Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 5098, Herman Hoffman, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Hoffman, Herman
R. 5098
CONTENTS
Blank lined area for contents entry
Blank lined area for contents entry

Hermon Hoffman Pension application
Declaration & Amended Declaration
Address 1013 Prindle Monmouth College N.Y.

D. H. Hoffman
[Faint, mirrored cursive handwriting, likely bleed-through from the reverse side of the page]
not required H. H. to

State of New York
Chenango County ss. We Joseph P. Chamberlin and Lewis Weeks residing in the town of Bainbridge, Chenango County New York. Do hereby Certify that we are well acquainted with Dr. Herman Hoffman, who is now applying for a pension before the Vice Chancellor Court - That we believe him to be sixty seven 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 and that we have never heard any doubt expressed by any person as to his having been such soldier -
Sworn & subscribed to this J. P. Chamberlin 14th day of September 1832 Lewis Weeks before me Samuel Pike Justice
I certify that I am acquainted with the above named Joseph P. Chamberlin & Lewis Weeks and that they are credible persons and their statement is entitled to full credit - Dated Sept: 14: 1832.
State of New York ss. I, Samuel Pike Clerk of the said County do certify that Samuel Pike Esq., before whom the preceding Certificate purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same one of the Justices of the Peace in and for said County: and that I am acquainted with his handwriting and really believe his name subscribed to the said affidavits or Certificate, and also to the Certificate of character of the said

To all whom it may concern
I have been acquainted with the Character of Dr. Herman Hoffman for thirty years or more when I was first acquainted with Dr. Hoffman he resided in the County of Warren. (Then Washington) N.Y. His Character was always that of an upright honorable man. I will remember He was at that time considered one of the first men of the Town From that time until the present I have had more or less intercourse with Dr. Hoffman and can without hesitation say I think him justly entitled to the good character which I believe he has uniformly sustained from the time of my first acquaintance with him until this present time. I was also acquainted with the Character of Capt. McCollough mentioned in Dr. Hoff. Papers. He was a respectable man, and a magistrate of the County.
Norwich Chenango County N.Y.
Abial Cook
August 15th 1832
Dr. H. Hoffman

State of New York Chenango County ss. I do hereby Certify that Abial Cook Esq who has written and signed the within statement, is a Counsellor at Law of Chenango County residing in Norwich in said County of good character as a citizen and of high repute in his profession - I that I believe his name subscribed to the said statement to be his genuine hand writing and signature
Given 14 the Witness my hand and seal of office this 14 th day of September 1832
E. T. Middle Dep. Clerk.

Amended Declaration.
State of New York Chenango County ss:
Personally appeared to before the subscriber a Judge of Chenango County Courts, Dr. Herman Hoffman of the town of Bainbridge in said County to me known, who being duly sworn says 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 ac- cording to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below and in the following grades viz:
2 years & 8 months.
For two years and eight months at least I served as a drummer in the Massachusetts State troops, co my term of service commencing in the service year of 1780 in the fall, and ending at the time the Army was disbanded in 1783. My terms of service, which the Department wish me to state specifically, were as I have stated in my declaration, by enlisting for one year in the Massachusetts troops in 1780 - and when that time had expired again enlisting for another year as stated in my declaration and at the expira- tion of this second year continuing on in service with the army without fur- ther enlistment until the Army was disban- ded. By a note in red ink on the margin of the Brief " Not on the rolls in office " I infer that the Department understood me to say that my service was in the regular or Continental Army, whereas I did not mean to convey that impression. My services were in embodied corps of military called out by competent authority of the State of Massa- chusetts - and during all the above time

of two years and Eight Months for which I claim a pension, I was not employed in any civil pursuit but was constantly engaged in the Military service - My memory in regard to the particulars of my service or any thing further respecting it than I have stated is poor and indistinct. I have been extremely deaf for more than twenty years past and in consequence have not conversed but very little with people during that time respecting my revolutionary campaigns, and by that means dates and times and names have passed from my mind for want of occasionally conversing upon them to refresh my memory
As to further evidence to support my declaration I have none and I know of no witness living whose testimony I can procure as to my services excepting Althur Aylesworth whose evidence is contained in my declaration
In regard to a Clergyman I know of no Clergyman who has any knowledge of my character as to revolutionary services I have not, as stated in my declaration attended any Church, attended any Church on account of deafness, not being able to hear any thing unless very loudly spoken
The Clergyman around my neighborhood are chiefly young people with whom I have very trifling acquaintance - I will here mention one circumstance which I omitted in my declaration - At the Battle of Yorktown I was wounded in my left shoulder by a buck shot from the enemy the marks of the wound I yet retain - And further say not
Subscribed & sworn to this 12th June 1833 before me and I certify the deponent to be of good character and unblemished reputation -
Nathan Taylor - Judge of Chenango Co: Courts

