Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 20986, Nathaniel Dickerson, New York
Page 1

New York
Dickerson, Nathaniel
Sarah
W20986
Page 2

Order to pay 7 April 1840
New York 496
Sarah Dickerson widow of Nathaniel Dickerson who was a pensioner under the Act of June 7 1832 and who died on the 31st of December 1833 of Orange Co. in the State of New York who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Bailey of the Regt. commanded by Col. Drake in the N. York line for 6 months. Inscribed on the roll of New York at the rate of 20 dollars __ cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28th day of Sept. 1838 and sent to H. Armstrong Newburgh, N. York
Arrears to the 4th of Sep. 38        50.00
semi-annual allowance ending 4 Mai. 34  10.00
       $ 60.00   Act July 7 1838
D. Brown book A. vol. 2  page 74
Page 3

Cert ret. from the post master at N.Y.city and sent to W. care at New Windsor, NY Aug 17 1836
New York 30719
Nathaniel Dickerson of Suffolk Co. in the state of New York who was a private in the compy commanded by Captain Bailey of the Regt. commanded by Col Drake in the N York line for 6 months 
Died 31 Dec 1832   widow Sarah
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 20 dollars___ cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 24th day of June 1836 and for ward to Walter Case N York, N York
Arrears to the 31st of Dec 1832          36.44
Semi- ann. allowance ending - - -  36.44
{Revolutionary claim, Act June 7, 1832}
R Burdine
Page 4

Nathaniel Dickerson

Done
Page 5

New York  County  On this tenth day of September in  year one thousand eight hundred and thirty two personally appears before me Gilbert Ogden Fowler one of the Judges of the court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Orange aforesaid at the office of Waller Case Esquire in the Village of Newburgh in said county it being a court of Record Nathaniel Dickison aged Seventy three years Resident of the town of Newburgh and county aforesaid who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.  That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as hereinafter Stated
In the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy five in the month of March Deponent enlisted at the town of Southhold in the county of Suffolk and State aforesaid in a company of Militia commanded by Captain Jonathan Bailey one Horton was first and one Norton second Lieutenant in said company at that time and during the Revolutionary war the British sloops hovered about that coast and frequently landed for the purpose of taking cattle and provender and committing other depredations said company was raised for the purpose of checking these depredations Deponent Volunteered as a private in said company and served therein fourteen months and was then Honorably discharged said company were minute men bound to hold themselves in readiness to march with provisions + ammunition at one minutes warning The Enemy once landed during the service of deponent as aforesaid at a place called Oyster Pond Point from where we expelled them   This took place in the month of May or June in the year last aforesaid General Wooster who was afterwards hilled at Danbury Connecticut commanded a Regiment of Men for a short time at Southhold during
Page 6

the said term of service of this Deponent aforesaid he belonged to connecticut and was sent over to assist the Militia of Southhold to repel the invasions of the Enemy he remained there about three weeks One Drake was Colonel of our Regiment which was ordered to oysterponds to prevent the enemy from landing once during said term of service which it effected Immediately after the termination of this period of service Deponent entered in a Regiment of State troops under the same officers for six months and was ordered immediately to New York to join General Washingtons army we were transported there by watter and served at our own expense we provided guns Bayonets and cartouch Boxes amunition provissions and clothing We arrived in New York on the ninth or tenth day of June 1776 according to depoents recollection and belief Colonel Drake continued to command said Regiment one Hallbert was Lieutenent Colonel Hatfield from Westchester county in the State aforesaid was the Major and one Hiny was the Adjutant General Marinus Scott commanded the Brigade the Regiment was first encamped at the East River in the city of New York but soon grew sickly and were ordered to greenwich village where they camped there a draft took place and Deponent was drafted to go to Fort Washington about    miles from New York on the East side of the North River said Fort was commanded by General Mifflin at the time our Regiment lay at Fort Washington there was upwards of one thousand troops there Colonel Malusons Regiment then lay in New York and also MacDougals Regiment of New York Troops Colonel Pauldings and Colonel Thomas Regiments of Militia and Oakley was teh Lieutenant of the company to which Deponent was attached in Fort Washington Deponent cannot Recollect the other officers of said company as they were all strangers deponent staid at Fort Washington 12 days whilst we  [illegible] there as aforesaid the
Page 7

