Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 10671, Thomas Covert, New Jersey
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
New Jersey
Covert Thomas
Jane
NUMBER
W. 10671
CONTENTS
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Albany 31,526
Thomas Covert
of Seneca Co. in the State of N. York
who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Baird of the Regt commanded by Col. Quick in the N. Jersey
line for 6 months

Inscribed on the Roll of Albany
at the rate of 20 Dollars - Cents per annum,
is commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 18th day of Sept 1838 and sent to Arad Joy Ovid, N.Y.
Arrears to the 4th of Sep. '38
150.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending Mar. 39. 10.00
$160.00
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk,
Book E.2. Vol. 4 Page 12
Page 3

499 Albany
New York
Jane Covert
widow of Thomas Covert
who was a Private
in the Revolution
husband died 8 April 1846
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
20 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1843.
April
Certificate of Pension issued the
24 day of June 1848 and sent to Hon.
H.S. Conger
Hoz of Repz [Act of JUNE 17, 1844.]
Recorded in Book D
Vol. 2 Page 88
Reported
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Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.
State of New York
The Hon
County of Seneca

S1: On this 28th day of May [crossed out -February] personally appeared in open court before The Honorable Daniel Mosely Circuit judge of [illegible] circuit [crossed out- the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Seneca] the court now sitting at Ovid, Thomas Covert a resident of the Town of Ovid in the County of Seneca and State of New York aged Seventy Eight 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 7th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United ┃ States in the Militia of the State of New Jersey
under the following named officers and served
as herein stated.
That in the spring of the year 1775. deponent was living in the town of Hillsborough in the County of Summersette [sic] in the State of
of New Jersey, and was at that time enrolled
in the Militia in a company commanded by
Captain John Jen Eyk, now come that the Brittish had landed on Staten Island, Colonel Peter Vroom as deponent was informed at the time issued orders that all the Militia turn out and that the Militia was ordered to meet at Bound brook, and there the Militia was organized, and the field officers
there took charge of the Militia, Colonel Martin and Major Dunn took the command of
Regiment that deponent was in the Regiment then marched to Woodbridge and crossed over to Staten Island, from there we were
marched to the narrow, remained there one night
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the next morning we marched back and
crossed over to Woodbridge, from thence we marched to Bound brook, and was discharged, and the deponent returned home, the war ship
Asia lay at the narrows at the time we were
on the Island and in plain view of the Militia
the word was she had just arrived from
Boston, on the above recited expedition this
deponent was absent from home ten days
        That in the month of June thereafter one half of the company deponent belonged
in was called out, under orders from Colonel
Vroom, as deponent understood at the time, and was ordered to march to Elizabeth town, and deponent was one of the company that went, and was under Captain Baird who also went to Elizabeth town with us, and when the company arrived, was placed in Colonel Vrooms Regiment our duty their was to stand guard, and petrol nightly some, after being there one month the company was discharged and deponent returned home, and the other half of the company had come down and relived us before we were discharged
that in the month of August thereafter, the other half of the company was again called upon to go to Elizabeth town again and deponent went out again with his class
or half of the Company, and Captain Moffat
or McCay accompanied us to Elizabethtown
when we arrived there we was placed in Col
one Freelinghiesen Regiment our duty was the same as the proceeding town, and after remaining their one month, was relieved by the other half of the company and then our
Class was discharged, and deponent returned home
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that the next time deponent was called out was in the fore part of the winter together with his half of the company and went to Elizabeth town again, was under Captain Baird deponent thinks, in Colonel Freelinghusen Regiment
the duty remained in this town the same as in the proceeding tours, and after remaining there one month was either relieved or discharged and returned home through the Snow, That this deponent continued to serve
one half of the time, (after returning home through the snow, at Elizabeth town until the Brittish left New York and came to New Brunswick, and deponent was at Elizabethtown on the fourth of July which was celebrated there, and Colonel Freelingheisen took off his hat in the centre of a hollow square and read the declaration of Independence to the Regiment, a few platoons were fixed and gave three cheers on the occasion Colonel Freelingham commanded the Regiment
during the several towns deponent was out, between the winter tour above named, and the time that the Brittish came to New Brunswick, the duty deponent had to perform on the towns was pretty much the same as in the preceeding towns Deponent says that in the fall of the year 1776, he thinks in the month of November the Brittish came and took possession of New Brunswick, Colonel Quick gave orders to Captain Cornelius Lot deponents Captain to send out one half of his men to mill stone accordingly Captain Lot and half of his men turned out, deponent being one of them, immediately marched for that part, on arriving there was placed in Colonel Quicks Regiment we remained at Mill stone and within a mile or two from there until in the month of March
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the Brittish at the time we lay at old Mill
stone, had impressed about seventy baggage
Waggons to take baggage from Brunswick to
Princeton and Trenton, deponents Regiment
made an attempt to take the baggage waggons and would have taken them, had
Colonel Quick resolution sufficient, and
deponent believes it might have been easily
taken, our Regiment after this moved our quarters about two miles to the main Road that leads from Brunswick to Preston, and lay
there until the Brittish came out a foraging
some time in the month of March, and came to Van Ness Mills, there we had a skirmish
with them, and took their plunder from them
after remaining there a few days after this
skirmish deponent with his Class were discharged and returned home, being from home On this town and three the one half months that in the month of June following
deponent together with his Class went to Ambery his duty while there was to stand guard, after remaining there one month was discharged and went house, during this tour was under Capt Freeman deponent thinks, and in Col.-Regiment
     After remaining at home one month being in August 1778, deponent was again call
upon to go out on duty, deponent and
his class turned out and went to Newark
but cannot be certain as to the name of his
officers, remained there one month and then
returned home, the duty there on this tour
was to stand guard - believes Col. Senick
commanded the Regiment Deponent says after staying at home about one month was again called out and went to Elizabeth town again, remained there one month with his Class
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5
 
under Colonel. Freelingheisen, the duty was to
and guard, at this time kept very busy after remaining there one month was discharged and deponent went home

After remaining at home about one month
deponent was called upon to go out
again on a tour, accordingly deponent
and his class went to Newark while there deponents duty was to stand guard, and it was
very cold weather after remaining there one
month deponent was discharged and returned
home
        after returning home deponent does
not recollect of going out again until in the
fall of 1780, when deponent was called upon
to go to Woodbrige for half a month, deponent and a few others went and when deponent arrived at Woodbridge was put under the command of Captain Freeman, deponent duty was to stand guard, after remaining at Woodbridge half a month was discharged and deponent returned home

