Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 1147, Thomas West, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey
Nest, Thomas
S. 1147
CONTENTS
larded

9493 New Jersey Thomas Rose
of Monmouth in the State of N. Jersey who was a First Ser t in the Company commanded by Captain Meek of the Reg t commanded by Col. Forman in the New Jersey line for Militia 2 years
Inscribed on the Reg t of New Jersey at the rate of 88 Dollars 31 Cents per ann m to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 th day of May 1833 and since 6 th Month in 1830 N. Jersey
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1833 $ 176.62 Semi-ant. allowance ending 1/15/33 44.15
$220.77
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by G. B. Whiting Clerk Book 6 Vol. 3 Page 135

State of New Jersey Page 18 on this 20 th day of July 1832 Personally Monmouth County ss appeared before me John Patterson one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Monmouth Thomas West - Who cannot from bodily infirmity attend Court - a resident of the Township of Middletown in the County of Monmouth and State of New Jersey aged 83 years on the 8 th day of March last Past Who being 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 th 1832 That he entered the services of the United States under the following Named officers and served as here is stated
1 2 - Where and in What year Was you Born
A - I Was born in the State of Connecticut - and When he was about 5 years of age his father Removed to the Township of Shrewsbury in the County of Monmouth and State of New Jersey - he Was born on the 8 th Day of March 1749
2 2 - have you any record of your age - and if so where is it
A - he Was bound out to the Shoemakers Trade - and after he Was out of his Time - his older Sister had the formerly Bible she gave him off his age - he com- pared it With his indenture of apprenticeship finding them to agree - he recorded his Birth himself in his own formerly Bible Where it Now Stands With that of the Birth of his own Children
3 2 - Where Were you living when called in to Services - where have you lived since the revolutionary War - and where do you live now
A - he Was living in the Township of Freehold in the County of Monmouth State aforesaid When he Was called out into the Services - he has lived ever since the Re- -volutionary War in the County of Monmouth - and since then now

(4)
He passed to Saurland Mountain. Steals Gap - from here they went over by Portsmouth - this was the very day the British left it and returned to Monmouth - and for they remained stationed until the Battle of Red Bank - Just the time that New Jersey was under the control of the British - When he heard the firing at Monmouth and he had heard it for had taken up arms again he took up his gun pushed down to Red Bank where the Tory Colonel Morris had been stationed but before he got there the fray was over Morris had retreated - Several were here killed - When the battle of Monmouth commenced he was under the command of Capt Walter - they marched from Monmouth for Trenton before the British Army had crossed the Delaware the British Army passed to the South of them they followed in their rear to Allentown where they fell in with Colonel Morgan and they were here put under his command and part with his brother Sheldon from the Battle - from this time he remained in the Middle until Cornwallis was taken about which time he was taken sick and was out no more until the Peace of Red Bank he was out the most of the War
sworn and subscribed before me { Thomas West. the day and year above written }
John Patterson
State of New Jersey do hereby certify that Thomas West further maketh affidavit that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency of any State and that he hereby relinquishes any claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present that he has no documentary evidence as he knows of but he has the affidavits of Capt Benjamin Vose and Major James Craig that is herewith enlarged. Praying some of his of his services Given on the 3rd Day of August 1832 John Patterson
Thomas West
Thomas West

(3) they encamped about a Mile from Brookland near four 1/2 dozen four hundred men in a field said to belong to Vanbrant - the British fleet at this time lay at anchor in the Bay above Sandy Hook - they lay there some time before the British army landed on the island - he thinks the name of the place where they landed from the fleet was Gravesend - but is not cer- tain - they marched up to flat bush and there they encamp- ed - the company to which he belonged under the command of Capt Henderson was ordered out with some 2 or 3 thousand men - David Furrman was there Colonel - they remained near the Enemy for three days - they were fired on from the British camp by their artillery - which was returned from their artillery - they threw up a breast work on a hill - behind which they remained until relieved - they were ordered during the second time - and returned to camp the night before the battle began - early in the next morning the battle commenced - two of their Generals, Majors Sullivan and Mottley and they were ob- liged to retire - it was a bloody battle which was a great advantage to them on their retreat they went  they went  to New York  to New York  and from there  and from there fort Washington - here they had a smart engagement and a great many were killed on both sides - they retreated from here to White Plains - and here they had (making use of his own language) another such with them by which he thinks they gained nothing - from White Plains they retired to Kings ferry and from here they crossed into New Jersey to fort Lee - from here their Regiment returned to the baron- ty of Monmouth - and here they recited until there 5 months was up and were discharged - his discharge with the rest of his papers were destroyed by the British at the time of the Battle of Monmouth - after his discharge from the 5 months service - he was out in the Melita almost study until the Battle of Monmouth - he was marched to Trenton