British armed vessels the Pheonix Box and Vulture passed and they returned the fire but did no damage immediately afterwards we were ordered to Greenwich where we rejoined our company and Regiment before mentioned we were next ordered on Long Island and Encamped at Brooklyn Lord Sterling commended at Flatt Bush at which place we fought the enemy on the twenty seventh day of August and were defeated and runaway Lord Sterling was taken Prisoner Deponent was in that battle under Sterling having volunteered for that service after that battle Deponent joined his company and at Brooklyn Heights together with the regiment to which he belonged  as aforesaid on the night after the battle deponent retreated with the troops to New York and from thence to Kings Bridge here we bivwacked for a short time and then proceeded to White Plains before the battle of white plains those persons in our regiment who were armed and equiped were selected for the engagement many of us had fowling pieces and there were but few guns that carried the same distance I was selected for one and was in the battle which took place the thirtyeth(sic) day of November 1776 according to deponent srecollection and belief the Americans were defeated and retreated to Peekskill and from thence to Verplanks Point from that our regiment crossed over to Stoney Point where we remained until we were discharged in December next thereafter deponent was taken sick on his return home and did not recover until spring and deponent further saith that General MacDougal commanded  the American Troops at that battle that Pauldings regiment of militia and Simmonds regiment of Massachusetts were present Thomas regiment & Swarthwarts regiment of Militia
Page 8

were present at the battle some time in the month of October in the year 1777 Deponent again volunteered under one Peter Griffen of Guilford of in the State of Connecticut to which place my Father had removed having been expelled by the enemy from Long Island to go against Burgoyne We marched to Albany and there heard Burgoyne was taken and then returned at the time New Haven was burnt by the enemy Deponent again volunteered under the said Peter Griffin General Wardsworth commanded the American Army and engaged with the British General Lieutenent     one pardee were killed The Americans had no regular troops there + deponent does not Recollect any other officers than General Wardsworth and Word deponent was gone one week and returned deponent also saith that he has no written discharge nor any other documentary evidence of his said services not has he ever had any written evidence other than an affidavit of Colonel Horton a Lieutenant in said company which he procured about two years ago to send to congress with a petition in order to obtain renumeration for his services and relief on account of allmost total deafness which he got by sleeping in the open air on the ground at Fort Washington and which has continued ever since to that degree that when after the expiration  of his term of six months before mentioned he offered to enlist in a volunteer corps ordered to be raised by General Washington Deponent was rejected on account of his deafness which still continues the prayer of Petitioner was not presented because  congress then had in contemplation the law of the 7th of June 1832 under which it was thought he could obtain relief Deponent also saith that there is no person living who served
Page 9

with him according to his knowledge And in answer to the interrogatories specicily(sic) put to this deponent by said court he saith that he was born at the town of South Hold in the county of Suffolk and State aforesaid in the year 1759 that he has no Record of his age When called into the service he lived at Southhold aforesaid in the year 1776 I was driven from Southhold by the enemy and moved to guilford in the State of Connecticut where I resided six years In the year 1780 I moved to Newburgh in the county of Orange aforesaid and have lived there ever since and now lives there That he he always volunteered That he has allready Stated the names of the Regular officers who were with the Troops when he served and such continental and Militia Regiments as he Recollects and also the General circumstances of his service That he never received a written discharge That he is known to General Leonard Smith Gilbert Ogden Fowler Esquire Doctor David Fowler & Walter Case Esquire. General Isaac Belknap who can testify to his character for veracity & their belief of his services as soldier of the Revolution
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 Nathaniel Dickerson
Sworn and subscribed on the say and year aforesaid before me. Gilbert Ogden Fowler one of the court of Common Please in + for Orange County 
Orange county is in addition to the preceeding affidavits the said Nathaniel Dickerson on his oath further saith that by reason of [illegible] and
Page 10

bodily infirmities consequent thereto he will not be able to attend the visit court of Common Pleas to be held in and for said County of Orange and Deponent also saith that he is very deaf and cannot distinctly hear without very great efforts in the speakers to speak audibly   Nathaniel Dickerson
Sworn this tenth day of September 1832 before me Gilbert Ogden Fowler one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleasin & for Orange county.
I Gilbert Ogden Fowler a judge of the court of Common Pleas in and for the county of Orange where the declarant resides do hereby certify that the above named Nathaniel Dickerson is a will in my opinion be unable by reason of old age and bodily infirmities to attend the next court of Common Pleas or any other Court of Record to be held in and for the County aforesaid and I further certify that by reason of great deafness it is very difficult to make the said decison comprehend what is said to him I have therefore  attested at the office of written case Esquire in the village of Newburgh which the said Nathaniel Dickerson personally appeared before me and having heard the proofs and allegations of the said Nathaniel and his answers to the interrogations required by the secretary at war to be specially put and the affidavits hereunto annexed do hereby declare my opinion that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states and I do swear to
Page 11

Brown who has signed the [illegible] certificate is a Clergyman resident in the Town of Newburgh and that Isaac Bellknap who has also signed the same is a resident in the town aforesaid and is a credible  person and that their statement is entitled to credit. In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name this nineteenth day of September 1832  Gilbert Ogden Fowler one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for Orange County I Asa Dunning clerk of the court of Common Pleas in and for the county of Orange aforesaid do hereby certify that Gilbert Ogden Fowler who signed the preceeding certificate and before whom the preceding affidavit of Nathaniel Dickerson + the affidavit of John Brown and Isaac Bellknap were respectively sworn and subscribed was at the respective times when said affidavits were sworn to as aforesaid and said certificate subscribed a Judge or judge of said Court and still is a Judge of the same and that said court is a court of record and that the signature if Gilbert Ogden Fowler subscribed to the said certificate and affidavits respectively is the genuine signature of said Judge
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of office this 29th day of September 1832  Asa Dunning clerk
Page 12

