Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 1148, Benjamin P Westervelt, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey
Westervelt, Benjamin P.
S. 1148
carded.
CONTENTS

22924 New Jersey Benjamin P. Westervelt Berquker in the State of New Jersey who was a Private in the Col. commanded by Captain Christy of the Regt. commanded by Col. — " — for the New Jersey line for 9 months — " —
Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey at the rate of 30 Dollars (00) Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 7th day of Decr. 1833 and del. to Hon. L. Bondict — Present
Arrears to the 4th of Sep. 33 $ 15 Semi-ant. allowance ending Apr. 34 15
$ 90
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Isaac T. Jones Clerk, Book E Vol. 2 Page 135

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 and State of New Jersey the nineteenth day of July . In the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty three Benjamin P. Westervelt who Being duly sworn According to law upon his oath deposeth and saith that he is the same Benjamin P. Westervelt the applicant who appeared in open court before the Inferior Court of Common Pleas held at New Barbadoes in and for the County of Bergen on the thirty first day of October last and made oath to the accompanying Declaration in order to obtain the Benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 for the relief of certain surviving Officers and Soldiers of the Revolution and also the same Benjamin P. Westervelt who at a special term of said Inferior Court of Common Pleas held at the Court House the 27 th day of June 1833 under oath made the Answers to the Interrogatories propounded by the Court in pursuance to the directions of the war Department of the United States as annexed to the Accompanying Declaration and this Respondent further saith that he Entered the Service of the United States in the Year of our Lord 1779 in the fall of the year as near as He can Recollect Entered as a Volunteer under Capt. James Christie and served one full month, guarding the lines & standing on guard and doing duty as necessity required, when our head quarters were at Tappan as stated in his Declaration when He was discharged and went home; and Immediately afterwards Entered in the Company commanded by Capt. Abraham Haring when He served one full month guarding the lines standing on guard and performing such Military duty as the circumstances of the case required when He was discharged and went home, and in the Year 1780 in the spring of the year He joined the Company commanded by Capt. John Hagler and served one full month guarding the lines & standing on guard &c. and on the sixth of September 1781 while in a hut, was taken Prisoner (as stated in his Declaration) and carried to New York and put in the Provost Prison where He remained twelve days when He was transferred to the Sugar house Prison and after a confinement of two months was exchanged & returned again to his home and in the month of December (1781) He again joined the Company commanded by Capt. Thomas Blanch & served six full months guarding the lines standing on guard &c. when He was again taken Prisoner but was afterwards rescued by his friends in-arms and in the Year 1782 in the months of June or July He again entered the Company commanded by Capt. Thomas Blanch and served in said Company until

the end of the war a term of three months Guardian the line of Standing on Guard - when our Head Quarters was at the Liberty Pole, Hackensack, Township Bergen County - and for such service he claims a pension - And for the time during which the service (herein before stated) was performed, he (deponent) was not employed in any civil pursuit - Sworn and subscribed to before me this 10 th day of July A.D. 1833. — David J. Christie Justice of the peace
Benjamin his P. Westcott mark
State of New Jersey County of Bergen ss: I Abraham Westcott Clerk of the County of Bergen, and Clerk of the inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County Do hereby certify that David J. Christie whose name is subscribed to the Jurat of the above 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 sig- nature to said Jurat is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said Court this nineteenth day of July A.D. eighteen hundred and thirty three.
Ab: Westcott Clerk

State of New Jersey. Bergen County Superior Court of Common Pleas at a Special Term held at the Court house the 27 th day of June A.D. 1833
Personally appeared in Open Court this 27 th day of June 1833. Benjamin Westervelt — an applicant for a pension under the act of Congress of June 7, 1832. who under Oath made the An- -swers hereto annexed to the questions propounded by the Court in pursuance of the directions of the United States War Department
Question 1. Where and in what year were you born?
Answer — I was born at Closter in the County of Bergen the first day of August A.D. 1763 —
Question 2. Have you any Record of your age, and if so where is it?
Answer — I have my age recorded in the Family Bible, and it is also recorded in the Books of the Dutch Church at Scraalenburgh in said County
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 — Upon entering the service I lived at Closter in the County of Bergen, have lived there since the Revolutionary War and live there now —
Question 4. How were you called into service: were you drafted did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? If a Substitute for whom?
Answer — I was first called out for a tour by draft for one month and afterwards volunteered and served by tour to the end of the war.
Question 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?
Answer — The names of officers were as far as recollected Col s Sey Major Goetchius, Col s Ward, Major Lee. And as to the Circum- -stances of my Service I have not another letter than by Referring to my declaration —
Question 6. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service

