Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 840, Ralph Van Houten, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey
Van Houten, Ralph
S. 840
CONTENTS
carded.

17.197 New Jersey
Ralph Van Houten of Bergen in the State of N J who was a Pri- in the Com commanded by Captain _____ of the Reg commanded by Col Day in the N J + Militia 10 mo
Inscribed on the Roll of N J at the rate of 33 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 9 day of August 1833 and sent - Hon L Condict Present -
Arrears to the 14th of March 33. $ 66 66 emi-ant. allowance ending Sept 4 4 16 66 $ 83. 32
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Ed Bullock Clerk, Book E Vol. 3 - Page 134

DECLARATION.
State of New-Jersey, } ss. Bergen County, }
On this first day of October 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before the Judges of the Inferior court of Common Pleas in and for the county of Bergen now sitting, Ralph Van Houten a resident of Franklin Township in the county of Bergen and State of New-Jersey , aged eighty one 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 Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers, and served as herein stated.
That he was born in that part of Saddle River now called the township of Franklin in the county of Bergen in the State of New-Jersey , on the second day of June 1751 , at which place he entered the service of the United States as a drafted Militiaman under Capt. Crines Van Houten and performed one regular tour of duty stationed at the city of New-York , in the summer of 1776 - thinks the British made a landing in Staten Island at the same time - that he performed another regular tour of duty under Capt. Crines Van Houten stationed at Wawarsing near Paul's Brook and at Fort Lee on the Hudson River at which time he thinks he was six weeks in the service - The battle at Fort Washington took place at the same time - that he performed one tour of service at Millstone , at which time he was six weeks in service under Capt. Van Houten in the winter season, cannot particularize the year but knows that the British were in possession of Princeton and New Brunswick at the same time - That he performed several monthly tours of service at the English-Neighborhood near Hackensack , under Captains John Willis and Crines Van Houten , the other captains he cannot recollect by name, but knows that his service in that station in all cannot be less than three months - and during

The last mentioned service he was engaged with the enemy in the neighborhood of Fort Lee, Colonel James Dey commanding the detachment to which he belonged - That he performed one monthly tour of service at Ramapough , but cannot recollect the Captain's name under whom he served on that occasion - That his duty on that occasion was keeping up a guard against the incursions of the Refugees, Tories and Horn-Thieves - That he performed one monthly tour of service under Capt O'Hara stationed at Pompton, New Jersey - at which time, the company, on one occasion, was marched to Greenwood and succeeded in re-capturing a large drove of cattle from the Refugees and Tories and delivered them to the American Commissary for the use of the army - That he performed one monthly tour of service under Capt John Willis stationed at Paramus , Gen. Wynes was stationed there with considerable force at the same time - and on one occasion during the last mentioned service he was ordered as a sergeant in charge of a party to take a quantity of forage by requisition from one of the Tories and during his absence Gen. Wynes moved his command to Pompton , and he followed in his rear and succeeded in delivering a large quantity of Corn to the Commissary Department attached to his command - That he was in the service of the United States from time to time from the commencement to the close of the Revolutionary War, in all not less than two years, but cannot particularize the times, places, or Officers under whom he served otherwise than as above stated and that during all his said service he acted in the capacity of a non-commissioned officer, the greater part of which he was a sergeant - That he has no documentary evidence - that he has no recollection of ever having received a written or printed discharge - That the only persons he now recollects who can testify to his services are only those already attested to this Declaration

That at the close of the war he returned to his native place where he has continued to reside to the present time
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a Pension or Annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any of the United States.
Sworn to, and subscribed, in open Court, the day and year first aforesaid. } Abel Root
Abel Root
WE Dea. H. Cooper a Clergyman, residing in the Township of Franklin County of Bergen and State of New-Jersey, and Albert G. Lydaeker residing in the Township of Franklin County of Bergen and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Ralph van Houten who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, —that we believe him to be eightyone 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 FIRST AFORESAID. } Dea. H. Cooper, Pastor of the Low Dutch church at the ponds
Abel Root a Judge of the Bergen Common Pleas court
Albert G. Lydaeker
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 Dea. H. Cooper who has signed the preceding Certificate, is a Clergyman resident in the Township of Franklin County of Bergen and State aforesaid. and that Albert G. Lydaeker who has also signed the same, is a resident of the Township of Franklin County of Bergen and State aforesaid, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
W. Westervelt
I, Abraham Westervelt Clerk of the Inferior Court of common Pleas in and for said County of Bergen do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Ralph van Houten for a Pension.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal of Office, this thirty first day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two .
W. Westervelt

I John H. Post a resident of the County of Essex  Bergen in the state of New Jersey aged seventy two years do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Ralph VanHorn who is now applying for a pension under the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832. And I do further certify that I was a fellow soldier, doing duty in the service of the United States during the Revolutionary war with the said Ralph VanHorn under the command of Captain VanHorn. Stationed at Millstone in the winter season during which time the British had possession of the City of New Brunswick. And I do further certify that I was also a fellow soldier belonging to the same company with the said Ralph VanHorn and saw him actively engaged with the enemy at Fort Lee on the Hudson River during the Revolutionary war. And I do further certify that I was also a fellow soldier with the said Ralph VanHorn doing duty in the City of New York at the very time the British first effected a landing on Staten Island, and that we were both members of the same company at the time. And I do further certify that the said Ralph VanHorn was a member of the same company and I have a distinct recollection that we were doing duty together at Hackmuck - The English Neighbourhood - Paul's Hook and various other places from time to time during the revolutionary war and every believe that the said Ralph VanHorn was in the service in all more than two years. Sworn & subscribed this 25 th day of October 1832 before me. This John H. Post Mark
6 Shaw Wagoner Justice of the Peace

State of New Jersey } County of Bergen }
ss I Abraham Westervelt clerk of the Inferior court of common Pleas in and for said county of Bergen & clerk of said county Do hereby certify that Cornelius I Van Wagoner before whom the foregoing affidavit of John H Post was made & taken at the time of taking the same was & still is a justice of the Peace in and for said county duly commissioned & sworn & residing therein that I am acquainted with the hand writing of said justice & that the signature "C. I. Van Wagoner" justice of the peace" subscribed to the jurat of the above affidavit is genuine
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal set my hand and seal of Office this thirty first day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
Ab: Westervelt Clerk

Ralph Vanhouten
New Jersey - Bergen County
Ralph (or Ruly) Van- Houten's applica- tion for a pension
Wititia
Survey
17095

State of New Jersey Bergen County Personally appeared before me Martin Van Houten one of the Justices of the Peace in and for said County Samuel Romine Seventy four years of age and being duly sworn on his oath saith that he is perfectly acquainted with Ralph Vanhouten of same place who is about applying for a pension under act of Congress passed the Seventh June 1832 who on his oath deposes and saith that he has a perfect recollection of serving with the above Ralph Vanhouten in the Revolutionary war as a fellow soldier that he performed one month service under Capt Coines Vanhouten at Mill Stone but does not recollect the year in which they served Sworn to at My office in said County This twenty second day of October in the year of our Lord 1832 Before Me Martin Van Houten
his Samuel Romine mark
State of New Jersey County of Bergen } ss. I Abraham Westervelt clerk of the Inferior court of common Pleas in and for said county of Bergen & clerk of said county Do hereby certify that Martin Van Houten before whom the foregoing affidavit of Samuel Romine was made and taken at the time of taking the same was & still is a justice of the Peace in and for said county duly commissioned and sworn & residing therein that I am acquainted with the handwriting of said justice & that the signature "Martin Van Houten" subscribed to the jurat of the above affidavit is correct.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this thirty first day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two. A. Westervelt
I hereby certify to the Secretary of War and commissioner of pensions that Samuel Romine whose affidavit with his signature is attached to the declaration of Ralph Vanhouten is a credible person for a witness and fully entitled to belief. Martin Van Houten justice of the peace

