Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 23381, for Denis Randolph, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
New Jersey
Randolph, Denis Dennis
S. 23381
CONTENTS

26.057 Pennsylvania
Louis Randolph , of Juniata Co. in the State of who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Clifford of the 1st (Inf'ty) commanded by Col Brans in the New Jersey State Militia
6 Mo P's $20.00
Inscribed on the Roll of Penn at the rate of 20 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 21st day of Feb sent to 1832 Rev J Handysai H.A.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 $20.00 Semi-ann. allowance ending Sept 1834 10.00 $30.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded By A. S. ... Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 5 Page 49

State of Pennsylvania Sumata County ss
On the fourth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty four personally appeared in open Court before the Honorable Calvin Blyth Esquire President and his Associates Judges of the Court of Common Pleas now holding at Mifflin Town in and for the County of Juniata aforesaid Denis Randolph a Resident of said Township in the County of Juniata and State of Pennsylvania aged eighty one years, who being first sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the seventh of June 1832 - That he was born in the County of Huntingdon in the State (then Province) of New Jersey on the fifteenth day of February A.D. Seventeen hundred and fifty three. That he continued to reside in said Huntingdon County until about the year Seventeen hundred and ninety five when he removed to Juniata County (formerly Mifflin) in the State of Pennsylvania where he has resided ever since - There is a record of his birth in an old bible belonging to him entered by his Uncle in which it is stated that he was born in the year 1753 on the 15th day of February - That he entered the service of the United States under the following names Effriam and David as herein stated -
1 st In the Spring or summer of the year Seventeen hundred and seventy six he was drafted as a militia man for the term of two months and served during that time as a private soldier - that he marched from Alexander Township Huntingdon County to Elizabeth Town was in garrison at that place until discharge - was not engaged in any battle during this tour - His Captain was Effriam. Colonel Beane and Genl. Maxwell of the regular army were with us. He was regularly discharged by Captain Effriam but his discharge is since lost - He was not during the said term employed in any civil pursuit.
2 d In the fall of the same year he was again drafted in the Militia for two months which term he served as a private soldier - was marched from the County of Huntingdon aforesaid to Elizabeth Town and was there in garrison until he was discharged - He was in no battles during this tour and had arrived at home but a few days before Genl. Washington captured the Hessians at Trenton - from which circumstance he knows that it was in the year Seventeen hundred and seventy six - His Captain was Henry Hulick - Col. Beane and Genl. Maxwell of the regular army were with the troops - He got a discharge from Captain Hulick but it is since lost - He was not during said term of service employed in any civil pursuit.
3 rd Some time in the following year (1777) about harvest, he was again drafted in the Militia for two months which term he served as a private soldier - was marched from Huntingdon County to Bransbury near Elizabeth Town where he remained encamped until he was discharged. He was in no battles during this tour, but one night four or six of the Sentinels were taken prisoners while he was there - He is only able to fix the year by the circumstance that he knows it was the next Summer after his previous tour - His Captain was Henry Hulick, Colonel Beane and Genl. Maxwell of the regular army were with us - He got a discharge from Capt. Hulick but it is since lost - He was not during said term of service employed in any civil pursuit.
4 th Some time as he thinks (although he is not certain) in the fall of the year Seventeen hundred and seventy eight (he formerly had thought it was in the Spring but is now impressed that it was in the fall) he was again drafted by a general call of the Militia - was marched as a private soldier from Elizabeth Town to Huntingdon County to Elizabeth Town from thence to Newark where he remained only one night when he was a Sentinel from thence to Nequechany where in a few days after arrival he was discharged - he does not recollect how long he was in service.

