Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 2461, Joseph Combs, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey
Combs, Joseph
S 2461
CONTENTS
Carded

17.661 New Jersey
Joseph Coombs of Monmouth the State of New Jersey who was a private  sergeant in the company commanded by Captain Walton of the Regt. commanded by Col. Holmes in the N. J. Militia line for two years
Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey at the rate of 120 Dollars in Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 11 day of Sept. 1833 and sent to Mrs. Hartshorn Landholder
Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 33 300.- Semi-ant. allowance ending 4th March 34 60.-
$360.-
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. M. Duffield Clerk, Book E Vol. 3 Page 105.

Declaration of Joseph Combs } For a Pension }
Ms. 5319

Declaration of Joseph Combs in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832.
State of New Jersey } ss: County of Monmouth }
On this second day of August Anno Domini eighteen hundred and thirty two personally appeared before me William Lloyd Esquire one the Judges of the Interior Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Monmouth and State of New Jersey - Joseph Combs a resident of the Township of Freehold in the County of Monmouth and State of New Jersey aged 91 years on the 24 th of July  last past who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated: That he entered the Militia of New Jersey some time in the month of June or July 1776 just when the British came in at Sandy Hook and served from that time, every other month during the whole of the war, never having been once fined during that time for non attendance, and has never having hired a substitute but one month. That the Captains under whom he served during said term were Kenneth Hankinson under whom he served until the death of the said Captain about one or two years, and the remainder of the time principally under Captains John Walton and James Craig, recollects to have served a few times under Captains Elisha Walton and John Henderson - That his Field Officers were General David Forman, Major Asher Holmes afterwards Colonel and Major Elisha Walton who was a Captain in the commencement of the Revolution - That the Militia were equally divided so that one half were called out one month and

the other half the next and so alternately during the whole war - That it is impossible for him to state with any more certainty than he has above stated the particular time when he entered the service, nor can he specify the particular period of each engagement under the several officers above named as can be ascertained but he always considered himself a soldier in the service of his country from time the British Fleet first came in at Sandy Hook until the Liberty of his country was achieved, and peace proclaimed, and he is positive that he was in actual service one half of the whole time time making at least three years in actual service - That he was called out a number times, under the general alarm, which were frequent, and served from three to four days and often a week at a time, when it was not his regular month of service, for all the militia were called out whenever an alarm was given that some of the enemy had landed on our shores and were obliged to remain out, until they were driven off again - That he was born in the County of Middlesex on the 24th day of September in the year of our Lord 1740, but he resided when he entered the service in the Township of Freehold, County of Monmouth and State of New Jersey - That he served as a volunteer under the monthly calls as they were termed - That he was engaged in no regular battles but had a number of skirmish with the Tories, a number  many of whom were taken prisoners when he was out on duty - That his marches generally extended along the shores in his native County guarding them from the attacks and depredations of the British and Tories - and that he was in the upper part of the State

County of Monmouth where he met the British Army as they were retreating from Philadelphia to New York in the month of June 1778 and marched after them  the  army down to Freehold, but was not actually in the engagement at or near that place - that he served with no continental Regiment or Companies and cannot recollect the names of any of the Regular Officers in said Continental service except that of General Washington and General Lee who commanded at the Battle of Monmouth, the latter of whom was severely reprimanded & ordered from the field by the former. That he has no documentary evidence of his service, and knows of no person except Major James Craig and Captain John Schenck who can testify to his service. that he cannot at this time produce their testimony, but will endeavor to procure it hereafter - 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 -
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me } Joseph Combs
William Lloyd
State of New Jersey } ss County of Monmouth }
Personally appeared before me William Lloyd one of the Judges of the Superior Court of common Pleas in and for the county of Monmouth and State of New Jersey Major James Craig who being first duly sworn according to law upon his oath deposeth and saith that he is well acquainted with Joseph Combs

who has signed & sworn to the foregoing declaration that he knew him in the service of his country during the Revolutionary War, and believes him to be upwards of ninety one years of age - that he served with him in the same Company in the Militia of New Jersey from the year 1777 until the end of the war and believes that he entered the Militia when they were first called out (this deponent then being in the Continental Service) - that he served under this deponent as Captain in the latter part of the war - that he believes the said Joseph Combs always served his monthly tour, never having known him to be once fined, or to have hired a substitute - that he sustained during the said war the character of being a good whig and a brave Soldier. that he believes that the said Joseph Combs was in actual service at least three years during said term - that he has heard the above declaration read, and believes that the matters and things therein contained are true - that the said Joseph Combs is a credible and respectable person and that his declaration is entitled to full credit.
Sworn to and subscribed this 7th day of August A.D. 1832 before me.
William Sloper
James Craig

