Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 136, Garret Brinkerhoff, New Jersey

Page 1

(8-1776)

[column headings:
Service
Number]

Brinkerhoff, 
Garret
Margaret

Number:
W 136

Page 2

(This is a pre-printed form)

New Jersey No. 28.284

===

Garret Brinkerhoff

of Bergen Co in the State of New Jersey who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Ward of the Regt commanded by Genl Wines in the New Jersey line for 1 year private -- $40.00

===

Inscribed on the roll of New Jersey at the rate of 40 Dollars and -- Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

===

Certificate of Pension issued the 2nd day of May 1834 and sent to Lewis Condit Morristown N.J.

===

Arrears to the 4th of March 1834 $120.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 life 20.00
$140.00

{ Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by Geo C. Whiting Clerk, Book E Vol. 3 Page 103

Page 3

(This is a pre-printed form.)

893

New Jersey

===

Margaret Brinkerhoff

widow of Garret Brinkerhoff

who was a Private (Col Ward is crossed out) NJ

in the N. Jersey line

for 12 months

===

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 40 Dollars -- Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.

===

Certificate of Pension issued the 13th day of the July, 1843,

and send to A.G. Lydacker, Paterson, N. Jersey.

===

[Act of March 3, 1843.]

Recorded in Book A
Vol. I Page 119

Page 4

State of New Jersey }
Bergen County } ss

On this first day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared in open court before the Judges of the inferior court of common pleas now sitting Garret Brinkerhoff a resident of the township of Hackensack in the County of Bergen and State of New Jersey aged seventy years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress passed June 7, A.D. 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated. That he entered in the militia service under Capt. Peter Ward in the year of our Lord 1778 length of time served not recollected also served under Capt Romine and afterwards served for the term of two years under Capt David VanBussum and under Capt John Antwater and under General Wines at Acquackanonk, was in a skirmish with the British at Browers Hill near the New Bridge in the year 1779, has no documentary evidence in his possession, but the accompanying affidavits, that he was born in the Township of Hackensack in said County on the 18 March 1762 as is recorded in the Books of the Dutch church at Scraalenburgh in possession of Rev James  Romeyn, that he resided there when he entered the service and has resided there until the present time.

Page 5

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.

Sworn to and subscribed the day }
and year aforesaid }

(Signed) Garret Brinkerhoff

(Signed) Abr Westervelt Clerk

Mr John Demarest a clergyman residing in the City of New York and State of New York and Cornelius Terhune residing in Hackensack township Bergen County do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Garret Brinkerhoff who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.

Sworn and subscribed the day and }
year aforesaid }

(Signed)
John Demarest
Cornelius Terhune

(Signed)
Abr Westervelt Clerk

Page 6

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 John Demarest, who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the City of New York, and that Cornelius Terhune who has also signed the same is a resident of the Township of Hackensack in the County of Bergen and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.

By the Court (Signed) Abr Westervelt Clerk

Also personally appeared in the open Court as aforesaid Henry Bardan and Abraham Vanderbeck, who being duly sworn according to law did depose and say that are well acquainted with the above named Garret Brinkerhoff that he is a man of truth and veracity and is known unto them to have served in the Revolutionary War and believe the above declaration as made by the said Garret Brinkerhoff to be true to the best of their knowledge and belief and further they say not.

Sowrn and subscribed the day }
and year aforesaid }

(Signed)
Henry BarDan
Abraham Vander Beck

(Signed)
Abr Westervelt Clerk

Page 7

I Abraham Westervelt clerk of the Inferior court of common pleas in and for the county of Bergen do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Garret Brinkerhoff for a Pension.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this first day of November A.D. 1832.

(Signed)
Abr Westervelt Clerk

(There is a faint seal affixed to the left side of the paper.)

(At some time this page was folded, and there is writing on the other side of the page that is upside down. It reads:)

New Jersey
Bergen County
Garret Brinkerhoff
Application for a pension

Militia Service

Lewis Condict Present

Page 8

State of New Jersey Bergen County Inferior Court of Common Please at a special term held at the court house the 27th day of June A.D. 1833.

Personally appeared in Open Court this 27th day of June 1833 Garret Brinkerhoff an applicant for a pension under the act of Congress of June 7, 1832, who under Oath made the answers hereto annexed to the questions propounded by the Court in the pursuance of the directions of the United States War Department.

