Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 6,740, Bergun Covert, New Jersey

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SERVICE
New Jersey
Covert, Bergun
Catharine
NUMBER
W. 6,740

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No. 5861
New Jersey

Bergen Covert of Somerset Co. in the State of N. Jersey who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Quick of the Regt. Commanded by Col. Ogden in the New Jersey troops [illegible] for 2 years private $80.00

Inscribed on the Role of New Jersey at the rate of 80 Dollars [crossed out Cents] per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 19th day of Feby, 1833 and sent to Hon. J. Southard, H. Reps.

Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1832                   120.00
Semi=anl. Allowance ending 4. March     40.00
                                                     1833 
                                                                       $160
                                            {Revolutionary Claim,}
                                            {Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk,
Book D. Vol. 4 Page 145

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New Jersey 626 1/2

Catharine Covert widow of Burgun Covert who died on the 12 March 1835 of Middlesex Co. in the State of N. Jersey who was a Private in the company comanded [commanded] by Captain Quik of the Regt. comanded [commanded] by Col. Ogden in the N. Jersey line for 2 years

Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey at the rate of 80 Dollars Cents [crossed out] per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 21st day of March 1837 and sent to James F. Randolph, N. Brunswick, N.J.

Arrears to the 4th of March 37  480.00
Semi-anl allowance ending 4 [Illegible] 40.00
$520.00 {Revolutionary Claim Act July 4, 1836, Section the Z[line]
Recorded by D. Brown Cler[unreadable] Book [line] Vol. 1 [line]Page  145
Notification to the Agent corrected [illegible] returned 29 March 1837 [line]

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No 4,604
Application of
Bergun Covert
of Somerset New Jersey
for Pension

8 mo in Canada

Forward Certificate
to T. A. Hartwell
Somerville New
Jersey

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Declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress of the June 1832.
State of New Jersey Somerset County fs: on this fifteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open court before the Judge of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas now sitting at Bridgewater in and for said County Burgun Covert a resident in the Township of Hillsborough in said County of Somerset aged Seventy nine years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed the 7th of June 1832. That he entered the service by Enlisting for the term of one year in the month of October 1775 in the State of New Jersey in the company commanded by Captain Polhenny in the regiment commanded by Col: Winans or Wins in the lines of the State of New Jersey on the Continental Establishment (as he believes) - that he continued to serve in said corps until the 1st Decbr [December] 1776 when he was discharged, at which time Colo [Colonel] Ogden gave him and his brother a paper showing that their time was out and what they were entitled to, which paper was lost, being put under the fence by his brother to prevent the British from getting it -the British pursuing them and they being apprehensive of being captured - After Enlisting marched to Kingston - from there to New Brunswick -from there passing thro New York to Long Island in pursuit of the Tories [Torries] - took a waggon [wagon] load of muskets. They then returned back to New Brunswick. Then marched back to New York where they remained until the first of April when they marched to Long Island with the troops from thence marched northward encamping at the mouth of the River Sorel. and from there marched as a [illegible] forces out to the American Army which was retreating from Canada was [crossed out][illegible and crossed out]

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their soldiers were prevented from joining the army at the Three Rivers by two British Ships - was there at the time of the battle when Gen Thompson and five hundred Americans were killed - being defeated in joining the Army we returned to the mouth of the Sorel - from there marched to Crown Point, and remained there until after the battle between the British and American Fleets Gen Arnold commander the Americans. We retreated to Ticonderoga where we remained one month or more at the solicitation of the officers after his time was out & was then dismissed out. The paper given by Col Ogden as above was at this time. He then returned home where he remained a few days - After which he volunteered in the Militia under Capt. Quick at Flemington-marched to Pennington and crossed the Delaware into Pennsylvania after remaining in Penn. a short time returned again to New Jersey where we were dismissed - Can’t say how long out - but thinks a month - In 1777 volunteered under Capt [illegible] and was with him for about one month at different positions on the on the Millstone river - He was then a volunteer and served under Capt. Quick for one month during which time he was in the battle on the Millstone River when 2 Americans were killed & twenty four of the British Baggage Waggons [Wagons] were taken. He again volunteered under Capt Quick for one month and marched to Elizabeth Town - remained his time out - He again volunteered and served one month under Capt Waler - marched to Elizabeth Town - was in the battle between the British & Americans at that place - He again volunteered and served for one month under Capt Quick - marched to Monmouth was at the battle - He again volunteered and served for one month under Cap Babcock - Marched to Elizabeth Town - He again volunteered and served for one month under Cap Jones at Elizabeth Town - He again

