Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 1139, Joseph Van Cleaf, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey
Van bleaf, Joseph
S 11139
CONTENTS
banded

9592 New Jersey
Joseph, Van Cleef of Monmouth, in the State of New Jersey who was a Pr in the Company commanded by Captain Schenk - of the Regt commanded by Col Holmes - in the New Jersey Brigade Militia
2 Yrs Pr Dragoons - $100
Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey at the rate of 100 Dollars - Rats per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 31 st day of May and sent to - 1833 J. N. Hostetter, Frankola, N.J.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 200. Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept " 50.
$ 250.
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. T. Sprague Clerk, Book Vol. 3 Page 34

At a court of Common Pleas holden at Freehold in and for the County of Monmouth and State of New Jersey of the Term of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two. Present
John Patterson } And others John Hall } Esquires William I. Borne } Judges.
Declaration of Joseph Vanclief in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7. 1832.
State of New Jersey } ss. On this thirty first day of County of Monmouth } July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared in open court, before the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the County of Monmouth and State of New Jersey now sitting, Joseph Vanclief a resident of the Township of Freehold in the County and State aforesaid, aged seventy two years on the sixth day of February last past, 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 the Field Officers were General David Forman and Colonel Asher Holmes. That he entered the Militia in the early part of the summer of the year 1775 a few months after he was fifteen years of age, and served about one year as substitute for his brother under Captain Thomas Hunn who was soon after promoted to a Major. That after the expiration of that time in the early part of the summer 1776 just before the enemy landed on Staten Island he again entered

the Militia and served for himself every other month until he joined a troop of horse sometime in the year 1777. That the Company Officers under whom he served the above term were Captain John Schenck, Samuel Carhart and Joseph Stillwell. That he then entered a company of horse called the "Light Dragoons" belonging to the Monmouth Militia, and served under Lieutenant Barnes Smock acting as Captain in the place of Captain Jacob Covenhoven (who had been a short time before taken prisoner by the the enemy) until the said Captain Jacob Covenhoven was exchanged; and returned to the command of his Company, and that then he served under the said Captain & Lieutenant until the Liberty of his country was achieved, and peace proclaimed. That he served in the Company of "Light Dragoons" every other month, from the time he first joined the said Company until the end of the war, and often two, three and four months at a time. That it is impossible for him to state with any more certainty than he has above stated, the particular time when he entered the service, nor can he specify the particular period of each engagement under the several officers above named but he always considered himself a soldier in the service of his country from the beginning of the war until the end, and he is confident that he was in actual service at least three years, exclusive of the time he served as substitute as aforesaid. That more than two years of the said actual service was as a trooper in the said Company of horse. That he resided when he entered the service, in the Township of Freehold, County of Monmouth and State of New Jersey. That he served under the drafts or calls as they were then termed, and was not a

Substitute except as above mentioned - That his marches extended from South Amboy in Middlesex County to Stafford in Monmouth County, and once to Germantown in the State of Pennsylvania. - That he was engaged in the battles of Germantown and Monmouth, and at the time of the skirmish with the fifteen hundred British and Tories, near Farnsworth's Mill, he was selected by Col: Holmes and despatched with a letter to Col: Taylor then stationed at New Brunswick, in N.J. - That he lost two horses stolen by the Tories during the war - That he received no discharge, and therefore has no documentary evidence of his service, except a few of the Pay Rolls now in the possession of Col: Barnes Smock, on which his name may be found - That he can produce the testimony of Col: Barnes Smock his old lieutenant, and others if necessary, who can testify to his service - That 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.
Sworn to and Subscribed this day and year aforesaid in open Court. John Nuce
Joseph Vanclief
We residing in the county first mentioned in the above declaration, and residing in the same place hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Joseph Vanclief who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration. That we believe him to be more than seventy two years of age; that he is respected and believed in the neighborhood where he resided, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to and Subscribed this day of A.D. 1832 in open Court.

State of New Jersey } ss. xxx xxxxx xxxxx County of Monmouth } Barnes I. Smock being duly sworn according to Law, upon his oath deposeth and saith that he is well acquainted with Joseph Vanclef the above named applicant, believes him to be of the age as he has above stated in his declaration, and that he served as therein mentioned, knows that he served at least two years during the war under his (his deponents) command in the Troop, and that he was a good soldier. and Lewis Covenhoven and John Bennet being duly sworn ac- cording to Law upon their oaths say that they are well acquainted with Joseph Vanclef who has signed and sworn to the above declaration, they believe that he is of the age and served as therein stated, that they know that he was in the Troop of horse called the Light Dragoons under the officers above named and believe that he served in said Company at least two years during the Revolutionary war and that he is a credible  person and respectable person that his declaration is entitled to credit.
No 4186
Sworn to and subscribed in open court the day and year aforesaid
Barnes I. Smock Lewis Covenhoven John L. Bennet
John Hull John M. Davison John Haddoc
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion that 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 stated. And the court further
certified that it appears to them that Barnes I. Smock Lewis Covenhoven and John L. Bennet, who have sworn to and subscribed the preceding affidavits, are surviving Soldiers of the Revolution, resident in the said County of Monmouth and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Daniel H. Ellis clerk of the court of Common Pleas of the county of Monmouth and State of New Jersey do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Joseph Vanclef for a pension.
John Patterson John Hull W. J. Browne
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this thirty first day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hun- dred and thirty two.
D. H. Ellis

No 4186
Joseph Van Cleef
21 Jan'y 1833.
Obj. 5
J. M. Hartshorne
Freehold N.J.
Admitted
2 years
Private of Dragoons
$100. —
Page 207
J. M. Hartshorne
Freehold
New Jersey
get numbers from Francis.

BRIEF in the case of  Joseph Vancleaf  of Monmouth Co. in the State of N. Jersey  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Common Pleas  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 72 years  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 1775 Summer 1 " " Private Gen. Forman, Col. Holms } Comp. not mentioned }   1776 Served every other month till 1777 " Capt. Schenck, Dragoons   1777 " "   Actual service he is confident was 3 years  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Germantown, Monmouth,  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Monmouth Co. N. J.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Living witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
D. Brown Examining Clerk.

For answer to the First objection in the case of Joseph Vanclief see original Declaration.
2 nd see Same
3 rd
4 th . see Same & Amending.
5 th . see Amending.
6 th . see Same & original,
7 th see original
8 th see Same
9 th see Same & Amending
10 th see Same
11 th see Amending. { This was not thought necessary originally where living
12 th — { witnesses could be produced.
13 th see original
14 th see Certificate of Court: orig l & certificate of Judge. Amending,
15 th see Certificate of Court orig l & affidavits of witnes. Amending,
16 th . see both - {
17 th see both, {
As to the character of the applicant, see affidavits of witnesses attached to original Declaration,

INVALID.
File No.
1139
Rev. Mr. ...
Joseph Van Deusen. Pro. N.Y. Miss.
Act:
June 7, 1832.
Index:—Vol.
a
, Page
386
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Joseph Vanclief
[Faint, mirrored text from the reverse side of the page]
Mount Talpukukus Calayan

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Joseph Wandeaf further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? 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? 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? etc, see Question 5. VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? 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?
He should state, as nearly as possible, each term and its length.

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? XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? 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? 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? Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? 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? XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
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 official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
‡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.

Freehold Monmouth County.
New Jersey
May 20th 1833.
Sir
I herewith enclose the papers of William Campbell and Joseph Vanclief applicants for Pensions - these papers have been twice returned to me for correction, which has been done as far as it was thought necessary according to the regulations - The certificate of a person proving the traditional evidence has been added, although no objection was made in that particular, and the reason why it was not added in the first instance, was that I did not think it necessary in those cases where proof by Survivors could be produced; and for this reason, that positive testimony is better, than hear-say evidence.
There is a short Brief accompanying each case referring to the answers to the interrogatories contained in the printed brief - I request your immediate attention to these claims -
Respectfully Your
Obt. Servt
J. M. Hartshorne
J. L. Edwards Esq, Commissioner of Pensions
1001

State of New Jersey
Monmouth County ss. Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid Barnes L. Smock who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he is a surviving Soldier of the Revolutionary war, that he was a Lieutenant of a Light Horse Company belonging to Colonel Holmes' Regiment during said war, that Joseph Vancleaf entered the said Company called the "Light Dragoons" in the fall of the year 1777 he thinks in November of that year but cannot be positive as to the precise time, that he served in said Company under this deponent acting part of the time as Captain from the time he entered the same until the close of the war in January 1783, that during the said period the said Joseph Vancleaf served at least every other month alternately, making at least six months in each year, but the particular day of beginning and ending of each month or tour he cannot now recollect, yet he knows that the said Joseph Vancleaf was a good Soldier and always performed his duty and he never knew him to be once fined for neglect of service, and that he always understood that the said Joseph Vancleaf had been in service before he joined the said Light Horse Company.
Sworn to and subscribed before me } Wm. H. I. Smock Justice as aforesaid May 10th 1833.
William Lloyd Justice
We Samuel A. Van Vranken a Clergyman, residing in the Town of High of Freehold & County of State aforesaid and John H. Schenck residing in the same place hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Joseph Vancleaf who has sworn to and subscribed the first above affidavit; that we believe him to be seventy three years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resided to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to and subscribed before me } Justice of the Peace as above mentioned May 13th. 1833. William Lloyd
Sam l A. Van Vranken
John H. Schenck

I William Lloyd Judge of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for the county State aforesaid Justice of the Peace in the same do hereby certify that it appears to me that Samuel A. Vantranken who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman, resident in the Township of Freehold County and State aforesaid, and that John H. Schenk 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 that Barnes J. Smock who has signed Oath to the foregoing affidavit is a surviving Soldier of the Revolution resident in the said County of Monmouth and is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit. and further that the said Applicant could not at this time have produced in Court the persons above named without much inconvenience and expense to him.
Dated May 13th 1833.
William Lloyd
I Daniel H. Ellis clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas, in and for the County of Monmouth State of New Jersey do hereby certify that William Lloyd before whom the foregoing proceedings or affidavits were taken sworn and subscribed, is now and was at the respective dates thereof duly enrolled in my office as a Judge of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for the County and State aforesaid and also a Justice of the Peace in the same, duly Commissioned and sworn into office as such Judge and Justice, and that full faith and credit are due and ought to be given to all his official acts as such, and further that the several signatures "William Lloyd" signed above are respectively the hand writing and genuine signatures of the said Judge and Justice —
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court at Freehold this thirteenth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three.
D. H. Ellis Clerk

Amendatory Declaration of Joseph Vanclief to his original Declaration made July 31 st 1832 in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7. 1832
State of New Jersey
Monmouth County
§ Personally appeared before me William Lloyd a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County of Monmouth State of New Jersey Joseph Vanclief who being duly sworn according to law 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 services but according to the best of his recollection, he entered the Militia of New Jersey (to serve for himself) in the month of June (the day he cannot state) in the year 1776 and served therein, in the grade of a private soldier, the tours herein after mentioned to wit: he served one month in the Township of Shrewsbury in said County under Capt. Thomas Hume, beginning in the month of June 1776 (the day he cannot state) and ending in July following: he served one month at the same place under Capt. John Schanck, beginning in August of the same year (the day he cannot state) and ending in September following: he served one month under Capt. Samuel Carhart in Middletown beginning in the month of October same year and ending in November following: he served one month in Shrewsbury aforesaid under Capt. John Schanck, beginning January 1777 and ending in February following: he served one month at the same place under Capt. Joseph Stillwell beginning in March same year and ending in April following: he served one month at the same place under Capt. Schanck or Carhart (he can't tell which) beginning in May same year and ending in June following: he served one month at the same place under Capt. Schanck or Carhart (he can't recollect which) beginning in July same year and ending in August following: he served one month under Capt. Carhart beginning in September same year and ending in October following: during this tour he marched to Germantown in Pennsylvania and was engaged in the

Battle at that place under the Capt. last named, and Major Elisha Waltow, Col: Holmes and Genl. Forrean acting as Field Officers: he knows of no person or persons now living who served any of the above tours with him: He then joined the Light horse Com- pany called the "Light Dragoons" and served in said Company in the said County of Monmouth in the grade of a private under the Officers he has named in his original Declaration every other month alternately (never having once been fined or hired a substitute) in tours of one month each, from the month of November in the year 1777 until the month of January in the year 1783 when he left the service, the war being about closed. month In the year 1777 he served as aforesaid at least one month in the grade of a private light horseman: in the year 1778 he served as aforesaid in the same grade at least six months: in the year 1779 he served as aforesaid in the same grade at least six months: in the year 1780 he served as afore- said in the same grade at least six months: in the year 1781 he served as aforesaid in the same grade at least six months: and in the year 1782 he served as aforesaid in the same grade at least six months; he cannot at this distance of time state the particular day of the beginning and ending of each month of tour of service, but he is po- titive that each tour was at least one month in length and at least six tours in each year during the above period of five years and two months to wit: from November 1777 until January 1783, the survivors of the periods last above mentioned are Barnes J. Smock, Lewis Covenhoren, John L. Bennett, James Wall and Nicholas Wolf, he relinquishes all claim for his service as substitute mentioned in his declaration, and claims a pension only for his services mentioned in this affidavit; he was born in Freehold in the said County of Monmouth in the year 1760 & his age is recorded in his own family Bible which was transcribed many years ago from his father's
Sworn to and subscribed before { me May 10th A.D. 1833. { William Lloyd
Joseph Vanclief