Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 43,340, Peter Covert, New Jersey Va.

Page 1

(8-1776)

[column headings:
Service
Number]

Service:
New Jersey
Va

Covert,
Peter

Number:
S43340

Page 2

(This is a pre-printed form.)

2781.

New York.

(Initials LL)

=====

Peter Covert, private -

New Jersey line - 

Capt Swan

In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War

=====

Inscribed on the Roll of New York, at a rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence the 5 of July, 1818.

=====

Certificate of Pension issued the 3 of Sept: 1818, and sent to Elijah Hawley, Esq; Ridgeway, Genesee(sp) Co: N. York

=====

Arrears to 4th of Sept: 1818 $16-
Semi-anl, all'ce ending 4 March, 1819. ] $48-
=====
2 mo's $64-
=====

Ogden

{Revolutionary claim,}
{Act of 18th March, 1818.}

1 year
Continual

(In faint writing: "Cont 6 Sep 25 Ridgeway Genesee Co")

Page 3

Declaration

State of New York }
Genesee County }

Pursuant to an act of the Congress of the United States of America, passed March 18th - 1818 to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land and Naval service of the said United States in the Revolutionary War, I Peter Covert aged 57 4th January last of the town of Ridgeway in the County of Genesee and State of New York aforesaid do hereby (underscored) make the following declarations under oath before the Honorable (sp) Elijah Hawley Esquire one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Genesee and state aforesaid - to wit: - I do solemnly and sincerely swear and declare that I am a resident citizen of the United States in the town county and state aforesaid; and that by reason of my reduced circumstances in life I am in need of assistance from my country for support. I do further declare that I served in the war of the Revolution against the common enemy in the capacity of a private (underscored) in the Continental establishment: And that I served in said War seventeen months - that I belonged to Captain Jedediah Swan's Company into which I enlisted for five months and under command of General or Lord Sterling - was at the battle of Long Island and its evacuation of New York - that I left the service after serving five months the term of my enlistment by (illegible) of an honorable verbal discharge from my Captain ... I afterwards enlisted for three months at Westfield - my captain's name I have forgot but my majors name was Wetherspoon and Maxfield was the General - Here I served three months ... Again I enlisted at Mount Holly under Captain Firman for nine months in Colonel Ogdens or Col Daytons Regiment I forget which

Page 4

but General Maxfield commanded the Brigade. I was at the battle of Monmouth. I was honorably discharged at Elizabethtown verbally by the Lieutenant of the Company if I can recollect right whose name was Whitlock. I do not recollect the exact time I enlisted at Mount Holly but it was in the spring and I continued in the service nine months and was not discharged until in the winter. I afterwards served in a detachment of Virginia militia at Yorktown at the Siege of Cornwallis where I served three months in addition to the foregoing.

And I do further declare that in addition to my former Declaration and pursuant to the restrictions of the aforesaid act I do hereby freely relinquish every claim I have to any and every Pension which might or has been allowed and by the said United States previous to the passing of this act.

In witness whereof I have subscribed this Declaration in presence of the Judge above mentioned at Ridgeway in the State of New York this twenty fifth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighteen.

(Signed)
Peter Covert

Sworn this 25th day of July 1818 before me
(Signed)
Elijah Hawley
Judge of Genesee Court Pleas

Judges Certificate

State of New York }
Genesee County } ss

I Elijah Hawley Esquire a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Genesee and State of New York (the said court being a court of record within the said state) do hereby certify (underscored) to the Honorable

Page 5

The Secretary of War of the United States agreeably to the provisions of an act of the Congress of the United States passed March 18th 1818 entitled an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land and Naval Service of the United States in the Revolutionary War that the said Peter Covert (underscored) named in the foregoing declaration personally appeared before me the said Judge on the twenty fifth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighteen and in my presence subscribed the same declaration; and at the same time in due form of law, took an oath before me on the holy evangelists of Almighty God that the said Declaration was true. And I have examined the said Peter Covert touching the matters in the said Declaration contained and being satisfied that the facts stated therein are true and the only evidence in the power of the said Peter to produce I do further certify that it appears to my entire satisfaction that the said Peter Covert did actually serve in the Revolutionary War aforesaid against the common enemy in the manner and for the time by him stated in his said declaration and that the said Declaration is in other respects true. All which said proceedings had before me, and the testimony produced in the case, I do certify and transmit to the Honorable the Secretary of the Department of War according to the Act of Congress aforesaid.