State of New Jersey, Bergen County
On this 23 rd day of July personally appeared before the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid Ralf VanHorn of Franklin in said County aged 82 years and personally well known in said County and to the Subscriber as a Man of Truth and good Standing And being duly sworn Saith that he is the same Ralf VanHorn who under oath on the 31 st day of October Made a Declaration of his Revolutionary Services, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 which was done in open Court then Sitting in and for the said County. When his Original Declaration was made out the pressure of business before the Court was such as to prevent him from detailing Minutely each tour of duty he performed and specifying as accurately as he has since learned is Newpaz - the Officer who commanded on each occasion and the time and nature of the duty - he has endeavoured to refresh his memory by bestowing more thought and reflection on the subject and desires that the Secretary of War and Commissioner of Pensions, will receive this as his Amended declaration in which he will endeavour to set forth more specifically and as in much detail as his memory will allow, the Revolutionary Services he performed.
As the Second Interrogatory was not answered in his Original declaration, but was questioned by the Court and answered by him that the Record of his age is recorded in the Consistory of the Reformed Dutch Church at the Ponds, in County and State aforesaid.
That he served One Month in the year 1776 Months of August

and September as a drafted Man under Capt. Crines Van Houten, Major Dey, and Col. Sunis Dey Com- manding Regt. — was Stationed at the City of New York Marched back to the place of enrollment, Bergen County and State of N. J. and was discharged
That he Served Six Weeks in the year 1776. in the Months of October and November as a drafted Volunteer under Capt. Crines Van Houten, Col. Sunis Dey Commanding was Stationed at Horsimuy, near Paulus Hook and Fort Lee doing guard duty, watching the enemy from committing depredation on the Inhabitants — he knows the British took Fort Washington in the same time. served the time and was discharged. The above duty being performed in County of Bergen and State of New Jersey.
That he Served Six Weeks in the year 1776 in the Month of December, and was discharged in Jan y 1777. Served as a Volunteer Under Capt. Crines Van Houten Col. S. Dey commanding Regt. Was entered at Bergen County and Marched Through Morris County to Millstone in County of Somerset, where we done duty as guard, knows that British had possession of New Brunswick and Pinceton at the same time — was Marched back to Bergen County served the time and was discharged
He served One Month being drafted in the year 1778 and in the Months of August and Sept r . Under Capt. Crines Van Houten, Col. Sunis Dey — Major S. Dey comman- ding was Stationed at Hackensack & English Neighbor- hood and other places, doing duty as guard and other service. — Served the time and was discharged
He Served One Month being drafted in the year 1779 in the Months of May & June and July Under Capt. Willis Col. Dey Commanding Regt. Was Stationed at Tinefy and other places in County and State aforesaid doing

duty as guard and other Service as before stated in other tour — Served the time and was discharged
He served One Month being drafted in the year as he believes 1780 Months of Sept r and October Under Capt s John Willis Col t Sunis Dey Commanding Reg t Was Stationed at Ramapough County of Bergen, the duty being to keep guard, watching the enemy from stealing horses and plundering the Inhabitants — Served the time and was discharged —
He served One Month being a volunteer in the year 1781 in Months of Dec r and Jan y as he believes Under Capt s — O'Hara — Stationed at Pompton Bergen County doing guard duty as in other tour, at which time he was one of a party who Marched to Greenwood in State of N.J. and recaptured a large drove of Cattle from the Refugees and Tories and delivered them to the American Commissary — Served the time and was discharged Col t Ogden or Barber — as he believes — Commanding
He served One Month being drafted in the year 1782 in the Months of May and June Under Capt s John Willis. Col t Dey Commanding Reg t was Stationed at Pinefly and Liberty Pole. Bergen County, doing duty as in other Monthly tour — He recollects the whole Regiment was Marched to Fort Lee which was in possession of the British and Stormed it took the Fort and demolished it when we were compelled to retreat — Served the time and was discharged —
His last tour of Service was rendered in the year 1782 in the year Months of November and Dec r as a volunteer Under Capt s John Willis. Col t Dey, Commanding Reg t Was Stationed at Paramus. Bergen County, doing duty as as guard and various Service — Served the time and was discharged — This tour was for One Month