We John Brown a clergyman residing in teh town of New Burgh and Isaac Belknap residing in the same place hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Nathaniel Dickison who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy three years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and we concur in that opinion  John Brown   Isaac Belknap
Sworn and subscribed this 15th day of September 1832 before me Gilbert Ogden Fowler one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for Orange County 
I Gilbert Ogden Fowler first judge of Orange County do hereby certify that the above named John Brown is a respectable clergyman residing in the village of Newburgh in Orange County and that the above named Isaac Belknap is a credible person residing in the same place and that their statement is entitled to credit 
Gilbert Ogden Fowler First Judge of Orange County
Page 13

496 701 Sarah Dickinson Act July 7th 1838 Admitted Private Emouttes H Armstrong Newburgh N.Y.
Page 14

State of New York Orange County ss. On this twenty first day of August in the year 1838. Personally appeared before the undersigned a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of said County Sarah Dickerson of Marlborough County of Ulster & State aforesaid aged Seventy four years on the sixth day of November last who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7th 1838, entitled "an act granting half pay +[and] pensions to certain widows" That she is the widow of Nathaniel Dickerson late of Marlborough aforesaid who was a solder in the Army of the revolution and served therein as a private a part of which service was done under Capt Horton in Col. Paynes regiment in the year 1776, but from old age +[and] loss of menory she is unable to give a detailed statement  of her said husbands services but refers to his papers now on file in the Pension Office for a full +[and] particular statement thereof. That her said husband was a pensioner of the United States under the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 She further declares that she was married to the said Nathaniel Dickerson in the month of December in the year 1783 at Dutchess County in said State by - - Newcomb who was at the time a justice of the Peace of said County. That her name before marriage was Sarah Terry that her said husband died on the thirty
Page 15

first day of December in the year 1833. That her said husband was a resident of Long Island at the time he entered the service of the United States. That she has no documentary evidence of her said husbands services That she has no entry of record of her marriage +[and] knows of none kept by said Newcomb by whom she was marriage or of any church Town or County record of the same. That she has remained a widow ever since the death of her said Husband the said Nathaniel Dickerson that she was not married to her said husband prior to the time of his leaving the service of the United States but her marriage took place previous to the first day of January in the year 1794, [illegible] at the time before stated That from old age & infirmity she is unable to attend the setting of a Court of record in order to make a declaration +[and] the reason of this declaration being made before a judge of Orange County is that she is much more convenient to a judge of said County them to one residing in the County of Ulster Sworn +[and] subscribed this 21st day of August 1838 before me Sarah Dickerson her mark Jas G Clinton a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in +[and] for Orange County- I the undersigned judge before whom the fore going declaration was made do certify that I believe Sarah Dickerson who made the same to be a woman of truth +[and] veracity +[and] her statement entitled to full credit. That she also stated
Page 16

to me under oath that she is unable from old age + infirmity to attend the sittings of any court of record + I verily believe the service to be true + that she gave [illegible] as a reason for signing this declaration by making her mark that she never learned to write
Jas.G. Clinton a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in + for Orange County
State of New York Orange County SS. Elizabeth Terwilliger of Shawangunk in Ulster county being duly sworn says that she is aged seventy five years. That she is the sister of Sarah Dickerson who made the foregoing declaration who she was present + saw said Sarah + Nathaniel Dickerson married by Newcomb a justice of the peace in + for Dutchess county in said state in the months of December in the year 1783. but she is unable from old age + loss of memory to state the day of the month on which said marriage took place but knows that it was in the month of December in the year one thousand seven hundred + eighty three + further says not. 
Elizabeth Terwilliger (her X mark)
Sworn before me + subscribed by making her mark this 21st day of August 1838.
Jas. G. Clinton a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in + for Orange County
I the undersigned judge before whom the foregoing affidavit was made do certify that I believe her to be a woman of truth + veracity + entitled to full credit
Page 17

+ belief. Jas. G. Clinton a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in + for the county of Orange
State of New York. Orange County ss. Sarah Mabe of Newburgh in said county being duly sworn says that she is the daughter of Nathaniel Dickerson late of Ulster County deceased and of Sarah formerly the wife + now the widow of said Nathaniel Dickerson that she was born on the twenty seventh day of December in the year one thousand seven hundred + eighty four. That she has an entry of her age in her bible which is of the date aforesaid + she was always informed by her said father + mother that the date aforesaid was the date of her birth and she further states that her said father died on the thirty first day of December in the year 1833. + that her mother the said Sarah has remained a widow ever since his death + further says not Sarah Maby
sworn before me this 21st day of August 1838 Jas. G. Clinton a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in + for the County of Orange.
I the undersigned judge do certify that I am acquainted with Sarah Mabe who made the foregoing affidavit + believe her to be a woman of truth + veracity   Jas. G. Clinton a judge of the Court of Common Pleas in + for Orange County
Page 18

