1833 [blank] and sent to J.V. Berry
Johnstown

Arrears to the 4th of Sep 33 $100
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4m '24 [$]20
$120
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. 

Recorded by So. C. Stiles, Clerk, Book C. Vol. 4, Page 58. 

[on next opposite page:]
[faint handwriting:] D. Feby 10, 1834 [illegible]
[handwritten:] 25
[handwritten vertically:] Sent to John V. Berry 30 Janry 1835
Page 3

A. Gulick, application
Sworn Abraham Gulick
22042

[vertical address:]
Please Send certificate
to Jno V. Berry, Jnostown [Johnstown]
M C [Montgomery County] NY
Page 4

State of New York
Montgomery County }SS

On this 21st day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Common Pleas of Montgomery County, now sitting Joachim Gulick, who says that he is about sixty six years of age, that he is the brother of Abraham Gulick, and that he resided at Sommerset New Jersey during the Revolutionary war: and he knows that his brother Abraham went out at different times during the first part of the war, the year he cannot state, nor the different times he went out and places he went to. It was while the British had possession of Brunswick, Trenton and other places in New Jersey that his Brother went and was out; He this deponent says that he was a lad about twelve years old at that time. He this deponent says he recollects [crossed out] the names of the officers and was acquainted with the officers under whom his brother served and that they are the same as stated by his said Brother in his declaration, which has been read to this deponent

Sworn & Subscribed the day & year
first aforesaid in open court
Geo. D. Ferguson, Clerk }

his mark [hand drawn x] Joachim Gulick

Montgomery County [illegible]
I George D. Ferguson Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, do hereby certify that at this present term personally appeared in open court before the Judges thereof Joachim Gulick and made oath to and subscribed the foregoing affidavit and the said court do declare their opinion that the Said Joachim Gulick is personally known to them and is a person of Respectability, Credability and Entitled to credit
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office the 8th January 1833.

Geo. D. Ferguson
Page 5

State of New York
Montgomery County} SS

On this 21st day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open court before the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Montgomery, now sitting Abraham Gulick, a resident of the town of Johnstown in the County and State of New York, aged 86 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: In the year 1776 sometime in the month of June, the day he cannot state, the militia of Somerset County New Jersey were called out en masse, the name of the town he has forgot, and that he, as, one of the soldiers of the Regiment of that place went out, the company to which he belonged was commanded by Captain William Jones, Lieutenant Hoaglund & Ensign James Whitlock, and this company belonged to a Regiment commanded by Col Abraham  Quick, Lieu Col Henry Van Dyke, & Major William Bayard, that he went from Somerset aforesaid to the city of New York under the above mentioned officers, and from there to a place called Powels Hook opposite New York and from there to Elizabeth Town at which place half the Regiment was discharged and he went home to Sommerset and remained home a month, he served two months at this time. After he had remained home one month, he again went in accordance with an agreement made by the officers at the time, one half the Regiment was discharged at Elizabeth town, that the other half should return, that he accordingly with the half regiment that was discharged returned to Elizabeth town, and thinks this was sometime in September and that he remained there at Elizabethtown until sometime in December_ and served in those two terms [crossed out] five months at least.
That after he was discharged at Elizabethtown in December of 1776 he returned home; after he had been home a few days, the militia were again called out in the same manner as above stated to aid Gen. Washington who was at that time retreating from New Brunswick from the attack of the British of which place and the surrounding County the British had taken possession, that he was out bearing
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arms under the before mentioned officers during the whole of the winter of 1777, until the month of July and was out at this time at least seven months and has no written discharge.
He was born in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, in the year 1746. He has no other record of his age except a copy or transcript taken from his father's Family Bible and put into his own Bible. He resided in Sommerset aforesaid when called into service and at which place the last service was done, to wit 7 months. And has lived since the Revolution in Sommerset and his present place of residence. He was acquainted with the following regular officers Gen Washington, Gen. Patman, Gen. Lee & He says he is acquainted with the following persons residing in his neighborhood who can testify as to his character for truth and veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution, to wit, Simon Hosack & Judge Haring. He knows of no person or persons by whom he can prove all his services.
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:

Sworn & subscribed the day & year first aforesaid 

Geo.D. Ferguson Clerk         Abraham Gulick [signature]

[vertical on left margin:] A. Gulick application
Page 7

We Simon Hosack a clergymen residing in the town of Johnstown and Aaron Haring residing in the same town hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Abraham Gulick who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be 86 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. Simon Hosack Pastor [signature]  Aaron Haring [signature]
Geo. D. Ferguson. clerk      
 
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogations 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 Simon Hosack who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman . . . resident in Johnstown and that Aaron Haring . . . who has also signed the same is a resident in the same town and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled credit

I George D. Ferguson clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Montgomery County, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original procedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Abraham Gulick for a pension

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 23rd day of September 1832
Geo: D. Ferguson [signature]
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[vertical on left margin:] A. Gulick application
Abraham Gulick
22042



[center of page:]
Please send certificate to Jno V. Berry Jnostown [Johnstown]
M C [Montgomery County] NY
Page 9

Abraham Gulick
Montgomery
NYork

J.

12.




John V. Berry
Johnstown
Montgomery
N.Y.
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WAR DEPARTMENT
Pension Office.
183

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 show 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 Abraham Gulick
[column headings: Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Years. Months. Days. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company 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.]

