Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 1102, William Van Cleaf, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey
Van Kleef William Cache
N 1102
CONTENTS

12. 33. 4
Heads Eogr March 23. 1847
Two cases - nothing except Amount allowed for Per diem
16417
New Jersey
Sarah Van Cleef widow of William Van Cleef, decd
(N.J.) who was a pensioner under the Act of and who died on the 22 d April 1813 of whom mention is made in the State of N.J. who was a Sergeant in the Comp y commanded by Captain himself of the Regt. commanded by Col. Herman in the N.J. time for 12 months Sergeant " " 23 days Captain
Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey at the rate of 153 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 16 th day of October 1841 to J. M. Westphalen Freehold New Jersey Arrears to the 4th of March 1841 $766.65 Semi-annual allowance ending
$766.65 { Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by H. H. Addison Clerk. ok. Vol. 2 a Page 139

State of New Jersey Monmouth County Sss:
On this twentieth day of August in the year Eighteen hundred and thirty eight personally appeared before me one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of said County Carche Van Cleef A resident of the Township of Freehold in the County of Monmouth aforesaid aged sixty eight years and upwards, who is unable from bodily infirmity to appear in Court, and who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed July 7. 1838 entitled "An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain Widows". That She is the widow of William Van Cleef and sometimes called William Van Clave, who was a Lieutenant and Captain in the Revolutionary War; that She has heard her said husband say that he enlisted in the twelve months service in the Beginning of the Revolutionary war and started to go to Quebec, and she believed from what she has heard from him that he served out his full term of twelve months. but she cannot recollect any of the names of his officers in that term, though she has frequently heard her husband mention their names, nor can she tell in what grade this term of service was performed - She thinks it must have been in the year 1775 when he enlisted as aforesaid - She further saith that after his return from the twelve months service, he entered the Militia Company of Capt. Smock of Freehold in said County of Col. Scudder's & afterwards Col. Forman's regiment and that he served therein

as often and whenever called upon, and as the necessities of the times required, but this Deponent was young in the time of the war and no knowledge whatever of the service, and although she has hundreds of times heard her husband tell about his hardships endured and his services performed in the time of the war, yet she cannot recollect the facts so as to give any detailed statement of them - She recalls hearing her husband say that he was sergeant in the beginning of the war, that he was lieutenant shortly after - and after that was appointed Captain - but how long he served in each grade it is impossible for her to tell, though she thinks he served most of the war as Captain. That he resided in Freehold aforesaid when he entered the service - where he lived when he died. That he enlisted in the first term of twelve months and in his other service she expects that he was called out by the laws of the state - that he was engaged in the battles of Germantown, and in a number of other battles and skirmishes but she cannot now recollect them - That his marches were principally confined to his native county except his marches in the twelve months service aforesaid, and to Germantown aforesaid - That she recollects hearing him say that his services were principally at Freehold the head quarters of the General - David Forman, and she verily believes from what she has heard her husband say that he served at least three or four years actual service during the Revolution -
She further declares that she was married to the said William Vanclief on the fifth day of March in the year seventeen hundred and eighty

Catch Vanchief

Mar 5 1789
nine: that her husband the aforesaid William Vandeleaf died on the twenty second day of April in the year Eighteen hundred and thirteen - that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place previous to the first of January Seventeen hundred and ninety four viz: at the time above stated.
I know to and subscribed on the day year above written before me Judge as aforesaid - Thos. C. Shrockmorton
Catherine Vandeleaf
State of New Jersey Monmouth County ss
William Preston being duly sworn according to Law deposeth and saith that he was ac- quainted with Capt. William Vandeleaf in his lifetime, the husband of Catherine Vandeleaf above named - that he died about twenty five years ago in this County, and that Catherine Vandeleaf above named has remained his widow ever since that period
William Preston
I know to and subscribed before me Judge of the Court of Com- mon Pleas of said County Oct. 10 th 1838 by the said William Preston who is a credible person and whose stat- ment is entitled to credit - Thos. C. Shrockmorton

