Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 981, Henry Cooper, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
New York
Cooper, Henry
S. 981
carded
CONTENTS
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for writing entries.
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for writing entries.

New
994
Henry
Benjamin Co in who was a private in Captain Sand's Co of the N.J. M. in the N.J. M. time for 18 1/2 mos
D my commanded Capt. commanded N.J. M.
29,994
Health not on a B
Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey the rate of $1 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 2 day of January 1834 and sent to Hon. A. Ward. H. Reps
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 $154.11 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sept 1834. 30.83 $184.99
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by H. L. Williams Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 3 Page 106.

State of New Jersey, ) Bergen County. )
On this twenty eighth day of March in the year A.D. 1832, personally appeared in Open Court, before the judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas, now sitting, Henry Cooper, a resident of the township of Saddle River, in the county of Bergen and State of New Jersey, aged seventy one years the 20 th day of May, 1832, 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, 1832. That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. That on or about the first of July, 1778 he enlisted at a place called the Nobility, in the now town of Clarkstown, in the county of Rockland and State of New York, for three months, in a company commanded by Capt Gardner, in a Regiment commanded by Col m A. Hawes Day, and served that time a guarding along the west shore of the Hudson River between Stony Point and Sneden's landing and a scouting through different parts of the county of Bergen in the state of New Jersey, and after that term of service was expired, he entered the service in a company commanded by Capt Jacob Onderdonk, in the aforesaid Regiment and served therein in scouting and guarding as aforesaid at different times that is the half of the men belonging to said company had to be out one week, then the other half was to relieve them, and in that manner he served until the fall of the year 1779 when I entered a company called Major Lees Core, and served therein about one month and until Stony Point was taken by Genl. Wayne, was in the engagement, and after that the fort was taken I was discharged from the said company and entered the service again under the aforesaid Capt Jacob Onderdonk, and served therein, as is above stated until the first of June 1780, when I enlisted for six months in a company commanded by Capt Lawrence, in a Regiment commanded by Col m Dubois, and went first to Albany, then to Fort Plain then to Fort Stanwix where we had an engagement with the British and Indians and some of the men in the Regiment was killed and some taken prisoners and after my time was expired was discharged at Albany then in the Spring of the year 1781, (the time precisely he does not recollect) he enlisted in a company commanded by Capt Andrew Thompson for four months he enlisted at Tappan town, in the now county of Rockland as aforesaid, went as far North as Fishkil and then returned to Tappan town and lay there until the time of service was expired The Regiment or Col m to which we belonged he does not now recollect then when my term of service was expired I again entered the service under the aforesaid Capt Jacob Onderdonk, and served therein

until the close of the revolutionary war, principal part of the time a scouting through the southerly part of the county of Bergen aforesaid the remainder along the west shore of the Hudson River. The time I served under Capt. Onderdonk I am unable positively to state, but that during the three years I served under him, I am confident that I was out on duty for more than one year, for from the time the British took possession of Stony Point, until it was taken by Genl. Wayne I was out on duty continually. That he has no documentary evidence of his services as he does not recollect ever to have received a written discharge, and the only positive proof he can offer of his services is the testimony of some of the men that served me in the said war. That during the war his place of residence was in the New Town of Clarkstown, Rockland County, then it was the Precinct of Haverstraw Orange County and since the war I removed to the Township of Saddle River in the county of Bergen aforesaid. 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 of the agency of any State. Signed to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid -
Ab r Westervelt clerk
Henry Cooper
John Tiso, a resident of the Township of Franklin in the County of Bergen aforesaid, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth depose and say, that he is well acquainted with Henry Cooper the above applicant and knows that he served under Capt s Lawrence and Thompson, as is by him stated in the above declaration - Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid - in presence of Ab r Westervelt clerk John Tiso
And the said Court, do hereby certify 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 Henry Cooper, who has signed the foregoing affidavit is a resident of the County of Bergen aforesaid and is a Creditable person, and that his statement is entitled to credence. I Abraham Westervelt, Clerk of the County of Bergen in the State of New Jersey, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the entire proceedings of the Court in the matter of the