Certificate of Henry Mitchell a Member of Congress from Chenango County.
I Henry Mitchell member of Congress from the 21 st Congressional District of the State of New York and resident of Norwich Chenango County do hereby certify that I have been acquainted with Dr. Herman Hoffman, of Bainbridge in said County for fifteen years last past. That he is a Physician of fair repute in his profession and a gentleman of irreproachable character as to truth and veracity. That he has always borne the reputation of being a Revolutionary Soldier and his character as a good soldier was never to my knowledge questioned - and I can readily say that I have the most entire confidence in his word, and think that implicit confidence may be placed in his statements. He has been for many years quite deaf.
Dated Norwich June 12 1833
Henry Mitchell
Member of Congress
State of New York Chenango County ss: I, Aaron H. Pike Clerk of said County certify that Nathan Taylor before whom the foregoing affidavit purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same one of the Judges of Chenango County Court and that I am acquainted with his hand writing and truly believe his name subscribed to the said affidavit to be his genuine handwriting & signature. - I also certify that Henry Mitchell who has signed the preceding certificate is the member of Congress of this District & County and that his signature to the same is genuine. Witness my hand and seal of office this 12 th day of June 1833 A. H. Pike Clerk

age - that during the Revolutionary War in the year 1780 he enlisted at Poughkeepsie in the spring of the year for nine months - in a Company of New York State Militia commanded by Capt Pierce - in a Regiment under Col: Morehouse - that during his service he served up & down the North River between West Point & Kingbridge - that while he was in this town of service - he knew Herman Hoffman (now of Rainbridge Chemung County) that he saw the said Hoffman at Poughkeepsie, Eutaw, Sing Sing, & other places at different times while he was stationed at these places - that some times the said Hoffman was engaged as a drummer - sometimes as a soldier with his musket and out on scouting parties - that this deponent was discharged at Fredericktown late in the fall of that year and the said Hoffman remained in the service longer, as this deponent has always understood & believes to be true - that the said Hoffman in the service (to the best of his memory and judgment of this deponent) to the knowledge of this deponent some two or three months  several and he further saith that the Herman Hoffman whom he knew in the Revolutionary War as above stated, is the same Herman Hoffman who has signed the foregoing declaration and further saith not in
Subscribed & sworn to before me Arthur Hylseworth the day & year aforesaid Robt. O'Neil Vice Chancellor mark
And the Court further Certify that it appears to them that Arthur Hylseworth who has signed & sworn to the preceding affidavit is a resident of Guilford, in said County and is a credible person and his statement is entitled to credit.
Robt. O'Neil Vice Chancellor

I Jonathan S. Woods. Clerk of the Vice Chancellor's Court for the fifth Circuit of the State of New York do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Herman Hoffman for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 14 th day of September 1832
Joseph D. P. Green Deputy Clerk

State of New York Chautauqua County Sixth Equity Circuit
On this fourteenth day of September 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Hon Robert Morell, Vice Chancellor of the State of New York for the Sixth County Circuit thereof, being a Court of Record, now sitting at Queene in and for said County, Herman Hoffman a resident of Bainbridge in the County of Chautauqua and State of New York aged sixty seven years and upwards, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declarations in order to make 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 some time in the fall of the year 1780 (but does not recollect the precise time) he enlisted at the town of Sheffield, Massachusetts into the service of the United States, for one year as a drummer, and what was then called a minute man - The officer who enlisted him was called Capt. Stoddard - That in a very few days after his enlistment he was called on to go over to the North River - That he went with two or three from Sheffield and came to the River at Clarenack - from thence they went by water to Westpoint where they joined the American troops commanded by Genl. Putman - He remained at West Point but a few days when they left and during the following winter Hising was stationed sometimes at Peekskill, - some times at Astoria - some times at Sing Sing and Tarrytown - During a part of the time he was employed in scouting round after Tories & cowboys &c and at such times carried a musket - After this there was a general movement lower down the River towards and near Kingsbridge and during the heat of summer, they marched