June 1776 2 Private Capt. Jones Col. Quick  Somerset N Jersey to New York 86 years- Somerset County N Jersey [illegible] by a Clergyman

Sept service at least five months as the above times 3 Same officers

Dec 1776 at least 7 Same officers

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

Send answer to Jno V. Berry
Johnstown Montgomery County N.Y.
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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 person 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 } ss.

On this [blank space] day of [blank space] personally appeared (a) before [blank space] A.B. a resident (b) of [blank space] in the county of [blank space] and State, Territory or District following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provion made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832.  That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) [blank space], with [blank space] and served in the [blank space] (e) regiment of the [blank space] line, under the following names officers: [blank space]

[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 country and State in which he resided when he enered 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 [blank space]
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 [blank space] of the Court of [blank space] do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of [blank space] for a pension.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this [blank space] day of [blank space] &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 [blank space] and C.D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with [blank space], who was subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be [blank space] 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 [blank space] and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the [blank space] and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

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

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal [blank space] of office, this [blank space] day of [blank space] &c.

Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power.  This is the original discharge of 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 many 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 vents 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 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 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 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 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 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 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."
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 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 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.
[pointing hand symbol] 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 sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
[handwritten:] No such objection exists as the one above the court has certified to Jehoiain Gulick
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Adm'd
12 mo. Pri

40$
Page 14

State of New York
Montgomery County }SS

Personally appeared before me the undersigned Justice of the Peace in & for said County, Abraham Gulick, who being duly sworn says that on account 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 it was not less than the periods mentioned below and in the following grades: For 5 months I served as a private in the year 1776 under the officers stated in my declaration: For 7 months I served as a private under Capt. Jones and the same officers under whom I served during the first term; for such service I claim a pension. He says he was in the field ; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit

Sworn & Subscribed this 9th day of June 1883
Before me            Abraham Gulick [signature]
Aaron Harring  Justice of the Peace

State of New York
Montgomery County } SS

I George D. Ferguson Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas & of said county, do hereby certify that Aaron Harring Esquire before whom the above affidavit  of Abraham Gulick purports to have been sworn was on the day of the date thereof a Justice of the Peace in & for said County; and I am well acquainted with  his hand writing and verily believe the name thereunto signed as such Justice is genuine
Given under my hand & seal of office this 21st day of June 1833
Geo: D. Ferguson. [signature]
Page 15

In reply to your request of [blank], received [blank] for a statement of the military history of [handwritten:] Abraham Gulick 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.
[handwritten:] S. File 13,733
[column headings: DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. CAPTAIN. COLONEL. STATE]
[handwritten in columns:]
June 76
12 mos
Priv
Wm [William] Jones
Abraham Quick
N. J.
Battles engaged in, [check]
Residence of soldier at enlistment, [handwritten:] Somerset Co, NJ
Date at application of pension, [handwritten:] Sept. 21, 1831 allowed
Residence at date of application,[handwritten:] Johnstown, NY
Age at date of application, [handwritten:] 86 b. 1746 Hunterdon County, N.J.
Remarks: [handwritten:] D. Feb 10, 1834 (agency book) [crossed out]
It is not stated whether he was mar [married]
Page 16

[oval stamp, upside down]
RECORDS
MAR 15 1922
DIVISION

[circular stamp]
US PENSION OFFICE
N
MAR 15 1922
Page 17

Syracuse
3 /12 /22-
Commissioner Pensions
Dear Sir


Would you please find the record of my great-grand-father whose name was, Abram Gulick [underlined]. He was born at Johnstown NY [underlined] and enlisted from there and served for some time and drew a pension.
I wished to join the DAR and would be very gratefull if you would do me this favor or tell me where I can get the information.
Sincerely yours
Mrs. Jessie Fraser
441 Allen St
Syracuse NY
Page 18

[oval stamp:]
US PENSION AGENCY
RECEIVED
DEC 21 1908
WASHINGTON, D. C.

Johnstown N.Y.
Dec 18. 09.

Pension Office
I understand my great-Grandfather, Abram Gulick served in the Revolutionary War
+ was drawing a pension at the time of his death 72 years ago, at Johnstown N.Y.

Will you kindly look it up + let me know; I want
to join the D. A. R.
If there is a fee let me know

Mrs. Francis Moats
105 Washington St
Johnstown
N. Y.

[circular stamp:]
US PENSION OFFICE
A
DEC 22, 1908
Page 19

[handwritten:] 1909 Jan 9  to Mrs Francis Moats
[handwritten:] 1922 Apr 11 to J. Fraser

[handwritten: illegible] 

[handwritten:] 13.233
INVALID.
File No. [handwritten:] 13.233
[handwritten:] Abraham Gulick
[handwritten:] Priv Rev War

Act: [handwritten:] June 7th 1832
Index: Vol [handwritten:]  1, Page [handwritten:] 154

Arrangement of 1870
Page 20

[handwritten vertically:] Abraham Gulick
NY Jan 5th

[postage stamp:]  Johnstown N.Y.

Hon J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions

Washington
Page 21

Johnstown Dec. 30th 1834
Dear Sir;
I enclosed in a letter directed to you the evidence of the heirs of Abraham Gulick deceased a pensioner under the Act of 7. June 32. It is sometime since I sent this letter and have not received an answer as yet. Please send me an answer as soon as possible.
Yours, Respectfully
John V. Berry


Hon J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions