Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 4698, David Van Kirk, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
New Jersey.
Van Kirk, David
S. 4698.
Carded.
CONTENTS

Letter to P. Dickinson and 3 rd Auditor 10 May 1839.
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 16 th April 1838 from 4 March 1838 to 4 Sept 1838. Age notified 11 June 1839.
New Jersey - 31,378.
David Barkirk
of Hunterdon in the State of New Jersey who was a Private in the Co. commanded by Captain Johnson of the Regt commanded by Col Chambers in the N. Jersey line for 7 months.
Inscribed on the Roll of N. Jersey at the rate of 23 Dollars 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 day of March 1838, and entitled Richard Coe Private
Arrears to the 4th of June — $163.31 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 th Sept 11.66 $174.97
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by R. Burdine Clerk. Book 2 - Vol. 3 - Page 169

34.276 David Rankin N.Y.
admiral Imperial $23.33
Richard Cox Esq. Present

The State of New Jersey, Hunterdon County ss. This seventeenth day of June, in the year of our Lord one thou- sand, eight hundred and thirty seven personally appeared before the Superior Court of Common Pleas of the County of Hunterdon in open Court, David VanKirk, of the Township of Ringwood in the said County of Hunterdon and State of New Jersey aged eighty years and upwards who being 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 7 th 1832. That he was born in the month of October in the year seventeen hundred and fifty six as he has been informed by his father. That he never has had any record of his age and that he knows of no person now living by whom he can prove his precise age. That he served in the War of the Revolution as a Militiaman at the following times and places and under the following named officers.
1. First he hired in the place of John Young as a Militia- man in the year 1776 in the month of May in the New Jersey Militia and that he served one month under Captain Joshua Nushon. He assembled with his com- pany at Ringoes in the Township of Harewell where he had resided for some time. They marched to Amboy in New Jersey, where they laid during said month. That David Chambers was their Colonel. That he was employed during this month in learning the exercises and standing guard - That during this month there was very little for the men to do except keeping guard 2. Second That as soon as his first month expired he was called out and performed a month's service at Smith's farms in New Jersey in the month of June in the same year (1776) under Captain David Johns. John Rock- afellow was Lieutenant and John Berson Ensign. That he again met his company at Ringoes and march- ed to Smith's farms. That during this month the Hessians lay on Staten Island. And that he was engaged in keeping guard along the shore. They were under Colonel David Chambers.

3
Third. He performed another month's service at the Blazing Star in New Jersey, in the month of August in the same year (1776) under the Command of Captain Arthur Gray and Colonel David Chambers. That during this month the Battle of Long Island was fought. That he could distinctly hear the Cannon on Long Island during the Battle from where he was stationed. That he recollects that a few days after the Battle he saw Generals Stirling and Sullivan who were taken prisoners at the Battle of Long Island Pass through Woodbridge where he then was, on their Parole as was said. That they were engaged in keeping Guard along the Shore during this month.
4.
Fourth that he served another month at Smith's Farms in New Jersey in the month of October in the same year (1776) under Captain George Ely and Colonel David Chambers. That they were still employed in keeping guard along the Shore the Hessians still lay on Staten Island.
5.
Fifth. That he served another month at Smith's Farms under Captain John Heath in the month of December of the same year (1776) David Chambers was then Colonel. That during this month he was employed still in keeping Guard. That during this month he recollects to have come unexpectedly upon one of the Enemies forces that had come over from Staten Island and that as he was crossing back to the Island he fired upon him but did him no injury. That he stood and saw him land on the Island that he was in a canoe. That during this month he performed the duties of a Sergeant. That he was Sergeant in Captain Ely's Company at home for several years.
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Sixth. That he performed another month's service at Smith's Farms in New Jersey in the month of February in the year 1777 under Captain George Ely and Colonel David Chambers. That there was but little for the men to do except to keep guard along the Shore during this month and to exercise. The Hessians were still on Staten Island.
7.
Seventh. That he performed another month's time the principal part of which was performed at Passaic

Falls in New Jersey under Captain George Ely and Colonel David Chambers. They assembled at Ringoes and marched to the shore above amboy, and thence to Passaic. That they at this time while at amboy drew flour and employed a woman to bake it, but that before they received the bread they received marching orders for Passaic and were obliged to leave it. This was in the month of October in the year 1777. Leaving this mouth they were engaged in keeping guard at Passaic. That during the time they were there a detachment of the British made an attempt to cross the Passaic by a bridge some distance below the falls. That he with his company and the other forces stationed there marched to the bridge and assisted in destroying it before the British arrived.
✓ That he was born as he was informed by his parents in the County of Middlesex in the State of New Jersey. But that he removed from there with his parents when quite a small boy into the Township of Harewell where he was brought up and resided for upwards of twenty years when he removed into said Township of Ringwood in which he still resides. That his services in the revolution above mentioned, were performed as a volunteer militiaman in the militia of New Jersey, and that he never received any written discharge from the service. Nor did he ever receive a commission. The office of sergeant which he filled as above stated not being one in which commissions were made out. That he expects to transmit with his declarational affidavit of John Woolverton taken before a Justice of the Peace of the County of Hunterdon as the said Woolverton is very infirm and not able as this deponent believes and as the said Woolverton states to appear in open Court. That he also expects to be able to prove part of the above stated services by Jacob Johnson and Joseph Gray who were both out with him at different times in the war of the Revolution and that these are all the persons known to him now living now living by whom he can prove any further service.

That The Revd Holloway W Hunt and John Benton who reside in his neighbourhood and with whom he is well acquainted will he expects testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution. And that during the services above mentioned he was not engaged in any civil pursuit: That he has been unable to procure the personal attendance of the Revd Holloway Hunt to deny as he expected in open court as Deponent Jacob Johnson . He declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll giving agency in any State
Sworn & subscribed in open court the day before me Samuel Keill Wm Probasco Jacob J Young
David Tankirk
State of New Jersey Hunterdon County B: Person-ally appeared in the Superior Court of Common Pleas of the County of Hunterdon in open court on this seventeenth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven Joseph Gray who being duly sworn on his oath saith that he has been acquainted with David Tankirk the person who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration ever since the time in the year seventeen hundred and seventy six that this deponent and said Tankirk both resided in the Township of Annwell in said County at the time and continued to reside in said Township for a considerable time afterwards That this deponent is now and has been for some time a Pensioner of the United States, and that he was out at two different times in the war of the Revolution with said Tankirk. That said Tankirk was a volunteer Militiaman in the New Jersey Militia. That he served a month with said Tankirk at Smiths Farms in New Jersey in the month of October 1776 in the same Regiment under Col. David Chambers and that George Ely was there as Captain. That they were engaged in keeping guard along the Shore during this month deponent recollects that when this month had expired they walked home together or as far as

Caught Town within a few miles of Home where this deponent stopped being too much fatigued to proceed farther that day. but that said Tankirk went on The Hessians at this time lay on Staten Island
That he recollects being out with said Tankirk at Passaic Falls in the month of October 1777. That he well recollects the attempt of the British to cross the Passaic and that they destroyed the Bridge that they both belonged to the same regiment and Colonel Chambers commanded it. also that George Ely was the Captain to Tankirk's Company. That the Captain to deponent's Company was Charles Reading.
That the said Tankirk has always sustained a fair character for veracity and that he believes the statement above made by him. That said Tankirk has always since the Revolution been reputed to have been a revolutionary soldier. That this deponent has no doubt that said Tankirk is above eighty years of age and that he now resides in Kingswood.
Sworn & subscribed the day & year first above written
Joseph Gray Son
Samuel Heide
Wm Probasco
Jacob J Young
} preses
State of New Jersey Hunterdon County p: Personally appeared in the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the County of Hunterdon in open court on this twenty seventh day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven, Jacob Johnson who being duly sworn on his oath, saith that he has been acquainted with David Tankirk the Person who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration ever since some time in the year seventeen hundred and seventy six That this deponent and the said Tankirk have both

resided in the Township of Anson in said County of Hunterdon for a number of years, and that they have been acquainted & lived not far distant ever since the war of the Revolution that he recollects being out with the said Van Kirk in the war of the Revolution several different times. That he was out with him at Amboy in the month of May seventeen hundred and seventy six under Captain Joshua Henson, as stated by said Van Kirk in his first month's service mentioned in his foregoing declaration. That they performed another month's service together in the month of October of the same year at Smith's Farms under Captain George Ely which is the fourth month mentioned in said declaration, and also another monthly term at Patterson under Captain George Ely in the month of October seventeen hundred and seventy seven. This is the seventh month mentioned in said declaration & that his the deponent's recollection of the circumstances as detailed by said Van Kirk is the same. That the said Van Kirk now resides in the said Township of Kingwood where he has resided for thirty five years last past. That he bears a good character for truth and veracity & is believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution.
Sworn & subscribed in open Court the day & year above written at a special Term
Jacob Johnson
Benj m Egbert Elijah Wilson Samuel Hise
By [Signature]

