Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 10,342, for Teunis Swart, New York
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Service: New York
Swart, Teunis
Number: R. 10,342
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No. 37,635
Tunis Swart decd
NY
act 7 June 1832
Rejected aud 24 February 1830
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State of New York City and County of Schenectady ss: 
At a Court held before the undersigned Judge of Schenectady County; and acting as Surrogate of said County on the 15th day of of June 1848 
It appears to the satisfaction of the said Court by the Depositions of Jacob Swart, Barney Swart, Adam Van Patten and James VanVorst credible witnesses: and the said Adam Van Patten, and James J. Van Vorst disinterested in this application, taken before me as such County Judge, and the papers annexed to said Depositions: That Teunis Swart, was a Lieutenant in Captain John Van Pattens company, and in Colonel Abraham Wemples Regiment of Militia of the State of New York; and that the said Teunis Swart served in the Revolutionary war as stated in said Depositions; That the said Lieutenant Swart died on or about the 24th day of February 1830 and that he died subsequently to his wife, Margaret, leaving the said Jacob Swart and Barney Swart, their only surviving children and heirs at Law of the said Lieutenant Swart. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto Subscribed my name and affixed the seal of the Surrogate s Court of said County the the 15th day of June 1848 
The word "Court" in above certificate first interlined over a word first cancelled with a pen- 
[Signed] S.W. Jones 
County Judge &c
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State of New York, City and County of Schenectady ss: 
On this 15th day of June 1848 appeared before me Samuel W Jones County Judge of Schenectady County acting as Surrogate of said County 
Jacob Swart of the town of Rotterdam in the County of Schenectady in said State, Barney Swart of the town of Charlton in the County of Saratoga in said State, Adam Van Patten of the town of Glenville in the County of Schenectady in said State, and James J. Van Vorst of the City of Schenectady 
who being severally and duly sworn did depose and say: and first the said Jacob Swart and Barney Swart depose and say; That they are the sons of Teunis Swart deceased: That the said Teunis Swart, their said Father was a Lieutenant in Captain John Van Patten's Company, and Colonel Abraham Wemples Regiment of the Militia of the State of New York as they have been informed by their Father in his life time, and by others, and which they verily believe to be true; That the annexed Commission to their Father as such Lieutenant Marked A , and the annexed document marked B was found among the papers left by their said Father after his decease. 
That these deponents are the only surviving children and heirs at Law of their said Father; That their said Father died on the 21st day of February 1830: and that their Mother Margaret Swart died some years before their said Father. That these deponents are informed and believe, that their said Father never received any pension for and on account of his services in the said War as such Lieutenant: but that proceedings were commenced in the life time of their said Father, a year or two before his decease in order to obtain the same. And these deponents are informed and believe, that his application was forwarded to the Pension office at the City of Washington, but what the contents of said application was these deponents cannot state; and that their said Father died pending the said application: That John S. Vrooman Esq. was employed by their said Father, to draw affidavits & papers to found said application as these deponents have since been informed & believe. These deponents have been informed & believe that their said Father served as such Lieutentant [sic] from the date of his said Commission to
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the end of the Revolutionary war: These deponent have been informed and believe from conversations with surviving soldiers of the Revolution, that their said Father as such Lieutenant was engaged in active duty, in all the principal expeditions up the Mohawk River, At Schoharrie [sic], at Johnstown, at the Fish House, At Fox Creek, At Stone Arabia, at Saratoga, At the Battle when Col. Butler was killed, and at Cobleskill. And these deponent further Testify that they are the only living children of their said Father, and are his heirs at Law. 
This deponent Barney Swart recollects of going with his father to the said John S Vrooman of the City of Schenectady deceased, who drew sundry affidavits on the subject of his application. Col Jelles Fonda was one of the witnesses, now deceased, but these deponents do not know what became of the said papers 
And the deponent the said Adam Van Patten Testifies: That he resides in Glenville in the said County of Schenectady: That he is Ninety one years of age and upwards, and a United States Pensioner; that deponent served in the Revolutionary war he served as a private soldier in Captain John Van Patten's Company, who was uncle to this Deponent, in which the above named Teunis Swart was a Lieutenant in Colonel Abraham Wemple's Regiment of Militia of the State of New York . That this deponent was well acquainted with the said Lieutenant Swart, during the war, before and since: That this deponent having lived a neighbor to him from his infancy; That this deponent served under him while he was such Lieutenant, during the war: And that said Lieutenant Swart continued in the service to the end of the war: That said Lieutenant Swart was engaged in all the principal expeditions up the Mohawk River, at Saratoga, At Schoharie: This deponent by reason of old age and infirmity cannot recollect the Various times of service and the years in which they were performed; That said Lieutenant Swart was stationed with said Company at Johnstown two months, at Saratoga four & half months, at Schoharie six weeks or thereabouts on one occasion, and on another from the first of June to the middle of July and recollects assisting under said Lieutenant Swart, burying the killed at the battle at Cobleskill; and recollects of the said Lieutenant marching to the Fish house, and he was
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in the Expedition up the Mohawk River in 1781 when Colonel Butler, Major Ross & others headed an Expedition from Canada, and marched down to Johnstown, Colonel Willett opposing them with our troops. This deponent was in the Expedition in his said Company and the said Lieutenant Swart also, and engaged in the affair at Johnstown, Canada Creek, Jersey field where Colonel Butler was killed and the enemy routed: That the affair at Cobleskill, took place as nigh as this deponent can recollect in the Year 1799 [s/b 1778]. This deponent recollects that the dwelling house of the said Lieutent [sic] Swart, was used as a Fort, was built of brick and Picketed in: That there was placed there a small field piece, and a quantity of Fire arms, with a guard of men: This deponent acting as a Drummer: That said dwelling house is situated four & half miles from the City of Schenectady up the Mohawk River, on the North side thereof, and is now standing; This deponent then living the nighest neighbor to the said House; That this deponent cannot now recollect all the services of the said Lieutent [sic] Swart, but he was often called out for duty and left home for that purpose when this deponent did not accompany him: This deponent has examined the paper hereto annexed Marked "B" and was well acquainted with the most of the men named in the list: and particularly with Andries N Van Patten (who was a relative of this deponent) also with Abraham W Lythall, Gerrit Van Antwerp, Hendrick Mersalis, both Cousins of this Deponent, with Harmon Mynderse, who was a brother in law of said Lieutenant Swart, the said Lieutenant Swart having married his sister, also with John Sanders Junr. & Teunis Barhydt, and partially acquainted with the others therein named. That said Lieutenant Swart served in the said eight months levies as such Lieutenant and was a faithful, active and devoted officer, and was engaged the most if not all the time in said War, from 1778 to the and thereof: And this deponent further says: That the said Lieutenant Swart was married previous to the war to Margaret Mynderse by whom was born the above deponents Jacob Swart and Barney Swart, the only surviving children, and heirs
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at Law of the said Lieutenant Swart. that this deponent has been acquainted with them from their nativity, and has been and now is in frequent intercourse with them: This deponent well recollects the marriage of the said Lieutenant Tuenis [sic] Swart and Margaret Mynderse. This deponent living not over 200 yards from their dwelling: That the said Margaret Swart died some years before the said Lieutenant Swart and many years after the war. That the said Lieutenant Swart died in the year 1830 or thereabouts as nigh as this deponent can recollect having survived his wife many years and leaving the said Jacob Swart & Barney Swart his only children & heirs at Law. And this deponent Adam Van Patten further testifies that he has no interest in this application 

And the said James J Van Vorst Testifies that he is Eighty six years old, and is a United States Pensioner: That he served in Captain Jelles Fonda's Company in Colonel Abraham Wemples Regiment of New York Militia: This deponent was well acquainted with Lieutenant Teunis Swart of Captain John Van Pattens Company in said Colonel Wemples Regiment: That this Deponent was in the Expedition up the Mohawk River in 1781, and well recollects that the said Lieutenant Swart was also in that expedition: That our troops marched under Colonel Willet to oppose the British forces under Colonel Butler, Major Ross & others: we Marched through Caughnawaga, now called Forda, next to Fort Herkimer, from thence to Klocks Pruch [Purchase?] Royal Grant, Jerseyfield, and at West Canada Creek, and was in the Battles there.  The said Lieutenant Swart commanded the advanced guard - was in said Battles. When Colonel Butler was killed, and the enemy routed, we took 14 prisoners on that occasion. [Joseph] Brant was also engaged on the British side; That the said Teunis Swart as such Lieutenant was engaged in the principal expeditions up the Mohawk River, up at Saratoga, and at Schoharrie: That this deponent has seen & examined the document hereto annexed Marked B, and is acquainted with the men mentioned in the said list, that John D Van Vorst was the father of this Deponent: that he served during the war and is now dead
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This Deponent well recollects the dwelling house of the said Lieutenant Swart. That it was Picketed in, used as a Fort. This deponent was often in there, said Lieutenant Swart commanded there, and in case of Alarms the Inhabitants resorted there for protection, and that the said fort was armed and had a field piece there and fixed in a port hole, besides small arms: That said Teunis Swart as a Brave, active and vigilent [sic] officer and much beloved, ready on all occasions to turn out with his Men. 

And this Deponent further says: That the said Lieutenant Swart is dead, leaving the above deponents Jacob Swart & Barney Swart, his only surviving children & his heirs at Law with whom he is well acquainted. And this Deponent was & now is well acquainted with the above Deponent Adam Van Patten & knows that he served in Captain Van Patten's company & under Lieutenant Teunis Swart. That he is a respectable old man & a man of truth & veracity, and so are the above Deponents Jacob Swart & Barney Swart 

And this Deponent further says that he has no interest in this application

[Signed] Jacob Swart
[Signed] Barney Swart
Adam (X his mark) Van Patten
James (X his mark) J. Van Vorst

Sworn & subscribed to by the above named }
Deponents the 15th day of June 1848. And }
I certify that the Deponents are credible } 
witnesses: and that the said Adam Van Patten }  
and James J Van Vorst made their marks }
to the same in my presence they being } 
unable to write their names to their }
respective depositions, and I writing their }
names thereto by their request, and they } 
never having learned to write. }
[Signed]  S. W. Jones - County Judge of Schenectady County &c
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January 6, 1938 
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Mr. Charles Sumner Witherspoon 
418 Central Park West 
New York City 

TEUNIS SWART 
R. 10342 
BA-J/MLB

Dear Sir: 
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the record of Teunis Swart (name variously spelled) who served as Lieutenant in the Revolutionary War and led the troops at the battle of West Canada Creek and who died prior to October, 1832. 
The record of Teunis Swart follows as found in pension claim, R. 10342, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War. 
The date and place of birth, age and names of the parents of Teunis Swart are not shown. 
Teunis Swart was commissioned 1" Lieutenant in Captain John Van Petten's company, Colonel Abraham Wemple's New York regiment June 20, 1778, served from Albany County, New York, in all the principal expeditions up the Mohawk River, and while serving in one expedition in 1781, commanded the advance guard under Colonel Willett in the battle of West Canada Creek in which the British Colonel Butler was killed, many wounded and fourteen of the British taken prisoners. Lieutenant Teunis Swart's dwelling-house was used during this expedition as a fort. He served to the close of the war. 
Teunis Swart married prior to the Revolutionary War, date not stated, Margaret Mynderse who died several years prior to February 21 or 24, 1830, when he died. 
The only children of Teunis Swart and his wife, Margaret, whose names were designated in the claim were Jacob Swart and Barney Swart. 
Jacob Swart, of Rotterdam, Schenectady County, New York, and Barney Swart, of Charlton, Saratoga County, that state, applied June 15, 1848, for pension which might have been due them as the children and only surviving heirs at law of Teunis Swart, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War. Their ages were not stated.
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The claim for pension was not allowed as there was no provision of law under which children of soldiers of the Revolutionary War were entitled to pension. 
Reference was made in the claim to Harmon Mynderse, brother of Lieutenant Swart's wife, Margaret, but no details given in regard to him. 

Very truly yours 
A. D. HILLER 
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
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Left side:
Teunis Swart 
N. Y. 
R. 10342 

Center, upside down:
[illegible]
Lieut. Swart
died in 1830
[illegible]

Right side:
[illegible]
This Class is to be [illegible][?]
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Class No. 2
Lieut. Teunis Swart

Andries H.Van Petten | Harmon Mynderse | Jno. T. Clute
Abraham W. Lythall | Hendrk Marsalis | Peter Syr Veeder
Dowe Jelles Fonda [stricken?] | John Louders Junr | Thomas Beth
Elias Rosa | Jesse [illegible] | Teunis Barhydt
Gerrit Van Antwerpen | Jno. D. Van Vorst | Ezra Turtle

By Virtue of an Act of the Legislature of this state passed Novr 17th 1781 & General Orders to me directed, you the above named persons are to furnish an able bodied man to serve as a private soldier in the service of this State from the 8th of May next-  untill the first day of Jany 1783 you are to provide him with a good muskit & firelock, Cartouch box or poush [pouch] Capable of containing seventeen charges of ammunition a bayonet a knapsack or haversack and a good Blanket, your Class are to be responsible for the man untill mustered and in failure of delivering an able bodied man or any part of the accoutrements of the above time, the Officer that shall be appointed to muster them, I shall according to Orders I have received be obliged to detach an able bodied man out of your Class besides fining you double the highest sum given by any Class for a man. 
Schenectady April 19th 1782   [Signed] Abhm Wemple Col

B
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[Ribboned Seal]
State of New York, City of Schenectady} 
and Schenectady County Clerks office} ss.
I Silas H Marsh Clerk of the County of Schenectady in said County and State Do Certify that Samuel W Jones whose name is affixed to the Jurats of the annexed affidavits. Depositions & certificates and papers was at the date thereof, Judge of Schenectady County and as such, Surrogate of said County: That I am acquainted with his hand writing, and verily believe that the signatures of Samuel W Jones to the annexed affidavits, certificates and documents are his genuine signatures. 
In Testimony where of I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of the said County the 16th day of June 1848 
[Signed] S. H. Marsh Clk
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Schenectady June 16th 1848 
J.L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions

Dear Sir 
I enclose application of Jacob Swart and Barney Swart on account of the services of their father Teunis Swart a Lieutenant in the Revolutionary war in Captain John Van Pattens Company in Col. Abraham Wemples Regiment of New York Militia. It is designed for Pension pay and County Land. 
Yours respectfully 
[Signed] Thomas Palmer
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Thomas Palmer
Nov 13. 48
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Pension Office 
Novem 13th 1848 

Sir
The papers in the case of Teunis Swart decd have been examined and [illegible- placed?] with rejected Cases, under the act of June 1832.
Prior to the passage of the act above named there was no law granting pensions for militia service rendered during the revolutionary War, and as Swarts death took place prior to the passage of that act he acquired no right to its pension which can now be paid to his Children and as they have no claim in their own right, then application is consequently rejected 

Thomas Palmer Esq 
Schenectady NY
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[SEAL]
The People of the State of New York, by the Grace of God, FREE and INDEPENDENT
TO Teunis Swart Gentn.
WE reposing a special Trust and Confidence, as well in your Patriotism, Conduct and Loyalty, as in your Valour and Readiness to do us good and faithful Service, HAVE Appointed and constituted, and by these Presents DO appoint and constitute you the said Teunis Swart first Lieutenant of Captain John Van Pettens Company [illegible] in the County of Albany, in the Regiment [illegible- of which?] Abraham Wempel Esquire is Colonel.
YOU are therefore, to take the said Company into your charge and care as First Lieutenant thereof and duly to exercise the Officers and Soldiers of that Company in Arms, who are hereby commanded to obey you as their First Lieutenant and you are also to Observe and follow such Orders and Directions, as you shall from time to time receive from our General and Commander in chief of the Militia of our said State, or any other your Superior Officer, According to the Rules and discipline of War, in pursuance of the Trust reposed in you; and for so doing this shall be YOUR COMMISSION, for and during our good pleasure, to be Signified by our Council of appointment. In Testimony whereof, we have caused our Seal for Military Commissions to be hereunto Affixed. Witness our Trusty and well beloved George Clinton Esquire, our Governor of the State of New York, General and Commander in chief of all the Militia, and Admiral of the Navy of the same, by and with the Advice and Consent of our said Council of Appointment, at Poughkeepsie the Twentieth day of June in the Second year of our Independence, and in the year of our Lord, one Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy Eight.
Passed the Secretary's Office, Augt. 4th 1778
BY His Excellency's Command.
[Signed] Geo. Clinton
[Signed] Abrm. B. Bancker, Dep. Secretary
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1938 Jan 6. Hist to C. S. Witherspoon [initials?] 

10,342 
Tunis Swart 
REJECTED 

Printed List of 1852 [?]. Rejected & Suspended 
claims shows following cause of rejection:
"He died before the passage of the Act."
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[Top half too dark to read]
Rejected
10,342
Act 7 June 1832
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December 28, 1937.

Reference Historian,
The Pension Department, 
Washington, D. C. 

Sir: 
"Hansen's History of Schenectady" carries the following in reference to my great grandfather: "A claim for pension by his two sons was denied (rejected) as Swart died prior to October of 1832." 
If you still have a record of this application I would consider it a great kindness if you would furnish me with further details. I am especially interested in knowing if the application was addressed from the Niagara Falls District of Ontario or from N. Y. State. Tunis, Theunis, Teunis Swart brought the Scottish Rites in Masonry to America; as a young lieutenant under Col. Marinus Willett he led the troops at the time Walter Butler was killed at West Canada Creek. It is solely for biographical purposes that this request is made. 
Thanking you in advance for any little cooperation you might possibly be able to give me, I remain, 
Very truly yours, 
[Signed] C. Witherspoon
Charles Sumner Witherspoon.

418 Central Park West, 
New York, New York.