Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 23,492, Cornelius Willet, New Jersey

SERVICE
New Jersey
Willet, Cornelius
NUMBER
S. 23.492
CONTENTS

4642 New York
Cornelius Willet of Argyle in the State of New York who was a Pr & Serjt in the Company commanded by Captain Frasher of the Regt commanded by Col Johnson in the New Jersey line for 9 Months, Sergeant and 22 Months Private —
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 83 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 day of Janua- ry 1833 — and sent to A Billings Salem St
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832 — $124.99 3/4 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Mar 33 — 41.66 3/4 $166.66
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Ingraham Will Clerk, Book D Vol. 5 Page 205

4875
Cornelius Willett
16.662 73.338 90.00
5.11.12 P. 28.
Feb 2 d 1832 Nov 8 1832
Ed Billings Salem Ny

BRIEF in the case of  of  in the State of  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge ?  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity ?  3. How old is he ?  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     In 17 As a Gen.  
 5. In what battles was he engaged ?  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service ?  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls ?  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication ? and if so, in what respect ? 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Examining Clerk.

1875. Cornelius Willet of Argyle, Washington County, N. York
2
3 years & more Military -
admitted
2 and 3 regt
22 mo private
1890
Mem

State of New Jersey. Washington County ss. On this 29 th day of August 1832 personally appeared in open Court before Joseph Willard, first Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of the said County and State, in person Cornelius Willet, a resident of the Town of Argyle in the County of Washington & State of New Jersey aged seventy six 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. 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
That in the month of June 1776, he enlisted into the service of the United States in the Town of Lumberville in the County of Hunterdon, State of New Jersey in Capt. Frasers company of the New Jersey State Troops, for five months. Col. Johnson in the first commanded the Regiment, Genl. Hoveys Brigade. Marched to the City of New York, staid there about two months, and was taken sick. The British took possession of the City and the American Army went to White Plains as he thinks. he was in the service at that time the five months, part of which time he was sick. received no written discharge - was employed part of the time in building forts and repairing artillery & excavating. knew General Putnam, Lord Sterling, Genl. Washington & others during that Campaign.
That in January 1777, he again entered into the service as a Militia Soldier in the aforesaid Town, County and State, under Capt. Reinhardt, John McNeil or Mayhew was the Colonel, General Dickinson Brigade, for two months and marched to the north-branch of the Raritan River, where he served his two months. That his service consisted in keeping guard in protecting the Country, and going on scouting parties. The British were stationed at Brunswick, about twelve miles from where he was stationed, was in no battle. Genl. Washingtons Army lay at Pluckemin, four or six miles off. That he served his two months and went home - received no written discharge.
That shortly after he again entered into the service as aforesaid, under the same officers and was marched to the Raritan River in Somerset County in said State of New Jersey, and was stationed

in the Neighborhood of New Brunswick, where he served about three months - while there he was employed in scouting parties and in protecting the inhabitants and their property from the enemy - That in 1778 as he thought he intend the service again at the aforesaid place, under Capt. James Crawford, Col. Taylor's Regiment and went to Bound Brook, so called, about seven miles of New Brunswick, where he served as a Militia Soldier one month - That the British attacked them and drove them off - That in the same year 1778, he entered the service and in that year and in the year 1779, 1780, 1781 XXXX he served in the militia in said State of New Jersey from time to time in each of said years - That he was in the battle at Millstone in New Jersey, where the British were defeated and their plunder taken from them - That he was during said years frequently engaged with the enemy in and about New Brunswick, during said years - That he knew General Washington when he was stationed at Morristown, and was frequently on guard - knew Genl. Knox, Putnam and others - That from his age and infirmity he cannot now recollect the particular periods he was in the service, nor at what time he entered or when he was discharged - But he does know, that during said Revolutionary war, the State of New Jersey and the Neighborhood in which he resided was for a large part of the time the theatre of the war, and that he always went into the service when called upon - And he does know that from 1776, until the close of the war, he did serve as a soldier in the militia of the State of New Jersey in behalf of the United States more than three two years - That he was born in Rucksbury, County of Hunterdon and State of New Jersey 15 Jany 1756; has a record of his age in his Bible; was living in the said State & County when he was called into service - Has lived since the Revolutionary war about seven years in Cambridge, Washington County N. York - since that time has lived in Argyle, in said County where he now lives - knew Washington, Putnam, Sterling and other officers, whose names are stated above - Never received any discharge from service - Is known in his neighborhood by Benjamin Clapp, Rev. George Mairs, Alexander Mc Dougall, Thomas Farrelly and others - knows of no person by whom he can prove his service -

