Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 957, Thomas Bloomfield, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey
Bloomfield, Thomas
S. 957.
CONTENTS
carded.
Alvin 1832

Letter to R. Lee 14 Sept 18.
28. W. 1 New Jersey Thomas Bloomfield
of Middlesex, in the State of New Jersey who was a Private in the Corp. commanded by Captain Keller of the Regt. commanded by Col. Meeker in the New Jersey line for 16 months
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, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 18 day of Decr. 1831 and unto Hon. J. Phillips per U.S. Senate
Arrears to the 4th of Sep. 31 $133.33 Semi-ann. allowance ending Apr. 31 26.66
$160.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Geo. [Signature] Clerk. Recorded by Book 6, Vol. 11, Page 103
1833 70 1763

State of New Jersey } Middlesex County }
Declaration of Thomas Bloomfield
On this Twentieth day of August in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and thirty three Personally appeared before me Ichabod Potter one of the Judges of the court of common pleas in and for said County of Middlesex Thomas Bloomfield a resident of the Township of Woodbridge in the County and State aforesaid being seventy two years of age last October who being 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 the 7 th of June 1832 He doth depose and say that he was born in the Township of Woodbridge aforesaid the 16 th of October A.D. 1760 his age being recorded in the family bible which he now exhibits & which proves that fact that he has resi- ded in the same place all his life time except thirteen years when he resided in the City of New York & that he returned from N. York to his native place in the time of the last war, that he served various tours of duty in the Militia always as a private during the Revolutionary War in the service of the United States or of the State of New Jersey under different officers and he has competent authority from the U. States

and was taken prisoner with a number of others amongst whom was Capt. Micker of the horse Doct Crain father of the present Doct Crain Christopher Marsh & others & all were taken to N. York & this deponent was confined in the Sugar house in N. York & Doct Crain dressed his wound and attended him in the Sugar house and after being a prisoner three months he was exchanged as he then understood for a man that had been confined at Philadelphia by the name of Elliot some of the prisoners taken with him was paroled & not confined in N. York, he has ascertained the time when Capt. Micker was killed from his tombstone to have been the 29 th of June 1779 when your applicant was still a prisoner
That shortly after being exchanged your applicant went with a party commanded by John Jonas & crossed over to Staten Island one night & took nine prisoners brought them off to Jersey & gave them up to the proper authority This tour was performed by way of retaliation That your applicant fired a tour of one Month under Capt Shaw Spedden drafted from his company in Woodbridge & was stationed at Westfield in the County of Essex whilst performing this tour a man by the name of John Clawson was taken up near the Mountain Essex County & condemned and executed as a spy & he believes it was in the spring of 1780 That he was drafted & served a tour of one Month under Capt Samuel A. Randolph station at Woodbridge during this tour they march to Eliz Town & was at the battle fought at that place when it was invaded by a large army of the Enemy commanded by Genl. Knyphausen when the writings of Connecticut journals was learnt this tour was performed in June 1780
That he served a tour of one Month being drafted from his company in Woodbridge and was stationed at Morris Town in this State when Genl Washington had ordered some Militia to rendezvous at that place to be in readiness to repel some expected invasion of the enemy up the north river or for some other enterprise during this tour your applicant was with a strong party sent down to Horgan to collect forage & grain when one of the four horse waggons was loading hay at a barn near the water they were fired on by one of the enemy gunboats and dove off In this tour Samuel Drake was his lieutenant & the company was attached to Col. Sely Reg t his captains name he does not recollect he was from beyond Brunswick & he believes it was before 1781 That he enlisted at the commencement

Continued at common form June 1780
That he serve a tour of one Month being drafted from his company in Woodbridge and was stationed at Morris Town in this State when Genl Washington had ordered some Militia to rendezvous at that place to be in readiness to repel some expected invasion of the enemy up the north river or for some other enterprise during this Tour your applicant was with a strong party sent down to Horgan to collect forage & grain where one of the four horse waggs was loading hay at a barn near the water they were fired on by one of the enemy gunboats and dove off In this tour Samuel Drake was his lieutenant & the company was attached to Col. Suly Brig. his captain's name he does not recollect he was from beyond Brunswick & the drill was it was performed in 1781 That he enlisted at the commencement of the Year 1782 in Woodbridge under Capt Arthur F. Randolph & served out his said term of nine months Lewis F. Randolph was Ensign they had no lieutenant it being a small company of between twenty and thirty men & were stationed in the village of Woodbridge to guard the frontier of the State it being near the enemies lines they being in possession of Staten Island about two or three miles from Woodbridge and our company had frequent skirmishes with parties of the enemy from said Island who often came over to Jersey generally in the night Capt Randolph constantly at night had sentries and patrols out & the men held to perform regular duty Mr John Brag of New Brunswick was the quartermaster that supplied the company with provisions & your applicant knows of no officer or man that served with him on this tour being now alive in the State

