Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 23,041, Claus Vanhouten, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
New York
Vanhouten, Claus
S. 23,041
CONTENTS

New York 24
24501 Clans Vanhousen
of Rockland Co in the State of New York who was a 1st Capt. in the Company commanded by Captain Cooper of the Regt. commanded by Col. Cooper in the N.Y. Line line for 9 mos. Capt. 12 " 22 ds. for }
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 75 Dollars 42 Cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 2 day of Jan 7. 1834 and sent to Hon. A. Ward. H. Reps
Arrears to the 14th of Sept. 1833. $188.55 Semi-ant. allowance ending March 34 - 37.71 $226.26
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk. Book C Vol. 4 Page 85
Aug. 25 - 1839 C13

State of New York. } ss. Rockland County. }
On this twenty eighth day of November in the year A.D. 1832, personally appeared in Open Court, before the judges of the court of Common Pleas, now sitting, Clause Van Houten, a resident of the town of Ramapo, in the County of Rockland, aged eighty five years, the first day of December 1831, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7. 1832. That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. That in the month of March, 1776, I enlisted in the town of Hamstead (now Ramapo) for four Months in a company commanded by Capt Gilbert Cooper, John D. Lee and John Vanderbilt were under officers, called Minute men, and went to New-York, and was stationed some time at a place called Bunkers hill, near the City, and then the company returned home, where I served at every call of the officers until the time of enlistment was expired. Then about the last of July or the first of August, of the same year, I, at a place called Nyack enlisted for five months, in a company whereof Jacob Deronder was Capt and Isaac Lee and John D. Lee were Lieut. and Marched from thence to Haverstraw where we remained some time, marched from there to Fort Montgomery, then back to Haverstraw, and then we went to Red hills, near Peekskill, where we lay until the first of January 1777 when the company was discharged and I went home, then after being a short time home I was ordered out on duty in a company commanded by Capt Hendrick Ten Eyck, Lieut Van Buren and Thomas Blauvelt were Lieutenants, and served the greatest part of time with that company, having but little time that I could be at home, until the month of October following, when I enlisted for three months, in a company commanded by Capt Garret Underdonk and served that time in guarding along the Hudson River and at different places in the County of Bergen until the term was expired. There being orders given that the Militia should be divided into four classes, in order that each man might bear his proportion of the duty of guarding, and each class was to serve one week, and then relieved by an other, so all had to serve one fourth part of his time, or get a substitute in which capacity I served in Capt Ten Eyck's company as a Corporal from about the first of March 1778, until the close of the war. The Regiment to which the company belonged was formerly commanded by Col n A. Houghs Hay, but then chiefly by Col n Gilbert Cooper, and our duty was guarding along the river, from Closter to Stony Point and scouting along through the County of Bergen, to protect the inhabitants from being plundered murdered and being taken prisoners by the refugees and British.

State of New York, } ss. Rockland County. }
On this twenty eighth day of November in the year A.D. 1832, personally appeared in Open Court, before the judges of the court of Common Pleas, now sitting, Clause Van Houten, a resident of the town of Ramapo, in the County of Rockland, aged eighty five years, the first day of December 1831, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832. That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. That in the month of March 1776, I enlisted in the town of Hamstead (now Ramapo) for four months in a company commanded by Capt Gilbert Cooper, John D. Lee and John Vanderbilt were under officers, called Minute men, and went to New York, and was stationed some time at a place called Bunkers hill, near the City, and then the company returned home, where I served at every call of the officers until the time of enlistment was expired, then about the last of July or the first of August, of the same year, I, at a place called Nyack enlisted for five months, in a company whereof Jacob DeCorder was Capt and Isaac Lee and John D. Lee were Lieut. and Marched from thence to Haverstraw where we remained some time, marched from there to Fort Montgomery, then back to Haverstraw, and then we went to Red hills, near Peekskill, where we lay until the first of January 1777 when the company was discharged and I went home, then after being a short time home I was ordered out on duty in a company commanded by Capt Hendrick Tenure, Lieut Van Buren and Thomas Blauvelt were Lieutenants, and served the greatest part of time with that company, having but little time that I could be at home, until the month of October following, when I enlisted for three months, in a company commanded by Capt Garret Underdonk, and served that time in guarding along the Hudson River and at different places in the County of Bergen until the term was expired. There being orders given that the Militia should be divided into four classes, in order that each man might bear his proportion of the duty of guarding, and each class was to serve one week, and then relieved by an other, so all had to serve one fourth part of his time, or get a substitute in which capacity I served in Capt Tenure's company as a Corporal from about the first of March 1778, until the close of the war. The Regiment to which the company belonged was formerly commanded by Col n A. Haughs Hay, but then chiefly by Col n Gilbert Cooper, and our duty was guarding along the River, from Closter to Stony Point and scouting along through the County of Bergen, to protect the inhabitants from being plundered murdered and being taken prisoners by the refugees and British.

army, and that exclusive of my service aforesaid, every man that was at home had to hold himself in readiness to run at a moment's notice whenever there was an alarm made, which was whenever the enemy found any part of our country not sufficiently guarded when they would march out and plunder &c: then we had to hasten to meet them and collect under such officers as appeared and pursue them until we drove them off, which alarms was very often and sometimes would take a week or more before I arrived at home, these with my tower of duty with the militia occupied almost the whole of my time that I did very little but military duty And I feel confident that I served, that is was actually out on duty, exclusive of my enlistments for more than two years. he has no documentary evidence of his serving as he did not receive any discharge 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 and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
In Open Court
David Pye Clerk
Blas Van Houten
We Andres Bnderdonk, and Garret Sarven, residents of the town of Ramapo, in the County of Rockland aforesaid who being first duly sworn according to law, do on their oaths depose and say, that they was well acquainted with Clause Van Houten during the revolutionary war, that they know that he served under Capt Cooper, Deronde and Tenare, as is by him set forth in the above declaration, and further that we have known him ever since the said war, and that he has always sustained an unblemished reputation and that his character as to veracity is unquestionable —
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
In Open Court
David Pye Clerk
Garret Sarven Andris Bnderdonk
I Jefferson Wynkoop a Clergyman residing in the Neoghan town of Ramapo aforesaid, hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Clause Van Houten the applicant for a pension, that he is a regular member in good standing in the congregation of which I am the Pastor and has so been for many years, that I have heard him speak of his services revolutionary years since and long before there was any idea of receiving any remuneration for his services that his character is unquestionable and his testimony in the matter may be fully relied upon and that he believes him to be eighty five years of age

Subscribed and subscribed, in open court the day and year aforesaid. David Pyle Clerk Jefferson Wynkoop
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 states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Jefferson Wynkoop, who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the town of Ramapo aforesaid, and that Garret Sarven and Andries Onderdonk, who have also signed the preceding certificate, are residents in the same town, and are credible persons, and that their statements is entitled to credit. And also, that they are well acquainted with the said Garret Sarven and Andries Onderdonk, and know them to be credible persons, and that their statements is entitled to credit. And also, that all the above proceedings were in open court.
Per Curiam
David Pyle Clerk
I, David Pyle, Clerk of the court of Common Pleas aforesaid, Do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court, in the matter of the application of Claus Vanhouten for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office, this twenty eighth day of November, 1832.
David Pyle

Declaration of Claus Van Houten
21399

State of New York Rockland County } ss. } fs.
On this thirteenth day of December 1833 personally appeared before the Subscriber a justice of the peace in and for said county, Clause Van Korten of said county aged 86 years, who being duly sworn saith as follows. That he is the same Clause Van Korten who on the 28 th day of Nov. 1832, made a Declaration before the Court of Common Pleas, in and for the County of Rockland, and which was then sitting to obtain a pension under the Act of June 7 th 1832 whose Declaration has been returned as defective in its specifications, and also as to the Interrogatories.
That to the Interrogatories prescribed by the War Department and put to him by the Court on the 28 th of Nov 1832 he did answer as follows:
To the 1 st That he was Born in the Town of Orange in said County in the year 1746. 2 nd That he has a record of his age taken from his father's family Bible. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein after stated. That in the month of March 1776. He enlisted for four months in a company commanded by Capt t Gilbert Cooper, but did not serve but three months - That it is stated in his original Declaration that he served as a minute man, in this particular service, which is an error of the Draftsman of his original Declaration, and ought to have read, that the company was to be ready at a minutes warning, and which error was unperceived by this deponent until his papers were returned - That he together with his company were stationed at Nyack, from which place they were conveyed in Boats to the City of New York and there joined a Regiment commanded by Colonel Heyer, and were marched to a place called Bunkers Hill on York Island, at which place the deponent with the company were employed in making a fort, in which employment, he was engaged until the time of his
3 rd ms

about two months as near as he can recollect, and were taken from the city of New York, in Boats, and landed at Lappan's Hoat, and from Lappan were marched to Clarkstown and there were discharged their time of service having expired -
5 In the latter part of July or the first of August 1876 He enlisted for five months in a company commanded by Capt Jacob Denondee, then Stationed at Nyack, from which place we were marched to Haverstraw in Rockland County, where we were stationed for some time doing guard duty, from which place we were crossed the North River to a place called Teller Point, from Teller Point, we were marched to a place called the Red Hook near Peekskill in Westchester County, at which place we joined the Regiment commanded by Colonel Nichols, and were employed in building fortifications, until the first of Jan'y 1877 his term of enlistment expired and he was honorably discharged.
1 mo x In the latter part of March 1877 He was ordered out by Capt Hendrick Tenure and was marched from the new city to Nyack here we were stationed chiefl part of the time doing guard duty from which place we were marched to Clarkstown Here we were stationed for a few days performing guard duty when and where he was discharged after having served the full period of one month
1 mo In the latter part of April or the first of May of the same year He again was ordered out by the above named Capt Hendrick Tenure and was marched from the new city to a place called the Long Clove near Haverstraw Here he was stationed with the company for one and a half month performing guard duty when he was discharged after having served the full time
1 mo In the month of July of the same year He volunteered and performed one month under the above named Capt Hendrick Tenure then stationed at the old dock at Haverstraw at which place we continued doing guard duty served the time and was discharged

In the month of march 1778 He was ordered out under Capt Hendrick Tenure then Stationed at Clarkstown (at which place he was Regularly Chosen corporal & duly authorised to act as such and performed duty accordingly during the whole of the Remainder of his Services in the war of the Revolution) at which place he served one week
In the month of April He served another week and continued to serve one week in each month untill January which service acted together makes the full period of two months. Stationed at Clarkstown Wawarsing Nyack and along the north River performing guard duty at each and every place
In the year 1779 He entered the Service under the Said Capt Tenure in the month of April and served re- gularly every fourth week untill the first of January of the year 1780 that during the said service he was Stationed along the Hudson River from Stony point to Sneden Landing guarding the Shores and Landing places also defending the Inhabitants and was engaged in the above weekly tours for two months
In the month of March (as near as he can Recollect) 1780 He entered the Service in the County of Rockland under the above named Capt Hendrick Tenure and served Regularly every fourth week untill the month of December that during the said service he was Stationed at Clarkstown Tappan town Nyack and along the north River performing guard duty at each and every place and is Satisfied that he served two months in the above weekly tours
In the year 1781 He entered the Service under Capt Hendrick Tenure in the month of march and served Regularly every fourth week untill the month of December that during the said services he was Stationed at Nyack Tappan town and Clarkstown performing guard duty at each and every place when he was Dismissed and sent home having served the full period of two months
In the year 1782 He entered the Service under the above named Capt Hendrick Tenure in the month

1/20 of May and served every fourth week until the month of September. Stations and duties and services as mentioned in the last mentioned year in which he was engaged for the full period of one month when he was Brookshire and went home. He served a number of weekly tours of which he cannot say the Col. A. Hawks Bay commanded the Regiment of which this company was a part during the whole of the Revolutionary war, the British men of war had possession of the north to River during the whole of the department above mentioned services whose officers with the men would often land on the shores of the north River at which time they would plunder and destroy the inhabitants.
From the great length of time which has elapsed since the before recited services were rendered many particulars must have escaped his memory. He has related all which he can remember as connected with his services and which are calculated to explain them. In the order of time and in the name perhaps of some of his superior officers he may in some instances have fallen into mistakes. He asks a reasonable allowance for the frailty of human memory whilst he has faithfully endeavoured to adhere conscientiously to the truth in all the events and occurrences of which he has spoken and verily believes that he has faithfully served his country in the war of the Revolution for the full period of nine months as a corporal and twelve and a half months as a private being in active service in the field for each term alleged and was not employed in any level pursuit during that time. The above mentioned services was performed for which he claims a pension under the Act of June 7 th 1832. Subscribed & sworn to before me.
This 13 th day of December 1833
John T. Blanch Justice
Clans Van Karsen

We John B Haring and Cornelius Onderdonk, both of the town of Ramapo, in the County of Rockland, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Claas Van Houten who has subscribed and sworn to the above amended declaration, that we believe him to be Eighty seven years of age, that he is respected 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 this 13th day of December 1833. Before me
John B Haring Cornelius Onderdonk
John T Blanch Justice
I hereby certify that I know John B Haring and Cornelius Onderdonk who signed the preceding Certificate Both to be Residents of the town of Ramapo in the County of Rockland and that they are credible persons that their statements are intitled to credit
John T Blanch Justice

State of New York Rockland County ss. for
Personally appeared before the Subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for the County of Rockland, Garret Sarven and John T. Blanckell, of the County of Rockland. The said Garret Sarven aged Seventy seven years, and the said John T. Blanckell aged Eighty two years, who being duly sworn doth deprecate for himself depose and say. That they are well acquainted with Claus van Kouter who has made application for a pension under the laws of Congress passed June 7 th 1832. That he was acquainted with him in the Revolutionary war that he was a soldier therein and this deponent well knows that the said Claus van Kouter did serve in the company of Capt Hendrick Toner in the Regiment of Col. John Marshall - Gilbert Cooper Lieutenant Colonel, from the Spring of 1777 to the winter of 1777 and from the Spring until the winter of each year from the Spring of 1782 until sometime in September of said year following until the winter of 1781, and performed his regular tours of duty according to the arrangement made for the service of the company, as is stated in the declarations of the said Claus van Kouter, to the best knowledge and recollection of this deponent, the said deponent, being a fellow soldier with the said Claus van Kouter in the same Company during the said years performing like duty. That the said Company was stationed at Clarkstown, Nyack, and along the north River performing guard duty at the several places mentioned, as well as in times of alarm, scouting along the shore of the north River up the same as far as Haverstrand and down the same as far as Clinton, and back from the said River in the County of Bergen in the State of New Jersey. Subscribed & sworn to before me this 16 th day of December 1833 John T. Blanckell Garret Sarven
John T. Blanckell Justice

State of New York Rockland County
§ I, David Pye, Clerk of the said County Do hereby certify, That John S Blanch, before whom the annexed amended Declaration of Claus Vanhouten, and the annexed tra- ditionary testimony of John B Haring and Cornelius Onderdonk, the within affidavit of John S Blanch and Garrett Sarven, and the annexed declaration of Andries Onderdonk and Garrett Sarven, was sworn, and whose name is subscribed to the different certificates As a Justice of the peace, in and for the said County, duly commissioned and sworn, and that his name subscribed to the same, is his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office, this — Eighteenth day of December 1833
David Pye

State of New York Rockland County ss
Personally appeared before me a Justice of the peace in and for the County of Rockland Garnet Serwen and Andros Onderdonk both of the Town of Ramapo in said County, the said Garnet Serwen aged twenty seven years, and the said Andros Onderdonk also aged seventy seven years, each of whom being duly sworn doth each for himself depose and say, That they are well acquainted with Claus Van Wouter who has made application for a pension under the laws of Congress passed June 7. 1832. That they were well acquainted with him in the Revolutionary war, that he was a Soldier therein, and has a perfect recollection of serving with the said Claus Van Wouter in the same Company, for the period of three months under Capt Gilbert Cooper. Stationed at Clarkstown in the now County of Rockland and State of New York in the Spring of 1776 and from thence they were marched to Nyack on the Bank of the North River, from which they were conveyed in Boats to the City of New York, and from thence they were marched to a place called Bunker's Hill on York Island where they were employed in making a fort for two months as near as he can recollect, from which place they were marched to the City of New York, and from thence they were conveyed in Boats to Tappan Float, from which place they were marched to Clarkstown, where they remained for a few days when their term of enlistment expired. - And the deponents further saith that the said Claus Van Wouter enlisted for five months in a Company commanded by Capt Jacob Doronde at Nyack in the now County of Rockland in the State of New York in the latter part of July or the first of August 1776 from which place (Nyack) we were marched to Haverstraw where we were stationed for some time doing guard duty then crossed the North River to Teller's point, from which place we were marched to Red Hill near Peekskill, where we were

employed in building fortifications until the first of January 1777 when our term of enlistment expired, and to the knowledge of the deponent that the said Cornelius Van Woerden performed and regularly done duty with the said deponent during the whole of the above mentioned service. Subscribed & sworn to before me this 18 th day of Dec. 1833
John T Blanche Justice
Garret Serdan Andries Onderdonk
I do hereby certify to the Secretary of War and Commissioner of Pensions that John T Blanche Esq, Garret Serdan & Andries Onderdonk whose affidavits with their signatures now attached to the amended Declaration of Claus Vanhouten are credible persons and fully intitled to belief
John T Blanche Justice

Mar. 21. 299 Claus van Houten Rockland County New York
+ left June 1897
e.m.
Admitted Corporal of Co Promoted to 22 days
33. 40 2.42 75.42 150.84 37.71 W. Ward 188.55
David Frye. 49! Clarkstown P.O. Rockland Co. New York

