Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 3,616, Robert Woodruff, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey.
Woodruff, Robert
S. 3616
carded
CONTENTS

17.6/4 New Jersey
Robert Woodruff
of Westfield in the State of N. J. who was a Pri - in the Co. of by Captain Britton of the Regt by _____ in the N. J. Militia time for 7 mo Cavalry Infantry - Artillery 1 mo
Inscribed on the Roll of N. J. - at the rate of 27- Dollars 50 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 day of Augst 1833. and Revs - L. Woodruff
Morristown N. J.
Arrears to the 4th of March 33. $ 55 00
Semi-annual allowance ending Sept 11 13 75
$ 68.75
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by E. D. Bullock Clerk, Book 4 Vol. 3 - Page 135

Robert Woodruff Return this.
2333 416 2750
8 m o specimens
rest must be relinquished
7 m o private of Ruf
1 m o priv of Artiller
$27.50
L Condant

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Robert Woodruff 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? No. V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? No. See Quere 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 has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?
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 the 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.
† 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 authenticated 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 end 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.

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832
State of New Jersey } Borough of Elizabeth } S s :
On this fourth day of September A D 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the Borough of Elizabeth in the County of Essex State of New Jersey now sitting, Robert Woodruff a resident of the township of Westfield in the County of Essex and State of New Jersey, aged 72 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 th 1832 - That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated -
In the year 1776 sometime in the summer, the precise month he does not now recollect, whilst he resided at Connecticut Farms in the Township of Union in the County of Essex State of New Jersey he volunteered in the service of the United States in the Infantry of the Militia of New Jersey under Capt Brittain, the names of the other officers he does not now remember. They marched through Elizabeth Town to the Point, where they crossed to New York and were there stationed for one month. This service he recollects was before the Battle took place at Long Island.
The next month in the same summer he again volunteered, in the same company - They crossed over from New York to Bergen Point in New Jersey, and were there stationed through the month. He afterwards volunteered in the 9 months service under Capt Jacob Crane, whilst he lived at Connecticut Farms in the County of Essex. The precise month he does not recollect, but thinks

2 it was in the Fall of the year - They laid for a few days at Springfield in the County of Essex, and afterwards had a Skirmish with the Hessian at Connecticut Farms and took 70 of the Infantry and 17 of the light Horse prisoners. They then marched to Elizabeth Town, and there remained in the town for three months. The British at this time were at Staten Island - and he went every night to the Elizabeth Town Point to keep guard. After the expiration of these three months he was dismissed and returned home -
after this he 4 again volunteered for a month, but in what year or month he does not recollect. He remembers however that at this time, he marched from Elizabeth Town to Monmouth, at the time of the Battle there had - The names of the officers of the company he cannot now recollect - They marched from Elizabeth Town to Woodbridge the first day, the next to Princeton - next to Maidenhead - He remembers the weather was very warm - He thinks the Militia were at Maidenhead for a day or two and then ordered to Monmouth - He remained there two or three days, when he returned home and served the month out at Connecticut Farms.
5 He was after this in the engagement at Connecticut Farms under Capt Little of the Artillery, Lieut John Sally, the names of the other officers he cannot recollect. The precise month in which this engagement took place he does not recollect, but knows it was in the summer - He heard at this time of the death of Mrs Caldwell wife of the clergyman of that name - He was also at the Battle at Springfield a short time afterwards under Capt Little and Lieut John Sally -
He laid a long time at the Elizabeth Town Point, and

3 kept guard there whilst the British were at Staten Island, opposite said Point.
He does not recollect any other particular times or places of his services, but can say with certainty that he served from time to time throughout the whole war, and has no doubt that the whole time of his service armed amount to more than Two years - He was well acquainted with Col Elias Dayton and Capt Aaron Ogden of the Continental Army, but does not recollect any of the other officers. He has no documentary evidence of service and knows of no person by whom he can prove his different services - and this deponent further states that he was born on the 31 st day of October 1757 at Connecticut Farms in the County of Essex and State of New Jersey, and lived there till he was 23 years of age, when he removed to the township of Westfield in the County aforesaid, and has lived there till this time. The record of his age is in his Family Bible in his possession.
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 State - Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. Robert Woodruff.
We James M Hunting a Clergyman Residing in the township of Westfield aforesaid, and Josiah Woodruff residing in the Township of Union  town hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Robert Woodruff who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration; that we believe him to be Seventy four years of age; that he is Reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and that we are the concur in that opinion.
Sworn and - Subscribed the day and year aforesaid -

James M. Huntington. Josiah Woodruff
Personally appeared in open Court Josiah Woodruff who being duly sworn according to law on his oath says that he is a Brother to Robert Woodruff who has subscribed the above declaration; that he served with him in the Artillery under the Command of Captain Little, that he also served in the Company of Infantry with him, under Command of Captain Potter and has served with him in the same Company often during the war, but Can Not Recollect sufficiently to swear with certainty how long he served with him or on what particular stations, but recollects that he was in the Battle at Connecticut Farms and Spring field with him, under the Command of Captain Little -
Subscribed and sworn the day and year aforesaid. Josiah Woodruff
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 James M. Huntington who has signed the preceding Certificate is a Clergyman resident in the township of Westfield aforesaid, and that Josiah Woodruff who has

also signed the same is a resident in the township of Union and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I Francis B Shetwood Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the Borough of Elizabeth the same being a Court of Record in the County of Essex and State of New Jersey do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Robert Woodruff for a Pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said Court this fourth day of September Eighteen Hundred and Thirtytwo
F. B. Shetwood, Clerk

State of New Jersey } ss. Personally before me Francis B. Borough of Elizabetta } Chetwood Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the Borough of Elizabetta, in the County of Essex and State aforesaid, Robert Woodruff, who subscribed and was sworn to the annexed declaration, who being duly sworn on his oath says, That the monthly duty first mentioned in his declaration was performed in the summer of 1776, and while he was on duty in the City of New York at that time the British fleet sailed up the narrows and landed on Staten Island which he thinks was in June 1776.
That the service secondly mentioned in his declaration, was performed the month following the month first mentioned, at which time he served one month at Bergen Point under the Command of Capt Britton in whose company he first entered the service
That he can not state with certainty the precise period when he entered the 3 months service, thirdly mentioned in his declaration, and from the length of time elapsed since the service was rendered he can not say whether it was in 1776 or 77 but thinks it was in 1777 at which time he served 3 months in the company of Capt Paul Greene, but can not recollect any of the other officers under whom he served at that time -
That the service fourthly mentioned in his declaration was performed at the time of the Monmouth Battle but he can not now say precisely what time it was nor can he at this time state who his officers were at that time, but he recollects well that he served one month at that time, and was stationed at and marched to the places mentioned in his declaration -
That he entered the Artillery service in the month of June 1780 in the company of Capt Little, during which months service he was at the Battles at Springfield and Connecticut Farms
That in the summer of 1776 but the precise month he can not state he was stationed on monthly duty at Elizabetta Lower Point

in the Company of Capt Matthias Potter, in the Regiment of Col Edward Thomas, in which service he assisted in erecting breastworks at the point, which since escaped his recollection at the time he subscribed his declaration -
That he lived on the lines during the whole period of the Revolution, and was on duty a great portion of the time but from the length of time elapsed since his services were rendered, it is impossible for him to state all his services, and the officers under whom he served -
And the said Robert further saith that by reason of old age and the consequent length of memory he can not 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 Three Months I served as a private soldier in the 3 months service of the New Jersey State troops; For Six months I served as a private soldier in the New Jersey Militia; For one month I served as a private soldier in artillery service in the New Jersey Militia: and for such service I claim a pension -
Robert Woodruff,
Subscribed and sworn this
twenty first day of January
AD 1833. In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of the said Court at the Borough aforesaid the day and year last above written
J. B. Chetwood, Clerk

Refrigerator
3616
INVALID.
File No. 3616
Robert Woodruff
Print Rev War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. 8 , Page 414
[Arrangement of 1870.]

State of New Jersey } Borough of Elizabet } ss. Personally appeared before me the subscriber an alderman of the Borough of Elizabet and a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said Borough, Robert Woodruff of the township of Westfield in the County of Essex and State aforesaid, who being duly sworn according to law on his oath says that he does not know any person living who served with him at any time during the Revolutionary War, ex- cept Josiah Woodruff, whose affidavit accom- panies this deponent's declaration.
Subscribed and sworn this 23 d day of May A D 1833 before Robert Woodruff. Moses Chandler Alderman }
State of New Jersey } Borough of Elizabet } ss. I Francis B. Chetwood Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the Borough of Elizabet in the County of Essex and State aforesaid hereby certify that Moses Chandler before whom the above affidavit of Robert Woodruff was sworn and subscribed at the time of taking the said affida- vit was and still is an alderman of the Borough of Elizabet aforesaid, and a Judge of the Court of Com- mon Pleas in and for the said Borough, duly com- missioned and sworn, residing therein, and as such is authorized to take affidavits - and I further certify that I am acquainted with the hand-writing of the said alderman, and that the signature "Moses Chandler" to the above affidavit subscribed is genuine -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of the said Court at Elizabet Town in the Borough aforesaid this 23 d day of May A D 1833 F. B. Chetwood, Clerk

In behalf of the claimant within named. I agree to receive a pension computed for eight months service and relinquish the residue of the claim - Lewis Condict