In testimony (underscored) whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal at Ridgeway in the State of New York this 25th day of July in the year of our Lord 1818.

(Signed)
Elijah Hawley

(There is a seal affixed to the left side of this page.)

Page 6

(There is writing running across the top of the page and running sideways on the bottom half of the page. There is also writing on the left margin of the bottom half of the page.)

The Hon. Secretary of War will please direct the pay warrant for the within if entitled to one to Hon. E. Hawley P.M. Ridgeway Genesee County N.Y.

(Signed)
Peter Covert

=====

Ridgeway N.Y.
Peter Covert

State of New York }
Genesee County }

Admitted

N.J. Line
5 July 1818

I Simeon Cummings Clerk of the County aforesaid do hereby certify that Elijah Hawley before whom the within affidavit was made is a Judge of the Genesee Common Pleas acting under the authority of this state and that the within is his signature. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and County seal at Batavia the 8th day of August A D 1818

(Signed)
Simeon Cummings
by Sam'l Lake Dep.


Letter of Sam'l Lake who enclosed this sent to Mr. Cutting with other papers.

(There is a faint seal stamped on the left side of the page that is illegible.)

Page 7

(This is a copy of the bottom half of the previous page.)

Ridgeway N.Y.
Peter Covert

State of New York }
Genesee County }

Admitted

N.J. Line
5 July 1818

I Simeon Cummings Clerk of the County aforesaid do hereby certify that Elijah Hawley before whom the within affidavit was made is a Judge of the Genesee Common Pleas acting under the authority of this state and that the within is his signature. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and County seal at Batavia the 8th day of August A D 1818

(Signed)
Simeon Cummings
by Sam'l Lake Dep.


Letter of Sam'l Lake who enclosed this sent to Mr. Cutting with other papers.

(There is a faint seal stamped on the left side of the page that is illegible.)

Page 8

Declaration (double underscored) in order to be restored to the Pension List

Under the Acts of First March 1823 - (all double underscored)

State of New York }
Orleans County } ss

On this 22nd day of June 1825 personally appeared in open Court it being a Court of Record in and for the County of Orleans Peter Covert resident in said County aged (65) years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declarations in order to obtain the provisions made by the acts of Congress of the 18th March 1818 and the 1st May 1820 (this should say 1823). That he the said Peter Covert enlisted in the New Jersey line of the Revolutionary Army in the company commanded by Captain Swan in the regiment commanded by Col Maxfield and was afterwards in the company commanded by Captain Firman in the same

Page 9

line, that he continued to serve in the said Corps until he was discharged from the said services in Elizabeth Town in the State of New Jersey that his name has been placed on the pension list and aressed(?) therefrom on account of his property.

(N.B. The time he enlisted and the time he was discharged is not recollected at this time.)

And in pursuance of the act of the 1st May 1820 (should say 1823) I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have not since that my life said or in any manner (illegible) of my property or any part thereof with intent thereby so to aim with it as to bring myself within the provisions of the act of Congress entitled an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land and Naval service of the United States in the

Page 10

Revolutionary War passed on the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property or (illegible) contracts or debts over to me. Nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed.

(Signed)
Peter Covert

Witness
Wm Hughes

=====

An Inventory of the Estate of Peter Covert of the Town of Yates and County of Orleans aged (65) years. He has no wife and now lives with his son in law George Housman. His occupation is a farmer and has for a number of years been troubled with a complaint which prevents his doing any labor.