off to the South towards Yorktown on York River in the State of Virginia with the Army - They reached Yorktown but a short time before the place was taken and Cornwallis surrendered - He was with the army all this time in the capacity of a drummer. The name of his drum major was Martin (he thinks) He here saw Genl. Washington at Yorktown and also La Fayette and most of the Commanding Officers on the American side - After the capture of the British Army under Lord Cornwallis and late in the fall - We returned back again to the North River with the troops - The place where they first struck the North River was Sing Sing - He cannot recollect (from positive memory) the country he marched thro' in going to Yorktown and in returning but he was with the rest of the Army and presumes he marched thro' New Jersey, Pennsylvania Maryland and Virgin- ia -
On his returning back again to the North River his time had nearly expired (he thinks) and he agreed to remain in the said service for one year more - which agreement was voluntarily made but whether he subscribed an enlistment roll or not he does not recollect, but continued in the said service in the same manner as before until such the Army was dismissed by Congress and by Gen- eral proclamation which was almost three years from his first enlistment - He remembers well that at the time of his first enlistment he was fifteen years of age on the 17th of Ju- ly then past -
During his service for the remainder of the time he continued upon the North River and thereabouts until the time of his discharge and was employed in drumming - and also in scouting round - some times in small and

sometimes in large parties - and under different officers - These scouting parties were formed by men who volunteered to go upon the excursions & prevent the Tories and what was called the Cow Boys and parties of the Enemy from robbing & plundering the enemy inhabitants within the lines. He served the year out for which he had agreed to remain a second time and continued right on with the army, without any other regular enlistment, until dismissed on occasion of the Peace - He cannot state the order in which his several services were performed nor the exact times he was at particular places - but he was during the whole of the term of his services (except while he was gone to Yorktown) engaged around the North River in the scouting and irregular fighting & skirmishing which was common there -
He was discharged at Tarrytown in the fall of 1783 - with the army by a General proclamation - He had no written discharge - He states he has no documentary evidence and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his services except Arthur Aylesworth whose testimony is herewith returned to the Department.
In answer to the questions and interrogatories required by the War Department to be put to applicants for pensions - he answers as follows: To the 1 st That he was born in the town of Sheffield, Massachusetts, on the 17 th day of July, 1765.
2 nd He has no record of his age - He keeps his age from the information of his mother who

has been dead many years. His father was killed. (as he has always understood) by the Indians in the old French war.
3 d At the time he first entered the service he resided at Sheffield (Massachusetts) the place of his birth - at the other times, at Sing Sing and on the North River as stated in the body of his declaration: Since the time of his discharge he has resided at Sing Sing, Westchester County N.Y. - from there he went to Washington near Warren Co. N.Y. where he resided until the year 1816 when he came to Saratoga Springs resided there 2 years and then removed to Danbridge Chenango County N.Y. where he now resides and where he has resided ever since he came into the County.
4 th He volunteered into the service the first time he joined the Army and remained in by voluntary agreement after his time had expired as is stated in his declaration.
5 th As to the several officers whom he served their names and lines to which they belonged, his memory is so indistinct that he cannot well remember. He however can remember the following who were in service with him or who were with the troops where he served - viz: Col. Swartwout - a Capt: Nathan Pierce a Capt: William Pierce - a Colonel Gains a Col. Fields - a Lieutenant Willard - a Capt: Hugh Mc Culay - a Col. Andrew Morehouse - a Col. Mudgett - a Captain William Clark - a Colonel Vande Bergh a Capt: Calkins - a Col. Henry Sutherland. He don't recollect any continental or militia

regiments so as to designate or distinguish them - the general circumstances of his service are stated as fully in his declaration as is possible for him to state them
6 th
He never received a written discharge from the service - He was discharged verbally
7 th He gives the names of the following persons living in his neighborhood who are known to him and who can testify to their his character for truth and veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution viz: John C. Clark Esq. Late Member of Congress - Moses G. Benjamin Esq. Postmaster - William T. Sayre Esq. Attorney at Law - Richard W. Dylard Esq. Supervisor - Joseph G. Chamberlin Esq. Justice of the Peace - and Lewis Weeks of the town of Bainbridge, Chenango County N.Y.
He further states that he knows of no layman in his neighborhood whose can  person who knows anything of the reputation of this deponent - or who has heard any thing respecting his military services - He has been very deaf for many years and has not attended any such-
He further states that it is very inconvenient for him to produce his witnesses of character in open Court without too much inconvenience and expense
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declares