     After returning home deponent did not
go out again until in the month of March 1781, when he was again called upon to go to Woodbridge for half a month, deponent and a few others of the company went out, after remaining at Woodbridge half a month was discharged by Captain Freeman the Captain who we were under and deponent was home.
     deponent further says that during the said times that deponent has above set forth that he was at home, he was constantly exposed and almost daily called upon to go out on alarms and scouting parties, deponent sometimes would go but a short distance and at other times a number of miles, to give a particular narative of the time deponent was
Page 9

called upon on alarms and scouting parties would be imposible for deponent to give the several times deponent was called upon and went out, at the several times deponent has said above that he was at home for which claimsno pay and Deponent says that while he was in the service he knew Genl Washington, saw him a day or two after one Hessions, the Genl Called upon Col. Quick as he was going on to Morristown deponent further says he has no document any evidence of his services and knows of no person who can testify
to his services served as a private in the Militia except one month Corporal he served as a
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
To the interrogatories propounded by the said Court to the above named applicant for a pension on account of services rendered in the Militia of the State of New Jersey during the Revolutionary war as prescribed by the war department the deponent says, that he was born in the County of Essex in the State of New Jersey on the 19th day of April A.D. 1754
deponent says he has a Record of his age at home I deponent says he was living in the town of Hillsborough
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7
in the County of Summersette in the State of New Jersey, when deponent was first called into service, remained in summersette
during and after the Revolutionary war and until he moved into the town of Ovid 40 years ago last November, and where he now resides-
4th deponent says that he entered into the service of the United States as a private in the Militia and served as such until the latter part of his service a corporal and then a sergeant as above stated
5th deponent says he knew General Washington see him day or two after that he had taken the Hessions, that some times deponent was called out with the whole company and sometimes one half of the company was called out 
6th deponent says that he never received a written discharge
7th deponent says that he is known in his present neighborhood by Genl John De Mott, Jehiel H. Halsey and John L. Eastman who can testify to deponents Character for truth and veracity
Sworn to and subscribed in open Court
Thomas Covert [signed]
the day and year aforesaid
Geo Danforth Dep Clk
Certificate
we Thomas Lounsbury a Clergyman residing in the town of Ovid in the County of Seneca and State of New York and Nelson Cole Esq. residing in the same place hereby certify
that we are well acquainted with Thomas Covert who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy eight 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 to and subscribed
in open Court the day
and year aforesaid
Geo Danforth Dep clk

[crossed out -Nelson Cole]
Thos Lounsbury [signed]
Nelson Cole [signed]
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Certificate of the Court
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinions after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories as prescribed by the war department, that the
above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the Court further certificate is a Clergyman resident 
in the town of Ovid in the County of Seneca and State of New York, and that Nelson Cole Esqr who has also signed the same is a resident in the said town of Ovid in the said County of Seneca, and is a credible person, and that their several statements is entitled to credit 

I Geo. Danforth Deputy Clerk of the Court of
Common Pleas of the County of Seneca do
hereby certify that the foregoing contains the
original proceedings of the said Court in
the matter of the application of Thomas Covert for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 28th day of May 1833. 
Geo Danforth Dep Clerk of Seneca County
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Declaration
In order to obtain a pension under the law of the 17th June 1844 passed by an act of Congress
State of New York
County of Seneca ⎬ SS 
On this 8th day of October 1847 personally
appeared before the Subscriber a Judge of the Courts of the said County Jane Covert of said County aged eighty five years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed 17th June 1844, That she is the widow of Thomas Covert
late a pensioner of the United States, for Revolutionary service on performed by him. She further declares that she was married to the said Thomas Covert on the 11th of January 1780 Seventeen hundred and eighty in the State of New Jersey, near New Brunswick, that her husband, the aforesaid Thomas Covert
died on the 8th day of April 1846 eighteen hundred and forty six; that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January Seventeen hundred and ninety four to wit at the time above stated
her
Jane X Covert
mark
Sworn & Subscribed before me this 8th day of October 1847
J R Richardson
County Judge of Seneca County

I certify that the above named Jane Covert is a respectable person, that cannot attend the court from bodily infirmity -
J K Richardson
County Judge of Seneca County 
Dated at Ovid this 8th day of October 1847
Page 13

We was marched the 11 day of January in the year of our Lorde 1780
JP
Page 14

James Covert was bornde the 18 day of May in the year of our Lorde
1783
[Illegible]
Peter Covert was Bornde the 21 day of July in the year of our Lorde
1785
Peter Covent dieed the laste day of November in the year of our Lorde
1799
Page 15

David Covert was Bornde the 3 day of December in the year of our Lorde
1787
[Illegible]
Anne Covert was bornd the laste day of December in the year of our Lorde 1794
[Illegible]
Page 16

Mary Covert was bornde the 9 day of September in the year of our Lord
1794

Cary Covert was bornd the 9 day of December in the year of our Lorde
1796
Page 17

Eliza Covert was bornd the 14 day of November in the year of our Lorde 1799
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No 25450
Thomas Covert Seneca County
New York
6 mos.  sserved.

de
Admitted
Private 6 months

Arad Joy Esqr
Ovid
New York

[Crossed out - Hon. N. Halsey
Jonah H. R.
Jno Ferris Esqr Ovid New York
J. Ferris SBeeton N.Y.]
Page 19


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, showing the Service of Thomas Court Seneca County New York
Headings: Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimants service: Years. Months. Days. Rank of the Claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported. 
1. Ordered Sprg. 1775. Blank. Blank. 10. Private. Col Vroom, Cap Teneyk, Col Martin, Major Durant. 78 years Summersette County New Jersey. Traditionary evidence - papers correctly attached.
2. Called June 1775. Blank. 1. Blank. ".  Col Vroom, Cap Baird. Blank. Blank.
3. Called August ". Blank. 1. Blank. ".  Cap Moffit & McCoy, Col Freelingheisen. Blank. Blank.
4. Caled ". Blank. 1. Blank. ". Cap Baird, Col Freelingheisen. Blank. Blank.
5. Served 1776. Blank. not stated. Blank. ". Col Freelingheisen. Blank. Blank.
6. Served Fall 1776. Blank. 3. Blank. ".  Col Quick, Cap Lot. Blank. Blank.
7. Served June 1777. Blank. 1. Blank. ". Cap Freeman. Blank. Blank.
8. Called Aug 1778. Blank. 1. Blank. ". Cap Teneyk. Blank. Blank.
9. Called ". Blank. 1. Blank. ". Col Freelingheisen, Officers not named. Blank. Blank.
10. Called ". Blank. 1. Blank. ". Officers not named. Blank. Blank.
11. Called - 1780. Blank. Blank. 15. ". Cap Freeman. Blank. Blank.
12. Called - 1781. Blank. Blank. 15.  ". Cap Freeman. Blank. Blank.
I am respectfully, 
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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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, in a
County of}ss.
On this
day of
personally appeared (a) before
of
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. 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
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 
and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who is
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 [Handwritten note:]Then an numerous applicants for pensions who appear to
[2nd to last paragraph has bracket to left with capital J in front of it.]
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3
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person 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 testily 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 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 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 -year -months, and -days, I served as a- . For - months, and - days, I served as a - ; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according in 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 questionable. 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
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.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records or 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.
[graphic hand pointing to text] 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.
[illegible] [handwritten] served in the same corps with declarant
Page 22

