Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 6366, Joseph Whitecar, New Jersey Pa. Sea Service

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey Pa. Sea Service
Whitecar, Joseph
S. 6366
CONTENTS
carded.

New Jersey. 22.686.
Joseph Whitecar.
who served in the State of New Jersey who was a Private in the Col. commanded by Captain Page of the Rgt. commanded by Col. Peaple in the New Jersey line for Brandywine.
Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey, at the rate of 43 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 3 rd day of Dec 1833 and sent to Mrs. J. Barrett - Fairton, New Jersey.
Arrears to the 4th of Sep. 1833. 108.33, Semi-annual allowance ending 4 th Dec. 34, 21.67.
$130.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by W. H. Palmer, Clerk Book E. Vol. 8. Page 135.
V 33 22 S W
X

(Joseph Whitecar)
Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7 th 1832.
State of New Jersey Cumberland County 3 rd
On this ( very ) first day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open court, before Reuben Hunt George Sauer and Emma Sheppard and Jeremiah Still judges of the inferior court of common Pleas of said county of Cumberland and State of New Jersey now sitting - Joseph Whitecar a resident of the Township of Downe in said county and State, aged seventy seven years who being first duly affirmed  sworn according to Law, oaths, and his affirmation  oath , make the following Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated. That in the month of September 1775 he raised an alarm under the command of Col. Newcomb at Eggiland Cumberland County N.J. In May 1776 was drafted into Capt. Pages Company commanded by Col. Newcomb then marched to the Delaware River in Cumberland N.J. was stationed there two months for the purpose of keeping the British from landing. In July 1776 enlisted in the company of Capt. Daniels Organ commanded by Genl. Hecker Col. Newcomb. Marched from Cumberland to New York was there two weeks then marched to Long Island there had a battle with the enemy on the 27 th day of August 1776 and he was in Genl. Washington's retreat on the 29 th of the same month to New York then marched up the North River about twelve miles to Fort Washington the Fort being first built. was finished it. after being there six weeks we marched to White Plains in the State of New York where there was often out and scouting parties at one time had a battle with the enemy and took prisoners of

British prisoners on the 18 th of October 1776, was in the Battle at White Plains on the 28 th same month, was commanded by Genl. Washington. Genl. Sterling Col. Silas Newcomb Col. and Major from Virginia was not recruited. Marched from the White Plains to a place called North Bridge where there had to attend on the Sick till discharged where was on the First of February 1777, before we got home we had to sell our Shirts to buy Bread, was out this term Seven Months. (After being at home a short time was drafted in Capt. Petersons Company and on account of Sickness in our family. I hired a substitute one month.) in December 1777 I was drafted in Capt. Saml. Westotts Company under command of Col. Isaac Preston marched from Cumberland County to Sunbury borough N.J. was in no particular engagement was out this term two months. in October 1778 I was drafted in Capt. Canouers Company commanded by Col. Summers we marched from Cumberland County to Sugartown and Egg Harbor in Gloucester County New Jersey. out this time two months in April 1779 was drafted in the same Company & Regiment was stationed at a Quarters near a Bridge same on shore located with John Decker was out this term three  two Months - May 1. 1779. Shiped on Board the Sloop Garnet as a marine under command of Capt. Stevens. 1 st Lieut. Mansfield 2 nd Lieut. Smiths we carried Two Guns and fifty men Sailed from Little Egg Harbor we soon fell in with an outfit three American vessels called, True Blue, Sally Fly, the other not recalled while out in the Garnet took Four British vessels, got three in and carried Ten guns and eighty men, another Four guns, another Museum built Sloop loaded with Molasses in the same year Shiped on Board Schooner Hawk of Ten guns and eighty men Capt. Stillwell, 1 st Lieut. William Green, 2 nd Lieut. Joshua Smiths after being out Two days was taken by the British and put in Grand Pight cays and nights where we arrived in New York was then put on Board of a prison ship, there kept till the 16 th of Nov r 1779. then exchanged. was out this term Six months and a half
7
2
2
16 1/2

4 After he returned home was often called out night and day to attend alarms to keep off the refugees and Tories till in the fall of 1880 he was again called, in the company of Capt. Lewis and three battalions. Four months
Being out in the service of his country in the Revolutionary War Two years and six months besides after being called out to attend alarms. That he had no documentary evidence, he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure, except the testimony of
hereunto annexed, who can testify to his services.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatsoever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of the agency of any State.
Affirmed sworn to and subscribed the day and year above stated in open Court Reuben Hunt Pres t of the Court
Joseph Whitecar

