Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 863, Hendrick Cortelyou, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey
Cortelyou, Hendrick or Cortelyou
S 863
Carded
CONTENTS

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey
Cortelyou, Hendrick or Cortelyou
S 863
Carded
CONTENTS

New Jersey 9859-
Hendrick Cortelyou Cortelyou of Munneick in the State of N. J.
who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Moore of the Regt. commanded by Col. Seely in the N. J. Troops - line for
7 Mo: 9 days.
Inscribed on the Roll of N. J. at the rate of 24 Dollars 32 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 21. day of June 1833. and Delivered - Chas. G. W. Cherry present
  Arrears to the 4th of March '33  48. 64.    Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept. 33.  12 16     $ 60. 80.  
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Franciori Clerk, Book C. Vol. 3 rd Page 105.
To Hightstown

State of New Jersey } Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Middlesex County ss. } Congress passed June the 7. 1832.
On this Eleventh day of September Eighteen Hundred and Thirty Two, Personally appeared in open Court of the Common Pleas in and for the County of Middlesex held in the City of New Brunswick being a court of Record Hendrick Cortelyou, a resident of the Township of South Brunswick in the said County of Middlesex aged who being duly first sworn according to Law, Doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act Congress passed June the 7. 1832. That he entered the service of the United States in the Militia of New Jersey as a private, and served as herein stated Viz. in the year 1777 went out as a substitute for his father Hendrick Cortelyou in the company commanded by Captain James More under Colonel Seely, and marched to Woodbridge, and Elizabeth Town to protect the inhabitants of that part of the State from the frequent excursions of the enemy they lying on Staten Island directly opposite was out on this town one month, as a substitute as aforesaid, and afterwards served under the same Officers, at the same place, and for the same purposes on his own account for half a month, in the year 1778 was again called into service under the same Captain and Colonel Henry Vandyke and marched to Allentown, Woodbridge, Mount Holly, and the Black Horse at the time the British army came from Philadelphia into New Jersey and then retreated before the enemy unto where the Battle of Red Bank was fought and at that time lay on the left wing of our Army, was out on this tour two, or three weeks, in the same year or 1779 was again called out under the same Officers and marched to Connecticut Farms New Ark, and Second River, to protect the inhabitants from the frequent excursions of the enemy, was out on this tour one month, was called into service again under Captain Joseph Cushman and Colonel John Webster and marched to Woodbridge for the same purposes, was out on that tour one month, was again called out under Lieutenant Peter Delmas and was engaged in guarding prisoners to Morris Town, and there, the party was commanded by Colonel Seely, out this tour three weeks was again called into service under Captain Jones and Colonel Toogler, and marched to Springfield and was in the Battle, and placed as a guard over the Baggage Waggons, was out on this tour at least one month, during which time assisted in demolishing the forts of the enemy near Elizabeth Town, and at the time the Pennsylvania line revolted, was called into service under Captain Jones, and Colonel Vandyke and marched to Raritan Landing and other places to

prevent their having any correspondence with the enemy was cut on that ten two weeks, was called out again under Captain Abraham Vaness to bearn Town, was out on this ten three weeks, and he was out on several special alarms for several days at a time, making in the whole as much he believes as one month, the foregoing are the most material facts that this applicant can now remember, and he further declares that from the best calculation he can make he verily believes he was in the service of the United States in the militia of New Jersey in the whole as much as between eight and nine months, and he further declares that he has no documentary evidence relating to his services excepting the affidavit herunto attached, and he hereby declares that he relinquishes every other claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and also that his name is not on the pension Roll of the agency of any State
Hendrick Cortelyou
sworn to, and subscribed in open Court the day and year abovesaid Robert McHenry

State of New Jersey } Be it known that on the 17. day of September 1832 Middlesex County ss. } before me Robert McHenry one of the judges of the Court of common pleas in and for the said County of Middlesex personally appeared Henry Foart who being duly sworn according to Law, did depose and say that he is well acquainted with Hendrick Cortelyou and knew him previous to the Revolutionary war, and he well remembers being out with other in the service of the United States in the Militia of New Jersey, and served with the said Hendrick Cortelyou in the companies commanded by Captain William Jones, and Captain Joseph Cushman under Colonel Henry Van Dyke, and was out with him in the said service on different tours, and at different times, and places, Viz. at Mount Holley, Black Horse, Allentown, and at the Battle of Monmouth, Woodbridge, Springfield, and at Prunian Landing, and other places that he does not now recollect and further saith not
sworn to and subscribed before me the subscriber the day and year aforesaid
Henry Foart
Robert McHenry
and I do hereby certify that the witness to the above affidavit is a creditable person
Robert McHenry
State of New Jersey } Middlesex County ss } I H. S. Vanarsdalen Clerk of the Court of the County of Middlesex in the State of New Jersey do hereby certify that Robert McHenry before whom the foregoing affidavit was sworn was at the time a Judge of said Court and duly authorized to administer oaths
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 17 th day of September A.D. 1832 H. S. Vanarsdalen Clerk

