Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 8568, for John Ralston, New York
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
Continental (New York)
Ralston, John
NUMBER
18568

CONTENTS
Page 2

Corrected
24631
John Ralston
Herkimer Co
New York

C
Nov 2 [illegible]

George H. Fater
Little Falls
Herkimer Co
New York
Page 3

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 John Ralston Herkimer Co New York

[BEGIN TABLE]
Period when the service was rendered  |  Duration of the service Years. Months. Days.  |   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.  |
June 1777  |  14 or more  |  Priv  |  Col. Williams  Cap Barnes  |  70 years  Washington Co N. York  |  Traditionary.  |    
15 Ag 1777 Abt  |  3 Months  |  Priv  |  Col. Williams   Gen Gates  |    |    |
Ditto Abt  |  21 Days  |  Priv  |    |    |    | 
1778  |  +  |  Priv    |    |    |    |
79  |  +  |  Priv    |    |    |    |
Dec 1779  |  +  *  |  Priv    |  Col. Lamb  Gen Arnold  Lt. McArther  |    |    |
* This term relinquished
[END TABLE]
Believe he served Four years & a half
I am, respectfully 
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
+ the length of service is not specified
Page 4

2
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, mucicians 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
County of   SS.

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 [page fold makes it illegible] (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 alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
Page 5

3 
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?}
6. {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 he 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 traditionary 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 in 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 claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his 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 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 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.
[ ] 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 in continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] 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.

Joseph Rowen
Applicant is required to give the name of the captain under whom he served in Col Lambs Regiment
Page 6

John Ralston
NY
7 Jun 1832
Suspended
G C Ames
Present
Page 7

State of New York
Herkimer County  SS.
On this twenty ninth day of September A.D. 1852 personally appeared before me Henry Thompson a Justice of the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid Rachel Killer aged fifty one years, who being duly cautioned and then Sworn in due form of law, States that she is one of the children of
John Ralston now deceased who was an applicant for a pension during his life time, for services as a soldier rendered to the United States during the Revolutionary War that he died on the 22d day of October 1847, that her mother named Ellen wife of Said John Ralston died in the month of March 1803. And that she believes that she is entitled to a part if not all of whatever is due and states that the United States are still indebted to her under the laws of Congress for the pension that was due to said John Ralston.
And that for the purpose of investigating and Establishing her claims as aforesaid she appoints George C. Ames of Washington D.C. her true and lawful attorney with full power to examine all papers on file and to do whatever she might do were she personally present to establish her claim - In witness whereof I have on this 27th day of September 1852 hereunto signed my name and affixed my seal
[signed] Rachel Killer
I in presence of [signed] Solomon Petrie  [signed] H. Thompson
Signed sealed, acknowledged and sworn to before me and I further certify that Rachel Killer has always by the community been known as the daughter of said above named John Ralston
Page 8

Dated on this 27th day of September 1852
[Signed] Henry Thompson
Justice of the Peace
Page 9

State of New York,
HERKMER COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE, SS.

I, Standish Barry, Clerk of the County of Herkimer, do certify that Henry Thompson Esquire, whose name is subscribed to the certificate and jurat of affidavit of the annexed instrument, was at the date thereof, a Justice of the Peace in and for the said county, dwelling in said county, duly elected and sworn; and that I am well acquainted with his handwriting, and verily believe the name subscribed to the said certificate and jurat of affidavit, to be his genuine signature.
In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said county, at Herkimer, this 29 day of November A.D. 1852
[Signed] Standish Barry Clerk.
Page 10

John Ralstons

24631
Agent George H. Feeter
Little Falls
Herkimer

These papers were properly authenticated. But the ribbon was cut in order to read them.
[signed] Joseph Rowen
Page 11

Personally appeared before me, the undersigned Justice of the peace in & for the County of Herkimer, John Ralston who being duly sworn deposeth & saith that he is informed by George H. Feeter Esquire, that he "is required to give the name of the Captain under whom he served in Col Lambs regiment" that deponent was enlisted by Alexander McArthur who was then called Lieutenant that he was a cousin of deponents & was frequently spoken of by deponents mother & the rest of the family as being a Lieutenant in the Army before deponent enlisted that at the time deponent enlisted Mr. McArthur was recruiting at Saratoga, & deponent thinks he enlisted at that place about ten men & a few days after New Years (1780) he returned to West Point with his recruits & deponent was one of them- & they were attached to a company under the command of Mr. McArthur, but he was still called Lieutenant, & there was no individual that had the command of the company but Mr. McArthur or that was called Captain [Illegible] May following the company to which deponent belonged was ordered to go to Fort Ann near Lake George that a short time previous to this, deponent well recollects that it was a subject of conversation in his company that Mr. McArthur had received a Captains Commission, & after that period he was called "Captain" by the Company  [till deponent left the service, is crossed out] & continued to command them till deponent left the Service - although he was frequently absent from the company on recruiting service, as he was considered a good recruiting officer & frequently returned with men, who were attached to different companies in Lambs Artillery - that during his absences the company was sometimes commanded by one officer & sometimes by an other whose names deponent cannot recollect, but knows that they were called Sergants [Sergeants] & bombardiers, that during the absence of Mr. McArthur from the command of the Company it was generally divided into small parties, commanded by a non commissioned officer whose services were required at different places - But deponent fully states that said McArthur was
Page 12

