Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 6301, Peter Van Allen, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey
Van Allen, Peter
S. 6301
CONTENTS
Carded

32,407
New Jersey.
Peter Van Allen, deceased of Bergen Co in the State of N. Jersey who was a private in the company — commanded by Captain Boad of the — commanded by — in the N. Jersey line for 9 months —
Inscribed on the Roll of Trenton at the rate of 30 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831. End on the 6th Jan'y: 1834. when he died.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 rd day of Dec: 1845 and sent to C. A. Lay N. York
Arrears to the 14th of Semi-annual allowance ending
$85.32
{ Revolutionary Clm Act June 7, 183
Recorded by Whittier — Ch Book E-2 Vol. 3 — Page 169-

21th Dec. 1845. Report
Pen: Agent.
1885 Dec 4 Wm H. Van Allen with discrepancy in name Van Aulen & Van Allen - more data to identify
1886 about 12 Wm H Van Allen that Prior person has applied from NY & the data is insufficient to identify the one of his enquiry with a pensioner who served from & resided in another state Prior

DECLARATION.
State of New-Jersey, } ss. Bergen County, }
On this 31 ——— day of October — 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before the Judges — of the Superior court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Bergen — now sitting, Peter Van Allen — a resident of Franklin  Saddlehill in the county of Bergen and State of New-Jersey, aged Eighty — four 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 the County of Bergen now called Franklin. On the 15 th day of September 1748 according to the traditional account of his age, the record of which, having been lost or destroyed. That he resided at the place now called Franklin, at the commencement of the Revolutionary War and enlisted as a volunteer in a company commanded by Captain Joseph Board for three months and in the summer of 1776 was marched to the City of New York and immediately after the Battle on Long Island was marched to Bergen Point and there stationed as a Guard, a portion of the British army being lying on Staten Island, during the same time. That he served out the period of his enlistment. That he volunteered and performed three months service under Captain Beekman. That he thinks that a portion of the service under Captain Beekman was employed in building Fort Lee on the Hudson River and was stationed a part of the time at the English Neighborhood. That he performed several months service under Captain Bartolph. That he enlisted and performed three months service under Captain Tull who commanded the company called the Rangers, John Van Allen was a Lieutenant of the same company — Aaron Burr, was in Commission and in some way attached to the same corps, but cannot tell what rank he bore at the time — he may have only had the command, as a field officer, on one occasion. That he rec

Recalls
of his being with the company when they succeeded in taking the Hessian Piquet guard near Paramus. That he prior formed three months service under Captain Thomas Blocher. Thinks he was stationed at Hackensack during that time. That he performed three months service under Captain Oeteweer. That he performed three months service, per enlistment, under Captain Joseph Boerd at which time the company was stationed at Mill Stone. Col. John Dey commanded the Regiment. The British were lying at New Brunswick at the same time. That he was enlisted and performed three months service under Captain Ulrich Meyer. The only field officers he can now recollect under whom he served are Col. Dey and Major Gutchess.
That he was in the service of the United States during the Revolutionary war from the commencement to the end thereof, in all not less than three years, but cannot, at this time recollect the names of any of the officers other than above mentioned. That he was in an engagement with the British near Paramus and at Hoppers Mills. That he was in an engagement with the British & Refugees near Hackensack. Thinks General Rynes commanded, and after the battle he retreated on to a hill near Slaughter Dam, and lay through the night, during a violent storm, and without shelter. That he was once engaged with the Refugees at a place called the Little Ferry on Hackensack River. That he was one of a party and assisted in taking John Berry a Refugee Regular who had been advertised as an outlaw on account of the repeated murders & outrages committed. That on account of the many infirmities under which he is laboring it is impossible to give a more detailed account of the times, places, or circumstances, than is above stated.
That he now recollects of being in an engagement with the British & Refugees at Fort Lee on the Hudson River and at which time his cousin John Van Alstyne, a member of the same company, was wounded. That he saw many of the officers of the Regular Army during his said service but cannot now recollect them by name. General Washington spent a day here on one occasion about a week. His recollection is very indistinct as to any of the field officers with whom