and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it?
Answer — I never did receive a discharge — we were discharged and did not receive any —
Question 7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood, and who can testify to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a Soldier of the Revolution.
Answer — The names of persons to which I am known &c are Garet Brinkenkoff, John Walling, Peter Gola, Matthew Bogart, Leba Bogart, David Bogart John Demarest, Cornelius Wetternutt Daniel Van Sciver & Samuel Ver Valen
Sworn to, & subscribed, in open Court the day and year aforesaid. Wm: Wetternutt, Clerk —
Benjamin P. Wetternutt his Mark
And the Court doth hereupon hereby declare that having this twenty seventh day of June A. D. 1833. put the Interrogatories prescribed by the War Department to Benjamin P. Wetternutt, the applicant in open Court, they were answered by him, under oath in the manner above stated to the satisfaction of the Court.
And the Court further declare that Daniel Van Sciver and Samuel Ver Valen the Deponents who have made and signed the affidavits hereto attached, are known to the Court, and that it appears to the Court, that they are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
By the Court
Wm: Wetternutt, Clerk
I Abraham Wetternutt Clerk of the inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Bergen do hereby certify that the foregoing & annexed papers contain the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Benjamin P. Wetternutt for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office the twenty seventh day of June A. D. eighteen hundred and thirty three.
Wm: Wetternutt, Clerk

New Jersey.
Bergen County
Benjamin P. Wetts } Militia Wetts application } Service for a pension
17073
Com d 9 mo. per 30 $
Louis Conditt, Present.

Benj. P. Westcott
Benjamin P. Westcott p. 2

State of New Jersey Bergen County —
ss. On this thirty first day of October 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 of the said county now sitting. Benjamin O'Westmatt a resident of the township of Hackensack in the county of Bergen and State of New Jersey aged sixty 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 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 in the year of our Lord 1779. he served one month as a volunteer under Capt. James Christie guarding the lines at which time their head quarters was at Tappan, that he also served one month under Capt. Haring and in 1780 he served one month under Capt. Huyler guarding the lines. That on the 6 th of September 1781 while in a hut was taken prisoner by the enemy carried to New York and cast in the Provost Prison, from which place after remaining about 12 days, he was transferred to the sugar house prison and after a confinement of two months was exchanged and returned again to his duty under Capt. Thomas Blanch in guarding the lines, after serving again six months as near as he can recollect he was again taken prisoner by three of the enemy when his captain and two men coming up rescued him and the enemy made their escape after discharging their pieces at him which had no effect after which he served under Capt. Thomas Blanch until the end of the war guarding the lines Head quarters at the Liberty pole Hackensack township Bergen county. During which time he was in several severe skirmishes one at Closter dock where they discovered the enemy from their shipping on the Hudson river on shore procuring wood killed several and took one prisoner That he has no documentary evidence or proof in his possession but the accompanying affidavits. That he was born at Closter in the county of Bergen on the 1 st of August 1763. is recorded in the Family Bible and also in the Dutch Reformed Church Books at Scraalenburgh in said county that he resided in Closter aforesaid at the time of the war and has resided there ever since

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
Given to and subscribed the day and year above written Th Westcott Clerk
His Benjamin P Westcott mark
We John Simonet a Clergyman residing in the City and in the County of New York and State of New York and Cornelius P Westcott - residing in Pacheneck Township County of Bergen So hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Benjamin P Westcott
8

who has subscribed and sworn and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be sixty nine years of age: and that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and we concur in that opinion — John Demarest Sworn and subscribed to the day — Cornelius Westervelt and year aforesaid Mr Westervelt Clerk
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after 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 Westervelt who has also signed the same is a resident in Hackensack township in Bergen county and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
W. Westervelt Clerk
I Abraham Westervelt Clerk of the inferior court of Common pleas in and for the County of Bergen and State of New Jersey do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Benjamin P Westervelt for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this thirty first day of October — in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two
Mr. Westervelt Clerk
Also Personally appeared before the Judges in open court Daniel Vanscyven and Samuel Vervalen who being duly sworn according to Law did depose and say that they are well acquainted with the above named Benjamin P Westervelt and that he is a man of truth and veracity and is known to these deponents to have served in the Revolutionary war and believe the foregoing declaration of the said Benjamin P Westervelt as made by him to be true to the best of their knowledge and belief and further say not Sworn and subscribed the day — Daniel X Vanscyven and year aforesaid — his mark Mr. Westervelt Clerk — Samuel X Vervalen his mark

No 17,073 ✓ Benjamin T. Westervelt. A.D.
Return e p.m.
adm d
9.
Lewis Condict Ass't.
Abraham Westervelt Bergen County Court New Jersey

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
16 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 subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
Genl Co M d .
A Statement, shewing the Service of Benjamin M d Westervelt Per d
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank 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.   Years. Months. Days.     1779 Vol 1 Priv Capt Christee Second M d Aged 64 Traditional   1 " Harry Skirmish " Bergen Living W itnss   1780 1 " Hughes " County N d   1781 Sept 6 Taken Prisoner Carried to N.Y.   Paroled Prison 6 2 months   Served until the end of the war March   in the lines  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