he hereby relinquishes every claim whatsoever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the Agency of any State
Sworn and subscribed this 28 th August 1832. before me — J. S. Leigh C.R.B.
We Benjamin Clapp and Alexander Mc Dougall residents in the Town of Artyh in the County of Washington aforesaid hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Cornelius Willet who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy five years of age - That he is reported and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that you concur in that opinion  Sworn and subscribed this 28 th August 1832 before me by Benjamin Clapp Alexander Mc Dougall John Willard first under oath - county 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 States - And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Benjamin Clapp and Alexander Mc Dougall who have signed the preceding certificate are residents of the said Town of Artyh, and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit -
I J. S. Leigh Clerk of the Court of Washington State of New York do hereby certify that the foregoing containing the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Cornelius Willet for a pension - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 28 th day of August 1832 - J. S. Leigh C.R.B.

aw Rev. and 1812 War Section.
aw
September 23, 1934.
Cornelius Willet $23492
Mrs. E. M. Sanford, 37 Green Ave., Madison, N. J.
Madam;
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 23492, it appears that Cornelius Willet was born January 15, 1756 at Quicksbury, Hunterdon County, New Jersey.
While residing at said Quicksbury, he enlisted in June 1778 and served five months as a private in Captain Frazier's Company, Colonel Johnson's New Jersey Regiment.
He enlisted in June 1777 and served six months as a private under Captain Rinehart, Colonel Mehelm in the New Jersey Troops, and was in the battle of Millstone.
He enlisted in 1778 and served one month as a private under Captain James Crawford, Colonel Taylor in the New Jersey Troops; and continued in the service in 1778 for four months longer, officers not stated.
He served in 1779, two months as a Sergeant; in 1780

four months as a private, and in 1781 four months as a private, no officers stated.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 28, 1832, while a resident of Argyle, Washington County, New York.
There is no data on file relative to his family.
Respectfully,
Acting Commissioner.

State of New York Washington County ss. Personally appeared before me, the undersigned a Justice of the Peace of the Town of Salem in the County of State aforesaid Cornelius Willet, the person who subscribed and swore to the declaration to which this affidavit is annexed, who being duly sworn, deposes and saith, that he is now of an 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 the year 1776 he served as a private five months. For the year 1777, he served as a private six months. That in the year 1778, he served as a as a private, five months. That in the year 1779, he served as a private sergeant two months. That in the year 1780, he served as a private four months. That in the year 1781, he served as a private, four months. And for such service, I deserve a pension. — That he knows of no Clergyman living by whom he can prove his revolutionary services - nor does he know of any Clergymen by whom he can prove his revolutionary services, by reputation - That D ct Roger and W m Halsey were the Clergymen that knew him and were acquainted with his revolutionary services in the State of New Jersey, and they are both dead -
Cornelius Willet
Subscribed and sworn before me, this 23 d day of December 1832 Aaron Austin Jr. Justice of the Peace

State of New York, Washington County ss. I Jesse S. Leigh Clerk of the County of Washington & State of New York, do hereby certify, that Aaron Martin the before whom the within affidavit was subscribed and sworn, was at the time of taking said affidavit, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Washington. That I am personally acquainted with him and knew his hand writing and that his signature to the sworn in said affidavit is in his own proper hand writing. And that this affidavit was affixed to the original deposition by tape - and that I the said Clerk did affix the seal of the Court of Common Pleas of the aforesaid County of Washington to this affidavit, and upon the tape that contains the papers together. In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my hand and affixed the seal of said Court as aforesaid this 23 d day of December 1832 J. S. Leigh CCB

Congressional 3-595.
Record Division:
Department of the Interior,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
Mar. 16, 1908.
Searched by Gill
Original No. _____
Certificate No. _____
Claimant, _____
Soldier, Cornelius Willett
Service, N. J.
Rev. War
Remarks: _____
No claim as above except No. 23,492.
_____ Chief of Division.

37 GREEN AVENUE MADISON, NEW JERSEY
Aug. 25/24
The Commissioner of Pensions Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir - I greatly appreciate the information sent me regarding Cornelius S. Willett, and I now would like to know all your Hept. can furnish me regarding Cornelius Willett a Rev. War Soldier, who served in New Jersey and after his discharge went to Argyle New York - He received a pension & died in 1843 - I particularly want to know his birthplace - when, where & to whom married

37 GREEN AVENUE MADISON, NEW JERSEY
The records I have are not complete - Thanking you in advance - I am -
Very Truly yours -
Harriet A. Danford (Mrs Edwin M.)

March 17, 1898.
Hon. J. C. Floyd, House of Representatives.
My dear Mr. Floyd:
In reply to your letter dated the 14" and received the 16" inst., I have the honor to advise you that from the papers in the pension claim of Cornelius Willet, Sur. File 23498, it appears that he was born January 15, 1756, at Quicksbury, Hunterdon Co., N. J., where he enlisted in June, 1776, and served as Private in Captain Frazier's company, Col. Hunt's battalion, New Jersey troops, 5 months; in 1777, under Capt. Rinchart, Col. Mehelem, 6 months; was in the battle of Millstone, N. J.; in 1778, under Capt. James Crawford, Col. Taylor, 1 month; and continued in the service in 1778 - 4 months, 1779 - 2 months as Sergeant, 1780 - 4 months, and in 1781 - 4 months, officers not mentioned; making a total service of two years as Private and two months as Sergeant.
He was allowed pension on an application executed August 28, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Argyle, Washington Co., N. Y.
No data as to family.
Very respectfully,
Acting Commissioner.

Ms. B. 1. 6 v. 1 p. 4875
Cornelius Willet
Issa L. Billings Agb

N o 4875
BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of  Conrad Wilckens  which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides ?
Yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides ?
Yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so ?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served ?
Yes (but indefinitely)
V. *Has he mentioned 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 ?
No Amended.
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations ?
Yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832 ?
Yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion ?
Yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate ?
Yes
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed ? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal ?
Yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?
No Amended
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
No
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
Yes
XIV. † If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility?
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?
Yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
Yes
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
† QUERE V. 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 the 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.
†QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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 affidavits must be properly authenticated, as above directed.
†QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end 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.

Revolution
23492 INVALID.
File No. 23492
Cornelius Willett
Sergt Rev War
Act: June 7 th 39 th
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 452
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1908 Mar. 17—History to Hon. J. C. Floyd — p. 1924 Sept. 22—Hist to Mrs. E. M. Dan- ford. AWS.

SIXTIETH CONGRESS.
HALVOR STEENERSON, MINN., CHAIRMAN. JOHN A. T. HULL, IOWA. WILLIAM H. PARKER, S. DAK. BUTLER AMES, MASS. ARIOSO A. WILEY, ALA. CHARLES E. FULLER, ILL. JOHN A. KELIHER, MASS. EDWIN DENBY, MICH. JOHN GILL, JR., MD. FRANK O. LOWDEN, ILL. JOHN C. FLOYD, ARK. CLARENCE C. GILHAMS, IND. WILLIAM A. ASHBROOK, OHIO. ADDISON D. JAMES, KY. GEORGE K. FAVROT, LA.
FRED DENNIS, CLERK.
House of Representatives U. S., Committee on the Militia,
Washington, D. C.
March 14th, 1908.
Hon. V. Warner,
Commissioner of Pensions.
My dear sir:
I am in receipt of a letter from Mr. R. W. Willett, Yellville, Arkansas, who desires to be furnished with a statement of the Revolutionary war record of Cornelius Willett, said to have enlisted from the State of New Jersey at some point near Monmouth. I have asked the War Department for information showing letter of company and number of regiment to which said Cornelius Willett belonged, and am advised by Adjutant-general F. C. Ainsworth that the name of said Willett can not be found on the rolls in his office, but he suggests as a possibility that the desired information can be obtained from your Department.
I will thank you for an early reply.
Yours respectfully,
J. C. Hickey M.C.