he served - That at the close of the war he returned to his na- tive place and since which he has continued to reside. That he has no documentary evidence - has no recollection of ever receiving a written or printed discharge. That he knows of no other persons whom testimony he can produce who can testify to his service, except the affidavits herewith an- nexed.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a Pension or Annuity ex- cept 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.
W. M. Westcott
His Peter G. Varnall mark.
WE, Jeremias H. Cooper a Clergyman, residing in the Township of Franklin County of Bergen and State of New-Jersey , and Andrew B. Hopper residing in the Township of Saddle River County of Bergen and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Peter Varnall who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, - that we believe him to be Eighty four 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.
Before me one of the Judges of the inferior court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Bergen Benjamin Tompkins Judge
Jack H. Hopper Andrew B. Hopper Pastor
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after put- ting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolution- ary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Jack 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 Andrew B. Hopper who has also signed the same, is a resident of the Township of Saddle River County of Bergen and State aforesaid, and is a cred- ible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
W. M. Westcott
I, Shaham Westcott 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 Peter Varnall 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. M. Westcott

State of New Jersey Bergen County ss: Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Bergen the 31 st day of July A.D. 1833 Peter Van Aulen an applicant for a Pension under the act of Congress of June 7 th 1832 who under oath made the following answers hereto annexed to the questions propounded by me in pursuance to the directions of the War Department of the United States &
Question 1 where and in what year were you Born?
Answer - I was born in (what is now called) the Township of Franklin in the County of Bergen & State of New Jersey the 15 th day of September 1748 - as I have always understood & believe to be true.
Question 2 Have you any Record of your age & if so when is it?
Answer - I have no Record of my age - the Record of which having been lost or destroyed.
Question 3 - where were you living when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live?
Answer - at the time I entered the service I lived in (what is now) Franklin Township - there I lived until sometime after the war was ended - when I moved to the Township of Saddle River near the Town of Paterson & there I now live.
Question 4 How were you called into service, when you were drafted did you volunteer or where you a Substitute? and if a Substitute for whom?
Answer - I always turned out as a Volunteer
Question 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 generally the circumstances of your services?
Answer - General Washington - General Windes - Col. Dey, Major Foetschius, and the names of those Regular & Militia officers as I can now recollect - and as for the General Circumstances of my service services - (over)

I can not better answer then Refering to my declaration -
Question 6 Did you ever Receive a Discharge from the Service and if so By whom was it given & what has become of it -
Answer - I have never Received a written discharge that I can now Remember -
Question 7 th 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 Beliefs of your Services as a Soldier of the Revolution?
Answer - The Persons to whom I am Known in my present neighborhood are Zacharias H. Cooper Andrew P. Hoppe - Daniel Van Horn - and Thomas Hammonde - who can Testify to my Character for Veracity & their beliefs of my services as a Soldier of the Revolution -
And sworn & subscribed to before me the day & year aforesaid — } Peter his Van Allen mark David J. Christie Justice of the Peace
And I do hereby declare that having on the 31 st day of July 1832 put the Interrogatories prescribed by the War Department to Peter Van Allen the Applicant - they were answered him under oath in the manner above stated to my satisfaction - David J. Christie Justice of the Peace
State of New Jersey County of Bergen ss: I Abraham Waterwell Clerk of the County of Bergen and Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for said County Do hereby certify that David J. Christie whose name is subscribed to the Jurat of the above affidavit was on the day of the date thereof a Justice of the peace in and for the said County duly commissioned and sworn - And further that I am acquainted with the hand writing of said Justice and verily believe that his signature to said Jurat is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said Court this thirty first day of July A.D. eighteen hundred and thirty three -
W. Mesterdijk Clerk

New Jersey.
Peter Van Alstyne's Bergen County.
Peter Van Alstyne's Application for a pension - } Militia Service
17074
Ms. A. 9. 2. 20. 10

State of New Jersey
Bergen County } Before me Pigeon Sandford one of the Judges of the inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for said County Personally appeared Daniel Van Horn of Paterson in the County of Essex and State of New Jersey age a seventy four years and being by me duly sworn on his oath saith that he - is personally ac- quainted with Peter Van Allen of the County of Bergen who is now about applying for a Pension upon the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 - and on his oath saith that he recollects perfectly of having seen the said Peter Van Allen in the Service of the United States during the war of the Revolution at several times and places to wit, in the three months service in a company - commanded by Capt. Peter Ward, Stationed part of the time at Hackensack New Jersey, and English neighbourhood of the Hudson - also one term of service commanded by Capt. Romaine during which term they were stationed at a place called Clinton in Bergen County near the Hudson River - in the Regiment commanded by Col. Dey also this Deponent has a perfect recollection of having seen the said Peter Van Allen in the Service of the United States aforesaid - at several times under the Command of Capt. Hughie part of the time stationed at Rappahannock County of Bergen, also one term under Capt. Antrobus stationed at Hackensack, New Jersey - he also recollects of seeing him under the Command of Capt. Joseph Board age thirty - March towards New York - also recollects of seeing him in the Service under the Command of Capt. Berthoff - the most of the time above the said Peter Van Allen acted as Sergeant - in the Companies as above stated, and also recollects of seeing him act as one of the Guard at the time when one Col. and one Capt. Straw or Welcher, was executed near the Red Hills in Bergen County State of New Jersey sworn to and subscribed before me this 18th October 1832 } Daniel Van Horn Pigeon Sandford, Judge

