Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 6307, Joseph Vanaken, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey
Vanaken, Joseph
S 6307
Carded
CONTENTS

Ans. H. H. F. Dickinson, apt. 4. 1834
Same - 24. May 1834
Same - 7. June - 1834
New Jersey 22,825
Joseph Vanaken of Montague in the State of New Jersey who was a Private in the Com commanded by Captain Cartwright of the Regt commanded by Col Symmes in the N.J. troops time for 6 mo
Inscribed on the Roll of A. I. at the rate of 20 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 14 th day of Nov 1833 and sent Wm T. Anderson Trenton N.J.
Hon. P. Dickerson - H. R. Arrears to the 4th of Sept 33 $ 50.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 th Mar 34 10.00 Orig. Cer. in correct - new one issued 7 th June 1834 $ 60.00
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by C. Laurie Clerk, Book E Vol. 3 Page 137

New Jersey Sussex County -
Application of Joseph Vanauken to a Pension -
Renewed
No. 15684

State of New Jersey Sussex County ss: -
On this Twenty Eighth day of August Eighteen Hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open Court, before the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas, in and for the said County of Sussex now sitting, Joseph Vanauken residing in the Township of Montague in said County of Sussex and State aforesaid, aged Seventy four years, and six months as appears by a Copy of the Record from the Reformed Dutch Church of Minervink - in said Township, who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on his oath, make the following declarations, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7: 1832.
That early in the revolutionary war, as early as 1775: he was enrolled in Captain Abraham Shermans Company of Militia, that was raised in Montague Sussex County on the Delaware - and was first drafted, among others from that Company to go to New York - that he went and was employed in working at the fortifications, called the Grand Battery - and was also performing duty at the same time, by occasionally being on Guard, & such other duties as were assigned to him - was absent about four Weeks - He was called out again on another tour for another month (which generally lasted four weeks) and was stationed on the Pasaick River about four Miles from Springfield in this State -
John C Symmes was a Col. who commanded the Regiment to which the applicant was then attached.
He recollects that Major Sherman was also there, & had a command. This was at the time the battle at Springfield was fought, but the applicant was not in the action but was on duty, not far distant, on the Pasaick.
He next was on a tour of duty for another month and went out as a Substitute for his father Isaac

Vanauken (who has been dead ten or fifteen years -) and on this tour, he went to Amboy, and laid most of the time at South Amboy - It was in the fall of the year - Captain Cartwright commanded the Company to which applicant was attached, - John D. Westbrook was the Lieutenant and recollects applicants by them - was absent on this tour about five weeks - Major John Cartwright commanded them at the time - The next tour that applicant recollects, was down the Delaware, below Philadelphia at Red Bank, three miles from the River, and recollects the heavy firing at Mud fort, when the British came up & took the fort - applicant was then on duty at Red Bank - The applicant saith that so long a time has elapsed, and his memory has become so impaired by age, that he can not now recollect the names of the Commanding Officers on that station - He was absent on this Expedition not less than five weeks - He was on another tour under Captain Abram Shennick - Col. Rossmerans, com- =manded a Regiment, and was at the Battle of Germantown - in Pennsylvania - and was absent at this time about five weeks - He was after this on another tour of a month, on the frontier, under Capt. Emmanuel Horn (as he thinks) - Major, Samuel West- =brook. commanded - Josephus Westbrook of Mon- =stager was also there & with us, in this tour - The head quarters was at Capt Peter Westbrooks in Sandyston
The applicant saith that he was enrolled in the Militia early in the war, and was with others ready and liable to be called out, on any sudden emergency, to defend the frontier against the frequent incursions of the In- =dians on the Delaware, & was frequently out, on excursions against the Indians and Tories - and

The Applicant saith that he was more than six months employed and engaged in the Militia, in the service of the States, during the Revolutionary War. He says he was born in Montague aforesaid and has now some time there. He has no documentary evidence of his services, as none were given on such occasions. The only record of his age is a copy from the Records of the Reformed Dutch Church of Minisink, by which it appears that he was baptized on the 12 th of Feby. 1758. - Captain John J. Westbrook, and Evut Vanauten, residing in the township of Sandyston & Montague are persons who can testify his character for veracity & good behavior as a revolutionary soldier -
I Joseph Vanauten, do hereby relinquish any claim whatsoever to a pension or annuity (except the present) and declare that my name is not on the pension Roll of the agency of any State -
Sworn & Subscribed in Open Court this 28 th of Aug 1832 } - Joseph Vanauten Bryant Halsey Presiding Judge

We John I Westbrook, Ernt Vanauken, and James Stoll, & legal C. Hagguy -
residing in the Townships of Sanderland & Montague, do hereby certify, that we are personally acquainted with Joseph Vanauken, of Montague, the applicant within named, and who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declarations - That we believe him to be twenty four years of age, and that he is respected, and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and we fully concur in that opinion - & that he is a man of veracity, and good behaviour
John I Westbrook
Sworn & Subscribed before the S d Judges in Open Court Aug t 28 th 1832 -
Ernt Vanauken
James Stoll
Chas. C. Hagguy
Benj. Halsey Judge
And the S d Court do hereby certify and declare their opinion, after the investigation of the Matter, and after putting the inter- rogatories 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 it would be attended with too much inconvenience and expense to the applicant, to produce in Court, a Clergyman, to certify as required by the regulations of the department, - and the Court further certifies that John I Westbrook, Ernt Vanauken, James Stoll & Chas. C. Hagguy reside -
who have signed the preceding Certificate, are residents in the Townships above named and are credible persons, and their statement is entitled to full credit, and gives ad- satisfactory to the said Court, as the Certificate

of any clergyman, that might reside in that neigh- -bourhood - could be - the said James Stone by any one of the judges of this court, and the said U. C. D. of such En- ing the High Sheriff of this county -
In open Court Aug 28 th 1832
Benj. Halsey Judge
New Jersey - Sussex County ss., I. Joseph E. Edsall Clerk of the said Court of Common Pleas in & for said County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original Proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Joseph Vanauken for a Pension
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of the said Court at Newton This tenth day of September AD 1832
J. E. Edsall Clerk

New Jersey Sussex County ss:-
Personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of said County. John J. Westbrook residing in Sandyston Sussex County - of full age and being duly sworn saith that he is well acquainted with Joseph Vansant of Montague said County who is now applying for a pension - That he knows that the said Joseph was in the Militia Service in the war of the Revolution - That he recollects very well of having seen him, among the Militia troops at South Amboy and was in Captain Cortright's Company in which the deponent was then a Lieutenant - and deponent saith that he knows that the said Joseph was employed in the Militia, on the frontier on the Delaware in various excursions up & down the River doing duty, from 1775 - to 1781 - and as far as the deponent knows always conducted himself well and faithfully and was true to the American Cause -
his
Sworn & Subscribed in open Court the 28 th Aug t 1832
John J. Westbrook mark
Pres t Judge

New Jersey Sussex County ss:
Personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Sussex County. Evert Van Auken of Montague in said County of full age, and being duly sworn saith that he is well acquainted with Joseph Van Auken of said Township, who is now applying for a pension. The deponent saith that he knows that the said Joseph was in the Militia Service during the Revolutionary War and was drafted, and went as a Volunteer, a Substitute for his father Isaac Van Auken, as a drafted Militia man, on several tours of duty. He recollects of his being absent on one tour to New York - and believes he was absent on another tour, at Springfield, or on the Passaic River in Essex County - and also on another tour at South Amboy, under Captain Costypt & Lieutenant John Westhorst. Also that he was on another tour, and was in the battle of Germantown where the deponent saw him, & where he deponent also was, as a Militia man from the same township with said Joseph - and that he was engaged in the Militia Service pretty much during the war on the frontier on the Delaware, - doing duty occasionally, on various & frequent excursions up & down the River, against the Indians and Tories - and always heard & understood that he was faithful, and diligent and true to the cause of the revolution - and believes that he was employed in the service more than six months.
Sworn & Subscribed before the 1 st Court 28. Aug. 1832
Benj. Halsey Judge
Evert Van Auken mark

New Jersey Sussex County ss.
Personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of Sus- -sex County - Abraham Van Campen - Esq. of Walpack township, Sussex County and being duly sworn did depose and say, that he is well acquainted with Joseph Van Campen of Montague, who is now applying for a pension - That he knows the said Joseph was in the Militia Service during the revolutionary war - and served in several towns, - Deponent saith, that he knows said Joseph was at New York, doing duty then as a Mili- -tia Man, and worked at the fortification there - When he the deponent, there also was doing duty as a Militia Man, from the same neighbourhood - Deponent also knows that said Joseph was on duty at South Amboy under Captain Cartwright - that he the deponent was also there doing duty at some time - Deponent saith that he saw said Joseph at Germantown, at the time of the Battle there, - and knows that said Joseph was pretty much during the war doing duty as a Militia Man, and out on various excursions and duties on the fron- -tier along the Delaware River in Sussex County
Sworn & subscribed before
The Judges of said Court on
the 28. Aug. 1832
By my Clerk Recording Judge
Abraham Van Campen

New Jersey Sussex County ss: I Joseph J Miller do hereby certify that I was, at the time of the taking of the affidavits, of Abraham Van Campen, Ernst Vancauten & John J Westbrook, within normal, & which affidavits are hereto attached one of the Judges of the Superior Court of Common Pleas of said County and now still am one of the Judges of said Court, and was present at the time of the taking of said affidavits - at which time Ben- jamin Halsey Esq. (whose name appears subscribed to the foregoing affidavits, & other papers hereto attached), was the presiding Judge of said Court, but is now out of office And I do further certify that the said Abraham Van- Campen, Ernst Vancauten, and John J. Westbrook are credible witnesses - Newton October 4 th 1833.
Jos. J. Miller
New Jersey Sussex Co. y Application of Joseph Vancauten for a Pension
158 84
82.

New Jersey Sussex County ss:
Personally came before me Joseph G Miller one of the judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of said County - Joseph Vanaken of Montague in said County, of full age, who being duly sworn de- poses and saith, that by reason of old age & the consequent loss of memory, he can not swear positively to the precise length of term of his service in the revolutionary war, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades - viz -
For the space nine months I served as a private soldier in the Militia, and for such service claim a pension -
signed
Sworn & subscribed before
me this 9 th of July August
1833
} Joseph Vanaken
Jos. G. Miller

State of New Jersey Sussex County ss.
J. Joseph E. Edsall Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Sussex aforesaid - do hereby certify that Benjamin Walray Esq at the time of taking & making the fore- going affidavits and depositions before him was the presiding Judge of said Court duly commissioned and sworn, and further that Joseph N. Miller Esq at the time of taking the affi- davits & before him and of making the foregoing certificate was a Judge of said Court and now is presiding Judge of said Court duly commissioned and sworn, and that true faith and credit is and always has been given to their Official acts as such, and further that their signatures thereto subscribed are genuine -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and affixed the Seal of my Office at Newton this fifth day of October A.D. 1833 - J. E. Edsall Clk

Reuben
6304
INVALID.
File No. 6307
Joseph Vannaken Quit Rev War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index: Vol. M , Page 387
[Arrangement of 1870.]
✓

Memo A Memo. sent to the Sup d . of the Dead Letter Room of the Gen. Post-office, May 28 th 1834 Stating that the Pension Cert of Joseph Vanaken had been sent on the 24 th to Hon P. Dickerson

Joseph Vanaken
Payments to be made
$20.
at Trenton by the
Pres. Tren. Bk. & Co.
Agent for paying Pension-
ers, in the Agency of
New Jersey
$63.07
Recorded in the Pension Of- fice, in Book E Vol. 3
Page 137 by the Recording Clerk C. Lawr. Clerk 4. November 1833. -

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Joseph Banaken of the State of New Jersey . . . . who was a private during the Revolutionary War . . . . is entitled to receive twenty . . . . dollars and . . . . cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this seventh day of June one thousand eight hundred and thirty-four.
L. B. Chap Secretary of War.
Examined and } Countersigned. }
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.