State of New York Orange County ss. I Albert S Benton, clerk of the county of Orange, and clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said county do certify that James G Clinton Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavits of Elizabeth Terwilliger and Sarah Mabe and the Declaration of Sarah Dickerson were subscribed and sworn, was at the time of taking the same a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County of Orange: and further, that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said judge , and verily believe that the signature to the said affidavits + declaration, and also to the certificates following the same is genuine. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said County the 22nd day of August 1838- A. S. Benton clerk
Page 19

WAR DEPARTMENT, Pension office, 183
Sir: The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers  with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show what is necessary to be done. These 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 showing the service of Nathe Dickison Orange Co, N.Y.
enlisted 1775 1yr 2 months private Captain Bailey / Gen Wooster Flattbush N. York F Washington  ( currently) aged 73
Enlisted 1776 6 months Lt. Horton, Col Drake Brooklyn Heights
Col 1777 7 days Peter Griffin Gen Washington Lt Col Hallbert Maj Hatfield, Gen Marinus Scott, Gen Miflin Lord Sterling , Gen McDougall, Gen Wadsworth, White Plains , Greenwich, Long Island, Kings Bridge, White Plains, Peekskill, Verplanks Stoney Point,  Suffolk Co. N. York.  Traditionary
I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, J. L. Edwards, Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 20

typed page
Page 21

Hon J. L. Edwards
Sir Enclosed is the certificate in the case of Nathaniel Dickison required by your last letter   I am very respectfully your Walter Case June 18th 1836
Page 22

State of New York  Suffolk County ss:
Benjamin Payne of said county a revolutionary pensioner, in conformity with the Law of the United States of the Seventh June one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, and who was Eighty three of said age on the third day of July last just being duly sworn deposed and says that he enlisted on or about the first of May 1776 at Southhold in said County in a company of Militia commanded by Captain Jonathan Bailey, in which am Horton was first Lieutenant, and belonged to a Regiment of New York Stated troops, of which Drake was Colonel and one Halbert Lieutenant Colonel, and am Hatfield was Major. That Marinus Scott was General of the Brigade. This Deponent further says that he enlisted for the term of six months and served out his full term, with the exception of two or three weeks, towards the close of his term where he was taken sick and obliged to leave the army. This deponent further says that he was well acquainted Nathaniel Dickison, formerly of Southold, in said county, and since for a great number of years a resident of Newburgh in the county of Orange. That said Dickison enlisted at the same time, and under the same officers that he, this deponent did. That the said Dickison served as a private, and for this deponent knows to the contrary, and as he verily believes, he was a faithful and obedient soldier. That said Dickison served as such private all the time that this deponent was in the army, and he verily believes until the full [?] and term of six months from the date of his enlistment Benja Payne
Sworn this 31st day of December 1833 before me Henry Landon justice of the peace
This is to cerify that I am well acquainted with Benjamin Payne, the above named deponent, and that he is a reputable inhabitant of the town of Southold and his statement above [?] worthy of full faith and credit. Southold Dec. 31st 1833 Henry Landon, justice of the peace
Page 23

State of New York Suffolk County ss. 
I Joseph R Huntting clerk of the county of Suffolk do hereby certify that Henry Landon Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavit of Benj Payne was taken is a Justice of the peace for said county and that his name subscribed to said affidavit is his genuine signature witness my hand and seal of office this 9 day of January 1834
Joseph R Huntting clk
Page 24

New Windsor NY April 20th Hon J.L. Edwards Commissioner DC Washington city
[upside down: A copy of the Petition of Nathaniel Dickerson a Revolutionary Soldier Jan 7 1831
Page 25

to the Honorable, the Senate + House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled.
The petition of Nathaniel Dickerson now of the town of Newburgh, in the County of Orange and State of New York, formerly of the town of Southold in Suffolk County in said State, respectfully showeth, That your petitioner is aged seventy years and upwards  That in the month of May 1776 when in the 17th year of his age, he voluntarily enrolled himself as a private soldier in the company commanded by Captain Jonathan Bailey in the New York Regiment of Infantry commanded by Col. Drake in General Scott's brigade. That he commenced doing duty as a soldier about the first of June 1776, and remained actively engaged untill the first of December following, when the time, for which his company Twice enrolled, expired. That during the term he served as a soldier, he was stationed at New York, Greenwich, at Fort Washington under the command of General Miflin, at Long Island under the command of Lord Sterling, upon the lines at Kingsbridge, at White Plains, and was dismissed at Stoney Point. 
While in the service, your petitioner was engaged in a warm skirmish on Long Island under the command of Lord Sterling, was exposed to great danger while fighting at the battle of White Plains under the command of General McDougal, and during the whole time of his enlistment, suffered great personal hardships. 
Very shortly after his enrollment, he was drafted to go to Fort Washington, and was there forteen days under the command of General Miflin. During the whole of this time he had neither tent nor barrack to cover him. While there, the British shipping came opposite the Fort, whence they fired heavy cannnon. After this command, your petitioner, with others, were engaged all night in the erection of a Bond battery. Towards day light, he being overcome with fatigue, lay down on the ground and fell asleep. He awoke deaf and has, ever since, been afflicted with great deafness.
Page 26

