Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 14009, for Reuben Nelson, New York
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
New York

Nelson, Reuben

NUMBER
S.14009

Carded
Page 2

11254
8478
New York
====
Reuben Nelson
of Dutchess in the State of N. York
who was a Sergeant in the Company commanded
by Captain Swartout of the Regt
commanded
by Col. Frear in the N. York
line for 17 months
====
Inscribed on the Roll of N. York
at the rate of 85 Dollars - Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831
====
Certificate of Pension issued the 6th day of [May?] 1833 and sent to J.H. Fadis, Poughkeepsie
====
Arrears to the 4th of Mar '33   $170
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sep '33 42.50
====
$212.50
===
Revolutionary Claim, ┃
Act June 7, 1832.

Recorded by G. Gentiles Clerk
Book E. Vol.4  Page 26
Page 3

11254
Page 4

State of New York
Dutchess County ss

On this twenty fourth day of September in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty two
personally appeared before the Court of Common Pleas now sitting Reuben Nelson of the town of Legrange in the County of Dutchess and State aforesaid who was 76 years of age on the 22d February last past being duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 1832 concerning Revolutionary Soldiers
That this deponent was born in the year 1756 on
the 22d February of that year at Charlotte Precinct since Hydepark that he has lived at Fishkill at
Fishkill Hydepark & Legrange ever since and
now resides at Legrange as aforesaid_ That he
entered the service as a volunteer in the Regular
Troops under Capt Abraham Swartout in the year 1776 then living at Charlotte Precinct as aforesaid that he enlisted for and served for a whole year in the Regular Troops under this Command of Genl  [General] James Clinton (brother of Genl George Clinton) and served at Fort Montgomery building said Fort and at Van Hanks Point that he was a Sergeant in all his services through the war. there were but three Companies on this expedition one under the command of Capt Rosecranse, and the other Capt Belknap. and the other by Capt Swartout to which deponent belonged-
That deponent under Capt Herrick served at West -
Point & was engaged there for One Month Genl
Arnold commanded the Garrison. deponent was a
Sergeant upon this expedition the year he cannot
recollect _
The next service deponent performed was performed in the highlands near Peekskill in Westchester County
Page 5

where they remained waiting for the British
about One Month the officers were Col Freace
Capt Reuben Spencer and Lieut Jacob Schriver
that deponent performed Three months service as a Sergeant as aforesaid at Fishkill & the Planks Point under Col Graham & Capt Hugh Van Kleeck
That deponent performed a variety of services
as Sergeant as aforesaid during the war of the
Revolution while drilling & preparing for service
that he was after engaged in scouting expeditions during the whole war
That deponent has a record of his age in his
family bible that he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the Agency of any State
Deponent further says that he had a discharge
from Genl George Clinton but that a few years ago he burnt it with refuse papers
Deponent says that Isaac Van Valen. Moses De
Graft & Cornelius Cornel can testify to his character for truth and veracity and that these gentlemen are his near neighbors

Reuben Nelson

Sworn to & Subscribed the
the day & year aforesaid
Henry E. Fraceer Clerk
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Dutchess County ss
Frederick Baker of the town of Hyde
park in the County aforesaid being sworn says that he is well acquainted with Reuben Nelson of the town of Legrange in said County that he was a fellow Soldier of said Nelson in the Revolutionary War that he believes him to be 76 years of age and that he knows that said Nelson was a Sergeant in behalf of the United States during the war of the Revolution
that he belonged to a company of Militia commanded at different times through the whole war by Capts Isaac Conklin, Josiah Burton & Reuben Spencer which belonged to the Regiment commanded by Genl
Tenbrook - That deponent served with said
Nelson at West point in the State aforesaid under Capt Elijah Herick and Genl Arnold commanded the Garrison that deponent served with him for about one month at West Point aforesaid. The next service they performed was in the Highlands near Peekskill in Westchester be that they lay waiting for the British for about one month the year deponent cannot recollect. Reuben Spencer was Capt. John Freas Colonel & Jacob Shriver Lieutenant, That he recollects that Nelson & himself were in the three Months service at Fishkill Wer Planks Point under Col Graham Capt Hugh Van Kleeck.  That deponent verily believes him to have served at various other times during the Revolution

Frederick Banker

Sworn to and Subscribed
the day & year aforesaid
Henry Fraceer Clerk
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State of New York
Dutchess County Ss
We John S Myers of Poughkeepsie & Frederic
Barker of Hydepark hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Reuben Nelson who has sworn and subscribed the above declaration that we believe him to be 76 years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides
to time been a soldier of the Revolution, and
that we concur in that opinion
John S Myers
Frederick Barker
Sworn to & subscribed the
day & year aforesaid
Henry Fracer Clerk

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 certify that it appears to them that John S Myres who has signed the preceding certificate resides at Poughkeepsie and that Frederick Bauker resides at Hydepark and that they are credible persons and entitled to credit