the original proceedings of the court in the matter of the application of Henry Cooper for a pension In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this first day of November in the year 1832
W. Westervelt
On the twenty eighth Day of March, A.D. 1833. Personally appeared in Open Court, John Tiso a resident of the Township of Franklin, in the County of Bergen aforesaid, aged sixty seven years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath depose and say, that he was well acquainted with Henry Cooper the above pensioner, during the revolutionary war, and knows that he faithfully served for six month in the year 1780 in a company commanded by Capt Lawrence in a Regiment commanded by Col d Dubois and enlisted at Clarkstown about the first of June in the said year, and was discharged at Albany in the month of December following. Also that the said Henry Cooper served four month faithfully in the year 1781, in a company commanded by Capt Andrew Thompson, that he enlisted at Tappan town in the Spring of said year and was discharged at the same place when his term of enlistment was fully expired, as he the said deponent served with him in both enlistments.
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid
W. Westervelt
John Tiso
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 which were all satisfactorily answered, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the said court further certifies that it appears to them by the annexed Certificate of Benjamin Sandford Esq. that He d Rich d H d Cooper, who has signed the same is a clergyman and that John G Doremus who has also signed the same are residents of the townships of Franklin and Saddle river (a considerable distance from this court) and are credible persons, whose statement is entitled to credit. And it further appears to them, that from the certificate hereunto annexed signed by Abraham B Stephens Esq. that Tunis Van Houten who has signed the same is a

resident of the town of Ramapo, in the county of Rockland and State of New York and is a credible person whose statement is entitled to credit, and further that they are personally acquainted with John Tiso who has subscribed the above certificate and know him to be a credible person whose statement is entitled to credit - and further that the proceeding of this court dated the first of November 1932 was erased, and that all the above proceedings were in open court.
W. Westervelt Clerk
I Abraham Westervelt, Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Bergen in the State of New Jersey. Do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Henry Cooper, for a Pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this twenty eighth day of March, A.D. 1933
W. Westervelt Clerk
Declaration of Henry Cooper

18 1/2
adme 18 1/2 mos fri
$ 61:66
123.39 30.83 154.16

State of New York Rockland County 3 rd
Personally appeared before the Subscribers a Justice of the peace in and for said County Henry Cooper of the County of Bergen and State of New Jersey aged 72 years and being duly sworn Saith as follows Viz
He is the same Henry Cooper who on 28 day of March 1833 made a Declaration before the Court of Common Pleas in the County of Bergen and State of New Jersey to obtain a pension under the Law of Congress of June 7 th 1832 which Declaration has been Returned as defective in its Specification
In the month of July 1778 He enlisted at a place called the new City in the now town of Clarkstown in the County of Rockland & State of New York under Capt John Garner for three months in Col A Hawks Hays Regiment from which place they were marched to Haverstraw here were stationed for a short time performing guard duty from there to Nyack and from there as far down as the County of Bergen in the State of New Jersey and from there to Haverstraw performing guard duty at each and every place the British had possession on the north River with their man of Wars the Commanders would often send out their men with their Row Gallies to land on the Bank of the north River which men would plunder and destroy the Inhabitants Served the full period above mentioned and was discharged
In the latter part of May 1779 He entered the Company commanded by Capt Jacob Onderdonk for one month in A Hawks Hays Regiment then stationed at Haverstraw at which place they continued during the time performing guard duty the British had possession of Stony Point who were constantly committing depredation on the Inhabitants Served the time and was discharged
He then Immediately after the Expiration of the last mentioned Services (believe it was the first of July) again was ordered out under the last mentioned Capt Jacob Onderdonk