[Crossed out - Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1973.]
2382
P.O. Thomas Covert
Service: Blank
Enlisted: Blank, 18.
Discharged: Blank, 18.
Application Filed: Blank, 18.
Stamped vertically: REJECTED
Page 23

Revolution
New Jersey
WIDOW, &c.
[illegible handwritten vertical]
File No. 10671
Jane Covert
Widow of
Thomas Covert
Priv. Rev. War
Act: June 17th /44
Index:-Vol. A, Page 146
[Arrangement of 1870.}
[handwritten check mark]
Page 24

2382
Suspended
See let to Arad Joy
January 8, 1838.
" to Hon. S. Birdsall
Jany. 27, 1838.
Arad Joy Esq.
April 9. 1838
Page 25

Set. to Arad Joy
August 16, 1838.
(the claimant to Designate his
Agent )
To Arad Joy Sept. 3, 1838
Page 26

Thomas Covert
Pensioner of 
New York
Wed Nov at 1844
I am the Executor of
his estate
from
Arad Joy
Feb 7 1853
Page 27

F Hector NY
Jimi 5
Hay 38 1/2
Pensions L Edwards Esquire
Washington City
Vertical writing:
W. N.Y. July 2 
letd. Case
Thomas Covert
[Illegible] Low
Ans Rich Huff
Page 28

Hector 25, June 1838
John L. Edwards Esq
Dr Sir
Inclosed I forward to you Thomas Coverts papers I understand that Arad Joy of Ovid has assisted him in drawing up his proofs &
forwarding to you, you will please
after forward all addresses on the subject of Mr Coverts papers to me, as any thing Mr Joy
as done has been on his part a voluntary interference into my business without my solicitation
I am with respect your
Josiah Ferris
P.S. Mr Joy informs me that he has made out papers in the case of Abraham Low & Richard Huff and obtained a pension in each case, and
received pay from Low & Huff for obtaining
it I trust that the pensions were granted to
them on the declaration & proofs forwarded to you by me, they were on file in your office
Will you have the goodness to forward me a line setting forth the fact of its being granted on the original declaration & papers that I forwarded to you as well as those forwarded by Mr Joy (if such is the fact)
I am your obt servt
Josiah Ferris
Page 29

[postal stamp:]. OVID [rest is illegible]
In-ab
NY

Free

Hon J L Edwards
Commissioner of
Pensions
City of Washington, D.C.
Page 30

Ovid Seneca Co. N.Y. Sept 10. 1838
Dr Sir
I am instructed by Thomas Covert to reply to yours of the 3d inst. Covert is fully advised of the contents of yours, & although he does not expect to dictate, yet he begs leave to request you to once more examine his application last sent you & he hopes that if you disallow 3 months of his service in 1776. that you will still allow for 3 & 10 days in 1775 and the services
of 1777 & 1780 & 1781, which would raise it to about one year, the Covert had hoped that the proof of his service did establish at least one year & that having had the certificate of several of the clergy, as well as others of undisputed character, that he might obtain nearer the amt of pay for his services, Mr Covert still insists that he well recollects
of all the service named in 76 & 1777, and the house where they were stationed & that he was impressed with a belief that he was always called out according to same in 1776 & 1777 as well as at all other times. I beg leave to remark that M Covert stands as high for truth & veracity as any man & is esteemed one of our most upright & honest men, & that all
he has sworn to, could be established as the belief of hundred of persons who know me. But Mr Covert expect you to decide this case, & if you can not allow but for the Six months as stated by you in your letter, he wishes a certificate forwarded to me for that amt Still he hopes that you will examine the paper again & allow at least for one year a part of 1776. should be stricken out
Your Obt Sert
Arad Joy
An Early reply would oblige the old Genl
Page 31

N.Y.
Thomas Covert
on roll aev 32
No. 31.526
183/4
Hon J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City D.C.
Vertical on left side: 
Aug 13 Moab
Mrs Lvee
Thomas Covert
Black Stamp: OVID AUG 7 N.Y.
Page 32

Ovid Seneca County
New York
Aug 6th 1838
Hon J. L. Edwards
De Sir
on the 5th of June I inclosed
to you an application for a pension for
Thomas Covert, not having heard from
you, & as the old Gent has this day called
is so very anxious about it I take the
liberty to write, & to ask if the papers were
recd and what dispositions you will make of them -
Your most Obt Sent
Arad Joy
Page 33

Washington June 9, 1818
J.L. Edwards Esq
Sir: papers in support of the application of Jane Covert of N.Y. for a pension an in the law of 1838, has said, were sent to your office in Nov. last, I am desired to make inquiry in relation to the same
Yours
H.S. Conger
Ho of Rep
Page 34

Black Stamp: FREE
Hon J L Edwards
Coms of Pensions
Washington
DC
[Left side written vertical:]
March 27 47
el
Jane Covert
Widow of Thomas
NY
17 June 44
Black stamp: OVIT NOV 17 N.Y.
Page 35


Ovid Now 17th 47
Sir
I inclose papers for Jane Covert, the
family record attached I know nothing about
nor when it was made, but the widow says
it must have been made in Jersey &c but of
that I know I say nothing, I inclose all in good
faith, I believe all the papers to be genuine
Respectfully
Your Obt Sert
Arad Joy
Hon J. L. Edwards
Coms. of Pensions
Washington
D C
Page 36

Thomas Covert, Seneca Co. N.Y. Act 7 June 1832
$20.00 pr ann
To what time was he last paid?
G B A
Paid to 4th March 1846.
Pension Office
June 17 1848
Page 37

Covert
Hon J.L. Edwards
Pension Agent
City of Washington
D.C
Vertically written left side:
[Illegible] Aug 29
N.Y.
Black stamp: OVID illegible 2? N.Y.
Page 38

Ovid Seneca County New York
August 22. 1838
Hon J. L. Edwards
Sir. Yours of the 16th to Arad Joy of this place was duly received by him & presented to me
for perusal, as I stated under oath, in my application filed in your office, and which you will please notice, I employed Mr. Josiah Ferris in 1833 or it may have been in 1832
but I think it was in 1833, he at the time resided here & remained here for some years after the application was made out, but
still I considered him very negligent in my business & should have employed Mr. Arad Joy, whom you will please consider as my present agent, even of M. Ferris had [illegible]
remained here, but he has removed some dozen miles from here & I cannot continue him as my Agent, nor have I considered him as my agent for three years part & even I had no reason to suppose that he claimed to be
my agent, or had the least intention of attending further to the business for me, you will recollect that our objection raised by you to my application, was that I had delayed
to apply so long, when you drew from me the reply above noted, that I had formerly employed M. Ferris, be pleased to consider Arad Joy my agent & communicate to him, your [illegible] to the last papers sent you by him for me in June last, they are full & complete do sir oblige me with an early reply through my agent - Your obt Servt
Thomas Covert
Page 39

