Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 807, Gasper Cooper, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey
Cooper, Gasper
S. 807
carded
CONTENTS

17336 New Jersey Gaspar Cooper of Middle in the State of New Jersey who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Poland of the Regt commanded by Col. Salton in the New Jersey line for Apr.
Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey at the rate of 50 Dollars 00 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 17 day of Aug. 1833 and by the  Genl. Ex. M c . pursuant
Arrears to the 4th of Mar. 33 $160 Semi-ann. allowance ending 1833  $40 $200
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by A. Estlin Clerk, Book C Vol. 3 Page 105
82

State of New Jersey } On this my first day of Monmouth County } July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open court before the judges of the inferior court of common pleas for said county new sitting Yasper Cooper - an indent of Howell in the county & state of aforesaid aged eighty - years, who being first duly sworn under oath to law and as his oath made the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of an act passed June 7, 1832 - he entered. the militia of New Jersey, in the time of the Revolution War served as follows. viz. he was born near where he now lives, in the latter part of 1777 year of 1752, - in the latter part of 1777 he was -teered at Squan under Capt Garet Longstreet, served one month - he served one month under Elias Long- -street, was discharged on account of indisposition as appears by the annexed certificate & affidavit - he afterwards served a month under Col Hendrickson at the Falls he afterwards served in the neighborhood of Squan as a minute man till the end of the war, making all together more than two years but I cannot specify the time - his ser- -vices were all together in the County he was in no battle but in some skirmishes with the Refugees - he has no written evidence except the enclosed certificate, but George Brown & Lewis Ayres

Surviving Soldiers of the Revolution know of some part of his services
We hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declare that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state. Deemed & Subscribed the day & John Patterson Sealed & in Open Court John Patterson
We George Brown & Lewis Ryles Surviving Soldiers of the Revolution do hereby certify underneath, that we are well acquainted with the within named Gopher Cooper - and were acquainted with him in the time of the Revolution, and we do generally certify that the said Gopher Cooper was to the best of our knowledge a soldier in the militia of New Jersey in the time of the Revolution. We believe that the preceding declaration, which he has made under oath as to his services is entitled to full credit. Deemed & Subscribed the day & George Brown & Lewis Ryles Sealed & in Open Court John Patterson Lewis Ryles mark

a minister of the Gospel Mr John Newman, & William Little
residing in the township of Howell in the neighbourhood of the above named Gopher Cooper as hereby certify that we are well acquainted with the said Gopher Cooper who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be eighty - years of age, that he is reported to have lived in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution for many years and that his declaration under oath as without oath is entitled to implicit credit & that we concur in that opinion.
Given under our hands the day of John Japhin Newman year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and John Patterson Mrs. P. Little
And as the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories presented by the board of pensioners, that the above applicant was a revolutionary soldier & served as he states & the court further certifies that it appears to them that John Japhin Newman clergyman who has signed the preceding certificate is as resident in the township of Howell — & that William Little who has also signed the same is a resident in the township of Howell & is a creditable person that their statements as well as the statements of the pensionary board of the Revolution are entitled to credit.
John Patterson William Lloyd W. J. Brooke

210
Joseph Gophers Declaration
James H. Burrough A. N. Burrough J. H.
I the Subscriber, Clerk of the Superior Court of Common Pleas in & for the county of Hampshire 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 Gasper Leaper for a perjury, and as to James Lloyd before whom the annexed affidavit appears to have been taken was at the date thereof only enrolled in my office as a part of the said court and commingled and sworn into official the name "James Lloyd" given thereto is the proper handwriting of the said Justice —
In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court this eighth day of July A.D. 1833 —
D. H. Ellis Clerk

It is to be known that in New Jersey
Personally appeared before me the subscriber Monmouth County ss } one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common pleas in and for said County Major James Craig who be- ing duly sworn on the Holy evangelist of Almighty God depon- and saith that he was well acquainted with Captain Eli- as Longstreet the person who subscribed the Certificate hereto annexed and knows him to have been in the Continental service and was with him in said service and was well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believes his signature to the annexed Certificate to be his own proper hand writing, and fur- ther states that he is well acquainted with Yossef Cooper and knows him to be a poor respectable old man between eighty and ninety years of age and is in needy circumstan- ces and further saith not
James Craig
Sworn and subscribed before me September the 1 st 1831
James Lloyd

Yash Gopur Sapt Sivalaya

State of New Jersey } ss County of Monmouth }
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a justice of the peace in and for the said County of Monmouth and State of New Jersey George Gasper Cooper who being duly sworn according to Law 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 two months in the winter of 1777-8 I served in the militia of New Jersey as a private soldier in tours of one month each: After which in May 1778 I was discharged from service on account of indisposition: In the year 1778 about six months after my discharge I entered the service again and served one month in that year: For six months in the year 1779 I served as a private in the militia in tours of one month each: For six months in the year 1780 I served as aforesaid in tours of one month each: For six months in the year 1781 I served as aforesaid in tours of one month each: And from that time until the end of the war I served five months in tours of one month each as aforesaid: Making in the whole not less than two years and two months actual service, and for such service I claim a pension. I cannot now from lapse of time and loss of memory, state with any more particularity the beginning or ending of such tours.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 4th day of April 1833 "George" erased & "Cooper" interlined before signing
Gasper Cooper
John M. Davison.

