Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 6296, Henry Vail, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey
Wail, Henry
L. 6296
Scared
CONTENTS

4213
Let to Hn. J.W. McLean Aug 11. 1842.
New Jersey
Henry Vail
of _____ in the State of New Jersey who was a Pn t Ensign in the Company commanded by Captain Sully — of the Reg t commanded by Col Ford — in the New Jersey line for Ensign 1 Year — $120.00 Private 10 mo — 33.33 $153.33
Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey at the rate of 153 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 15 th day of June and 1833 and put to Gen. L. Conduct. Army Rep.
Arrears to 14th of Sept. 1832 — $229.99 Semimont. allowance ending 4 Mo in 1833 — 76.66 $306.65
{ Revolutionary Claim, { Not June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Viral Luce Clerk Book D Vol. 4 Page 181

Henry Vail.
No 4624
1 W th in the same - 1500. Pr.
153.33 per am

DECLARATION, IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE BENEFIT OF THE ACT OF CONGRESS, PASSED JUNE 7, 1832.
STATE OF NEW-JERSEY, County of Morris
Morris Com. Plas, special term, July & August 1832. ss.
On this Eighth day of July  August 1832. personally appeared, in open court, before the judges of the Superior
the court of Common Pleas of Morris County , now sitting Allen Neil — a resident of Harnady Township in the County of Morris  assisted and State of New-Jersey, aged seventy eight 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 he was born the eighth day of July 1754 in the township of Harnady aforesaid, and as has a record of his age in his family bible — That in March A. D. 1776, he enlisted  entered in the militia as a volunteer, in a Regiment commanded by Col. Jacob Ford . That Sylvanus Seely was his Captain and John Doughty his Major, and performed duty, in the said regiment for one month, as a monthly tour — That his Regiment was stationed in the city of New York to defend the city from the attacks of the British man of war called the Asia — That at the expiration of the month, Maj. Doughty discharged the Battalion from that tour, and at the same time read to the soldiers a letter he ( Maj. Doughty ) had received from the Commanding officer at Amboy , requesting him to come to that place with his Battalion and hold that Fort as the term of service of his men had expired, and he could not prevail upon others to remain — That Maj. Doughty with part of his Battalion including Capt. Seely & their adjutant went to Amboy and remained there and held the fort for one or two weeks — That he was verbally discharged by Maj. Doughty . He can prove these services by Thomas Cobb and Abraham Fairchild , the able witnesses of the County of Morris aforesaid — That afterwards, in the month of July A. D. 1776 he enlisted  entered as a volunteer and served for five months in a company commanded by Capt. Josiah Hall in the Battalion Regiment commanded by Col. Bott , at Bergen in the State of New Jersey — Recollects receiving while at Bergen the intelligence of the declaration of Independence, which was celebrated as the camp on the eighth day of July — Can prove the last mentioned service by the said Thomas Cobb — That afterwards he enlisted  entered as a volunteer for one month in Capt. Josiah Hall's Company in the Regiment commanded by Col. Bott , and served in the said company at Elizabeth Town for its defense, to prevent the British Troops, who were then in possession of Staten Island , from pillaging the town. This was as he believes, at or near the time, when the British, after the battle of Long Island, went to West Chester , took fort Washington & Fort Lee & then ran the Jerrison . — It was a dark day — & he, for a short time felt like as tho' all was gone — the only time he ever entertained a doubt of the successful issue of the struggle. — In January or February 1777, he performed one month's militia service under Capt. Jos. Hall , Col. Jacob Ford . was stationed at Connecticut Farms . The British had possession of Elizabeth Town . was on guard duty, protecting the inhabitants from being plundered. — A large body of militia from Morris , Essex , & the neighboring Counties , assembling with us, an attack was planned to drive them from the town, which succeeded, under command of Genl. Dickinson . Took a big or a redoubt, lying on the creek at Blanchards dock , laden with enemy's stores — clothing, blankets, shoes &c.
In October or Nov. 1777, he performed another tour in Monmouth County . — Had a skirmish with the enemy, British & refugees or Greencoats , at Shark river inlet . They landed from a frigate, to destroy the salt works, but were repulsed & driven off. — Capt. Huddy of the artillery was there, with a piece of artillery, & a company of Light Dragoons from Coldenham . Disson's company was commanded by (he cannot remember) Capt. Huddy commanded the whole. — In the summer or fall following of the same year as he thinks, — he performed another tour under Capt. Hall , on guard duty at Newark , protecting inhabitants from plunder &c. was quartered in a barn owned by a Mr. Batsche at the north end of Market street . It probably was in summer, as the Muscogees were very troublesome on the Manhans , which we stood ready to defend. The New England troops were at Newark also. —

In April 1778, He enlisted or engaged in Bucks County Pennsylvania, with a Gershon Johnson, a Major in the Foreign Department in the United States service, to do duty in said service for one year, as a Captain over twelve Teams & wagons. Took the oath of allegiance to the United States, & to be faithful to the trust reposed in me as an officer in the service & employ of the U. States. (See Caleb Ward's deposition hereto annexed).
Military stores were kept at Morris town of clothing, shoes, - provisions & munitions of war of various kinds, which were transported from thence to various points, as the wants of the Army required. I was employed some three or four months, in conveying such stores from Morris town to New Windsor, at the head of my teams. Trenton was the principal rendezvous of the Brigade of Waggons, being also the principal Depot of provisions & military stores. These stores were conveyed from thence to the several points where the Army was located. He was sent on one occasion from Valley Forge in Pennsylvania, with the baggage of Genl. Washington's Army, crossed the Delaware at Borill's ferry thro' to Monmouth, just before Monmouth battle. - Deponent had in charge the whole of his 12 teams, & after the battle, was employed in carrying off the wounded. Followed the main Army to N. Brunswick, - a part of it, or nearly the whole, went to the White Plains, his detachment, or part of it carrying their baggage, after which the teams were collected & rendezvoused at Trenton. - Was often sent off on orders to collect provisions whereon they could be procured in the Country, & to deposit at Trenton, from whence they were by Dept. again reloaded & sent to the Army. In this mode the year was spent, under Military discipline, subject to all the penalties & forfeitures of Military law, in the same manner & to the same extent, as those regular troops who carried their Muskets & bayonets. Believes he never recd. any written discharge, but was discharged on expiration of his term or term of enlistment. He recd. during this year the pay & emoluments of a Captain of Infantry & held the same rank.
After the above enlistment expired, he performed several regular monthly tours of Militia duty, & most of them, probably all, were performed under my former company officers, Josiah Hall Captain.
1 st . tour performed at & near Newark, the month & year not remembered - Guard duty & protecting inhabitants. The British were expected here, & was the reason of being called out. One of the New England regular troops died whilst here. Asisted in his burial. 2 nd . tour when the British came out with the Greens & Hessian & burnt the Church at Bon-Mount farms, where there was a considerable skirmish & some of the greens killed. Followed on in their rear & pursued them to Eliz. town, where they made a stand at the forks of the road below the town. Some cannonading took place on both sides, with small arms fire. Took some 15 or 20 on the Hessian prisoners, believed by Capt. Lewis Company, & some British, all of whom were secured. There was considerable blood shed. It was a sultry day. Deponent discharged 16 rounds of ball cartridges during the fight. The enemy retreated with considerable loss, leaving the Americans in possession of the field. - Deponent in course of the engagement fell into Capt. Nathaniel Randolph's company, an excellent officer; - who was shot thro' the arm, but kept command the whole day. - Deponent stood next to David Baker & Baker next to the Capt. during the fight. The commanding officer he cannot remember. 3 rd . Tour was performed at Bergen near New York City. The Enemy attempted to land at Bergen point but did not succeed. Performed guard duty here one month. During this time, one of our Regiment was killed by the accidental discharge of his gun gun, as his comrade was firing the lock. Thinks Major Hays (Back Knapp) commanded. 4 th . Tour performed on an alarm, & the Militia very generally went out. Stationed at Newark & Bergen on guard duty - out on duty perhaps not quite a month - probably 3 weeks. When on return home - remembers a pretty serious quarrel between Lieut. Johnson & Adjutant Pierson (Benjamin).
Beside his regular tours of monthly duty, he was often out on alarms, sometimes of a week, sometimes two or three, according to circumstances. On one occasion, when called to Eliz. town, the enemy had crossed from Staten Island, to Eliz. & marched by Newark to Woodbridge, now Bloomfield. Militia pursued or followed on to that place at Campbell's snuff mill, where an engagement ensued, Genl. Winder commanding. Benjamin Saltz one of Schenck's

comrades was wounded in the thigh with a cannon shot as supposed & died shortly after. The enemy was defeated & retreated to Bergen County across the Raritan river. Probably this was in 1780. It is warm weather. — He may be incorrect as regards dates, & the order in which events occurred. but the events themselves he firmly believes to be true; & can with a good conscience say, that he believes he has faithfully served his country, including his enlistment & service in the Forage Department , an entire period of two years, the for which he claims the benefits of his government. — He refers to Lewis Conditt & Richard Smith, who have known him many years, as to his character & the general belief of his having served as a soldier in the war of the revolution.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State, to wit,  on that of the Agency of the State of New Jersey
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Stephen Vail
Henry Vail
We, Lewis Conditt & Richard Smith residing in the County of Morris hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Henry Vail , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy eight years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Stephen Vail
Lewis Conditt Richard Smith
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 Lewis Conditt & Richard Smith
who have signed the preceding certificate, are resident in the County of Morris — aforesaid, and that  who have also signed the same, are resident in the and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Stephen Vail
I David Day Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Henry Vail for a pension.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this Eighth day of August in the year of our lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two
David Day
the fourth year of our

I do hereby certify to the Hon ble the Sec y of War, that I have been personally & intimately acquainted with Henry Vail, the within applicant, ever since the year 1796 - have been his family Physician for many years, & associated with him in a great variety of transactions as a neighbor & in many concerns of a business character. - I know that he stands very high in the estimation & respect of all his neighbors, & throughout the County, as a man of unspotted integrity, purity & honesty, in all his dealings. His simple word, will be taken as truth, wherever he is known. He has long been one of the Elders in the Presbyterian Church & Congregation in this place, & throughout a long life has so conducted himself, as to enjoy the confidence of all classes of society in a degree rarely falling to the lot of man any where.
Monticello New Jersey. August 4 th . 1832. -
Lewis Condick, one of the Representatives from New Jersey, in the House of Reps. of the U. States.

Reahan
6296
INVALID.
File No. 6296
Henry Vail
Ensign Port  Rev War
Act: June 7 th 1832.
Index: Vol. M , Page 387
[Arrangement of 1870.]
✓

Henry Vail, N Jersey Wk, abt June 7. 1832
At what rate and to what time, was he paid.
Died 13 th Nov 1832 p t to that period at $153.33 1 / 3
to annu
9/6
Ephraim Carnes, N Jersey Wk abt $40 pr
Annun. p t to 4 th March 1841
Be pleased to say to what date he has been paid.
Pension Office
Aug 11. 1842

Sueato Chanus Aug 10/42
My
I am under the im- puls of teaching you again. Your answer to the second was Miss Y. and, or J. Miller

State of New Jersey } Essex County S.S. }
Be it known that on the fifth day of April 1832 before me Abraham Reynolds a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County personally appeared Caleb Ward aged eight three years who being duly sworn on his oath saith that in the spring of the year 1778. at Morris Town in the State of New Jersey he was regularly enlisted in the service of the United States and continued to do duty under Captain Joseph Johnson of the Forage department for the term of three years. That he was well acquainted with Captain Henry Vail of the Forage department who was attached to the same brigade - that he has a distinct recollection of the said Captain Vail and he knows that the said Captain Henry Vail continued in the service of the United States from the spring of the year 1778. until the spring of the year 1779. and further saith not
Sworn and subscribed in the presence of me
Caleb Ward
A. Reynolds

State of New Jersey } County of Essex } ss.
I Elias Van Ansdale Junior Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in & for said County of Essex Do hereby certify That Abraham Reynolds Esquire before whom the annexed Affidavit was taken, was at the time of taking the same and now is one of the Judges of said Court, duly commissioned qualified & sworn & authorized to take the same That I am acquainted with the hand writing of said Judge and hereby declare that the signature "A Reynolds" to the said Affidavit is genuine
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name the 10th  11th day of August and affixed the Seal of said Court at Newark in the County aforesaid. the Tenth day of August A D Eighteen hundred Thirty two
E Van Ansdale Jr Clerk

Morris Com. Phila, July & August Special term 1832.
Personally appears in open Court, Thomas Cobb of said County, a credible witness, aged 72 years, who being duly sworn, saith that he has listened attentively to the reading of Henry Vail's Declaration just now read in Court, & to which this deposition is annexed, & knows that said Henry Vail performed several tours of duty, on militia service, in the war of the revolution, - that this deponent was himself in some way near said Vail on several occasions, viz: - at New York & Amboy, in Capt. Ledy's company, this deponent being himself a member of the same company. Again, he is satisfied that Mr. Vail was at the time he mentions at Bergen, when Independence was declared, being present himself. Again, he is satisfied & believes, that said Henry Vail performed a tour of duty at Newark in the fall of the year, probably 1776, this deponent being then himself upon duty at that place & saw Mr. Vail as he only believes. - Further saith not.
Sworn & subscribed in open Court, August 8 th 1832 Stephen Vail
Thomas Cobb
Personally appears in open Court, this 8 th August 1832. David Baker, of Morristown, aged 81 years, & well known to this Court as a credible witness in the County, who being duly sworn, saith that he has listened attentively to the reading of Henry Vail's Declaration herunto annexed, & well knows, that said Henry Vail was engaged in the skirmish or battle at Elizabethtown, with the enemy in the war of the revolution as stated in his Declaration, & fighting in Capt. Nathaniel Randolph's company, deponent standing next to said Randolph when he was wounded as stated by said Mr. Vail. Further he saith not.
Sworn & subscribed in open Court the date aforesaid. Stephen Vail
David Baker