A your petitioner was obliged on account of the war to leave Long Island, and removed with his father to Guilford in Connecticut; his father had a small property on the Island, but wa opliged to leave it for six years, and everything of a perishable nature was destroyed. your petitioner has no trade and has always been in low circumstances and obliged to labour hard for his living.
Having once collected a little money, your petitioner invested if, in becoming part owner in a small vasol for part of which he ran into debt, and which was lost in the ice before his part was paid for. Your petitioner is now old, remains poor, and is dependent on his labour for subsistence.
Your petitioner has been, for many years, blamed by his friends for not making application to his Government for assistance. But he scorned becoming a burden to his country, while his own exertions were sufficient to gain him a livelihood. But a short time since, by a fall from a load of Hay, he broke his right shoulder, and he's since been unable to perform his accustomed labour which was necessary for his support. 
Your petitioner, therefore, prays your honourable body to grant him such relief as may, upon a fair and full consideration of all the circumstances, of his case, appear just and proper. 
A After the company to which your petitioner was attached  were discharged, he still wishes to fight the battle of his country, and for this purpose offered himself to enlist in a volunteer corps raised by command of General Washington, but was refused on account of his  deafness (signed) Nathaniel Dickerson
State of New York Orange county ss
Nathaniel Dickerson the petitioner named in the preceding petition, being duly sworn, saith that the said petition is true in substance and matters of fact , according to the recollection and belief of this deponent. (signed) Nathaniel Dickerson
Sworn this 5th day of Jan 1831. before. Gilbert Ogden Fowler one of the judges of the court of Common Pleas in and for Orange County, counsellor
Page 27

We whose names are hereunto subscribed, do certify that  we are personally acquainted with Nathaniel Dickerson the petitioner named in the preceding petition, and that we believe him to be a man of veracity, and well entitled to the aid of Government.
Page 28

State of New York Orange County ss: 
Personally appeared before me, Asa Dunning Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for Orange County aforesaid, Gilbert Ogden Fowler one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County, who having been duly sworn, according to law, doth depose and say that he is personally acquainted with Nathaniel Dickerson who swore to and subscribed the preceding affidavit: that he has been acquainted with the said Nathaniel upwards of thirty years. that said Nathaniel is in the opinion of this deponent, a credible witness and his statement on oath is entitled to full credit and belief, that said Nathaniel has, during the time of deponents acquaintance with him as aforesaid, been reputed and believed in the neighborhood in which he lived to have served as a soldier of the Revolutionary War, and Deponent also saith that sometime in the summer of the year Eighteen hundred and thirty, as Deponent thinks, the said Nathaniel left with him. the affidavit of Benjamin Horton and Benjamin Horton Junior certifying on oath, according to Deponent's recollected and belief that the said Benjamin Horton and Benjamin Horton Junior, served with him the said Nathaniel in the same company, for six months, in the six months service: that deponent or James G. Clinton Esquire of Newburgh, in the county of Orange aforesaid, sometime in the winter following the fall of Eighteen hundred and thirty, forwarded the said affidavit along with the Petition of the said Nathaniel praying for relief to Samuel W. Eager Esquire, then a Representative in Congress: that the said Samuel W. Eager, has lately informed deponent that he received the said Petition and affidavit while he as a Representative as aforesaid, and that the same were refered to a Committee of the House of Representatives to be by them examined and reported on, but what report or whether any report was made thereon by said Committee, the deponent has never heard, and does not know: and this deponent also saith that the said
Page 29

papers have never been returned to him, said deponent, nor to the said James G, Clinton, nor to the said Nathaniel Dickerson, to the knowledge of Deponent. And the said Samuel W. Eager has informed deponent that said Petition and affidavit were never returned to him, and deponent believes it to be true. Gilbert Ogden Fowler
Sworn to and subscribed this 19 day of September 1832 before me Asa Dunning clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in + for the County of Orange
10391  Nathaniel Dickerson
Direct to Walter Case  Newburgh N. York
Page 30

Southold NY Dec 21 1833
Walter Case Esq 
Sir Two letters have come to this Post office directed to Ebenezer Case Esq Post Master one having a one Dollar note enclosed and purporting to to want the affidavit of same person knowing Nathaniel Dickerson and his services in the Revolutionary War. E W Case is not Post Master at this time and he either declines doing it as it would be attended with some considerable expense  That having remained of the road thinks it will better for someone else.. I will see Mr Zachary Goldsmith and also hand him the letters to peruse posibly he may do it. I would have done it myself but I have been so pecularly engaged I have not had time. These are but few survivors of teh Revolutionary War. I know of two or three within 5 or 6 miles of me that served with him in 1776 in the State troop for six months. But I doubt whether any one can be found knowing to all the services specified in your letter. Also no doubt exist but what he actually served as stated the brother of Peter Griffin was in my house a few earnings since his name is parad[sp?] he was well acquainted with him was knowing to his services by Report under his brother but no more. I have conversed with no one that is knowing to his first services as a Militia man. these are two that now receive pensions from the same service which N Dickerson performed in state troops of 76. Should your business require the affidavit immediately you may direct a letter to me and I will see that it is done in the course of 3 or 4 weeks. our county clerk lives 50 miles from this place it will take sometime to remit it to him  and have it returned. Perhaps
Page 31