State of New York
Dutchess County ss
I Henry J. Traver Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Dutchess do hereby certify that the preceeding contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Reuben Nelson for a pension In testimony whereof I have here
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application of Reuben Nelson for a pension
In testimony whereof I have here
unto set my hand and affixed
my seal of Office this twenty
fifth September 1832
Henry Fracer Clerk
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11254
Reuben Nelson

28 Sep 1832
28 Dec "

J. H. Jackson P187

[scribbled out]
Edward E. Coles
Rhinebeck
Dutchess Co.
N. York
Page 10

11.254
BRIEF in the case of Reuben Nelson, LeGrange
Co. of Dutchess in the State of New York
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 76 years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
=====
Period. | Duration of Service | Rank | Names of General and field Officers under whom he served.
----
In 1776 | 1 years | sergeant | Capt. A. Swartout
blank | 1 months. |  do. |  Capt. Herrick
next |  1 months. | do. | Capt. R. Spencer, Col. Frear
blank | 3 months | do. | Capt. H. Van Kleek, Col. Graham
"Afterwards engaged in scouting"

5. In what battles was he engaged?
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Charlotte Precinct (now
Hyde Park, New York
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Trady & witness for the three terms marked.
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?

Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
W. Fawcett
Examining Clerk.
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August 5, 1930

AWF: MLB
Rev. and 1812 Wars Section

Mr. Cornelius F. Posson
505 East Drive, Woodruff Place
Indianapolis, Indiana

Dear Sir:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 14009, that Reuben Nelson was born February 22, 1756, at Charlotte Precinct, which was later Hyde Park, New York.
While residing there, he enlisted and served as sergeant with the New York troops, as follows:
From in 1776, one year in Captain Abraham Swartwout's Company, Colonel James Clinton's Regiment; one month in Captain Elijah Herrick's Company; one month in Captain Reuben Spencer's Company, Colonel John Frear's Regiment; three months in Captain Hugh Van Klock's Company, Colonel Graham's Regiment, no dates of service given for these last three tours.
He was also out on many scouting expeditions under Captains Isaac Conklin and Jonah Burton.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 24, 1832, at which time he was living in La Grange, Dutchess County,
New York.
Very truly yours
E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner
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Indianapolis, Ind. June 26, 1930

Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

Dear sir,--
Reuben Nelson, Revolutionary soldier of
Dutchess County, N.Y. was on the roll of April 13, 1833
---
Will you be good enough to inform me what the of your office show as to the military service in the Revolutionary War of this Reuben Nelson, as well as any family data you may have?
I will appreciate very much this information to assist me in tracing one of my family lives
Very truly
Cornelius F. Posson
505 East Drive, Woodruff Place,
Indianapolis, and

[Stamped]
U.S. PENSION OFFICE
JUN 28 1930
Page 13

601 Church Street, Herkimer, N.Y
June 30, 1906,
The Honorable the Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:--
I am seeking information about Reuben Nelson (and his family) who lived, at least the latter part of his life in Charlotte Precinct, Dutchess Co. N.Y. I am not certain that he enlisted during the Revolutionary war and I do not know the date of his birth. His will (which is No. 1255 in the "Calendar of Wills") was made in 1776 and was probated in 1785. It showed that he had two sons, Frances and Reuben R. and five girls. I am told that his daughter Susannah was born Oct. 13, 1751.
I have found the following records of men of the above name In the "Calendar of Historical [?] relating to Revolutionary War", Vol,I p. 271, I find "a muster roll of part of Capt. Abraham Swartwout's company taken at his particular request at Poughkeepsie, Dutchess Co. N.Y. March 22, 1776" which show a "Reuben Nellson, age 20, born in Dutchess Co." In "New York in the Revolution," I find on p. 144, Francis Nelson, Lieut. Cols. Graham and Hopkins, Dutchess Co. Militia, Sixth Regt; and on p. 153 I find Reuben Nellson and Francis Nellson Privates, Dutchess Co. Militia, associated Exempts Col. Zephanial Platt, and on p. 244 I find Reuben Nelson,Reuben Nelson J. Francis Nelson, and Francis Nelson, Jr. Privates, Dutchers C. Mil. (Land Grant Rights) Fourth Regt.
As two of above organizations are the exempts and the land grant rights formation, it seems probable to me that the Reuben Nelson whose will has been mentioned may have enlisted in the Revolutionary Militia. Unfortunately, I do not know the date of his birth. If the date of his daughter Susannah birth is correct, and I think
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it is, she was 30 years old in 1781. I am wondering, by the way, whether Reuben's son was Reuben R. or Reuben Jr., the printers of the will printing the Jr. as an R., and I am wondering whether, if Reuben R. or Jr. was a soldier he did not sometimes write his name without the R or Jr. 
If you can straighten out this military record
of the Nelsons, I shall be very much indebted to you personally. 
Thanking you very much for your kindness in
advance.
I am, 
Very respectfully yours,
(Miss) Anna G. Barnes