Q - how Was you called out into Service - were you Drafted - did you Volunteer or Was you a Substitute and if a Substitute for Whome
A - he Was first called out to take his Place as a Militia man under the Command of Capt Dacus - this Place he performed - he cant say how long he Was out at that Time but should say to the Best of his recollection it Was for a month
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 Service
A - he Was out under the Command of Capt Hendrick Ornack in the Service commonly called Minutemen for three months after he was Discharged by Capt Dacus this Service commenced in March 1776 under Capt Smock and ended about the first of June - at the close of this Service he enlisted in the 5 months Service under the Command of Capt John Henderson but Was Not called out under him for some Time after he enlisted for the Best Part of a month - he Volunteered under the Command of Capt Henson and Was out With him on and about the lines for the Best Part of a Month - and Whilst he Was out in this Service - he received orders to Report to the rendezvous to join Capt John Henderson Company - Which order he obeyed - David Garrison was our Colonel - Heard Mr the General Parker Was the Major he cant say What the Name of the regiment Was - they Marched from Monmouth - to Amboy crossed the ferry there Went on to Woodbridge and from there to Elizabeth Town to Newark and Pullen Creek - they here bro't into New York Stayed a free Day before they bro't on to Long Island

INVALID.
New Year
File No. 1147 Thomas West, Sergt. N.Y. Mil.
Act: June 7, 1882.
Index:—Vol. a , Page 397
[Arrangement of 1870.]
✓

I, the Subscriber, Clerk of the Inferi-
or Court of Common Pleas, in and for the County of Monmouth, in the State of New-Jersey, do hereby certify that Eliza Patterson to whom the above application was made and before whom the foregoing affidavits was taken was at the time of taking the same and now is one of the Judges of the said duly enrolled  in my office court and that the full faith and credit are due and ought to be given to all his official acts as such and that the name of Eliza Patterson subscribed thereto is the proper hand writing of the said Judge
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, at Freehold, this
Sixteenth day of August  March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty ten  three

Thomas Watt Mount M a kins
Por Nap Smock 3 4 5 Col Forman 2 1 6 4 Sept 5 88:27

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Thomas West which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? No. See Question 5 VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service ?
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it ?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had ?
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service ?
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct ?
No. See Quere 16.
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily ? And, if not, which of them is not so answered ?
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension.

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer under his seal of office.
†QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

State of New Jersey } Supplementary affidavit of Thomas West Monmouth ss }
Personally appeared before me the undersigned one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Monmouth this 28th Day of March 1833 Thomas West - Who being Duly Sworn Deposes and Saith that by reason of old age and the consequent laps 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 in the following grades - he served under Capt Davis four months as a Priest - he Was out three months under Capt Smith as a Priest - he Was out five months under Capt Henderson as a Priest - he Was under the command of Capt John Walton for two months as a Priest - he Was out one month under Capt George Leach as a Priest - he Was out under Capt Elisha Walton for six months as a Priest - the above Services Were performed before the Battle of Monmouth - he Was out in the Services under Capt Hovey for four months as a Priest - he Was out under the command of Capt Benjamin Varnum for five months as a Sergeant - and as to his Home of Service as a Soldier of the Revolution he is not certain that he is Right in the Time before the Battle of Monmouth but he knows he served under the different officers he has named the length of Time he has stated and more
Sworn and subscribed before me the day and year above written
Thomas West
John Patterson

State of New Jersey } Be it remembered that on this 31 st Memorandum } Day of July 1832 Personally appeared before me H. Mager James Craig a Shalder of the revolution and he being Duly Sworn on the Holy Evangel of almighty God Did Depose and say that he Was a Shalder enlisted in the company of Capt John Henderson in the free mounted Service and Was in the battle on Long Island and that he Was Well acquainted With Thomas West who Was enlisted in the same company and Was With him during in the Battle on Long Island and also that he is knowing to the service of the said Thomas West as a Militia man in the monthly Service for a considerable Time
James Craig
Sworn and subscribed before me this day and year above written
John Patterson one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Monmouth

I Jehu Patterson one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Monmouth in the State of New Jersey - Do hereby certify in My appension - that the within named applicant is unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity he is now at the advanced age of 83 years - and I do further certify.
Certify and Declare my appension after investigating 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 I do further certify - that it appears to me for some personally acquainted with the said Benjamin Wendell and James Grage whose affidavits are hereto annexed They are both residents in the County of Monmouth aforesaid and are both credible Persons and there Statement is intitled to credit.
Jehu Patterson

7016.
Thomas West
Benjamin Pendeve Attended in prison at Thomas West
[Faint, mirrored bleed-through text from the reverse side of the page]

State of New Jersey } Be it remembered that on this 28 Monmouth } Day of July 1832 Before me John Patterson one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Monmouth Personally appeared Benjamin Vanclief a Capt in the Militia of the Revolution - he being duly sworn on the holy Gospels of Almighty God Did Depose and say - That Thomas West - was with him a Sargent in his Company a considerable time how long he can't say he remembers that he enlisted in the free mounts I don't he can't recollect the Name of the Capt under whom the said Thomas West enlisted Sworn and subscribed before me } Benjamin Vanclief the day and year above written
John Patterson