Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 23051, Godfrey Vought, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
New York
Vought, Godfrey
S 23051
CONTENTS

see letter Simon Kinney 19 March 1834 written by M. Evans Papers Copied & sent to Hon. J. P. Laporte, H. R. Jan. 20. 1836. New Pension Certificate at $70 per Annum issued 16 th July 1836, Under Act 28 th June 1836 & sent to Hon. J. Laporte. see letters to same & to W. Patten Mar. 22 1844
Death not on A. B.
+
Pennsylvania 25,882 Gideon Wright of Bedford Co. in the State of Penn who, was a Private in the Company by Captain Knapp of the Regt by Col Hugh - in the New York 1 st 9 th Mo 3 rd Yr $ 70.00   Inscribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania at the rate of 70 Dollars per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.   Certificate of Pension issued the 22 nd day of July and sent to Simon Kinney, Pennsylvania     Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833  175.00    Semi-annual allowance ending March 31  35.00     $ 210.00    { Revolutionary Claim, } { Not June 7, 1832. }  Recorded by J. S. Sprague Clerk. Book 6 - Vol. 5 Page 63 -  Restored to the roll, by Act 28 June 1836.

I hereby Certify, that the accompanying pages numbered from One to Six, inclusive, are truly copied from the original(s) in the Pension Office. War Department.
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.
Be it Remembered, that JAMES L. EDWARDS, who has signed the foregoing certificate, is Commissioner of Pensions; and that to his attestations full faith and credit are and ought to be given. In testimony whereof, I have here- unto subscribed my name, and caused the seal of the Department to be af- fixed, on this 18 th day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-Six.
Isaac Shelby
Secretary of War.

Declaration for the purpose of obtaining the benefit of the act of congress of the 7 th of June 1832 granting Pensions to the Soldiers of the Revolution.
State of Pennsylvania county of Bradford  S.S.
On this tenth day of September 1832 personally appeared before the court of common Pleas of the county of Bradford Gedfey Vought a resident in the Township of Rome in the said county of Bradford and State of Pennsylvania aged seventy 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 provisions made by the act of congress passed June 7 th 1832
That he enlisted for the term of one year in the army of the United States about the first of April as near as he can recollect in the year 1780, at Peek's Kill Westchester county in the State of New York. That he was enlisted by a recruiting Officer or agent by the name of Thomas Vanpelt into the company commanded by Capt Bond who shortly after left the command of the company which was in his stead placed under the command of Capt Jonathan Knapp who continued in the command during the year. This company was attached to the Regiment under the command of Col Hews or Hughes Major Hears, commanded in the same Regiment, John McComas was his Lieutenant in his company. Shortly after his enlistment the declarant was ordered into service on board of the Boats at Kings Ferry so called at Haver...

and Verplank, Points on Hudson River called "Continental Boats" and the service was that of transporting the troops, cavalry and Infantry and public property of various kinds, such as cattle, provisions and Military stores &c. and he continued in this service during the year for which he enlisted, and at the end of the year was regularly dismissed but don't recollect whether he had a written discharge or not. at this time there was a considerable portion of his pay in arrears and due for his services and so with his other soldiers and there were some persons who purchased from the soldiers their arrears of pay. This declarant states that for his services he received but very little and that in "Continental Money" that it was so depreciated that he gave six dollars for a gill of rum, at one time, That the service rendered by him and others attached to and manning the Continental Boats" was exceedingly arduous & fatiguing. He was subject to be called into service and often times great exertion at any & all times, night and day, when the weather was good or bad. He was required not only to transport persons and property, express and troops across the river at the Ferry, but also provisions and stores up and down the River to any distance necessary. He saw Genl. Arnold on board his barge as he passed down the River by which he was then stationed on New Plank's point to a vessel by about three miles below. He saw Major Andre a number of times and he assisted in ferrying him a number of times across the river at Kings Ferry. after he had got dismissed from his first years service he immediately enlisted