considered the captain of the Company to which deponent belonged & was the only individual that acted as such although the company was frequently commanded by other individuals, still they were never called Captains & were not considered as such & only commanded for a few days at a time. Said McArthur was a very active man, & well calculated to persuade men to enlist & was frequently absent on this business, as deponent was informed & believes this, but when the company were together, said McArthur was generally with them; & when there, always Commanded them-- & continued to till the close of the war when deponent was with the company - and further deponent saith not.
[Signed] John Ralston
Sworn & Subscribed this 21st day of November AD. 1833. Before me [signed] Wm Brooks J. P.
Herkimer County SS: On this 21st day of November 1833 before me William Brooks a Justice of the peace in & for said County personally appeared John Ralston who subscribed the foregoing affidavit & made oath to the truth of the matters therein contained, that I am well acquainted with the said John Ralston who is a man of credibility truth & veracity & that his statement is entitled to full credit & belief.
[Signed] Wm Brooks J.P.

State of New York
Herkimer County SS: I Julius C. Nelson Clerk of the County of Herkimer & of the Court of Common Pleas of said County, do hereby certify that
Page 13

William Brooks who administered the oath to said John Ralston, who Subscribed the foregoing affidavit & certified to the credibility of John Ralston & whose Signature is affixed thereto was at the date of the same an acting Justice of the peace in & for said County in full commissions & authorised to administer oaths & that the Signature attached to said affidavit and to said Certificate are the proper hand writing of the said Justice.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this Twenty ninth day of November AD. 1833
[Signed] Julius C Nelson Clerk
Page 14

Personally appeared before me the undersigned Justice of the Peace in & for the County of Herkimer, John Ralston who being duly sworn deposeth & saith that by reason of old age and great bodily infirmity, and 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 that his first service was as a militia man, and a private soldier, that he certified service as such in the month of June 1777, at the place in his former declaration stated to which this affidavit is attached, and under the officers & in the Company therein also stated, and that he cannot state the day of the month of June when he entered such service, but that he served all the time without intermission from the time he did enter such service till the first part of the month of November thereafter, but what day he cannot & will not pretend to state as he cannot recollect precisely, and that he did serve in the manner mentioned in his previous declaration to which this is attached that about a month after he was discharged & he verily believes it was in the month of December 1777 deponent was again drafted & under the same Colonel as mentioned in his previous declaration, and that he continued thereafter to serve as a private militia soldier, and was in fact ordered to be in readiness to march at a moments warning & did to keep himself continually till the latter part of the month of December 1779, that during that time he was frequently & after called out on actual service & did go on actual service at various times & places & was gone some times more than a month & some times more than a month & some times less & as in his previous declaration stated but deponent from loss of memory cannot state the exact number of times he was out during this time in actual service, nor all the places he
Page 15

went to but he claims to be allowed for one years actual & continued service as a private militia soldier between December 1777 & December 1779 & he verily believes that he did actually serve that length of time between those dates, and in the manner specified in his previous declaration to which this is attached & that during as much as one year between these dates leaves not employed or engaged in any civil pursuit that in the latter part of the said month of December 1779 he enlisted in to the New York Artillery, called then Lamb's artillery at the place & under the officers in the said previous declaration mentioned, & that this enlistment was for during the war, & enlisted as a private soldier, and did duty in actual service till the close of the war at the places & in the manner in the previous declaration and under the officers therein mentioned, except the time in his said declaration stated when he was at home by reason of his frozen feet & incapacity by that cause to serve, but he cannot now recollect the month, or the day of the month certainly when he left service on that account, but believes it was in the month of October 1782 he knows it was in the fall of that year, he had a written permit to go home & stay till able to join the army again, but the permit is lost, & he did not get able to join again, and he claims to be allowed during this enlistment for years and nine months actual service, in the New York Artillery of which John Lamb was Colonel when deponent listed but was some time after that promoted & was the general, or was called so & he cannot recollect who was then appointed Colonel & during this service he did not engage in & was not employed in any civil pursuit and this deponent further saith, that there is not living any man or woman, who can testify to deponents services, that he has searched long & much for one
Page 16