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 and clerk of said county Do hereby certify that "Peregrine Sand- ford" before whom the foregoing affidavit of Daniel van Horn was made & taken at the time of taking the same was and still is a Judge of said court duly commissioned & sworn & residing therein, that I am acquain- ted with the hand writing of said Judge & that the signature "Pere- grine Sandford Judge" subscribed to the jurat of the above affidavit is genuine.
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.
Ab: Westervelt Clerk

State of New Jersey § Before me Peregrine Sandford one of the Bergen County § Judges of the inferior court of common Pleas in and for the County of Bergen Thomas Hammond aged eighty two years, - of the County of Bergen and State of New Jersey and being by me only known on his oath saith that he is personally acquainted with Peter Vernalin who is now applying for a Pension under the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832, and on his oath saith that the said Peter Vernalin was to the knowledge of this deponent a Soldier in the service of the united States during the war of the revolution that he the said Peter Vernalin served as a Volunteer commanded by Captain Joseph Boar for a term of three months in Bergen County State of New Jersey - also this deponent saith that the said Peter Vernalin served at four other different times of service during the war of the revolution to wit: one term in a company commanded by Captain Van Hook - one term of service under Captain Isaiah Bunn - one term in a company commanded by Captain John Antwater and also - one other term of service in a company commanded by Captain Peter Ward - and thinks that said service were performed by said Peter Vernalin as aforesaid as a Volunteer Sworn to and Subscribed Before me this 17- October 1832 - Thomas Hammond 222 clerk
Peregrine Sandford Judge
State of New Jersey § County of Bergen } ss. I Abraham Westervelt clerk of the Inferior court of common Pleas, and clerk of said county. Do hereby that Peregrine Sandford before whom the foregoing affidavit of Thomas Hammond was made & taken at the time of taking the same was and still is a Judge of said court duly commissioned and sworn & residing in said county That I am acquainted with the hand writing of said Judge & that the signature " Peregrine Sandford Judge "

Subscribed to the jurat of the above affidavit is genuine.
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: Minterwell Clerk
Bergen County ss. I. Peregrine Sandford before whom the affidavits of Daniel Van Horn and Thomas Hammond which are hereunto severally attached - and were taken before me - I do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the said Daniel Van Horn and Thomas Hammond the persons who have subscribed and sworn to the within affidavits that they are residents of the State of New Jersey the said Daniel Van Horn in the County of Essex in the township of Portusor and the said Thomas Hammond of the County of Bergen and township of Saddle River and that they are creditable persons and their statements are respectively entitled to credit
Peregrine Sandford Justice of the Peace
State of New Jersey County of Bergen ss. I. Abraham Woodworth Clerk of the County of Bergen and Clerk of the inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for said County Do hereby certify that Peregrine Sandford whose name is subscribed to the above Certificate is a Justice of the peace in and for said County duly commissioned & sworn, and that his signature to the said Certificate is genuine In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said Court this first day of August A. D. 1833.
W: Minterwell Clerk

State of New Jersey } Bergen County } ss.
Inferior Court of Common Pleas Nov. 12 th 1845
I John H. Berry - Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas, for the County of Bergen, Do hereby Certify, that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited to said Court to prove that Peter Van Allen, was an applicant for a Pension: was a resident of the County of Bergen in the State of New Jersey, and died in said State, and County, on the Sixth day of January, in the year eighteen hundred and thirty four, and left no widow, and but one surviving child, whose name is Catharine Van Geisen, who resides in the City of New York.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and the Seal of the said Court, at Hackensack, this 12 th day of November 1845.
John H. Berry Clerk
[Handwritten flourish]