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Volunteered and served for one month under Capt Conover. Marched to Springfield - He again volunteered under Capt Quick and served for one month - marched to Elizabeth Town - He again volunteered under Cap Quick and served for one month at Elizabeth Town - he thinks he volunteered and served for one month  under Capt Vroom at different placed on the Millstone - He also thinks that he was out in the whole about two years and six months, but owing to his advanced age and memory failing him, cannot at this time specify the names of all his Captains and the particular time he served under each - He was born at Lawrence Brook in the County of Middlesex and State of New Jersey on the 4th Day of July 1753. And has lived ever since in the county of Middlesex & Somerset. He has no documentary evidence of his service in his possession - He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever or an annuity except for the present & he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state Sworn & Transcribed this day & year aforementioned.  Burgun Covert {Signature} Wmpz Gaston {Signature}
We Peter Labagh a clergyman residing in the Township of [illegible and crossed out] Hillsborough in & said County and James D. Stryker - residing in Hillsborough [illegible] hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Burgun Covert, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that We believe him to be seventy nine years of age, that he is [illegible] And known in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution & that we concur in that opinion. Sworn & subscribed the day and year of. Wmp Gaston {Signature} Peter Labagh {Signature} James D, Stryker {Signature}

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Somerset County p: Personally appeared in open Court Isaac Voorhees who is being duly sworn on his oath saith. That he is seventy six years old - that he knows the above named Burgun Covert to have been a soldier in the Revolutionary War. And that I saw Covert Enlisted under Capt Polhenny for one year. Deponent desired to join same company. That it was always understood in the neighborhood when  said Covert lived that he was a Revolutionary Soldier in the American Army. Deponent has known him since he was a boy. Isaac Voorhees {Signature}
Sworn & Sub[illegible]In open court this day & years aforementioned
Wm B Gaston {Signature} I hereby certify that the above named Deponent is well-known to me as a credible witness  Isaac Southard {Signature} A representative of New Jersey
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogating applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states - And the Court further certifying that it appears to them that Peter Labagh who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the Township of Hillsborough in the County of Somerset and that James  D Stryker who has also signed the same is a resident of said Township of Hillsborough and is a credible person and that their statement is [illegible] to candid

Wm B Gaston {Signature}
Ferd. Van Derveen {Signature}
W.F. Rooters {Signature}

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State of New Jersey Somerset County p I John M Mann Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the Said County hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Bergun Covert for a pension.
{Stamp covered} In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this seventeenth day of August in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and thirty two - J.M. Mann {Signature}
I hereby certify, from personal knowledge, that the papers hereto attached are the original papers which received the authentication of the above named clerk’s seal & signature- Isaac Southard {Signature} One of the Representatives of N Jersey

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Declaration 
of 
Bergun Covert
of New Jersey

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Declaration Schedule &
Declaration in order to be continued on the pension list under the act of May 1820 {the act of May 1820 underlined}
State of New Jersey Somerset County Ss- on this twenty third day of February 1829 at a Special Term of the Court of Common pleas Holden at Bridgewater in & for the said County according to the form of the Statute in such case made & provided, the same being a court of records with a jurisdiction Unlimited in [illegible] of proceeding according to the course of the Common Law having the power of Fine and imprisonment, personally appeared (in Open Court) Brogun Covert aged seventy five years, who being first duly Sworn doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the acts of Congress of the 18th of March 1818 and the 1st of May 1820, that he the said Brogun Covert Enlisted for the Term of one year about the month of October in the year 1775 in the State of New Jersey in the company commanded by Captain Polhenny in the Regiment Commanded by Colonel Winans or Wines in the line of the State of New Jersey on the Continental Establishment, that he continued to serve in said Corps until about the 1st of December 1776 where he was discharged from the Service in New Jersey, that he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension except the present. That his name has bein placed on the pension list, that the number of his pension certificate is 12728 and that he never before exhibited a schedule of his property because he has heretofore been enabled from a small place on which he lives with the help of his wife who has become old & infirm to make a living by their being very saving, that on account of his age & bodily infirmities he can do but little towards a support now, that what little he has of property around him is most of it old & nearly worn out and of but little value, And in pursuance of the act of first of May 1820. I do solemnly that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th of March 1818 and that I have not since that time by gift sale or in any manner disposed of my [crossed out] property or any part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an Act of Congress Entitled “An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land & Naval Service of the United States in the 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 Securities Contracts or debt due to me nor have I any Income other than