Question 1 - Where and in what year where (sp) you born?

Answer - I was born in the township of Hackensack in the County of Bergen the 18th March 1762.

Question 2 - Have you any record of your age and if so where is it?

Answer - My age is recorded in the books of the Dutch church at Schaalenburgh.

Question 3 - Where were you living when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live?

Answer - I lived in the township of Hackensack when I entered the service and lived there since the Revolutionary War and live there now.

Question 4 - How where you called into service? Were you drafted? Did you volunteer or were you a substitute and if a substitute for whom?

Answer - I was first drafted and then volunteered under different officers to the end of the war.

Question 5 - State the names of the Regular Officers who were with the troops where you served such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect an generally the circumstances of your service.

Answer - The names of officers recollected are Gen'l Wines, Col'n Dey, Major Goetchius, and as to the general circumstances of my service I cannot better answer the Court than by referencing them to my Declaration.

Question 6 - Did you ever receive a discharge from the services and if so by whom was it given and what has become of it?

Answer - I never did receive a discharge, being discharged without ever receiving any.

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Question 7 - State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood; and who can testify as to your character and veracity and their belief of your services and a soldier of the Revolution.

Answer - The names of persons to whom I am known etc are Henry Berdan, Cornelius Terhune, Abraham Vanderbeck, and John Demarest. (Two names are crossed out.)

(Signed)
Garret Brinkerhoff

Sowrn to and subscribed in open court }
the day and year aforesaid. }

(Signed)
Abr Westervelt Clerk

Page 10

No 17105
Garret Brinkerhoff
N.J.

Adm 1 year

Lewis Condict
Morristown
NJ

Lewis Condict Present

Abraham Westervelt
Clerk Bergen County
Court N Jersey

Page 11

(This is a pre-printed form.)

WAR DEPARTMENT

Pension Office,

22 May 1833

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. These 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.

(The following was in graph form.)

A Statement, showing the service of Garret Brinkerhoff Bergen County NJ
===

Period when the service was rendered. |
Duration of the claimant's service. Years. Months. Days. |
Rank of the claimant. |
Names and Ranks of the Company officers under whom he served. |
Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. |
Battles in which the applicant was engaged. |
Country through which he marched. |
Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. |
Evidence by which the declaration is supported.

1778, term of service not recollected, Priv, Capt Ward, NJ, Aged 70, Traditionary Serving to (illegible)

Also served under Romine

Service, 2, Priv, Van Bussum, Outwater, Gen Wines, Browers Hill

I am, respectfully,

Your obedient servant, 

J.L. EEdwards,
Commissioner of Pensions.

Page 12

(This is Page 2 of a pre-printed form.)

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 seat and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.

DECLARATION,

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

State, Territory, or District of County of } ss.

On this (blank) day of (blank) personally appeared (a) before (blank) of (blank) aged (c) (blank) years, who being first duly sworn, according to the 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) (blank), with (blank) and served in the (blank) (e) regiment of the (blank) line, under the following named officers:

[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his offers;) 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. (Right-pointed finger emoji) This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militias, volunteers, navy, &c.]

He hereby relinquishes every claim(s) whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the state of (blank).

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. A.B.

[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.

I (blank) of the Court of (blank) do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the natter of the application of (blank) for a pension.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this (blank) day of (blank) &c.

If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.

Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:

(k) We, A.B., a Clergyman, residing in the (blank) and C.D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with (blank), who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be (blank) 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 the day and year aforesaid.

[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A.B. (blank) who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the (blank) and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the (blank) and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

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

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this (blank) day of (blank) &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 alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

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(This is Page 3 of the pre-printed form.)

3

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts 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 the case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.

1.	Where and in what year were you born?
2.	Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3.	Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4.	How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5.	State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6.	 {To a Soldier.} Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and, if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? {To an Officer.} Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7.	State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.

The Court will see that 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 product 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 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, an submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the property 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 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 prevent 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, etc, 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 – 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 to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, is to indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
	[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
	[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
	[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
	[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal or office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
	In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the paprs is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
	[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant’s entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the creditability of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
	(Printed here is a facsimile of an index finger pointing to the right.) The notes from [a] to [c] 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 fat.
	[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration. }

(Signed)
Dyar Castor
Clerk

Page 14

A.

