Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 614, Samuel C Ward, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey
Ward, Samuel b.
S. 614.
CONTENTS
carded.

Dead. See letter to P. Agt. May 20. 1835-
9742 New Jersey
Samuel C. Edwards of Essex in the State of New Jersey who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain _____ of the R.P. commanded by Col. Van Cortlandt in the New Jersey line for 18 months
Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey at the rate of 114 Dollars 0 0 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12 day of June 1833 and sent to Amzi Dodd Newark N. Jersey
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1833 $120.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept. - 30.00
$150.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Book E
Vol. 3
J. W. Blagden Clerk,
Page 135

23716
Samuel C. Ward Essex County New Jersey
Adm for 1 year & 6 months $60.
Annie Dodd Newark New Jersey

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
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 subjunctive 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. These 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 Samuel C. Ward Essex Co. N. Jersey.
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Draft. June 1776 2 31 pvt. 84 Traditionary   Jan. 1777 1 " Living Witnesses   June 1780 19 " Maj. Hays - Col. Vancortlandt -   July 1781 1 " Genl. Wines   15 cents of day  
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 _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[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) _____, who has 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 days 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 [a] 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.
[t] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Manuscript signature: Newman

Some 6 Men
23710
Paris

State of New Jersey, County of Essex, S.B.
On this eighteenth day of August in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty two personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Common Pleas at Newark in and for the County of Essex, now sitting Samuel G. Ward a resident in the Township of Bloomfield in the County of Essex aforesaid in the State of New Jersey 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. 1832. That he is now eighty four years of age having been born on the fourth day of June A.D. 1748
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers and served as herein stated. That in the month of June 1778 he was drafted as a militia man went out as a soldier and was stationed with his company on the bank of the Hackensack river. When he remained for about one month. That in the month of July or August of the same year he was again ordered out & performed another tour of duty for a month being stationed in Bergen County being under the command of Captain Caleb Dodd. In the fall of the same year he was again ordered out & was stationed at Acquehack :anock

in the county of Essex when he was employed in building a fort or entrenchment he remained about three weeks, and returned home by permission
In the month of January 1777 he was again ordered out & performed a months tour of duty being stationed at Second river now called Belleville in the county of Essex, under capt Samuel Pierson and from that time the militia were arranged in classes, and he in his class regularly performed his monthly tours of duty during the revolutionary war, having been stationed at Second river, Newark, and other places along the line. In these different tours he remembers being com- manded by Captain Abraham Speer Captain Elijah Squire, Captain Robert Nichols, Captain Thomas Williams and others. It appears by the rolls of Captain Thomas Williams which have been preserved that this deponent performed a tour of duty under him at Newark from July 22 to August 20, 1781, and at another time on occasion of the alarm at Con- necticut found from an incursion of the British from June 7 to June 26, 1780 recruits being in an engagement near Elizabeth with the British. He was then under the command of Major  capt Samuel Hays & col Philip Van Cortland

He collects having done duty under Genl Mines in Bergen County. - He never received any written discharge, nor has he any documentary evidence of his services except as above stated.
This deponent has reflected upon the circumstances of his services during the revolutionary war. He wishes to be accurate & certain in his statements. And he says that he feels certain of being out as much as eighteen months in actual service. He believes that his term of service was longer, but he has fixed the above period for the sake of sure of being within the time.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whether to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not enrolled on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year first above written — his in open court. Samuel C. X Ward mark E. M. K. D. C. B. B. B.
Mr. Asa Hillyer a clergyman residing at Orange in the County of Essex and Moses Dood residing at Bloomfield in the said County hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Mr Samuel C. Ward who has subscribed & sworn to the foregoing declaration. That we believe him to be eighty four years

That he is reputed and believed to have been in the neighborhood when he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution & that we concur in that opinion
Sworn & I subscribed the day before aforesaid in open court. Asa Willey Moses Doss E. Wm. Mudge Jr. Clerk
Essex County Court of Common Pleas of the term of September A.D. 1832 -
Essex County B. Abijah Harrison of Orange in the County of Essex being duly sworn according to law on his oath saith that he is acquainted with Samuel C. Ward & has been acquainted with him from childhood. That he knew the said Samuel C. Ward as a soldier in the revolutionary war. Served with him in the same company for at least one term of duty.
Sworn & I subscribed in open Court
Abijah Harrison
J. Prescott Ladd
Essex County ss. I Elias N. Mudge Jr. Clerk of said court of Common Pleas in and for said county of Essex do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said court in the matter of the appli- cation of Samuel C. Ward for a Pension In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office this tenth day of December A.D. 1832 -
E. Wm. Mudge Jr. Clerk
45 Samuel C. Ward

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the above named Applicant was a Revolutionary soldier & served as he states
And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Asa Hillyer who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the township of Orange & that Mores Dodd who has also signed the same is a resident in the township of Bloomfield & is a credible person & that their statement is entitled to credit -
And that Abijah Harnis who has signed & sworn to the foregoing affidavit is also a credible person & that his statement is entitled to credit -
By order of the Court
E. M. Root

sion on file in this Bureau.
Samuel C. Ward Sur. file 612
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     June 1776 servd at various times Pvt Caleb Dood Philip Van Cortland N.J.   Samuel Pierson   in all 18 months Abraham Spicer   Elijah Squire, Robert Nichols & Thomas Williams  
Battles engaged in, _____ Conneaut Springs - Elizabeth  Residence of soldier at enlistment, _____ not stated  Date of application for pension, Aug. 18, 1832 His el. was ab.  Residence at date of application, Top of Bloomfield, Essex Co. N.J.  Age at date of application, born June 4, 1748  Remarks: no data as to family

Pension Office
New Jersey Agency
May 15 1835
Sir
The enclosed paper has been presented to this agency for payment; as it is one that is not embraced in any regulation that has been secured at this office. I must beg your examination and decision upon it.
I remain very respectfully
Tom O'Brien
for P. Dickerson
Whitney P. Hunt
O. L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioners of Pensions

Rev War
INVALID.
File No. 614 Ward Samuel C. Bank Rev. N.Y. Line
Act June 7 1832
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 67
[Arrangement of 1870.]
✓

Feb 1 1897 History to Mrs. M. W. Evans - Washington, D.C.
1909 Mar. 11 Hist. to
to D. Ward. V. S. M.
1915 Jan. 30 Hist. to Charles
Co. Gardens.
1922 Oct. 14 History to
Mrs. Edgar Woods C.W.F.

Washington, D. C.
1025 Vermont Ave.
Dec. 12, 1897.
The Hon. Mr. Murphy, Com. of Pensions,
My dear Sir,
As there is reference to the Revolutionary War record of the late Samuel Ward of Bloomfield, N. J. I would be very grateful to you for any facts in regard to him.
Very Respectfully Yours,
(Mrs.) Margaret Ward Evans.

OLD WAR & NAVY JAN 15 1897 FILES.
23.

RECORD DIVISION.
Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Briefed by L.D.L.
Claim No. _____
Certificate No. _____
Claimant _____
Soldier Saml Ward
Service N.Y.
Additional Service Rev. War
No. _____ claim, State records _____, 190_____
No claim, combination records _____, 190_____
REMARKS:
No claim, except J. # 614

702 St. Nicholas Ave
New York. Feb 19. 1909
Records at Trenton, N.J. show that Samuel Ward , my great grandfather served as a private in Capt. Samuel Pierpont's Company, second Regiment, Essex County, New Jersey, Militia, during the Revolutionary War and that his son John Ward  negation served as a Private, Capt. William Bayles Co., Eastern Battalion, Morris Co. N.J. Militia, Col. Sylvanus Seely, May 7. 1778, during the Revolutionary War.
I am anxious, for Genealogical purposes, to know what, if any, mention is made of them in the Pension or other records in which are now in Washington
If the Pension office can help me, I shall be very much obliged.
Respectfully C.D. Ward

CHARLES CARROLL GARDNER 853 SOUTH 11TH ST. NEWARK, N.J.
Rev. War. 1841 ✓
Nov. 25, 1915.
Pension Bureau,
Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen -
Samuel C. Ward died in Bloomfield township, this (Essex) County in 1834. The newspaper obituary shows that he was a Revolutionary soldier and I am told that he was a pensioner. If the latter is correct, will you be good enough to inform me whether his application has any data regarding his family, or birthplace, or anything of interest regarding himself?
I shall be greatly obliged for any assistance that you can give.
Yours very truly,
C. C. Gardner

Rev Sec
Sept 18. 1922
Commissioner of Pensions Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:-
Would like the Certificate of Service of S.3439 Nehemiah Ward who in 1840 was receiving a Rev. War Pen- sion in Clermont County Ohio.
Also C. of S. of S.614 Samuel C. Ward private from Essex Co. N.J. placed on Pension Roll June 12. 1833 from that County. Yours truly
Mrs Edgar Woods 466 5th Ave., Sterling Illinois

I 614 L. W. B.
February 13, 1897.
Madam:
Replying to your request for information concerning the military record of Samuel Ward, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, you are advised that he made an application for pension on August 18, 1832, at which time he was 84 years of age and residing at Bloomfield, N. J., and his pension was allowed for eighteen months' actual service as a private in the New Jersey troops, Revolutionary War; a part of the time he served under Capt. Speer and Col. Van Cortlandt. He enlisted in Essex county, N. J.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Mrs Margaret Ward Evans, 1025 Vermont Avenue, Washington, D. C.