and Guarded from Haverstraw to Nyack and as far down the North River as Snedens ferry near the Jersey line marching from place to place as necessity required untill the middle of December when in his first Declaration it is stated the half of the men belonging to said company had to be out one week then belong- ing to said company had to be out one week then the other half was to relieve them and this manner he served untill the  Winter of the same year which is correct (The deponent served the full time in the following order that is to say one week for himself and the other week for Stephen Stephens for whom he served during the above mentioned time as a substituted excising from amongst whom his volunteered and served in Major Lewis Corps under what Capt he does not now recollect then stationed near Haverstraw performing guard duty and whilst in this service Genl Wain Stomped the fort at Stony point and took it in which two last mentioned services he the deponent was engaged for four & a half months in actual service in the field The British had during the above mentioned services possession of Stony point (excepting a few days when Genl Wain took it) whose men would often sally out to plunder and distress the inhabitants — Col A Hawks Hays Com- manded the Regiment during his service except other- wise stated
& which service he had omitted. He did not recollect it at the time of making his first Declaration that he served as Substitute for Stephen Stephens
On the first of June 1780 He enlisted for six months under Capt Jonathan Lawrence in a Regiment Com- manded by Col Devoise at the Newy in the now county of Rockland in the State of New York from which place we were marched to Albany and from thence to Fort Plain here we Remained for sometime performing guard duty from thence we were marched to Fort Stanwix here we Remained until the expiration of his said enlistment

Chief part of the time performing guard duty from there we were marched back to Albany here they were stationed for a few days when his term of enlistment expired when and when he was Honorable discharged, in this expedition they had an engagement with the British and Indians at Fort Stanwix who were then stationed on the frontier of that State
In the Spring of the year 1781. The time precisely he does not Recollect He enlisted for four months under Capt Andrew Thomson who was then stationed at Tappan town in the State of New York from which place the company was marched to Fish Kills here we joined the Regiment by who it was commanded he does not Recollect here we were stationed with the Regiment for a short time when our company commanded by the said Andrew Thomson was detached and sent back to Tappan town the place of his enlistment here we were stationed until the expiration of his enlistment when and when he was Honorable discharged after having served the full term and performing guard duty during the time
All his services rendered under Capt Jacob Raderdonk he relinquishes (Excepting those which are now stated in his commendation) he cannot Remember at this late day to give the periods
From the great length of time which has elapsed since the before Recited services were rendered Many particulars must have escaped his Memory He has Related all which he can Remember as connected with his services and which are calculated to explain them in the order of time and in the names perhaps of some of his fellow officers he may in some instances have fallen into mistakes He asks a Reasonable allowance for the frailty of humane memory which he has faithfully endeavoured to adhere conscientiously to the truth in all the events and occurrences of which he has spoken, And he verily believes that he has faithfully served his country in the war of the Revolution for the full period of Eighteen and a half months being in actual service in the field
was ordered out under the last mentioned Capt Jacob Raderdonk

and Quarters from Haverstraw to New York and as far down the
and Garrison for each term Alledged and was not employed in any civil pursuit during the above mentioned services for which he claims a pension under the Law of Congress of June 4 th 1832, and does not know of any monodious witnesses who he can procure to Testify to his services of the Revolutionary war than now will be annexed to his amended and first Declaration
Sworn and Subscribed before me this 27 th day of November 1833
Henry Cooper
John T. Blanch. Justice of the peace
State of New York,
Rockland County S c . I David Pye, Clerk of the said County,
Do hereby certify. That John T. Blanch, before whom the amended declaration of Henry Cooper and the annexed affidavit of Tunis Vanhouten was sworn, and whose name is subscribed to the certificates thereon written, is a Justice of the peace in and for said county, duly commissioned and sworn, and that his name subscribed thereto, is his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office. this eighteenth day of December, 1833.
David Pye