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What is contained in the Schedule here unto annexed and by me subscribed, that he is a weaver by trade, but in the consequence of a disease which he has had for many years he is not able to do but little at it - that his family consists of himself his wife and a daughter & two grand children. That since the 18th of March 1818 no particular changes have been made in his property, some articles have been worn out & laid aside as useless, some animals have been killed & eat in his family others have died. That nothing has been disposed of except necessary support of himself and family, That he now owes $220 on his place and for which he pays Interest, Bergun Covert, 
Sworn to and declared in Open Court on the day and year first above written.
Wm B Gaston
Fer. de VanDerveer
Elias Brown
Schedule of the property of the Said Brogun Covert About 40 acres of land situated in Hillsborough in Said County of Somerset, 2 old Horses one upwards of 20 Years Old, 2 Cows, 3 young cattle, 5 Sheep, 3 Goats, 1 old waggon, 1 old harness, 1 Sliegh 1 sled, 2 Harrows, 1 old wind mill & 1 Buttering box, 3 old forks, 1 Iron Shovel, 1 wooden Shovel, 1 Break, a broken wheel Barrow two old looms and tackline, 1 Dutch cupboard, 11 old chairs, a spinning wheel, a ten plate stove (cracked0 2 Tables, 3 Iron pots all broken. A griddle, 3 pails & a skillet, 2 [illegible], Tongs & [illegible], a saw. & drawing knife, a lot of tin and Earthen ware, a churn and two [illegible] , a spade, 3 budges, a beatle and grubbing hoe, 2 axes 12 pewter spoons, 2 teapots, 1 small looking glass, 1 hive of bees, alot of Old books, a musket Bayonet & blasthorne a half bushel measure.
Bergun Covert {Bergun Covert underlined}
Sworn and Subscribed 23 day of February - 1829 in Open Court
WM B Gaston
Fer de Van Derveer
Elias Brown

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I, Issac Southard Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Somerset in New Jersey, do hereby certify that appears to the Satisfaction of Said Court, that the said Bergun Covert did Serve in the Revolutionary war as stated in the preceeding declaration, against the common Enemy for the Term of one year under an engagement on the Continental Establishment. I also certify that the foregoing oath and the schedule thereunto anexed are true copies that it is the opinion of said court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in said schedule both real and personal is Six hundred Eighty three dollars & fifty four Cents and that the aggregate annual Income or value of said property does not exceed the full pension of a soldier estimating the same at Ten per cent. But that the same at that valuation is at least twenty three dollars more than said property would rent for.
In Testimony whereof I have here unto set my hands and affixed the Seal of our Said Court this Twenty third day of February In the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight hundred and Twenty nine.  Issac Southard [Underlined Signature] [Seal covered]

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Declaration in order to obtain the benefit after 3rd section of the act of Congress after 4th of July 1936

State of New Jersey Middlesex County On this twenty first day of December 1836, before the judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of said County, personally appeared Catharine Covert, a resident of the County of Somerset and state aforesaid, aged seventy seven years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, under oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the pension made by the act of Congress passed July 4, 1836. That she is the widow of Burgun Covert, late of the County of Somerset and state aforesaid, dec. who was a private in the army of the revolution in the years service of 1775’6 and afterward a private in the militia service that he was among the first to engage in the war and continued to the last to defend his country need to aid in securing to her her freedom and independence; that for there services her husband deserved a Pension, and to the papers now a file at the War Department in support of this claim the [illegible] for the evidence necessary to the success of this application
The further declares that the was married to the said Burgun Covert on the first day of January seventeen hundred & seventy eight, by the Rev. M Sight; that her husband, the aforesaid [crossed out] Burgun Covert died on the twelfth day of March eighteen hundred and thirty five; and That she has remained a widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proofs especially the family record, of the birth of her children

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hereunto annexed sworn & subscribed on the day & year above written. before note. The name of M Covert is spelt wrong in the foregoing declaration. The proper way of writing is Burgun Covert {Underlined} This note made before the execution of the affidavit 
Peter P Thompson Judge [signature] Catharine her mark [hand drawn X] Covert
Whereupon the Court of opinion [illegible] the said Catharine Covert is the widow and legal [illegible][illegible]of Burgun Covert, a pensioner of the United States, late of the County [illegible] [illegible] dec. 6 that the said Catharine & Burgun were married on the first day of January seventeen hundred & seventy eight, that said Burgun dead on the twelfth of ????? Eighteen hundred thirty five and that said Catharine has ever since remained a widow.