Mr Goldsmith will do it which if he does you may receive it sooner than I could do it. I will hand him the Dollar you sent and he need be to no expense but getting the affidavits and paying for clerk fees. I will remit it to the clerk. should you think that the six months service will answer your purpose there will be no difficulty in obtaining personal knowledge of that fact. If you should write to me would it not be as well for you to write the form of an affidavits of the six month service in state troops. I am wholly unacquainted with the forms that perhaps would be required. I should apply to Benjamin Payne of Cutchaque as being the most intelligent of the few that now survives. A man by the name of Benjamin Horton lives nearer me but is so very deaf that a person cannot converse with him who also served with him 76. Should you want more circumstantial evidence also Sarah Griffin as to his services with his brother and also at New Haven I think he was knowing to that from report
Yours respectfully Salter S Horton
Page 32

Walter Case Esquire
Dear Sir,  Yours of blank date, and also of the thirteenth instant, directed to E.W. Case Esq with a request that he and my Father ( Zacheus Goldsmith) should swear the affidavit of same person that Nathaniel Dickerson was a soldier of the Revolution he to serve, a few days since, put into my hands, with a like request that I should prepare the afft.( abbreviated) and if possible, seek out some individual in our town who would be likely to know something of the circumstances connected  with the services of the o Dickison during the Revolution. At the time they were handed me I was under official engagements and obliged to be absent from home for several days. since my return, I have embraced the first convenient opportunity in complying with your wishes. the Afft. however was drawn in great haste, and under some unfavorable circumstances, but it is sufficiently explicit, I trust, to answer the purpose for which it was assigned. Should it prove deficient, however, in any material point, I will cheerfully volunteer my services in remedying the defect, when we requested to do so by you.
I have written you at the special [?] of my Father, who is at present considerably indisposed. he also instructed me to send his complements sir. Your Abr Servant Joseph H. Goldsmith
Southold Dec. 31, 1833
Page 33

Hon J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions Washington City
Leonard Smith
Page 34

New Windsor March 25th 36
Hon J. L. Edwards  Sir In your letter of March 26th 1835 you stated that the further enumeration for the claim of Nathaniel Dickerson is postponed in view  of obtaining some further evidence in relation thereto from the archives as the State of New York "as soon as it is ascertained whether there can be had or not, a further examination of this case may be expected " Since then I have not heard from you on the subject. According to my impression at the time, the evidence of his having served six months was compleat (sic), and according to law. the evidence of his service 14 months, on the east of Long Island, in the Regiment of Colonel Bailey, bests of I recollect, on the certificate of Major Horton, which was sent by Judge Gilbert Ogden Fowler, to Samuel W Eager Esq, then a member of Congress, together with a petition these papers were then filed by Mr Eager or lost. The evidence of these facts according to my recollection are the affidavits of said Judge + Mr Eager and the declaration of the applicant. As to Dickisons service under Captain Griffin at New Haven it rests altogether on the affidavit of the applicant. Enclosed are letters of Salter L Horton Postmaster at Southold, and Joseph NN Goldsmith which will coordinate the evidence as to the six months service, and also shared you in that manner the evidence was procured.
A short time ago I fell in with John Barbor Esq a pensioner under the law of June 7th 1832. We stated that he knew Leonard Smith well in the Revolutionary war, that he ( Smith) actually commanded a company one year as Captain to his certain knowledge. Judge Barber is a very respectable of strong mind and memory though upwards of eighty years old. I think he [?] he served as adjutant. this evidence with Smiths own affidavit  I should think conclusive, as to his having actual
Page 35

by commanded a Company for one year at least. This Company must have been either United States troops, State troops or Militia, and as they were in actual service, there must have been either in the service of the United States, or Great Britain All the Evidence shows that Smith was in the service of his country, and I think independent of any other troop, it is to be presumed, he was acting under a Commission regularly issued by the proper authority-- Smith says that Governor Broom (now deceased) a Member of the Continental Congress which set at Kingston in the Spring before it was burnt by the Enemy, shortly after that event informed him, that all the papers belonging to Congress, were burnt in that conflageration. This information was given by Broom in answer (if my memory serves me) to an application  by Smith for the copy of some account of Smiths [illegible], on the minutes of Congress.  I will recollect of Smiths stating this in the presence of Lusting the first time they made application to me to procure their pensions. At that time I did not believe that it could have any bearing on his application, and therefore did not mention it in his affidavit. If it has to be considered of any importance, he will swear to the fact. If however his Captains Commission or a copy are insisted on, there is end of the muster, otherwise I will send you the affidavits of Judge Barber +[and] Leonard Smith. Terwilliger says he never did serve in Dubois Regiment to his knowledge. He served under Wisenvelt Courtland, and Willet, through out the war. If he ever served in Dubois regiment he must have been detached, +[and] thus altogether escaped his recollection. It is  probable that in making out his original papers, I did not detail the whole of his service, be
Page 36

cause nine months service entitled him to a full pension. He will procure such other Testimony of his service, as time and death ┃ have left him and will send them on I Remain Very Respectfully yours,  Walter Case
Page 37