This term - he was in no battle - his Captain was Henry Halib's his Majors Name was Greenough his Col, Beames, and Genl Mayhew of the regular army was with us - He got a discharge from Captain Halib's but it is since lost - He was not during said term of service employed in any civil pursuit -
He also states that from old age and weakness his memory is very much impaired and he is unable to give a more particular account of his services that he knows of no one now living who is able to make proof of the time he was drafted or the length of the period he served as a Militiaman as above stated and that supposing he received not more any thing more than he had received at the time of his services being only a Militia man, he had not preserved his discharges and that they are long since lost -
He refers to Benjamin Kepner Esquire Patrick McKenna Esq, David Okey and John Beale Thomas Gadd William Irvine and Thomas Elliott - who can vouch for his reputation as a man of truth and morality, and who have been acquainted with him for several years
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 and subscribed the day and year aforesaid in open court before - M me W. H. R. Prother
his Mark Denis X Randolph
Juniata County ss - We Thomas Gadd residing in the Township of Milford and David Randolph residing in the Township of Tuscarora both of the County of Juniata aforesaid hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Denis Randolph who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be about eighty one years of age, that he is respected and beloved 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 in open court before - M me W. H. R. Prother
his Mark David X Randolph
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 Thomas Gadd and David Randolph who have signed the preceding certificate are residents of the County of Juniata and are credible persons; and that their statement is entitled to credit. It also appearing to the said Court that there is no clergyman residing near the said applicant who is well enough acquainted with him to make the proof required by the war department
Calvin Pyle Dan Christy Benj m Kepner

Sumner County ss. I William H Kirk Prothonotary of the court of Common Pleas for the County of Sumner do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original pro- ceedings of the said Court in the matter of the appli- cation of Denis Randolph for a Pension and that the Honorable Calvin Blythe is the President Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Sumner and that the signature annexed to the foregoing certificate of the Court is his genuine signature. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said Court this fourth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty four
Wm H Kirk R. Prothonotary

No 25589
Dennis Randolph Juniata County Pennsylvania
Adm 6 Months d. l. $20
Hon J. Henderson
E. L. Dunbar, Mifflintown Penn a

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
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 subjoined 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, showing the Service of Dennis Randolph Juniata County Pennsylvania
   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.     Draft 1839 - 2 - private Capt. Clifford Colonel Beavers, Col. Maxwell 81 years Huntingdon Revolutionary cert. in. papers correct   Draft 1840 - 2 - " Capt. Hulick, Col. Beavers County   Draft 1841 - 2 - " Capt. Hulick, Col. Beavers New Jersey   Draft 1842 not stated " Capt. Hulick, Col. Beavers  
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 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 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.

Revolution
23381.
INVALID.
File No. 23,381
Dennis Randolph
Rev War
Act: June 7 th 327
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 332
[Arrangement of 1870.]
✓

Washington Feb 7 th 1834
Dear Sir
I will thank you to send to me the Certificate (if allowed) for which the enclosed is an application
Very Respectfully
J. L. Edwards Esq
J. Henderson
Commission of Pensions

Mifflin Juniata County Pa Feby 5 th 1833
L Edwarde Esq
Sir enclosed are the papers of Denis Randolph an applicant for a Pension - His papers were forwarded last Summer and returned with objections to E L Deenber Esq of this place - we trust they are right now, and any communication you may wish to make respecting them, you will please address to me at Lewistown Mifflin County Pa where I reside, which is only twelve miles from this place, and as nigh to the residence of the applicant as this place is
Very respectfully
Yours &
James McDowell Lewistown Mifflin County Penn a

Bellefonte Feb 3 1834.
Hon. Jos. Henson
I take up my pen to drop you a line - it being the first attempt for two weeks, having been confined by severe indisposition. This will prevent me for some weeks from doing myself the honor of calling on the "good man and true" at your quarters - I think I will not wait see you before the muster of Members.
Enclosed is the amended Declaration of John Ruple - an old soldier praying a pension - I wish you to call on S. L. Edwards, Esq. the Pension Agent, at the Pension Office, hand him the enclosed papers and urge him to give them his immediate attention, and forward me the results. I cannot see you a pension can be received, as the case is brought completely within the provisions of the law passed in 1832. If he grants a pension, procure and forward the pension certificate directed to me as soon as possible. I am Yours &c John Bigham
Hon. Henson