Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 10,848, James Vandeventer, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
New Jersey
Vandeventer, James or Vandeventer
R 10,848
CONTENTS

State of New York } County of Livingston } S.S.
On this twenty eighth day of October A. one thousand eight hundred and fifty two, personally appeared before the undersigned, Special Commissioner, Thomas Vanderwater, a resident of the town of Mendon, in the County and State aforesaid, aged 88 years, the 12 th day of April, last, 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 March 7 th 1832. That he belonged to the Company commanded by Captain Isaac Addis, in the Regiment of Mendon Key Militia, commanded by Col. Thomas Nelson; that his service commenced, as he believes in the summer of 1779, in the sixteenth year of his age, and continued more than 18 months, but from age and bodily infirmity he cannot now remember times and dates as he could in former years — He served as a private all the time of his service; though he frequently had to guide and direct scouting parties. — He lived during the whole term of his service about six miles from New Brunswick, where the British lay a considerable time, and kept the neighborhood in constant alarm. He remembers once marching to Woodbridge to prevent the British from crossing over; — afterwards went on a scouting party to Spottsylvania, the residence of Thomas Agder, the Jersey Spy; went to catch him, but did not get him that time; caught

him afterwards however, and hunting him at Dan- ton New Jersey - since not remembered. - Was often engaged guarding the Island, at the confluence of the Raritan and South Rivers, then called Long- fields, since Wickoff's Island - once during his Service the British had possession of the Island, and Col. - Nelson and Captain Gerlick took one hundred of them prisoners there. - once when he was at Woodbridge, and there was a company of militia men there, there was an alarm one dark night, "that the British were come ;" - from constant exposure he had become habitually watchful, and that time was lying on his arms; he threw out immediately, and none of his company being ready he went a few steps to the house where the militia men were quartered, and found them paraded; he join- them, thinking if any fighting was to be done, that he would have a hand in it - directly two men came on horseback and quieted the alarm; - where the Capt. of the militia men ordered them back to their quarters, but that they stood still on their arms. - He then went back to the house where the company was quartered, to which he belonged, and found them groping about in the dark, hunting for their shoes and arms. He was often on scouting parties watching the Tories, and foraging parties of the British; there was one of those scouting parties of the New Jersey Militia, staying one night at the house of Old Captain Prevost , when some Brit- ish horsemen rode up, and looking in

at the windows, one of them asked in a loud voice "are there any damn'd rebels here?" — It was the last question he ever asked, for Billy Prescott, the Old Captain's daughter commanded a boy who was leaning on his musket, to shoot the red coats; he immediately fired through the window and tumbled the dragon off his horse — There was a negro stripped him of his uniform, and afterwards deserted to the Tories and joined the British; as soon as they found that he had killed their comrade, then they whipped him in military style, which so enraged the negro, that he deserted again, came back to the Whigs , and was there ever afterwards. — The bullet hole through the window at Old Capt. Prescott's, was to be seen for many years afterwards. — Once in the immediate neighborhood, where he was in service, a scouting party of the British, led by an old Tory killed Captain Rootes after they had taken him prisoner; the declarant has often seen the blood of Capt. Rootes, on the fence where they murdered him; and it was to prevent as far as possible such scenes as this, and to prevent the Tories from furnishing supplies to the British, that he, and the company to which he belonged were almost constantly engaged, day and night for some eighteen months as he believes; — he thinks he was in service longer than his brother

John Vandewater, who (as he has heard) received a pension many years. — Besides the Captain, of the Company to which he belonged, he remembers of said Company, Lieutenant John Miserall, and privates, Peter Gannett, William De Hart, Jeremiah Voorhies, — Rouliff Voorhies, John De Hart, was the quartermaster, Vincent De Hart, Abram Vandewater, John Corneling, John Burst, Jonathan Burst and David Burst, Jasper Harmer, George Harmer and Peter Corneling, John Voorhies, Samuel Clagnaz, Nicholas Miserall, John Van Sant, Peter Buechler, John Buechler, Abram Buechler, and Frederick Buechler; but he does not know that there is one of them now living, of whom he can avail himself as a witness. He further declares on his oath as aforesaid that he has no written discharge or other written evidence of his services. — He was not, during his services in any of the great Battles, of the country; but in many skirmishes with marauding parties of the British and Tories; that part of the country in which he lived, being an almost constant scene of conflict.
He 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; — nor on any pay roll, never having received any pay for his services as aforesaid. — James Vandewater
Whom to me subscribe the day and year aforesaid. And the said —

