Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31156, Moses Hough, New Jersey
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Service - New Jersey
Hough, Moses or Hugh Moses
Number S. 31156
[Hand written] Born in N.J.
Contents
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29.506
Kentucky
Moses Hugh*
Spencer Co in the State of Kentucky 
was a private in the company commanded 
Captain Sogans of the reg commanded
by Col Nunt in the N.J.
for 6 months
*Hough

W.W.G.  Feb 7.1910

the sale of 20 Dollars -- cents per annum,
commence on the 4th day of March 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 19th day of Febr
1834     and sent to Nov, 13
Nardin. N.R.

Arrears  to the 4th of Sept 1833                      $50.
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 March 1836  $10.
                                                                          ____
                                                                           $60.

                                            {Revolutionary Claim,}
                                             {Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by Wm Allison Clerk
Pek 6   Vol. 7    Page
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United States of America
Kentucky Spencer
County Suhut [?]

On this 10th day of September AD 1832 personally appeared in open court before the justice of the county court of Spencer County now Siting [?] Moses Hough aged 73 years a resident of the said county of Spencer & State of Kentucky who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following Declaration to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congrefs pafsed June 7 1832. He states that he was a soldier of the Revolution a volunteer in the Militia of the State of New Jersey - and served twelve months. He never received a written discharge. He was at the Battle of Monmouth and was under Command of Col Hunt and Major Lynn - William Logan was his Captain. John Parke [Porke?] Ensign and Peter [barideminder?] Lerat - He also [illegible] at Fellinghouse though he does not [illegible] that the name is spot according These [illegible] Militia officers [illegible] is not also to State any of the regular officers except Geo. Washington - he's [illegible] name were hand print pally on the
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On the frontier never the British line in about the following places towards Brunswick, a place called the Landing, Morristown, Hackensack, South Amboy, Woodbridge, Newark and Monmouth. He [assolleth?] that the day of the Battle of Monmouth was exceedingly hot and thinks it was the 28th day of June 1778. He was marched to Englishtown. The time evening after the Battle of Monmouth He was not mustered out of service for he on two years often he entered -  that the latter end of his service was irregular Some times at home and some times on duty but always under the command of his officers - On which amount he only claims for one year - He marched through the State of New Jersey and posts of New York - He knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his services and has no documentary evidence - He states that he was born in Somerset County New Jersey June 16 [10th?] 1759. He has no record of his age except
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in his own Bible which he made from the representations of his Parents. He was living in said county where he entered the service as a volunteer - the precise dates of his entry into his service he does not [illegible] Before the Revolutionary War closed he removed to London County in Virginia From that county he removed to Franklin County Kentuckey and from Franklin he removed to  Bretthitt County in the same state and lived there till he removed to the place where he now lives in Spenser County Kentucky -  He hereby relinguishes 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 to and subscribed this day and year aforesaid. Moses Hough. [ink swirls] 
We Pleasant Paris a clergy man residing in Spenser County Kentucky and Geo Cattings residing in said state and county do hereby certify that [illegible] appeared with Moses Hough who has subscribed and sworn to the
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above declaration - That we believe him seventy three years of age, that he is reputed and believed [illegible] neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion - Sworn to and subscribed this day and year aforesaid. 
[signed] Pleasant Paris [seal in ink swirls]
Geo Collings, [seal in ink swirls]
And the Said Courts do hereby declare their opinions after the [notization?] of the matter and after putting the investigations prescriby 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 Pleasant Paris who has signed the preceding certificates is a clergy an resident in this county of Spencer, and that George Collings who has signed the Same is a resident in the County of Spencer and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. I Raphael Lancaster Clerk of the County court of Spencer County in the State of kentucky do hereby certify that [illegible] foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said [ink smear] in the matter of the application of Moses Hough for a pension. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of the County Court Office this 10th day of September 1832. In the 41st year of the Commonwealth. Raph. Lancaster Clk
Spencer Cty [ink swirl]
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New Jersey Hough, Moses S. 31156
or Hugh
Born in N.J.
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Allowance for this month 
L. L. 
 [seal] 
Pension Office
Feby 18th 1834.