State of New Jersey § Monmouth County § 81: Be it known that on the twelfth day of October A.D. 1838 personally appeared before me Judge of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of said County, James Otterson who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he has in his possession the Register of the Dutch Reformed Church of Freehold, containing among other things all the marriages solemnized by the res- pective Ministers of said Church - that he finds therein recorded the marriage of William Vanclief and Carche Arumock on the fifth day of March Seventeen hundred and eighty nine, in the hand writing of Benjamin Dubois then a Minister of said Church, and that the following is a true copy of the said record which is expressed on the record in fair legible words and figures as follows to wit: "William Vanclief and Carche Arumock were married March y e 5 th 1789" and further this deponent saith not -
Sworn to & subscribed before me Judge as aforesaid by the said James Otterson who is a credable person & whose statement is entitled to credit -
John Hill
Ja Otterson

State of New Jersey Monmouth County, S 35
I Daniel H. Ellis Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for said County do hereby Certify that Thomas G. Shockmorton and John Hall Esquires were respectively Judges of the said Court at the several dates of the foregoing affidavits taken before them, duly Commissioned and sworn in Office as such and that their signatures to the foregoing are genuine —
In Witness Whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and seal of Office this thirtieth day of October A.D. Eighteen hundred and thirty eight —
D. H. Ellis Clerk

V 2955
Cached Van Cleef
No 5, March 1789
N.J.
out 7 July 38
1 aboard 12 mo Servt. 4.23 ds (Capt.)
155.33
155.33
No deduction
J.M. Hartshorne Freehold- N.J.

add. proof
Apl. 13. 1840
Cache Valley
J. M. Hartshorne Agent & Attorney Frechoed St.

engagement - That about the time of the battle of Monmouth he has understood and believes that the said William Vancleaf, was appointed Captain and acted as such during the remainder of the war - That the name used formerly to be written and called Vancleave, and it is so used & written by some of the family at this time - The said William Vancleaf or Vancleave was a brother to Capt. Benjamin Vancleaf or Vancleave, who received a pension under the act of June 7. 1832
Sworn to & subscribed before me Justice of the peace as aforesaid by the said John Cook who is a credible person and whose statement is entitled to credit - March 15. 1840 -
Thos C Shrockmorton.
his John X Cook Mark
State of New Jersey Monmouth County ss
I Daniel H. Ellis Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and of said County do hereby certify that Thomas C. Shrockmorton Esquire before whom the foregoing affidavits were sworn, was at the respective dates thereof a Justice of the peace of said County, duly commissioned and qualified, and that his signatures thereto are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this nineteenth day of March eighteen hundred and forty.
D. H. Ellis Clerk

State of New Jersey
Monmouth County ss. Personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the peace of said County Samuel Johnston who being duly sworn deposeh and saith that he is a surviving soldier of the Revolution aged seventy eight years and upwards. That he was well acquainted with Capt. William Vancleaf in the Revolutionary War, and knew him as Captain in the Militia of the County of Monmouth during said War, and often saw him out in the service as such Captain in the time of the War, and he was reputed at that time to be a brave soldier and a good Officer, but this deponent lived in the Township of Shrewsbury and did not serve under the said Capt. William Vancleaf. That this deponent has understood and believes that the said William Vancleaf enlisted in the Army in the Commencement of the Revolution, but under what Captain this deponent cannot say -
Sworn to & subscribed before me Justice as aforesaid by the said Samuel Johnston who is a credible person and whose interest is entitled to credit. Jan'y 20 1840 Thos. C. Hroskewston
SAM JOHNSTON
State of New Jersey
Monmouth County ss. Personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the peace of the said County John Cook who being duly sworn deposeh and saith that he is a surviving soldier of the Revolution aged about eighty years. That he was well acquainted with Capt. William Vancleaf the husband of Cache Vancleaf, in the Revolutionary War. That the said William Vancleaf served in the Militia of said County of Monmouth, in a Company Commanded by Capt. Hendrick Smock and afterwards by Capt. Benjamin Vancleaf - in the grade of a Lieutenant, at least every other month from the Commencement of the year 1777 until the about the time of the battle of Monmouth. That this deponent belonged and served in the same Company with the said Lieutenant William Vancleaf during the time aforesaid in keeping guard along the shores and frontiers of the County at at the Court house. That the Militia during the time aforesaid were called out at least every other month - This deponent recollects very well that in the fall of 1777 his Company marched to Germantown under Capt. Smock & Lieutenant William Vancleaf, and just before going into the engagement Capt. Smock was taken sick, and the said Lieut. William Vancleaf thereby took Command of the Company acted as captain in that