Declaration

In order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7th 1838 and the 23rd of August 1842 granting pensions to certain widows whose husbands served during the Revolutionary War.

State of New Jersey }
Bergen County } ss

On this thirty first day of March Eighteen Hundred and forty three personally appeared before the Subscriber one of the Judges of the Inferior Court Margaret Brinkerhoff (formerly Margaret Goetschius) a Resident of the Township of Hackensack in the County of Bergen and State aforesaid aged seventy eight years who being first duly sworn in according to law doth on her oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7th 1838 and the 23rd of August 1842 granting pensions to certain widows whose husbands served during the Revolutionary War. That she is the widow of Garret Brinkerhoff who was a private under the following named officers Viz, Capt David Vanbussum and Capt John Outwater and she believes there were some other officers under whom the said Garret Brinkerhoff served but cannot at this late day and on the account of old age and bodily infirmities state the names of any more officers with any degree of any certainty. She however hopes that the named officers will give satisfaction to the Commission of Pensions that she is the widow of the said Garret Brinkerhoff.

Page 15

and the Deponent further saith that the said Garret Brinkerhoff belonged to Col Tunis Dey Regiment of the Bergen Brigade, and the Deponent further saith that the said Garret Brinkerhoff services were rendered in the County of Bergen during the war of the Revolution and the Deponent further saith that the said Garret Brinkerhoff was pensioned under the Act of 1832 and that the said Garret Brinkerhoff received a pension of Forty Dollars per Annum.

She further declares that she was married to the said Garret Brinkerhoff on the seventh day of February Seventeen Hundred and Eighty three that her husband the aforesaid Garret Brinkerhoff died on the seventh May Eighteen Hundred and Forty.

That she was married to him previous to the first of January Seventeen Hundred and Ninty four viz on the time above stated and that she has remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proff (sp) hereunto annexed.

Sworn and Subscribed the }
day and year first aforesaid }

(Signed)
Margaret (her X mark) Brinkerhoff

(Signed)
Peter J Ackerman one of 
the Judges of the inferior court

B.
We James G Brinkerhoff Pastor of the Dutch Reformed Church of the Township of Franklin County of Bergen and State of New Jersey and Ralph Doremus of the Township of Hackensack and County and State aforesaid do hereby certify that

Page 16

we are well acquainted with Margaret Brinkerhoff widow of Garret Brinkerhoff deceased who was a pensioner of the United States and that it is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where she resides to be the widow of Garret Brinkerhoff and that we concur in that oppinion (sp).

Sworn and Subscribed the }
day and year first aforesaid }

(Signed)
James G Brinkerhoff
Ralph Doremus

(Signed)
Peter J Ackerman one of the Judges of the inferior court

C.

I Peter J. Ackerman one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common pleas in and for said County declare my oppinion (sp) after the Investigation of the matter that the foregoing named applicant is the widow of Garret Brinkerhoff deceased who as it appears was a Soldier of the Revolution and I do further certify that James G Brinkerhoff is a minister of the gospel and in good standing and that Ralph Doremus is a credible person and that full faith and confidence can be placed in their statements, and I do further certify that Margaret Brinkerhoff is unable to attend court on account of old age and bodily infirmities thus at present is unable to help herself.

(Signed)
Peter J Ackerman

D.

State of New Jersey }
Bergen County } ss

Personally appeared before the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said County the Rev'd

Page 17

James G Brinkerhoff Pastor of the dutch Reformed church at Newprospect who being first duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith that he is the son of Garret Brinkerhoff deceased and of Margaret Goetschus (now Margaret Brinkerhoff) and to his personal knowledge the leaf containing the record of his father and mother marriage was taken out of the bible (in the possession of his father during his lifetime) now in possession of the Deponent and which record is now attached to the said Margaret Brinkerhoff Declaration.

And the deponent further saith that hath known the said Record attached to her Declaration upwards of twenty years past and the deponent further saith that due search and inquiry has been made but no other record than the one now attached to her Declaration has been found concerning the marriage of his father Garret Brinkerhoff and his mother Margaret Brinkerhoff.

And the Deponent further saith that his father Garret Brinkerhoff died on the seventh day of May Eighteen Hundred and forty, and that the said Margaret Brinkerhoff has remained a widow ever since that period and as yet remains the widow of the said Garret Brinkerhoff.