and your applicant knows of none of the officers or men belonging to the companies in which he served Monthly tours now being alive except P. Norton whose evidence is attached to the proceedings - he omitted to mention in its proper place but he was in two battles fought near Ely Town
That he has no discharges or documentary evidence preserved of his aforesaid service & that he hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & he declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of any agency in any State
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Thomas Bloomfield
Ichabod Potter
We Richard Marsh William Edgar & John Brown residing in the Township of Woodbridge hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Thomas Bloomfield who has subscribed & sworn to the above affidavit and believe him to be twenty two years of age & that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion and we do further certify that he is a respectable man of honesty candor & truth
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Ichabod Potter
Richard Marsh Wm Edgar John Brown

We Richard Marsh William Edgar & John Crowell residing in the Township of Woodbridge hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Thomas Bloomfield who has subscribed & sworn to the above affidavit and believe him to be twentytwo years of age & that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion and we do further certify that he is a respectable man of honesty candor & truth
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Isaac Patter
Richard Marsh Wm Edgar John Crowell
And the said Isahab Patter Judge as aforesaid hereby declares his 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 & served as he states and I do further certify that Richard Marsh William Edgar & John Crowell who have signed the preceding certificate are all residents in the Township of Woodbridge old men highly respectable & of good standing in society and that their statement is entitled to full credit Richard Marsh is a justice of the peace & post master at Rahway Major William Edgar is the president of the Farmers & Merchants bank at Rahway and John Crowell was Elector or one of the Electors of President & vice president for the State of N. Jersey both in the years 1816 & 1820 and that the reason assigned by the Applicant for not calling on a clergyman was that the two nearest ones at Woodbridge and at Rahway are comparatively young men but recently settled there and the

The aforesaid gentlemen who have signed the certificate are old men conversant with Revolutionary times & better qualified to certify to the facts contained in the certificate — And I do further certify that the applicant & some of his witnesses being aged & inform me not conveniently attend the County Court which is held at S. Brunswick a distance of ten & twelve miles from their places of residence, In testimony — whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 20 day of August AD 1833
Richard Potter
A large, stylized signature in cursive ink, likely that of Richard Potter. The signature features a prominent, large initial 'R' and a long, sweeping horizontal line extending to the right.

State of New Jersey
Middlesex County, I Nicholas Booracum Clerk of the Superior Court of common pleas in and for said County, do hereby certify that Nicholas Potter before whom the foregoing affidavit was annexed depositions were made & taken before at the time in Judge of said Court and a Justice of the peace duly commissioned and qualified and that his signature thereunto affixed is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 24th day of September AD 1833
N Booracum Clerk

Declaration of Thomas Bloomfield of Middlesex County New Jersey, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of June 7, 1832.
State of New Jersey } }
Middlesex County } ss. On this twenty fifth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred thirty three personally appeared before the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for the County aforesaid, Thomas Bloomfield a resident of said County, and the same person named in the application heretofore made before Her Honor Deborah Patten Esq. on the 20th day of August last, which application is here to annexed, and marked 27805, who being duly sworn, doth relate, re-affirm, and adopt in every word, part, and particular the said declaration therein made by him, & his services and sufferings in the war of the Revolution, the same as if the same said declaration was now for the first time made, and if it were herein fully set forth. Subscribed Sworn to the 25th day of December 1832. For the Judges aforesaid }
Whereupon, the Judges aforesaid, 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 Thomas Bloomfield was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And they further certify that it appears to them that Richard

