Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 927, William Updike, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey
Updike, William
8.927.
Carded.
CONTENTS

Date of death not on AB.
9871-
New Jersey
William Updike
of H. Hunter in the State of New Jersey who was a Private in the Comp y commanded by Captain Stone of the Reg t commanded by Col. Hays in the Militia line for 16 months. N.J.
Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey at the rate of 53 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 21 day of June 1833 and dec d 6 th M c Chesney of High's Town N.J. Present
Arrears to the 4th of Mar ch 33 $106.66 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sep r 33 26.66
$133.37
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Francion Clerk. Book E. Vol. 3 o Page 134

12.231
William Updike West Windsor Capt. Stout Col. Hays
45 1/2
Specific reg a P. 359.
9 May 33
Chas. G. M c Chesney Heights Conn N.Y.

BRIEF in the case of William Updike of West Windsor in the State of N. Jersey (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Open Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 73 years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days, As a Gen.     In 17  Service Wholly undefined  Declarer that, he Verily believes he was engaged at different times More than two years in Active Service   
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Monmouth  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? West Windsor — N. Jersey  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional evidence, and one living Witness.  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? they are properly Authenticated 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
H. Gordon Examining Clerk.

State of New Jersey Middlesex County ss
Declaration in order to obtain the Benefit of the Act of Congress Pasp. June 7 th 1832.
On this eleventh day of September Personally appeared in open Court at a special Term of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for S d County held at the city of New Brunswick now sitting being a Court of Record William Updike a resident of the Township of West Windsor in the County of Middlesex and State aforesaid Age 73 years on the 27 th day of January last who being duly sworn accor- ding 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 was drafted some time in the year 1776 under Captain Samuel Stout of the 1 st Company of the Middlesex Militia for one Month, was Shouting on the Shore and was as far as the Counties of Essex and Bergen. Was again drafted and served under Captain Aaron Longstreet. Was part of the time around Trenton and on the Coast or Shore in the year 1777. Was again drafted - and Served under Capt. Samuel Stout nearly every other month during the whole year, and marched in various directions, part of the time near New Brunswick on the Lowland Mountains near Elizabeth Town. Was again Drafted and Served one month under Capt. John Dry. and again was drafted under the command of Capt. William Conover some time in the Spring of 1778. and was stationed in Burlington County in Springfield Village and When the Enemy crossed the State Pursued them to Shippensburg and in June was engaged in the Monmouth Battle was at different times under Colonels Dykens. Scudder and Hays and continued to be drafted nearly six months in the year untill the close of the war marching various routes and in different directions. the particulars of which he cannot now recollect and declares the foregoing are the most material facts that he can remember relating to his services during the war of the Revolution in the Service of the State Militia of the United States And this Deponent further declares that he has no documentary evidence relating to his services except the affidavit of Daniel Wilson who testifies that he knew him in the ranks of the Militia during the Revolutionary war. 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

and he further declares that he verily believes he was engaged at different times as is above related more than 70 years active service in the defence and protection of his country.
Sworn to and subscribed to William Updike The Day and year aforesaid Robert McHenry
We David Comfort of the Town of Franklin Somerset Co. N.J. and Charles Chesney of the S d County of Middlesex do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Updike who has subscribed and sworn to the forgoing Declaration and believe him to be 73. years of age or nearly so that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to and subscribed to David Comfort Charles Chesney The Day and year aforesaid Robert McHenry

Interrogatories Put by the court to the Applicant
1. When and in what year were you born
A In W. Windsor. Middlesex Co. N.J. Born A.D. 1759.
2 Have you any record of your age
A It is recorded in my Bible &c.
3 Where were you living when called into Service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war; and where do you now live
A In West Windsor - County and State aforesaid
4 How were you called into Service; were you drafted. Did you Volunteer, or were you a Substitute
A I was Drafted
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
A Col. Forman Col. Nelson Col. Hovey - Genl. Washington - &c
6 Did you ever receive a discharge from the Service
A I did not - I was discharged
7 State the names of Persons to whom you are known in your present Neighbourhood and who can testify as to your character for veracity and their belief of your services as a Soldier of the Revolution
A William Fisher Peter Bager Thomas Hoopes Wilson Hatt Daniel Wilson &c William Dyer
And the S d Court do hereby declare their opinion after the Investigation of the matter and after putting the above 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 the S d Daniel Bonfaut who has signed the Proceedings certificate is a legitimate resident in the Town of Franklin in the County of Middlesex Somerset and State of New Jersey, and that Charles G. Chapman who has also signed the same is a resident of the same place  County of Middlesex and is a credible Person

and that their Statement is entitled to credit N Moriam E. Ford Robert W. Chesney Judges
J. F. Mansdalen Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Middlesex in the State of New Jersey do hereby certify that the forgoing contains the original Proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of William Updike for a Pension.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of office this 17 th day of September A.D. 1832 J. F. Mansdalen Clerk
State of New Jersey } Personally appeared before me the Middlesex County } Subscriber one of the Justices of the } Peace in and for said County Daniel Wilson Who being duly sworn according to Law Deposeth and Saith That he was well acquainted with William Updike and Served with and knew him in the Continental Service of New Jersey during the War of the Revolution and further Saith not Taken & Sworn before me } Daniel Wilson July 30 th 1832 } John Smith J.P. }
I certify that Daniel Wilson the Subscriber above in behalf of William Updike is a credible Person and entitled to full credit.

July 10, 1939
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Dr. Robert Furman 621 West 189th Street New York City
WILLIAM UPDIKE S. 927 BA-J/MLB am
Dear Sir:
The data which follow in regard to William Updike were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 927, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
William Updike was born February 27, 1759, in the Township of West Windsor, Middlesex County, New Jersey. The names of his parents were not given.
While a resident of West Windsor, New Jersey, William Updike enlisted sometime in the the year 1776, served at various times until sometime in 1778, amounting in all to two years or more, as private in the New Jersey troops, under Captains Samuel Stout, Aaron Longstreet, John Dey and William Conover, and Colonels Heard, Duychinck, Scudder and Hyer. During his service he was engaged in scouting through the State of New Jersey and was in the battle of Monmouth.
The soldier was allowed pension on his application executed September 11, 1832, at which time he was residing in West Windsor Township, Middlesex County, New Jersey.
It is not stated whether William Updike ever married.
In 1833, one Clement Updike testified in Middlesex County, New Jersey, that he served with William Updike in the Revolution, but did not state any relationship to him.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of the person paid and possibly the date of death of William Updike, you should write to the Comptroller General, General

Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:
William Updike Certificate #9871 Issued June 21, 1833 Rate, $53.33 per annum Commenced March 4, 1831 Act of June 7, 1832 New Jersey Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

12.231
Wm Updike N.J.
adm.
C.G. McChesney Heights Town N.J.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of William Updike which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes 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 VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? not all VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes 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? Yes

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? Yes
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? Yes
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? Yes
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? Yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? They are 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.

1939. July 10 - 21st to Dr. Robt Gurman His letters in M.C.P.  miss filed under his name
View of
INVALID.
File No. 927 William Updike Pa. N.J. Md.
Act: June 7, 1832.
Index: — Vol. A , Page 384
[Arrangement of 1870.]
✓

July 10, 1939
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/MDHF:MLB
Dr. Robert Furman 621 West 189th Street New York City
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letters in which you request the Revolutionary War records of four pensioners - William Updike who was placed on the pension roll June 21, 1833; Henry Roome, Richard Swain, who received $43.33 per annum, from March 4, 1831, and Samuel Swain whose pension began March 4, 1789, all of New Jersey.
Because of the great demand for Revolutionary War data and the limited trained clerical force available for furnishing such information, it is impossible, no matter how great the desire to do so, to comply in full with each request pertaining to soldiers of that war. The record of William Updike (S. 927) is furnished you herewith.
It may interest you to know that you, or some responsible person designated by you, may examine the papers in a reasonable number of Revolutionary War claims for pension, in accordance with office regulations, by calling at this office. This is the usual procedure in matters of extensive research. Every courtesy will be extended the person who calls, and all possible aid given.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

William Updegraff West Windsor N.H.
Capt. Stout Col. Hays
12 23/
Adm d
Service estimated by consent at 16 m.
16 m. p.m. 5.333
----- 17 m. near moon's orbit

State of New Jersey } Personally appeared before me Middlesex County ss } the undersigned John Smith a Justice of the Peace in and for the said county of Middlesex William Updike Who being duly sworn according to Law Deposeth and saith, that by reason of old age and the consequ- -ent loss of memory he cannot speak 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 grade of Infantryman as Private, two years at the least under Captains Ford Capt Dey - Capt Longstreet, Col. Heards. Generals Dykins - Generals Patnam - Washington and others and for such Service I claim a Pension Subscribed to and sworn this 28 th day of May A.D. 1833 William Updike John Smith
State of New Jersey } Be it known that on this 28 th day Middlesex County ss } of May, A.D. 1833 Personally appeared before me John Smith one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the said county of Middlesex Clement Updike who being duly sworn ac- -cording to Law Deposeth and saith that he is well acquainted with William Updike and knew him previously to the Revolutionary war - knew him in the Ranks of the United States Infantry of New Jersey in the said war, served with and saw him in the following places, Cranberry, Spottsylvania, Amboy, Eliz- -abeth Town Newark Four Land Mountains Steels gap - Bucks Town the Shores of Monmouth

State of New Jersey Middlesex county ss
Be it known that on this 28 th day of May, A.D. 1833 Personally appeared before me John Smith one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the said county of Middlesex Clement Updike who being duly sworn ac- -cording to law Deposeth and saith that he is well acquainted with William Updike and knew him previously to the Revolutionary war - knew him in the Ranks of the United States Militia of New Jersey in the said war. served with and saw him in the following places, Cranberry. Shippensburg. Amboy. Eliz- -abeth Town Newark. Longland Mountains - Steele Gap. Buck's Town the Shore of Monmouth Springfield Black Stone. So. So. and further saith not
Sworn to and subscribed
Clement Updike
the day and year above written
Said Affiant was interlined before
the Oath was taken - in the 11 th line in the following words -
"Two years at the least;" And do Certify that the above Sub- -scribing Clement Updike is a creditable Person and entitled to credit
John Smith

State of New Jersey
Middlesex County I Nicholas Boorcum Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Middlesex do hereby certify that John Smith before whom the foregoing depositions were taken was at the time a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Middlesex and duly commissioned & sworn - and that the signature John Smith is his true signature
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal at office this fifteenth day of June AD 1833
N Boorcum Clerk

June 20 th 1833 I hereby consent to receive a Certificate for the within Claimant to be computed for 16 months Private of Inf. y and relinquish all other claims to a Pension under the Act of 7 th June 1832
Charles G. W. Hurney Atty