that his name is not on the pension Roll of the Agency of any state.
Herman Hoffman
Sworn and subscribed to the day and year aforesaid Robt. M c owell Vice Chancellor
And the said Court do hereby declare their o- pinion, after the investigation of the matter And after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named ap- plicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states - And the Court further Certifies that it appears to them that Joseph P. Chauncy who has signed & sworn to the accompanying and annexed Certificate, and also Lewis Weeks who has also signed & sworn to the same are credible persons and residents of the town of Bainbridge in said County of Chenango County and that their statement is entitled to credit - It further appears to the Court that it is impracticable for the said applicant to produce in Court any per- son who knows or can testify in relation to his services, what the law requires - and it also appears to the Court that the said applicant cannot produce in open Court his witnesses of char- acter as required by the law, without too much inconvenience and expense to him
Robt M c owell Vice Chancellor
State of New York Chenango County p: Milton Dyerworth of Sulford in said County being duly sworn, according to law deposeth and saith he is 76 years upwards of

8605

State of New York } S.S. County of Chenango }
Haley Parsons of the town of Guilford in said County being duly sworn according to law deposeth that she is one of the children of Herman & Asenath Hoffman both now deceased That as such child she has a direct interest in the application & claim for a pension of her said deponents Father & Mother the aforesaid Herman & Asenath Hoffman at their decease
Sworn and Subscribed to Haley Parsons before me this 24 th day of July 1854
Theodore B. Fairchild Justice of the Peace
Whereas I Haley Parsons one of the children of Herman & Asenath Hoffman do hereby exec Statute and appoint John S Edwards of Washington City my true and lawful attorney for me and in my name to investigate and prosecute my claim for a pension as such child due My Father & Mother the aforesaid Herman & Asenath Hoffman at their decease hereby ratifying and confirming whatever he may lawfully do in the premises
Dated July 1854
Haley Parsons
State of New York } S.S. County of Chenango }
On this 24 th day of July 1854 before the subscriber a justice of the peace within and for the County aforesaid personally appeared Haley Parsons the above named to me known and acknowledged the foregoing power of attorney to be her act and deed
Theodore B. Fairchild Justice of the Peace

STATE OF NEW YORK. Chenango County Clerk's Office, } ss.
I, HORACE S. READ, Clerk of said County, DO CERTIFY, That Michael B. Fairchild Esq., Declaration of attorney before whom the annexed instrument was proved or acknowledged, was, at the time of taking such proof or acknowledgment, a JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, in and for said County, duly authorized and qualified to take the same. And further: That I am well acquainted with his hand writing, and verily believe the signature thereto, purporting to be his, is genuine; and that the said instrument is executed in accordance with the Laws of the State of New York.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed my official seal, at Norwich, this..... day of .....185..... H. S. Read Clerk.
5605

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
REJECTED
5098. P. O. Herman Hoffman Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____ _____
Re-enlisted: _____ _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____ _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.

Herman Hoffman for Rev Pennim at 1832 New York suspended file
W Anderson

Revolutionary Authority from heirs of
Herman Hoffman
N. York Suspended 1832
Filed Dec 3. 1853
F. E. Hassler Washington

San Francisco
Oct 16 th 1853—
Dear Sir,
I have received a communication from you, in regard, to a claim, of Herman Hoffman, deceased, forwarded from Bainbridge, N.Y. I am one of the legal heirs, and with to prosecute, the claim, I have been authorized, by all the other living heirs, to take such steps as will be necessary, I have with one exception, all the necessary information, to fill up the blank. That is the certificate, of the India Pass, that, I have been always known as

his heir. This as a matter of course can not be known to a South's Press, in this State unless it have by accident - There is several friends Gentlemen living here, who know me as the legal heir -
If you will give me your advice on this, I will fill out the blank - and forward it to you immediately -
Yours Truly
D. B. Hoffman, M.D.
N o 34, Clay Street.
San Francisco Cala
J. E. Hapler Esq r Washington City

N York Rev.
Act 7. June 1833
Herman Hoffman
Suspended
See letter to
P. B. Prindle Norwich
N. Y.
18 Oct 1833
1832

H. Hoffman

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Herman Hooffman which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes 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? Yes 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? No  Applicant will state specifically the date & length of each term of service, and furnish the best evidence to support his declaration. Not on the Rolls in office VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes 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? Yes

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? No 3 Citizens XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? The knew of none 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's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? The Court had Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? 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? Yes XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? xx No XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? Yes
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 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 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 shewn 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.
† 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 authenticates 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 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.
¶ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.