State of New Jersey
Monmouth County, ss
Personally appeared before me the sub- scribed a Justice of the peace of the said County James Hendrickson who being duly sworn upon his oath saith that he is a surviving Soldier of the Revolution aged Eighty five years and upwards that he was well acquainted with Capt. William Vancleef the husband of Sarah Vancleef, in the War of the Revolution - That this deponent belonged to and served in a Company Commanded by Captain Hendrick Smock, Lieut. Benjamin Vancleef, and Ensign William Vancleef the latter above named, about the month of December 1776, or the month of January 1777 for he recollects that it was at the time of the battle at Trenton and Princeton - that the said William Van- cleef served in the said Company at least every other month month alternately, in the Militia of the County of Monmouth under General David Forman, during the year 1777, in the grade of an ensign and Lieutenant, but at what time he became Lieutenant this deponent cannot recollect, that this deponent belonged to and served in the same Company with the said William Vancleef - That in the year 1778 in the beginning of the year as this deponent thinks, the said William Vancleef became a Captain in the said Militia, and served as such Captain during the remainder of the Revolutionary War, and this De- ponent served under the said William Vancleef as such Captain a number of tours of one month each during the years 1778, 1779, 1780, 1781, & 1782, but at what particular times and places this deponent cannot now recollect, but this deponent verily believes that the said William Vancleef served at least two years as such Captain in the Revolutionary War besides his other services as ensign and Lieu- tenant - That the said Hendrick Smock's Company and Captain Vancleef's Company, resided belonged to the Township of Freehold, and their duties were to guard the shores and frontiers of the said County of Monmouth - that the said William Vancleef was Lieutenant under Capt. Benjamin Vancleef - That Elisha Watton and Samuel Forman were the Colonels of the regiment to which this Company belonged. That the said Capt. William Vancleef was a brave Soldier and a good officer, and never flinched in the performance of his duty -
Sworn to & subscribed before me Justice of the peace in and for said County James Hendrickson who is a credible person and whose statement is entitled to credit Jany 30. 1840. Wm. C. Brockmorton his James X Hendrickson mark

November 8, 1938.
E. S. Harvey 418 East Washington Street Lebanon, Indiana.
BA-J/ILL William Van Cleaf W. 1102
Dear Sir:
The data which follow are found in the papers on file in pension claim, W. 1102, based upon service in the Revolutionary War of William Van Cleaf.
William Van Cleaf was a native of Monmouth County, New Jersey; the date of his birth and the names of his parents are not shown. He had a brother, Benjamin.
While a resident of Freehold Township, Monmouth County, New Jersey, William Van Cleaf (his name borne on the military roll as Van Clave also) enlisted in the fall of 1775, served as sergeant in Captain John Holmes' company, Colonel Symmes' New Jersey regiment, was in the northern expedition and continued to serve until about October 20, 1776, length of this service one year. After his return home, he served as ensign under Captains Hendrick Smock and Benjamin Van Cleaf (his own brother), Colonel Nathaniel Scudder's New Jersey regiment, and was in the battles of Trenton and Princeton. William Van Cleaf was commissioned September 1, 1777, 1st Lieutenant, Captain Hendrick Smock's company, Colonel Nathaniel Scudder's New Jersey regiment, was in the battle of Germantown during which he commanded that company. He was commissioned Captain sometime in 1778, served in that capacity under Colonels Nathaniel Scudder and Holmes', was in the battle of Monmouth and at other times, amounting to at least four months and twenty three days. He served subsequently on different tours until sometime in 1782 as Captain under Colonels Elisha Walton and Samuel Forman in the New Jersey troops, exact length of this service not shown. It was stated that he was a brave soldier and a good officer.
Captain William Van Cleaf resided in Freehold Township, New