-----

Real Estate none ----- month $0.00
One old mare (illegible) ----- 30.
One Brider and Hatter old ----- 00.50

Page 11

(This entire page is difficult to read)

One old Sadle (sp) ----- Month $1.50
Part of a old Putter ----- " 1.50
One chain 2 feet long ----- "  .50
Part of a set of shoe makers tools ----- " 1.00
One Razor & Box ----- " .37
One Empty Barrow ----- " .25
Two Rope (illegible) ----- " .50
One Ax ----- " $1.00
One Ho(illegible)s ----- .37
One 3/4 Ay(illegible) (illegible) broke off ----- .12
One (illegible) spoon ----- .06 (underscored)

Owe me from Danl Housmand $1.06 ----- _____
                                                                    1.06
Owe me from Oliver Camel (illegible) ----- .62 1/2
                                         Amount             $37.75 1/2

I certify that the above is a (illegible)

Inventory of my property now on hand and atso of all debts owe me --

(Signed)
Peter Covert

Witness
Wm Hughes

Page 12

A list of debts that the said Peter Covert is now owing
June 22nd 1825
=====

To Wm Thompson $20.00
" Gideon Scott --- 10.00
" Mary Low --- 2.00
" F Seborn --- 1.00
" Richard Burey --- .50
" Mr Shipman --- .50
" Mr. Coon --- 1.00 (underscored)
                       $45.00

I do hereby certify that the above is a true list of debts owed by me this day June 22nd 1825.

(Signed)
Peter Covert

Witness
Wm. Hughes

Page 13

(The handwriting on this page is very difficult to read.)

I Orson Nicholson Clerk of the County of Orleans do hereby certify that it appears to the satisfaction of the Court that the said Peter Covert did serve in the Revolutionary War as stated in the preceding (illegible) against the common enemy for the term of nine months and was engaged in the Continental Establishment. I also certify that the foregoing oath and the schedules thereto annexed are truly copied from the records of said Covert and I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is thirty seven dollars and eight five cents -- In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court on this 22nd day of June 1825.

Orson Nicholson Clk

Page 14

(787)
Peter Covert
N.Y.

March 1819

Con
J.D.

Page 15

November 16, 1939

BA-J/AWF (Initials AM)
Peter Covert
XS. 43340

Mrs. Edna W. Bromley
148 West Pike
Pontiac, Michigan

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of Teunis Covert, born in Somerset County, New Jersey and died in 1798 in Covert, New York, and that of Nathaniel and Peter Covert, both of New York.

The Revolutionary War records of this office have been searched and no claim for pension found based upon service of a Teunis (Tunis) Covert described by you, or for any Nathaniel Covert.

The records of Peter Covert which follows was obtained from papers on file in claim for pension, S. 43340, based upon his service in the War of the Revolution.

Peter Covert was born January 4, 1761, place not given, nor are the names of his parents shown.

He served five months in Captain Jedediah Swan's New Jersey company and was in the battle of Long Island. He enlisted in Westfield --, served three months as a private in Colonel Maxfield's regiment. He enlisted in Mount Holly --, served nine months as private in Captain Forman's company, Colonel Ogden's New Jersey regiment, and was in the battle of Monmouth. He served, also, three months

Page 16

in the Virginia militia, at the siege of Yorktown.

The soldier, Peter Covert, was allowed pension on his application executed in the month of July, 1818, then a resident of Ridgeway, Genesee County, New York.

He stated in 1825 that he had no wife, and was living Yates, Orleans County, New York, with his son-in-law, George Houseman. The name of the wife of the soldier, Peter Covert, is not given, and there are no further data in the claim in regard to her. The name of George Houseman's wife is not shown.

Benjamin Covert, son of the solider, stated in 1825 in Orleans County, New York, that he had lived near his father for about fifteen years.

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

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name and address of person paid, and possibly the date of death of the pensioner, you should apply to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and furnish the following data:

Peter Covert
Certificate #2781
Issued September 23, 1818
Rate $8.00 per month
Commenced July 5, 1818
Act of March 18, 1818
New York Agency.

Very truly yours

A.D. Hiller
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator

Page 17

Continued in the Act of 1 May 1820, 6 Sept 1825. Pension commencing 27 August 1825. Notification sent to Wm Hughes Yates, New York.

Page 18

State of New York }
Orleans County } ss

Be it known that on this 26th day of July AD 1825 personally appeared before me Cyrus Harwood Esquire one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County, George Houseman to me well known and on his oath, sayeth that he has been acquainted with Peter Covert (his father in law) for about six years and that he has no property to any amount that is to say no known item (illegible) for his own private use and that he has not to my knowledge  disposed of any thing more than (illegible) clothing and the said Peter Covert has lived with me for about three years past and has worked a little (illegible) above of his time for which I have supported him. And the said affiant further sayeth that he is of the opinion that the said Peter Covert is not able to support himself without some assistance from the country or asking private charity.

