Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 11358, for Thomas Scudder, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey
Scudder, Thomas
S 11358
leaded
CONTENTS

20124
New York
Thomas Scudder
Hempson in the State of NY who was a private in the Cont l commanded by Captain Gage of the Reg t commanded by Col. Prouty in the N. Jersey line for 13 months
Inscribed on the Roll of N. York at the rate of 30 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 3 day of Aug t 1833 and to the Woodcock of Farm Ithaca
Arrears to the 4th of Ma rch 100 Sem-ant. allowance ending 4 th of Ma rch 25 $125
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. S. G. C. Stiles Clerk, Vol. 3. Page 19.
Recorded by Book E.

Thomas Scudder Pension Application
18335

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832.
STATE OF NEW YORK, Tompkins COUNTY, ss.
On this 3 rd day of October personally appeared in open court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas now sitting, Thomas Scudder a resident of the town of Cenfild in the county of Tompkins and state of New York, aged eighty five 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 7th, 1832. That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
That he lived at Raraway New Jersey at the time he entered the service
That in the Month of April 1776, he cannot recollect the day he volunteered under Capt Mores Jagush in Col Brown Francis Regiment in the New Jersey State troops & served one month at Trenly's Point as a guard & was dismissed at the end of the time & returned home.
In June 1776 the day he cannot recollect he was called out again under the same Capt & Colonel & served one month as a guard at the place above mentioned at the end of which time he was dismissed.
In August 1776 he was called out again under the same Captain & Colonel & served one month at Trenly's Point above mentioned.
In October following he was called out again under the same Captain & Colonel & served one month at Trenly's Point above mentioned.
In March or April 1777 he was called out under the same Captain & Colonel & served one month at Trenly's Point above mentioned.
In June following he was called out & served one month under the same Captain & Colonel at Trenly's Point aforesaid.
In September following he was called out & served one month under the same Captain & Colonel at Trenly's Point aforesaid.
In November following he was called out & served one month under the same Captain & Colonel at Trenly's Point aforesaid.
In March or April 1778 he was called out & served one month under the same Captain & Colonel at Trenly's Point aforesaid.

The troops were enrolled for the purpose of a guard & were called & sent alternately every other month during the winter season. Trenchy Point was the place where they were stationed. This deponent cannot recollect the particular day when each month's service commenced or expired. There were no Continental troops stationed near them.
In March 1779 he cannot recollect the day he volunteered under Capt Amos Mott in Col Edmund Thomas of the State troops. Marched to Elizabeth town Point - was there stationed as a guard against the refugees & British & served one month at the end of the time was dismissed.
In May 1779 he volunteered under the same Capt Mott last mentioned & served another month at Elizabeth town Point as a guard as last mentioned.
In July 1779 he volunteered again under the same Captain Mott last mentioned & served another month at Elizabeth town Point as a guard last mentioned.
He cannot state the time of entering the service or of being dismissed from the same with more precision than above stated.
In Oct 1779 he was drafted for three months in the militia under Captain Amos Mott in Col Oranges regiment to pursue the Indians. That he hired Enoch De Camp to go in his place - that he paid him full wages, but does not recollect the amount. That the substitute served out the time as this deponent believes.
That he has no documentary evidence that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declare that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
S. Love
his Thomas Scudder mark

The following questions were propounded by the Court to the applicant.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
Answer. At Elizabeth town New Jersey, in the year 1747
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so where is it?
Answer. Has a record of his age at home in his Bible
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war; and where do you now live?
Answer. Lived at Elizabeth town when he entered the service - After the war moved to Pittsfield N.J. from there to Morristown - moved from there to Enfield where he now lives. Has lived there for about 21 years
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute; and if a substitute, for whom?
Answer. Was called out for 6th month during the most of his service - Considered himself a volunteer - was once drafted but kind a substitute
5. State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops when you served; such continental and militia regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service.
Answer. There were no standing troops near where he served. He is not acquainted with any officers
Served principally as a guard at Newlys Point & at Elizabeth town
6. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
Answer. Never had any written discharge
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.
Answer. Samuel Rolfe. John Easton. Joseph Moore. Levi Updike. Carlos C. Appleyard. Gilbert Updike
WE, Jonathan Ralfe  residing in the town of Enfield residing in the town of Enfield and county of Tompkins and State of New York, and William S. Love residing in the same place, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Thomas Scudder who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, and that we believe him to be eighty five 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 concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed, } the day and year aforesaid, } S. Love
Jonathan Ralfe William S. Love
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogations 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 Jonathan Ralfe & William S. Love who have signed the preceding certificate are resident in the town of Enfield and county of Tompkins and are creditable persons, and that their statements are entitled to credit.
I Samuel Love Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Tompkins do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Thomas Scudder for a pension.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this third day of October 1832
Sam. Love

CS 18335 Thomas Scudder Thompsonville NY
e.
Admitted Private 15 mo. etc, $30.
Woodcock & Ferris Ithaca Tompkins Co NY

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
May 17 1835
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, showing the Service of Thomas Scudder Thompson Co 84
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     vol April 1776 1 Private Capt Ingle Col Grants Trenton 85 years Gradual   June 1776 1 Quirk Rept - Point Haway andine   Aug 1776 1 some Cap some Col Elizabeth St. Mary   Oct 1 ditto - ditto - Elizabeth Elizabeth   March 1777 1 ditto - ditto - Point Stown   June 1 ditto - ditto - Elizabeth Stown   Sept. 1 ditto - ditto - Elizabeth Stown   Oct 1 ditto - ditto - Elizabeth Stown   March 1778 1 ditto - ditto - Elizabeth Stown   vol March 1779 1 Capt Mop Col Tho Elizabeth Stown   vol May 1779 1 ditto mos ditto Elizabeth Stown   vol July 1779 1 ditto ditto Elizabeth Stown   Aug Oct 1779 sub 3 Capt Mop Col Grants Elizabeth Stown   15  
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 day 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 (1) 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 he 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 [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.

Feb 7-13-1900 History to Miss Fannie E.S. Heck "The Colonial" City
Mch. 17, 1904 - Miss Heck advised that furnished as above - letter of inq. in W. file 2804
Rev. War
11358 INVALID.
File No. 11358
Thomas Scudder Briv. Rev. War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. a , Page 882
[Arrangement of 1870.]

11.358
Apph. Oct 32 1882 Enfield Nj - 85
1786 Elizabethtown N J Cape moss Jazmoh Cal Crane 4 mos
77 Same off 2 m
Mr. 77 Cape Moss Cal Thomas 2 m
78 Cape moss Cal Crane, 1 m
79 moss Crane 7 m.
No Bul

38 a 19 Goush Keok

Stearns May 31. 1833
Sir
We return the papers of Thomas Scudder with a further authentication insisted on in the accompanying letter
Yours respectfully
Woodcock & Harris
J. L. Edwards Esq. Washington

aw ed
The Colonial, Washington, D. C.
Jan. 30, 1900.
Bureau of Pensions.
Gentlemen.
Will you kindly send me certificate of the revolutionary services of Youst Heck of Penn., first of Pennsylvania Rifles Regiment & after the battle of Long Island, where the Rifles were badly cut up transferred to 13 th Penn. Regiment, Capt Anderson's Company. I would like also

advance for answers to these enquiries.
I am
Yours very Resp't.
(Miss) Fannie E. S. Beck.
The Colonial
Washington D. C.

a statement of services of Thomas Scudder of N. Jersey. One Thomas Scudder of N. Jersey Militia received a pension for services. Has there not however a Captain Thomas Scudder from N. Jersey or Pennsylvania?
Is any roster of Indian Wars in the western part of Va. (now W. Va.) occurring a little before the time of The Revolution preserved?
If so does the name of Martin Callendine appear either on them or on Revolution- ary lists? He is known to have taken part in Indian wars. Thanking you in

advance for answers to these enquiries I am
Yours very Resp't. (Miss) Fannie E. S. Heck.
The Colonial Washington, D. C.