Jersey, until his death on April 22, 1813.
Captain William Van Cleaf married March 5, 1789, Garche Aumock, or Aamack; they were married by the Minister of the Reformed Dutch Church of Freehold, New Jersey; the names of Garche's parents are not shown.
Garche Vancleaf (as she signed her name) was allowed pension on account of the service of her husband in the Revolutionary War on her application executed August 20, 1838. The widow gave her age then as sixty-eight years and upward, but did not state the date and place of her birth. She resided then in Freehold Township, Monmouth County, New Jersey.
It was stated that Benjamin Van Cleaf, the brother of William Van Cleaf, was living in 1832.
In 1846, children of Garche Van Cleaf were living, and one John (L.S. or T ?) Vancleaf of Freehold, New Jersey, made inquiry in regard to any pension which might have been due them, but he did not give their names nor state whether he was one of those children. No pension was due the children at that time.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name of person paid, and, possibly, the date of death of this pensioner, you should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, this city, and cite the following:
Garche Van Cleaf, widow of William Van Cleaf, Certificate #6417 Issued October 16, 1841 Rate $153.33 per annum Commenced March 4, 1831 Act of July 7, 1838 New Jersey Agency.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

THE STATE OF NEW-JERSEY,
TO William Van Clief Gent. GREETING:
WHEREAS it hath been certified to His Excellency WILLIAM LIVINGSTON, Esquire, Governor and Commander in Chief of this State, that you have been duly chosen by the  Captain Smock's Company of Militia in Freehold in the County of Monmouth (being the _____ Company in the First Regiment _____ of the said County, whereof the hon ble Nathaniel Ludder Esquire, is Colonel) to be First Lieutenant _____ of the said Company; you are therefore to take the said Company of Militia into your Charge and Care as First Lieutenant _____ thereof, and duly to exercise both Officers and Soldiers of the said Company in Arms: And as they are hereby directed to obey you as their First Lieutenant _____ you are likewise to obey and follow such Orders and Directions, from Time to Time, as you shall receive from your Colonel or other your superior Officer or Officers; and for your so doing this shall be your Commission. IN TESTIMONY whereof the Great Seal of the said State is hereunto affixed: Witness WILLIAM LIVINGSTON, Esquire, Governor, Captain-General and Commander in Chief in and over the State of New-Jersey , and Territories thereunto belonging, Chancellor and Ordinary in the same, at Haddonfield the first _____ Day of September _____ in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy seven
Wil. Livingston
By His Excellency's Command,
Chas. Pettibone

Capt. William Van Clief
1778.
19 June to 31 July — 0. 1. 11
0. 1. 11
Sept 26. to 27 Oct — 0. 1. 1
Apr 9. to May 8 — 0. 1. —
0. 4. 23
Pay Abstracts - Monmouth County

V N. Jersey 2955
Careless Van Cleef let. to John Hartshorn 6 May 1839 to same 8 July 1840
As of July 1838
13.33 2.00 80.00 4.67
66 2 / 3 23 198 132 159 1 / 3 533 2 / 3

1936 Nov. 9. Photos to Lt. Col. J. C. Van Cleve, U.S.A. Wid. 1938 Nov. 8. Mkt. to E. S. Harvey - see letter in Rev. Garret Van Cleef. W6353- J.H.
Recy WIDOW, &c.
File No. 1102
Carehe Van Cleef Widow William Van Cleef Sergt. & Capt. Rev. War.
Act: July 7. 1838.
Index: — Vol. M , Page 294
[Arrangement of 1870.]