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 seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
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 _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _____ day of _____ &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 _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ 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.
[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. _____ who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the _____
and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &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

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated 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 his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? To an Officer. Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
7. State the names of persons 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 he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant. The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional 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 any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge 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 the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably 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 loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. 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 too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called 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 be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of 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 papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
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 credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [j] 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.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
J. G. Foster Exm Clerk

State of New Jersey Bergen County
§ N o . 1.
N o . 1.
On this Eleventh day of October 1833 personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the peace in the County aforesaid Benjamin P. Westervelt of the Township of Hackensack in the County and State aforesaid aged 70 years and well known in said County and to the subscriber as a man of truth - Goods Standing - being duly sworn saith he is the same Benjamin P. Westervelt who on the first day of November 1832 made a Declaration under oath of his Revolutionary Services in order to obtain the Benefit of the Law of Congress of June 7 th 1832 which was done in open Court then sitting in and for the County of Bergen when his original Declaration was made out, the pressure of Business at that time before the Court was such as to prevent him from detailing minutely as he has since learned is necessary, the Officers who commanded in each occasion and the time & nature of the duty he has endeavoured to refresh his memory by bestowing more thought and reflection on the subject and desiring that the Secretary of War and Commissioner of Pensions will receive this as his amended declaration in which he will endeavour to set forth more specifically and in as much detail as his memory will allow the Revolutionary services he has performed.
That he entered the service of the United States in the Township of Harington, County of Bergen and State of New Jersey under the following named officers and said as herein stated.
In the summer of 1779 he volunteered for one month under Capt. James Schuyler stationed at Closter and Tappan also along the north river their duty was to guard the shores and landing places and that of defending the County from foreign and plundering parties who were constantly committing depredations on the inhabitants during the time and was discharged.
In the spring fall of the same year he volunteered for one month under Capt. Abraham Haring

Station, duty and Service the same as the one Before mentioned served the time and was discharged
In the Spring of 1780 He Volunteered and served one month under Capt. John Heyler Station at Liberty Pole at and along the north river served the same as before mentioned served the time and was discharged
In the latter part of June 1780 He Volunteered for six months in the Company commanded by Capt Thomas Blanch Stationed at Closter, Liberty Pole and various other places in the County of Bergen also along the north river, their duty at these stations was that Guarding the Shores and Landing places and defending the Inhabitants, in these six months Service they were sometime with Gen Washington's Army at Tappan he recollects at one time when they were stationed on the Banks of the north river, Gen Washington with his Life Guards came up to them and commanded them to be Vigilant and Watchful on this station and which if could be obtained by the enemy would be a desirable one he further states that he (Gen Washington) would send a company of his Regular troops to relieve them which he performed. the Skirmishes in which they have been engaged have already been set forth in his original declaration, served the time and was honorably discharged in December - Col Trumbull then Commanded the Regiment
(For his former Declarations as to the order of time he may have fallen into mistakes he asks a reasonable allowance for the frailty of human memory)
In this his amended declaration in the order of time and in the names perhaps of some of his superior Officers he may have fallen into mistakes from the great length of time which has elapsed since the before recited Services were performed many particulars must have escaped his memory he has faithfully endeavoured to adhere conscientiously to the truth in all the Events and occurrences of which he has spoken and he Verily Believing that he faithfully served his Country in the war of the Revolution for the full period of nineteen months being in actual Service in the field for each term agreed - and he was not employed in any Civil pursuit during the performance of the above services - sworn at Hackensack the 15 th day of October A.D. 1833 before me  David Schott Justice of the Peace  Benjamin Westervelt Clerk

State of New Jersey Bergen County } No. 4.
No. 4.
Personally appeared before the Subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for said County James J Blauvelt of the same place aged 69 years who being duly sworn saith that he is personally acquainted with Benjamin P Westervert of the same place who has applied for a pension under the Law of Congress of June 7 th 1832 who on his oath deposeth and saith that he has a perfect Recollection of serving with the said Benjamin P Westervert in the war of the Revolution for five months in the year 1780 under Capt Thomas Blanch guarding the shores and landing places from Clster to the English Neighborhood and also defending the inhabitants of the County of Bergen, and is knowing that the said P Westervert regularly performed and done duty during the whole service
Sworn and Subscribed before me This 2 nd day of November 1833 James Van Buren Justice of the Peace
James J Blauvelt
State of New Jersey Bergen County } No. 5.
No. 5.
Personally appeared before the Subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for said County Abraham Blauvelt of the same place aged 69 years who being duly sworn saith that he is personally acquainted with Benjamin P Westervert of the same place who has applied for a pension under the law of Congress of June 7 th 1832 who on his oath deposeth and saith that he has a perfect Recollection of serving with the said Benjamin P Westervert in the war of the Revolution for six months in the year 1780 under Capt Thomas Blanch. guarding the shores and landing places from Clster to the English Neighborhood and also defending the inhabitants of the County of Bergen and is knowing that the said P Westervert regularly performed and done duty during the whole service