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
May 28 1833
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Claus Van Houten Rockland County N.Y.
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Ent'd 1776 43 Private Capt. Cooper " Desender To New York 85 years old Living Witnesses { & Traditionary   July 1776 5 " St. Col. Stationed at Pine Bush till St. Lawrence Rockland County N.Y.   1777 not stated. " Capt. Leunardi St. Col. Leunardi Capt. B. Cooper Col. A. H. May. to Fort Monmouth to Red Bank   From Mar. 1777 the close of war 1 15 Colonel St. Col. Leunardi From Chester to Stony Point through Bergen County   The state his service exclusive of his enlistments more than 2 12 22 Colonel   1778 2 7 "   1779 2 "   1780 2 " "   1781 2 " "   1 " "   21 22  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted: This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) 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, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of A. B.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 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.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B., who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the
and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. 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 services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. 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. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. 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 each 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. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends 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.
Proof of Service.
[j] 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 claimant's 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.
[k] The notes from [c] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Daniel D. Davidson Exam: Clerk

January 5, 1933
Claus Vanhouten-S.23041 xxxxxxxxxxxxx BA-J/AWF
Mr. Louis L. Blauvelt Newark, P.O.Box 72 New Jersey
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to Thomas Blanch and Klaas VanHouten, soldiers of the War of the Revolution.
Revolutionary War data furnished by this office are obtained from claims made to the United States for pension and bounty land based upon the military service of soldiers in that war.
A search of the records fails to show such claims on file on account of the services of any Thomas Blanch.
The data which follow were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 23041, based upon the Revolutionary War service of Claus (his personal signature) Vanhouten.
He was born December 1, 1746 in Orange, New York, the names of his parents are not given.
He enlisted in Hampstead (later Ramapo), New York in March, 1776 and served three months as a private in Captain Gilbert Cooper's company under Colonel Heyer in the New York troops. He enlisted at Nyack, New York in July or August, 1776 and served about five months as a private under Captain Jacob Deronde and Colonel Nichols. He served in 1777, three and one half months as a private in Captain Hendrick Tenure's company in Colonel A. Hawk Hay's New York regiment. He served from March 1, 1778 at various times as a corporal until the close

of the war in Captain Hendrick Tenure's company sometimes under Colonels Gilbert Cooper and A. Hawk Hay; this service was in guarding the frontier and in scouting to protect the inhabitants.
The soldier, Claus Vanhouten, was allowed pension on his application executed November 28, 1832, while residing in Ramapo, Rockland County, New York.
He died August 25, 1839.
There are no data in this claim relative to his family.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator

Association of Blauvelt Descendants
FOUNDED SEPT. 18TH, 1926
PETER M. BLAUVELT, PRESIDENT 25 LOCUST AVE., ARLINGTON, N. J.
LOUIS L. BLAUVELT, SECRETARY P. O. BOX 72, NEWARK, N. J. PHONE MITCHELL 2-3994
MISS SUSAN HOPE BLAUVELT, 2ND VICE-PRES. 290 MAPLE ST., KEARNY, N. J.
HIRAM BELLIS BLAUVELT, 1ST VICE-PRES. "BLUEFIELD" ORADELL, N. J.
MRS. FREDERICK C. SCHWARTING, SUPERVISOR OF APPLICATIONS 297 HAMILTON ST., RAHWAY, N. J.
MISS SUSAN COE BLAUVELT, TREASURER 63 - 3RD AVENUE, NYACK, N. Y.
"A PEOPLE WHICH TAKES NO PRIDE IN THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF REMOTE ANCESTORS WILL NEVER ACHIEVE ANYTHING WORTHY TO BE REMEMBERED WITH PRIDE BY REMOTE DESCENDANTS." MACAULAY.
12-17-'32.
Revolutionary War Section, Pension Bureau, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sirs:-
May I take the liberty to request that you advise me if the records in your department contain any reference to either a Col. Thomas Blanch or a Klaas Van Houten ? The latter served in Col. Ann Hawk Hay's 2nd. Reg. Orange County, (N.Y.) militia.
Should you find any information concerning either of these will you please send me copy of records as completely as possible. Service, family connections, dates of birth etc. if stated.
Thanking you for your favor, I am
Sincerely yours
Louis L. Blauvelt, P.O. Box 72, Newark, N.J.

Brookton
23 041 INVALID.
File No. 23,041
Clara Rankin
Copied Rev War
Act: June 7 th 82 nd
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 4-12
[Arrangement of 1870.]
my
1933 - Jan. 5 -寄信 - to Mr. Louis S. Blauvelt esq.