Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 1143, Peter Voorhees, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
✓ New Jersey
✓ Voorhees, Peter
✓ S 1143
CONTENTS
✓ Carded.

New Jersey N o 28.411
Peter Voorhees
of Hillsborough the State of New Jersey who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Ten Eyck of the Reg t commanded by Col. Frelinghuysen in the New Jersey line for 2 Years
Enscribed on the Roll of New Jersey at the rate of 80 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 th day of May 1834 and Hon. J. Frelinghuysen, Senator
Arrears to the 4th of Mar. 1834. 240. 00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 th Sept " 40. 00 $ 280. 00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by R. Burdine Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 3 Page 137

31,084
Application of Peter Brookes of Somerset New Jersey, for ad- mission under the act of June '32.
J. M. Mann
Alma parva Dyers #80.
Hon. T. Frelinghuysen James M. Randolph Agent

Dedication of Peter Voorhees of Somerset County, New Jersey, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of June 7. 1832.
State of New Jersey } On this twelfth  Twelfth day of Somerset County } 3 May, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred thirty four, per- sonally appeared before me the Judge of the In- ferior Court of Common Pleas of said County, who sitting as a Court, Peter Voorhees , a resident of the township of Hillsborough, in said County, aged seventy eight years, who being first duly sworn, on his oath makes the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7th of June 1832:
That he was born on the 12th day of February in the year 1756, as appears from a record in a family Bible now in his possession, in the town- ship of Hillsborough, County of Somerset, and state of New Jersey, where he lived at the com- mencement of the War of the Revolution, where he now lives, and where he has always lived. He belonged to the militia company commanded by Capt Conrad Ten Eyck, afterwards Capt. Ten Eyck and to the Second Bat- talion of the Regiment of Somerset Militia, of which A Major was then  Colonel  his first His first service was in March 1776, as a private & volun- teer under Capt Ten Eyck on an expedition to Staten Island against the Tories. Gen Heard had the com- mand of the expedition, as he thinks. This service lasted not less than ten days. Afterwards, in the same year  year volunteered under Capt Dunton to go to the city of New York to defend it from the landing of the British, who were expected from the north. was  was

three a few days, then crossed over to Elizabethton and there was met by the Declaration of Independence, which was read to the assembled troops. One half of them was required to remain, and the remainder was permitted to go home. He went home to return again in a fortnight. On this expedition he was engaged two weeks. At the end of the fortnight, he went out again, according to order, and returned to the Elizabethton, which henceforth became the station or Head Quarters, for the Continent and a great many other troops. At this time, as he well recollects, commenced with him the regular monthly tours, which for the remainder of the year 1776, required required his attendance one half the time. He accordingly performed during the remainder of the year 1776 not less than three tours of a month each, and all, as he believes, under Capt. John Eyck, & Col. Gwick. He was employed until the invasion of New Jersey by the enemy along the shore from Elizabethton to Pauls Hook, taking in Newark, Hackensack & Bergen, in their route; & when the enemy entered the State, he with his company & most of the troops fell back  into the main body of troops to retard the approach of the enemy, and was out until the enemy finally retired down in New Brunswick in January 1777. During the stay of the enemy in New Brunswick, which was from January to the latter part of June '77, the Militia were greatly harassed, and were obliged to be out very often, and indeed, almost all the time, and they could not, therefore, always strictly observe the monthly tours, but sometimes overrun sometimes fell short of that exact period. His services during this time amounted, certainly, to not less than three months, and were rendered principally

under capt James  Quick  and  and Col Frederick Hays  Frederick Hays , though he believes that during this time he served one tour under Capt Wheeler. Their duty was to prevent & punish the incursions & plunderings & burnings of the enemy. During the remainder of the year 1777, he served two & the other tours of a month each under Captain James  Quick on the Elizabeth town station, ranging the shore opposite to Staten Island, & going to Pompton to erect some breast works for apprehension of the inroads of the enemy in that quarter. His col was generally Frederick Hays  Frederick Hays , though other general officers were occasionally in command. In 1778 he was out very frequently, and served not less than five tours of a month each during that year. One of these tours was along the Millstone under he believes, Capt Baird (now dead) another in West Jersey & at Monmouth, during the battle there, under Capt Scott, and the remaining three under capt James  Quick on the Elizabeth town station, guarding the lines. Col Van Dyke & Frederick Hays were alternately in command. In 1779 he was out as usual on the Elizabeth town station, and served not less than four tours of a month each, all under his own capt James  Quick , and principally under Col Frederick Hays  Frederick Hays Moore, in the service of guarding the lines. In 1780 he was also out on the same station, and served at least four tours of a month each under capt James  Quick in guarding the lines, and in the engagement which took place this year at Springfield, and in a skirmish, a pretty severe one, at Elizabeth town. Col. Frederick Hays, Moore & Van Dyke were his cols. In 1781 he was out and served at least three tours of a month each on the same station, in the usual service

of guarding the lines, and under Col Michael Col. Van Dyke & Frelinghuysen. High Dickerson Heads. In 1782 also he served not less than 3 and three times for months each under Capt David Col. Van Dyke & Frelinghuysen, on the same Elizabeth Town Station, in guarding the lines from the enemy, who were still on Staten Is- and still disposed as ever to annoy & plunder, though the hard fighting was all over, and the war considered as nearly terminated. The enemy also continued in 1783 to molest & harass, & Troops were obliged to be kept in motion, but the declarant does not recollect of being out. All his services were rendered as a private of Infantry, except one time to Springfield, when he was employed as a dra- goon. He never received any written discharge from the service. He was engaged in conjunction with conti- nental officers at Monmouth & Springfield - Washing- ton. See, Green, &c. - but upon no other occasion that he remembers. For their belief as to his revolutionary services, & as to his general character, he refers to the accompanying testimony of the Rev Peter Salap a clergyman of his vicinity, & to Peter Van Auken one of his neighbors. His old companions are most of them gone - not one of his captains is living, and he therefore must content himself with referring to the testimony of Adam Bellis, Peter Leitch & David Voorhees for their knowledge of his revolutionary services, & besides there he knows of no others. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to opinion or necessity except the present, & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any state subscribed upon the day of the year aforesaid
3 Peter Voorhees
James D. Stryker James D. Stryker