B 2. again for nine months service at Pekskeill state of N York, he went before Col Saml Drake to be qualified that he would perform faithfully in the service of the United States, (in the thinks, they were called) the "New York Series", that he served the nine months tour on the lines as ranger or scouting parties in Westchester county Bradford &c as occasion required, Richard Saekel was his Captain, Lieut Moshier or Moser was first Lieutenant of the company, second Lieutenants name, Lucker, Col Dubois commanded the Regiment, was discharged he thinks, by the Major but dont recollect his name; at the expiration of the said nine months, during this time the money had become so depreciated that he paid one hundred and ten dollars for one Gill of Rum, to (old Mother Snow) Middle patten. During this term we had an engagement with Col Holmes at "King Steel" (thinks New Rochelle county) in which Col Saekel was taken and Lieut Mosher (as above) had a desperate engagement, we killed one man dead and it was reported that forty four were wounded. That this declarant with others guarded the French artillery up to fort called "Valentines Hill" and while there an express came and ordered us back to the Army under the hill and carried the wounded and dead back, after a hard engagement with the Hessians which (he thinks was in the latter part of June. That another engagement took place at "Dotts Ferry" on the North River as the British shipping went down the River after having been up the river and while they

4 were up the River we built a fort a little below Jerry Town at Dobby Ferry. After the Nine months service ended this declarant was frequently called out to guard the lines by the militia officers and had frequent tours or scouting sometimes ten or fifteen days at a time and exposed to hardship and toil and found themselves without any pay.
This declarant further states the wages he drew for the first year while he was in the Ferry service of his enlistment was a dollar per day. But received his pay in all he did receive in continental bills as before stated.
This declarant hereby relinquishes every claim 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.
Yoseph Doughty Mark
Sworn and subscribed the day and Year aforesaid in open court.
J. P. Bull, Prot. per E. S. Goodrich Dep.
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and said as he states.
Bradford County, SS.
I James P. Bull Prothonotary of the court of common Pleas of Bradford

Godfrey Vaught
Godfrey Vaught a Soldier of the Revolution
Feb y 2 o 1836
Ref d to the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions
Feb y 19 1836
Bill reported No. 373.
Laporte

coastly certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said court in the matter of the application of Godfrey Vought for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said court this 10 th day of September A.D. 1832 For J. P. Bull Proth. y E. S. Goodrich Sps.
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Bradford county, ss.
On this 2 d day of August 1832 before the subscriber one of the associate judges of the court of common Pleas of the said county of Bradford, personally appeared John Smit of the said county aged sixty seven years who being first duly sworn according to Law doth depose and say that he has known Godfrey Vought since the year 1780. That he well remembers, that the said Godfrey about the 10 th of April in the year 1780 enlisted into the service of the United States, in the Village or Township of Peekskill in the county of West Chester and state of New York for the term of one year that he served in a company commanded by Capt Jonathan Knapp in the Regiment commanded by Col Hugh or Henry, the said term of one year. That the said Godfrey's service in the boat service at Stony Point and other places on the Hudson River. That afterwards in the year 1781 he saw the

6 said the Godfrey bought in the service at Lotts Ferry and understood that he had enlisted for Nine months, and from the number of times he saw him, (said Vought), has no doubt but he served his term out.
John Lent
Sworn and subscribed before me the day and year aforesaid
Jonathan Stevens & Judge
I, Jonathan Stevens, Judge aforesaid do hereby certify that I have known the above named deponent John Lent at least for the space of fifteen years or more last past, believe him to be person of truth and that his deposition is entitled to full credit.
Jonathan Stevens, & Judge
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Bradford County SS.
I James P. Bull Notary Public of the court of common Pleas of Bradford county do certify that Jonathan Stevens whose name is subscribed to the written certificate is and was at the date thereof an associate judge of the said court and that I am acquainted with his signature and believe the within to be genuine.
Witness my hand and official seal this 19 th day of Decemr A. D. 1833
J. P. Bull

Godfrey Vaught
Godfrey Vaught a Soldier of the
Revolution
Feb y 2 o 1836
Ref d to the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions
Feb y 19 1836
Bill reported No. 373.
Laporte

12.432
Godfrey Nought Penn a
Letter to f.
Adm 1. y o 9. Months
Simon Kinney Torranda Bradford Co Pa.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
27 Nov. 1853.
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 subjeced 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.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Godfrey Nought
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     10 Apr 1780 1 Private Capt. Knapp, Col. Hughes 70 years Westchester Irving Matinef.   1781. 9 priv Col. Dubois Capt. Sackett County N.Y.  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
The matinef is not certified to be credible, nor is the Clerk's certificate given

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 days 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 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 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 inquiry 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 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, &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.