Mark, William Edgar, John Crowne, who have signed the certificate, in the foregoing names papers, as to the age & repute of said Thomas Bloomfield, are residents in the same neighborhood with said Thomas Bloomfield, and credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to full credit.
Thos. Hance W. Edgar Schabod Potter Dear P. Dunyon
I Nicholas Brumham, Clerk of the Court of the Common Pleas in and for the County of Middlesex at New Jersey, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Thomas Bloomfield for a Pension. And I further certify that said Court have adopted the declaration heretofore made viz: on the 20th day of August last, before the Honorable Schabod Potter, Esq. one of his Judges of said Court, and thereby made it part and parcel, nunc pro tunc , of the proceedings had before them.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my hand & the seal of said Court, this twenty fifth day of December, eighteen hundred & thirty three.
N Brumham Clerk

The Bloomfield
Admitted Private 16 months
Dec 4 '33
16 55.35
Hon Th Fulmin ghuysen U.S. Senate J P Randolph Morris

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, shewing the Service of Thomas Bloomfield
   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.     1778 1 74 years  
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.
65
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
no deferment occasion given for claimants not appearing before Court. The witnesses are not required to appear there.

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.
See

8957 Ctf. 28041, Thomas Bloomfield, N.J.Line, Revolutionary War.
April 1, 1905.
Madam:
A careful search of the records of this Bureau shows that one Thomas Bloomfield filed a claim for pension on the 20th day of August, 1855, at which time he resided in the town of Walbridge, Middlesex county, State of New Jersey. He alleged in said declaration that he was born in the town, county and State aforesaid, on the 16th day of October, 1760, and that he rendered several tours of service under Captains David Frazier and Richard Skinner, commencing in 1778 and extending to 1782. Among the papers in this case there is nothing to show his family history, and this appears to be the only Thomas Bloomfield of whom this Bureau has any record.
In the case of Robert Morris, certificate No. 43019, Revolutionary war, the following is shown: He enlisted May 7, 1775, and served seven months under Capt. Beebe; from the spring of 1776 he served seven months under Capt. Hill; in 1777, two months under Capt. Catlin, and in 1777 to June 9, 1783, he served under Capt. Walker and Reed. He filed his declaration for pension August 3, 1818, at which time he claimed to be sixty-six years of age, and his then place of residence was Porter, Niagara county, New York. He was pensioned. At enlistment he resided in Litchfield, Conn. No other Robert

Morris appears upon the records of this Bureau.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Mrs. R. H. Frisbee, The Elsmere, City.

Apr. 1/05 see copy of even date to Mrs R.H. Frisbee The Elsmere - city
Rev. Mr. [unclear]
INVALID.
File No. 952 Thomas Bloomfield Pro. N.Y. Line
Act: June 7, 1882.
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 34
[Arrangement of 1870.]
✓

27.805
Thomas Bloomfield application under act of 1832.
Draft
James Randolph New Burn, N. Agent.
Thomas Bloomfield application for Patent

State of New Jersey } Middlesex County }
Peter Hottan of the Township of Piscataway in the County of Middlesex personally appeared before me Ichabod Potter one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in & for said County and being duly sworn according to law on his oath did depose & say that he was forty years of age last March & that he was out on several Tours of Militia duty in the time of the Revolutionary War during one of which Monthly Tours he served under Capt. Samuel H. Randolph (J. Field Lieut.) stationed at Woodbridge when Thomas Bloomfield of Woodbridge served in the same company & during this tour the said company on an alarm marched to Eliz. Town when the British Army invaded that place & marched to Springfield & burnt the meeting house there that Capt. Randolph's company (his deponent & said Bloomfield in it) fell in with the enemy near Eliz. Town when a smart engagement ensued between the British & American Armies the former on the retreat back to their boats in the sound at this battle Smith Bloomfield a young man from Woodbridge belonging to the dragoons was near them mortally wounded & died shortly after, a number was killed at Springfield the American Army was composed of Continental troops and Militia cannot say who commanded, this deponent cannot recollect the year but it was in warm weather
Peter Hottan
Sworn & subscribed before me The Nineteenth day of August 1833
Ichabod Potter