Special Commissioner as aforesaid here by de- clares that he has been personally acquaint- ed with the above named applicant for twenty five years, and believes that he was a Revolution- ary Soldier, soldier and served as he states; - And in conformity to the rules of the Pension office, the said Commissioner propounds the following interrogatories to the above Subscribed applicant, which he answers under oath as aforesaid; - The answers to which, the said Special Commissioner has cause to be written, and herewith transmits to the department.
1 st Where, and in what year, were you born?
A. In Middlesex County New Jersey, on the 12 th day of April, A.D. 1764.
2 nd Have you any record of your age? And if so, where is it?
A. There was a family record of my age, but I have not known anything a- bout it for many years.
3 rd Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the revolutionary war; and where do you now live?
A. Six miles South of New Brunswick New Jersey; - Several years next after the war, on the old homestead near New Brunswick, whence removed to Cayuga County New York, and from there to my present residence in Livingston County New York A.D. 1824, or 5.
4 th How were you called into service; were you - draughted; did you volunteer, or were you a substitute; and, if a substitute, for whom?
A. I volunteered in the fifteenth or sixteenth year of my age; One month

of my services was as a substitute for my brother Abram, and the balance of my time was for myself and on my own account.
5 th 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 service.
A. I do not remember any other officers or men than those mentioned in the body of my declaration, nor any other circumstances of my service than those already mentioned; but my memory has failed very much in the last few years.
6 th Did you ever receive a discharge from the service; and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
A. I never received any written discharge from the service, that I now remember.
7 th 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.
A. Garret V. W. Hook of this County, and Elisha Whipple Esq. There is no minister near, who has been acquainted with me many years.

And the undersigned Special Commissioners, further certifies the James Vanderwater, the above subscribed applicant, is from age, and bodily infirmity unable to appear in open court to make his declaration.
Elisha Whipple Special Commissioners.
State of New York, County of Livingston ss.
On this twenty eighth day of October A.D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty two, personally appeared before the undersigned a Justice of the Peace, within and for the County and State aforesaid, Garret T. W. Cook, aged about forty four years, and  years  aged a resident of the Town of West Sparta, County of Livingston and State of New York, and of the neighborhood of James Vanderwater the above declarant; to me well known, who being first duly sworn according to law, on his oath declares, that he is well acquainted with James Vanderwater, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; and that he has been acquainted with him for years that he believes him to be eighty eight years of age; that he is reputed and believes, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution; and that he concurs in that opinion. Garret T. W. Cook

Sworn and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid and the undersigned fully concurs, in opinion with the above Subscri- bed Gerrit V. Cook
Elisha Whipple
justice of the Peace, within and for the County of Livingston and State of New York.
State of New York, Livingston County Clerk's office
I, Israel G. Root, Clerk of the Courts of Livingston County, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original pro- ceedings of the Special Commissioners, in the matter of the application of James Vanderwerker, for a pension. That I am well acquainted with the handwriting of Elisha Whipple, the Special Commissioner and justice of the Peace above Subscribed, and that the signatures a- bove are his genuine signatures, and that he is entitled to full credit, and confidence in his official acts, as above, by him Subscribed. —
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of office, this first day of November A.D. 1852.
Israel G. Root clerk

Appointment of Special Commission Elisha Whipple

State of New York County of Livingston S.S.
I know all men, that, whereas; it hath been represented to the undersigned, County Judge of the County of Livingston and State of New York; that James Vandeventer, a Soldier of the Revolutionary war; - and Silas Barker, an invalid, of the war with Great Britain, declared by the United States on the 18 th day of June A.D. 1812; are entitled to pension from the United States; and, that from age, bodily infirmity &c. they are unable to appear, before the undersigned in open Court, to make their required declaration: Now, therefore, in conformity with the laws of Congress, and the rules of the Pension Office; I hereby constitute and appoint, Elisha Whipple Esq r . of Nunda, in said County of Livingston and State aforesaid; Special Commissioner , to take the declarations of Messrs. James Vandeventer, and Silas Barker, as aforesaid.
Given under my hand officially this 13 th day of September A.D. 1852.
Scott Lord Livingston County Judge
State of New York Livingston County Clerk's office I hereby certify that Scott Lord is County Judge of said County & that the signature above is his genuine signature
In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and official seal at Geneseo in said County this 13 th day of Sept 1852
Israel G. Root Clerk of Livingston Co.