State of New York
County of Seneca ⎬ ss James De Mott whom I certify is a highly respectable person, aged Sixty one years after being duly sworn according to law, deposeth and saith, that he was personally acquainted with Thomas Covert late a pensioner of the United States & with his present widow & with their family, at an early period, when this country was very new & where this deponent was a young man, he recollects to have heard of their residence in the town of Ovid over fifty years since, that he must have been personally acquainted with them forty years or more, that the present applicant for a pension, Jane Covert the
identical person and widow of the said Thomas Covert, late a pensioner of the United States this deponent further recollects that some of the children of the said parties were older than this deponent their Son James & Peter were older than this deponent both of whom he knows well & recollects of Peters death more than forty years since
James De Mott [signed]
Subscribed and Sworn before me
this 9th day of November 1847
James Foster Justice
of the Peace of Seneca County
Page 40

State of New York
Seneca County Clerks office. ss.
I hereby certify that James K. Richardson, before whom the within declaration of Jane Covert purports to have been sworn to and whose name is subscribed to the Jurat. and certificate thereto subjoined respectively, was at the date of the said Jurat & certificate, County Judge of the County Countyof said County, and also that James Foster before whom the within affidavit of James De Mott, purports to have been sworn to & whose name is subscribed to the Jurat thereto subjoined was on that date thereof a Justice of the Peace of said County, duly commissioned & sworn & authorized by law to take the same. and further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said James D. Richardson & of the said James Foster, & verily believe that their respective signatures to the within proceeding to
are genuine. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said County this 17th Nov 1847.
 H. Montgomery Dep. Clerk
Stamped Seal with ribbon attached
Page 41

No 582
Jane Covert
wd of Thomas
NY
Act 17 June 44
Married before 1794
husband died 8 April 44
Admd 9 mo pri
$20
from 8 April 1846
Hon H.S. Conger
House of Reps
Page 42

Free
Hon J. L. Edwards
Pension Agent
Washington City
Vertically written left side:
NY Dec 16
[illegible] Ms Covert.
Black stamp: OVID DEC 10 N.Y.
Page 43

Ovid Seneca County
New York Dec 9. 37
Dear Sir
I recd your covering Thomas Coverts application for a pension, the deficiency, or what you further required has been made up & is annexed to the original papers - Enclosed you have the whole, Mr Covert appeared in open Court before the Surrogate, not being able to go 18 or 20
miles to attend the sitting of the court, and it also appearing that the Surrogates Court is a court of record, the same as another Court, the officers are fully certified to by the Clerk of the Court of this County
Will you do me the favor to let me hear from the enclosed as soon as may be - Mr Covert is quite aged, & feels
very anxious to obtain his pension
Your Obt Servt
Arad Joy
Page 44

25.450
Thos Covert
Suppl decln
Letter to Josiah Ferris
23 July 1838
[Written vertically below above text]
Please return the answer to the within, to Arad Joy Merchant Ovid Seneca County New York
Page 45

[Written vertically to right of next paragraph]
25.450
Thos Covert
Suppl decln
Letter to Josiah Ferris
23 July 1838

Please return the answer to the within, to Arad Joy Merchant Ovid Seneca County New York
Page 46

Personally appeared before me Abraham Sebing and
being duly sworn according to law deposeth and
Saith that is rising of Seventy nine years of age
that he was born in Summersett County in the
State of New Jersey and that this deponent
deposeth & saith that he knew Thomas Covert the
identical Thomas Covert who is here applying for
a pension, during the war of the Revolution and
that he has ever since the year 1776 been so acquainted with him, that the said Thomas Covert
has resided within a mile of this deponent for forty
years past, that their farms joined, this deponent
declares that he was knowing to the said Thomas
Covert being in the service of the Revolution, that
he see him there, but cannot recollect where or
which of the said Services as set forth by the said
Thomas, this deponent was witness to his service
but this deponent declares that he was actually
in the service & that from circumstances relating
to the several Services & personal conversation with the
said Thomas Covert, as well as from the fact of
a long & intimate acquaintance with him, this
deponent verily believe the statement of the said
Thomas is fully true, he cannot doubt in the last
the statements of the said Thomas Covert his first acquainted with the said Thomas Covert whose name is annexed to the affidavit hereunto annexed as applying for a pension as stated above was in 1776
Sworn & Subscribed before me this 22nd day of Feb 1838 Abraham Febring [signed]
Jonas Duly one of the Judges of
the Seneca County Common pleas
Page 47

Personally appeared before me Thomas Lounsbury of
Ovid, & being duly sworn according to law
deposeth and saith that he is an ordained in
minister of the Gospel & that he has been the settled
minister over a church in Ovid for upwards of
fourteen years, that this deponent is personally
acquainted with Thomas Covert whose name appear
to the foregoing or annexed affidavit & application
for a pension, that this deponent has been acquainted with the said Thomas Covert for fourteen
years & that he verily believes the said Thomas Covert
as a soldier in the Revolution, that it is fully
understood that he was, & this deponent concurs in
the said Thomas Covert affidavit as to his age, as
his deponent consider him eighty three or four
can page as stated by him, and this deponent
is further on the belief that the statement as
made by the said Thomas Covert is true as this
deponent fully believe the said Thomas Covert to
be a man of truth & veracity & entitled to full
confidence & belief in his statement

Subscribed & Sworn before
me this 22d day Feb 1838
Thos Lounsbury [signed]

Jonas July one of the Judges of
the said County Common pleas

I hereby certify that I have been acquainted with
Thomas Covert whose name appears to the annexed
affidavit & application for a pension, that he is the
identical Thomas Covert there intended to be set forth
in said application, that I fully believe the said Thos
Covert is eighty three or eighty four years of age, & that
this is the age which is allowed to him & that it is fully
believed that the said Thomas Covent was a soldier
of the Revolution & I further can state that I have
Page 48

been acquainted with the said Thomas Covert
for the last forty years & that from such personal
acquaintance as well as from general reputation
 & considers the said Thomas Covert to be man
of truth and veracity & fully to be believed
Jonas Luly [signed]

