Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 2,380, James Bloomfield, New Jersey

SERVICE
New Jersey.
Bloomfield, James
NUMBER
S. 2380
CONTENTS
carded

New Jersey 17584-
James Bloomfield
Resides in the State of New Jersey private in the Company commanded by Captain of the N.J. commanded Col. Crow. in the N.J.
for 16 mo: 14 days
scribed on the Roll of New Jersey the rate of 54 Dollars 88. Cents per annum. commences on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 27. day of Aug. 1833. and delivered Hon. L. Cordick of N.J. Present
Arrears to the 14th of March 32 109 76. Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept. " 27 44
$ 137. 20
Revolutionary Claim, } Act June 7, 1832 Entered by Francioni ————— Clerk E. Vol. 3 o Page 103.
Nov. 11, 1841 Let to Pension and to Eugene Morris to Mr. J. F. Randolph Randolph and Pension Agent Feb 25 th 1842 authorizing payment of Pension

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 State of New Jersey } Middlesex County }
On this twenty eighth day of August A D 1832 personally appeared before me Ichabod Potter one of the judges of the Court of common pleas in and for said County James Bloomfield a resident of the Township of Woodbridge in the County and State aforesaid aged twenty one years 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 June 7 th 1832. Saith that he was born in the Township of Woodbridge in the year 1761 & that he has resided in the same place since he was born until this time except about ten years when he resided in the city of New York from the year 1800 till the year 1810 & that his birth was recorded in his Aunt Milds which the British destroyed That he entered in the service of the U States first under Capt Lapeerous in Col Crows Regiment of Middlesex Militia Clarkson Edgar was Major & served a tour of about one month during this tour he marched to Eliz Town the date or time not recollected but was at the time when the British army came from Staten Island & Jersey and marched through Eliz Town & went the Connecticut Farms above Eliz Town & when Mrs Caldwell the wife of Parson Caldwell was shot & you applicant was in the battle fought near Eliz Town when he with one more manly the name of Drake

(when the British were on the retreat) took four of their soldiers prisoners & he was near Marsh St a neighbour of his in the same battle when his hut was set on fire & blown up by the enemy's fire. In this battle a body of Continental troops & Militia were engaged with the enemy & he thinks the continental troops was commanded by Lord Sterling. In the year 1779 your applicant served on an expedition under Capt. Matthew Freeman to Staten Island which was of short duration and after wards in 1780 he enlisted under said Captain for six months & served out the whole term John Cape or Cape was his Lieutenant and Asher F. Randolph Ensign. This company was stationed at Woodbridge to guard the lines & procure intelligence and was not particularly attached to any Bat. of reg. c he then served a term of one month under Capt. David Tracey whose rendezvous was on the lines between Amboy & Rahway River & in 1781 he enlisted under Capt. Asher F. Randolph for a term of nine months & was stationed at Woodbridge for the same object for which Capt. M. Freeman had been stationed at the same place, during this service under Capt. Randolph he had a number of skirmish- es with parties of the enemy which frequently crossed from Staten Island generally in the night & kept this part of the country in almost perpetual alarms and by way of retaliation our company several times crossed on to the Island to take prisoners procure intelligence in one of expeditions it was contemplated to take the fort at Richmond (formerly called Brunkoldtown) but the enterprise

failed and our people had a narrow escape
after this term of service your applicant served under Capt John Storer who commanded a gunboat until the termination of said war during this service under Capt Storer your applicant was exposed to great peril & hardships Capt Storers rendezvous was in the water of the Naritan above and about Anthonys farm where he proceeded to cruise out in N York bay the Narrows Sandy hook & some leagues beyond the Hook, but owing to the superiority of the British force in those waters it had to be mostly done in the night but we succeeded in annoying the enemy very much & captured a number of their armed vessels with many prisoners one of which vessels was a schooner called the Skipjack mounting six carriage guns with a crew of forty five men which we captured by boarding her near Sandy hook but owing to the Brittanmer a seventy four gun ship taking the alarm & bearing down on us & commencing a fire from her battery we had to destroy the prize & your applicant was the man that set fire to her by order of Capt Storer your applicant further states that all the officers under whom he served are dead as far as he knows and verily believes and that no roll or record of his services has been preserved or now exists in his knowledge & that he has no discharge preserved or documentary evidence of his aforesaid service but that some few old men in the neighbourhood yet survive that recollect something of the part he took in the revolutionary war & some of whose affidavits are herewith attached — your applicant is now in old age & very infirm which infirmities no doubt are much increased from the hardships privation & suffering endured in the service of

of his country when he was young vigorous & active that from his location or residence near the lines of the enemy where alarms were frequent & the militia turned out to repel the enemy your applicant always went out on regular tours) of duty cheerfully turned out in company with his patriotic neighbours & that his time for several years of the latter part of said war was altogether devoted to the service of his country and not engaged in any other business or occupation so that he can confidently say that he was much more than two years in the service aforesaid
James Bloomfield
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
The said James Bloomfield doth hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 28 Augt 1832
James Bloomfield
Sabbat Potter Judge of present
We William B. Barton a clergyman residing in Woodbridge and John E. Barrow residing in the same place hereby certify that we are well acquainted with James Bloomfield who has subscribed & sworn to the above affidavit and we believe him to be seventy one years of age & that he is respected and beloved in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion
Sworn and subscribed William B. Barton the day and year aforesaid John E. Barrow Sabbat Potter
and the said Sabbat Potter judges as aforesaid doth hereby declare his opinion after the investigation of

The matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the above applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states & he doth further certify that he well knows that the said William M. Bartow who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman and pastor of the first presbyterian congregation in Woodbridge & resident there & that John E. Marron who has also signed the same is the postmaster at Woodbridge and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to full credit and I hereby further certify that from bodily infirmity the applicant & some of his witnesses cannot attend our county court (ten miles distant) without much difficulty pain suffering & inconvenience In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand This 30 th day of August in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and thirty two
Isaac Patten
I H. S. Vanarsdalen clerk of the court of common pleas in the county of Middlesex in the State of New Jersey do hereby certify that Isaac Patten is one of the judges of the aforesaid court of common pleas in and for said county of Middlesex & that the signature annexed is his genuine signature In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this first day of Sept. in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and thirty two H. S. Vanarsdalen Clerk

State of New Jersey } p Middlesex County }
Personally came before me Ichabod Patter and of the Judges of the Court of common pleas in & for the County of Timothy Herbert Dane being duly sworn according to law did depose and say that he is well acquainted with James Bloomfield & recollects that he was a very very zealous active young man in the time of the revolutionary war & that he was during said war most of the time in the service of his country in the Militia Volunteer listed troops & in the gun boat service under Capt. John Horner Timothy Herbert Sworn & subscribed before me the 28 Augt. AD 1832
Ichabod Patter
The following affidavits were taken in 1830 with a view of their applying to Congress for a special Act for a pension and considered equally authentic as they would have been if taken now J. Patter

State of New Jersey Middlesex County
Personally appeared before me Isahab Potter one of the judges of the Court of Common pleas in & for said County former Patriot's a Revolutionary soldier of the Township of Wood- bridge & County aforesaid and being duly sworn according to Law deposeth & saith that he was Eighty years of age in October last & that he was born & lived in the Township of Woodbridge & that in the time of the Revolutionary war in the year 1780 he then deposeth it was as a private volunteer under Capt. Lafayette, John Pierce lieutenant not over to Elizabeth Town against an invasion of the English, French Troops commanded as he understood by Genl. Humphreys where the Village of Connecticut Farms were burnt Col. L. G. G. & Major Edgar commanded the battalion in which Lafayette's company served on this told his deposon it served for several days in the same year (does not recollect the proceedings he enlisted under Capt. Matthew Freeman for six months & served out the term (there had been two three entries before he was discharged Capt. Freeman commanded a company of about 45 or 50 men under the authority of the State of N. Jersey & was stationed at Woodbridge to guard the lines the British being in possession of Staten Island in sight of Woodbridge & only separated by a narrow cove John Bray of New Brunswick was the Quartermaster who supplied said company with provisions &c And he further deposeth that he enlisted under Capt. Asher H. Randolph as a private in the year Sixteen hundred & Eighty one and served out said term of nine months that Capt. Randolph was also stationed at Woodbridge to succeed Capt. Freeman

I under the same authority & for a similar service had part of his company was stationed at South Hackney & about thirty of his men under his immediate com- -mand were stationed as a guard at Woodbridge where this deponent served that he was paid for the six months was in certificates & for the nine months partly in certificates & partly in some kind of govern- -ment money & he further deposes that after his term of enlistment expired that he voluntarily re-enlisted with Capt. Randolph & served wherever called upon to the close of the war as a private & that on several occasions he assisted in taking prison- -ers on Staten Island within the lines of the en- -emy & also in repelling invasions of the enemy on the Jersey shore a part of which however he accepts when he was in the gunboat service under Capt. John Storer & assisted in taking some of the enemy's arms & equipments within Sandy Hook
Subscribed & sworn before me the 19th of February 1842
James Bloomfield
Isaac Potter
I certify that Isaac Potter is one of the Judges and Justices of the Court of Middlesex N.J. that I am well acquainted with his signature & that no doubt the above is his genuine signature
John P. Paterson Washington
Feb 24/42
Genl. F. Randolph 1702

Supplementary Affidavit of James Bloomfield in the case of an Application for a Pension now pending the papers of which are numbered 7521. Personally appeared before me September Potter and of the Justices of the peace in & for the County of Middlesex in the State of New Jersey James Bloomfield an Applicant for a Pension under the Laws of June 1832 & whose papers are marked as of the number 7521 who being duly sworn according to law on his oath saith that in the six Months term of duty which he performed under Capt. Matthew Freeman at Woodbridge & in the nine months service which he he states that he performed in 1781 under Capt. W. Randolph at the same place & in similar duty he was actually & constantly engaged in public service the whole time, the Roll being called every morning & every man was obliged to answer at the roll call & that he was not employed in any civil employ- ment during any of the regular tours of duty enu- merated in his former declaration - altho when not enlisted as aforesaid he did volunteer on all special calls & alarms & performed much service exclusive of his regular tours of duty enumerated in his former declaration & was in a number of engagements in said volunteer services Subscribed & sworn before } James Bloomfield me the 3 day of July 1833 }
Ichabod Potter

I hereby certify that Richard Potter, before whom the within affidavit was taken, is known to me to be a justice of the peace, a and for the County of Middlesex, duly commissioned and  sworn to affirm that the signature of Richard Potter is in his proper hand writing.
James H. Randolph
July 8. 1833.

Statement of James Bloomfield, Revolutionary Service

Period when the service was recorded
Statement showing the Service of James Bloomfield
   when the service was recorded Months Days Rank Name & rank of Officer under whom he served Original present place where he served Proof by which the Declaration is supported     when Mrs. Caldwell was shot Col. Battle 12 private Capt. Safandus in Col. Evans Regt. Co. Logan Woodbridge   2 Do Capt. H. Freeman Do   1780 6 Do Do Do Do Henry Freeman affidavit of Decmbr 1830 & Augt 1833   1 Do Capt David Fraser Do   1781 9 Do Capt Asher H. Randolph Do Henry Freeman sifer affidavit 1 st & 2 nd in Augt 1833   16 14   Gunboat Service  
Capt Randolph's commission for 1782 it must be inferred that his commission for 1780 was of the same tenor & M c Brown's affidavit Augt 1833 Randolph Clarkson Timothy Herbert Robert Baughington & North Soc. affidavits in general terms as to his service

61
Rev War
2380
INVALID.
File No. 2380
James Bloomfield
Dist Rev War
Act: June 7, 1832
Index:—Vol. A. , Page 34.
[Arrangement of 1870.]
✓

Feb 26. 1842
N.Y.
James Bloomfield
n
Mr. William Lloyd
J. P. Schumann Esq.
Bank of America
Washington
J. H. Randolph H. D. R.

Washington Feb 24. 1842
D. Li
The enclosed papers speak for themselves - all I can say is that Judge Porter Mrs Lee are amongst our most respectable citizens have always lived in the vicin- ity of Mr Brownfield -
Yours &
J. W. Lawrence

J. L. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions Washington D. C.

Woolbridge N. f. Feb 17 th 1842 J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir Enclosed is an affidavit of James Bloomfield relative to his claim for a continuance of his Pension he having received a notice from you that his pension was stopped in consequence of an affidavit he lately made relative to the widow Weglams application for a pension which you alledged contradicts Bloomfield's declaration made under the act of June 7 th 1832. Mr Bloomfield is now upwards of eighty years of age & very infirm & debilitated which may account for his memory not being as correct when he made the affidavit in Mrs Weglams case as it was some years ago when he made the declaration in his own case. The news of his pension being stopped was by all his neighbours & acquaintances who knew him was considered a great hardship as it is the general opinion of the people here that no one ever obtained a pension under the act aforesaid that was more deserving & meritorious than he was, he receive one, & think if any thing was to be done about his pension that in justice it ought to be augmented as he was a true patriot and was generally all the Revolutionary war aiding & assisting in defence of his country on all alarms & invasions every when not out on regular tours of regular duty & a considerable time in the gun boat service under Capt Storrie for which service I believe the time was not taken into account in making up the account of his pension. He has always supported the character of a worthy upright citizen, but is now poor old and decipid without any means of support if his pension is stopped. however I hope & trust the pension will be continued for the evidently few remaining days allotted for him & that he may not go down to the grave grieving at the

ingatitude of his country for which he has often periled his life & at the same time suffering great privations & hardships.
I remain yours respectfully
Isaac Patten

7521
James Bloomfield
Schittet
Private 16 mo & 14 days
To further his career in Cambridge was produced when by Mr Randolph was enlarged to receive a com- pany of Infantry for an in- vade period.
Hon J. F. Randolph Present

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 show 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
   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.      
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.
[2] 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.
[t] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[u] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Handwritten note: In order to substantiate the claim that the declarant should specify the nature of the service in the question, a very full account of it is indispensable.

7521 Application of James Bloomfield of Woodbridge N. Jersey to the Hon ble Secretary of War for a Pension under the Act of Congress of June 7 1832

Randolph Clarkson also appeared before me and being duly Sworn saith that he was out in the U. States Service a considerable part of the Revolutionary war & that he recollects that James Bloomfield was an active man in Service being always (when at home) ready to turn out in cases of alarm he living at Woodbridge S. Jersey being near the lines of the enemy they being in possession of Staten Island & that he Bloomfield was out in the service in the Militia a part of the war & that he was also in the Gunboat Service under Capt. John Storer & that he has frequently heard and has no doubt of the fact that Bloomfield was with Capt. Storer when they captured a number of the vessels of the enemy & some of them armed vessels Subscribed & Sworn before me this 13 th day of December A.D. 1830 Randolph Clarkson
Ichabod Potter
Robert Coddington also came before me & being duly Sworn saith that in the time of the Revolutionary war he was out in the Service of his country & that he recollects that James Bloomfield was a very active man at that time in the service in the Militia & that Bloomfield was also in the Gunboats under Capt. John Storer & was with him as one of his crew when they took a number of the Armed & other vessels of the British & also a number of prisoners Subscribed & Sworn before me the 13 th of December A.D. 1830 Robert Coddington
Ichabod Potter

State of New Jersey Middlesex County
I personally came before me Jehabod Potter one of the judges of the court of common pleas in & for said county Henry Freeman being duly sworn saith that he is well acquainted with James Bloomfield & that he recollects that J Bloomfield served in the army of the United States in the Revolutionary War & that he first enlisted in the six months service under Capt. Matthew Freeman & served out his term of duty in the year 1779 or 1780 & was during that time stationed on the lines & that he enlisted a second term in the year following under Capt. Ephraim Hemenoth in the nine months service and served out his term of duty being stationed near the lines between Amboy & Rahway River in N. Jersey The British being in possession of Staten Island & made frequent incursions into Jersey the said Capt. having special command on the lines and not attached to any particular Battalion or Reg. except on certain occasions.
Subscribed and sworn to before me the 9 th day of December 1830 1
Jehabod Potter
Marsh No. also appeared before me & being duly sworn saith that he is well acquainted with the above named James Bloomfield & he recollects that he took an active part in the revolutionary war & was out in the U.S. States service the while he was in the service as a water guard under Capt. John Storrer who commanded a Quin al & that Capt. Storrer captured an armed vessel called the Ship Jack near Sandy Hook when Bloomfield was one of his crew.
Marsh No.
Taken & sworn before me the 10 th day of December 1830
Jehabod Potter

Y 7521 James Bloomsfield application for a pension

Time of taking Social depositions & that is a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas civil or Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Middlesex duly confirmed sworn and known and to all whose official acts full faith & credit is given; and that I am acquainted with said Judge and writing and believe the signature attesting said depositions to be his true and proper signature
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County this third day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three
N. T. Boren Clerk
Middlesex County State of New Jersey
Personally came before me Jehiel
Potter one of the Justices of the Peace in and for said County James Bloomfield & being duly sworn deposeth and saith that by reason of old age & the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service in all the different tours of duty & more particularly to the precise time when served but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below in the following grades that is to say he served as a private under Capt. Lapham in Col. Brown's Reg. of Middlesex a tour of twelve days & at the time & place stated in his former declaration and in the year 1779 he served as a private volunteer under Capt. Matthew Freeman two days on an expedition to Staten Island the detachment consisted of two hundred men but no officers of a higher grade than captains & in 1780 he served a tour of six months under said Capt. Freeman stationed at Woodbridge to guard the lines was not attached to any Regiment, he then served a tour of one month under Capt. David Freaze when Redbank was near the Enemy's lines between