REJECTED
10848 P. O. James Vanderwerker
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18 .
Discharged: _____, 18 .
Application filed: _____, 18 .
Alleges: _____ _____
Re-enlisted: _____ _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____ _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18 .

Nov. 16, 1853.
Re quest to re- ly admin ation in case of as. I am severer, and contingent appear to Secy. In time.
Jas. L. Street, N. Brunswick, N. J. under Dec r , 1853. — Then Mount Morris, Livingston
N. Y.
(Vertical text, likely bleed-through from the reverse side of the page) Division B.R. Washington D.C. Comm. on the
(Vertical text, likely bleed-through from the reverse side of the page) (Official business)

No. 38,627
James Vanderventer. New York.
James L. Street. Octo 10 1853 Same Nov 25 1853 Secretary of the Interior Dec. 12. 1853.
108218
Act June 7 1832

New Brunswick New Jersey December 1 st 1853.
Hon. R. W. re Callane Secretary of the Interior, Sir.
Enclosed please find letter from the Hon. Commissioner of Pensions; in this case, the undersigned is compelled by a sense of justice to his client, to appeal from the decision of Commissioner Waldo, which he therefore does on the ground, that the Hon. Commissioner has erred in the construe- tion of the evidence in the case, proving service and length of service; and the undersigned would refer your Hon. Specially , to Vandeventer's Declaration, to the affidavits of Jonathan Bo- rost and his wife, to the Certificate of Secretary Allison, and to the letter of the 14 th of November ultimo, from the undersigned to the Commissioner.
The undersigned has never before, so far differed in opinion with the Hon. Commissioner, as to constrain him to an appeal, but in this case he cannot but believe, that his Hon. has taken a wrong view of the evidence, contained in the papers, a careful consideration of which, by your Hon. is asked, by, Most Respectfully, Yours.
James L. Street Attorney.
Hon. R. W. Callane Secy of the Interior Washington, D.C.

Department of the Interior Washington Dec 13th 1853.
Sir:-
Your decision upon the claim of James Vanderwerker, for a Pension for revolutionary services under the act of June 7. 1832, has been affirmed; and the papers accompanying your report, are herewith returned to your office.
I am, respectfully, Your obedient Servant
W. W. McLane Secretary
Hon: L. P. Waldo Commissioner of Pensions

Pension Office Nov. 25 th 1833.
Sir,
I have re-examined the claim of James Vanderwater of N.Y. and am constrained to adhere to my decision as expressed in my letter of the 10 th ult. If you desire to take an appeal, you must do so by a letter to the Secretary of the Interior.
Very Respectfully D. M. Waldo Commissioner
James B. Hunt Esq. New Brunswick. N.J.

Mr Boke says P.O. is New Brun- swick NJ

P.O. Mt. Morris, N.Y. Oct 29 th /53.
Hon. S.P. Waldo.
Dear Sir:
The enclosed letter addressed to James L. Street, who has moved away and had not resided here for some time. I return to you according to the instructions of the P.O. Department.
Respectfully H. Clark P.M. by C.W. Thomas Deputy

New Brunswick, New Jersey, Sept. 17 th 1853. Hon. J. P. Weld, Commissioner &c
Sir,
Please find enclosed, the declaration of Anne Vanderwater, for pension under the Act of June 7 th 1832. This declaration was made before a Special Commissioners, because the applicant was unable to go to the Judge, or the Judge to him, they were both sick, and twenty miles apart; and in no other way could he at the time have made his declaration, this practice has been sanctioned by the department, in some cases for many years, and has this advantage, that a Justice of the Peace, who is a neighbor, is much more capable of determining, as to the credibility of an applicant and his witnesses, than the Judge, or court, that perhaps never heard of the parties until they appear before them; This is substantially your own view, as presented to me, before I left Washington, in the suspended case, of Bethiah Dennison, heir of Edward Cairns, when I also mentioned this case. — I can imagine but one cause of objection, to the allowing of this case; viz; want of sufficient age, at the time of his service; I would respectfully refer, for an answer