We Thomas Brooks a Clergyman — residing in the County of Cumberland New Jersey and William D. Barnett residing in the same place do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Joseph Whitcomb who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration. That we believe him to be seventy- seven years of age, that he is respected and beloved in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a servant of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion. Thomas Brooks Sworn and subscribed { the day and year aforesaid { William D. Barnett Reuben Hunt Post of the Court
Since the said Court do hereby express their opinion, after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named appli- =cant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. Since the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Thomas Brooks who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman and resides in the County of Cumberland New Jersey since that William D. Barnett who has also signed the same is a resident in the same place and is a suitable person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Reuben Hunt, Post!
George Vander } Edm. Sheppard } Associates Jeremiah Stull
I Ebenezer Seeley Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the County of Cum- berland. Do hereby certify that the forego-
Whitcomb

-ing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Joseph Whitaker for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office the first day of October A.D. one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
Robert Scoble Atty
Robert Scoble Atty
I, Ebenezer Denny Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the County of Bullock in the State of Georgia do hereby certify that John White, Esq. James Whitaker, Esq. and others the undersigned are each of them a Justice of the Peace in the said County, and were such Justices at the time of holding and sitting the said Court in the County of Bullock, and were then and there present, duly commissioned and sworn in office, and that the said Court was held at the house of the said John White, Esq. on the first day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.

I Ebenezer Seeley Clerk of the Superior Court of Common Pleas of the County of Cumberland, New Jersey. Do hereby certify that John M c Intosh Esq r . Amos Westcott Esq r and Henry Shaw Esq r are each of them a justice of the Peace in for said County, and were such at the time of taking and attesting to the within affidavits, duly Commissioned and sworn and by law authorized to administer oaths and affirmations, and that full faith and credit is and ought to be given to all their & each of their official acts as such. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Seal of office the ninth day of March, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and twenty six.
Ebenezer Seeley

State of New Jersey Cumberland County, ss.
Personally Appeared before me John M c Hugh one of the justices of the peace in and for the County of Cumberland, Ellis Hance who being Duly Sworn, Saith that he is well acquainted with Joseph Whitecar, and the said Joseph Whitecar, shipped on board the Schooner Hawk of Philadelphia carrying ten guns, in the year of our Lord one Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy Nine in the month of September Enoch Stillwell Master, out two Days and was taken prisoner by a British twenty Gun Ship, and kept in Irons eight Days and Nights, then put on board the prison Ship good Hope laying in the North River and kept there until exchanged, and further Saith not. Except the said Ellis Hance was on board the Schooner the last time. Sworn to Subscribed Before me this Seventh Day of June 1826 John M c Hugh Justice Peace
Ellis Hance
Personally appeared before me Henry Share one of the justices of the peace in and for said County Amos Bradford a man to me well known who being Duly Sworn Saith that he has known Joseph Whitecar fifty years and that the said Whitecar was always a faithfull Whig and true Soilder in the Revolutionary war that he was in the five month service and was out a privateering and also in the militia at other times that he always love a good cannonier but by misfortune in the last war and from other circumstances he is now a very poor man and further saith that Sworn before me this 8 Day march 1826 Henry Share J's peace
Amos Bradford

Personally Appeared before me, John Wm Hoth one of the justices of the peace in and for the County of Cumberland and State of New Jersey, Thomas Gandy And upon his solemn oath Doth Depose and Say, that he was well acquainted with Joseph Whittaker, and the said Joseph Whittaker enlisted in the five months service under Captain, Samuel Ogden, and Silas Newcomb was Colonel, and the said Joseph Whittaker, served the five months in the United States Service, and the Deponent further saith that he heard the said Whittaker's Petition read and the several Battles there mentioned as far as came within five months was correct. Thomas Gandy Taken before me this twentieth Day of February A.D. 1826 Jno Wm Hoth Justice Peace
State of New Jersey Cumberland County ss
Personally appeared before me Amos Westcott one of the Justices of the peace in and for the County of Cumberland Judicial Ogden who being duly sworn saith that he is well acquainted with Joseph Whittaker, and that the said Joseph Whittaker enlisted into the Continental army of the United States on or about June or July in the year 1776 for five months in the company commanded by Capt Samuel Ogden and was attached to Col Silas Newcomb's Regiment, and that he the said deponent served in the same company with the said Joseph Whittaker and that the statement made by him in his petition so far as it regards his revolutionary services is substantially correct.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this first day of March 1826
Amos Westcott Justice of the peace
Jedidiah Ogden

State of New Jersey Cumberland County ss.
I Samuel Westcott being de- ly sworn according to law depose & saith that he is well acquainted with Joseph Whitaker the above named appli- cant for a pension, that this Deponent was in the Service in the Revolutionary war one tour with said Joseph Whitaker, in the Company commanded by Captain Westcott, in 1779 the Company marched to Sweden- borough and was Station there greater part of the time we were out together in said Company, — This Deponent further saith that he has always understood said Whitaker was in the Service in the Revolu- tionary war at various other times.
Sworn & subscribed October 1 st 1832 George Lander
his Samuel X Westcott Mark
I George Lander one of the judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the County of Cumberland New Jersey, do hereby certify, that the above affi- davit of Samuel Westcott was taken & subscribed by and before me, and that the said Samuel Westcott is a credible person, and that full credit is and should be given to his deposition under oath. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand the first day of October, one thousand eight hundred and thirty two. The names of Samuel Westcott & Joseph Whitaker first written on error of the year 1779 first interlined. George Lander Judge

State of New Jersey } Cumberland County } ss:
I Ebenezer Seeley clerk of the Superior Court of Common Pleas of the county of Cumberland. State of New Jersey, Do hereby certify that George Soderer Esquire before whom the foregoing affidavit of Sumner Westcott was taken, and who has attested thereto and who has signed to the foregoing Certificate was at the time thereof and now is a Judge of the Superior Court of Common Pleas of said County, and is duly Commissioned and sworn and that full faith and credit are to be showed be given to all his official acts as such, and that the signature thereto annexed is the own genuine signature of the said George Soderer. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said court, the first day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
Ebenezer Seeley Clerk
I Ebenezer Seeley clerk of Cumberland County aforesaid, Do further certify

State of New Jersey Cumberland County } ss
Benjamin Gaskin aged Eightyfive years next January, Being only, I make affidavit to law deposeth and saith that he is well acquainted with Joseph Whitman the above applicant for a pension. That this deponent was in the company commanded by Capt. Gaskin and that Joseph Whitman was in said company at the same time. and the deponent further saith that he was in the company of Capt. Summers in the fort at Summer Point Great Egg Harbor Gloucester County New Jersey and that Joseph Whitman was also in the fort and was attached to the said company this deponent and the said Joseph Whitman marked from the fort was then separate. But this deponent further saith that he often heard of Joseph Whitman in other companies and that the Statements made by Joseph Whitman he believes to be true that he was in the service as therein stated.
Sworn to and Subscribed his Before me Oct. 23. 1832 Benjamin Gaskin William D. Barrett marks Justice of the Peace
I William D. Barrett a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Cumberland New Jersey do hereby certify that the foregoing affidavit of Benjamin Gaskin was taken before me, and that the witness put his signature (Being a cross) thereto in my presence.
And I do further certify that the said Ben r Gaskin is a credible person and that his oath is at all times entitled to full weight and credit.
William D. Barrett Justice of the Peace

Joseph Whitecar
J. Miller
22075

I Ebenezer Seeley Clerk of the Inferior Courts of Common Pleas of the County of Cumberland & New Jersey. Do hereby certify that William D. Barrett Esquire before whom the above affidavit of Benjamin Cosier was taken & Who has attested to the same was at the time thereof & now is one of the Justices of the Peace in & for said county duly commis- sioned & sworn, and that full faith & credit are & should be given to all his official acts as such. - And I do further certify that the signature of said William D. Barrett thereto is the own proper signature of said W m D. Barrett -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of said Court the twenty third day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty two. Ebenezer Seeley