State of New York } Rockland County } Personally appeared before the subscriber a justice of the Peace, in and for said county, Tunis Vanhouten of the town of Ramapo, in said county, aged seventy two years, who being duly sworn, saith, that he is well acquainted with Henry Cooper, a resident in the township of Saddle River, in the State of New Jersey, who has made a declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, of June 7 th 1832, and was well acquainted with him during the Revolutionary War and that the said Henry Cooper was a soldier therein, And this deponent well recollects that the said Cooper was enlisted and did serve for three months in the year 1778, in a company commanded by Capt John Gerner, in Col n A Houghes Hays Regiment, that this deponent was a fellow soldier in the same that the said company was stationed, performing guard duty at Haverstraw, at Nyack, at Sneelens landing, and at Clark- town, that he enlisted at Haverstraw in the month of Septem- ber and was discharged at Nyack, near Christmas, of the same year, having faithfully served the term of his enlistment And this deponent further saith, that he knows that the said Henry Cooper also served in a company commanded by Capt Jacob Onderdonk, in Col n Hays Regiment, in the year 1779, that he saw the said Cooper on duty in said company  from the spring the most of the time from early in the spring until late in the fall of the said year, said company was stationed at the Short Clove, and near Stony Point, in the town of Haverstraw, and some times at Nyack, doing guard duty and that the said Cooper was a faithful soldier he this deponent having served nearly at the time with him sworn and subscribed this 13 th } Tunis Vanhouten day of December 1833, before me
John T Blanch Justice
I do hereby certify to the Secretary of War and Commissioner of Pensions That Tunis Vanhouten whose affidavit with his signature now attached to the Annexed Declaration of Henry Cooper is a credible person And fully entitled to belief
John T Blanch Justice
was ordered out under the last mentioned Capt Jacob Onderdonk

24499
Henry Cooper N.J.
e
Mr Wood
A. Westervelt Davida Rye Bergen County N.J.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
18 June
1833 3
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 Henry Cooper - N.J.
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     1 st July 1778. enlisted after service with other work till fall of 79 - then - about until June 80 - " enlisted - Spring 81 - entered and served 2 3 - Private Capt Gardner Col HAY 71 enfered at Rockland Co NY now lives in Bergen Co NY 2 Surviving witnesses one knows 6 th - 8 th - the other said he knows he served more than a year under Capt Underwood Certificate of Clergyman and 2 Citizens -   " Capt Underwood   1 - - " Major Lee   " Capt Underwood   6 - - " Capt Lawrence Col Dabois   4 - - " Capt Thompson   the close of the war. Cpt Underwood  
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) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[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 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 officer 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 place- 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 [j] 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.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Henry Cooper 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.     July 1. 1778 3 mos. Pvt. John Gardner A. Hawke Key N.Y.   1 May 1779 4 1/2 mos. Jacob Oudendouk   1779 1 " Major Lee Corps   2 June 1780 6 " Jonathan Lawrence Dubois   Spg 1781 14 " Andrew Thompson   quit 1781 v Jacob Oudendouk  
Battles engaged in, Stony Point Fort Stawarip
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Haverstraw Precinct, Orange Co. N.Y.
Date of application for pension, March 28, 1893. His claim was al
Residence at date of application, Saddle River Twp. Bergen Co. N.J.
Age at date of application, 8 May 20, 1761 at Haverstraw, N.Y.
Remarks: There is no data on file as to his family
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

Neo Mar.
INVALID.
File No.
981
Henry Cooper. Prio. H. J. Mil.
Act
June 7 1882.
Index:—Vol.
a
, Page
72
[Arrangement of 1870.]
New York
1930 Jan 4. Recd. to U.S. Ware. and 1932 Dec 22 hist. to Miss. Mathew M. Corvian. MS.A.
21

State of New York } Rockland County }
On the second Day of October 1832 personally appeared before me Louis Vanhouten aged seventy one years who being by me duly sworn according to Law doth depose and say that he was well acquainted with Henry Cooper during the Revolutionary war and knows him to have faithfully served in a company of Militia commanded by Captain Jacob Onderdonk during the Revolutionary war when not enlisted under other officers and verily believes him to have been out in actual service under the aforesaid Capt for more than one year during the war at different periods also knew him to serve in a company of enlisted men who had their headquarters at Mr. Williamsoms at Nyack but doth not recollect who was the officers — Subscribed and sworn the day and year aforesaid before me Abraham B Stephens Louis Vanhouten one of the justices of the peace of the town of Clarkstown in the county of Rockland
I certify that I am well acquainted with the above deponent Louis Vanhouten know him to be a man of veracity whose deposition is entitled to credit —
Abraham B Stephens { Justice of the peace }
State of New York } Rockland County }
I, David Pyle Clerk of the County of Rockland — Do hereby certify, That Abraham B Stephens Esq. whose name is subscribed to the above affidavit & certificate was on the day of the date thereof a Justice of the peace in and for the county aforesaid, and duly authorized to take the same, and further, that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice, and verily believe that the signature of Abm B Stephens, subscribed to the same, is genuine — In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said county the third day of October 1832.
David Pyle