to any such objection, to Vol. 1 st page 60, of the Journals of the Legislative Council of New Jersey, under date of March 7 th 1822, where there is a express provision for the employment, of Minors &c, in a military capacity; the work referred to, is published, and is I suppose, in several of the Libraries in Washington.
It will be found on examination, that every thing necessary is proved, except the length of his services, for which, I respectfully refer, to the papers, in the case of Captain Simon Addis; (See pension rolls of Middlesex County New Jersey) in the case of John Vandecuter, the brother of James, (See Do.) And please notice he says, that he served longer than his brother John, — in the case of David Provost, (See Do.) And in the case of Peter Bucclear, (See pension rolls of Northumberland County Pennsylvania) I would suggest, that he must have served at least eighteen months, to impress so strongly on his mind, the names, of so many of the Company, with none of whom he has associated, for more than half a century. — I have had the certificate of the Clerk of Middlesex County, as to the time when James Vandecuter sold his land attached, for the purpose of showing the correctness of the recollection of

Jonathan and Catharine Provost.
I hope there will be neither difficulty nor delay, in admitting this Case, for the old gentleman can never receive much more, than the amount first paid to him. — I have learned all about the case of Sarah Britton, of Trenton New Jersey; and have to request, that it remain in Statu quo , until I return to Washington; — "A friend to Justice", the told, just a little truth, in his letter in that case. — Most respectfully Yours, &c.
James L. Street.
Hon. J. P. Waldo, Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.

Letter from Attorney Street, in the Pension Claim of Anna Vandewater under the act of June 7 th 1832.
Address New Brunswick New Jersey, until Decem- ber, 1832, then Mount Morris, Livingston County New York.

New Brunswick New Jersey November 14 th 1853.
Hon. H. Waldo, Com. of pensions,
Dear Sir,
In the pension case, of James Vandeventer, under the act, of June 7 th 1832, the report of examination and suspension, is received.
It appears to the undersigned, that the case is suspended, not for the want of merit, or proof, but because of the awkward manner , in which the declaration is drawn, if this be so, I am truly sorry the old soldier's case did not fall into more skillful hands.
It is first assumed by the examiner in this case, that Vandeventer could not have performed Revolutionary Service, because, "he failed to assert a claim, until all the witnesses were dead, by whom his service could be proved." On this, please indulge me in the following suggestions; First; The assumption notice above is not fair; because, it involves the following propositions, viz: That all , who were entitled, under the act, of June 7 th 1832, had, previous to the 1 st of November, 1852, made application, that James Vandeventer had knowledge of the existence of the law; and, that he was in a situation to avail himself of the evidence of living witnesses. Now, what are the facts? Hundreds who were entitled under the act, of June 7 th 1832, never made application, even where proof of service was already on file in the Pension office; for example, many of those who were pensioners under the act, of March 18 th 1818, and were suspended under the act, of May 1 st 1820, became again entitled, under the act, of June 7 th 1832 (amended).

never applied; there were several cases of the kind, in this County, the facts of which, are in my possession. Asa Thomas and John Hoagland are two of them; Thomas lived until 1844, and Hoagland died in this city last May, yet neither of them ever asserted a claim under said act, although they were repeatedly urged to do so, by pension agents here; another example, is that of Levi Munday, the only male, Revolutionary Pensioner now living in this County; he did not make application for many years, after he knew he was entitled, although within the time, he was frequently a witness for others, at least, so he tells me.
But, again; the assumption that Vandevanter had knowledge of the law, is not fair ; because, if so, then such did, illiterate farmers, would be more apt, to know of the existence of a law of Congress, than the Common County lawyers, and it is notorious, that not one in twenty of this latter class knows anything definitely, of National legislation; — But suppose he knew of the law, and that he was entitled to pension under it; was he in a situation to avail himself of the testimony of living witnesses, by whom to prove his service? — What are the facts? About the year 1796, he removed from the State of New Jersey, to Cayuga County New York, and thence, some seven years before the passage of the act, to Livingston County, in the same State, and has never been in the State of New Jersey since. I have no copy of the pension rolls, but venture the guess, from my acquaintance with the inhabitants of Livingston County, N.Y., that there have never been three Pensioners of that County, who were of the New Jersey