[Stamped]
U.S. PENSION OFFICE
JUL 5 1906
Page 15

1906 July 19. History to Miss
Anna G. Barnes
1930 Aug. 5 - Hist to Mrs
Cornelius F. Posson Esq

Rev War

14009
INVALID.
File No. 14,009
Reuben Nelson
Serg. Rev War
---
Act: June Rev. War
Index: --Vol. 1 Page 274
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 16

Pension Papers
---
In the Matter of
the application of
Reuben Nelson.
---
with supplementary
Papers.
undefined service in scouting &c
dis allowed.
Adm'd
17 Mo. Sergeant
---
The War Department will
send instructions to
Joseph H. Jackson
Poughkeepsie, New York
Page 17

State of New York
Dutchess County ss: On this eighth day of February in the year 1833 personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Common
of Mormon is in and for said County now sitting Reuben Nelson of the Town of Lagrange
in said County of Dutchess and State aforesaid aged 76 years who being first duly sworn according to law doth make the following declaration, as supplementary to a declaration hereunto annexed, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.
That on each & every occasion referred to in the annexed declaration he entered the service of the United States at the Town now called Hyde Park in the County of Dutchess and State of New York. That in the service first referred to he entered as a volunteer and served for the term of one year as a Sergeant. That the Officers of his company were Captain Abraham  Swartout, Lieutenants --- Parsons and Simeon Tryon, Ensign -- Finch, Sergeants Joseph Valentine, Samuel Rice and your applicant. That he cannot remember the regiment to
which he belonged, but was in General James Clinton Brigade and remembers as there associated with him in service Captains - Belknap & John Rosecrans and Lieutenant Daniel Lawrence. That he received a written discharge signed by George Clinton the
Commander in Chief & has since burned it
That into the service secondly referred to in
the annexed declaration he entered as a volunteer and served for one month as a sergeant in a company commanded by Captain Elijah Henrich. That he cannot state the regiment or Brigade to which he belonged nor the names of any Officers there associated with him in service. That from this last mentioned service he was verbally discharged.
That into the service thirdly referred to in the
annexed declaration he entered as a volunteer and
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served for one month as a Sergeant. That the officers of his company were Captain Reuben Spenser and Lieutenant Jacob Schryner. That he belonged to Colonel John Fraer's regiment and cannot remember any other of the Officers in the same regiment or of any there associated with him in service. That from this
last mentioned service he was verbally discharged.
That in to the service fourthly referred to in the annexed declaration he entered as a substitute
in the place of John Rogers who was drafted.
That he served for the term of three months as a Sergeant. That the Officers of his company was Capt Hugh Van Kleeck. That he was in Colonel Graham's regiment and cannot state the names of any other officers in the same regiment or there associated with him in service. That from this last mentioned service he was verbally discharged.
And your applicant claims a pension for his
services during the revolutionary war as a Sergeant for the full term of seventeen months.
And your applicant further states that during the revolutionary war and until the year 1793 he continued to reside at Hyde Park aforesaid. That thence he moved to the Town of Fishkill in the same County where he has since continued to reside. That a portion of said Town of Fishkill has been set off as a new Town and is now called LaGrange in which portion your applicant now resides. And your applicant produces the Reverend John Reed of the Village of Poughkeepsie in the County of Dutchess and State of New York to
make the the certificate required by the war Department and as supplementary to the Certificate hereunto annexed. And your applicant further produce the certificate of the Court before whom the annexed affidavit of Frederick Banker was taken as supplementary to the certificate hereunto annexed
that the said Frederick Banker is a credible
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person and that his statement is entitled to credit.
Reuben Nelson
Sworn to & subscribed in
Open Court the day and
year aforesaid
Henry C. Fraser Clerk

I John Reed A Clergyman residing in the Village of Poughkeepsie in the County of Dutchess and State of New York, hereby certify that I am well acquainted with
Reuben Nelson, who has subscribed and sworn
to the above declaration, that I believe him to be 76 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 I concur in that opinion. And I do further certify that the said Reuben Nelson is a credible person and that his statement is in
titled to credit.
John Reed
Sworn to & subscribed in 
Open Court the day and
year aforesaid
Henry C. Fraser Clerk

And the said Court do hereby declare it 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
John Reed, who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman residing in the Village of Poughkeepsie in the County of Dutchess and State of New York and is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit. And the Court further certifies that Frederick Banker who signed the affidavit of the actual service of the above named applicant hereunto annexed and which affidavit was
Page 20

taken in open Court at the last term of this said Court in September 1832 is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit.

I Henry J. Traver Esq. Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Dutchess and State of New York do hereby certify that the foregoing contain the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Reuben Nelson for a pension-
In Testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and seal of
Office this eighth day of February
in the year of our Lord one thou
sand eight hundred and thirty three
Henry C. Traver Clerk

Pension Papers
---
In the matter of the application of Reuben Nelson
----
with supplementary papers--
undefined service in scouting &c
dis allowed
adm'd 17mo Sergeant