Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 10,912, Harmonus Vanzile, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey
Vanzile, Harmonus
R. 10,912
CONTENTS

State of New Jersey 11278
Harmonus Taylor
Application under the act of June 21 st 1832.
Z. Bonait

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7: 1832 -
New-Jersey - 7th Sussex County ss on the thirty first day of August
A.D. 1832 - personally appeared in open court before the Court of Common Pleas of said County of Sussex now sitting - Samuel  Van  Arkel a re- sident of Hardyston in the said County of Sussex and State of New-Jersey, aged Seventy Seven years who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following decla- ration - in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7: 1832 -
That he entered the service of the United States in a dis duty as is herein stated under the officers hereafter mentioned - That in the spring of the year 1775, the exact time when he cannot state he volunteered, at Paramus Bergen Co. N.J. in a company of what were called minute men of which Captain John Hopper was comman- der - who was of the same place as this applicant. he thinks John Bogart was lieutenant or sergeant that soon after the company was ordered to New-York that they marched the first night as far as the Three Pigeons - in Bergen Co. - then  then  then and the next day went on to New-York - passed at Pavles Hooks - that they remained there about a week or there- abouts in New-York when they returned home. He thinks but is not positive that Gen: Colfax of Bergen Co was major or col: that he has not his recollection called on to duty until the next year when in the spring of the year he was in a company comman- ded by Capt - Gabriel of Hackensack - they were marched to Elizabeth Town point - where they remained a month - watching the movements of the British who lay on the opposite side of the Kill on Staten Island - was in a skirmish at the point saw one of the men - with a rifle shoot a redneck across the stream - who was supposed to be out of reach of the rifles of the Americans - Deponent saw him fall and then the firing became frequent - the firing the left and went to Long Island

 Periods of time of he cannot at this time time pretend to enumerate the times or the amount of his service - at his memory is very poor - and treacherous - but he has no hesita- tion in stating his belief that his service was for twelve months or more - that during the course of each year of the war he was on duty for a longer or shorter period - that he remembered that Capt. Miller and Henry Matthews were in service with him and that the Col. Col. of Bergen Co. was an officer he thinks Colonel - that he thinks he can refer to Maj. Gen. Col. - whom he personally knows and as Colonel Logie - also John C. Logie who can testify to his character and perhaps to his service that he is also acquainted with Jacob Van Scheick of Hackensack Bergen Co. at whose house Sergeant was stationed part of the time in which service - that he has no documentary evidence evidence of his service - that he had received discharges - but that his house was consumed by fire by night - about 12 - or 13 years since and the contents were consumed, among his pa- pers - with them - That he was born at Hopewell Bergen Co. and was brought up the near line the principal till after the war - that since the war  about twenty years after he went to Wycuff lived the line of Hopewell for some time there a year - then went to Shepherd Pond a year - then moved to Haudyke Sussex Co. - where he remained 4 years - then went to Bull's Ferry - Bergen Co. - lived there 7 years - then came to Sussex Co. - lived at Hobo- ken for several years - now lives in Haudyke Sussex Co. - Ch. J. - that the records of his age is in the Records of Christian Baptists of the Dutch church in Paterson - that he does not know of any witnesses who can be procured to testify of his character - that he has relinquished every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present - and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the army of any state - Sworn and subscribed in open court } Harmonus Van Zile the 31. August A.D. 1832 - } B. M. Walcy } Judges } 

John A. Lozier agea Fifty seven years and Cornelius Lozier - being duly sworn according to Law upon the usual and res- pective oaths - declare that they are well acquainted with the said Hannibal Van Zile who has subscribed the above declaration and that they never heard him have been reported in his neighbourhood to have been a Soldier in the Revolution - and the said John Lozier further says that he was acquainted with York Miller since Henry Maske's and that during the lifetime he has heard the speaker of King in the room with the said Van Zile at Elizabet Town Paved - Hook and Herkensack areas in the vicinity at English neighborhood - and that they both recollect - the House of said Van Zile to have been burnt - about 13 years since - and - the contents consumed with it - that the character of the said Hannibal is good and except his infirmity and loss of memory his statements are entitled to every credit - Sworn and subscribed - in open Court the 31 st August C.D. 1832 - - - - - 3
John A. Lozier Cornelius J. Lozier
Sworn before us. Barnabas R. Van Buren } Judges
Jos. G. Miller