Nathl Dickerson May 10 Newindsor NY Free Mar 7th Hon. J.L. Edwards Commissioner Washington
Page 38

Hon J.L. Edwards in May 7th 36 Sir, your letter of 2 May Just is received. The widow of Nathaniel Dickerson will accept a certificate for six months and will endeavour to procure further evidence in support of the residue of the service claimed in this base agreeable to your suggestions The Court of Common Pleas will set in this County on the last Monday in this month and it would be desirable to receive the Certificate soon that it my be then and there produced at the time of prooving Mr Dickerson to be the widow. I Remain Very Respectfully Yours Walter Case
Page 39

State of New York Orange County Surrogate Court  I John B Booth Surrogate- of the County of Orange do hereby certify that it was this day duly and satisfactorily proved to me in open Court that Nathaniel Dickison late of the town of NewBurgh in said County, deceased, a Revolutionary Soldier, died on the last day of December in the year one thousand Eight hundred and thirty two - leaving Sarah Dickinson his widow him surviving who is still living. In Testimony whereof the said Surrogate hereunto set his hand and affixes his seal of Office this Eighth day of June in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty six - Jho B.Booth Surrogate
Page 40

Application for a New Certificate- State of New York Orange County ss
 On this second day of August 1836 before me the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace for the said County of Orange Personally appeared Walter Case Attorney and Counsellor of Law who on his oath saith that he was well acquainted with Nathaniel Dickison deceased in his life time and was acquainted with him from some time in the year one thousand eight hundred and to five until the time of his death, being upwards of thirty years. That the said Nathaniel was a poor but Respectable man and very deaf which was commonly Reported and generally believed in his neighbourhood to have been occasioned by sleeping on the ground whilst in the service of his Country as a soldier in the Revolution at the time Deponent first knew the said Nathaniel Dickison he lived in the immediate Neighborhood of Doctor David Fowler, the father of Gilbert Ogden Fowler First Judge of the County aforesaid, to each of whom he was advantageously known for a period of thirty years, as Deponent has been by them informed and believes it to be true. And Deponent also saith that the said Nathaniel Dickison served in the company of Captain Bailey in the Regiment of Colonel Drake in the service of the United States one tour of fourteen months from March 1775 on the East End of Long Island to guard the Court against the descent of hostile parties from the enemies fleet and one other tour +[and] six months immediately thereafter in the same Company and Regiment at Brooklyn New York, Harlaem, Fort Washington, and White Plains, as deponent was informed by the said Nathaniel Dickison particularly whilst the said Nathaniel worked for Deponent as a labourer, long before the Passage of the Pension Law of 1818 and Deponent believes it to be true. Deponent also saith that the said Na
Page 41

thaniel Dickisons widow namely Sarah Dickison has been placed on the Pension Roll of the United States as appears from a letter of Hon James L Edwards [bommege?] oner of Pensions to the Hon J. W Brown dated July 2 1836 now in Deponent possession which letter amongst other things states "The pension Certificate of Sarah Dickininson was transmitted to Walter Case. [Sent?] by mail on the 24th June." And Deponent further saith that he has neither received a Pension Certificate for Sarah Dickininson, Sarah Dickinson nor for Sarah Dickison nor has Deponent Received any letter from the Pension office or package dated the 24th of June last or post marked of that date or any other day of June to the best of his recollection and belief although by himself and other Deponent has inquired at the New Windsor Post Office daily and sent several times to the New Burph Post Office for the letter transmitting said Certificate and deponent also saith that he verify believes the said pension certificate mentioned in the said letter is either lost or has   miscarried, and further saith that Sarah Dickison the widow of the said Nathaniel Dickison deceased lives about ten miles north of Deponent's residence.  What her husband was the Identreal Nathaniel Dickison for whom Deponent made application for a Pension under the law of June 7th 1832 and that the said Sarah Dickison is the Identical person to whom the said Pension Certificate was intended to be granted, What the name of the said applicant is some times written Dickinson but they are the names of the same person Deponent never knew of any person of the name Dickininson nor of any person called Nathaniel Dickinson except the said applicant for a pension whose name was sometime written Dickison and at others Dickinson and the said Sarah is his widow.
Walter Case
Sworn to and Transcribed} this 2 day of August}
Page 42

