Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 2306, Obediah Hedden, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey
Hedden Obediah
S 2306
CONTENTS
carded

22754
Mr. Hovey
Chesdiah Weedon of Newark in the State of N J - who was a Pri - in the team commanded by Captain  of the Regt commanded by Col Potter in the N J Troops time for 21. mo -
Should be 70
Inscribed on the Roll of N J - at the rate of 71 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 day of Octo 33 and Rent - L Condict Morristown
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 33. $178. 32 Sem-ant. allowance ending Mar 4 - 35. 66
$70.00 $213.98
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by E D Bullock Clerk, Book  Vol. 3 Page 115
See letter to Condick for return of certificate & orders from Agent for Suspension of payment. 21. Decr 1833
21 3/3 63 7 70
21 3/3 63
14 0 3 55 17 55

Application of Obadiah Hedden of Essex County, N.J.
with amendments
paid
I. Conditt
CAN
paid

Declaration of Obadiah Hedden in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed 7 th June 1832 -
State of New Jersey } 33 Essex County } 33
On this Eighteenth day of September in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty two personally appeared in open Court, before the Judges of the Superior Court of Common Pleas holden at Newark in and for the County of Essex, now sitting Obadiah Hedden now a resident of Newark, aged Seventy four 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 act of Congress passed 7 th June 1832
That he was born on or about the 23 d of Feb y in the year of our Lord Seven-teen hundred and fifty eight as appears by the family record now in his possession, in that part of the Township of Newark, now called Orange in the County of Essex aforesaid - That he was residing in the Township of Elizabeth at the time of entering the service herein after mentioned - That since the war, he resided a short time in New York, but most of the time at or near the place of his birth, and that he is now residing in the Town of Newark aforesaid - That the first service he did was about the last of June or first of July A.D. 1776, when he with other Militia were called out at Elizabeth Town, that after a few days after they arrived at Elizabeth Town he with others volunteered under Captain Brittain of that place, as a private, and marched to the City of New York where they remained on duty until the British landed on Staten Island, when they marched back to Elizabeth Town and continued on duty, until he had completed three months service - That after this he was enrolled in the Militia and classed and did his regular tours of monthly duty, that is one out of every three, throughout the whole war, except when enlisted as herein after stated; That he was on duty at the time that Genl. Washington passed thro Newark on his retreat; the British followed in a day or two after took possession of Newark, Elizabeth Town, Amboy &c and placed guards in each of the places as they passed on; that when the British lay in large numbers at Amboy, as they did thro the winter of 1776 & 77 - a number of Companies of Militia were on duty on the lines between Rahway & Woodbridge west of Amboy, under the command of Col. Potter, that this Applicant was there on duty for three months under Captain Horton - That during this time they often had skirmishes with the Enemy who used to come out in numbers into the Country for plunder - That this applicant was on monthly duty under Captain Brookfield when a party of British came from West Field or Scotch Plains to Springfield for the first time, with whom they had a skirmish when

They retreated the way they came, this happened as he believes in the year 1778. In the month of June 1779, this applicant enlisted for and did duty six months under Captain Craig at Elizabeth Town Point guarding the ferry and preventing invasion by the enemy who lay in large numbers on Staten Island opposite. Col. James Hedden now residing in Newark was Lieutenant and did duty all the time applicant was in said Company. The Militia there were commanded by Col. Taylor a part of the time and also by Genl. Mues of Morris County in this State - it was in the latter part of December following that applicant was discharged & returned home as he thinks and can now recollect - That he never recd. a written discharge as the Militia were always discharged verbally by the officers commanding them. That he was in the Battles of Connecticut Farms and Springfield in year 1780 and did monthly duty then under Captain Isaac Gillam Lieuts. Asher Brown & John Durand - That he did service and was on duty repeatedly at Newark. That he did monthly duty at Elizabeth Town besides the service above mentioned - That he did duty at Acquackunkon in this County, & at Morris Town in Morris County, - and at other places standing guard thro' the County. That he never kept an account of his services nor of the particular Captains under whom he served, that the Captains & officers were also classed and did monthly tours of duty and in particular he recollects of doing duty at least three months under Captain Jacob Brookfield, at least one month under Capt. Herrymann, at least one month under Captain Robert Nichols, at least one month under Capt. Elijah Snier, at least one month under Capt. Isaac Gillam, besides the duty  above the Captains above mentioned, and under Lieuts. Robert Wade - Vanderpool - Thomas Mulford - Asher Brown - John Durand - Henry Brown & Ensigns Benjamin Mulford - Benjamin Meeker - & - Williams - at least one month under Captain Townley & at least one month under Captain Wood, and that during the war he served under the following field Officers viz. Major Samuel Mays, Colonels Edward Thomas, - Jacques, Saml. Pott, Robert Spencer, - Seley and Generals Livingston, Williamson & Wines - That he verily believes that he did more than eighteen months active monthly tours of duty besides the times when he enlisted as aforesaid, & that he expressly charges the truth to be that he did more than two years active duty throughout said War - He has no documentary evidence and he knows of no persons now living who can testify to his services excepting William Brown who is now to attend in open Court but whose affidavit thereof is herunto annexed - He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension

now living who can testify to his services except his his  his  his to attend in open Court but whose affidavits thereof are herunto annexed - He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension
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 { Glendish Hedden and year aforesaid Sam d B. Miller Judge
We Isaac C. Goff a Clergyman residing in the Township of Orange and Timothy Meeker residing in the Township of Newark, do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Obadiah Hedden who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be upwards of seventy four years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a sol- dier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion
Sworn & subscribed the day { Isaac C. Goff & year aforesaid { his Timothy Meeker mark Sam d B. Miller Judge
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 sol- dier and served as he states - And the Court further certify that it appears to them that Isaac C. Goff who has signed the preceding certifi- cate is a Clergyman Resident in the Township of Orange - and that Timothy Meeker who has also signed the same is a resident in the Township of Newark and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to belief - And the Court further certify that it appears to them that William Brown is  an old & respectable inhabitant of the County, and reside as they state them, that they are  are credible persons and that their statements are entitled to credit & belief -
Sam d B. Miller - Judge
no precise army he was not received, he entered in captain

Essex County ss: I Elias Nason Clerk of the said Court of Common Pleas of said county do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original pro- ceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Obadiah Bedden for a Pension
And I do further certify that William Stites before whom the annexed affidavit of William Brown was made & taken at the time of taking the same was & still is a Judge of said Court that I am acquainted with his hand writing and that the signature "William Stites" subscribed to the jurat of said affidavit is genuine
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court & of my office this 5 th day of October A.D. 1832 —
Elias Nason Clerk

State of New Jersey } Essex County } ss. Before me William Stites one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Essex formerly appeared William Brown Esq. who being duly sworn according to law on his oath saith that he is well acquainted with Obadiah Hodges of the Township of Newark in the County of Essex & State of New Jersey, that he knew him during the Revolutionary war and knows that he the said Obadiah Hodges performed six months service as a private Soldier at Elizabeth Town in this County in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy nine in the same company with him the deponent - The Company was commanded by Captain Gray Rahway
William Brown
Sworn & subscribed before me the 13 th day of September A.D. 1832
William Stites
The precise day he does not recollect when he enlisted in Captain

Declaration of Obadiah Hedden, Essex County New Jersey -
17050
End

Alterations additions and amendments to the Declaration of Obadiah Hadden of Essex County New Jersey, in accordance with the requirements of the War Department in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832
New Jersey } Essex County } ss : Personally appeared before me the undersigned a justice of the Peace in and for the County of Essex, aforesaid, Obadiah Hadden who being duly sworn according to law on his oath saith that he is the same Obadiah Hadden in the annexed Declaration mentioned taken before the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the County of Essex aforesaid on the 18 th of September 1832, and under his oath aforesaid makes the following answers to the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department to wit - To the 1 st Where and in what year were you born? he answers he was born on the 23 rd of Feby A.D. 1758, in that part of the then Township of Newark now called the Town- ship of Orange in the County of Essex aforesaid - as he has set forth in his declaration aforesaid - To the 2 nd Have you any record of your age, and if so where is it? - he answers, that he has the family record or bible in which the ages of his family are included, records containing the record of his age also, now in his possession - To the 3 rd Where were you living when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War and where do you now live? he answers - That he was living in the the Township of Elizabeth in the County of Essex when called into service, that since the War, he has lived three years in the City of New York, but most of the time he has lived at or near the place of his birth and has been living but a short time in Newark with one of his children; he has for years past been living first with one of his children & then with another at the different places above mentioned, he having no family at this time or for some time past, - To the 4 th How were you called into service: were you drafted: did you volunteer or were you a substitute? and if a substitute for whom? He answers that the first duty he did was as a volunteer under Captain Brittain of Elizabeth Town under whom at that time he did duty as a private for three months, as he has mentioned in his declaration; That after this service he was enrolled in the Militia of New Jersey and did his regular tours of duty at dif- ferent periods for eighteen months during the War, as he has stated in his said declaration; That in the month of June A.D. 1779 he enlisted in Captain the precise day he does not recollect
3m
18

Craig's Company of Militia, and did duty therein as a private for six months as he has more particularly set forth in his declaration - To the 5 th State the names of some of the regular Officers who were with the Troops where you served, such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service? He answers that he recollects seeing Genls Washington, La Fayette, Green, Stark, Dayton, & Maxwell, and that he served under Major Samuel Hays of the Militia Col s . Thomas, Jacques, Potts, Spencer, Van Cortland Seley, and Generals Livingston, Williamson & Wines as he has set forth in his declaration and that by reason of his age and consequent loss of memory he cannot at this time mention the general circumstances of his service more particularly than he has set forth the same in his declaration to which for more full information thereof he refers - To the 6 th Did you ever receive a discharge from the service & if so by whom was it given? He answers that he never received a written discharge only by word of mouth - To the 7 th State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood & who can testify to your character for veracity and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution - he answers that he refers to the Rev d . Isaac C. Goff of Orange the Rev d . Asa Billings D.D. of the same place - to Jonathan Squier, Esq r . J.P. of South Orange Aaron Brown Esq r . of the same place - Joseph W. Camp Esq r . formerly Sheriff of the County of Essex, residing at Camp Town, N.J. to Jesse Baldwin of Newark, and to Col s . James Hedden of the same place - and he further swears that he did during said war two years and three months active duty as  as a private actually, truly & faithfully performed and during which time he was not engaged in any civil pursuit - and for such service he claims a pension -
Sworn & subscribed this 28 th of May A.D. 1833 J. L. Grover Justice of the Peace
Obadiah Hedden
And I do hereby certify that upon reference thereto it will appear that the judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Essex have already certified to the credibility, truth & veracity of William Brown Esq r . whose affidavit as to the services of Obadiah Hedden is annexed to the declaration of the said Hedden herewith sent -
J. L. Grover Justice of the Peace

declaration of the said Hedden herewith sent in
J. L. Grover Justice of the Peace
State of New Jersey } County of Essex } ss: I Elias Van Arsdale, junior Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in & for the said County of Essex Do hereby certify That Stephen R. Grover Esquire before whom the foregoing affidavit of Obadiah Hedden was made & taken & whose name is subscribed to the to the certificate thereto annexed, was at the time of taking the said affidavit & signing the said certificate and still is a Justice of the peace for said County, residing therein, duly commissioned and sworn, that the signature "S. R. Grover" above written, are the genuine & proper hand writing of said Justice and that full faith may be given to his official acts.
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office at Newark in the said County of Essex the Twenty Eighth day of May A.D. Onethousand eight hundred and thirty three. — I do further certify under said seal, that Samuel B. Miller Esq. before whom the several affidavits in the proceedings hereto annexed were made & taken was at the time of taking the same a Judge of said Court of Com- mon Pleas residing in said County duly commissioned & sworn, that the "signature Sam. B. Miller Judge" are the proper hand writing of said Judge —
E. Van Arsdale Jr. Clerk
New Jersey } Essex County } ss: Personally appeared before the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Essex de- Col. James Hedden of Newark in the County aforesaid who being duly sworn on his oath saith that he is now in the seventy eighth year of his age, that he is personally acquainted with Obadiah Hedden the above named applicant and knew him during the Revolutionary war, that during said war in the year mentioned by said Applicant this deponent did duty at Elizabeth Town Point in this County as a Lieutenant in Capt. Craig's Company for the space of time as mentioned by said Applicant. That said Applicant belonged to said Company & did duty therein at that time as a private for the term as mentioned by him, according to the best of deponent's recollection & belief, he having at this time no list of the men or other data by which to know the names and length of ser- vice of all who served with deponent at that time — but from his per- sonal knowledge of said Applicant at that time & recollection of his services since, this deponent firmly believes that he served with him for and during the time as the said Applicant in this declaration truth

hath set forth, and that they were engaged during the time in guarding the ferry and preventing the invasions of the enemy who were lying in numbers immediately opposite on Staten Island, as mentioned by Applicant -
Subscribed and sworn this 8 th day of August A.D. 1833. { before me J. L. Grover Justice of the Peace
James Haddem
Application of Abadiah Hadden of Essex County. N.J. with amendments
J. Candit  band CAN

Rev War ✓
2306
INVALID.
File No. 2306
Obediah Hedden
Print Rev War
Act: June 7, 1832
Index:—Vol. A. , Page 168.
[Arrangement of 1870.]
✓

20. 7th. New Jersey
Obediah Woodden
Newark in the State of N. J.
who was a Pri - in the Leon commanded by Captain _____ of the Regt commanded by Col Potter in the N. J. Troops here for Dumo
Inscribed on the Roll of N J at the rate of 70 0 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 4 - day of Jan - 34 - and Senr. Hon. Thos. F. Frelinghuysen Senate
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 30 $ 175 00 Semi-ant. allowance ending March 34 - 35 00 $ 210 00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by E. D. B. Williams Clerk, Book E Vol. 3 Page 115
80 60 97 X

Staten Island } ss. Personally appeared before the undersigned Essex County } a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Essex aforesaid, Obadiah Hadden of the County aforesaid who being duly sworn according to law on his Oath saith that he is the same Obadiah Hadden who hath made application for the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832, whose declaration is herewith annexed and to which he makes the following amendment viz: That by reason of old age and consequent loss of memory, together with the great lapse of time since the occurrence of the events, hereinafter stated as well as set forth in his declaration aforesaid, he is unable to specify the particular day of the month on which he entered upon the duties hereinafter mentioned, but he relates them as they actually occurred and were truly performed by him during the Revolutionary War. That living in Elizabeth Township in the County aforesaid at the time of the breaking out of the war aforesaid and when in June 1776 the difficulties & alarms were increasing he with other Militia men were ordered to repair to Elizabeth Town which he did, that was on the 20 th of June or within a day or two either before or after that day, that within four or five days thereafter he with others volunteered as a private under Captain Brittain of Elizabeth Town and marched to the City of New York which was expected to be attacked by the enemy who lay in the bay below, that he does not recollect by whose orders they were directed to march to New York but he knows that men were wanted and did go from all parts of the surrounding country, to defend the City, and that he volunteered and went under the officer as above mentioned that he continued on duty at New York until the few days after the landing of the British on Staten Island, which was on or about the 2 nd of July 1776 according to his recollection and belief that he then was marched back to Elizabeth Town and was immediately set to work building breastworks and other fortifications along Elizabeth River Point, and while at work could distinctly see daily the Red Coats in great numbers on Staten Island immediately opposite, that he continued on this and all other duties devolving on a private soldier, such as standing sentry, guard, manouevring and preparing for their defence until the full term of three months had expired when he was discharged by word of mouth as all of his class were & returned home. That the Militia were commanded by