New Jersey Hunterdon County ss: Personally appeared in the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of said County in open court at a special term held on this twenty seventh day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven the Revd. Holloway No Hunt of the Township of Bethlehem in said County and John Barton Esquire who being duly sworn on their oaths say that they are well acquainted with David Van Hook who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration. That they believe him to be upwards of eighty years of age That he is reputed and believed in the neighbor- hood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that they concur in that opinion - and further that since Van Hook's parting a fair character for truth & veracity and that in their opinion his statement is entitled to credit sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid in open court at a { Holloway W. Hunt Special term
Benj. Egbert } Eljah Wilson } Judges Samuel Hill }
And the said Court 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 revolution- ary soldier, under several acts of states. And the Court further certifies that that it appears to them that Holloway No Hunt who has signed & sworn to the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the Township of Bethlehem and that John Barton Esquire who has signed the same is a resident in the Township of Annwell in said County of Hunterdon and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit. And further that we are well acquainted with Joseph Gray & Jacob Johnson the persons who

have subscribed and sworn to the foregoing affidavit and that they possess fair character and are uniformly considered to be men of veracity and that their statements are entitled to credit. And also that the relinquishment of the claimant to any other pension written in small hand at the bottom of his declaration was done before the same was sworn to. In testimony whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names this twenty seventh day of June Eighteen hundred and thirty seven.
Benj. Cogswell Elijah Wilson Samuel Hill Judges

State of New Jersey The united County of So John Woolverton of the Township of Amwell in the County of Hunterdon & State of New Jersey being duly sworn according to Law on his oath saith that he was eighty one years of age last September that he is well acquainted with David Van- Brink who has applied for a pension and has been acquainted with him, since he was fourteen or fifteen years of age - I recollect of Mr Van Brink being out in the Militia of New Jersey in the war of the revolution - I served in Company with him, several tours of a month each, I know that we were at Smith's Farms together, one tour of a month at least & I think two tours - I remember that we were out together a tour of a month at Patterson, also - George Ely was captain of the Company at both these places. Col. Cham- bers commanded the regiment, to which we belong & Heads. or DePeters was our General Mr. Van Brink & I were neighbors & I heard of his being out in service, sundry other times & places
Sworn - subscribed before me the 20th day of June 1833 } John Woolverton James Snyder justice
I James Snyder one of the Justices of the Peace in & for the said County of Hunterdon do hereby certify that John Woolverton the deponent above named is a credible person & his statement is entitled to credit - James Snyder justice of the Peace

David Bankrup

I Isaac G. Farlee Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the County of Hunterdon in the State of New Jersey do hereby certify that the fore- going contains the original proceedings of the said Court done on two different days before said court in the matter of the application of David VanKirk for a pension, and I do further certify that Samuel Hill William Probascos Jacob J. Youngs Benjamin Rebert and Elijah Wilson are at this time and was at the time of their signing the foregoing papers Judges of said court and duly commissioned and authorized to act as such - and that James Snyder before whom the affidavit of John Wolvaton was made was at the time of the making thereof & still is a Justice of the Peace of said county of Hunterdon and as such is duly authorized to administer oaths or affirmations; and that the official acts of the above named Judges & Justice are entitled to credit - and that with one of said Judges constitutes the court aforesaid.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this twenty eighth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven -
Isaac G. Farlee clk

See let. to Jas. N. Reading, Nov. 22, 1837.

David Van Kirk St. Jersey - 7 th June 1832 $ 23. 33.
To what time last paid
Pension Office } 1 st to 4 March 1838 - 1 st 39 10 th May 1839 } not in 114

Rehran ✓
4698.
INVALID.
File No. 4698
David Van Kirk.
Rev. D. J. Lewis
Act: June 7. 1832
Index:—Vol. A , Page 386
[Arrangement of 1870.]
✓

TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
Second Comptroller's Office,
May 13 th , 1839.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838 entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," David Van Kirk, _____ a Pensioner on the Roll of the New Jersey Agency, at the rate of Twenty three Dollars and Thirty three Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June, 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of March 1838, to the 4 th Sept., 1838, 6 months.
Respectfully, yours,
J. Sauer acting Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Present.

ms. att Dec 4 N.J. add. pss V. Daw. Van Kirk, 1-100
Wk. J. Bellis's case
Hon James A. Schuch Report to Richard Cox, Esq. Present Comm. Prison of Pennsylvania Washington City D.C.
FREE

Dr Sir
I enclose a petition of David Van Kirk by which you will observe the Cause of his delay in applying was the want of witnesses in his estimation. Should any thing else be required please inform me as soon as convenient.
The friends of John Bellis are very impor- tunate concerning his claim & request I should write in reference to it. He is very poor & needy By this I remind you of it & can say to them I have written.
very respectfully
your obedt servt.
James A Brading
Flemington Decr 1 st 1837
Hon James L Edwards

July 1 N. L. Cassell June 28 Oct 1832 W. David Van Kirk N.Y.
FREE
Hon. James L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions Washington City D. C.