To Hon J S Edwards Comt. of Pensions Sir I have appointed Arad Joy of Ovid N.Y. my agent in beh- -alf of all of the surviving children of Corche Van Clief late a pensioner of N.J. to try for an increase of pension Truckee N.J. Oct 20th 1846 John J Vandicap
No such increase and will 36

I assign my assets W. Blake Esq
Abad Jay

November 8, 1938.
E. S. Harvey 418 East Washington Street Lebanon, Indiana.
BA-J/ILL Garret Van Cleef - See letter W. 6353 William Van Cleef W. 1102
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you furnish further information in regard to the William, Garrett and Gerritt Van Cleve in whom you are interested, and in which you state that you have no further information pertaining to Joseph and Peter Van Cleve.
Another search of the Revolutionary War records has been made and no claim for pension or bounty land found based upon service of the Gerritt Van Cleef who was born March 14, 1732 and lived in Bergen County, New Jersey. No claims could be identified of the particular Joseph and Peter Van Cleef. The records of Garret Van Cleef and William Van Cleef are furnished you herewith, which may aid you in your research.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Executive Assistant to the Administrator.
Another carbon + other correspondence in Misc. file.

#351 Rev. & 1812 BA-J/MCS
November 3, 1936
Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
War & Navy 970
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Rev. War pension claim, Wm. Van Cleaf, W.1102 Actual
2 of each, one negative set and one positive set.
not to be copied omit Rev. War pension claim, Wm. Van Cleaf, W.1102 Actual negative set positive set
$2.50
5 pages
XXXX
Kindly leave margin of 1½ inches at top of each page and return papers in each case in folder with corresponding name and number. The word, omit, is written in pencil on those pages which are not to be copied.
Chief of Rev. & 1812 Wars Sect.

November 3, 1936
The Administrator of Veterans' Affairs Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
Kindly send me photostatic copies (uncertified) of five pages (one positive set and one negative set) from Rev. War pension claim, William Van Cleaf, W.1102.
Very truly yours
Lt. Comdr. J. A. Van Cleave Rm 2535 - Navy Dept.
Phone Ext 201

J. M. Hartshorne
8. July 18100
OC

Pension Office
101
July 8, 1840
Sir In reply to your letter of the 8 th April last enclosing additional evidence in the case of Mrs Carche Van Cleef I have to inform you that there does not appear to be any pay rolls written the proper f of Benjamin Van Cleef on file in this office - As heretofore required the claimant must prove by a certificate from the Secretary of State James D. Westcott Esq what evidence there is of her husband's services in 1775 & 1776 before the investigation can be satisfactorily renewed
J. M. Hartshorn Esq Haverhold N. J.

J. M. Hartshorn
6 May 1839
OC
Confidential Private
[Faint mirrored text from the reverse side of the page]

73 War Department Pension Office
6 May 1839
Sir
The papers of Mrs. Catharine Van Clief widow of Capt William Van Clief have been examined and filed - Of the service alleged to have been rendered by the claimant's husband in 1775. to there is no evidence in this office - Evidence of  the service in the Northern Campaign at that time, in Col Wentworth M. Ogden's regiment witnesses in support has in one or two instances been produced from the former records in the office of Secretary of State at Trenton, where it is supposed some further proof in support of this appli- cation may be found -
J. M.
W. J. Hartshorne Esq.
Fruitland
N. J.

Ticonderoga
October 20 th 1776
"Sir
As I am in the Service now, and my time is just expired. I understand that there is four Battalions to be raised in the Jersey during the war. Sir, I should take it as a great favour if you will take the trouble to try to provide me a Birth, as I have had a tryst of being in the Service this year. I should be glad to continue during the war. I hope with a blessing of God, I shall return home in about four weeks. Please to remember me to all enquiring friends. So I remain your Humble Servant (Signed) William Vanleaf Sergt
P.S.
Sir As Lieut Holmes is so greatly in favour with the men that there is hardly a man but says if Lieut Holmes was capt they would enter in the Service again. he is beloved both by officers and men. "
To the Honorable Nathaniel Scudder In Princeton "