I Nicholas Boorman, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in said falter County of Middlesex, now being do hereby certify that the foregoing are the original proceedings of said Court in the matter after application of Catharine Covert for a Pension.{Seal} In testimony whereof, have recent [illegible] account & the seal of said Court this [illegible] first day of January Eighteen hundred and thirty seven. 
A Moor[illegible] ME{signature}

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Burgun Covert his book

our John is born in the of our Lord 1779 May the 19 day
our Martha is born in the year of our Lord 1781 January the 4 day
our June is born in the year of our Lord 1785 May the 13 day
our Mary is born in the year of our Lord 1788 July the 17 day
our Issaac Vannuys is born in the year of our Lord 1793 December the 22 day
our child was born in the year of our Lord 1797 May the 13 day and died the 31 st day of May
our June is died in the year of our Lord 1799 on the 15th day of October

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No 4604
New Jersey
14 Feby 1833
Obj-14.16
Hon. I Southard
Ho.Reps
[illegible]
Admitted 2 yrs. $80.-

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Brief in the case of Burgun Covert of Hillsboro County of Somerset in the State of New Jersey (Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he ? 79.
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
[column headings: Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.]
Oct in 1775. 1 Years. 18 Months. Days As a Private. Capt Polhemus. Col Winans. Col Ogden. General Arnold. 
1776 & 1777 13 tours of one month each making  1-1 21. do Capts Quick, Weiler, Jones, Babcock, Conover,
5. In what battles was he engaged? Crown Point, Millstone River, Elizabethtown & Monmouth
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Somerset County New Jersey
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionally evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Living for services in 1775 & traditionary
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? And if so, in what respect? Defective Papers not properly attached
* Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned. 
[signed] James Milner 
Examining Clerk.

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W.F. 6,740 [illegible] In reply to your request of [blank], received [blank] for a statement of the military history of Burgun Covert [underlined] a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow’s) application for pension file in this Bureau. N. 6740
[column headings: Dates of Enlistment or Appointment. Length of Service. Rank. Officers Under Whom Service Was Rendered. Captain. Colonel. State.] Oct 1775. Served at various times 2 yrs and 6 mos. Fifer. John Polhemus. Quick. Lott. Wheeler. Babcock. Jones. Conover. Vroom. Winds. 1. NJ.
Battles engaged in Three Rivers, Millstone, Monmouth, Elizabethtown. Residence of soldier at enlistment, enlisted in Somerset Co. N.J.  Date of application for pension, Apr. 20, 1818 His el was al. Residence at date of application, Somerset Co. NJ. Age at date of application, born July 4, 1753 in Middlesex Co. N.J. died March 12, 1835. He was January 1, 1778 to Catharine Van Nuys She was al. pens. on an app. executed Dec 21. 1836 while a resident of Somerset Co. N.J. aged 77 years See supplement herewith for family data Sister Ann Thompson Respectfully, [blank] Commissioner.

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V. L. M. [handwritten] Rev War Section.  July 22, 1914.
Mrs. C.C. Covert, Slingerlands, New York. Madam: In addition to the military history of Burgun Covert. W. File No. 6,740. Rev. War. You are furnished the following data as to his children.
John - - - born May, 19, 1779.
Martha - - - “ January 4, 178-.
June - - - - “ May 13, 1785, died October 15, 1799.  Mary - - - -  “ July 17, 1788. Isaac Vannuys “ December 22, 1793. A child - - - - “ May 13, 1797. Died May 31. ——-.  Very respectfully, GM Salzgaber Commissioner.

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State of New Jersey Middlesex County ss: on this the nineteenth day of January 1837, before a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, personally appeared Ann Thompson, known to me as a credible person, whose testimony is to be relied upon, who being duly sworn, on her oath saith that she is in the seventy sixth year of her age and a sister to [crossed out] Bergun Covert, a revolutionary soldier and a pensioner, late of the County of Somerset, deceased; recollects distinctly of the service of her brother in the War of the revolution; known that he enlisted in the Years service to go to Canada, she believes in the year 1775, knows that after his return from said service he was engaged in the militia service, and continued to do service until the end of the war. Known that her brother the said Bergun (or Burgun) Covert, was married on the first day of January seventeen hundred & seventy eight to Catharine Van Nuys, but the Rev. M Light, at the house of said M. Light-that was the fashion of that day. There was no license obtained, as she understood, as none was necessary, where the laws were published, and the parties were all agreed.  This deponent was present at the said marriage, & an eye & ear witness of the ceremony. Deponent further saith, that he brother, the said Burgun Covert, departed this life on the twelfth day of March 1835, and left the said Catharine Van Nuys, now Catharine Covert, his widow; that said Catharine is now living, and has not interviewed since the death of said Burgun. Knows that a child was born, a son, in a little more than a year after the marriage above referred to - what he