Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 6,270, for John Le Foy, New York

SERVICE
New York.
Le Joy John
NUMBER
R. 6270
CONTENTS
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23734
John Lefay Morris County New Jersey
Return to
reject
Rhenee Nicholas P.M. Flanders Morris County New Jersey

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
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 John Lefay, Morris County
   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.     volr. Aug. 1780 2 6 Sergt. Genl. Washington Knox, & Wayne. Col. Morgan 68 Saffron Stockland County N. York Traditionary  
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) _____, who has 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 place 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.
37 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.
[k] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
R. Newman Br

Declaration in order to obtain the Benefit of the act of Congress of June the Seventh Eighteen Hundred and thirty two in addition and Explanation of the Revolutionary Services of John Lefoy New Jersey
Personally appeared before me William Ellsworth one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County John Lefoy a Revolutionary Soldier of the United States who being by me first sworn according to law doth on oath make the following additional Declaration and Explanation to the Declaration by him made before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of said County on the 28 th day of March last in order to obtain the Benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 - to wit, that the Company of Volunteer Militia from Tappan Rockland County N.Y. under the Command of Capt Jacob Blauvelt and in which he served and done his services as a Sergeant in the Revolutionary War was also further officered by Lieut - Conkling - Ensign - Hadley, the Major not Distinctly Recollected but thinks his name was Smith and said Company was under the Command of Col - Lint of the N. York Militia - and that the Company of Capt Blauvelt to which this deponent belonged having volunteered their services to the State authorities of N.Y. for an unlimited period for Common Defence, the services of said Company was accepted by the State authorities and was equipped and held in constant requisition for common Defence. and that this deponent on the 15 th day of August 1780 was by order of Capt. Jacob Blauvelt placed in charge of said Telegraphic and alarm post at Tappan as Sergeant thereof, which post was established by General Washington as an alarm post, Guard House, and Hospital - that this post was under the special Command and charge of Capt Blauvelt by order of General Washington - and by order of Capt Blauvelt this deponent was placed in charge and Command of said post as Sergeant thereof and also in charge of a Picket guard stationed at said post to guard the same and further that the enemy at this period had possession of the City of N.Y. and also of a Block House garrisoned by them in Bergen Woods not more than 15 miles distant from the post under his command, and were constantly annoying, and depredating upon the persons and property of American Citizens, which kept the surrounding country in a constant state of alarm and Defence, and Capt Blauvelt's Company in constant and active duty until the enemy were finally Dislodged by Genl Wayne of the Pennsylvania Line from said Block House, the particular period of their Dislodgement this deponent does not now recollect

and this deponent further saith that the water privileges around New York which the enemy possessed while in N. York gave them every advantage over the surrounding country, and that they were continually Robbing, Murdering and Burning and otherwise depredating or Destroying the Lives and property of American Citizens living within the scope of their Depredations, and also that the wounded and Prisoners were being from time to time brought to the Post under his command for safe keeping and medical treatment during the whole period of his services as Sergeant of said post, and further saith that the Company of Captain Blauvelt having volunteered their services to the State of N. York for an unlimited period, they were Retained by the State authorities as a Standing Corps of Defence in Case of Sudden Emergency and were never discharged from active duty whenever necessary until peace or suspension of Hostilities in Feb y 1783 until which period this Deponent as a Sergeant in Capt Blauvelt's Company from 15 th of August 1780 until Feb y . 1783 continued in active Command and charge of said Guard House and Telegraphic or alarm post at Tappan aforesaid By order of Capt Blauvelt as Sergeant thereof, when he was then fully and Honourably Discharged verbally by Capt Blauvelt from any further active duty in the war of the Revolution and further saith that there is not any Resident Clergyman in the vicinity or near where he Resides and cannot therefore obtain the certificate of a Clergyman to his papers and further saith not sworn and subscribed before me
John Le Froy
this first day of July 1833.
Wm Morris
A William Morris before whom the foregoing Declaration of John Le Froy was taken and subscribed do hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with the said John Le Froy and have been for twenty years and freely certify that I have the highest Confidence in the Statement by him set forth in the above affidavit and also certify that the said John Le Froy is a person of good character for truth and Veracity and entitled to Credit witness my hand the day and year aforesaid Wm Morris

State of New Jersey I David Bayliss Clerk of the Court of Morris County ss. Common Pleas of the County of Morris aforesaid do hereby certify that William Monroe Esq. before whom the foregoing additional Declaration of John LeRoy was made was at the time of the doing thereof one of the Judges of said Court and that full faith and credit are due to his official acts as such Judge and that the signatures W m Monroe annexed thereto and also to the certificate concerning the character of the said John LeRoy is the genuine signature of the said William Monroe —
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said Court at Morris Town. The twelfth day of July A. D. Eighteen hundred and thirty three —
David Bayliss