between Amboy and Rahway River & in 1781 he enlisted as a private under Capt Lasher & Randolph for a term of nine months & served out his term Capt Randolph succeeded Capt Greenman in post at Woodbridge & in the capacity that Greenman had been appointed to perform and also to procure intelligence for Genl Washington during his term the account of service performed is more particularly mentioned in the former declaration & at various other times he performed a great number of short tours of duty which he is not now able to particularise & after the service under Capt John Randolph he was he was enlisted as a mariner & one of the crew of Capt John Storer who was commissioned first to command a whale boat mounting two swivels & in this boat he served under Capt Storer two months & the crew was then transferred in July 1782 to the Gumbot called the Lady Washington & in her he served under Capt Storer five months & in his service vessels & prisoners were taken from the enemy more particularly mentioned in his former declaration the vessels were condemned by the courts in New Jersey and the prisoners given up to the U. States officers - Capt Storer had commissions from Governor Livingston Commander in chief in & over the State of New Jersey - & for the foregoing described service I claim a pension
Subscribed and sworn before me the 14 th of June A.D. 1833
James Blomfield
Rehabod Potter

I do hereby certify that Timothy Herbert, Henry Freeman Marsh Wood Randolph Clarkson & Robert Goodington Witnesses who have testified before me relative to the Revolutionary services of James Bloomfield are all well known to me to be men of good character for honesty & veracity & that full credence may be given to their declarations & testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand at Woodbridge in the County of Middlesex this 1 st day of June A D 1832
Ichabod Potter Judge
State of N Jersey ss
I Nicholas Borne Clerk of the Court of common Pleas of the County of Middlesex do hereby certify that Ichabod Potter Esq before whom the fore- going Proceedings were had was at the

9521 James Bloomfield Supplemental Declaration Two Witness Affidavits

State of Virginia } Middlesex County } ss
Personally came before me Ichabod Potter one of the Justices of the peace in and for said County Henry Freeman Seal and being duly sworn according to Law did depose and say that he is well acquainted with James Bloomfield of Woodbridge & that he this deponent served as a Musician being a fifer both in the six Months service under Capt Matthew Freeman in 1780 and under Capt Fisher H. Randolph in 1781 a nine Months tour in both of which tours James Bloomfield served in the same companies & for the same time in Freeman's company The men were enlisted for six Months & in Randolph's company they were enlisted for nine Months & served out the tours in regular constant active Military duty and stationed at Woodbridge Village to guard the lines or frontier of the State, (a part of the time of the nine months tour Robert Martin was the drummer & by order of Capt Randolph he whipped a man at the post by the name of Jack White for stealing and said drummer observed that was not willing to flog another man and he procured a substitute by the name of Benjamin Gray and Martin obtained his discharge) This deponent & one of the two aforesaid drummers played the fife & roll every morning & the muster roll was called every morning and every man was bound to answer to the roll call, the company were served with rations furnished by Government the rations was served out at their field quarters which was at the house in the Village of Woodbridge where Capt Randolph's family then

resided. Sentries was regularly kept up every night & some men kept out patrolling & we had frequent skirmishes with parties of the enemy from Salem Island & frequently made descents on the Island taking prisoners -
The said James Bloomfield was considered one of the bravest of the men in the company & was very active & this deponent is satisfied that he was more than two years during said war out in public service
This deponent does not know of any of the officers or men that served in either of the companies when he & Bloomfield served being now living except themselves
Sworn and subscribed before me this 21 st day of August A.D. 1833
Henry Freeman
Schabod Potter
I Schabod Potter one of the Justices of the peace in & for the County of Middlesex do hereby certify that Henry Freeman who has made the foregoing affidavit and Col. Benjamin A. Brown who has made the following affidavit are both credible men & that their said testimony is entitled to full credit In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 22 nd day of August 1833
Schabod Potter

State of New Jersey Middlesex County
Personally came before me Deborah Potter one of the Justices of the peace in and for said County Benjamin A Brown & being duly sworn according to Law did depose and say that in the time of the Revolutionary War he was actually engaged in the service of his country particularly the latter part of said war, and that he knows that Capt. Ephraim H. Randolph commanded companies of enlisted men for two or three years of the latter part of the war stationed at Woodbridge to guard the lines & that they were kept in constant readiness that this deponent at one time he thinks in 1781 went to Newington for Prisoners by order of Capt. A. H. Randolph the prisoners was brought on to Woodbridge to be exchanged for some of our men. - This deponent did not belong to Randolph's company but was frequently at Woodbridge saw them doing duty & this deponent further saith that he is all acquainted with James Bloomfield of Woodbridge & has frequently seen him out doing duty as a soldier during the Revolutionary war that he was not in the service much of the time in war being a very brave active man & that it is the general opinion amongst the old people that he is justly & fairly entitled to a liberal pension under the laws of
Congress of 1832
Sworn and subscribed before me this 22 August A D 1833
Mary A Brown
Deborah Potter