Dear Sir:
Enclosed I send you the pension papers of David Rankin. The action of the Department is requested as early as convenient - should there be any deficiencies to be supplied or explanation made, be good enough to forward them to me at an early day & I will attend to it. The Affidavit of Mr. Woolverton could not be had in Open Court and I was not present at the taking or I should have been more particular. If more particularity is required in it, I will attend to it. The reason I send it in its present form is because I apprehend Mr. Rankin has sufficient evidence to establish his claim without it. Perhaps not for every month, but in such was as proper would satisfy the Department.
Your Obedt Servt
James N Brading
Glennington, Hunterdon County New Jersey June 25 th 1837
Hon James L Edwards
P.S. Should any further evidence of the character & standing of Mr. Rankin be required, you would obtain satisfactory information from Col Richard Cope of the Land Office in your city.
J. N. B.

State of New Jersey
Huntingdon County ss: Before me the subscriber one of the Justices of the Peace in & for said County Personally appeared David Van Kirk who being duly sworn according to law on his oath saith, That some time during the last summer he made an application for a Pension under the act of Congress passed June 7 th A D 1832 & that he has lately understood from James H. Beasley that he is required by the Pension Department to state the reasons of his delay in making said application. That he alleges the following as the causes which produced said delay. That shortly & within a few months after the passage of said Act of June 7 th 1832, the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of said County of Huntingdon held a special Term for the purpose of attending to the applications of Pensioners. That this deponent appeared at that Term with one Thomas Dalrymple his witness with the intention of then making an application. That when he arrived at Flemington where the said Court was held he found all the Attorneys very busily engaged in drawing up the papers for other applicants. That he then was & still is in poor and indigent circumstances; and that upon his making an application to Andrew Miller Esq r for his services he found the fees required, to be greater than he had any means of paying. And that consequently he was obliged to defer it at that time. That shortly after this his witness the said Dalrymple died, which embarrassed this deponent in making any application for some time on account of the loss of his testimony and that notwithstanding this deponent's recollection of persons who had been out with him, it was with difficulty he could find them, being old & feeble & poor and with still greater difficulty that he could see his old companions & learn from them what they recollect of his services. That he applied to Col. Richard Cope who was in the Land Office at Washington for information respecting his claim & that he was informed by said Cope it was necessary he should prove six months service by witnesses or he could not succeed. That for many years after the war he did not reside in the vicinity of Jacob Johnson one of his witnesses & had seemed to lose sight of him & did not for some time recollect that said Johnson had been out with him until they chanced to meet and converse on the subject & was informed by said Johnson

that he recollectee part of the services of deponent but that deponent was still unable to prove the whole of six months. & being under the same impression of its necessity he still waited until he should be able to get further proof. That he was waiting in this way a considerable time all the time making enquiries for the purpose of obtaining more testimony and thought for some time that he would be obliged for the want of it to abandon his application altogether. That during that time he & Joseph Gray another of his witnesses frequently talked the matter over & he expressed his fears to said Gray that he should not be able to find witnesses to make out the six months & that he feared for the want of that evidence he should have to abandon all hope of a pension. That at that time he did not know where John Wolverton his other witness resided nor whether he was yet living not having heard of nor seen him for thirty five years or upwards. but that after considerable delay & many enquiries he succeeded in finding him & ascertained from him that he could testify to the remaining part of six months. That then deponent did not learn what the said Wolverton knew of his services until until within the present year after which he then was advised he could succeed and shortly made his application. And further saith not
Sworn & subscribed this thirtieth day of November A D eighteen hun- dred & thirty seven before me
David Workink
Samuel Hill
Justice of the Peace
State of New Jersey Huntingdon County
I Isaac G. Farlee clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County of Huntingdon do hereby certify that Samuel Hill esquire before whom the foregoing affidavit was taken, is one of the Justices of the Peace in and for said County of Huntingdon, duly commissioned and sworn, and that full faith and credit are due to all his official acts as such, and that his signature is genuine
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Flemington this 30 th day of November A D 1837
Isaac G. Farlee Clerk