We Zacharias H. Cooper a Clergyman Residing in the Township of Franklin in the county of Bergen and State of New Jersey and John G. Doremus Residing in the Township of Saddle River in the county of Bergen and State aforesaid do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Henry Cooper who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration - that we believe him to be seventy one years of age that it 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 Subscribed to and acknowledged before me this 26 day of March A.D. 1833
Zacharias H. Cooper Pastor of the Old Dutch church at the Ponds
Perigrino Sanford one of the Judges of the Superior Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Bergen
John G. Doremus
I Perigrino Sanford one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the county of Bergen and State of New Jersey do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the above named Zacharias H. Cooper and John G. Doremus who has subscribed the foregoing affidavit and that their credibility and standing in upright and honesty and can be believed as to my knowledge as well as any other persons in our said county in this recommendation, given under my hand this 26th day of March A.D. 1833 - in the county and State as aforesaid
Perigrino Sanford Justice of the Peace

State of New Jersey
Bergen County - { ss
I Abraham Westervelt Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for said County of Bergen. Do hereby certify that genuine Benjamin Sandford Esq. before whom the within affidavit was sworn and subscribed, was on the day of the date thereof a judge and a Justice of the peace in and for the county aforesaid commissioned and sworn. And further that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said justice and Verily believe that the signature of Benjamin Sandford subscribed to the same, is genuine.
In testimony whereof. I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this twenty eighth day of March 1833 - the words 'a judge and' first interlined -
Ab: Westervelt Clerk
Henry Cooper
24499

State of New York } ss.. Orange County
On the Ninth day of September 1833. before me the undersigned came John Magic of Warwick in said county who being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say that he was born in Clarke- town in Rockland County in the year 1762. that he has known Henry Cooper, who is now applying for a Pension since said Cooper was fourteen years of age, and that deponent has always believed that said applicant was born in the town of Haverstraw in said county of Rockland, but that he has resided in the township of Saddle River, Bergen County in New Jersey for many years past, and that deponent saith that said Cooper is seventy one years old. That in the year 1778 the said Henry was a hunter with deponent in Captain John Gardner's company of Militia and under Major Colonel Hay, and during the whole of the three months he saith the said Henry served - and most of which time was with him at company stationed at Nyack in Rockland County aforesaid. Deponent further saith that in the year 1780 he deponent with said Henry Cooper enlisted under Captain Jonathan Lawrence in said Hay's Regiment for, and served the term of six months. Saith that their company was

Mustered in the town of Orange and was Marched from that place to Schenectady where their Company after remaining two weeks were Marched with Van Buren's Regiment as far Fort Plain at which latter place Major Hughes took the command of their Regiment which was ordered to Fort Stanwix Now Rome in Oneida County Deponent saith that said Cooper faithfully served out the term of six months and at the end of which was discharged with said deponent — Deponent further saith that from his personal and intimate knowledge of the said Henry and his uniform alacrity to serve his country, that he believes that he served in addition to the above described service in the Militia corps at all times when required Making many months, but cannot positively state as to the precise number of months during said War. and further said not known and subscribed to this ninth day of September in the year 1833 John Magee before me
Nathaniel Jones Judge of the Court of Com. Pleas
I do hereby further certify that I have been personally acquainted with the above named John Magee for twenty years, and that he is a gentleman of good character and whose statements are entitled to the fullest credit
Nathaniel Jones Judge of the Court of Com. Pleas of Orange County aforesaid

State of New York Orange County ss I Asa Dunning Clerk of the said County Do hereby certify that Nathaniel Jones before whom the foregoing affidavit was sworn and whose name is subscribed to the foregoing certificate is a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County and that his name subscribed thereto is his genuine signature —
Witness my hand and Seal of Office this 13 th day of September 1833 Asa Dunning Clerk