Declaration of John Lefroy
23734

Declaration in Order to Obtain the Benefits of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832
State of New Jersey } County of Morris } ss. Morris Common Pleas. March Term
On this 28 th day of March 1833 personally appeared in open Court Before the judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County now sitting John Lipar a Resident Citizen of Washington Township in the County of Morris and State of New Jersey aged Sixty Eight years who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following Declaration in Order to Obtain the Benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 - - To wit - That he entered the Service of the united States under the following named Officer and Service as herein Set forth, that he entered the Service of the united States in the War of the Revolution the 15 th day of August in the year 1780, at the Town of Tappan in Rockland County State of New York as a Sergeant in a Company of Volunteers under Command of Captain Jacob Blackwell which Company Volunteered their Services for an antemortem period for Common Defence against the Common Enemy who at that period had possession of the City of New York and Surrounding posts along the Hudson River - from which advantages the Common Enemy Continually Depredated upon the Rights and property of American Citizens and subjected the same to Wanton Destruction or Confiscation - Whereupon General Washington established a Telegraphic Line of alarm posts and Communication around the vicinity of New York to warn the Inhabitants of the sudden marches of the enemy, and arouse and call them together for Common Defence - one of which Telegraphic or alarm posts having been established by General Washington at the Village of Tappan as aforesaid, this Deponent on entering the Service of the united States as a Volunteer Sergeant was then to wit on the 15 th day of August 1780 - by order of his Captain Jacob Blackwell Esq. thereupon placed in Charge and Command of said Telegraphic or alarm post as Sergeant thereof, and this deponent saith that he continued in Charge and active Command of said Telegraphic and alarm post from August 1780 as aforesaid and performed the various Duties thereof with that Love of Country and in that Spirit of Patriotism which characterized those Veteran Heroes who participated in those Daring Deeds which tried mens Souls

until the Capitation of arms between the united States and Great Britain in Feb y 1783 when this Deponent was Honorably Discharged from further Service Verbally by Captain Blauvelt, and this Deponent further Saith that while in Command of said Telegraphic or alarm post and when the author of his Station would permit he marched with the Company of Captain Blauvelt to check the Marauding Excursions of the Enemy, he further Saith that the Post under his Command was frequently Visited during that period by Generals Washington, Knox, and Wayne and Colonel Morgan from whom this Deponent Received such Orders for the discharge of his various Duties as by them was Considered most Expedient as the Sergeant as aforesaid, and further that he served his whole period of Service to wit from August 1780 to February 1783 as a Sergeant in Command of said Telegraphic or alarm post as aforesaid, and Saith he has no further Recollection of his Revolutionary Services - he Distinctly Recollects the Capture of Major Andre the British Spy and of seeing him Executed at Tappan in Oct. 1780 near the post under his Command he further Distinctly Recollects that a short time before entering on his duty as Sergeant of said Telegraphic post that General Cornwallis with a party of the Enemy surprised and Destroyed almost an Entire Troop of Cavalry at a Village called old Tappan and Killed and Wounded all but Sixteen Men whom they took Prisoners to New York Leaving Col. Baylor and Major Clough Mortally Wounded and Both died of their Wounds Major Clough died at the House of this Deponents Mother at Tappan and Col. Baylor at a Neighbors House near by - and this deponent further Saith that he has not any Documentary Evidence in his possession of his Revolutionary Services never having Received a Written Discharge, and does not know of any person now living who served with him or has any knowledge of his Revolutionary Services and further Saith that he was Born in the City of New York the 17 th day of December 1764 and is now in his Sixty ninth year and that the family Record of his age was Destroyed at Tappan aforesaid by the Depredations of the common enemy by Robbery his Mothers House in the Revolutionary war, that he Resided at Tappan aforesaid when he entered the service of the United States and after the Close of the Revolutionary War he Resided in the City of New York for several years that he now Resides in the Township of Washington Morris County N.J. and has for the Last thirty years, he Distinctly Recollects Generals Washington, Knox and Wayne and Col Morgan all of the Regular Army and is personally known to Samuel Wirt and Peter Temple Esq rs two Respectable Citizens and Neighbors of his where he Resides and has been for thirty years past to whom he Refers for proof of his good Character for truth and Veracity

and that he hereby Relinquishes any Claim to a pension or annuity except the present, declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of the agency of any State whatever.
Sworn and Subscribed in open Court. John Defay
this 20 th day of March 1833
Stephen Vail "
We Samuel Weir and Peter Himple Residents in the county of Morris N.J. do hereby certify that we are both neighbours to the said John Defay and are personally acquainted with him and have been for thirty years past that we have the utmost confidence in his character for truth and veracity and also of the truth of the statement subscribed and sworn to by him in the foregoing Declaration, that we believe him to be sixty eight years of age, that he is respected and beloved in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and that we both concur in the same opinion.
Sworn and Subscribed in open Court the day and year aforesaid. Samuel Weir
Stephen Vail " " Ephraim Mear
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that after the Investigation of the matter of the application of John Defay for a pension and after putting the interrogatories to him prescribed by the War Department that the said John Defay was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he has set forth in the foregoing Declaration and the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Samuel Weir and Peter Himple - who have signed the preceding certificate are Residents of the county of Morris neighbours to the said John Defay and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit - Done in open Court the day and year aforesaid.
Stephen Vail " " Ephraim Mear William Brillon

State of New Jersey Morris County ss
I David Day Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Morris aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Le Hoy for a Pension
In testimony whereof I have here- unto set my hand and Seal of Office, this twentieth day of March in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty three — David Day Clerk

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
REJECTED
6270
P. O.
John Lefoy
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

New Jersey
Revol
John Lefoy
Rejected
see letter
R. Nicholas
11. Oct r 1833.
6270
Act 7 June 1832

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Lefrais, Peter GRADE Private LINE Hazen's Regiment
WARRANT NUMBER 13361 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED October 12, 1790 to — not shown —
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.