Godfrey Wright.

24th CONGRESS, 1st Session.
H. R. 373.
FEBRUARY 19, 1836.
Read twice, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House to-morrow.
MR. LAY, from the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, reported the following bill:
A BILL
An Act
For the relief of Godfrey Vought.
1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives 2 of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That 3 the Secretary of War be, and he hereby is, directed to place 4 Godfrey Vought, of the county of Bradford, in the State of Penn- 5 sylvania, on the pension roll of the United States, and that there 6 be allowed to the said Godfrey Vought, the sum of seventy 7 dollars per annum, during his natural life, to commence on the 8 fourth day of March, eighteen hundred and thirty-one.
Approved 28 th June 1836
A true copy compared with the Roll in this office.
Alney Britton Chief Clerk
(Dept. of State } June 30 th 1836 }

July 8, 1938
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Godfrey Vought, S.23051 BA-J/MCS
Mr. Donald F. Clark Fort Montgomery New York
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your request for information relative to Godfrey Vought, a Revolutionary War soldier who was born about 1762, and lived in Westchester County, New York, and Bradford County, Pennsylvania.
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, S.23051, based on the military service of Godfrey Vought.
The date and place of his birth and the names of his parents were not given.
He enlisted at Peekskill, New York, about April 10, 1780, and served one year as private in a company commanded first by Captain Bond and later by Captain Jonathan Knapp in Colonel Hughes' New York regiment, and was employed on the boats at King's Ferry, Stony Point and Verplanck's Point, transporting troops and military stores. Immediately afterwards he enlisted and served nine months in Captain Richard Sackett's company in Colonel Dubois' New York regiment; was in an engagement with Colonel Holmes at "King Street thinks New Rochelle county" in which engagement Captain Sackett was taken prisoner, and was in other engagements one of which was at Dobb's Ferry. He afterwards was called out frequently on short tours, details not given.
Godfrey Vought was allowed pension on his application executed September 10, 1832, at which time he was seventy years of age and was living in Rome Township, Bradford County, Pennsylvania.
The papers in this claim contain no data relative to soldier's family.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

Revolution
23057
INVALID.
File No. 23,057
Godfrey Bought His Rev War
Act: June 7 th 32 nd
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 432
[Arrangement of 1870.]

No brief on appeal Nov. 22/15
July 29 - C. F. Hoover -
1905 Nov. 20. Hist
1914 Feb 3: Hist to Mrs. E. D Phillips, (letter in SW.F. 16.9.18. Brng. Coleman) M.B.H. 1915 Nov. 22. Hist. to Miss Stella Miller. P. 1924 Nov. 14 - Hist to Mrs. Edward D. Phillips u 24
1938 July 8. Hist. to Mr. Donald F. Clark M.C.D.
1902 Pawanda, Pa. to A. J. Whitney. M.B.H.

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section.
November 14, 1924.
Mrs. Edward D. Phillips, 43 Terrace St., Wilkes-Barre, PA.
Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in Revolutionary War pension claim, S.23051, it appears that Godfrey Vought enlisted at Peekskill, New York, about April 10, 1780, and served one year as a private in Captains Bond and Jonathan Knapp's Company, Colonel Hughes New York Regiment, and was employed on the boats at King's Ferry, Stony Point and Verplanck's Point, transporting troops and military stores. Immediately afterwards he enlisted and served 9 months in Captain Richard Sackett's Company, Colonel Dubois' New York Regiment, and was in an engagement at Dobbs' Ferry and other engagements. He was afterwards called out frequently on short tours, details not given.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 10, 1832, while a resident of Rome Township, Bradford County, Pennsylvania, aged 70 years.
There is no data on file as to his family.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.
It is 10 yrs. since she had it before, so That I had better send it again. um

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Godfrey Vought a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau. 8. 23051
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Apr. 10, 1780 1 year Pri. Jonathan Knapp serv'd on boats at King's Ferry, Stony Pt. & Verplank's cont. transporting troops etc. Hughes N.Y.   Immed. after 9 mos. Richard Sackett Dubois  
Battles engaged in, _____ Residence of soldier at enlistment, Eul. at Poughkeepsie, New York. Date of application for pension, Sept. 10, 1832. His claim was allowed. Residence at date of application, Rome Twp., Bradford Co., Penn. Age at date of application, seventy years. Remarks: No family data - death not shown.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

Fort Montgomery, N. Y. June 15, 1938.
Veterans Administration, Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen:
Information would be appreciated as to whether there is on file in your office an application for pension based upon the Revolutionary War service of Godfrey Vought (Voght, Voke) who was born about 1762 in Westchester County, N. Y., and removed after 1790 to Bradford County, Pa., and if so, as to whether the application contains data relative to the soldier's family and his military service.
Yours very truly,
Donald F. Clark. Donald F. Clark.

MRS. EDWARD D. PHILLIPS 43 TERRACE STREET WILKES-BARRE, PENNSYLVANIA
October 28, 1924
To The Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.,
Dear Sir:—
Can you send me official proof that Godfrey Vought and Benjamin Coleman fought in the Revolutionary War?
Godfrey Vought, son of Joseph Christian Vought, served under Col. Hughes and Col. Du Bois probably in New York or New Jersey.
Benjamin Coleman

MRS. EDWARD D. PHILLIPS 43 TERRACE STREET WILKES-BARRE, PENNSYLVANIA
2 was a private in the Orange County Militia, 3rd Regiment, New York.
Thanking you, I am Respectfully yours, Mrs. E. D. Mabel C. Phillips.

Rev Sec C 1
Department of Interior Bureau of Pensions.
Mt. Sterling, Ohio. Nov 15, 1915.
Dear Sir -
We are having some trouble clearing the N.G.R. copy records of the following and would like the original application for land or pensions of the patent or his wife. William Hnyck b. 1744, Pennsylvania died 1819 his wife Margaret Westbrook b. 1746 - d. 1820 William Hnyck served as a sergeant in Col. Van Rensselaer's regiment Albany Co. N.Y.
(2) John Croft b. in Holland 1747 d. 1821 Pennsylvania wife Mary Bowman b. 1748 d. 1822.
John Croft served as a private in Captain Lennox's Co. 3 rd Penn. Regt. commanded by Lieut. Col. Lambert Cadwalader.
3. Godfrey Vought b. Apr 1761 d. Apr, 1849. born Pekskeill NY - d. at Rome, Pa.
wife Polly Croft b. 1811 d. Feb 10, 1860.
Godfrey Vought enlisted April 1780 in Col. Hughes Regt. - for one year. Served in Col. Dubois Regt. nine months.
Respectfully
(Miss) Stella Miller Registrar Mt Sterling Chapter U.S.D.A.R.

O.M. + R.
The Pennsylvania Railroad Company Pennsylvania Railroad Division. Office of Principal Assistant Engineer.
R
A. J. WHITNEY, Jr. L. R. Hollinger Principal Assistant Engineer.
Altoona, Pa.
November 12, 1905
Commissioner of pensions, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:-
Will you please send me the record of Godfrey Vogt, my Great Grand Father, who was a Revolutionary veteran and pensioner, living in Bradford County, Pennsylvania, having died about 1846.
I desire this information to complete some primary records.
very truly yours,
A. J. Whitney, Jr.

IV
OFFICE OF
C. F. HEVERLY,
HISTORIAN, EDITOR AND PUBLISHER
THE BRADFORD STAR,
TOWANDA, PA.
July 24, 1902.
Eugene F. Ware, Washington, D. C.
My dear Sir,:-
As one of a committee, engaged in compiling the military history of Bradford county, I request your kindness and assistance in furnishing us the record of service of Godfrey Vought and Reuben Bump or Bumpus, Revolutionary soldiers.
Both were living in Rome, Bradford county, Pa., in 1840 and drawing pensions. Vought removed from Peekskill, N. Y. to Rome, Bradford Co., in 1798, where he died in 1849. Bump settled in Rome about 1806 and died there. Whatever other information connected with the history of Mr. Bump the records may show, we will be pleased to have.
I refer you to Hon. Thos. Ryan, First Assistant Secretary of the Interior, our former esteemed citizen, as to the importance of our work.
Thanking you in advance for courtesy, I am
Very truly yours,
C. F. Heverly