Sworn and Subscribed before }
me this 31st day of March 1843 }

(Signed)
James G Brinkerhoff

(Signed)
Peter J Ackerman

Page 18

E.

I do hereby certify that the Rev'd James G Brinkerhoff is Pastor of the Dutch Reformed Church at Newprospect in the Township of Franklin and that he is in good standing and respected as such.

(Signed)
Peter J Ackerman

F.

State of New Jersey }
Bergen County } ss

Personally appeared before the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said county James J Brinkerhoff who being first duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith that he has known the said Garret Brinkerhoff and Margaret his wife from his youth and to his knowledge the said Garret Brinkerhoff died on the seventh day of May Eighteen Hundred and forty.

And the deponent further saith that Margaret Brinkerhoff has remained a widow ever since that period and as yet remains the widow of the said Garret Brinkerhoff deceased.

Sworn and Subscribed before }
me this 31 day of March 1843 }

(Signed)
James J Brinkerhoff

(Signed)
Peter J Ackerman

G

I do hereby certify that James J Brinkerhoff who has sworn and subscribed to the above affidavit is a credible person and that full faith and confidence can be placed in his statement.

(Signed)
Peter J Ackerman

Page 19

Garret Brinkerhoff is born the 18 of March 1762
___

Margaret Goetchius is born the 7 of January 1765
___

and is married the 7 of February 1783

Letty Brinkerhoff is born in the year of our Lord 1783 October 6
___

Rachel Brinkerhoff is born in the year of our Lord 1785 November 16
___

Hannah Brinkerhoff is born in the year of our Lord 1792 May 24
___

James Brinkerhoff is born in the year of our Lord 1799 June 18
 ===

Margaret Westervelt died the 12 of January 1809 aged six weeks and one day
___

Page 20

(This is a pre-printed form.)

(The handwriting following all of the pre-printed sections of this form is almost completely unreadable.)

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION

3-525

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,

BUREAU OF PENSIONS.

Waashington, D.C., ___, 19___

W.136

In reply to your request of ___, received ___ for a statement of the military history of Garret Brinkerhoff 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.

(Below is a Table)

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.

LENGTH OF SERVICE.

RANK.

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.

CAPTAIN.

COLONEL.

STATE

Battles engaged in, ___
Residence of this soldier at enlistment, ___
Date of application for pension, ___
Residence at date of application, ___
Age at date of application, ___
Remarks ___
___
___

Respectfully,

Commissioner.

6-285G

Page 21

(This is a pre-printed form)

On the left margin of this form is written:

1919 May 20, History to Thomas H.S. Shovley

136

Rev WIDOW, &c.

___

File No. 136

Margaret Brinkerhoff
Widow
Garret Brinkerhoff
NJ Line, Pvt, Rev. War.

___

Act: Mar 3, 1843.

Index: -- Vol. A, Page 80

[Arrangement of 1870.]

(Checkmark)

Page 22

(This is a pre-printed form)

New Jersey 7237
===

Margaret Brinkerhoff widow of Garret Brinkerhoff who was a pensioner under the Act of 7 June '32 and who died on the 7th May 1840 of Bergen Co in the State of N. Jersey who was a private in the compy commanded by Captain Ward of the Regt commanded by Wines in the N. Jersey line for 12 months
===
Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey at a rate of 40 Dollars __ Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.

===

Certificate of Pension issued to 6th day of May 1843 and sent to A.G. Lydacker, Paterson, N.J.

Arrears to the 4th of ---
Semi-annual allowance ending ===
$200.00
===

[Act July 7, 1838.]

Recorded by WM Stewart Clerk,
Book A Vol 2 Page 007

Page 23

(Illegible) Near Paterson
April 1st 1843

D Sirs

enclosed contains the Declaration of Mrs Margaret Brinkerhoff for a pension.

I am Respectfully your most obt Servant

AG Lydacker

Hon, JL Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions

Page 24

Garret Brinkerhoff
Payments to be made $40.00
at Trenton May 2nd 1834
by the Rest of Trenton Banking Comp. 

Agent for paying Pensioners,
in the Agency of N. Jersey

(Illegible) $136

Page 25

(This is a pre-printed form)

WAR DEPARTMENT.

REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.

I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th of June, 1832, Garret Brinkerhoff of the State of New Jersey who was a private in the war of the Revolution
is entitled to receive forth dollars and __ cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March and 4th of September in every year.