St. John's Newfoundland
20 th October 1876 "
" Sir
When you was last at New York while we lay there you left me a note against Benjamin McDannell and as he deserted from us I have not had a safe opportunity til now by Col. Symmes, in which I am in hopes it will be delivered safe. I thought it best to send it, as me expect to have an engagement soon,
Sir As I choose to continue in the Service as you have showed a friendship for the family and myself since I have bin  engage in the Service I shall rely on you as a friend yet,
Sir Amongst the Commissions that is to be given out, you would remember William = Wanclief a Sergeant in our Company , and is worthy of a Commission , as for his former character and family you know as well as I do. As for affairs Col n Symmes can give you as a good account, I can
Your Humble Servt (Signed) John Holmes "
over

" P.S.
Sir
If I get Commission, Should be glad to have Vanclief in the same company as he is able to raise several in Freehold who would have listed if they was shewed he would be ensign - I promised Capt Smock to do all I could for Vanclief Capt Longstreet intends to serve again he said that he would write to you."
" To The Honble
Nathaniel Scudder
att
Princetown "
" Pr favor Col n Symons }

State of New Jersey
I Charles G. M c Chaneey — Secretary of State of the State of New Jersey do hereby certify that the foregoing letters, and true copies as taken from and compared with the originals remaining on file in my office
In Testimony —
Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Seal of office at the City of Trenton in Said State this Seventh day of September A.D One thousand eight hundred and Forty one
Charles G. M c Chaneey Secy of State

Freehold N. J. April 8. 1840
Sir
I herewith enclose to you some additional evidence in the case of Carche Vancleaf widow of the William Vancleaf or Vancleare. And I refer you to the original pay rolls of sent to the Department with the papers of Capt Benjamin Vancleaf on his application under the act of June 7. 1832. You will find on those payrolls evidence of the service of William Vancleaf or Vancleare as Lieut., which is corroborated by the testimony herewith sent.
Yours Respectfully &c (M c Cartahome)
J. L. Edwards Esq Com r of Pensions

Freehold Nov. Friday October 24 th 1841
Sir
Since the receipt of your letter of the 8 th July 1840 several searches have been made at the office of the Secretary of State in order to find some evidence in support of the claim of Barche Vanderleaf the widow of William Vanderleaf, and at length two old letters were found, copies of which I herewith enclose to you. They are from Lieut. John Holmes & Sergt. William Vanderleaf dated 20 th Oct. 1776 at Ticonderoga, and directed to Col. Scudder of N. Jersey. It appears by the letters that Col. Syms was the bearer.
These letters request new Commissions, and Col. Scudder in forwarding their views, has transmitted the letters to the appointing power, and there they were filed in the Secretary's office.
Mrs. Vanderleaf claims for one years service in the Northern Campaign, and these letters furnish full evidence to sustain it. The postscript in Lieut. Holmes letter identifies the person to be same William Vanderleaf, by saying that "he is able to raise several in Freehold" &c.
There is an original payroll for 1 month as Capt. attached to her papers on file - from 9 th April to 8 th May 1778 3 mo. 12 d. } He also served 1 mo: 12 days as Capt. from 19 th June to 31 st July 1778 - See Col. Holmes pay abstract No. 1. sent to Department with the papers of Jane Vanderbilt -
He also served 1 month as Capt. from 26 th Sept. to 27 th Oct 1778 - See Col. Holmes pay Abstracts No. 2. & 3. as above.
I think this presents a fair case for a liberal allowance, and any man must be satisfied from the strong evidence given by Hendrickson, Johnston, Cook & others that Vanderleaf served at least 1 year as Capt. in the Militia. I cannot believe that

the Commissioner is bound by the documentary evidence, in a case like this, where he is morally certain that other and more documentary has once been in existence -
The circumstances of this case are very strong. He enlisted in the earliest part of the war for a year - is anxious to continue during the war, and failing to get a commission in the Line , he is soon promoted to Capt. in the Militia. How can you disregard the evidence of those men under these circumstances? -
I think the allowance should be for 1 year as Serjt. and for one year as Captain -
Most Respectfully
Your ob t Servt.
J. M. Harkness
J. L. Ednaads Esq. Comm. of Pensions -