Militia, or line, in the Revolutionary war; much less, of Middlesex County, and of the same service in which he was engaged; If I am mistaken in this, you have in the Pension rolls, the means of correcting the error, and ascertaining the facts.
But, I wish to place the case on stronger grounds; — It is positively proved that he served in the Revolution, (for, I find no objection as to identity) first, by his own declaration, which is certified by his neighbors, to be worthy of belief, and is therefore prima facie , in his favor; Secondly, the certificate of the Secretary of State, of New Jersey, and third, by the testimony of the living witnesses, Jonathan and Catharine Provost; — but, there is yet stronger testimony, not only that he served, but that he served as long as he declares; Look at it; He mentions the names of some twenty men, of the same company, and who are certified by the Secretary of State, to have been of the Middlesex Militia; — now, there are but two ways, in which such knowledge could be obtained, and fixed in the mind, one, by long service with the men remembered, and named, as in his case, for here observe that fifty five years have passed since he associated with these men; and the other, by an acquaintance with the men, at the time of their service, and a long association with them afterwards, as in the case of the witnesses, Jonathan and Catharine Provost; And this is not only true, as to a knowledge of men, but of facts also, as presented in the declaration of Vanderventer, and reasserted in the testimony, of Jonathan, and Catharine Provost.
B. A. again; it is assumed in the re-

turn, that he could not have served as he states, because Captain Addis served only one year; if this be so, how did he obtain a pension of $369.97 per annum? By serving in some other capacity, as a matter of course, and Vandeventer nowhere says, that he served only as long as Addis was Captain ; they may both have been in the company commanded by Capt. Gulick, or Voorhees, or Van Winkle, or any other. — Again; it is assumed, in the return, that he could not have served as he declares, because he served with his brother John, and only so long as John served in Addis' Company, which was three months; — I cannot conceive where the examiner found such an idea, certainly not among the evidence in the case; for John Vandeventer served not only three , but over sixteen months; and James declares expressly, that he believes, he served longer than his brother John; and be it observed, that when his declaration was written, his attorney had never seen the pension rolls, nor did he, or James Vandeventer, know, that his brother John had ever received a pension, much less the amount; all the information I have on the subject, was obtained from the public copies of the rolls in your office, in the month of July last; while examining there, I found, of the names, mentioned by Vandeventer, (of their identity I know nothing) Captain Simon Addis, at $369.97 — of John Vandeventer, at $66.00, — of Abram Vandeventer, for whom James declares he served sometime as a substitute, (in what company was that?) See Abram Vandeventer's declaration; — of David Provost, at $80.00 of John Buccelow, at $30.00, — of Frederick Buccelow, at $25.33 per annum, all of Middlesex County,

and also, John Vansant, of Somerset county New Jersey, at $80,000, and at $3300, and also Peter Breckler, of Northumberland County Pennsylvania, at $96,000 per annum, with all of whom, (if they are the same men) James Van- deventer must have been in service many months, or he could not, after the lapse of more than half a century, remember them as he does. His tes- timony would certainly be good, if they were now applying for pension, instead of him; Why not then, take the fact of their being pensioners, (if they were justly entitled) as evidence in his favor?
For they being dead, yet testify, through their declarations, (which you well know, neither James Vandeventer nor his attorney ever saw) as strongly in his favor, as any thing he says could be con- strued to favor them; and it should indeed have more weight in the decision of the case, be- cause all possibility of collusion is avoid- ed.
In view, then, of all the ascer- tained facts of the case, the conclusion forces itself upon the mind, either that James Van- deventer served as he declares, or, that he pos- sesses such a miracle of knowledge, as has not existed elsewhere, since the days of the Prophets. I therefore respectfully ask you, a careful reexamination of the case, and if on such reexamination, your Honor cannot grant said Vandeventer a pension, I then respectfully request, that the case be sent, (with this communication, to the Hon. Secretary of the Interior, as an appeal on the ground of error, in the consideration of the evidence. — I remain Most Res- pectfully, with much esteem,
James A. Street, Atty. e- for James Vandeventer.

I know all men by these presents, that I, James Vandewater, of Hunsda, in the County of Livingston and State of New York, a Revolutionary Soldier, of the State of New Jersey, do hereby constitute and appoint James D. Dheel, my true and lawful attorney, for me, and in my name, to procure, and receive from the United States, the pension to which I am entitled, for my revolutionary services as aforesaid.
Witness my hand and Seal, thirteenth day of October A. D. 1852.
Sealed and delivered
in presence of
Laurens R. Beach
Elisha Whipple
State of New York
County of Livingston
Be it known, that on the 28 day of October A. D. 1852, before the Subscriber, a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, duly authorized by law to administer oaths, personally appeared James Vandewater, above named, and acknowledged the foregoing power of attorney to be his act and deed. — In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand the day and year last above mentioned.
Elisha Whipple
Justice of the Peace, within and for the County of Livingston and State of New York.