but has not been able to find any person. He verily believes that none now exist, but that [illegible crossed out word] the companions of his revolutionary toils have been more fortunate [more fortunate is underlined] than him, having as he believes, been all removed from this theatre of their sufferings, to a tribunal where they will receive a speedy & righteous reward [speedy & righteous reward is underlined]; [illegible cross outs] and this deponent further states that for the time during which he herein claims to be allowed for actual service as a soldier, he was not employed in any civil pursuit. and further this deponent saith not
[Signed] John Ralston
Subscribed & Sworn to before me this 19th day of June 1833 - [Signed] Wm Brooks Justice of the Peace

Herkimer County SS: on this 19th day of June 1833 before me William Brooks a Justice of the Peace in & for said County personally appeared John Ralston whose name is subscribed to the foregoing affidavit & made oath to the truth of the matters therein contained, that I am well
acquainted with the said John Ralston, who is a man of respectibility, truth & veracity & that his statement is entitled to full credit & belief-
[Signed] Wm Brooks J.P.

[The bottom left corner of page is folded over covering some of the page, with large section crossed out]
State of New York 
Herkimer County SS: I Julius C. Nelson, Clerk of the County fore[Illegible] the Court of Common Pleas of said County, do herby certify that [large section crossed out and illegible] William Brooks who [section missing] the oath to said John Ralston who subscribed
Page 17

the forgoing affidavit, & certified to the credibility of said [illegible] & whose Signature is affixed thereto was at the date of the same a Justice of the peace in & for said County in full commission & authorized to administer oaths & that the signature attached to said affidavit & to said certificate are the proper hand writing of the Said Justice William Brooks.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 5th day of August A.D. 1838.
[Signed] Julius C Nelson Clerk
Page 18

Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed 1832
State of New York
Herkimer County ss:
On this 11th day of February in the in 1833 personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas now sitting
John Ralston a resident of the town of Manheim in The County of Herkimer & State of New York aged Seventy 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 June 7. 1832-
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers & Served as herein stated-
That he was born in the City of New York in the 27th day of November in the year 1762, as he has always been informed by his parents & verily believes true. This deponent has no record of his age Deponent lived in the Town of Cambridge in the County of Washington and State of New York when he first entered into the service where he continued to reside for about eleven years as near as he can recollect after the close of the Revolutionary War, which removed to the aforesaid town of Manheim where he has resided to the present time & where he still resides.
Deponent resided with his parents in the City of New York at the commencement of the Revolutionary War that in the year Seventeen hundred & Twenty Six in the month of August as deponent believes a battle was fought on Long Island between the British & American Army & that a day or two previous to the battle deponent with his mother his father being dead & Several other families left New York in a small vessel & proceeded to Albany at which place they heard of the Battle on Long Island & of the defeat of the American Army. Deponent with his mother went immediately to Cambridge in Washington County aforesaid from Albany where he resided during the war excepting the time he was in the service. In the year Seventy Seven in the month of
Page 19

June as deponent believes he had to stand a draft & was enrolled in a company of Militia commanded by Capt John Barnes & Lieutenant Levi Hunsdale this company was attached to a Regiment commanded by Col Williams whose Christian name deponent cannot recollect the other officers of the Regiment deponent has forgotten except one McCracken who was a field officer & Major or Adjutant but cannot distinctly recollect which. The company & Regiment to which deponent belonged was divided into small parties, called Scouting parties, their business was to scout the Country to watch the motion of this enemy & to discover if the Indians were approaching & some of these parties were constantly out on this service & when one party returned another was sent immediately out to gard the frontiers - once in the month of July as deponent believes & one the first of August deponent went with a part of his company to Lake George the north west part of the County of Washington under the command of Lieutenant Hunsdale to scout the County in pursuit of the Indians who had killed some of the inhabitants & taken others prisoners in the town of Argile {Argyle], this was the last of the aforementioned scouts - deponent was out the first time about a fortnight & the last time not quite as long - the party had to traverse a rough mountainous country & endure great labor & fatigue & when at home they had to be the most of the time under arms, the country was newly settled & the Indians like Wolves were constantly prowling about murdering the the inhabitants & burning their property. The first of August in this year (1777) The British Army was advancing from Canady to Albany - & had got as far as Fort Edward. The militia of the Country was called out to Join the Continental Troops at Stillwater - deponent with
Page 20

a part of the Regiment to which he belonged under the command of Col. Williams went to Bennington in the State of Vermont & there joined a part of Vermont militia who were marching to Join General Stark who was sent with a detachment from the American Army to attack a body of British Troops Commanded by by Col. Baum. This was about the middle of August as near as deponent can recollect - Soon after the detachment to which deponent belonged joined the Vermont militia & within the hour, the battle commenced between the British & Americans & deponent was engaged in in the same, The British were defeated & many of them taken prisoners - after the Battle the Troops proceeded to Join the American Army at Stillwater Commanded by General Gates - Genl Arnold was with the Army also - The American Army at that time lay at Stillwater & Saratoga watching the motions of the British & to cut off their retreat to Canada, the troops to which deponent belonged were called the flank of the Army - the British & Americans had several skermishes. but only two severe actions were fought - the first of which deponent was engaged in - & before the last the detachment to which deponent belonged was ordered to take a different position to prevent the retreat of the British - & was not engage in the last Battle which was about the first of October as near as deponent can recollect - Soon after Burgoyne with his force surrendered & then deponent & the other militia of his town returned home as did the detachment to which he belonged - Deponent was out about three months - as near as he came recollect - Deponent was out once more this fall, with a company of militia, being part of the Regiment to which he belonged - & went to Fort Edward about twelve miles & thinks he was there about three weeks, to gard the Fort - the party to which he belonged was relieved by
Page 21

a party of Militia & deponent returned home - The fort was guarded & garrisoned by the militia of the county who took turns in defending it The next year (1778) & 1779 deponent was engaged most of the time from the spring of each year till late in the fall in scouting the county & keeping garrison at Forts Edward & Ann & at Skenesborough (now Whitehall) where a post was kept The part of the country when deponent resided was much exposed to the inroads & attacks of the Indians & Tories & the County was almost constantly in a state of alarm - The Militia was the only force at that time to gard the frontiers & were almost constantly moving from one part of the country to the other - The services required of the militia during the two years last mentioned in which deponent took part was so laborious & attended with so much danger - that deponent resolved to join the Regular Army - & in the latter part of December in the year 1779 - deponent heard there was a recruiting party at Saratoga & went there & enlisted into a Company of Artillery Commanded by Lieutenant Alexander McArthur, for during the war -This Artillery was called the “New York Artillery” - The Regiment to which this company was attached was commanded by Col Lamb & was sometimes called Lamb's Artillery - Deponent had a parole to go home on new years day 1780 He stayed a day or two & then joined his company at Saratoga & marched with them to West Point on the North River at that time commanded by Genl Arnold as he believes Deponent was stationed at West Point & did Garrison duty by standing Gard taking care of the Cannon getting wood &c till some time the may following - Col. Lamb commanded the Artillery at the fort & was there most of the time but was some times absent to other parts of the country where other companies of artillery & troops were stationed - The Regiment to which deponents company was attached belonged to what was then called the New York line of the Army - In May the com-  [company]
Page 22

pany [company] to which deponent belonged was ordered to go to Fort Ann near Lake George - the company was commanded by Alexander McArthur, who had then received a Captains commission - he went with the company as far as Fishkill & then left there & they proceeded to Albany & from there to Fort Ann under the command of Non Commissioned officers. Some times called Sergant and sometimes bombardiers - deponent & the company to which he belonged remained at Fort Ann Fort Edward, & some times at Skenesborough all late in the fall - & during that time went from one place to the other as their services were required for the defence of the country & the frontiers - & returned to West Point late in the fall - during the winter & year of 1781 & till the Spring of the year 1782 deponent did garrison duty at West Point, was some times out of the fort a day or two, but was most constantly engaged in the Fort - In the spring of the year, the company to which deponent belonged was ordered to go to Fort Ann. & to gard the frontiers - the company was commanded by two non commissioned officers some times called Sergeant & at other time bombardiers - deponent continued to do duty at Fort Ann Fort Edward & Skenesborough & on the frontiers in the Country about the forts till late in the fall when he was with a part of his company going from Skenesborough to Fort Ann & deponent thinks it was the last of December or the first of January - the weather was very cold, & deponent & other of the soldiers had not clothing sufficient to protect them from the inclemencies of the weather, deponent froze his feet very bad during their march, & was unable to the duly during the remainer of the winter - Soon after deponent froze his feet, being very lame he had a parol to go home to Cambridge till he should be fit for duty - he remained at home till early in the spring 1783, but was still lame - when he heard that peace was
Page 23

declared, & deponent had back pay due him he heard thre was to be a new emission of money to pay the Army & deponent got a person to carry him to Skenesborough where he had relatives residing, & stayed there with a view to get his pay as before mentioned & to Joined the Army when his health would permit - deponent continued at Skenesborough till some time in the Summer, dont know but it might be as late as the first of fall cannot now distinctly remember (he had continued lame & unable to join his company) when he received a discharge in writing - dated at West Point & Signed as he thinks by Col Lamb - & he then or soon after returned home to Cambridge, & he verily believes he served during the war as much as four years & a half-
Deponent was born in the City of New York in the year 1762 - and there is no clergyman residing in his neighborhood who can certify to his character or services. There is not any Record of Deponents age, that he knows of, 
Deponent resided in the town of Cambridge at the time he first entered into the service in the County of Washington & State of New York where he continued to reside about eleven years after the War - & then removed to the town of Manheim in the County of Herkimer aforesaid where he has resided ever since - Deponent was drafted when he first entered into the Service, & in the month of December in the year 1779 deponent enlisted into the New York line of the Army
The only regular officers that deponent can recollect Col. Williams. Major or Adjutant McCracken of the Militia. Genl Gates Col Baum Col Lamb
Page 24

Genl Stark Genl Washington - Gen Arnold
Deponent received a discharge from the Army & thinks it was signed by Col. Lamb but will not be positive. There are no persons living in this part of the County who know of & can swear to the Services of deponent but deponent is well known to residing in his present neighborhood & who can testify to his character for veracity & their belief of his Services as a Soldier of the Revolution

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.
[Signed] John Ralston
Sworn to & Subscribed this day & year aforesaid in open Court
[Signed] Julius C. Nelson Clerk
Page 25

We, Luther Gillet & Elijah Barns residing in the town of Manheim and County of Herkimer [residing in is crossed out] hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Ralston who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy 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 day and year aforesaid. [handwritten] in open Court
[Signed] Elijah Barns
[Signed] Luther his X mark Gillet
[Signed] Julius C. Nelson Clerk

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 there is no clergyman who can be obtained by the applicant to certify to his character of revolutionary services ["who has signed the proceeding certificate, is a clergyman, is resident in" has been crossed out] and that Luther Gillet & Elijah Barns who have also signed the same, are residents in the town of Manheim in Herkimer County and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Julius C. Nelson Clerk of the court of Common Pleas do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Ralston for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this Eleventh day of February 1833
[Signed] Julius C Nelson Clerk

[In the lower left corner is a embossed seal for Herkimer mostly illegible]
Page 26

Colo: J. L. Edwards 
Commr of Pensions . 
Sir
Being recently in the village of Little Falls, some of my acquaintances old inhabitants of that place, desired me to investigate the claim for a pension of an old revolutionary soldier residing in the vicinity of that place, who was poor, aged, & dependant upon the charity of others for support & whom they called Rollinson. I according visited the old gentleman, and found him as above represented, and moreover uneducated. Not being able to understand precisely what his name was, I asked him how it was spelt. Mrs Keller, (his daughter in-law) answered for him Ralson - though some had it Ralston, and the last was the one usually adopted, as she told me. I presume that the true name is Roulstone or perhaps Rollinson, yet I noticed that in pronouncing the name they sounded the "s" like "z" thus "John Rolzon" 
I am thus particular on the subject of the orthography of the name, because Geo. H. Feeter Esq who conversed with me on the subject & who made out his last Declaration, informed me, that he was under the impression, that some diffi- [difficulty]
Page 27

culty [difficulty] had arisen in consequence of the orthography of the applicant's name. A similar difficulty had occurred in reference to his father's claim for pension, William Feeter Esqr whose name is spelt on the Roll of Samuel Gray (& for which he was allowed) William Vader. Mr. Feeter favored me with a letter which I send herewith. I notice that he spells the name of my applicant Ralston. 
In the course of my investigation of revolutionary matters heretofore, I have found in many instances that when a soldier was unable to read or write, (as in this case of Ralston) his name was spelt different ways according to the nationality & the degree of education that had probably been attained to by the person who made out the Roll which bears the name. 
I am perhaps travelling over unnecessary ground in reference to the claim of John Ralston, as I do not know, and cannot without applying to your Department ascertain the nature of the objection or objections to the allowance of his claim. Mr Feeter, who I thought could have given me some light on the subject, could find no memoranda or copies of papers in the case - These he presumed he had given to the Hon. Mr Mann or some other agent of the applicant who had applied to him for them. I therefore solicit a report in this case
Page 28

and a statement of the objections, if any, to its allowance. 
The applicant gave me the following particulars relative to his service in the revolution, which will serve to establish his identity with the applicant whose papers are now on file. He was born 27. Nov. 1761 or thereabouts & will of course by next Novr be 86 years old. He was born & lived in New York City, until it was evacuated by the Americans. He then moved to Argyle N.Y. & lived there when not in the revolutionary service, and also at Cambridge N.Y. after said war. From thence he moved to Ogdensburgh & thence to Manheim N.Y. where he now resides, When 16 years old & living in Argyle he was drafted to serve with the Militia at Saratoga, in 1777, & served in the Campaign which resulted in the Capture of Genl Burgoyne & his army. In the fall of that year he enlisted for and during the war under Alexander McArthur Lieutenant of Artillery in Colonel Lamb's Regiment of artillery. The other officers he knew & served under he has stated he says in his former affidavits. He remembers McArthur particularly well & above all his other officers, because he was constantly under his immediate command, & said McArthur was his Cousin German. He served at Fort Ann. Ticonderoga, Miller, & Montgomery & also at other forts, at White Plains, Princeton N.J. West point. The company to which he belonged was
Page 29

discharged at West Point in 1783 - shortly previous to the day in which the discharges were issued, he being lame in consequence of having had his feet frozen by marching with insufficient feet coverings in cold weather, he was permitted to go home on parole, and his discharge was sent home to him & received by him at the residence of his mother in Argyle aforesaid. His mother took charge of the same & put it away. He never saw it since, and not conceiving that it would ever thereafter be of any consequence to him he paid no more attention to the matter.
The nature of his service, would seem to require that his application should have been made under the act of 1828 & Judging from the time his papers must have been made out by his first agent Mr Goff. I presume it was made under that act - probably Mr. Feeter’s declaration was made for under the act of 1832.
Awaiting a reply I remain 
your obt Servant 
[signed] Giles F. Yates 
Albany N.Y. Feby 26. 1847

Letter of G. F. Yates in the matter &c of John Rolston decd under act of 15 May 1828. &c
Page 30

8,568
P.O. John Ralston
Service: 

[stamped] REJECTED

Enlisted:  , 18  .
Discharged:  , 18  .
Application filed:  , 18  .
Alleges: 
Re-enlisted: 
Attorney: 
P. O. 
Recognized.   Contract.
Cert. of Dis.   Searched for  , 18  .
Page 31

[document almost completely illegible, other than]
8472
Page 32

Act 7 June 1832
John Rolston
Suspended
See letter to Geo.: H. Feeter
6 March 1834
[illegible lines]
let to Geo. H. Feeter
July [date illegible]
See letter to Hon. J. Mann Jr
Feb. 17 1836
E. N. Brooke, Aug 24 ’65.
Page 33

[stamped] REJECTED
8,972
P.O.
John Rolston
Service: 
Enlisted:  , 18  .
Discharged:  , 18  .
Application filed: NY  , 18  .
Alleges: 
Re-enlisted: 
Attorney: 
P. O. 
Recognized.   Contract.
Cert. of Dis.   Searched for  , 18  .
Page 34

Lowville, Lewis Co 
N.Y. Aug 9. 1865 
Hon Joseph H. Barrett 
Cmr. of Pensions – 
Dear Sir –
it is alleged by parties interested that John Ralsten a private in one of the N. Y. Regiments of Artillery during the Revolutionary war - made application for a pension for his services under some of the Acts of Congress at last probably under Act of 1831 or 1832 - first by Mr. Goff of Herkimer N.Y. again by Geo. H. Feeter of Little Falls N. Y. - then by Solomon Petrie of Little Falls N. Y. and that about 1846 or 1847,
Page 35

that the certificate of pension was granted.
 It has become a matter of importance, at this late day  - to know if in fact such pension was granted - for how much & to whom the Certificate was issued -
 Will you please give me the information and oblige  Respectfully
  Yours
 E.A. Brown
  John Ralston is the name - He would have been paid at the Albany N.Y. agency -
  E.A.B.
Page 36

Little Falls Decr 24, 1833
Sir -
The papers of John Ralston, John Vandenburgh & Jonas Churchill have each been amended so as to meet the objn [objections] mentioned in yours of 7th Ult & pointed out in the printed sheet - And hope so as to deserve your approval & sanction
Very Respectfully
Your obedient servt
[signed] George H. Feeter

J. L. Edwards Esqr
Comr. of pensions
Page 37

Little Falls Jany 29. 1836 
Dear Sir
Mr John Ralston of Manheim a Revolutionary Soldier made application for a pension in the fall of ‘32 He received from the pension Department a line stating that further proof as to certain points, was necessary. Affidavits were made (as he informs me) to meet the requisition and forwarded to Washington Since that time he has received no intelligence from the Department. Will you have the goodness to call at the Department and make enquiries as to his case. He appears to be a very worthy old Gentleman and the favor you could thus bestow upon him would be thankfully received. 
Yours Respectfully 
[signed] F. J. Littlejohn 

to A. Mann Jr. Esq.
I am acquainted with Mr John Ralston above named & solicit for him your kind attention to his case 
[signed] A Mann Jr
Page 38

In the matter &c 
of
John Ralson (or Ralston)
under the act of 1828
Authority to act as Atty given to
G.F. Yates

37,491
John Ralston
N.Y.
Act 7 June 32
Page 39

Mr Giles F. Yates 
Dr Sir. 
I hereby authorize and empower you to act as my attorney or agent to prosecute my claim for a pension, and I hereby revoke all former powers of Attorney by me given, and constitute you my sole agent in the Premises. One Mr Goff was my first agent, Mr Mann M.C. the next, then Geo: H. Feeter Esq of Little Falls N.Y. undertook to act for me and lastly one Mr Slingerland, but what progress they or any of them made I was never able to learn 
Manheim, February 16. 1847 
[signed] John Ralson X his mark
Witness [signed] Rachel Kaller
Page 40

J.L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.

[on side]
March 3d 1847
[Rec..?d]
John Ralston

[stamp]  ALBANY FEB 27
Page 41

John Ralston 
Appn. for a pension 
Statement of G. H. Feeter Esq relative to claim 

G. F. Yates Esqr
Schenectady
Page 42

Little Falls Feby 16. 1847 
Giles F. Yates Esqr 
Sir, I have recently been enquired of in relation to the application of John Ralston for a pension for services rendered in the Revolutionary. I had his application in hand & made some progress therein, made his declaration & he verified it under oath under the act of 1832. I believed his application meritorious and think he would have had a pension allowed if he had, had assistance in getting proof of the services he claimed to have rendered.
He was poor, and I was too much engaged in professional duties to look after proof for any of the applicants under my charge. 
I am pretty sure you will find his declaration on file at Washington, and am glad that you have taken up the case of Mr. Ralston and hope you will be enabled to make satisfactory proof of his services & obtain his pension which the old man so much needs 
Respectfully your 
ob. Servt-
[signed] George H. Feeter
Page 43

Herkimer County ss:
John Ralston of the town of Manheim in said county being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he has this day been shown a letter from J. L. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions, bearing date March 6th 1834, as follows towit – “The papers of John Ralston have again been examines. His name does not appear on the rolls of Col Lambs Regiment, nor the names of the officers under whom the alleged service was performed. In order to sustain that part of his claim. it will be necessary to prove it by two credible witnesses” - And deponent further saith that he knows of no persons living who can testify to deponents services in Col. Lambs Regiment & he is therefore unable to make the requisite proof & from necessity must relinquish all claim for a pension for that part of his services, and claims only for these services exclusive of that time as set forth in deponents former declaration, and further this deponent saith not – 
[signed] John Ralston
Sworn & subscribed this 24th day March 1834 before me 
[signed] Wm Brooks Justice of the Peace 

Herkimer County ss: Personally appeared before me this 24th day of March 1834 John Ralston, who subscribed to the foregoing affidavit & made oath to the truth of the matters therein contain & I do certify that I am well acquainted with the said Ralston & believe him to be a man of truth & veracity & his statement is entitled to full credit & belief 
[signed] Wm Brooks  J. Peace 

Herkimer County Clerks office - ss: I Julius C. Nelson Clerk of said County do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of William Brooks before whom the foregoing affidavit was taken; & do further certify that at the day of the date thereof he was an acting Justice of the peace in the county & that I believe the signature "Wm Brooks” to be in his own proper hand writing 
In Witness whereof I have hereunto
Page 44

Set my hand & Seal of office this 28th day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred & thirty four
  Julius C Nelson  Clerk
Page 45

OW Rej
# 8.568
Page 46

John Ralston - Pvt
N.Y. line -
  Rev -

New York
No Record in old Books  S.L.S -
 Susp & Reject  File no 8,568

Not allowed.
  Act 1828
Page 47

Revolutionary Claims. 
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
15 Aug 1829. 
John Ralston of [blank] in the county of Herkimer in the State of New York has applied to the Secretary of the Treasury for the benefits of the act, entitled "An act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the Revolution," approved the 15th of May, 1828. He states that he enlisted in the Continental line of the army of the Revolution, for and during the war, and continued until its termination, at which period he was a Private in captain McArthur's company in Col Lambs regiment of the New York line; and that he received a certificate for the reward of eighty dollars, provided by the resolve of the 15th of May, 1778; and further, that he was not on the 15th day of May, 1828, on the pension list of the United States, and that he has received as a pensioner since the 3d of March, 1826, nothing 
The Third Auditor is requested to report how far the several statements are corroborated by the records in his office. 
By Order of the Secretary. 
F. A. Dickins.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT. 
THIRD AUDITOR'S OFFICE, 
17th August 1829 
[crossed out: It appears by the records in this office, that a certificate for the reward of eighty dollars has been issued to  in the ]
It further appears that John Ralston is not now on the pension list of any agency, and has not been so since the 3 March 1826 
The name of John Ralston cannot be found among those of Colo Lamb’s Artillery, to whom Certificates for the gratuity of Eighty Dollars were issued 
[signed] Peter Hagner Aud
Page 48

Bounty Land Office
Augt 18" 1829

The name of John Ralston cannot be found, on the Records of this Office, among those of the New York line, entitled, or, to whom a warrant for Bounty Land has issued -
  Wm Gordon
Page 49

FREE

Herkimer     
August 6

To the Hon.
S D Ingham Esquire
Secretary of the Treasury
of the United States at the 
City of Washington

Revolutionary Claims

Wm B Goff
for
John Ralston
Rec. 10 Aug 1829
260
Page 50

FREE

Herkimer     
August 6

To the Hon.
S D Ingham Esquire
Secretary of the Treasury
of the United States at the 
City of Washington

Revolutionary Claims

Wm B Goff
for
John Ralston
Rec. 10 Aug 1829
260
Page 51

To the Honl.
The Secretary of the Treasury of the United States at the City of Washington 
Dear Sr Enclosed are the papers of Mr John Ralston of Col. John Lamb’s Regiment of Artillery New York Line, for a pension under the act of 15 May 1828 - Should he be found entitled, you will please have the goodness to [send] his check for the amount due him, directed to [my] Care in the Town of “Herkimer New York” The receipt [of] which will be duly acknowledged &c.
NB. Mr Caleb Willis wishes to hear the result of his case as soon as circumstances will admit – 
Herkimer August 5th 1829 - Yours &c
[signed] Wm B. Goff
Page 52

1696
For the purpose of obtaining the benefits of the An act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldier of the Army of the Revolution approved on the 15th of May 1828.
I, John Ralston of the Town of Manheim in the county of Herkimer in the State of New York do hereby declare that I enlisted in the Continental Line of the Army of the Revolution for and during the war and continued in its service until its termination at which time I was a private in Captain Alexander McArthurs Company in Colonel John Lambs Regiment of Artillery in the New York Line and I also declare that I afterwards received the certificate for the reward of Eighty Dollars to which I was Entitled under a Resolve of Congress passed 15th of May 1778 and I further declare that I was not on the 15th day of March 1828 on the pension list of the United States.
John Ralston
Attest
Elijah Barnes
Luther Gillet
Before me Levi Dexter a Justice of the Peace of the Town of Manheim in the County of Herkimer of the State of Newyork personally appeared this fourth day of August 1829 Luther Gillet and Elijah Barnes of the Town and County aforesaid who did severally make oath that John Ralston by whom the foregoing declaration was subscribed is generally reputed and believed to have been a soldier in the Army of the Revolution in manner as therein stated.
Witness my hand this 4th day of August 1829 Levi Dexter Justice of the Peace
Page 53

State of New York
Herkimer County Ss
  I Abijah Beckwith Clerk of the Court of the County aforesaid in the State of new York do hereby Certify that Levi Dexter before whom the within affidavits were sworn was at the time therein stated a Justice of the peace in and for the County of Herkimer and duly empowered to administer Oaths.
 In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of said Court this 5th day of August 1829 -
  Flavius J Littlejohn
  Dep Clerk
Page 54

4904
Rec 29 Augt 1832
Little Falls Aug 24, 1832-
Hon Secretary of Treasury -
Sir 
about a month previous to the adjournment of congress. I wrote
to Hon M Hoffman Representative
from this district desiring him to procure the papers of Mr John Ralston which were forwarded some three years since for the purpose of obtaining a pension under the act of 1828. Mr Ralston was informed by his attorney Mr Goff, that the decision of the department was suspended up on this case & since then he has not heard from them. he is poor & worthy & deserving a pension. Mr Hoffman since his return has informed me that he communicated my letter to the department but has received no answer. Please ascertain the fate of these papers & inform me as soon as
may be-- with Great Respect
Yours  &c
A Loomis