Given at the War Office of the United States, this second day of May one thousand eight hundred and thirty-four

Lew Cass
Secretary of War.

(Illegible printing)
JL Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.

Page 26

May 29, 1834. Paid to 4 Mar 1834
Sept 22 1834 Paid to 4 Sept 1834
May 11 1835 Paid to 4 Mar 1835
Sep 14 1835 Paid to 4 Sep 1835
April 11 1836 Paid to 4 Mar 1836
Sept 4 1836 Paid to Sep 4 1836
May 13 Paid to 4 Mar 1837
Paid to 4 Sept 1837 Paid 4 Sep 1838
Paid to 4 Mar 1838 Paid to 4 Sep 1839
Paid to 4 Mar 1839
Paid to 4 Mar 1840

(Written sideways at the bottom)
28.284
___

Page 27

8848

Margaret Brinkerhoff
NJ
Act 7 July 38
M 83 d 40-

(illegible)
12 Mo pri
___
40$
___

A.G. Lydacker Esq
Paterson
N. Jersey

Page 28

State of New Jersey }
County of Bergen } ss

I John H Berry Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the County of Bergen in the State of New Jersey do hereby certify that Peter J Ackerman whose name is subscribed to the (illegible) of the foregoing Declaration marked A. and to the affidavit marked B. D. and F. and also to the certificate marked C. E. and G. was at the time of the making said Declaration and taking said affidavits and signing said certificate, a Judge of said Court of Common Pleas and also a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified; and that the signatures to the same, are the genuine signatures of the aforesaid Peter J Ackerman

In Testimony where of I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court of Common Pleas this first day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and forty three.

John H. Berry, Clerk

(There is a faint seal affixed to the page with a ribbon running under it.)

Page 29

Garret Brinkerhoff
Declaration

Return to Lewis Condit
Morristown, N. Jersey

Page 30

State of New Jersey }
Bergen County } ss

Personally appeared before the Subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for said county Garret Brinkerhoff also of said county aged 71 years who being duly sworn saith as follows Viz

He is the same Garret Brinkerhoff who on the the (sic) 1st day of November 1830 made a Declaration before the Court of Common Pleas to obtain a pension under the Law of June 7th 1832 and is the same Garret Brinkerhoff who made and ammended Declaration before David J Christie Esq one the Justices of the peace in and for said county which Declaration have been retuned as defective in its Specification.

In the Spring of 1778 he was drafted for one month under Capt Peter Ward stationed at Hackensack and the Newbridge marching from place to place as necessity required performing guard duty served the time and was discharged. The Refugees and Tories had possession of Fort Lee, often sending out foraging parties.

In the summer of the same year (1778 to the best of the deponent's recollection) he volunteered and served one month under Capt Elias Romine stationed at Polifly and that Liberty pole in the County of Bergen on guard duty. The British had possession of Brower hill during the time in the said County of Bergen often sending out foraging and plundering parties.

In his first declaration and also in his second the deponent has stated that he served two years under Capt David Vanbusum in and (illegible) service which statement is erroneous and incorrect by which he meant or intended that he served two years under the said Capt Vanbusum in different periods. He being not informed nor aware at the time of making his declarations that the war department required each tour of duty to be accurately specified and the stations where the service was performed.

In the month of May 1779 he remained in the bounds of Capt David Vanbusum Company at a place called Slatterdam in the County of Bergen all but on the

Page 31

lines or frontier of said County at which place he enlisted to serve at a minute's warning in all cases of emergency. To the best of the deponent's recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below.

In the month of May he was ordered out by his said Capt Vanbusum and served fourteen days. In the month of June he served one week. For the month of July it was in the time of rye harvest. He was ordered out by his said Capt and served one month in the latter part of August or the first of September. In the time of sowing rye he was ordered out and served three weeks. On his arrival at home or at least in the course of a few days, he was ordered out and served one week in the month of October. He served four days in the month of November. He served fourteen days in the month of December. He served ten days when he was discharged from the month of May until the month of December following. As above stated the deponent was stationed at Hackensack, Polifly and down the Hackensack River to Acquackanonk marching from place to place as necessity required performing guard duty. The British had possession of the city of New York and the (illegible) part of the County Bergen who were constantly making incursion in the County and also sending out foraging and plundering parties, destroying the inhabitants which made it all but an unintensified (sp) service.