by General Livingston until he was appointed Governor of N.J., which was during the three months aforesaid who made an address to the men when he left and was succeeded by Genl. Williamson of Elizabeth Town - They lay encamped during all this time and this applicant belonged to Col. Edwards Thomas' Regiment of Elizabeth Township - That he was then enrolled in the Militia Company Commanded by Captain Jacob Brookfield of Elizabeth Town - which Company was divided into three classes, each of which did monthly duty alternately - That in November 1776  1 Mo. he did one monthly duty under the last named Captain at Newark in the County aforesaid standing guard &c and was on that duty when Genl. Washington passed thro' on his retreat which was on the 22 d Novr. 1776 as applicant recollects and believes. That in January 1777, the particular day he cannot recollect but in the beginning of that month he went out on the lines west of Amboy between Rahway & Woodbridge, under Capt. Horton of Springfield and there did three months duty, standing guard, watching the enemy and preventing their excursions into the Country for plunder, that at the end of three months from the time of his first entering on this duty he was discharged by word of mouth of his officer and permitted to return home, during this time the Militia were under the Command of Col. Potter of Essex County - That in the winter of 1777 & 1778 he thinks in the month of January 1778. he was  1 Mo. out and did one monthly duty under Capt. Brookfield standing guard in and near Springfield, during this month a party of British came from West Field or Scotch Plains to Springfield for the first time they entered the village about nightfall remained a short time and then retreated - That in April 1778 he did one monthly  1 Mo. duty under Capt. Brookfield standing guard back of Elizabeth Town - That in July 1778 he did one monthly duty again standing guard at Elizabeth Town and this he thinks was under Capt. Herrymann of Rahway - That in the fall of 1778 he  1 Mo. thinks the latter part of October and the former part of November he did one monthly duty under Capt. Robert Nicols between Elizabeth Town & Newark standing guard &c - That in January  1 Mo. 1779. he did one monthly duty under Capt. Elijah Squier at Newark standing guard &c - That in April 1779 he did  1 Mo. one monthly duty under Capt. Isaac Gillam standing guard &c at Newark - That in June 1779 he enlisted and did  6 Mo. duty for six months from that time under Capt. Craig at Elizabeth Town Point guarding the ferry and preventing

6. mo duty for six months from that time under Capt. Craig at Elizabeth Town Point guarding the ferry and preventing
invasion by the enemy who were in possession of Staten Island as he has more particularly set forth the same in his declaration and corroborated by the affidavit of Col. James Hadden of Newark, annexed to the declaration aforesaid. That after this service he was again classed and did his regular turn of duty which sometimes came round at the end of every other month instead of every third month, by reason of joining the classes together. That the next duty he did, for one month
1 mo. under Capt. Horton in January 1780 standing guard at Elizabeth Town. That in March 1780 he again did one month's duty under Capt. Horton at Elizabeth Town standing guard.
1 mo. That in June 1780 he again did one month's duty under Capt. Isaac Gillam, and during this month the battles of Connecticut Farm and Springfield were fought, the former about the 7 th of the month and the latter about the 23 rd of the month June in both of which this applicant was present and engaged. That in Sept. 1780 he did one month's duty
1 mo. at Elizabeth Town standing guard under Capt. Sowerby. That in Dec. 1780 he did one month's duty under Capt.
1 mo. Wood near Springfield standing guard. That he did one month's duty at and near Morris Town under Capt. Brookfield standing guard in June 1777 and
1 mo. did one month's duty under Capt. Isaac Gillam in
1 mo. October 1777 standing guard above Newark and on towards Acquackunkon in the County of Essex aforesaid. That he did other duty than above stated but of which he cannot now relate the particulars by reason of loss of memory. That he spent more than 2 months during the war in alarm but cannot now specify them. That he did the above duty more faithfully and truly and under the officers as above stated as well as under the State officers mentioned in his declaration & amendment hereto annexed. That he did 2 years & three months of active duty faithfully & truly performed & for such service he claims a pension.
Subscribed & sworn
this 3 rd day of Sept. 1833
before me
J. A. Grover Justice of the Peace
Abdias Hadden

17066
Obidiah Hadden
[Faint scribbles]
for the p/ (amended - for certificate of Jas. Hadden amended)
21 st February
Hon L. Condud Pudim
Washington Nov 18. W. H. Hadden

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. 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  Obadiah Hildreth
   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.      
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
The testimony of the witness referred to in his declaration viz Lieutenant James Hadden should be produced to substantiate

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following ( m ) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[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.
to this claim

Obadiah Hadden.
Payments to be made $71.33 at Trenton October 29 th 1833
by Pres. of Trenton Bank Compa
Agent for paying Pension=
ers, in the Agency of
New Jersey
Dept. of War (To be filed with papers —)
Recorded in the Pension Of= fice, in Book C Vol. 3
Page 115 by E D Bullock Clerk.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Obadiah Hadden of the State of New Jersey— who was a Private during the Revolutionary War is entitled to receive Seventy one dollars and Thirty Three cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this 29 day of October one thousand eight hundred and thirty- Three
L. D. Chap
Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned. }
J. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.