Sworn and Subscribed to before me this 26th day of July AD 1825

(Signed)
Cyrus Harwood one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Orleans}

(Signed)
George Houseman
(His X Mark)

Page 19

State of New York }
Orleans County } ss

I Orson Nichoson Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County do hereby Certify that Cyrus Harwood Esquire before whom the within oath was taken is one of the Judges of our said Court and has been since the first day of June1825 and his signature hereunto affixed is his own property hand writing -- and I do further certify that the same is a Court of Record in and for the said County.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of our said Court this 27th day of August AD 1825.

(Signed)
Orson Nichoson Clerk

(There is a seal affixed to the left side of the page that says "Orleans Common Pleas.")

Page 20

State of New York }
Orleans County } ss

I Orson Nichoson Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County do hereby Certify that Cyrus Harwood Esquire before whom the within oath was taken is one of the Judges of our said Court and has been since the first day of June1825 and his signature hereunto affixed is his own property hand writing -- and I do further certify that the same is a Court of Record in and for the said County.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of our said Court this 27th day of August AD 1825.

(Signed)
Orson Nichoson Clerk

(There is a seal affixed to the left side of the page that says "Orleans Common Pleas.")

Page 21

State of New York }
Orleans County } ss

Be it known that on this twenty-sixth day of July AD 1825 before me Cyrus Harwood Esquire one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for said County personally appeared Peter Covert to me well known and made oath that he has not since the 18 March 1818 disposed of any property which was then possessed except for his necessary support and that the reason why he has not applied at a earlyer (sp) period to be  continued on the pension list is and has been for want of information on the subject from that period until the month of May last at which time he was as he believes more correctly informed.

Sworn and Subscribed to before me this 26th day of July AD 1825

(Signed)
Cyrus Harwood one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas }

(Signed)
Peter Covert

Page 22

State of New York }
Orleans County } ss

I Orson Nichoson Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County do hereby certify that Cyrus Harwood Esquire before whom the written oath was taken is one of the Judges of our said Court and has been since the first day of June 1825 and his signature hereto affixed is his own proper handwriting -- and I do further certify that the same is a Court of Record in and for the said County.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed to it the seal of our said Court this 27 day of August AD 1825.

(Signed)
Orson Nichoson Clk

(There is a seal affixed to the left side of this document.)

Page 23

(This page is extremely difficult to read)

Dated August 27th 1825

Sir

Yours of the 17 (illigible) is just said enclosing the (illegible) of Peter Covert Benj Cover and Geo Houseman. I herewith return the (illegible) with the certificate and (illegible) of our County Clerk and (illegible) the Certificate of the (illegible).

I am respectfully your obt servant

(Signed)
William Hughes

J.L. Edwards Esq
Washington City

Page 24

State of New York }
Orleans County } ss

Be it known that on this 27th day of August AD 1825 personally appeared before me Cyrus Harwood Esquire one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County Harry Moore to me well known and on his oath makes the following statement. That he has been acquainted with Peter Covert for a number of years and believes him to be an honest and upright man and that the said Covert since he has been acquainted with him has been very poor so much so that he thinks he is unable to support himself without assistance from his Country or friends.

Sworn and Subscribed to before me this 27 day of August AD 1825.

(Signed)
Harry Moore

(Signed)
Cyrus Harwood one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Orleans.

Page 25

State of New York }
Orleans County } ss

I Orson Nichoson Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County do hereby certify that Cyrus Harwood Esquire before whom the written oath was taken is one of the Judges of our said Court and his signature hereunto affixed is his own proper handwriting -- and I do further certify that the same is a Court of Record in and for the said County.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed to it the seal of our said Court this 27 day of August AD 1825.

(Signed)
Orson Nichoson Clk

(There is a seal affixed to the left side of this document.)

Page 26

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Peter Covert a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow’s) application for pension on file in this Bureau.

File 43.340

DATE OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.

Blank
Blank
Spring
Blank
1781 

LENGTH OF SERVICE.

5 mos
3 mos
9 mos
Blank
3 mos

RANK.

Private (all)

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.

CAPTAIN.

Jedediah Swan
Check mark
Forman
Blank
Check mark (Siege of Yorktown)

COLONEL.

Maxfield
Maj Witherspoon
Ogden
Blank
Check mark

STATE.

NJ
Blank
Blank
Blank
Va, Mil.

Battles engaged in, Long Island amd evac NY - Mon. Siege of Yorktown.

Residence of soldier at enlistment, check mark

Date of application for pension, July 5 1818. Allowed.

Residence at date of application, Genesee Co NY

Age at date of application, b Jan 4 1759

Remarks: In 1825 his son Benjamin Covert testified in the case and it was stated that soldier has no wife but resided with his son-in-law George Houseman.

Page 27

Pontiac Mich
10-21-39

Veterans Bureau
Wash D.C.

Dear Sirs:

Trust I may be able to establish the fact that an ancestor served in Rev. War as wish to join D.A.R. My name Edna Wilkin Bromley.

Mother Alvira Covert Wilkin. Her father Nathaniel Covert of N.Y. His father --

My mother's sister Mary Covert (maiden name) married Abraham Covert of Farmersville or Trumansburg N.Y.

His father --

Also know of that family Covert Teunis-private
B. Somerset Co N.Y.
D 1798 Covert N.Y.

Covert - Peter pvt
B. 1759 Seneca Co N.Y.
D 1849 --

Could you help me?

Mrs. Edna W. Bromley
148 W Pike
Pontiac Mich

Page 28

Ionia Michigan July 21st 1913
Mr Commissioner of Pension
Washington D.C.

Sir

I would like the army record of Peter Covert. He served in the Revolution War. I think he enlisted first in 1776 from New York State.

Will you please give me his army record.

Thanking you in advance for the same.

B.N. Covert
150 E. Washington St
Ionia Mich

Page 29

Ionia June 29th 1910

Commissioner of Pensions

Dear Sir

Will you kindly give me all information you can concerning one Peter Covert - who served in the War of the Revolution and who drew a pension of 8 dollars a month. He was from or enlisted in Seneca Co New York.

Yours and obliged,

Mrs F.A. Storm

147 Lafayette St
Ionia Mich

(Date printed at bottom of letter: Jul 5 1910)

Page 30

(This is a pre-printed form.)

3-871.
-----

Record Division.

Department of the Interior

Bureau of Pensions.
-----

Briefed by A. Mac D 5/7/10

Claim No. _____

Certificate No. _____

Claimant _____

Soldier Peter Covert

Service N.Y.

Additional Service Rev.
_____.

No _____ claim, State records _____, 191 __

No claim, combination records _____, 191 __

REMARKS:

Try:
Inv. File No. 43340
No Others

No Wid, No.
" Rej.

_____
0-1944 Chief Division

Page 31

(This is pre-printed form.)

43340

INVALID.

Revy -----

File No. 43340

Peter Covert
Rev Rev War
-----

Act: 18 March 18

Index: -- Vo. G, Page 95

[Arrangement of 1870.]

1910 July 7 Hist. to Mrs. F.A. Storm 
1913 July 31 His to B. N. Covert

1939 Nov 16. Hist. to Mrs. Edna W. Bromley

Page 32

State of New York }
Orleans County }

Be it known that on this 26th day of July AD 1825 personally appeared before me Cyrus Harwood Esquire one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said county Benjamin Covert who being first duly sworn on his oath make the following statement vis, that Peter Covert a United States Pensioner is his father and that he has lived near him for fifteen years first that being the time he left his father's home and commenced for himself and that his father never had much of any property but was always poor for and his -- and that he has never -- of any of his property more than for -- clothing to his knowledge -- and that he believes his father would not be able to support himself without -- from his friends and this affiant further sayeth that he heard his father say a number of times that he could not -- this pension because he -- not -- an inventory of his property at the time the other pensioners and supposed it was inappropriate for him to as it afterwards.

(Signed)
Benjamin Covert

Sowrn and Subscribed to before me this 26th day of July AD 1825

Cyrus Harwood one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Orleans }

(This document and file were very difficult to read.)