[illegible][ Handwriting upside down]

Hon. B Hardin H R
$20 her anl

Mr. Hardin testimony in Case of Jos. Hough. Pension
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[illegible] City February 14th This your noth was [illegible] by [illegible] [crossed out] This morning [crossed out] [illegible] my [crossed out] acknowledgements for the [next six words illegible] to said man and is [illegible] to satisfy my [crossed out] solicitation in relation to [crossed out] [crossed out] [crossed out] Joseph Hough I can state and so make the statement that he is a man of us 2 [illegible] and  his [illegible] his in his [illegible] 2 [illegible] [illegible] when. In this was for a [illegible] number of years Just as this [illegible] [illegible] and in & it is Jun to his statements that from age he is any [illegible] and his intellect [arrow] surely in said I [illegible] his was summon brought him into Court to obtain from him a [crossed out] more detailed
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Account of his enlistment own not he obtained on account of his [illegible] and [illegible] to change of mind without [illegible] Ben Hardin
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State of Kentucy
Spencer County

Personal appearance before me the undersigned Justice of the Peace in the County of Spencer and State of Kentucky who being only Sworn deposed 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 later than the period mentioned below, and in the following grades; for twelve months I served as a Private Soldier; and for such service I claim a pension. 

Moses Hough

Tho. Newman
State of Kentucky
Spencer County

I Raphael Lancaster Clerk of the County Court for the County aforesaid do certify that Thomas Newman Esquire whose signature affixed the foregoing Certificate is a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid and duly empowered to adminster oaths; I do further certify that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of the said Thomas Newman, and know that the above signature purporting to be his is genuine.

In Testimony wherof  have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of my Said County at Taylorsville the 21st day of October 1833.  In the 212 day of the Commonwealth.

Raphael Lancaster Clk
Spencer Cty Clk
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13.012
Moses Hough
Kentucky

Hon B. Hardin
N.R
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the paper are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in tabular form On comparing these paper with the following rules, and the subjcined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace (thus: }). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by compling with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of you claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Moses Hough
Period when the service was rendered. | Duration of the claimant's service. Years. Month. 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.
[Hand written] No allowance can be made excepting for such [illegible] of duty as [illegible] clearly set forth [illegible].
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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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 Navel Service.
4. Indian Spies.

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

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

State, Territory, or District of
County of                               } 88 [italicized] 

On this [space] day of [space] personally appeared (a) [italicized] before [space]  A. B. a resident (b) [italicized] of [space] in the county of [space] and State, Territory or District of [space] aged (c) [italicized] [space] 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) [italicized] [space], with [space] and served in the [space] (e) [italicized] regiment of the [space] 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 serv-ed 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.  [graphic of a pointing hand] This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and per-sons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]

He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) [italicized] 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 [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) [italicized] that the above named applicant was a revolu-tionary soldier, and served as he states.

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

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) [italicized] this [space] day of [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) [italicized] 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) [italicized] We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the [space] and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with [space], who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be [space] years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a solider of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.

Sworn and subscribed in 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 Revo-lutionary Solider, 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 [space] and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the [space] and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

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

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

Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power.  This is the original discharge of commis-sion; 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 ser-vices 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) [italicized] 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
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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 corroboration the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be atlempted; 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 an 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 whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of the other persons giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge of 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.
[Footnotes]
[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 invariable 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. [et cetera] 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 [italics] about three or four months [end italics], 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. [et cetera] 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 in to 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 character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
[italics] Mode of authenticating papers. [end italics]
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.
[italics] Proof of Service. [end italics]
[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 verify 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.
[Hand pointing right, dingbat] The notes from [a] to [i] are al equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to the continental troops only.
[k] This traditionally 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.