Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 2,899, John Derrick, Penn.

SERVICE
Penn.
Derrick, John
NUMBER
R. 2899
Born in England
CONTENTS
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for writing.
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for writing.

John Derricks application for pension Under act of Congress passed June 7th. 1832
14977 ✓

State of New York 7 p
Tompkins County On this third day of October Eighteen hundred and thirty two personally appeared in open court before the Court of Common Pleas now sitting John Derrick a resident of the Town of Newfield in said County of Tompkins and State of New York aged seventy four years who being first 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 7th 1832
That he was born in Worcestershire in England on the 18th May 1758 and came to this country about five years before the Revolution - at that time he resided in Philadelphia. He has no record of his birth unless it is in the family bible in England. He enlisted as a private in the spring of '77 or '78 on board a at the time he resided at Philadelphia River Boat called the Fame out of the flotilla of guard boats and galleys on the river Delaware for and during the war and served until the conclusion of the same. Thomas Harlewood was the Captain of the Fame - Captain Watkins commanded another boat - Captain Beasley commanded another - and William Harlewood father of his captain was the Commodore of the whole. The duty of the boats was to guard the City - and they were frequently stationed at Darby Creek, Muddy Bank and Fort Mifflin - in the winter he was quartered in Philadelphia and employed in guarding the prisoners there. The boat Fame and others together with Fort Mifflin were engaged in the destruction of the Augusta a British 74 which grounded in the Delaware - this happened near the conclusion of the war. He was one of the drafted out of the boats and galleys to assist at the Battle of Brandywine - but the engagement was over before their arrival. He was also one of the drafted from the boats and was engaged in the battle of Red Bank and was wounded in that battle - General Greene commanded at Red Bank. He was also in the battle of Red Bank. He has no living witness of his actual service nearer than the City of Philadelphia and knows not that there is any surviving witness there. He lived in Philadelphia for twenty five years after the conclusion of the war - at Mount Bethel and other places in Pennsylvania for twelve or thirteen years and for the last eleven years has resided at Newfield in the County of Tompkins. He received a regular discharge from Captain Harlewood which was burned up with his house some 15 years ago. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll or agency of any state. Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
I have clerk
John his Derrick mark

We Isaac Beach & Nathan Enfield George A. Smith residing in the town of Newfies County of Tompkins hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Derrick who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration that we believe him to be seventy four 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.
Isaac Beach
George Smith
Sworn & subscribed the day 3
and year aforesaid
J. Dore Clegg
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 Isaac Beach & George Smith who have signed the preceding certificate are residents of the town of Newfies in said County of Tompkins and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I Samuel Dore Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Tompkins do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Derrick for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this thirteenth day of October A D 1832 And I do further certify that the said Court is a Court of Record.
Samuel Dore Clerk

Supplemental Declaration
Know all men by these presents: John Derrick of the town of Newfield in the County of Tompkins and State of New York being further sworn deposes and says that he enlisted as a private as in his original declaration stated in the spring of '77 or '78 on board the privateer boat called the Fame and under the officers in his said declaration mentioned; and that he thus served as a private for the space of five years and nine months. He was constantly employed during this space of time on board the Fame except during the winter months when he was engaged with others of the crew in guarding the British prisoners at Philadelphia. He was drafted from his boat and was engaged in the battle of Red Bank and wounded there; and was present at all the other scenes and performed all the other services in his original declaration mentioned. At the conclusion of the war, and shortly before the illumination of Philadelphia on occasion of this event he received his discharge, a regular one from Captain Harlewood and which was destroyed in the manner in his declaration mentioned. He knows of no living witnesses and believes there are none to his actual service, and is totally unacquainted with the residence of any person who could testify to them. He has not for forty years past seen any one who was in the same service with him. And further this deponent says not.
Subscribed and sworn this 18. day of May 1833. before me
John Derrick mark
Sam. L. Sore clerk of Tompkins County I Samuel Sore before whom the foregoing supplemental declaration was sworn to, do hereby further certify that I am well acquainted with the above named John Derrick, that he is a person of credibility and that his statement is entitled to credit. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas of said County of Tompkins at Ithaca this 18. day of May 1833.
Sam. L. Sore Clerk

The said Devis made the following answer to the interrogatories required by the War Department to be put to the officers that have been

Supplementary declaration of John Derick of Franklin County, for the purpose of procuring a pension under the act of June 7. 1832
Franklin County To John Derick of the town of Newfield in the county of Franklin, being duly sworn deposes and says, that he enlisted as before stated in his declaration for obtaining a pension, now on file, as he is informed in the war department - That such enlistment was for the war; and that he served under Captain Hazelwood until the conclusion of peace - a term of five years & nine months - He served under said Captain on the flotilla in the Delaware during the season the river was open, and during the winter seasons he was engaged under said Captain at Philadelphia guarding the prisoners, except the winter the enemy had possession of Phil- adelphia when he was engaged guarding the prisoners at Lancaster -
And this deponent further says that he is old and infirm he knows of no living witness who can testify to his services, in the revolution, as aforesaid that he is old and infirm and so poor that he has not the means of travelling about the country to search for proof of his services - That he has no relation who is able to furnish him with the means - And further this deponent does not remember of having seen any person who served with him in the revolution within the last forty years - And further with the And this deponent further says that no time during his service was he suffered to remain at home - in the summer season he was continually engaged on the flotilla and in the cold seasons in guarding the prisoners
John his Derick marks
Subscribed & sworn this 26th day of March 1834 before me Stephen Mack, Supreme Court Commissioner

State of New-York } Dorchester County } I Samuel Love Clerk of said county do hereby certify that Stephen Mack before whom the within declaration or affidavit purports to have been sworn was at the time of the same a Supreme Court Commissioner in & for said county duly authorized by law to take the same and that his signature within written is genuine. Given under my hand and Seal of office at Ithaca the 4 th . day of March 1834. Samuel Love Clk

11 ... the ... 8014977 John Derricks Thompsonville N.Y.
Proof service required
Samuel Love Colk Thompsonville N.Y.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of John Derrick's Tompkins City -
   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.     enlisted 177708 on board Boat called the Gamer - - for & during the war & served until the con- clusion of the same Private Captain Harrison and Captain Haltom Capt Beals Capt Kirtland Lieut Common to the whole Genl Greene Red Bank & wounded Trenton Delaware City - Dorsey Creek Muddybrook & J. M. F. Flint 74 years Philadelphia Traditional  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.
No evidence in the Department of a continuous service on board of guard boats in the Delaware for the whole period alleged - proof of the service of the applicant must be furnished

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) _____ 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 the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons - one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____; 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.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

War Dept
Pension Off
Feb. 8 34
Sir
In reply to the letter of Mr. Freer (herewith recd) I have the honor to state that John Kleick alleges 5 years & 9 mo. Continuous service on board the Flotilla in the Delaware under Capt. Hazlewood. Being at that time a resident of Phila del it was  is desirable to know whether his engagement was for the war or composed of several enlistments - whether he was kept on board or suffered to remain at his own house - The information of the Dept t is that most of the men composing that Flotilla were engaged for very short terms as ex- -gencies rendered necessary. It is again intimated that he ought to seek the evidence where it is most likely to be found.
In relation to the claim of Wm R. 4422 (Copied) Hazama upon which Mr. Freer announces a confident opinion, it may be remarked that the objections have been forwarded to Mr. Love on 7 Aug last. He alleges that he served 3 or 4 years in De Freer

Co. & Van Reapsdale rest when it is known that no such service was rendered by that Compny Regiment - They were minute men, & served as occasion called for them - The regulations require each term of actual service in the field or in Garrison to be circumstanti- -ally recited - & the production of the best evidence in the power of the Claimant to procure - If the numerous claimants for the same service within the state where Claimant resides have no recollection of his service, it is a presumption against his claim which would require very strong testimonials of character & had he clear any evidence to rebut.
Dec 8 Feb. 34 Hon N. Halsey
Rec. Vol. 30 pg. 273.
257 June
Hon N. Halsey.

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873
REJECTED
2899
P. O. _____
John Derrick
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Wages: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____, Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____, Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

New York Revol:
John Derrick
Rejected
See letter to 2899
Sam l Love
7 August 1833
See letter 8 Feb. 34, to Hon. H. H. H. " " 1 st April " " "
Act 7. June '32