no 23075
Joseph Whitecar
Rept to Mr. Edwards part of the claim for Naval Service
H. S. Evans
22 nd May 1833.
Adm. 1. year 1. month
Wm. D. Barrett Esq. Friston N. J. Chas. Seeley agt Braintree N. J.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
Sir:
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 subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: \} ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Joseph Whitecar, of Cumberland & N.S.
    Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Course of Crises Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     1775 Alleged or actual Private Colo Newcomb name of Ship or other Vessel Cumberland Co. New Jersey Aged 77 Tradi honory Living witness   Drafted 1776 2 Capt Page Colo Newcomb To the Delaware Shore   Enlisted 1776 7 Capt L. ... Gordon Bent Heard Washington Fort Mifflin Colo Newcomb Long Island White Plains From Cumberland Co. to New York City along Delaware River to Fort Mifflin - to White Plains   Drafted 1777 hired a substitute 2 Capt Saml. Weston Colo Isaac Brown To Brandywine   Drafted 1777 2 Capt Cannon Colo Newcomb From Red Bank   Drafted 1778 2   Drafted 1779 15   Ship'd 1779 Marine Ship Capt Stevens Lieut Morris Lieut. 2nd Lieut Smith HMS Hawk Schooner Hawk Sailed from Little Egg Harbour on cruise   Ship'd 1779 6 15 Ship. Capt. Miller Lieut. Green Lieut. Losh...   After when home was often called out on alarms Bristo   Drafted 1780 4 Capt Lanes   
Alleges he was in service five years & six months, besides being frequently called out on alarms
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) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B.
who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that he 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.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration. } 65 1 2

1812 Section eel
January 8, 1929
Donald D. Hand 286 North Broad Street Elizabeth, New Jersey
Sir:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S76366 , it appears that Joseph Whitecar enlisted and served as a private in the New Jersey Troops as follows:
From in September, 1775, a tour of alarm under Colonel Newcomb, length of service not stated.
From in May, 1776, two months in Captain Page's Company, Colonel Newcomb's Regiment.
From in July, 1776, in Captain Samuel Ogden's Company, Colonel Silas Newcomb's Regiment, he assisted in the construction of Fort Washington, was in the retreat from Long Island, in the battles of Pelham Manor and White Plains, and was discharged, February 1, 1777.
From in December, 1777, two months in Captain Samuel Westcott's Company, Colonel Isaac Preston's Regiment.
From in October, 1778, two months in Captain Conover's

Company, Colonel Somers' Regiment.
From in April, 1779, fifteen days under the last named officers as a guard on a brig stationed near the New Jersey shore.
He enlisted, May 1, 1779, served as a marine on the sloop, "Hornet", commanded by Captain Stevens; while out they retook three American vessels, the "True Blue", the "Polly Sly", and one other; they also took four British vessels. In the same year he sailed on the schooner, "Hawk", of Philadelphia, commanded by Captain Enoch Stilwell; after being out two days, the "Hawk" was captured and the crew held in irons for eight days and nights, then put on board the prison ship, "Good Hope", and was exchanged, November 16, 1779.
In the fall of 1780, he served four months in Captain Lowes' New Jersey Company.
In addition to the above service he was frequently called out and served on short tours of alarm, no details given.
He was allowed pension on his application executed October 1, 1832, while a resident of Dawson Township, Cumberland County, New Jersey, aged seventy-seven years.

The date and place of his birth are not given, nor his residence during the Revolution but it appears that at the beginning of each tour of service he marched from Cumberland County, New Jersey.
There are no data concerning his family.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner.
Heatherton A.B.

1929-Jan 8 - Hist to Donald D. Hand, M.E.E.
Revtrans
6366 INVALID.
File No. 6366
Joseph Whitcomb Brnt Rev War
Act: June 7 th 1832.
Index: Vol. M , Page 403
[Arrangement of 1870.]

WHITTEMORE & McLEAN COUNSELLORS AT LAW 286 NORTH BROAD STREET ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY
CLARK McK. WHITTEMORE DONALD H. McLEAN
EDGAR H. PINNEO SIGURD A. EMERSON DONALD D. HAND
March 20, 1928.
Pension Bureau, Department of the Interior, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
Will you kindly furnish me a transcript of the records of your Bureau as to a pension received by one Joseph Whitacar, who served in the American Army during the war of the Revolution. I am advised that Mr. Whitacar at the time lived in Cumberland County, N. J. at or near a place known as Whitacar's Mills; that he was a Quaker, and is reputed to have received a pension from the Government after the war.
I particularly would like to know the details as to his date of birth, residence, date of induction into the Army and remarks concerning his military service, disability, if any, etc.
If there is any charge for this service, I shall be glad to send you remittance to cover the same if you will indicate the amount.
Yours very truly,
Donald D. Hand.
DDH:EC