Sworn and subscribed before me This 2 nd day of November 1853 J. Hirscheim his + Blauvelt James Van Hoven mark Justice of the Peace
N o 6.
N o 6.
I do hereby certify to the Secretary of War & Commission of Pension that Hirscheim Blauvelt and James G. Blauvelt whose affidavits with their signatures attached to the annexed Declaration of Benjamin O'Westcott are credible persons and fully entitled to Belief
James Van Hoven

State of New Jersey
County of Bergen ss: I Abraham Wisterwell Clerk of the County of Bergen and Clerk of the inferior Court of Common Pleas in & for the said County Do hereby certify that David D. Christie Esq. whose name is subscribed to the Jurat of the annexed affidavit vis: of Benjamin P. Wisterwell marked N o . 1. & of Cornelius P. Wisterwell marked N o . 2. was on the respective dates thereof & still is, a Justice of the peace in and for the said County duly commissioned & sworn, and authorized by law to take the same; and that his signature thereto, as well as to the annexed Certificate marked N o . 3. is genuine. And I do further certify that James Van Houten Esq. whose name is subscribed to the Jurat of the within affidavits vis: of James D. Blauvelt marked N o . 4. & of Abraham Blauvelt marked N o . 5. was on the dates thereof & still is a Justice of the peace as aforesaid duly commissioned & sworn in & for said County, and that his signature thereto, as well as to the certificate marked N o . 6. is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said Court this twenty second day of November A. D. eighteen hundred and thirty three.
Ab: Wisterwell Clerk

State of New Jersey } Bergen County } No. 2. No. 2.
Personally appeared before me this Subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for the county aforesaid Cornelius P. Westervelt of the Township Hackensack County aforesaid aged 73 years who being duly sworn saith He is personally acquainted with Benjamin P. Westervelt of the same place who has applied for a pension under the act of long service of June 7 th 1832 whe on his oath deposit and saith that He is a Brother of the said Benjamin P. Westervelt and to his knowledge He has served under the following named officers for the Revolutionary War and for the full periods mentioned below.
In the summer of 1779 he the said Benjamin P. Westervelt served one month under Capt. James Christie Stationed at Closter Liberty Pole, doing Guard duty -
In the fall of the same year he served one month under Capt. Abraham Haring Stationed at Closter & along the north River Guarding the shores & landing places & defending the inhabitants -
In the year 1780 he performed six months service under Capt. Thomas Blanch Stationed at Closter Liberty Pole Tappan & along the north River - Guarding the shores & landing places - and defending the inhabitants -
In the spring of the above-mentioned year (1780) he performed one month service under Capt. John Huger - Stationed at the Liberty Pole & along the north River doing Guard duty -
Sworn and subscribed to before me on the 11 th day of October A.D. 1833 David J. Christie Justice of the Peace
Cornelius P. Westervelt
No. 3.
I do hereby certify to the Secretary of War & Commission one of Pensions that Cornelius P. Westervelt whose affidavit with his signature above written & sworn to by him before me is a Creditable Person & his statements is fully entitled to Credit - David J. Christie Justice of the Peace

INVALID.
New Map
File No. 1148 Benjamin P. Westervelt His. N. J. Line
Act: June 7, 1892.
Index:—Vol. a , Page 397
[Arrangement of 1870.]
✓

Jan 14. 1834 Paid to Sept 4. 1834 Dec 10 1834 Paid to Dec 4. 1834 Sept 29. 1834 Paid to Sept 4. 1834 Mar 13 1835 Paid to Mar 4 1835 Sep 10 1835 Paid to Sep 4 1835 Mar 8 1836 Paid to Mar 4 1836 Sept 10. 1836 Paid to Sept 4. 1836. May 9 1837 Paid to 4 Mar 1837 Paid to 4 Sep 1837 Paid to 4 Mar 1838 Paid to 4 Mar 1840 Paid to 4 Sep 1838 Paid to 4 Mar 1839 Paid to 4 Sep 1839 Paid to 4 Sep 1840 Paid to 4 Mar 1841 Paid to 4 Sep 1841 Paid to 4 Mar 1842 Paid to 4 Sep 1842 Paid to 4 Mar 1843 Paid to 4 Sep 1843 Paid to 4 Mar 1844 paid to 4 Sep 1844 Paid to 4 Mar 1845

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Benjamin J. Westervelt of the State of New Jersey who was a private in the Revolutionary Army
is entitled to receive Thirty — " — 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 — 7 th — day of December one thousand eight hundred and thirty- Three —
L. Bates
Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned. }
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.