To the Hon the Senate & House of Representatives in Congress assembled The Petition of the undersigned a revolutionary soldier respectfully represents
That your Petitioner (in conformity with the Law of the United States of the year of June 1832) applied for a Pension as for recompense for his services and that he was informed by the War Department that they could allow him for the last nine months service mentioned in his application but that for the first year which he served in the "Bristol Light Artillery" they could not.
Your Petitioner further states that he was regularly enlisted and discharged and that the service he rendered was in obedience to the orders of the Continental Officers he therefore prays your honorable body to make an investigation of his claim and prays that his name may be placed upon the Pension Roll.
December 5 th 1835
his Godfrey X  very obedt servt

Godfrey caught Pa.
FREE
Your correct city licat.
J. S. Edwards
champion of
Washington
Pa.
Pa.
Waiting for decision of the if you respect service

Toronto Jan'y 13. 1834
Col Edwards Esqr
Sir
herewith is to pay
Your M ty Pension certificate which was granted for too large a sum as per your letter of the 19 th March 1834 please return annu certificate as it shall be corrected
Yours Resp d ,
N. N. Bets

Payments to be made at Philadelphia - Da by First Girard Bank Agent for paying Pension- ers, in the Agency of Pa
Recorded in the Pension Of- fice, in Book E Vol. 5 Page 53 by J. S. Apague Clerk.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Sodrey bought — of the State of Pennsylvania — who was a Private during the Revolutionary War — is entitled to receive Seventy 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 22 d — day of January one thousand eight hundred and thirty= four
L. D. Campbell Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned. }
J. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.

Godfrey Bought, Pennsylvania Roll, at $70 per Annum. Has he received any pay - and if so, to what time?
Plaslin Office } He was paid to the 4 th March July 16. 1836 } 1834 H

Hon. J. L. Edwards

Hon. J. L. Edwards
Washington June 25 th 1836
Dear Sir
Enclosed with this I send you the papers on which Congress has granted a Pension to Godfrey Bought of Bradford County Penna. I am personally very acquainted with Godfrey Bought he resides near me and it is his wish that you would send me his certificate, he applied to you for a Pension some time since and you decided that he was entitled to a Pension for nine months service and so informed him, but I think that there was not a certificate issued to him as he preferred trying his claim before Congress before he decided on taking the certificate for the above named service, but if a certificate did issue you will please inform me of it and I will see that it is returned to you, with this I send a copy of the  the Bill that has passed both Houses granting Mr Bought a Pension the Bill will be sent to the President on Monday for his signature and as soon as it can be done I wish you to send the certificate to me at my residence in Penna as I shall leave this on Monday next
Yours respectfully
John Lupton

HR. 373
Godfrey Vought
$70 per ann. commencing
March 1831—
Penn a act 1832 roll—
act June 28. 1836
Hon. John Laporte H.R.
Com: on Pensions

FEBRUARY 19, 1836.
Read twice, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House to-morrow.
Mr. LAY, from the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, reported the following bill:
A BILL
For the relief of Godfrey Vought.
1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives 2 of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That 3 the Secretary of War be, and he hereby is, directed to place 4 Godfrey Vought, of the county of Bradford, in the State of Penn- 5 sylvania, on the pension roll of the United States, and that there 6 be allowed to the said Godfrey Vought, the sum of seventy 7 dollars per annum, during his natural life, to commence on the 8 fourth day of March, eighteen hundred and thirty-one.