State of New Jersey } Before me Peregrine Sandford Bergen County } Some of the Judges of the inferior court of common- Pleas in and for the County of Bergen Person- ally appeared Joseph Vanclive of Bergen - and being li- vely and duly sworn on his said oath doth depose and say that he is well acquainted with Henry Cooper of said county - and applicant in the art of grinding  grinding  millstones  millstones and was personally acquainted with him during the Revolu- tionary war and believes him to be rising seventy- years of age at this time and this deponent further on his oath saith that it is known to him the deponent that the said Henry Cooper performed for more than four months Service as a soldier of the Revolution - he thinks in the year 1781 at the Town of Tappan in the State of New York - under the command of Capt. Andrew Thompson - in the four months Service - during all which time he the deponent was a fellow soldier of the said Henry Cooper - attached to the same company and doing duty with him during the same time of four months aforesaid and further on his oath saith that the said Henry Cooper was a faithfull soldier during said term as aforesaid Sworn to and subscribed to before me this 5 th Sept 1833
Peregrine Sandford Judge
Joseph Van Cleave

I Peregrine Sandford are of the Justice of the Peace in and for the county of Bergen do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Joseph Paine live who has subscribed and sworn to the within affida- vit and believe him to be a Person entitled to credit and belief. when sworn on oath + 5th September 1833 Peregrine Sandford Justice of the Peace
State of New Jersey County of Bergen } ss. I Abraham Wetmore Clerk of the County of Bergen and Clerk of the inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for said County do hereby certify that Peregrine Sandford whose name is subscribed to the Deed of the within affidavit and to the above Certificate was on the day of the date hereof a Judge of the said Court and a Justice of the peace in and for said County duly commissioned and sworn, and further that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said Peregrine Sandford, and truly believe that his signature to said Deed and Certificate is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said Court this tenth day of October A.D. eighteen hundred and thirty three.
Ab: Wetmore Clerk

GARRET A. HOBART CHAPTER D. A. R. PATERSON, NEW JERSEY
28 Buena Vista Ave, Hawthorne, N.J. Dec. 14. 1936.
Bureau of Revolutionary Pensions Navy Building Washington D.C.
Director. - Will you kindly send to me the record of the Revolutionary War pension of Henry Cooper who was living in Manchester, Passaic Co. New Jersey in 1840. He was then 79 yrs old.
Thanking you I am Very truly yours, (Miss) Mathie M. Bowman

Recd 7/18/20
Revolutionary War Section
Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.
Dear Sir:
Will you kindly advise me if your records show that
HENDRICUS or (HENDRICK) COOPER or (RUYDER)
JACOB or YOUNG or Ann Christie WILLIAM or YOUNG his wife
all both of Bergen County, New Jersey ever received a pension
Thanking you
Yours truly
A Elizabeth Ware Saddle River
N.J.
May 10, 1920

December 22, 1936
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/MCS Henry Cooper, S.981
Miss Mattie M. Bowman 28 Buena Vista Avenue Hawthorne, New Jersey
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your request for information relative to Henry Cooper, a Revolutionary War pensioner who was living in Manchester, Passaic County, New Jersey, in 1840.
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, S. 981, based upon the military service of the only soldier named Henry Cooper that is found in the Revolutionary War records of this office.
Henry Cooper was born May 20, 1761, at Haverstraw, New York. The names of his parents were not given.
While a resident of Haverstraw Precinct, Orange County, New York, he enlisted and served as private with the New York troops as follows: from the first of July, 1778, three months in Captain John Gardner's company in Colonel A. Hawke Hay's regiment; from May, 1779, four and one half months in Captain Jacob Onderdonk's company in Colonel Hay's regiment and was in the battle of Stony Point; in 1779, one month in Major Lee's corps; from the first of June, 1780, six months in Captain Jonathan Lawrence's company in Colonel Dubois' regiment and was in an engagement at Fort Stanwix; in the spring of 1781 he served four months in Captain Andrew Thompson's company.
After the Revolutionary War he moved to Saddle River Township, Bergen County, New Jersey.
Henry Cooper was allowed pension on his application executed March 28, 1833, at which time he was living in Saddle River Township, Bergen County, New Jersey.

One Zacharias H. Cooper, a clergyman, was living in Franklin Township, Bergen County, New Jersey, in 1833, but it was not stated that he was related to the soldier and there are no further data relative to family.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator