Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 32082, William Woodcock, Del.
Page 1

Service    ----                                                                         Number
Del           ----          Woodcock, William    ----    S32082
Page 2

Delaware 30,752
William Woodcock
of New Castle Co. in the State of Delaware
who was a Private in the company commanded
by Captain Stedham of the commanded
by --------------- in the Delaware mil.
line for 7 months.

Inscribed on the Roll of Delaware
at the rate of 23. Dollars 33 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 12th day of Jany,
1837 and sent to Hon. Richard
H Bayard Sentate U.S.

Arrears to the 4th of Sep. '36        128.33
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 March '37     11.66
                                                                  $130.00
{Revolutionary Claim 
Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk
Book E.2. Vol. 5. Page 94
Page 3

State of Delaware
County of NewCastle fo On this eleventh day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty five personally appeared Before a special District court of the United States for the District of Delaware held at the City of Wilmington, in the said County, William Woodcock aged Eighty-one years, a resident of NewCastle County who being first duely affirmed acording to Law doth on his affirmation make the following declaration in order to obtain the Benefits of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832.. that he entered the service of the United States, and served as herein after stated.. that he was Born on the first day of November AD 1753 at Wilmington, as he believes, and that he volunteered in Capt. Joseph Stedhams company of Del. Militia in the month of May 1775 and was musterd daily until the seventh of April 1776 and remained in the service until the last named period, during which time he was three times sent as guard to military stores. Powder of. to Chester and Lancaster by orders, that when he entered 
the service he resided at Wilmington and Boarded with his father, that he was discharged in April 1776 he went
to Philadelphia, that in the month of May, he again entered the service by enlistment under Capt Thomas Caslup for six months to serve on Lake Champlain is being a time when preparations were making to defeat the Designs of Burgoyne on that quarter, that he this deponent with upward of fifty others were marched up through New Jersey to New York, at which time the ships Roebuck & Liverpool were fireing on the town., this deponent with the company went up the north  River to Toppan and Albany. Thence to Saratoga & thence to [inserted above line] Fort Edward and Scheensborogh on Champlain, at that place he saw Arnold frequently and who at Ticonderoga had under his direction a Large Galley, that he remaind on this station in the service until the 28 day of November 1776.. when he was discharged, without clothing or compensation, that he proceeded to Wilmington Delaware and [illegible] there about Christmas, and in the early part of January 1777. he was again Enrolld in Capt Thomas Keans company. of 2nd Regiment, so called, of Delaware Militia. and continued in the service the British were landing in force at Turkey Point in the month of September 1777 he marched with the company
Page 4

to which he belongd for Turkey Point in Maryland when they arivd at Elkton it was found the Enemy had landed in great force and were marching towards Elkton. When they were orderd to retreat, that in the retreat. Between Elkton and Coochs Bridge, near the Cattin place the American army was attackd by the enemy, and Colonel Hollingsworth was wounded, he also saw a Light Horseman wounded in the arm, and all of Duffs horses shot from under him. This engagement was in September 1777 after days before the Battle of Brandywine, that after the engagement the company retreated to Wilmington. On their arrival there, the commissary Jon Rumsford took charge of a Brig belonging to William Shiply and had the military stores placed on Board and put this deponent in charge of her with orders to proceed to Bristol that he performd that hence and deliver them safely to an officer appointed to receive them at Bristol. This was in October 1777 [underlined]., after which he returnd to Wilmington through New Jersey, and resumed his station in Capt. Thomas Keans company and remaind in the service until discharged in that he served at least seven months by Enlistment as a soldier and Three years as a militiaman, in the service of the United States, that he was one of the earliest volunteers in Capt. Stedhams company; he cannot by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory swear to the [crossed out] positively as to the precise lenth of his services, but according to the best of his recollection he has not served less than three years as above specified
Deponent [crossed out] Affirmant further saith, that the Principal Officer under whom he served and knew in the service was Col. Geo. Craighead [illegible] Thomas Duff, Capt. Thomas [crossed out] William Robinson Capt. North Capt Joseph Stedham. Capt Thomas Kean and Capt Samuel Stewart, that he has not recived compensation for his services, that [illegible] he was of ability to support himself he now is old infirm and in [illegible] circumstances and for his service renderd to his country he claims arearages of pay and a Pension. The deponent [crossed out] affirmant does not recollect if he ever received any written discharge. That if he ever did it has long since been lost or destroyd. That he has no Documentary Evidence that all his officers are long since deceased and the testimony on which he has to rely are his own declarations. Supported by those of Frederick Craig Isaac
Page 5

Hendrickson & John Hagany
hereto anexd to which he refers , he hereby relinquishes any 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
Wm Woodcock
Sworn [crossed out] affirmed [illegible] to the day and year aforesaid
Thos,, Witherspoon 6th Dist: Cot,, Del. Dist:
[illegible] John Hagany. a clergyman Residing in the city of Wilmington and Isac Hendrickson residing in the same city and Frederick Craig [inserted on line above] hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Woodcock who has submited and sworn to the above declarations that we believe him to be Eighty one years of age : that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and we concur in that opinion, and that we do believe him to be a man of truth and veracity, that is his general character
Sworn & affirmed [inserted on line above] & submited the day and year aforesaid,
Thos,, Witherspoon 6th Dis: Cot,, D. D.
John Hagany
Isaac Hendrickson
Fredk Craig
and the said court do hereby Declare their [crossed out] its opinion, after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interogatories presented 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 [crossed out] the Court that John Hagany who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the city of Wilmington and that Isaac Hendrickson who has signed the same. and Frederick Craig whose deposition is anexd are residents of said city and are credible persons. and that their statements are entitled to credit.
Page 6

personally appeard Frederick Craig Esquire. of NewCastle County. aged Seventy nine years who being first duely [illegible] deposeth and saith that he has been personally well acquainted with William Woodcock from the year 1770. that he was Born at Wilmington Delaware, and is now Eighty one years old as he verily believes,. that he Knows that the said William Woodcock in the month of May 1775 enterd the service of the United States in Capt Joseph Stedhams compy: and remaind in that company and regularly musterd in service. until the month of April 1776, when he went to Philad: after his discharge, and enlisted with Capt. Thomas Caslup, and went to Lake Champlain. where he remaind until December [illegible], when he returnd to Wilmington Delaware and reenterd the service in Capt Thos Keans company., that in the month of September he was in the engagement. with the Enemy ,, near Coochs Bridge Between Elkton and Grays hill, which was a few days before the Battle of Brandywine, that the said Wm Woodcock performd active service to his country that he was very frequently selected amongst others as guard to military stores Baggage & to Port Penn Bristol Chester and other places, that he is reputed and believed generally in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolutionary War. that he is a man Esteemd for his Integrity, truth and veracity and that this deponent fully concurs in that opinion
[illegible] to [illegible] this 11th day of Feby. 1835
Thos,, Witherspoon 6th Dist. Cot. D. D
Fredk Craig
Page 7

32,746
William Woodcock
Delaware
wp0
[illegible]
Hon. J. J Millig [illegible}
Page 8

In answer to the Interogationes propounded by the Hon Willard Hall to William Woodcock of New Castle county an applicant for a Pension under the act of Congress passd June 7. 1832.
Wm Woodcock appeard and duely [illegible] [crossed out] affirmed to the first [illegible], he answers that he was Born in Wilmington Delaware on November 1. 1753, as he understood and verily believes.
Second ,, he has no Record of his age : but there is one in the society of friends in Wilmington
Third he answers that he resided in Wilmington Delaware. with his father when he enterd the service of the United States. and that it he [crossed out] has been his place of residence and  remains so to this date
Fourth he answers. that he volunteerd his services in Capt Joseph Stedhams company. that he afterwards enlisted under Capt Caslup at Philada and served his [illegible]. was discharged and afterwards was enrolld in Capt Thomas Keans company.
Fifth he answers that Col. George Craighead. Major Thomas Duff, Capt [illegible] [crossed out] William Robinson Capt North. Capt Stedham. & Capt Stewart. Capt Bedford and Col. Grantham were all well Known to him in the service, as to the terms and manner of his service he refers to his declarations hereto anexd.
Sixth he answers that he does not recollect as to the manner of his discharge whether [illegible] or [illegible], if written is long since lost or destroyd, but that he served until he was regularly discharged by his proper officers
Seventh, he answers that Frederick Craig & Isaac Hendrickson Esquire. and Revd,, John Hagany will Testify as to his character for truth and veracity, and Belief of his services as a Revolutionary soldier. to whose depositions he refers hereto anexd.
[illegible] [crossed out] affirmed to [illegible] the day & year aforesaid,
Thos,, Witherspoon [illegible] Dis: Cot.. Lee E. Dist.
Wm Woodcock
Page 9

I Thomas Witherspoon clerk of the [illegible] District court of the United States for the District of Delaware. do hereby Certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of William Woodcock for a Pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & this seal of said court this Eleventh day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand and eight hundred and thirty five
Thomas Witherspoon Clerk
Dist: Cot,, Del: Dist:
Page 10

Hon J.J. Milligan
Del:
Page 11

State of Delaware
New Castle County
[the above two lines are bracketed with the note "(KS)"]
Personally appeared before the Court of Chancery for the said County [illegible] of NewCastle William Woodcock a resident of the City of Wilmington in the County of NewCastle and State of Delaware aged seventy nine years who being conscientiously scrupulous of taking an oath & being duly affirmed [added above] first [illegible crossed out] according to Law doth on his [illegible crossed out] affirmation [added to line above] 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 month of April in the year One thousand seven hundred and seventy six with Captain Thomas [illegible] Cassaup.......and served in his Company under the Command of Gen. Benedict Arnold.............In the year 1776 I was at Work on the frigate Randolph in the City of Philadelphia when an Express came for ship [illegible] Weights & soldiers to go to Lake Champlain to build Galleys for the government when fifty three of us inlisted for six months and served our times out and were discharged.......We left Philadelphia in the spring of 1776 after drawing Our arms and Equipage and Went by Water to Bordentown in New Jersey from thence we Marched to New York and before we could obtain a passage to Albaney the Brittish ships (Viz) the Roebuck & Liverpool went up the North river and we had to [illegible] of the North River into Jersey and Marched to Top Pond Bay Where we got a sloop in a small Creek and Went to Albaney from thence we Marched to Still Water from thence to Saratoga from thence to Fort Edward from thence to Skunsborough Where we built a Galley that mounted Ten guns two 24 pounders in her bow to six 9 pounders in her Waist with two stern guns and finished her With Latteen Masts & yards Compleate, and then Went to help a Company of New England men with their Galley Untile Nearly finished When we were discharged...........We were regularly Mustered Inspected. and Lay upon our arms bearing our service [illegible]
he hereby relinquishes every claim 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
Page 12

[illegible crossed out] affirmed and subscribed this [illegible crossed out] 20th day of February A.D. 1833
Wm Woodcock
Affirmed & subscribed in open Court of Chancery this 20 day of February 183[cut off] Before me, Thomas Stockton, Register in Chancery And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and Ship Wright and Served as he States
I Thomas Stockton Register of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware do hereby Certify that the foregoing contains the [illegible] proceeding of the said court in the matter of the application of William Woodcock. for a Pension
In Testimony whereof I. had hereunto set my hand and seal of office this twenty fifth day of February A.D. 1833.
T. Stockton
Register in Chancery
We Caleb P. Bennett & Peter Jaquett citizens of New = Castle County and State of Delaware..........hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Woodcock who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration  that we believe him to be seventy nine years of age. that he is reputed and believed in the Neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier and Ship Wright of the revolution and that we concur in that Opinion....
P,, Jaquett
CP. Bennett
Sworn & subscribed to before me this 20th day of Feby 1833
Fredk Leonard ([illegible])
I. do hereby certify that my wages was Thirteen Pounds p. month. Equal to thirty four dollars & sixty seven cents
Wm Woodcock
Page 13

[added by hand in upper right corner "CW]
Rev. & 1812 Wars
Section.
Oct. 18, 1923.
Clarence M. Busch.
1831 S. St.
Washington, D. C.
Sir:
I have to advise you that the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau fail to afford any information in regard to a John Marshall of Delaware County, Penn.
From the papers in the pension claim, S. 32082, it appears that William Woodcock was born at Wilmington, Del. November 1, 1753, and resided there when he volunteered in May 1775 in Capt. Joseph Stedham's Company of Delaware Militia and was mustered daily until April 1776, when he enlisted under Capt. Thos. Caslup, or Cassaup, to build boats on Lake Champlain, and so served for six months.
In January 1777 he enlisted in Capt. Thomas Kean's Company, Second Regiment Delaware Militia, was in an engagement near Elkton, and served seven months.
He was allowed pension on his application executed February 20, 1833, at which time he was living in Wilmington. Del. There is no data on file as to his family.
Respectfully,
[signed by hand "Washington Gardner"]
Commissioner.
Page 14

$23:33 per an.
Page 15

On behalf of William Woodcock who has presented his claim to the Pension Office for a pension under the Act of 1832 for services in the Militia during the Revolutionary War I agree that he shall receive a pension for seven months service according to the provisions of that act which is all that the Commissioner of Pensions is willing to allow in persuance of the rules which he has laid down for his government in the executor of that act but without prejudice to the right of the law William Woodcock the petitioner to apply to Congress for a full pension under that act, within the provisions of which he conceives that he has brought his case ["himself" crossed out].
Washington Jan 12th 1837
Richd H Bayard
U.S. Senator from Delaware
Page 16

William Woodcock
Delaware
Act 7th June 1832
Rejected [underlined] See letter to Hon. J. J. Milligan Apl. 12 '33
11813
Page 17

[stamped in upper right corner "REJECTED"]
P.O. [handwritten "Wm Woodcock"]
Service:
Enlisted: , 18 .
Discharged: , 18 .
Application filed: , 18 .
Alleges:
Page 18

[handwritten "32082"]
[handwritten "Revy"] INVALID.
File No. [handwritten "32,082"]
[handwritten "William Woodcock"]
[handwritten "In Rev War"]
Act: [handwritten "June 7th 32''"]
Index:-Vol. [handwritten "2"], Page [handwritten "463"]
[Arrangement of 1870]
[handwritten "1923 Oct. 12. [illegible] C. M Busch. AW,"]
Page 19

P. O. BOX 926
OFFICE OF
CLARENCE M. BUSCH
TRUSTEE
SUCCEEDING THE
SOUTH FLORIDA FARMS CO.
MIAMI. FLORIDA
1631 "S" Street,
Washington, D. C.
August 27th, 1923.
Pension Office,
Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen;..
Will you kindly let me have the record of any Military or Naval services performed by John Marshall of Delaware County, Pa. and William Woodcock of Wilmington Del., during the Revolutionary war. I desire these to if possible, establish my eligibility to membership in the Sons of the Revolution.
[handwritten in left margin "none of Del Co"]
Thanking you in advance for your courtesy I am,
Most respectfully yours,
[handwritten "Clarence M. Busch"]
CMB/R
[a US Pension Office stamp at the bottom of the page bears the date AUG 28 1923]