GODFREY VOUGHT.
[To accompany bill H. R. No. 373.]
FEBRUARY 19, 1836.
Mr. LAY, from the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, made the following
REPORT:
The Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, to which was referred the petition and papers of Godfrey Vought, report:
That upon an examination of his papers, it appears from his own statement, that he is a resident of the township of Rome, in the county of Bradford, and State of Pennsylvania, and is now seventy-three years old: that he entered the service of the United States under an enlistment for one year, and joined the United States army in April, 1780, at Peekskill, Westchester, in the State of New York: that he was enlisted by a recruiting officer by the name of Thomas Vanpeldt, and entered the company commanded by Captain Bond, who shortly after left the command of the company, which was afterwards under the command of Captain Jonathan Knapp, who continued captain of the company during the remainder of the year. The company was attached to the regiment under the command of Colonel Hughes; Major Kears commanded in the same regiment, and John Occoman was his lieutenant in his company. Petitioner shortly after his enlistment was ordered on board of the boats at King's ferry, so called, at Stony Point and Verplanck's Point on the Hudson river, called the "continental boats." The service here was the transportation of troops, cavalry and infantry, public property of various kinds, such as cattle, provisions, and military stores: that he continued in this service during the whole year or term of his enlistment, and was then regularly discharged. He represents this service as being very severe and laborious, attended with great risk and exposure, by night and by day, at times whether the weather was inclement or otherwise. The petitioner further states, that after his discharge he immediately enlisted a second time, for the term of nine months, into a company of rangers, a scouting party, commanded by Captain Richard Sackett; Lieutenant Merher was the first lieutenant, and Tucker the second lieutenant. Colonel Dubois was the commander of the regiment. Petitioner was constantly upon fatigue duty, and was in several engagements with the enemy, served out the term of his enlistment, and was regularly discharged. He was called out a number of times afterwards into the militia service from ten to fifteen days each, in cases of alarms.

Eye 11 30
PROOF OF SERVICE.
The facts above detailed by petitioner upon oath are fully corroborated by the evidence of John Lant, duly authenticated, who served with the petitioner during the whole of his first year's service, and in the same company. He also proves satisfactorily the second term of service of nine months, for which it seems the Commissioner of Pensions was willing to allow him a pension; but not for the services performed whilst employed in the boats.
The committee are satisfied that this part of the petitioner's services are equally meritorious as those which it is admitted come within the act of June 1832. He enlisted into the continental army of the United States, and was ordered by his officers into the boat service. It matters little, in the opinion of the committee, whether he served in the boat service or on land, as he was at all times subject to the control and orders of his superior officers, and could have been, at any moment, ordered to any part of the country wherever his services were required, by the terms of his enlistment. He evidently comes within the spirit, if not the letter, of the act of 1832, and the committee have therefore reported a bill, allowing him a pension for twenty-one months' service, at the rate prescribed by the provisions of the said act.
70 dollars a year from 4 March 1831

Restored - See act 28 th June 1836.

Hon. S. Laperter
July 16. 1836
JB
Second V 30 Page 105

War Dept. Pension Office July 16. 1836
Sir,
Enclosed herewith is a new certificate in the case of Godfrey Vaught. The Pension agent at Phila a will pay him from the time to which he was last paid, up to which it is believed was to the 4 th March 1834, on the production of the proper vouchers.
Hn. J o Laporte Asylum, Bradford Co. Pa.

12.432 Godfrey Vought

Declaration for the purpose of obtaining the benefit of the act of Congress of seventh of June A.D. 1832 granting pensions to soldiers of the Revolution
State of Pennsylvania } ss County of Bradford } s
On this tenth day of September A.D. one thousand eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared before the court of Common Pleas of the county of Bradford before me Naught a resident in the township of Barn in the said County of Bradford and State of Penn- sylvania aged seventy years, who being first duly sworn according to law, saith on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832. — That he vested for the term of one year in the army of the United States about the time of April as near as he can recollect in the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty, at Pocahontas Westchester County in the State of New York That he was enlisted by a recruiting officer or Agent by the name of Thomas Pumphrey into the company commanded by Capt. Brant who shortly after left the command of the company, which was in his stead placed under the command of Capt. Jonathan Pumphrey who conti- nued in the command during the war. This company was attached to the regiment under the command of Col. John Brown who was his Lieutenant in his company. Shortly after his enlistment this Colonel was ordered into service on board of the boats at "Wiggins Ferry" so called, at Haver- and Vanplank's points on Hudson river called "the Continental boats," and the service was that of transporting the troops Cavalry, Infantry and public property of various kinds such as battle provisions and military stores. And he continued in this service during the war for which he enlisted, and at the end of the year was regularly dis- charged, but don't recollect whether he had received discharge or not. At this time, there was a considerable portion of his pay in arrears due for his services, and so with the other soldiers and there were some persons who purchased from the soldiers their arrears of pay — This declarant states that for his services he received but very little and that in "continental money" that it was so depreciated that he gave six dollars for a gill of rum, at one time. That the service rendered by him and others attached to and manning the