No 1707074 Peter Vanallen M.D.
Return if m.
shall relinquish not
Midwifery L. conduit Present Rev. A Ward Hastings Abraham  Hastings / M Gryphon County Co. D M.D.

action upon his case. The of the applicant, if true amply and clearly
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
16 th 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 Peter Wanallor Fryer Co. W.
   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.     Enlisted Vol 3 Priv Capt Boarn Dr M ch 94 Aged 84 Statutory   1776 Sum Several M ch 94 Franklin Living W th   Vol 3 " Beams Engagements Refs   Performed several tours under Bertolf   Enlisted 3 " Gell (Aaron) Burr With   3 " Blank British   3 " Culvata Col   Enlisted 3 " Boarn Gey   " 3 " Ryerson "   Served not less than 3 years  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS U. S. JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted. This law has been construed to extend, as well 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 provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following 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 la 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.
John Custer Exam Clerk

No 17074 Petru Van allen
Nf. Lib C. A. Day June 19 '45 " " " Aug 14 '45
ad 17 June 1832

Bainbridge, N. Y., Nov. 23rd, 1885.
Sir:
The chief clerk for the Secretary of War informs me that the company records for the revolutionary war are on file in your office.
Can I obtain from them any information regarding Peter Van Allen, or Allen, who served in the New York troops during that war? Any facts you may be able to give me will

Archeological work. Very Respectfully, William H. Van Allen, Bainbridge, N. Y.
The Commissioner of Pensions, Department of the Interior, Washington, D. C.

Bainbridge, N. Y., Tuesday, 6 April, 1886.
Sir:
Can you give me any information of the services of one Peter van Allen (Allen or Aulen) who served, I believe, as an officer in the Revolutionary War, in New York State troops. If these data are incorrect, please send me any facts regarding any soldiers of the name of van Allen (Allen or Aulen) who served in the war of the Revolution, and whose name is on file in the records of the Pension Office.
(over)

I am, Sir, Respectfully, Your Obed't Serv't, William H. Van Allen.
J. L. Black, Esq., Pension Comm'r.

Rehran ✓
6301
INVALID.
File No. 6301
Peter Van Allen
Print Rev War
Act: June 1 st 1832.
Index:—Vol. M , Page 387
[Arrangement of 1870.]
✓

Peter Van Allen du.
N.Y.
abt 7 June 32
Admiral 9 mos -
Died 6 Jan'y 1834
$ 30 -
only child
Katharine Van Guisen
N.Y.
G. A. Lay E
New York

1 New York May 28. 1843
Sir
Enclosed is the original papers upon which Peter Van Allen, claimed a pension under the act of 7 th June, 1832. The said Peter Van Allen died the 6 th January, 1834, and agreeable to the request of his only surviving child, I have the honor to inform you that she will be satisfied to receive such a pension as the Dept. may determine that the proof authorizes, as it is understood that the child is entitled to the pension due him. And as the enclosed is all the proof that can probably be adduced, she desires to hear the action of the Dept. before going to any expense to prove further service. As the amount of this pension cannot be otherwise than very small, you will confer a favor by putting as few obstacles in the way as you can consistent with the rules -
I am Sir,
Very respectfully Your obed Servt. C. A. Lay
J. L. Edwards Esq. Comt. of Pensions

July 1. 1845.
Adelphi car
Letter from Allen.
JS
J. L. Edwards Esq r Commrs of Pensions Washington D.C.

New York June 28. 1845.
Sir,
Enclosed is the Requirds Certificate of the Death of Peter Van Allen. deceased, who was an applicant for a pension from Bergen County New Jersey, and in whose case you informed me that no objections would be made to allowing him for nine months as private, which is satisfactory, and you will please to forward his certificate to me at the New York City Post Office.
Very respectfully Your obed Servt B. A. Lay
J. G. Edwards Esq. Commr of Pensions }

New York Sept. 1. 1845.
Sir
Your letter denying my right to the Attorneyship in the case of the widow of Edward Higbee, and insisting upon a Certificate of a Court of Records in Bergen County of the period of the death of Peter Van Allen has been received, and I have to inform the Department, that, I am fully satisfied, that Mr S. Stormes should be regarded as the Attorney, and it is respectfully desired that it will report to him accordingly.
In the case of Peter Van Allen, I would respectfully suggest, that inasmuch as Van Allen himself, in making a Supplemental declaration a few days before his death, and thereby affording evidence of life to within a few days of the time that it is shown that he died by the Certificate of the Court of Common Pleas of New York, that it might warrant the Department in waiving the rule in this case, as it will cost more to obtain a Certificate, from Bergen County than the pensions would amount to from the time he affords evidence of life, to the day of his death, If however the Department does not feel warranted in waiving the rule, and issuing the Certificate, please to return the Certificate of the Court of Common Pleas of New York, as that will be regarded by the requisite Court as satisfactory evidence of the fact therein contained, without going to the expense of conveying witnesses to Court.
I am very respectfully
Your Obedient Servant
C A Lay
James D Edwards Esquire } Comm te of Pensions }