Personally appeared before me John Patterson one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Monmouth and State of New Jersey Captain John Schenck who being duly sworn according to law upon his oath says that he is well acquainted with Joseph Combs who he is informed is about applying for a pension - that he had known him for about sixty years that he believed him to be upwards of ninety years of age - that he had seen him several times during the Revolutionary war in the militia of New Jersey, but cannot state with any certainty how long the said applicant served - And yet from his knowledge of the said applicant's services and from the character which he sustained during the war as a good Whig and Soldier, he (this deponent) verily believes that the said Joseph Combs must have been out in the actual service of his Country at least two years during the Revolution, and is justly entitled to be placed on the Pension Rolls under the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832 - that the said Joseph Combs is a credible and Respectable person and that his declaration if he has made one is entitled to credit. John Schenck
Sworn and Subscribed before me this 28 th day of August 1832
John Patterson

And I the said William Lloyd do hereby declare my 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 that he is unable, by reason of bodily infirmity to appear in court. And I do further certify that Major James Craig and Captain John Schenck who have signed and sworn to the above affidavits are surviving soldiers of the Revolution, resident in the said County of Monmouth, that they are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
William Lloyd
I Daniel H. Ellis clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for the county of Monmouth and State of New Jersey, do hereby certify that the foregoing appears to me to contain the original proceedings of the above named Judges, in the matter of the application of Joseph Combs for a pension. And I do further certify that William Lloyd before whom the foregoing declaration and first above affidavit, and John Patterson before whom last above affidavit, appear to have been sworn and subscribed and whose names are thereto respectively subscribed are and were at the respective dates thereof duly enrolled in my office as Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for the county of Monmouth last aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn into office and that full faith and credit are due and ought to be given to all their official acts as such - that the signatures of William Lloyd subscribed to the jurats of the foregoing
declaration and first above affidavit and to the foregoing certificate are the proper hand writing of the said William Lloyd, and the signature of John Patterson subscribed to the jurat of the last above affidavit is the proper hand writing of the said John Patterson
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this eleventh

declaration and the first above affidavit and to the foregoing certificate are the proper hand writing of the said William Lloyd, and the signature of John Patterson subscribed to the jurat of the last above affidavit is the proper hand writing of the said John Patterson
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this eleventh day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
W. H. Ellis
Re-Sealed this eighth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three
W. H. Ellis

Amendatory Affidavit of Joseph Combs. State of New Jersey Monmouth County ss:
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in & for the County and State aforesaid Joseph Combs, who being duly sworn according to Law deposeth and saith that he is the identical Joseph Combs named in the original Declaration for a Pension numbered 5319. by the War Department; and 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 entered the Militia of New Jersey about the latter part of June in the year 1776 (the particular day he cannot recollect); and that he served therein not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: In the year 1776 he served his regular monthly tours of duty to wit: the months of July, September and November in a company commanded by Captain Kenneth Hankinson Thomas Cope was lieutenant and guarding the shores along Sandy Hook, John Walton was ensign. In the year 1777 he continued to serve his regular tours to wit: the months of January March May July September & November in the same Company under the same Captain performing the duty of guard or sentry along the shores of Monmouth County; that about this time to wit: Jan y 1778 John Walton was appointed Captain of said Company & Moses Davis was Lieutenant: and that he served in said Company the months of January, March, May, June, July, September, and November in the year 1778 guarding the shores aforesaid & the head Quarters of General Forman at Freehold, making seven months during this year being the time the British passed through N.J. that in the year 1779 he still continued in said Company and served his regular tours of duty to wit: the months January March May July September and November, performing the duty of guard at the General's head quarters and along the shores as aforesaid; that after this time he thinks the Militia of his district were not called out so often as before, but that he continued to serve in said Company under said Officers, and is positive that