In the month of March of 1780 he volunteered to serve at a minute's warning under Capt David Vanbusum above named. In the month of April the British refugees and Tories made an incursion in the county as far up as the town of Hackensack at which place they burnt the Court House and a dwelling house of Adam Boyd then Sheriff of this said County of Bergen, of which (illegible) he received news and were in a short time on our march to oppose them but coming to the place when they had committed the depredation, the enemy were on their retreat our company with the rest of the militia stationed at Hackensack followed in their rear and annoyed them considerable before they arrived at their encampment in the lower part of the County.

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Our Company then returned to Hackensack with the rest of the militia. Here we were stationed fourteen days to the best of the deponent's recollection.

In the month of April he again was ordered out by the above named Capt David Vanbusum and served one month stationed at Hackensack, Polifly and at Slatterdam. Whilst stationed at the last mentioned place news was received that the enemy were marching into the County. Our Company were ordered on the march immediately to oppose them but before our Company with the rest of the militia could come up with enemy commanded by the noted refugee Col. Abraham Buskirk, they had succeeded in burning Hoppertown and on their retreat we followed closely in their rear through the neighborhood of Paramus, Newbridge, English Neighborhood as far down as Bergen woods in which retreat the refugees and Tories lost a number of men killed and wounded. The deponent then with the Company returned to their station. Here we remained for some time when the Company was dismissed after having been in service for one month.

In the month of May he believes it was in the time of planting corn, he was ordered out and served fourteen days under the above named Capt stationed at Hackensack thus duty on this location was to oppose the enemy who had possession of the lower part of the County of Bergen and also to prevent the Tories and refugees from plundering the inhabitants.

In the month of July he served one week under the above named Capt stationes, duty and service was as above stated.

In the month of September he was ordered out and served three weeks under his Capt Vanbusum mustered at Slatterdam from which place they were marched to Acquackanonk. Here we were stationed for some time. From there to Hackensack which was headquarters. Here we were stationed during the time performing guard duty.

In the month of October he again was ordered out

Page 33

served fourteen days stationed at Hackensack performing guard duty. Believes Washington's army was stationed at Tappan whilst he performed his last mentioned tour.

In the month of November and December he again was ordered out and served twelve days stationed at Slatterdam, Polifly, Hackensack marching from place to place as necessity required. The enemy during all his service had possession of the City of New York and the lower part of the County of Bergen. The Tories had possession of Fort Lee located in said County whose men with the enemy of our Country where constantly committing depredation which made all but an unintensified(?) service on the frontier of said County of Bergen. The deponent remained in the bounds of the Company of the said Vanbusum until the Spring of 1781. 

In the Spring of 1781 he volunteered and served one month under Capt John Outwater stationed in Hackensack performing guard duty, served the time and was honorably discharged.

In the fall, he believes it was in the month of November of the year 1781, he volunteered one month under Capt John Outwater stations, duty and services as above stated, states served the time and was discharged.

Col Tunis Dey commanded the regiment when and where necessity required his presence during the deponent's services in the war of the Revolution.

In 1782 in addition to my services stated in my first and second declarations, he well recollects that he served one month and was drafted, stationed at the Liberty pole and Newbridge performing guard duty but cannot at this late day give the name of the officer under whom it was rendered. The British had possession of the lower part of the County when men were constantly committing depredations on the inhabitants served the time and discharged.

Page 34

From the great length of time which has elapsed since the before restated services were rendered many particulars must have escaped his memory. He has restated all which he can remember as connected with his services and which are calculated to explain them. In the order of time perhaps he may have fallen into mistakes. He asks a reasonable allowance for the frailty of human memory whilst he has faithfully endeavored  to adhere continuously to the truth in all the events and occurrences of which he has spoken and verily believes that he faithfully served his country in the war of the Revolution for the full term of one year in different periods as a private being in actual service in the field for each term alleged and was not employed in any civil pursuit during the services above stated for which service he claims a pension under the law of June 7th 1832 and does not of any living who he can procure to testify to his services rendered in the war of the Revolution than those whose affidavits will now be annexed.

Sworn and Subscribed before me}
this 25th day of Feby AD 1834 }

(Signed)
Garret Brinkerhoff

(Signed)
CB Zabriskie Justice of the Peace

Page 35

State of New Jersey }
Bergen County } ss

Personally appeared before the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said County Henry Bardan of the same place aged 81 years who being duly sworn saith that he is personally acquainted with Garret Brinkerhoff also of the same place who has applyed (sp) for a pension under the Law of June 7th 1832 who on his oath deposeth and saith to the deponent knowledge the said Garret Brinkerhoff served under the following named officers in the war of the Revolution. That he served as a private soldier under Capt David Vanbusum in different period stated at Hackensack, Newbridge and Polifly in the County of Bergen but cannot after the laps (sp) of so many years give the duration of each tour of duty the said Brinkerhoff performed under the above named Capt Vanbusum.

The deponent further saith that he had a perfect knowledge of knowing the said Brinkerhoff to have served for somtime (sp) in a company commanded by Capt John Outwater stationed at Hackensack Newbridge performing guard duty but cannot at this late day give the duration of the tours he performed nor the years in which the service was rendered.

Sworn and Subscribed before me }
the 30th day of January 1834 }

(Signed)
Henry Bar Dan

(Signed)
David J Christie Justice of the Peace

I do hereby to the secretary of War & Commissioners of Pensions that Henry Bardan the person who has subscribed & sworn to the above affidavit is a Creditable Person and his statements is entitled to full faith & credit.

(Signed)
David J. Christie Justice of the Peace

Page 36

State of New Jersey }
Bergen County } ss
NJ 3.

Personally appeared before the Subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for said county James Brinkerhoff of the same place aged 75 years who being duly sworn saith that he is personally acquainted with Garret Brinkerhoff who has applyed (sp) for a pension under the Law of June 7th 1832 who on his oath deposeth and saith that he has perfect recollection of serving with the said Garret Brinkerhoff as fellow soldiers in the war of the Revolution one month under Capt Elias Romine stationed at Polifly and the Liberty pole performing guard duty. The said Garret Brinkerhoff served the full month to the best of the deponent recollection.

Sworn & Subscribed to before me }
the 30th day of January 1834 }

(Signed)
James Brinkerhoff

(Signed)
David J. Christie Justice of the Peace

I do hereby certify to the Secretary of War & Commission of Pensions that James Brinkerhoff the person who has subscribed and sworn to the above affidavit is a Creditable Person and that his statement is entitled to full faith and credit.

(Signed)
David J. Christie Justice of the Peace

State of New Jersey }
Bergen County } ss

I Abraham Westervelt clerk of the county of Bergen and clerk of the Inferior court of common pleas in and for said county do hereby certify that Christian B Zabriskie Esq before whom the annexed affidavit of Garret Brinkerhoff marked No 1 was made and taken was at the time of taking the same and still is a Justice of the Peace in and for said county duly commissioned and sworn and authorized by law to take the same and

Page 37

that the signature "C.B. Zabriskie" affixed to the jurat of the said affidavit as well as to the certificate thereunder written is genuine and further that David J Christie Esq before whom the within affidavit of Henry Bardan marked No 2, and of James Brinkerhoff marked No 3 were taken and made was at the time of taking the same and still is also a justice of the peace in and for said county duly commissioned and sworn and authorized as (illegible) and that the signature "David J Christie" to the jurat of the said affidavit and as well as to the certificate thereunder written is genuine.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said court this twenty sixth day of March A.D. eighteen hundred and thirty four 1834.

(Signed)
Abr. Westervelt Clerk

Page 38

State of New Jersey Bergen County ss: Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the peace in and for the County of Bergen in the State of New Jersey the thirtieth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three Garret Brinkerhoff who being duly sworn according to Law upon his oath deposeth and saith that he is the same Garret Brinkerhoff, the applicant who applied in open court before the Inferior Court of Common Pleas at New Barbadoes in and for the County of Bergen on the first day of November last and made oath to the accompanying Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the Revolution and also the same Garret Brinkerhoff who at a Special Term of said Inferior Court of Common Pleas held at the Court House the 27th day of June 1833 under oath made the answers to the Interrogations propounded by the Court in pursuance to the directions of the War Department of the United States as amended to the accompanying Declaration and this deponent further saith that he entered the service of the United States in the year of our Lord 1778 in the month of ___ entered the company commanded by Capt Peter Ward as a Drafted militia man (and upon mature reflection since making his Declaration) he knows and is satisfied that he served one full entire month under Capt Peter Ward and after the full month service under Capt Ward was ended he volunteered in the company commanded by Capt Elias Romine as a Volunteer under whom he served one full entire month and after the service under Capt Romine was performed he entered the company commanded by Capt David Van Busum as a Volunteer under whom he served two full years and after the service under Capt Van Busum was performed he entered the company commanded by Capt John Outwater as a Volunter under whom he served two full months and for such services he claims a pension and for the term during which the service was performed he was not employed in any civil pursuit.