Interrogatories put by the Court to the before named Hendrick Cortelyou
September 1832. Judges of the Court for Middlesex
1. When, and where were you Born.
Answer I was Born in the year 1761
in the Township of Franklin in the County of Somerset in the State of New Jersey.
2. Have you any Record of your age, and where is it.
Answer my age is Recorded in my Bible, now in my possession.
3. Where were you living when called into service where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live.
Answer I lived in the said Township of Franklin and County of Somerset to the end of the Revolutionary war, and part of the time since, and part of the time in the Township of South Brunswick in the County of Middlesex, and I now reside there.
4. How were you called into service.
Answer always as a volunteer.
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 service.
Answer I do not recollect the names of any of the regular or Continental officers who commanded where I served, but the Militia officers under whom I served, and the general circumstances of my services are all stated in my foregoing declaration.
6. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service.
Answer, I never received any other discharge than a verbal one.
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood, and who can testify to your character as to veracity, and belief of your services as a Soldier of the Revolution.
Answer I am known to Peter Quich, Abraham Quich, Cornelius Gulich, Isaac Gulich, Samuel Gulich, Cornelius Dehart, Cornelius Hoagland, John Babba, and Abraham Voorhees Enquire & see sworn to and subscribed in open Court the day and year abovenamed Hendrick Cortelyou Robert McHenry

We James Romneyan Pastor of the Dutch Church at six mile Run of the County of Middlesex and Simon Addis of the said County
do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Hendrick Cortelyou who has sworn to and subscribed the foregoing declaration, and Interrogatories above mentioned, and believe him to be seventy one years or thereabouts, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a Soldier in the Revolution, and we concur in that opinion sworn to, and subscribed in open court the day and year abovenamed Robert McCheney
James Romneyan his mark Simon Addis
And the Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the foregoing Interrogatories prescribed by the war department to the above named applicant, that he was a Soldier and served as he states, and the Court further certifies that it appears to them that the said Simon Addis who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the vicinity of the said applicant in the County of Somerset and that Simon Addis who has also signed his name to the same, is a resident in the County of Middlesex and is a creditable person, and that their statement is entitled to credit Signed by us the judges of the said Court viz,
Thos Vance Robert McCheney N. Voorhies H. Ford
11.11.5 State of New Jersey } Middlesex County } I H. S. Vanarsdalen Clerk of the Court of the County of Middlesex in the State of New Jersey do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of the application of Hendrick Cortelyou for a pension —
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 17 th day of September A.D. 1832 H. S. Vanarsdalen Clerk

11115
Amadrich Cortleyon
N.J. South Brunswick
Cattle Stone
Col. D. C. C.
J.
adm d
Yrs. 900 per

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. These 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 Hendrick Cortelyon N.J.
   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.     1777 Sub 1 private Col Moore Col Tracy Red Bridge, E. Town 77 born in Somerset N.J. ensured there and now lives in Middlesex N.J.   after 15 " " " Battle of Brandywine   1778 21 " " Van Dyke Monmouth   1779 called 1 " " " The surviving witness proves generally   again 1 " Cushon Webster   again 21 " " " Battle of Springfield   " " 1 " Jones Taylor   " " 21 " " Vandeke   " " 21 " Vandeke "   was out 4 General Alarm   was in service as much as 8 or 9 Months  
77 born in Somerset N.J. ensured there and now lives in Middlesex N.J. The surviving witness proves generally Certificate of Churchman and one Citizen
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 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 _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Rev War.
INVALID.
File No.
863
Hendrick Cortheyn Pris. N. J. Mil.
Act:
June 7, 1832.
Index:—Vol.
a
, Page
71
[Arrangement of 1870.]
✓

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Corter, John GRADE Private LINE New York (Cortler) Pencil notation ↑
WARRANT NUMBER 6969 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED June 9, 179-? to Thomas Anderson, assignee
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.