From the great length of time which has elapsed since the before recited services were rendered many particulars must have escaped his memory. He has related all which he can remember - In the order of time and in the names of some of the Superior officers. He may in some instances perhaps fallen into mistakes. He asks a reasonable allowance for the frailty of human memory, whilst he has faithfully endeavored to adhere conscientiously to the truth of which he has spoken. And he verily believes he has faithfully served his country in the War of the Revolution in different Monthly tours for for the full period of Ten Months as a Private for which he claims a pension from the United States under Act of Congress 7 th June 1832. Sworn and Subscribed to Ralph Van Houten
Before me this 23 day of July 1833
State of New Jersey } James Van Houten Justice of the Peace Bergen County } Personally appeared before the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for Said County John H Post aged 73 years And being duly sworn. Saith that he is personally acquainted with with Ralph Van Houten of the same place, who has applied for a Pension under the Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 And has a perfect recollection of seeing him, as a fellow Soldier in the following tours in the foregoing Revolutionary War.
One Month in 1776 Stationed at N York under Capt Circus Van Houten. doing guard duty - Five Weeks in 1776 Stationed at Hook believing this was in Month of Oct & Nov doing guard duty. Capt Van Houten Five weeks - 1776 & 77 under Capt Van Houten, Stationed at Millstone doing guard duty - And the following tours not in the same company but in same Regiment One month Under Capt Willis, One Month under Capt Van Houten, One month under Capt John Willis One Month under Capt O'Hara. One Month under Capt John Willis and Another Month under Capt John Willis - cannot particularize the years but was from 1777 to 1782 doing guard duty, at the various Stations in the County of Bergen Sworn and Subscribed to before Me
this 6 day of July 1833 James Van Houten Justice of the Peace
} John H Post J. Mertz

I hereby certify to the Secretary of War and Commissioners of Pensions that John H Post, whose affidavit with his signature is attached to the amended declaration of Ralph Vanhouren is a credible person for a witness and fully entitled to belief.
James Van Houten Justice of the Peace
I do hereby certify that James Vanhouren the Magistrate who has taken the deposition of Ralph Vanhouren to his amended declaration is the same James Vanhouren who has subscribed the affidavit of John H Post above referred to and that he is duly authorized to take depositions and acknowledgments and that the papers of Ralph Vanhouren (the original ones) are now in the same conditions as when they passed the court on the 31 day of October 1832 and that the amended declaration and additional papers Testimonies are annexed thereto - and that the signature of the said James Van Houten is genuine.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the Inferior court of common Pleas of the county of Bryan this first day of August A.D. 1833.
M. M. Wells Clerk

No 17095 Ralph Vanhouten New Jersey
Redura e i f m
aduit
10 cu fpirato
33.33
L
Abraham Westervelt Clerk Bergen County Court M.D.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office.
25 May
1833
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 subjjoined 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 Ralph Van Alstyne
   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. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Drafted 1774 Private Capt Van Alstyne Cols None N.Y. Age 81   as a Van Alstyne N.Y. Sergeant Traditionary   42 non-commissioned officer " N.Y. Conn.   12 officer " Millstone N.J.   3 the post was Willis & Orines Pay. "   1 a Serjeant " N.J.   1 land Starr Genl   1 Willis Agnes   Service from time to time on the Revolution war in all not less than 2 years  
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) 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 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.
[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.
Dyer Custer John Dyer

New War
INVALID.
File No.
840 Ralph Van Hoote Phil. N. J. Line.
Act:
June 7. 1832.
Index:—Vol.
a
, Page
386
[Arrangement of 1870.]
✓

Ralph Van Housen Died about Sept $33.33. Payments to be made
at Trenton Augt. 9 th 33.
by Res of Tren: Bank Com Agent for paying Pension- ers, in the Agency of
New Jersey
$840
Recorded in the Pension Of- fice, in Book E Vol. 3
Page 134 by E D Bullock
Clerk.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Revolutionary Claim.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Ralph Van Houten of the State of New Jersey who was a Private during the Revolutionary War
is entitled to receive Thirty Three dollars and Thirty Three 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 — 9 — day of August one thousand eight hundred and thirty- Three
Lee Secretary of War.
Examined and } Countersigned. }
J L Edwards Commissioner of Pensions.

Sept 10. 1833 Paid to Sept 4. 1833
No 17.197