State of New Jersey } Personally appeared before me Monmouth County } the undersigned a Justice of the peace in & for the said county of Monmouth and State of New Jersey Gasper Leeper who being duly sworn as according to law deposes and saith that by reason of old age & 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 viz. For one month I served as a private in the militia under Capt Garet Longstreet in 1777 or the forepart of 1778, as a guard along shore, ranging the coast from Barnegat Bay to Long Branch - Col Hendrickson was our Colonel - in the latter part of March or the first of April 1778 I entered the continental service in the company then raising by Capt Elias Long- street to be marched to the frontier, I served in this company about the Court House when he was recruiting for about  one month when the company was ready to march Col Little the Sergeant pronounced me unfit for duty & I was accordingly discharged & received the certificate I do not know who was Col. and never joined the Regiment annexed to my papers - about six months after my discharge I served as a private in the militia at Tinton Falls under Capt Garet Longstreet, as a guard for one month - For six months I served as a private in the militia in 1779, in the monthly service being every other month on duty & every other month off duty - under Capt G Longstreet as a guard along shore - for six months I served as a private in 1780 under Capt Posthams in the militia - this was in the same company formerly commanded by Capt G Longstreet & the same kind of service - for six months I

served as a private in 1781, in the militia com- -manded by Capt. Poland, this was in the same kind of monthly service, as before stated. some of the time we were at Linton Falls, sometimes at Shrewsbury & sometimes at Shark River So on down the coast - For five months I served as a private militia man in 1782, in periods of one month each - under Capt Poland - was in no general battle, but in several skirmishes & attacks on the British Refugees - I cannot state more particular- -ly, but for the above services I claim a pension -
Gaspar Cooper
Sworn subscribed this 6 th of July 1833, before me "I do not know who was Col at the time I joined the regiment, entitled before" - Cyrus Bruce
New Jersey
Monmouth Co. Joseph Miller being duly sworn says, that he is a surviving soldier of the Revolution, that he knew at that time the above named Gaspar Cooper, that he was to his knowledge engaged as a private soldier in the militia, at that time, & that he believes the foregoing affidavit to be true -
Sworn subscribed this 6 th of July 1833 before me Cyrus Bruce Justice
Joseph Miller his mark
I Daniel H Ellis clerk of the Superior Court of Common Pleas of Monmouth County do hereby certify that Cyrus Bruce, before whom the foregoing affida- -vits purport to have been taken is a Justice of the Peace in the said County, duly sworn & enrolled in my office & that full faith & credit are due to his acts - & that I am - acquainted with his hand-writing & that the name "Cyrus Bruce" subscribed to said affidavits is his proper hand writing - In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of my office this six th day of July, Eighteen hundred & thirty three -
D. H. Ellis Clk

Gaspar Cooper
Return gift
Admitted
Private 2 years
Dear J. F. Randolph
Prisoner
Nov 10 AM - Nov 1

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
June 13 1833
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. 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 Askin Cooper
   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.     1777 1 Pvt Col Longstreet Col Hendrickson 80 years   1778 1 " " 8 Longstreet - 25 years also entered - 6 certificates of discharge   1778 1 " " 9 Longstreet -   1779 6 " " " Col Hendrickson Joseph Miller   1780 6 " " Poland - 2nd Col Geo Brown   1781 6 " " " " " Levis Ayres   1782 5 " " " " " John Sophia Newman   2 2 Wm Little -  
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 A. B.
Sworn to 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 (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 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 [f] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[t] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
+ Witness my hand by the Court

Rev War
INVALID.
File No. 807
Jasper Cooper Rev. N.Y. Pres.
Act: June 7, 1832.
Index:—Vol. a , Page 71
[Arrangement of 1870.]
✓

Soldier signs Gasper Cooper
Q.

John Coen

I Cyrus Buren. In witness of the peace before where the accompanying affidavits of Joseph Cooper & Joseph Miller were taken, do hereby certify that said Joseph Miller is a credible witness, this affida- vit as well as that of said Cooper is entitled to full faith & credit -
Given under my hand this 31 st day of July 1833 -
Cyrus Buren
I Daniel H. Ellis Clerk of the Superior Court of Common Pleas of Mon- mouth County do hereby certify that Cyrus Buren whose name is affixed to the foregoing certificate is a Subscri- ber to the peace duly sworn & enrolled in my office, that I am well acquainted with his hand-writing, that the name "Cyrus Buren" subscribed to said certifi- cate is his proper hand-writing -
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of my office this 31 st day of July 1833 -
D. H. Ellis Clerk

This is to certify that Gasper Cooper a Southerner in the Continental Army proved to be incapable any duty whatever thereby and the sentiments of the Doctor upon which the same was based are discharge from service as not fit for service Betsy Cooper 1778
Elias D. D. D. Elias D. D. D.
Gasper Cooper S. File 807 N.J.