Sowrn and Subscribed to before me}
the 30th day of July A.D. 1833 }

(Signed)
Garret Brinkerhoff

(Signed)
David J Christie Justice of the Peace

Page 39

State of New Jersey }
County of Bergen } ss

I Abraham Westervelt Clerk of the County of Bergen and Clerk of the inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for said County do hereby certify that David J. Christie whose name is subscribed to the Jurat of the written affidavit was on the day of the date thereof a Justice of the peace in and for the said County duly commissioned and sworn and further that I am acquainted with the hand writing of such Justice, and verily believe that his signature to said Jurat is genuine.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the Said Court this first day of August A.D. eighteen hundred and thirty three.

(Signed)
Abr. Westervelt Clerk

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

Page 40

Ponds near Paterson }
May 23 1843 }

D. Sir

Enclosed contains Mrs Margaret's Declaration for one year's pension.

Respectfully your
most obt servant

(Signed)
AG Lydacker

Hon. JL Edwards
Commissioner }
of Pensions }

Page 41

Declaration
I order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 3d of March 1843 granting 
pensions for one year to certain widows who have received a pension under the act of July 7th 1838 State of New Jersey Bergen County
On this twenty third day of May Eighteen Hundred and forty three personally appeared Margaret Brinkerhoff of the Township of
Franklin in the County of Bergen and State aforesaid aged seventy eight 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 Provision made by the act of Congress passed on the 3d march 1843 granting pensions to widows of persons
who Served during the Revolutionary war that She is the widow of Garret Brinkerhoff who was a private under the following named officers Capt David Vanbusum and belonged to Col Tunis Deys Regiment of the County of Bergen and that She received Forty Dollars per annum under the act of July 7 1838. She further declars that she is still a widow Sworn and subscribed before me her the day & year first aforesaid.

(Signed)
Margaret (her X mark) Brinkerhoff 

(Signed)
John A Zabriskie

I do hereby Certify that Margaret Brinkerhoff who has subscribed to the above Declaration is a woman of truth and credibility and that full faith and confidence can be placed in her Statement.

(Signed)
John A Zabriskie Justice of the Peace

Page 42

State of New Jersey }
Bergen County } ss
I John H Berry Clerk of the Inferior Court of 
Common Pleas in and for said County do hereby Certify that John A Zabriskie who has Subscribed his name to the Declaration [and also crossed out] of Margaret Brinkerhoff and to the Certificate is a Justice of the Peace duly Commissioned and sworn and that his signature to Each of them are his genuine signature.

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set      my hand and affixed the seal of said Court of Common Pleas this twenty third day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty three.

(Signed)
John H Berry, Clerk

Page 43

Thomas H. S. Schooley
Attorney
293 Avery Ave. PH Grand 5266
Detroit

May 1st. 1919

U. S. Pension Bureau
Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen:

The following persons were recipients of pensions for services during the Revolutionary War.  In the book list published by Congress for the Middle states.

Garret Brinkerhoff, page 46.  Bergen County, N. J., N. J. Militia, May 2, 1834, Age 71
Leave letter in this claim. (The number W.136 is written on the right margin)

Abraham Van Fleet.  Luzerne Co. Penn'a
N. Jersey soldier.  On rolls 1820, age 74. (The number S40617 is written on the right margin)

Robert Baird,  Fayette Co. Penn'a,  page 153  Penn'a militia,  On rolls Feb. 1833, age 77. (The number S2052 is written on the right margin)

Will you kindly favor me with an abstract of the facts disclosed in their applications for pensions?  The names of all persons, dates, &cl,

Respectfully,
T. B. Schoolly

(This letter is stamped twice "Pensions K May 3 1919 US Office.")

(There is a handwritten note on the right margin that reads "Leave letter in this claim")