STATE OF NEW-YORK, LIVINGSTON COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE. } ss.
I CERTIFY, That Elisha Whipple Esquire, was, at the date of the Certificate of proof or acknowledg- ment of the annexed instrument in writing, a Justice of
The peace
in and for said County, duly authorized to take the same; that I am well acquainted with his hand-writing, and verily believe that the sig- nature to said certificate is genuine. And that the annexed instrument is executed and acknowledged according to the laws of this State.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of said County, this first day of Nov A. D. 185 2
Israel D. Root Clerk.

State of New Jersey
I Thomas Allison Secretary of State of the State of New Jersey do hereby certify that it appears from the records of this Office that Capt. Simon Addis commanded a Company of New Jersey Militia in the Revolutionary war; that said Company belonged to the County of Middlesex and consisted of seventy three men; that the records of this Office do not show, to what Company a soldier of the Militia belonged, nor the length of his service. And I do further certify that the names of the following persons appear upon our records as belonging to the Middlesex militia viz: Simon Addis, John Mesperele, William D. Hart, Roeloff Voorhees, John D. Hart, James Vanderwerker, John Cornelius, John Vorost, Jasper Farmer, Peter Cornelius, John Voorhees, Samuel Sagarius, Nicholas Mesperele, John Buckalew, Abram Buckalew, Frederick Buckalew and John Vanderwerker, and that it does not appear that there was any other James Vanderwerker, who served in the Militia of this State in the Revolutionary war, than the one who belonged to Middlesex county.
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of my Office at Trenton this twentieth day of August. Eighteen hundred & fifty three.
Thos. Allison
Sec. of State.

State of New Jersey, County of Middlesex, ss.
Be it known, that before me, a Justice of the Peace, in and for the County of Middlesex and State of New Jersey, personally appeared Jonathan Provost, to me well known, who being sworn according to law, on his oath declares, that he is in the eighty-sixth year of his age; that he is the Son of Jonathan Provost, who was a member of Capt. Simon Addis' Company, of Revolutionary, New Jersey Militia; — That he was born in the Township of North Brunswick, about Six miles South of the City of New Brunswick, and has lived in the immediate neighborhood ever since; That he was personally well acquainted with Amos, and Abram, and John Winderouter; that they were brothers, the Sons of Jacobus and Elizabeth Winderouter, who lived on a farm adjoining his father's farm; That from his own recollections, of many incidents of the Revolution, as well as from the conversation of his father and others; he knows that Amos Winderouter, the brother of John Winderouter, and the only man of the name, who lived in Middlesex County, until many years after the close of the Revolutionary war, was a member of Captain Addis' Company; Among the incidents that he remembers, was the loss of a blanket, in an old Dutch barn, by his father; The shooting of the British dragoon at his Grandfather, whose name was also Jonathan Provost, and who had been a Captain in the Old French war; That he knows well where the dragoon was buried, and now owns the land, or rather the swamp in which they put him; he also knew the man

well, who wore out the Dragon's jacket. He knew the whole family of Voorhees'es; and remembers well the massacre of Capt. Peter Voorhees, by the British — He remembers to have heard, at the time it occurred, of the capture and execution of Amos Ogden, though it was kept a secret as possible, on account of the effect it might have on his family, and his brothers, who were officers, in the Continental Army; his family however, soon found it out, and hired one William Cuyvood, whose brother John, was a member of Capt. Addis' Company, and helped to catch, and hang, and bury Ogden; — to dig him up at Trenton and take him home to Spitts-wood; — Cuyvood sickened and died very soon afterwards, from infection taken, (as was supposed at the time) from Ogden's body. —
He further declares on his oath as aforesaid, that Amos Vanderkutter, sold the land on which he lived, in the town of North Brunswick, adjoining the land, on which he (the deponent) then lived, and now lives, about the year 1796, and removed, as he has always understood, to the State of New York, and has never, so far as he knows or believes, been in the State of New Jersey since. — He further declares on his oath as aforesaid, that from his own recollection of the men and times, as well as from his acquaintance with the men after the war; he knows that all the men whose names are mentioned in the declaration, of Amos Vanderkutter, which has been read to him, and many others, were members of Captain Addis' Company; they lived all around him, and many of them have been living within a few years past, but there is not now, so far as he knows or be-

liedes, one of them left; — He remembers a- bout the time, that James Vandeventer left the County; by the time of his (the deponent's) marriage, and events that followed. — He further declares on his oath as aforesaid, that he has no interest in any claim against the United States, in which this deposition can be used; and fur- ther this deponent saith not.
Jonathan his mark Provost
Sworn and Subscribed before me, this 13 th day of September, in the year 1863.
Richard M c Dowell Justice of the Peace
Also, at the same time and place, personally ap- peared before me, Catharine Provost, wife of the above Subscribed Jonathan Provost, to me well known, who being duly sworn according to law, on her oath declares; that she is in the eighty first year of her age; — That she is the daughter of David Provost, who was a member of Captain Viney Aldis' Company, of New Jersey Militia, in the war of the Revolution; That her father lived, and she was born, and has always lived within one and a half miles, of the farm, on which Old Jacobus Vandeventer lived during the Revolutionary war; That she was personal- ly well acquainted with the Brothers John, Adam, and James Vandeventer, and always un- derstood and believed, that they were all members of Captain Aldis' Company; — She well remembers many incidents of the Revolution; — There was a song made on the death of Capt. Peter Vobrees, which she knew, and two lines of which were, "Hoping and praying, and asking for grace,

The very first stroke took his nose from his face". She knew very well where the British Soldier was buried who was shot at her Grandfather Jonathan Provost's, and was always, when a child, afraid to go past the place. — She has always believed the report, of James Ogden's capture and execution, though at the time there was but little said about it — remembers William Caywood, who took Ogden up, and remembers his death; — She further declares, on her oath as aforesaid, that she knew no other James Windwinter, who was a man when she was a child, but the brother of John and Abram, and that he left the State of New Jersey, as she very well knows, about the year 1796, and that she has never seen him since, but has always understood and believed, that he was living in the State of New York; — She further declares on her oath as aforesaid, that she has no interest in any claim against the United States, in which this affidavit can be used.
Catharine Provost
Sworn to and subscribed before me, this day of September, A.D. 1853. And I hereby certify, that Jonathan Provost, and Catharine Provost, the above subscribed affiants, are entitled to full credit in their statements above made; and that they have no interest legal, or equitable in the claim, in which this instrument is to be used.
Richard M c Dowell Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Middlesex, and State of New Jersey.

State of New Jersey } County of Middlesex } ss.
Be it known, that on this fifteenth day of September, in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty three, personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace, in and for the County aforesaid, Elizabeth Vandewater, to me well known who being duly sworn according to law, on her oath declares; that she is the daughter of Abram Vandewater, formerly of Middlesex County, in the State of New Jersey; That her father had two brothers, John Vandewater, who died in New Brunswick New Jersey, and James Vandewater, who moved from Middlesex County New Jersey, to Cayuga County New York; That she visited her uncle James Vandewater in Cayuga County New York, in the year 1817, - where he was then living; - that she has not seen him since, but has frequently heard from him, from Livingston County New York; where he was living and well, when she last heard from him, which has been, during this summer; and further this Deponent saith not. Elizabeth Vandewater
Sworn to, and subscribed before me, the day and year above written, and I hereby certify that the above subscribed deponent, is worthy of full credit and confidence, in her deposition above, subscribed; and that I have no interest, legal or equitable, in any claim against the United States, in which

the within affidavit can be used
Peter P. Weyman Justice of the Peace
State of New Jersey I certify that Richd McDowell and Peter Middlesex County P L Weyman whose genuine signatures appear above are Justices of the Peace in & for the County of Middlesex duly commissioned & sworn & I further certify that I have no interest of any description in any claim against The United States in which the within affidavits can be used Witness my hand & seal of office at New Brunswick this sixteenth (16) day of September A.D. Eighteen Hundred & fifty three N. Boorame Clerk of Mid Co
I certify that there is recorded in my office a copy of conveyance made by one James Van Deventer & his wife Mary to one Bennet Marshall dated April 6 th A.D. 1796 conveying to said Marshall a tract of land situated in North Brunswick, Middlesex County, New Jersey, containing as appears from the record of said deed, Eighty five acres and Twenty Eight Hundredths of an acre more or less, said deed is recorded in Book of deeds No 5 of said County page 550 &c and I further certify that there is no other conveyance upon record previous to 1805 made by James Van Deventer
N. Boorame
Dated at New Brunswick in N.J. this 17 th day of September A.D. 1853,
Clerk of Mid Co in N.J.