Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 635, Samuel Denike, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey
Denike, Samuel
S. 635.
CONTENTS
Carded.

Mrs. V. R. Goldsmith. Oct. 9/58 B. S. Prum.
28
28
29
39
11806
New Jersey
Sam l Renike
in the State of New Jersey
who was a Private in the Comp y commanded by Captain Rainie of the Reg t commanded by Col Proctor in the New Jersey line for 22 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Phil la Agency at the rate of 73 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of June 1833 — and sent Hon. W. B. Duan Present
Arrears to the 4th of Mar — $46.66 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sep 33 36.66
$183.32
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Jacobson Clerk, Book E Vol. 5 Page 13 —
To E 2113 — 109

City of Philadelphia } State of Pennsylvania } ss.
On this 2 nd day of November December, 1832.
Personally appeared in Open Court, before the Court of Common-pleas now sitting. Samuel Denike a Resident and native of New Jersey. Aged 70 years past. 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 the 7 th 1832.
I first entered into the service in the company of Capt n George Paine. S er Nihemiah & Hops, Ensign Abram Davis. attached and under command of Col. Proctor: with the artillery we had been placed on duty at Chesnut Neck, the British came into Egg harbour and burned the village in which all my Father's property was destroyed. here we had a smart action and prevented their proceeding further into the country. was on duty at this place three months and was discharged. I then entered in the service on board a Barge belonging to the State. commanded by my brother Capt n Davis. Denike. guarding the coast. had a number of engagements with the British and Refugees boats out of New York. was engaged in this about five months. I then entered again a volunteer in the Militia in the company of Capt n Cooper. Lieut n Douglass. at Chesnut-Neck, my duty in this company for nine months. In this tour was engaged in several sharp skirmishes and one Battle, this was at Absecon some time after I joined a company commanded by Capt n Higbee. Lieut n Enock Leeds. commanded by Major Paine. in this campaign we took a Brig from the Refugees. after my tour was out, I entered and went as a substitute for my father, Samuel Denike Sen r in the company of Capt n Hops. Lieut n Buoy. we were ordered up to Haddonfields and from thence to Red Bank, was engaged in the Battle. under the command of Col. Clark who returned home sick. after which Major Paine promoted. took command of the Regiment. some time after was ordered back to Haddonfields, from thence to Egg harbour. served my tour of three months after which I was taken sick. and discharged. As soon as able, I was enrolled in the company of Capt n Ingerson. Lieut n Snell. under Col. Taylor & Col. Steele. We then marched to Sickerton. here we shortly met the British and

Refugees, with whom we had a severe Battle, we lost twelve men killed of our company, and Col. Steel, was either killed or taken a prisoner, as he never returned. In this action Polasky's Horse were engaged, and was severely cut up, as was the Militia. I here saved my self with Twenty four of my company by throwing ourselves into a swamp. The rest that were not killed were all taken prisoners. Before this tour ended I assisted in taking Refugee-Boat, on Bass River; the crew made their Escape into the Woods. I was out on this tour about Two months, was then discharged. I then entered a second time on Board the Barge commanded by my Brother, Davis Denike. We then proceeded on a cruise along the coast, and in a short time fell in with and captured seven Boats coming out from New York. This Barge was the property of the State, mounted Twenty-four 6 lbs. Carried One Four pounder on her Bow. Six swivels. Two Blunderbusses. one Wall piece. From forty to fifty men. with Muskets, Cutlasses, Boarding-pikes. Continued in this employ cutting up and annoying the Enemies until the news of peace arrived. I was Four Years, off and on in the service of my Country. I have no Discharge, or other papers, all having been destroyed. Have never received any pension from the State, or United States. And now rest my claim on the bounty of my Country.
Sworn and Subscribed this 22 o day of December 1832.
Samuel Denike
F. A. Raybold
City and state of our residence.
Personally appeared before the Court, Henry Davis and Davis Denike; who being duly sworn according to Law, doth on their oaths declare, that they are well acquainted with the above applicant, Samuel Denike and served in part of the same tour of duty and in the Barge with him as in his declaration set forth; and that each part of his services as above stated by him, is true, to their certain knowledge and belief. all having been Born and brought up in the same Neighbourhoods. and together.
Sworn and Subscribed this the day and year aforesaid
Henry Davis.
F. A. Raybold
Davis Denike

Samuel Denike
21125
City of Philadelphia } State of Pennsylvania } ss.
Personally reappeared in Open Court, before the Court of Common Pleas — now sitting. Samuel Denike. Who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on his Oath declare, that his 1 st Tour was three months as with the stated. 2 nd Tour on Board the Barge was five months. 3 rd Tour under Capt. Lockyer I served in the nine months. Received fifty dollars Bounty, and served out this Tour. I then volunteered in Capt. Higbee's Company and under him, served two tours making six months. I then entered as a substitute for my father Sam l Denike sen r under Capt. Mose served out this campaign of three months. I was then enrolled and joined the Company of Capt. Ingerson. this tour was two months. I then, as with the stated, entered on board the Barge three months, until the news of peace.
The reason of my applying to be placed on the pension list of Penn a is, that my Brother, lives in the city, my other witness lives in camden N.J. near the city, and my Sister and Daughter lives in the city, where I spend a considerable part of my time and consider myself at home. as to the different dates, it is impossible for me to say with any degree of certainty as my memory is much impaired by sickness and loss of hearing.
I hereby Relinquish all claim to any pension; Other than the one, under the act of June 7 th 1832. For the times during which the service was performed.
Sworn and subscribed } I was not employ'd in any civil pursuit. the day and year aforesaid In Open Court. —
Samuel Denike
F. A. Kuybold for prothonotary
we shortly met the British and

Interrogatories by the Court. —
 1 st Where and in what year were you born { Answer Born in Jersey in the year, 1703.  2 nd Have you any records of your age, and if so when is it? { was a record, but burned in my father's house. —  3 rd Where were you living when called into service; { In New Jersey when I was born.  4 th How were you called into service; were you drafted, { Volunteer 1 st year 2 nd year did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? and if a Volunteer a Volunteer 3 rd year a Substitute for whom? { 4 th year a Substitute for my father 5 th year a Volunteer.  5 th State the names of some Regular Officers &c. — { See statement to the within declaration.  6 th Did you ever receive a discharge, if so by whom given { a Discharge by Certificate from Capt. Higginbotham which is gone.  7 th State the names of persons to whom you are known and who can testify as to your character for Veracity { Ebenezer Tucker Esq. P.M. Jesse Richards Esq. Reverend, Simon Lucas. 
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 within named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states, and the Court further Certifies that it appears to them that the attach'd certificate from New Jersey, sign'd Smallwoods Clerk, of the court of Common Pleas, of the County of Gloucester, is entitled to credit.
Edward King
I Richard Palmer Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas. Do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Samuel Denike for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of office this 16 th day of May. — 1833.
Richard Palmer Clerk
Ms. A. 9. 2. 10 v. 1 p. 1

Camden N. Jersey October 4th 1858
To the Commission of Pensions
Sir
My father Samuel Desike was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and received a Pension of Seventy three dollars for it as a private in the Revolutionary Army - the law that he got it under was the 7th of June 1832 and the date of his pension paper was, 24th of June 1833. I wish to know if my father ever received any bond for his services. I have been told that you would inform me as I am a poor woman and the only child - please to inform me if he ever got his bond or if any one else ever drew his bond script for him
Please to address me Bridge Avenue the first door below 6th Street South side in Camden State of New Jersey and oblige me
Respectfully Yours truly.
Nathalie Goldsmith
Nathalie R. Goldsmith

21, 125 Samuel Denike
b. f. g. h. i. j
adm d
Col. Butler Philadelphia Pa. v

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 Samuel Denike of New Jersey
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Previous to 1812 3 Private Capt Paine Capt Proctor several skirmishes   5 Quartermaster Denike one battle at Obsequim   9 Private Battle at Red Bank age 70   3 " Higher Clark Battle at Red Bank years   2 Quartermaster Jefferson Battle at Red Bank p   Denike  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.
Note to be taken of this & Henry Davis case by order of Mr. Duffield

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 A. B.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B.
who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (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 he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
□ 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.
He should produce that the vessels on board which he served were public. armed ships or as service in private vessels does not entitle any one to compensation.

Rev. W. A. ...
INVALID.
File No. 635
Daniel Denike, Esq. N. J. Mil.
Act June 7. 1882.
Index:—Vol. a , Page 92
[Arrangement of 1870.]
✓

County of Gloucester } ss. State of New Jersey } ss.
Personally appeared before me the subscriber one of the justices of the peace in and for the County of Gloucester and State of New Jersey. That Reverend Simon Lucas a clergyman, and who being by me duly sworn accor- -ding to law, do subscribe to the following certi- -ficate. Viz. I Simon Lucas do swear that I have known Capt. Samuel Benite from a boy and do know that he was in the Militia of this State and was at the Battle of Chestnut Neck on the Egg. Harbour River to my certain knowledge; and at which time I think he served a term of duty six months; and I further say I believe he served several campaigns besides, the deponent further believing the Petitioner is 70 years old, and is very
poor and infirm — sworn and subscribed this the 1 st day of May 1833 —
Simon Lucas
John Moore Esqr

County of Gloucester } State of New Jersey }
Personally appeared before me the subscriber one of the justices of the peace in & for the county of Gloucester and State of New Jersey, J. P. Richard, residing in the county of Burlington in the neighbourhood of the Rev. Simon Lucas and Capt. Samuel Denike who being by me duly sworn according to Law do depose and say that he is well acquainted with the Rev. Simon Lucas and do believe that he would not state any thing but what he believed to be correct and the deponent further says that he has known Capt. Samuel Denike for these 30 years and have always understood that he was active in the service of his country in the revolutionary war and further that he believes him to be 70 years old and is infirm and is very poor Sworn and subscribed this 1 st day of May 1833 John Gore Esq r
Offe Richards
I John C Smallwood Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the county of Gloucester in the State of New Jersey, do hereby certify that John Gore Esq r , before whom the foregoing Affidavits were taken, was at the time thereof one of the Justices of the peace of the said county of Gloucester duly commissioned and sworn to all whose acts as such full faith and credit are and ought to be given and that the signature of the said Justice subscribed to said Affidavits is genuine.
Witness my hand and seal this eighth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three.
Smallwood Clerk

Adm d
22 matri
$73.33