We Peter Sabagh, a clergyman residing in Hillsborough Somerset County, & Peter Bravard also residing in the same neighborhood, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Peter Voorhies known to the above declaration, that we believe him to be 78 years of age; that he is reputed believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, & that we concur in that opinion.
From & subscribed the day 3 and year aforesaid James D. Stryker Peter Sabagh Peter C. Van Arsdalen
On the same day personally appeared before the Judge aforesaid, Peter Snick, who being only sworn on his oath saith, that he is in the 76th year of his age, and a soldier of the Revolution, that he is well acquainted with Peter Voorhies who has made the foregoing declaration - knew him during the whole of the Revolution - lived a close neighbor to him, belonged to the same company, most of the time, and served with him frequently. Recollects him well in the year 1776, in service at that time and in each and every subsequent year of the war to its close - knows that he served faithfully & efficiently - was always a true boy and pluck to the back bone - knows from his own services that said Voorhies did not less than four to five hours of duty a month each in '76 '77 '78 '79 '80 '81 & '82, and more than two years thereafter. Knows said Voorhies to be a man of veracity & integrity. He believes his declaration in relation to his revolutionary services. Subscribed from this day 3 year aforesaid
James D. Stryker Peter Snick Mark

And the Judges aforesaid do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Dept. that the before named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states, has they further certify that it appears to them that Peter Labaph, who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in Hill,boro' Somerset County N.J. and that Peter Van Arsdale who has also signed the same is a resident in the same place, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. And it also appears to them that Peter Quick who has testified in the foregoing affidavit to the revolutionary services of said Boorhees is a credible person. Attest our statements entitled to credit.
Jamies D. Duryea
W. M. Gaston
Edward Vanderveer
Somerset County, I John M. Mann clerk of the New Jersey in & Court of Common Pleas, said County, do hereby certify that the foregoing contain the original proceedings in the matter of the application of Peter Boorhees for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this twelfth day of May one thousand eight hundred & thirty four.
J. M. Mann

INVALID.
New York
File No. 1143
Peter Voorhees, Ph. N. J. Linn.
Act: June 7, 1892.
Index:—Vol. a , Page 386
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Power to order, of Somerset Co. N.J.
Affidavits in his case.
James D. Randolph Agent

State of New Jersey } Middlesex County } On this 14th day May, one thousand eight hundred & thirtyfive, before me a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, personally appeared Adam Bellis, Known to me to be a credible person, whose state- ment is entirely to his credit, who being duly sworn on his oath saith, that he is well acquainted with Peter Worhee, the applicant for a pension named in the foregoing paper, knew him thro' out the war of the Revolution, served with him often, belonged to the same battalion with him, but not to the same company, and therefore cannot enter into a particular specifica- tion of his services. Recollects him well & distinctly, however, in each and every year of the war from 1776 to its termination in 1783, knows that he served several times of a month each, in each and every year, that he was a true Whig, and a good Sol- dier. Has no doubt that he served in all more than two years in actual service in the field. Said Worhee had a brother a Captain in the mi- litia, who was killed pretty early in the war. The family of Worhees were all brave and efficient soldiers, and served their country faithfully. Said Worhee is a highly respect- able man, and every statement he may make under oath is implicitly to be relied upon. Subscribed known to me } Adam Bellis day 14th of May aforesaid Peter B. Duryon Justice of the Peace }

Note of John Frazier On this sixteenth day of May 1894 Midp. County Pa. before me a Justice of the Peace in and for the county of Pennsylvania appeared David Voo- heer, known to me to be a person of credibility, whose state- ment is worthy of credit, who being duly sworn, on his oath saith that he is a soldier of the Revolution in the receipt of a pension as such, that he is well acquainted with Peter Worhees of- ficer, the foregoing named officer for a period of years him well in the war of the Revolution lived throughout the war within four or five miles of him - knows of his services in the war - served with him frequently - knows that said Worhees was zealously engaged for his country from the com- mencement to the end of the war - that he belonged to the company of Capt. Smith, and served under him at the cap- tains. Knows that he was among the very first to turn out in 1776 when the enemy were expected from the north, and that he continued to serve during that year & every other year to the peace of '83, all his regular tours, as well as upon extraordinary occasions. Is very safe in saying that said Worhees did from four to six tours a year in almost every year up to his including '81, and more than two years service in all. Indeed, in his firm conscientious belief, no man who was able to do duty, & was a true Whig, who lived in that part of New Jersey which furnished the troops to "guard the lines" or it was called, on the eastern border, could have performed less than four to three years actual service in the field. He knows that said Worhees was such a man.
Subscribed & sworn to the say I year aforesaid, before me Peter P. Runyon Justice of the Peace
David Vooheer Gen

State of New Jersey Middlesex County I, Nicholas Booram Clerk of the County aforesaid do hereby certify that the Police P. Runyon before whom the foregoing affidavits of Adam Bellin & David Voorhees for new trial is a true bill of the dead in and for said County duly commissioned therein, and that the signature of said Justice attached to said affidavits is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this twenty first day of May in the year one thousand eight hundred & thirty four N Booram Clerk