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 said applicant was a Soldier of the Resolution and served in the State of Ohio the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Benjamin T. Logsdon and John C. Logsdon who signed the foregoing certificate are residents of the County of Linn and that they are credible persons and whose statements are entitled to credit, and that it appears to them that there is no clergyman with whom he is acquainted whom he can produce to testify of his character.
New Jersey Sussex Counties
Jos. M. Miller Judge
J. Joseph E. Casall Clerk of the said Court of Common Pleas in and for said County do Certify that the foregoing contains the Original Proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Harmons Vangile for a Pension In Testimony whereof
I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court at Newton this Eleventh day of September AD 1832 J E Casall CLK

Nov 19 78
Harmonius Vangt D. N. P.
Return e i m
Lewis Conditt.
Antonia Johnson
Newton Superior New Jersey

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
3 d June 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. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Harmonus Daugile of Superior B. G
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Vol 1775 about 91 Private Capt M c Intosh - Lieut Genl Genl Bogart - Lieut Genl Genl L t Genl Cadfaynas Major or Colo Bergen Co New Jersey Age 77 Traditionary   Called out 1776 1 Capt Zabuskie - Colo Richard Dey   Produced a Substitute for near 2 months 1777 1   alleges that he was called on & did service of like nature & that he drove the British out of the Baggyn Bay   Served as a Minute man during the war & done frequent duty & is sure his whole service was One Year One Year  
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 days 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 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 _____; 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 [j] 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.

New Jersey Revol.
Harmonius Vangile Suspended
See letter to
Hon. L. Condict
19. August 1833.
Col W S Johnson 28 March 1835
See case Simson Hayward R 4501 109. 12
Act 7. June 1832

10812
P. O.
Harmonicus Vangile
Service: _____
REJECTED
Enlisted: 2 _____, 18 .
Discharged: _____, 18 .
Application filed: _____, 18 .
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18 .

Whitfield S. Johnson (Newton) 3 pension cases. Aug. 5 th
Rev. Lewis Leonard Washington City

Hon: Yr wit conduct
Dear Sir, I have prepared & intend to mail with this; the papers in the case of three pension Applicants - Jonathan M c Peak, Simon G. Hayward, & Harmonus Vanfyle - and shall direct to you at M c .
The situation of these cases will be seen on inspection - M c Peak is I believe correct according to the print of the circular I would ask of you to urge its allowance I know him to be an honest old man
Vanfyle (as perhaps it is spelt) is dead I know nothing of him personally - but his statement is so full and particular I think there can be no doubt - except with those who want to doubt, of his service - I took his story from his own mouth - his Friends are in Bergen & there is little chance of getting proof of service of the kind he performed

L. G. Hayward is also deceased since the application - Capt: Hayward was a very respectable man, and for a number of years a Justice of the Peace - although he is gone the that left a widow to whom the pension would come very acceptable - I would ask you to push this case to a speedy & favourable issue -
I have three or four cases on hand which need some attention before transmitting - I will send so soon as I can prepare them -
Three out of 10 since - for whom I made applications have died without receiving any thing - and one fourth of all who applied in the country have died since that time - if this slow process is to continue - the method of proceeding, it will indeed be a saving of about the amount they would receive if attended to promptly - but it is trifling with the feelings of these poor infirm and aged men -
I do not mean to censure

the Department which has had the charge of their applications - but the effect has been either - by the exercise of a despicable framing of feeling - or from the result of particular ( & perhaps uncontroulable circumstances) - that the Pension Law has to the greater number of these needy applicants has been but a mockery - of their hopes - their just expectations have been dis- appointed - whether formed from the liberal provisions of Congress - or from the liberal - from the War Department - promising to give  be generous in construction to the provisions of the act -
There is for these reasons less delica- cy in urging the allowance of their (just) claims not as a boon, but as a right -
If you should need any further information I will promptly afford it -
With the highest regard I am -
Very truly yours H. B. Stowe:
J. W. G. Johnson
Augt. 5: 1858.