July 11. 1834 Paid to H Mar 1834 Oct 8. 1834 Paid to H Sept 1834 April 7 1835 Paid to H Oct 1835 Oct 19 1835 Paid to H Sept 1835 April 18 1836 Paid to H Mar 1836 Oct 27 1836 Paid to H Sept 1836
22.82 3/4
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM
WAR DEPARTMENT

Payments to be made at Trenton N.J. by Pres Trenton Bank Compa Agent for paying Pension- ers, in the Agency of
New Jersey
Loan calls
Recorded in the Pension Of- fice, in Book E Vol. 3 Page 137 by C. Laurie Clerk.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Joseph Vanaken of the State of Connecticut who was a Private during the Revolutionary War is entitled to receive Twenty dollars and cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this 14 th day of November one thousand eight hundred and thirty-three
L. Wood
Secretary of War.
Examined and } Countersigned. }
J. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.

Wm. P. Dickerson

22.825
Joseph Wanamaker Claim said to have been admitted - N. J. Case look & up d . to Hm. P. Dickerson
Aaron Westbrook Make out the Certificate for 7 months - the Ct. is willing to take that, send out to Hm P. Dickerson A letter was written to Hm Mr. D. saying that the claim would be admitted for 7 months

2-10
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Custom office
Hon. Th. Dickerson

By Sir,
I enclose the certificate of Joseph Venable in which by mistake he is described as being of the State of Connecticut , instead of N. Jersey , you will please correct the mistake & return the certificate to me. I am your very obligd
Ph. Dickerson.
June 6-1834
J. L. Edwards Esq.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Joseph Vanauken. which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? no V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? no VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? No clergyman certificate - living witnesses XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? Yes XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? Witnesses XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? no Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? no XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? no XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? no
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which 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 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.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the 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.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.
See I herewith return the papers of Joseph Vanauken, commanded & certified as reg'd by the regulations of the War department - and proper authentication, attached under seal of the certifying officer - As to the period of the War in which applicant served I presume under the equity & liberality of the rules adopted under the 5 th quere - the matter is sufficiently made out by the affidavit of the applicant and his 3 witnesses - the States - 1. That early in the War, as early as 1855: has was enrolled in Capt Abner Thomas Comp'y, & was drafted from that Comp'y to go to other York - when he went, & was employed 4 or 5 weeks, and worked at the for- -tification, called the Grand Battery - This is a period of the War well known in history -

 2. That after this he went on another tour, and was on duty in the Paisaick near Springfield N.J. and was there when the Battle of Springfield was fought - another period of the war , well known in history - Col. Seymour commanded the Regt.  3. That after this, he was on another tour, at Amboy . in the fall of the year , (I presume after the battle at Springfield )  4. He was on duty at Red Bank below Philadelphia at the time the British Capt. Maudsfort another period of the war well known in history -  5. That he was on another tour, and in the Battle of Germantown another period of the war well known in history -  6. Various other tours, to the conclusion of the war , on the frontier along Andel etc. 
Noble Service 6 months Service
These facts are well supported by his 3 witnesses and the names of the officers generally stated -
I hope this man's case (for he is old and poor) may be considered satisfactorily made out - There can be no doubt of the truth of it - indeed I am sure it is a stronger case & better made out than some. That I have known to be allowed, which I believe was also perfectly just & right -
May I beg your immediate attention to this matter and that you will cause an answer to be given without delay as a year has more has already elapsed since this application was made -
Very Resp. your obedt Servt J. L. Edwards Jr. - (Newton N.J. Oct 5-1837) Wm T. Anderson

If a duplicate has not been already sent it will be now sent
J. Edwards Commissioner of Patents
William J. Anderson Esq. Trenton New Jersey
Simsbury Office May 22 1834