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I certify that in conformity with the law of the United States, of the 7th June, 1832, Peter Van Alen, deceased, who was a private, was entitled to a pension at the rate of $30 per annum, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831 and ending on the death of himself 1834, the day of his death; which will be paid upon the production of the proper voucher to Catharine Van Quisen, only child. —
is entitled to receive _____ 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.
To be paid at { Trenton, N. J. }
Given at the War Office of the United States, this 23 rd day of December, one thousand eight hundred and forty-five —
Secretary of War.
Examined and { Countersigned. }
Commissioner of Pensions.

Nov. 22. 1845
Dear Sir,
Yours truly John Van Allen,
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington D. C.

New York Nov. 20. 1845.
Enclosed is the required Certificate of the Court of Bergen County, in the case of Peter New Allen deceased. The Department would confer a favor by transmitting the Certificate immediately.
To Sir Very respectfully Your obedt Servt K. A. Lay
H. J. Edwards Esq. Chairman of Session 3

State of New Jersey Bergen County
Personally appeared before the Subscriber a justice of the peace in and for said County Peter Sanaulen of same place aged 85 years who being duly sworn saith as follows viz
He is the same Peter Sanaulen who on the 31 st day of October 1832 made a Declaration before the Court of Common Pleas to obtain a pension under the Law of June 27 th 1832 which Declaration has been returned as defective on the part of Relinquishment
In his first Declaration he states that he served not less than three years which he believes is correct - The deponent cannot after the elaps of so many years and his extreme old age state all the names of the officers under whom he served the duration of each tour of duty he performed in the war of the Revolution, and doth hereby Relinquish that part of which he cannot give the Periods nor the names of the officers
That He served under the following named officers and for the full periods viz Three months under Capt Joseph Board, three months under Capt Joseph Beam, three months under Capt Peter Fille, three months under Capt Thomas Blanch three months under Capt John Outwater three months under Capt Joseph Board and three months under Capt Uriah Ryerson and was Honorably Discharged at the expiration of each tour of duty he performed as above stated, and during the time the Deponent was stationed in the city of New York and also near New Brunswick in the County of Somerset & Hackensack Newbridge Liberty pole Pararnus Closter Bergen and along the North River in the County of Bergen performing guard duty at each and every place - and during the time the British had possession of the city of New York Staten Island New Brunswick and the lower part of the County of Bergen - the skirmishes in which he was engaged he has stated in his first Declaration
Col Louis Dry commanded the Regiment to which he belonged during the war - The deponent further saith that he might with great difficulty perhaps state the years in

which his Services were Rendered - but he cannot give the Statutory more particular than he has now set forth
From the great length of time which has elapsed since the before Recited Service were Rendered many Particulars must have escaped his memory He has in his first and amended Declarations Related all which he can Remem- ber as connected with his Services and which are calculated to explain them - He has faithfully endeavoured to adhere conscientiously to the truth in all the events and occurrences of which he has spoken, and he is fully satisfied that he served his country faithfully in the war of the Revolution for the full period of twenty one months being in actual Service in the field for each term alleged for which he claims a pension under the Law of June 7 th 1832 and was employed in any civil pursuit during the time
Sworn and Subscribed before me
this 26 th day of December 1833
James Van Houten
Justice of the Peace
State of New Jersey
his Peter G Van Houten marks
County of Bergen ss; I Abraham Westerveld Clerk of the County of Bergen and Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for said County Do hereby certify that James Van Houten Esq. whose name is subscribed to the Deed of the foregoing affidavit of Peter Van Houten was on the day of the date thereof a Justice of the peace in and for the said County duly com- missioned, and sworn; and further that I am acquainted with the hand writing of such Justice, and truly believe that his signa- ture to said Deed is genuine -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court this twenty seventh day of December A.D. 1833.
Abraham Westerveld Clerk