State of New York
Seneca County Clerks office ss. 
Clerk of said County of Seneca
do hereby certify that Jonas Seely Esquire, whose name
is subscribed to the Jurats of the foregoing Depositions
as having been taken subscribed and sworn to before
him, was at the date of said Jurats, an associate
Judge of the county court in & for said County
duly commissioned and sworn and duly authorized
by law, to take and certify said depositions and that I am well acquainted with his handwriting and that his several signatures to the foregoing Depositions, are severally Genuine. In testimony thereof I have unto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County this first day of March
Anno Domini 1888,
Wm A Strong Clk [signed]
Page 49

State of New York
Seneca County Ss.
Personally appeared before Daniel Morley
circuit judge of the Seventh circuit of the State of New York, then in Session at Ovid in the County aforesaid in Open Court Richard
Huff a Revolutionary Soldier, being duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith that he is agreeable to the record of his age in his house eighty seven years of age the present month, that he was born in what they call old Summerset County New Jersey in the Town of Hillsborough, This deponent deposeth & saith that he was personally acquainted with Thomas Covert the identical person named in the foregoing application for a pension in 1775 and has so been acquainted with him since that time, that they were in 1775 and during the Revolutionary war both in one company
in the militia in the town where they both resided & that they were in one company in the service of them Country in the Revolutionary war at all the times & places named by the said Thomas Covert, except the
first ten days named in this application as performed in the Spring of 1775 - and the one month as performed in August 1777 and the one month at Newark in Dec 1777 and the two terms of 15 days each as last mentioned in
those services, or of thou, this deponent as no personal knowledge, but of all and singular the services set forth by the said Thomas Covert (other than the above exception the deponent was personally present & engaged in many if not all of them with the said Thomas Covent & is personally knowing to the said Thomas Covert performing the said services as set forth by him in the foregoing application, having heard the whole of it read over 
Richard x Huff [signed]
Mark
Taken and subscribed and duly sworn to an open Court this 29 day of May 1838 
Daniel Moseley [signed]
Circuit Judge
Page 50

State of New York
Seneca County ss.
Personally appeared before Daniel Morely circuit judge of the Seventh Circuit of the State of New York, then in Session in Ovid in the County of Seneca & State aforesaid in open Court Thomas Covert a Revolutionary Soldier, & being duly sworn according to law, deposeth & saith that he is the identical Thomas Covert who subscribed and made affidavit to the annexed application for a pensions & signed & sworn to by him on the 20th day of February 1838 this deponent further upon his oath deponth & saith that all the facts as set forth in said application are fully true, that the annexed witness Richard Huff has been procured unexpectedly since the former application was made out & executed, that this deponent will recollects of conversing with the witness Richard Huff, that they were young men together and served together in the Revolutionary war, that they both resided in the same town when at home. This deponent further upon his oath deposeth & saith that he first made application in open Court in May 1833 for the pension which he now applied for that it has been delayed, or was delayed for several years from the negligence or carelessness of the attorney that
he had then employed & that this delay was not made or did not take place from any apprehension or sworn that this deponent was not entitled to a pension, but that he has since that time considered himself fully entitled to a pension, but has never received a pension
Thomas Covert [signed]
Taken subscribed & sworn to
before me this 30 day of
Daniel Moseley [signed]
Circuit Judge
Page 51

State of New York 
Seneca County. }. SS
Personally appeared before Daniel Mosley circuit judge of the seventh circuit of the State of New York Thomas Lounsbury the Court being then in Session & it being in open Court, being duly sworn deposeth & saith that he subscribed & swore to the affidavit hereunto annexed relating to the character & his acquaintance with Thomas Covert who is hereby applying for a pension, that said affidavit was made & subscribed on the 22d day of Feb 1838, as a reference thereto will show, being then done before the Hon Jonas Seeley- that all and singular the facts set forth in that affidavit remain true as at that time & that this deponent hereby makes affidavit to the same facts as stated in said affidavit as taken the 22d Feb 1838

Thos Lounsbury

Subscribed & sworn to the
31st day of May 1838
Daniel Moseley
Circuit Judge

Hon J. L. Edwards is Respectfully referred to the certificate and affidavits of Rev Abraham Brocham, Joseph Stull & Abraham Sebring, now on file in your office, as well as to all the affidavits accompanying this application; those on file in your office will assist in making out the correct case--

State of New York 
Seneca County   SS:
I, William A. Strong Clerk of of the Circuit Court held in and for the County of Seneca do hereby certify that the foregoing Depositions were taken and subscribed in open Court on the 29th day of May 1838 before Daniel Moseley Esquire, the Circuit Judge of the seventh Circuit, then acting as the President Judge of said Court and that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of said Judge and that his several signatures to the jurats of said Depositions are Genuine.

On Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County
this 4th day of June 1838.
Wm A Strong Clerk
Page 52

State of New York, Seneca County Surrogate's Court Ss: On this 5th day of December 1837, personally appeared before Jehiel H. Halsey, Surrogate of the County of Seneca, Thomas Covert, a resident of the town of Ovid in the county of Seneca and state of New York, aged about eighty three years, who being first duly sworn according to the law, in open court, doth on his oath make the following additional declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th 1832.
This deponent further upon his oath saith that the service set forth in the foregoing affidavit of four months (unknown word) the words "four months" in the margin were performed as there set forth, That he was called out about the last of January 1776, went to Elziabethtown Served one month there under Capt. Moffat or Capt. McCay and in Col. Freelingheisen's Regiment, Lieut Col Richard Meddock being some of the time in command
That he was again called out about the last of March 1776. marched to Elizabethtown and there served one month under Capt. McCay or Capt. Moffatt in Col. Freelingheisen's Regiment, in the term also Lieut Col Richard Meddock may have take the command a part of the time
This deponent further saith that he was called out about the last of May 1776 . went to Elizabethtown and there was put under Capt. Moffatt or Capt. McCay Lieut Col Freelingheisen Regiment where he remained in active service one month,
This deponent was again called out the last of July 1776 marched to Elizabethtown and there served one month under Capt. Moffat or Capt. McCay (as they took turns in all of the four last named campaigns) under Col Freelingheisen and in this months tour Lieut Col Richard Meddock may have taken a part of the command
This deponent further upon his oath saith, that the services as noted under the head against the marginal note "Three months" was duly performed as there set forth, that he was called out and marched in December 1776 to Mill Stone
Page 53

he was placed under Lieut Wheeler, Capt Lott & Col Quick Regiment, their first quarters were at Peter Hickeys about two miles from the old court house, which the British after burnt and two miles from the road leading from New Brunswick to Princeton and Trenton and about 6 or 7 miles from New Brunswick, after Serving here one month as above stated & under the officers above stated, we were removed about the 1st Jany 1777. to a Mr Van Dorens near the old Mill Stone & by the old Court house & on the main road leading from New Brunswick to Princeton & Trenton, this deponent upon his oath saith that he served at the last mentioned place two months, being the month of Jany & Feby 1777 up to the first of March 1777 all of which two months services were performed under Lieut Wheeler & Capt Lott and in Col Quick Regiment of which service more of the particulars are set forth against the marginal note "Three months"

This deponent further upon his oath saith that he was called out & in actual service one month, as noted in the foregoing affidavit against the marginal note "No. 1-one month" in the month of August 1777. That he served that month at Newark under Capt Van Osdell or
Capt Freeman in Col Ten Eyck Regiment
This deponent further saith upon his oath that he was called out in Oct 1777, marched to Elizabeth town and there served one month under Capt. McCoy or Capt Moffatt in Col Freelingheisen [Frelinghuysen] Regiment, agreeable to the former affidavit against the marginal note of No 2. one month"

Thomas Covert

Subscribed and sworn in open
Court this 5th day of December
1837. Before me ---
J. H. Halsey Surrogate

I Jehiel H. Halsey do hereby certify that
Thomas Covert above mentioned came before me in open Court and subscribed
Page 54

and made oath to the truth of the foregoing declaration And I further certify that I am personally well acquainted with said Thomas Covert and have been so acquainted with him for nearly forty years last past, and that I have no doubt that he served as a militiaman in the revolutionary war, as I stated in his declaration and further that I am well acquainted with Joseph Stull, Abraham Sebring, and the Reverend Abraham Brokaw, whose signatures appear in their own handwriting to the several affidavits annexed to the declaration of said Thomas Covert made on the 2nd day of September 1837 and that they are men of good character for truth and veracity, and have been so considered to my knowledge for more than twenty years past-
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and official seal this fifth day of December, 1837-
(signature)
J.H. Halsey, Surrogate

State of New York
Seneca County Ss:

I, William A. Strong Clerk of the court of common pleas for the county of seneca in the State of New York do hereby certify that Jehiel H. Halsey Esquire, before who the foregoing affidavit, Depositions and proceedings were had, Made and sworn to was at the date of said proceedings and still is the Surrogate of the county of Seneca, commissioned and sworn and duly authorized and empowered according to the Law, to administer oaths and take depositions and such other proceedings as have been had before him in the above Matter of Thomas Covert a pensioner, and that full faith and credit are due to his official acts, as such Surrogate, and
Page 55

further that I am well acquainted with the hand
writing of the said Jehiel H. Halsey and
verily believe the signatures "subscribed to
the foregoing proceedings, to be genuine, and
in his own proper hand writing. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court this 7th day of December Anno Domini 1837.
Wm A. Strong
⎬
Fees 4% chgd to Arad Joy Esq
Page 56

34.347
Thomas Covert
N. Y.
Page 57

Personally appeared before James Foster Justice of the peace in & for the County of Seneca & State of New York, Thomas Covert of Ovid County & State aforesaid a Revolutionary Soldier, being duly sworn according to law deposeth & saith, that agreeable to the records
of his age, now in his house, that he was born in
the year 1754, & as this deponent verily believes is the fact, that he the said deponent now calls himself 83 years old, of which fact this deponent has no doubt, this deponent further testifies that he served from time to time in the war of the Revolution at least fifteen or sixteen months that this deponent has endeavoured
to obtain witnesses of his so serving, but has thus far failed, therefore he has given up further search for proof, as if any witnesses are now living, they must be like himself too much advanced in years to go far as witnesses, this deponent further saith that he has been informed that John Van Middlesworth of Summersett [Somerset] County, New Jersey who was a Boy & young man with him is yet living, but that he has not be able to hear from him, although he has caused him to be written to several times, therefore as a last resort this deponent comes forward in his own name & on his own behalf & testifies, That he entered the service of the United States in the Revolutionary war in the Militia of the State of New Jersey, that he resided in the Town of Hillsborough County of Summersett [Somerset] State of New Jersey at that time, that his first service was in the Spring of 1775 when he was called into the service & met at Boundbrook where they were organized & put under Col Martin and Major Dunn, that they then marched to Woodbridge & crossed over to Staten Island & marched to the Narrows, the war ship Asia lay at the Narrows at that time, that they soon returned & in about ten days this deponent reached home, serving ten days- That in the month of June 1775 this deponent was again called out into service & went to Elizabethtown under Capt Baird & Col Vroom, Served one month, this deponent further says he is under
Page 58

1.10
the impression that Joseph Stull who now is on thepension list roll served at one or both of the above terms with this deponent, that at that time Joseph Stull belonged when at home to another Regiment & this deponent consequently had at that time no particular acquaintance with him. This deponent upon his oath further saith that in August 1775 he was again called out into service and went to Elizabethtown under Capt Moffatt or Capt McCay, when we arrived at Elizabethtown we were put under Col Freelinghuysen & served one month. This deponent upon his oath further saith that in the month of December 1775, he was called into the service of his country
& marched to Elizabethtown under Capt Baird,
deponent thinks & in Col Frelinghisens Regiment, served one month;-- This deponent further upon his oath says that he was called out in the service in Jany 1776 that he served one month & then was at home one month & so on to the end of the month of August 1776 serving alternately one month & then at home one month, that the service of his country performed from Jany 1776 to August 1776, inclusive was four months, and was performed at Elizabethtown under Colonel Frelinghuysen--
This deponent further upon his oath saith, that in the fall & he thinks November 1776, he was again called out into the service, went to Mill Stone, on arriving there was placed under Col Quick, that he remained there until the month of March 1777, that he was out in this tour three months, there quarters were at a Mr Van Dorans
about two miles from Mill Stone, that he was in actual service for the three months, that during the above named three months campaign & he thinks it was in the month of December or Jany they the Regiment & this deponent undertook to take from the British the 70 Baggage waggons that they had impressed into their service to help take their things from New Brunswick, to Princeton & Trenton but did not succeed; that this deponent was also in a
skirmish about the 1st of March 1777 against the British at Van Ness Mill & that they were successful taking 70 Baggage Waggons marked George Rix with harness & 2 or 3 hund[cut off]
horses & all the contents of the waggons & also took from the
Page 59

No. 2 one month=No. 1 - one month
British a large loss of cattle sheep hogs &c that the British had taken from our People being under Capt. Lott. This deponent further upon his oath saith that in the Month of June 1777 he was again called out into actual service and marched to Amboy where he remained one month under Captain Freeman. This deponent deposeth & saith upon his oath that in the month of August 1777 he was again called out into actual service & marched to Newark & believe he served under Col. Ten Eyck, was in the service one month.

This deponent further upon his oath said that he was called out & went & was in actual service Oct 1777 marched to Elizabethtown, remained in service one month under Colonel Freelinghisen.
 
This deponent again upon his oath saith that he was out into actual service in Dec 1777 marched to Newark I was there in actual hard service & so cold, than standing guard, they almost perished, remained there in the service one month under he thinks Capt. Van Nosdoll.

This deponent according to his best recollection says Abraham Sebring & John Van Middlesworth was in this months service. This deponent again upon his oath saith that he was married in January 1780 took up his residence in another town in Essex Co. where he was called into actual service in the fall of 1780 marched to Woodbridge, under Capt. Freeman, was in the service half a month that he verily believes that his near neighbors Abram Freeman & Levi Jiles were out at this last term, or the next to the last, or both of them. This deponent further upon his oath saith  that he when at home being near the enemy's camp was constantly exposed & frequently called upon to go out & did go out in scouting parties, that he (illegible) Gen'l Washington a few days after the Hessians were taken, the Gen'l called at our camp upon Dol. Quick
Page 60

This deponent further upon his oath saith that he did actual service at the time & times set forth in the foregoing statement, that he must have served in all not less than from fifteen to sixteen months- also that he was so frequent[l]y called out upon allarms [alarms] for a half day or a day or two days &c that he can say that he has no doubt that he did service at least eighteen months, or one & a half year-

Thomas Covert

Sworn & Subscribed the 2nd day
of September 1837 before me
James Foster Justice of the Peace

Joseph Stull of Ovid in the County of Seneca & State of New York being duly sworn according to law deposeth & saith, that he is as he verily believes eighty one years of age, that he is personally acquainted with Thomas Covert who is applying for a pension & has been so acquainted with him for thirty years past, that
he has heard read the statement hereunto annexed, has no doubt of the said Thomas Covert having served at the time & times
set forth in the annexed statement, that this deponent has always understood the said Thomas Covert was formerly from Hillsborough in the State of New Jersey, & further that this
deponent has no doubt of that fact, that he knows the fact as well as he possibly could know it, without a personal acquaintance with the said Thomas Covert at that time, this deponent further saith upon his oath that he was present & in several of the services set forth by the said Thomas Covert in the foregoing statement, that this deponent knows positively of such services having been rendered by soldiers & has no doubt that the said Thomas Covert, was present & did serve at the time & times set forth by him, & this deponent further thinks that no person could have such knowledge of transactions taking  so long since, unless they were actually present, this deponent further saith that the most of the officers named by the said Thomas Covert, were as he knows well, officers & in the service & in many of the campaigns as set forth by the said Thomas Covert & that this deponent served under several of them himself, but that this deponent resided at the time
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upon the opposite side of the Raritan River from what the said Thomas Covert resided & therefore had no particular acquaintance with him at that time

Joseph Stull

Sworn & Subscribed the 2d day of
September 1837 before me
James Foster Justice of the Peace

State of New York
Seneca County SS⎬ I James Foster the Justice of the Peace before whom the above  certify that I have been personally acquainted with
the above named deponent Thomas Covert and Joseph Stull for some years past and that I verily believe them to be in fair standing & respectability and of good character for truth and veracity.  In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand the 2d day of
of September 1837
James Foster Justice

Abraham Low of Ovid in the County of Seneca & State of New York being duly sworn according to Law deposeth & Saith that he was a young man with Thomas Covert who is here applying for a pension, that he was personally acquainted with the said Thomas Covert during the Revolutionary war, that this deponent
resided at that time in the adjoining town to Hillsborough in the State of New Jersey, that he well recollects that the said Thomas Covert resided in Hillsborough during the Revolutionary war

N.B. after writing the above, the said Abram Low, concluded, that as his recollection was so much impared [impaired], it would not be worth while for him to make any Statement in the case; but from personal conversation between Thomas Covert & the said Abram Low, no
one could doubt of their being acquainted in 1775
Arad Joy

I am personally & intimately acquainted with 
Richard P. Marvin member of Congress
from the State of New York, you are referred to him
A Joy
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Abraham Sebring of Ovid in the County of Seneca & State of New York, being duly sworn deposeth & saith that he is as he verily believe seventy nine years of age, that he is well acquainted with Thomas Covert, & that he was partially acquainted with the said Thomas Covert (who is here applying for a pension) during the Revolutionary war, that having heard the foregoing statement of the said Thomas Covert read, he has no doubt of the entire truth of his Statement, that from a knowledge of the place of the said Thomas Covert residence at the time of the Revolution he is well satisfied that he must have served in the Revolution & further that from his knowledge of many of the officers named by the said Thomas Covert, as well as from his knowledge of many of the transactions stated by him as taking place at that time & lastly from an intimate acquaintance with the said Thomas Covert for more than forty years & from a knowledge of his sterling integrity & veracity he cannot, nor does not doubt the entire truth of the statement of the said Thomas Covert hereunto annexed.
Subscribed and Sworn the 4th
day of September 1837 before me
James Foster Justice
Abraham Sebring

Abraham Brokaw of Ovid, (or rather at present Lodi) in the County of Seneca & State of New York being duly sworn deposeth & saith, that he is as he verily believes seventy seven years of age that he was ordained as a minister of the Gospel in 1798 and has performed pastorial charges up to the present season, that he was personally acquainted with Thomas Covert who is here applying for a pension, & can testify that he is the identical Thomas Covert who was in actual service in the Revolutionary war, and that this deponent was out and in actual service with the said Thomas Covert, that he was at that time personally acquainted with the said Thomas Covert & recollects him even before the Revolutionary war & that he has been acquainted with him from his earliest recollection up to the present time; This deponent further saith that he well recollects many of the officers named by the said Thomas Covert, and many of the services named by him, and from the
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personal acquaintance with the said Thomas Covert, this deponent has good reason to believe that the statement made by the said Thomas Covert are correct, as he believes
the said Thomas Covert also to be a man of truth & veracity-

Abm Brokaw

Subscribed and sworn this
27th day of September 1837
before me James Foster Justice }

State of New York ⎬
County of Seneca SS }  I certify that I have been acquainted with the before mentioned deponents Abraham Sebring and Abraham
Brokaw for several years past and that they in respectable standing in society and of good character for truth and veracity that the said Abraham Sebring was formerly a Judge of the County Courts of Seneca County as I have been informed & that the said Abraham Brokaw is an ordained minister of the Gospel up to the present time & in good standing according to his statement above made - that I took their
aforesaid affidavit and verily believe them to be entitled to full credit for the aforesaid Statements

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 27th day of September 1837
James Foster Justice