The British & American armies met for a battle retreat back to their boats in the sound at this battle Smith Bloomfield a young man from Woodbridge belonging to the dragoons was near them mortally wounded & died shortly after, a number was killed at Springfield the American Army was composed of Continental troops and Militia cannot say who commanded, this deponent cannot recollect the year but it was in warm weather
Peter Hottord
Second I subscribed before me the Nineteenth day of August 1833
Ichabod Potter
I do hereby certify that I am not personally acquainted with the above named Peter Hottord but from his respectable appearance & the candid manner in which he detailed his testimony I consider him a conscientious man of candor & truth & I have been informed that he supports a fair good character & that he appears to be of the age that he represents that himself to be
Ichabod Potter
Thomas H. Randolph also appeared before me & being duly sworn saith that in the time of the Revolutionary war his father Esau H. Randolph lived in the village of Woodbridge & kept a tavern in the Hottord house & that this deponent then lived with his father & was a lad of about fourteen years of age and he recollects that Capt. Asher H. Randolph's Company of Infantry stationed in the village of Woodbridge frequently took up their quarters at his father's house

that they always at night regularly kept sentinels & guards out & also patrols & he further says that he is well acquaint- -ed with Thomas Bloomfield & that he observed him generally with Capt Randolphs company as one of the soldiers, but he cannot recollect the year but that it was near the close of the war and recollects that when Capt Matthew Freeman had the command of the company at Woodbridge previous to the time when Capt Randolph commanded the company that Freemans company also did frequently quarter at his fathers house but the house called the Morehead house by the light tree where Capt Randolphs family resided was their head quarters his deponent recollects a number of them men belonging to Capt Randolphs company to wit Sam Willie Jonathan Thos Caleb Melvin & many others Randolph Clarkson & Melvick Han- -dolph was the sergeant all of which are dead Thomas F. Randolph Sworn and subscribed before me the 24 day of August 1873
Richard Potter
I do hereby certify that the above said Thomas F. Hannafin is a man of good repute for honesty & truth & that his Testimony is entitled to credit
Isaac Patten
also personally appeared before me John Crowell Potter for age as aforesaid John Crowell & being duly sworn said that he was well acquainted with Thomas Bloomfield in the time of the Revolution and was of the said Bloomfield was an active gallant man in defence of his country and had the reputation of being a bad good colored his informant having been with him in Milford during several of the latter part of a few days at a time he this informant knows from his reputation that Bloomfield was taken prisoner when Capt. Hance was killed - that Bloomfield has since married a company of Middlesex Militia several years since the Revolution Sworn & subscribed before me John Crowell the 29 of August 1833 Charles Potter

reputation that Bloomfield was taken prisoner when Capt Skinner was killed - that Bloomfield has commanded a company of Middlesex Militia several years since the Revolution. Inverness Subscribed before me the 29 of August 1833 John Crowell
Thomas Bloomfield application for pension under the Act of 1832
Sehabod Potter
Middlesex County ss. Personally appeared before me Sehabod Potter one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas in & for said County Col Benjamin A Brown & being duly sworn according to law did depose and say that he is & has been well acquainted with Capt Thomas Bloomfield since he was a boy & that he Bloomfield was a very active man in the time of the Revolutionary war & a good friend to his country often out on duty in the Militia at that time so that he was taken prisoner the time Capt Skinner was killed & conveyed to N. York & there confined as long time as was at the time generally understood of which fact he has no kind of doubt. This deponent cannot state any particular length of Bloomfield's service not having served with him but has frequently seen him out doing duty in the Militia of this state in the war & this deponent is fully satisfied that any statement said Bloomfield may make of his service may be relied on as correct. Sworn & Subscribed before me 29 th August 1833
Sehabod Potter I do hereby certify that the above named Col. B. A. Brown is a credible person & that his statement is entitled to full credit & that John Crowell who has signed a preceding affidavit is the same man that signed the certificate with Edgar & Marsh & his credibility was certified. Ben H. Brown
Statement showing the Service of Thomas Bloomfield
   Period when the Service was rendered Years Months Rank Names of Officers under whom he served Age at present place where served Proof by which the Declaration is supported     1778 Private Capt D. Frayer 42 Woodbridge N.J. Declarations good character established by John Crowell Mr. Edgar N. Marsh B. A. Brown   1779 June July Augt Sept 3 Private Capt R. Skinner do do   1780 1 Private Capt Shaw entered 1st served Westfield do   1781 1 do Capt Sam Randall Entered Woodbridge mounted Light Peter Hookston   1782 9 do Joseph L. Randolph Ensign do Woodbridge sativa Morris Thomas L. Randolph   16 Months served