that he served at least four months or tours in each of the years 1780, 1781, & 1782 under the said Captain Walton (and the latter part of the time under Capt. Craig, but not more than three or four months) performing the duty of guard along the shores and at the General's head quarters as aforesaid but the particular months or times that each of tour of duty was performed he cannot now state but he is positive that each tour of duty was at least one month in length and that he served at least four such tours in each of the years last above named: that is to say in the year 1780 he served at least four months: in the year 1781 he served at least four months & in the year 1782 he served at least four months: that the commencement and the ending of the monthly tours was about the first of the month: that all the services above mentioned was performed, in the grade of a private while under Capt. Hankinson and in the grade of a first sergeant while under Captain Walton : that he had forgotten to mention the fact of his being a sergeant when he made his original Declaration so long a time having elapsed since the war: that he never received any warrant or commission of office but was chosen by the voice of his company: that he served a number of tours of two and three days and sometimes more in length when the Tories and British landed on the shores, which happened very frequent, when it was not his regular tours of duty, all the Militia being then called out to drive them off again, this was called an alarm: that he cannot specify the particular times they being very irregular, but at such alarms he was under the other Captains named in his Declaration yet he did not belong regularly to their Companies: that he makes no claim for this service but claims a pension only for his regular tours of duty which he performed as above mentioned. the first interrogatory is answered in his declaration: that he has a record of his age transcribed many years ago from his father's family bible into his own: that he has always lived in Freehold Township Monmouth N.J. since the

Revolution and resides thro still: that he is known to Lewis Gordon and John Headden — in his present neighborhood who can testify as to his character for veracity, and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution; that his Field Officers are named in his original Declaration: that he served with an embodied Corps called into service by the authority of the Laws of this State: that he served in Field and not in garrison: and for the time during which his service was performed he was not employed in any civil pursuit. Sworn to and subscribed June 25th 1833. before me.
The words "Thomas Cook was Lieutenant" interlined before sworn to, and the words "While under Captain Walton" also interlined on 2 nd page before sworn to.
Joseph Combs
William Lloyd
We Lewis Gordon and John Headden — residing in the Township of Freehold County of Monmouth and State of New Jersey hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Joseph Combs who has sworn to and subscribed the foregoing amending affidavit: that we believe him to be ninety one years of age: that he is reputed and believed the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and to be a man of good character for truth and veracity and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn to and subscribed June 25th 1833 before the subscriber Justice as aforesaid.
Lewis Gordon John Headden
William Lloyd
State of New Jersey } ss. John Davison Esq. being duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith that he is a surviving soldier of the Revolution aged seventy two years: that he served in Captain John Walton's Company with Joseph Combs (who has signed the above affidavit and sworn to the same).

from the year 1778 whenever the Militia were called out, which he thinks was generally every other month until the close of the war in the early part of the year 1783. that he knew the said Joseph Combs very well during said war: and recollects perfectly well that he was a first Sergeant under Captain Walton and that the said Joseph Combs served as such Sergeant during the whole time or period as aforesaid: that the said Joseph Combs always performed his duty as a good soldier: and further saith not.
Sworn to and subscribed before me Justice as aforesaid June 25th 1833. William Lloyd
John Davison
And I the said William Lloyd Justice of the Peace as aforesaid and Judge of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Monmouth and State of New Jersey, do hereby certify that it appears to me that there is no clergyman resident in the neighborhood of the said Joseph Combs at present: that Lewis Gordon and John Stradden who have signed the foregoing certificate are resident in the said Township of Freehold County of Monmouth and State of New Jersey, that they are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit, And also that John Davison Esq: who has signed the above affidavit is a surviving soldier of the Revolution, resident in the said County, that he is a credible person and that his affidavit is entitled to credit. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 25th day of June Anno Domini. Eighteen hundred and thirty-three And I do further certify that I am well acquainted with the said Joseph Combs who has signed & sworn to the above amulatory affidavit: that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that I concur in that opinion. Dated as above — William Lloyd

I Daniel H. Ellis clerk of the Inferior court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Monmouth and State of Kentucky do hereby certify that William Lloyd before whom the foregoing  annexed proceedings were taken sworn to, and subscribed, and who has signed his name thereto, is now and was at the dates thereof duly enrolled in my office as a Judge of the said Court, and also a Justice of the Peace in said County, duly commissioned, and sworn into office, and that full faith and credit are due and ought to be given to all his official acts as such. And further that the signatures "William Lloyd" signed to the annexed proceedings, are respectively the true hand writing and genuine signatures of the said Judge and Justice.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this eighth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three.
Note. The word "foregoing" erased and "annexed" interlined before signing and sealing.
D. H. Ellis

Rev War
2461.
INVALID.
File No. 2461
Joseph Bonds Sergt Rev War
Act: June 7  B.S. 2
Index:—Vol. 24 , Page 73
[Arrangement of 1870.]
✓

Joseph Clough
General State Partnership
Adm by Court
Lyons Leg
$80 -
In Hartshorne Freehold
3

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Joseph Gomb's. further proof or explanation.
1. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?
V. * Has he mentioned 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? As per Decree 5:
He should state, as nearly as possible, each term, its length & in what grade performed.
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
XIV. † If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility?
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?
No. see Inure 16.
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. 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 the 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.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end 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.