Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 2, 860, John Demarest, New Jersey

SERVICE
New Jersey Demarest, John
NUMBER
R. 2860
alive in 1832
CONTENTS
[Handwritten mark]

Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7 th 1832.
State of New York, } ss. City and County of New York
On this 13 th day of February, in the year of our Lord 1833, personally appeared in open Court, before the Judges of the Marine Court, in and for the City and County of New York, now sitting, John Demarest, as President of the said City and County, in the State aforesaid, aged sixty eight years, on the fifth day of September last 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 7 th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers, and served as herein stated; viz. That he entered the service in the Fall of the year of our Lord 1780, when his name was entered on the Muster-Roll of the Militia, as a private Soldier, at the New Bridge, the place of his then Residence, in the Township of Hackensack, in the County of Bergen, and State of New Jersey, in the Militia Company of Captain Samuel Demarest, of Colonel T. Dyer's Regiment of the New Jersey, Bergen County Militia; Being the Eastern Frontier of the State of New Jersey, and the very seat of war, during the whole of the Revolution; with the Enemy's Strong-hold, (the City of New York) adjacent, and their Garrisons in the County of Bergen still more contiguous. That, in the year 1781, early in the Month of September, he was taken a Prisoner of war, by surprise, at the New Bridge aforesaid, by a party of British New-Corps, or Refugees, commonly called "Hards Green-Coats"; and, that he was conveyed thence down to their Headquarters at Pamepaugh, a place bordering upon New York Bay, in the Township of Bergen, in the County and State aforesaid, and that he remained a Prisoner of war for the space of seven Months, (as near as he can now recollect) part of this time in confinement, and part of it, he was per-

permitted to return home, on parole of honour, (together with his Father, an old man, also a Prisoner of war,) at the Instance of Captain Samuel Demarest, together with another Officer of the Guard, stationed at the New Bridge aforesaid, as a Flag of Truce; on condition, that he should not take up Arms against them as long as he was their Prisoner, and that he should appear and report himself once in every Month; which he observed for about three Months. That, in the latter end of April or first of May, in the Year 1782, he again engaged in the Militia Service of the United States, at Hackensack in the Township of New Barbadoes, in the County aforesaid, as a private Soldier, under Captain Peter Ward, also of Colonel Deyo's Regiment, an Out-Post, or Piquet Guard, to guard and protect the Lines, and to reconnoitre and watch the Enemy, and to prevent their frequent incursions and depredations in small Marauding parties, which was common in that Region of Country throughout the war, unless kept in check and prevented by Military force. That, after this tour of Captain P. Ward had expired, Captain John Outwater, of the same Regiment, was again commissioned to take the command of a Company of Volunteers and drafted Militia at Hackensack aforesaid, in the Spring of 1783, an Out-Post to guard the Lines &c. as in the former case; when he, the said John Demarest, again engaged in the Service of the United States in said Company, as a private Soldier, and a Volunteer. That during this, or the former tour, (he cannot certainly tell which) he went, also as a Volunteer, together with two other Men besides himself, of the same Company, (viz Cornelius Hayler & Henry Van Dack) on a Scouting party, within the Enemy's Lines, some distance below the Village of Bergen, in the Township of Bergen aforesaid, in order to detect and prevent disaffected persons trading with the Enemy, and supplying them with provisions &c. and also to intercept Deserters to the Enemy, when they took up two Deserters, and carried them up to Headquarters at Hackensack. This term continued under Captain Outwater, until the following Fall, at the close of the war. In a word, that, being sit-

-uated immediately on the Frontier, or near the Enemy's lines, he was in the actual Service of the United States during the greater part of the Revolutionary war, by day and by night, even before he attained to the age of sixteen years, and, more especially after he became of competent age to bear Arms; sometimes in search of the Enemy and sometimes flying before their superior force, whilst their Musket-balls whistled about his ears; as was the case especially in the Retreat at the New Bridge aforesaid, in the Fall of 1778; Sometimes spending whole nights in the Guard House and on Sentinel; together with his Associates on guard, and sometimes in remote places of retreat, when too much fatigued to watch through the night, for fear of being carried off, or slain by the Enemy. And that so he had to be constantly on the alert, and in actual service as a Volunteer, even during the time of his non-enlistment; when he suffered many privations, and was constantly exposed to danger from the Enemy, whilst the Lories remained unmolested at home, in the same neighbourhood, enjoying all the comforts and even the luxuries of life. That, after the lapse of so many years, and by reason of partial failure of Memory, he cannot now more minutely particularize the precise times of his specific terms of service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below; viz. He served as a private Soldier, under the Several Captains mentioned above, part of the time as a Substitute, and part as a Volunteer; That he was Prisoner for seven Months; That, while under sixteen years, he was much harassed by the Enemy, and often saved his life by flight, and then returning again. Amounting altogether to more than two full years of actual service, for which he claims a pension.
That he has no documentary evidence of such Service, but he offers the Testimony of the following Persons to prove the same; viz Captain Samuel Demarest, and Sylvester Marice, (both Pensioners)
That he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a Pension, or Annuity, except the present, and de- clares

declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of the Agency of any State.
Sworn to and subscribed } John Demarest the day and year aforesaid } John Barbieri Clerk
We Cornelius T. Demarest, a Clergyman, residing in the City of New York, in the County and State of New York, and Benjamin Romaine, residing in the same place, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with John Demarest, who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration; that we believe him to be sixty eight Years of Age; that he is reputed and believed in the Neighbourhood where he resides, and where he originally resided, to have been a Soldier of the Revolution; and, that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed } Cornelius T. Demarest the day and year aforesaid } B. Romaine
Also, at the same time, appeared in said Court, Sylvester Marius, who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth, on his Oath, depose and say, that he was well acquainted with John Demarest, the above named Applicant for a pension, during the Revolutionary War, and that he has seen him, the said John Demarest, in the Actual Service of the United States, during part of said war, being at the time, a fellow Soldier in Arms with him; Especially, that he has seen him in Actual Service, as he states in his Declaration above, at Hackensack and its Vicinity, in the Township of New Barbadoes, in the County of Bergen and State of New Jersey, under Captain John Oetwater, and also under Captain Peter Ward, both of Colonel Dyer's Regiment of Militia, at several and different engagements, and under his own special Orders, as Orderly Sergeant in both Companies, being alternately stationed at Hackensack aforesaid, as Piquet-Guards, or Out-Posts, to guard and protect the Frontiers against the Enemy. And further this Deponent saith not.
Sworn in Open Court this 13 th day of February 1833
John Barbieri, Clerk
JUSTICE HARRIS

State of New York } ss. Albany County }
On this 23 day of January in the year of our Lord 1833 personally appeared before me Isaac Fonda Jr one of the Justices of the peace in and for the said County, Samuel Demarest, of the Town of Watervliet in the County and State aforesaid, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, depose and say, that he was well acquainted with John Demarest, (now of the City of New York) during the Revolutionary War, then a Resident at the New Bridge, in the Township of Hackensack, in the County of Bergen and State of New Jersey. That this Deponent at that time, commanded a Company of Militia, in actual service, stationed at the New Bridge aforesaid. And this Deponent further saith, that the said John Demarest, his Father, and others were taken Prisoners of war, in the year 1780, or 1781, (does not recollect which) by a party of British Troops, and carried down to the British Headquarters, on the western Shore of New York Bay, a few Miles below Powleshook, (now Jersey-City) in the State of New Jersey; and that this Deponent and another Officer, attached to the Regular or Continental Army, proceeded, as a Flag of Truce, to their Headquarters for the purpose of obtaining his exemption, and that of his fellow Prisoner, from confinement; and that the said John Demarest and his Associates were permitted to return to their homes on parole of honour, on condition, that he, nor they should not take up Arms against the King of Great Britain, as long as he, and they, remained their Prisoners: And further this Deponent saith not.
Sworn to and subscribed before me, this 23 rd day of January 1833.
Isaac Fonda Jr Justice of Peace
Sam l Demarest
prisoners came in confinement, and part of it he was

that his name is not on the pension Roll State of New York Albany County } ss.
I Conrad A. Ten Eyck Clerk of the said County do hereby certify that Isaac Fonda Jr. before whom the within affidavit purporting to have been sworn was on the day of the date of the same one of the Justices of the Peace in and for said County. That I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name subscribed to the said affidavit is his proper hand writing and signature
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Official Seal this 30. th day of January 1833.
Conrad A. Ten Eyck Clerk for Jonas Weeks Depy
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 Cornelius T. Demarest, who has signed the preceding Certificate is a Clergyman, resident in the City of New York, and that Benj. m Romaine, who has also signed the same, is a Resident in the said City, and is a Credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. And also, that Sylvester Mance, and Samuel Demarest, witnesses to the Declarant's Revolutionary Services, are in like manner credible persons.
By the Court John Barberie Clerk I John Barberie Clerk of the Marine Court in and for the City of New York, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the Matter of the application of John Demarest for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office, this 13 th day of February, in the year of our Lord 1833.
John Barberie

Supplemental Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7 th 1832.
State of New York } City and County of New York } S.S. - On this 27 th day of May in the year of our Lord 1834, per-
sonally appeared in open Court, before the Judges of the Marine Court of the City and County of New York aforesaid, John Demarest, a Resident of said City, aged sixty nine years on the fifth day of September last past, being well known to said Court as a Man of reputable Character; who, being duly sworn according to Law, doth, on his oath, depose and say, That he is the same John Demarest, who, on the 13 th day of February 1833, made a Declaration, under oath, in open Court, of his Revolutionary Services, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7 th 1832; That he has, since making said Declaration, bestowed more time and reflection upon the subject, as well as consulted his principal Witnesses in relation thereto, and is thereby enabled to arrive at the following conclusion in regard to his Military Services during the War of the Revolution, and to give a more definite Account thereof. Viz. That he, as stated in his former Declaration, entered the Service of the United States early in the Fall of 1780, as a private Soldier and a Volunteer, in Captain Samuel Demarest's Company, of Col. Lewis Dyer's Regiment of New-Jersey Militia, doing Guard Duty , stationed at the New-Bridge, in the Township of Hackensack, in the County of Bergen and State of New-Jersey; was an Out-Post, or Piquet Guard, most generally, the only check, on that exposed point of our Frontiers, to British Marauders, and to prevent their incursions and depredations in small parties; which Service continued, to the best of his recollection and belief, at least four Months . That, in 1781, he again entered the Service of the United States, at the Village of Hackensack, in the Township of New Barbadoes, in the County of Bergen aforesaid, under Captain John Outwater, (of the same Regiment) also as a private Soldier, and a Volunteer; whose Company was stationed in said Village as a Piquet Guard, to reconnoitre and check the Enemy in small Marauding parties &c. And which engagement continued, as near as he can now recollect, for the term of one Year , doing Guard Duty , under Command and Authority of said Captain. That, early in 1782, he again enlisted,
4.
12
and

and served as a Substitute in Captain Peter Ward's Company of drafted and Volunteer Militia, (less of the same Regiment,) at the Village of Hackensack aforesaid, stationed at said place as a piquet Guard, as in the former case doing Guard Duty. and which engagement continued not less than One Month . That, in the same Year, he served as a Volunteer, at the same place, and again under Captain John Oetwater aforesaid, doing Guard Duty , under said Authority; to the best of his knowledge and belief, four Months . That, in the Winter and Spring of 1783, he remained at the same last mentioned Station and under said Captain Oetwater, doing Guard Duty , for the term of at least Three Months , according to the best of his recollection. The occasional Services which he rendered before he attained to the age of sixteen years, as stated in his former Declaration, he will not now mention as he cannot find any witnesses to prove the same. All which Services, put together, amount to two full years; and for which Services he claims a pension. That, in addition to the Testimony of Captain Samuel Demarest to the first term of such services, and the Testimony of Sylvester Maricus, (in general) to the remainder of said services, as set forth in said first Declaration, he offers now the more specific Testimony of said Sylvester Maricus.
This Deponent moreover states, That, to the Interrogatories prescribed by the War-Department, the following answers are given, viz: To the
1 st Question the answer is, That I was born on the fifth day of September, in the year of our Lord 1764, near the New Bridge, in the Township of Hackensack, in the County of Bergen and State of New Jersey
2 nd Question, The Record of my age is found in the Book of Records, (for Registering Baptized Infants) of the Reformed Dutch Church at Schraalenburgh in the Township aforesaid; and also in my Father's Family Bible.
3 rd Question. When first called into service, I was living at, or near the New Bridge aforesaid; afterwards in the Village of Hackensack, in the Township of New Barbadoes in said County until the close of the war; Have since lived again at the New Bridge aforesaid; after that I lived in the Town of Watercoliet, in the County of Albany and State of New York; Then in the Town of Minisinks, in Orange County, in said State; Then in the Town of Orange, in the County of Rockland, in said State; Then in the Township of Franklin in the County of Bergen aforesaid; After that I have lived in the

Town of Orange aforesaid; and now I live in the City of New York. 4 th Q. I entered the Service of the United States first as a Volunteer Militia Man; after that I was a Substitute , but cannot recollect the Person's name for whom, but only, that he was of the class of Citizens generally denominated, Disaffected , or Lorians ; - and after that again I was a Volunteer . -
5 th Q. The names of the Regular Officers I remember but few, as they were generally separated from the Militia, as a stationary Guard; Altho' I can name Captain Beman , stationed a short time at the New Bridge aforesaid, as an Assistant Guard to the Militia; also Captain Van Horn , of the White Coat Cavalry, also a short time near the New Bridge, whose Company were massacred not long after by the Enemy, at a place called Old Tappan , about 6, or 8 Miles distant from the New Bridge. - Our Field-Officers were Colonel Louis Dya , Major John Maurice Goetschius , &c. The other Officers were Captain Samuel Demarest , Lieutenant David Demarest ; Capt. John Outwater , Capt. Peter Ward , Lieutenant Castleton , Ensign Samuel G. Ver Bryck &c. The Enemy made frequent attacks upon us, (viz. the Guard at the New Bridge) also at Hackensack ) especially from the year 1778, chiefly through the Summer Seasons, when we often had to retreat before their superior force, until we could be reinforced; and so saved our lives by alternate flight, and then returning again to our Stations, and our desolated Homes, generally without finding anything left to subsist upon. We scouted the Enemy sometimes within their lines. I was taken a Prisoner of war, in the night season, while at the Village of Hackensack , but on a visit to my Parents at the New Bridge, being indisposed and lame (but have made no account of the time of my captivity in this Declaration). And so, almost the whole seven years, was with us, a continued scene of warfare, on that part of our exposed Frontiers &c. &c.
6 th Q. I have never received a written discharge from the service, as was the case with our Militia men in general, but was verbally discharged at the expiration of each tour.
7 th Q. The answer to this question is given in my first Declaration, and which Persons have given the required testimony.
Sworn to and subscribed } the day and year aforesaid }
John Demarest
Offering leave Schieffelin Justices of the Marine - Court of the City of New York

State of New York City & County of New York } S.S. - On this 27 th day of May in the year of our Lord 1834, personally appeared in the Marine Court, in the City of New York, Sylvester Marius, a Res- ident of said City, being well known to said Court as a Man of veracity and credibility, and whose testimony is entitled to credit, who, being duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, depose and say; That he is the same Sylvester Marius, who, on the 13 th day of February 1833, in said Court, did bear testimony to the Revolutionary Services of John Demarest, (an Applicant for a pension) in a general way, (corresponding with the Declaration of said John Demarest.) And, That he doth now, in a more particular and definite manner, depose and say, That he was well acquainted with said John Demarest dur- ing part of the Revolutionary War; That he resided with him in the same Village of Hackensack, in the Township of New Barbadoes, in the County of Bergen, and State of New Jersey, during part of said period; That he, the said John Demarest has been in the Actual Service of the United States, as a private Soldier, during part of said war; That he, (this Deponent) served with him, both in Captain John Outwater's Company, and also in Captain Peter Ward's Company of Col. Lewis Dye's Regiment of New Jersey Militia, alternately stationed at Hack- ensack aforesaid, as piquet Guards, to keep the Enemy in check and prevent their incursions and depredations in small marauding parties, &c. (Deponent himself being Orderly Ser- geant in both Companies, and under distinct engagements) That, in addition to the statement of the services of said John Demarest, as given in his former Affidavit, dated Feb. 13 th 1833, This Deponent now states; That, altho' he cannot, after the lapse of so many years, minutely specify the precise times of his entering and leaving the Service; yet, according to the best of his recollection and belief, (founded on his own personal and cer- tain knowledge and observation) That said John Demarest was in the Actual Service of the United States during said war, as a private Soldier, in Captain Outwater's Company aforesaid, one year , composed of part of the year 1781, and part of the year 1782. do- ing actual Guard Duty , at Hackensack aforesaid; and one Month , in Captain Ward's Company aforesaid, also in the year 1782, in like manner doing actual Guard Duty , at said Station. That shortly after the expiration of this term, this Deponent left said Sta-

Station, and joined the Continental Troops, or standing Army, and, of course, knows nothing farther of the Revolutionary Services of the said John Demarest, positively, or from his own personal notice at said station, during the remainder of the war; yet he believes, from general report or tradition at said place, after the close of the war, (to which he returned, and where he resided for several years afterwards,) and from other circumstances, That said John Demarest did actually continue in the service of the United States subsequently, doing actual Guard Duty, at said Station, during the several times mentioned in his Declaration, and further this Deponent saith not.
Sylvester Hance
Sworn before me in open Court this 27 th day of May 1834.
Effingham Schieffelin Justice of the Marine - Court of the City of New York.
I, John Barberie Clerk of the Marine Court of the City of New York do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the supplemental proceeding of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Demarest for a pension and that Effingham Schieffelin is one of the Justices of the said Court.
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Marine Court this twenty seventh day of May in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty four
John Barberie

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
R 2860
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of John Demarest a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Fall 1780 4 mos Samuel Demarest J Dye Bergen Co. N.J. N.J.   1781 1 yr John Overwater "   Apr - May 1782 1 mo Peter Ward. "   1782 4 mos John Overwater   Sp. of 1783 3 mos " "   * taken prisoner in Sept 1781 held 7 mos or thereabouts in 1778.  
Battles engaged in, _____  Residence of soldier at enlistment, Hackensack New Jersey  Date of application for pension, Feb 13, 1833  Residence at date of application, New York City  Age at date of application, Sept. 5, 1764  Hackensack Sup. Bergen Co. N.J.
Remarks: _____
witnesses Samuel Demarest - Sylvester Marius  x his father a prisoner also at same time
Respectfully,
Rejected book says did not serve Commissioner. His mother in a military capacity.
1832 68 64

1935-June 24 - Mr. C. Higgins advised parents of soldier not shown - see letter Rev. cl. - William Demarest - N. 16952 - L.H.
2860
P. O.
John Demarest
Service:
REJECTED
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18