Ovid Seneca County N. York Sept 27.37

The Hon Agent of the pension office will please take notice, that the above named James Foster Justice of the peace, is the identical James Foster who took the affidavits in the case of Richard Huff & Abram Low of Ovid & that, in that case it was accompanied with the seal
of the Court of Seneca County, believing that, that Seal & Certificate would answer in this case also, it has not been obtained his hand writing I am confident will at once satisfy you, please direct your answer to me as soon as may be, the old man is impatient. Your Obt Servt Arad Joy
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State of New York/ [PCI?] William A. Strong Clerk of
County of Seneca the court of common pleas of the county
of Seneca in the State of New York do hereby certify
that James Foster Esq before whom the foregoing
affidavits, Deposition and proceedings [were spoke? illegible]
made & sworn to [mas?] at the date of said proceed-
ings and still is a Justice of the Peace in &
for the said County of Seneca, commissioned
and sworn and duly empowered and 
authorized according to law to administer 
oaths, take Depositions, and such other
proceedings as has been had before him
in the foregoing matter of Thomas Covert
a pensioner. And that full faith and credit
are due to his official acts as such Justice
and further that I am well acquainted with
the handwriting of the said James Foster
Esq. and verily believe that his several
signatures subscribed to the foregoing 
proceedings to be genuine and in his
own [broken?] handwriting. In testimony
whereof I have hereunto set my hand &
officed the seal of said Court
This 7th day of December
Anno Domini 1837.
[vertically on right edge of page is 34.238 with ink spot over the 2]
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Personally appeared before Jonas Seely one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Seneca and State of New York, Thomas Covert of Ovid in the said County of Seneca & aforesaid a Revolutionary Soldier being duly sworn according to law, deposeth and saith that agreeable to the record of his age, now in his house, that he was born in the year 1754 and as this deponent verily believes is the fact, that he now calls himself about 84 years of age, that this deponent was born in the town of Hillsborough County of Summersette State of New Jersey. That being near the seat of war this deponent was often called into service in the Revolutionary war and that he must have served in the Revolutionary war fifteen or sixteen months. That he entered the service of the United States in the Revolutionary war in the militia of the State of New Jersey, that he resided in Hilsborough Summerset County at that time; That his deponent's first campaign was in the Spring of 1775 when this deponent was called into the service at Boundbrook where they were organized and put under Col. Martin and Major Gen'l Hurd Dunn, that they marched to Woodbridge & crossed over to Staten Island, marched to the narrows, the war ship Asia lay at the narrows, that they soon returned & in about 10 days ten days this deponent reached home serving ten days.

That in the months of June 1775 he was again called into service & went to Elizabethtown, was placed under Capt. Baird & Col Vroom served at that place on month that this deponent was again called out in August 1775 went to Elizabethtown under Capt. Baird Col. Freelinghisen Regiment served at Elizabethtown one month. 

That this deponent was again called into service in February 1776 went to Elizabethtown was there put under Capt McCay or McKay in Col Freelinghisen Reg't.
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Served at Elizabethtown at that town one month 
That this deponent was again called to go to Elizabethtown in April 1776 where he actually wait and was placed under Capt. Richard Meddock, or Capt Moffatt in Col. Freelingheisen Regiment where served one month
This deponent saith that he was again called into Service in June 1776 went to Elizabettown-where he served one month under Capt McKay, or Capt Meddock and in Col. Freelingheisen Regiment having been ordered there
That in August 1778 this deponent was again called into Service and went to Elizabethtown -was placed under Capt. Meddock or Capt. Moffatt in Lieut Col Meddock Regiment/ where he served one month/ Col. Ten Eyck
This deponent was again called into service in Dec 1776 went to Mill Stone was placed under Lieut Wheeler, Capt. Lott company and Col. Quick's Regiment, their quarters was at a Peter Strikers about 2 miles from the old Court house near to Mill Stone, this deponent served at that place one month
This deponent was called into service in Jany 1777 went to a Mr. Van Dorens on the Brunswick road that lead to Princeton and Trenton also near the old Mill Stone where he was placed under Lieut Wheeler, Capt. Lott and in Col Quick Regiment, was there in actual service through the month of January and February 1777. that he served at this tour two months -That in the month of June 1777. he was again called into service, went to Amboy was placed under Capt Freeman, Col Freelingheisen Regiment where he served one month-That in August 1777 he was again called into actual service went to Newark where je served under Capt Van Nosdoll or Capr. Larrison in Col Ten Eyck Regiment where he actually served one month- That this deponent was again called into service in October 1777 went to Elizabethtown was placed under Capt. Moffatt and in Col Freelingheisen Regiment, that he served at that time and place one month-
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This deponent was again called into actual service in Dec 1777 went to Newark was placed under Capt. Van Nosdoll, Col Ten Eyck Reg't and served at that place under those officers one month and much of the time so cold as to almost freeze to death. This deponent was again called into actual service in Fall of 1780 went to Woodbridge, was put under Capt. Freeman Col Van Dike Regiment where he served half a month at the above named place. This deponent says he was again called into the service of his country in March 1780 marched to Woodbridge was put under Capt. Freeman & in Col. Van Dike Regiment was at the above named place in actual service half a month.

This deponent further saith that residing near the enemies camp he was frequently called out on allarms and in this way was very much annoyed & lost much time from his business for which he has in this application made no charge.
That this deponent never has rec'd a pension of any name or nature, nor a cent as a pension. That this deponent first made application for his pension in the month of May 1833 through his attorney Josiah Ferris & that it has been delayed from time to time & finely the said Josiah Ferris removed out of the County which has been the cause of another delay. That it has not been from any doubts that this deponent had of his just claim to a pension, but from the negligence or carelessness of his attorney& living so far from him that he could not attend to it, or could not see his attorney. That this deponent knows of no better proof than he has hereunto added or adduced, that he is not aware of any man living who served with him, other than the witness hereto & that he has fears that
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that he could not obtain other or better, or more
satisfactory witnesses, he therefore under a [illegible] [illegible]
of what he has done & having so done it in good faith
he prays the acceptance of his application
That this deponent further declares that his health
& infirmity is such as to preclude the hope of his appearing 
before a court of Record, that he hesitates not to comply 
with all the requirements of the war office so far
as his health & ability will allow him to, and lastly this
deponent declares that he could not procure witnesses
to appear before the court & that he has addopted this
course from necissity- further this deponent saith not
Thomas Covert
Subscribed & Sworn before }
me this 20th day of February }
in the year of our Lord 1838. }
Jonas Seely one of the Judges
of the Seneca County Common
pleas
Personally appeared before me Skillman Doty and
being duly sworn deposeth & saith that he is witness
to the actual service of the above named Thomas Covert
as set forth by him in the above application as
performed in August 1776. That this deponent was also
present & in that months service with the said Thomas
Covert
Sworn & Subscribed before me }
this 20th day of Feb 1838 }
Jonas Seely one of the Judges of
the Seneca County Common pleas
Skillman Doerty
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THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12 - 5 - 41
Division of Veterans' Administration Archives
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Covert, Tunis GRADE Private LINE New Jersey
WARRANT
NUMBER 8206 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED December 20, 1791 
to Jacob Heller, assignee

*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are
registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent
dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800.
Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.