"Continental boats" was exceedingly arduous and fatiguing. He was subject to be called into service, and often times great exertion at any and all times; night and day, when the weather was good or bad. He was required not only to transport persons and property, express and troops across the river at the ferry, but also provisions and stores up and down the river to any distance necessary. He saw Gen. Arnyall on board his barge as he passed down the river by where he was then stationed on Van Klief's Point, to a vessel by about three miles below. He saw Major Andree a number of times and helped him in ferrying him a number of times across the river at "Things ferry". After he had got dismissed from his first years service he immediately enlisted again for nine months service at Peekskill State of New York. He went before Col. David Boett to be qualified that he would perform faithfully in the United States Service in (he thinks they were called) the "New York Line" that he served the nine months term on the lines as a ranger or scouting party in Westchester county. Before he was released required, Richard Sackett was his Captain. Lieut. Mosher or Moser was first lieut. of the company. Second Lieut. name Sackett. Col. Debevois commanded the regiment. was discharged he thinks by the Arnyall but don't recollect his name at the expiration of the said nine months. Clearing this time the money had become so depreciated that he paid one hundred and ten dollars for one gill of rum to "Old Mother I was a middle father". During this term we had an engagement with Col. Holms at "King Street" (thinks New Rochelle county) in which Capt. Sackett was taken and Lieut. Mosher (as above) had a desperate engagement - we killed one man dead and it was reported that forty four were wounded. That this detachment with others guarded the French artillery up to a fort called "Valentine Hill", and while there an express came and ordered us back to the army under the Hill and carried the wounded and dead back - after a hard engagement with the Hessians, which battle was in the latter part of June. That another engagement took place at "Babbs Ferry" on the North river as the British shipping went down the river after having been up the river, and while they were up the river we built a fort a little below "Ferry town" at "Babbs ferry". After the nine months service ended this detachment was frequently called out to guard the lines by the militia officers and had frequent turns at scouting, sometimes ten or fifteen days at a time, and exposed to hardship and toil and found themselves without any pay.

This declarant further states the wages he drew for the first year while he was in the Navy Service, of his enlistment was a dollar per day — But received his pay, or all he did receive in Continental bills as before stated.
This declarant hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity except the present and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state.
Godfrey his X mark Wright
Sworn and submitted the day and year afore said in open court
William Prooth for E. G. Goodrich D.P.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states —
Bradford County ss
I James P. Bull Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Bradford County certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Godfrey Baughman for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of said court this 10th day of September A.D. 1836.
for William Prooth E. G. Goodrich D.P.

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Bradford County
On this 2 d day of August 1832 before the undersigned one of the associate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the said County of Bradford Personally appeared John Lent of the said County aged Sixty Seven Years Who being first duly sworn according to Law doth Depose and Say that he has known Godfrey Vought since the Year 1780. That he well remembers that the said Godfrey about the 10 th of April in the Year 1780 Enlisted into the Service of the United States in the Village or Township of Peekskill in the County of Westchester & State of New York for the term of one Year That he served in a Company Commanded by Captain Jonathan Knapp in the Regiment Commanded by Col. Hughes (or Hooe) the said term of one Year That the said Godfrey served in the boat voyage at Stony Point and Other places on the Hudson River afterwards That afterwards in the Year 1781 he saw the said tho Godfrey Vought in the Service at Dobbs Ferry & understood that he had Enlisted for nine months and from the number of times he saw him (said Vought) has no doubt but he served his term out -
John Lent
Sworn & Subscribed before me the day & year aforesaid
Jonathan Stevens A. Judge
Jonathan Stevens Judge aforesaid do hereby Certify That I have known the above named Deponent John Lent at least for the space of fifteen Years or more last past, believe him to be a person of truth and that his Disposition is entitled to full credit -
Jonathan Stevens A. Judge 13 th December 1832

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Bradford County, ss.
I James P. Bull, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Bradford County, do certify that Jonathan Stevens whose name is subscribed to the within certificate is and was at the date thereof an associate Judge of the said Court, and that I am impressed with his signature and believe the within to be genuine. Witness my hand & official seal this 19 th day of December A.D. 1833
J. P. Bull