State of New York Orange County ss
I Lebbeus Vail Clerk of the court of the court of Common Pleas in and for the County aforesaid do hereby Certify that Daniel Mooney is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly commissioned and qualified and that his signature above written is genuine
given under my hand and the Seal of the said county this third day of August 1836 Lebbeus L  Vail Clerk
Page 43

August 9th 36 Hon J. L. Edwards
Dr Sir  In the case of Sarah Dickison the widow of Nathaniel Dickison a pensioner I received  from your office a printed form and directions for obtaining a New certificate instead of the one which in your letter of the 2nd July 1836 to Hon J.W. Brown you say was " transmitted to Walter Case Esqr" and which the enclosed affidavit states was not received. In this case you will at once perceive that it was improbable to pursue the form and directions strictly because they were intended for a case where the certificate was lost by the original pensioner himself in this case the applicant is dead and the certificate which was directed  to the agent has never been received. I have  endeavoured to conform as near as probable to the form + directions under existing circumstances. In the letter I received a few days ago from Mr Crump (which letter is mislaid) I observe he has written Sarah Dickisons name Sarah Dickininson Its probable he has been led by some blunder of mine in writing the name I have taken care in my affidavit to correct the mistake + state the true name  I am Respectfully yours Walter Case
Page 44

701 Aug 27 NY 7 July 1838
JL Edwards Esqr Coms. of Pensions Washington
Page 45

JL Edwards Esqr Sir  Enclosed I send yur the papers in support of the claim of Sarah Dickerson widow of Nathaniel Dickerson late of teh state of New York. Under the act of Congress passed July 7th, 1838. the husband of the deceased was a pensioner under the law of June 7th 1832. by reference to his papers the proof of service will appear.   Yours tc
H Armstrong
Newburgh Augst 23d 1838
Page 46

Michanics Bank New York 2nd April 1840
Sir I enclose for your examination the papers in the case of Sarah Dickerson, a pensioner under the act of July 7th 1838, at  Twenty Dollars per annum, who claims his pension form the 4th March 1839. Very Respectfully Your obt servt
J Knapp P
James L Edwards Esq Commissioner of pensions Washington
Page 47

Hon James L Edwards commissioner Washington City
Nathaniel Dickerson
Page 48

Hon J. L. Edwards 
Sir your letter of the Eleventh April first is before me I regret to find an error in my last letter, chich I take the earliest opportunity to correct, because I have no doubt that on reexamining the papers in your possession from the archives of the State of New York, you will be fully satisfied that Nathaniel Dickerson was in actual service in the company of Captain Jonethan Bailey of the New York Regiment of Infantry, which belonged to the Brigade commanded by General Marienus Scott. I was many years acquainted with Dickerson and state without fear of contradiction that he was a man of undoubted veracity. More than 20 years ago I heard him relate the story of his services and sufferings in the Revolutionary war, as set forth in his declaration and having an uncle then living who was in the same service and being at that time acquainted with Major Horton and others, who were in that service, his narative made a lasting impression on my mind, and I cannot doubt if muster rolls, tray rolls, or other vouchers of Scotts Brigade have been found, you will find thereon the name of Nathaniel Dickerson; If not they are worse than Blanks. He actually served as stated in his declaration. 
the error in my last letter consists in this vir, I stated that the evidence of his service 14 months on the East End of Long Island in the Regiment of Colonel Bailey rests on the Certificate of  Mr
Page 49

Joe Horton, Instead of this I should have said" the evidence of his service 14 months on the East  End of Long Island in the company of Captain Jonathan Bailey of the New York Regiment of Infantry commanded by Colonel Drake of the Brigade commanded by General Marienus Scott rests on the certificate of Major Horton Bailey was Captain of the company and not Colonel of the regiment. Drake was the Colonel. This is the blunder. I am truly sorry that I have subjected you to unnecessary trouble. In your last letter you way " M Dickerson states that in 1775 he belonged to a company of Minute men the duration of each tour of actual service whilst thus engaged must be specified before it can be determined what ought to be allowed" Mr Dickerson is dead and no person is living who was in that service. That the British fleet was stationed in Gardner bur in 1775 in the immediate vicinity of Southold presumption, fortified by the declaration of the applicant, that the troops who volunteered for that purpose were constantly on guard the 14 months that the enemy were hovering on that coast; Dickersons Domecil throughout the war was Southold, He never belonged to the Troops of Orange or Dutchess counties, as his declaration will clearly show, The service for which he claims fray 14 months as a minute man at Southold, and six months in the same company and regiment at Brooklyn, York Island, Fort Washington, and White Plains. The reason why his whole service is not stated in the enclosed petition is because his application to Congress was for renumeration for loss of hearing, whilst  in actual service at Fort Washington by sleeping in the ground with out tent or other shelter, and the reason why the certificate of character i not signed is that I advised him that with Major Hortons certificate which
Page 50

he expected Mr Eager had filed with the petition to Congress, it was wholly unnecessary. The petition enclosed is a copy of the one sent to Mr Eager to present to Congress, as I have been informed by Judge Fowler who drew them and conducted the business. 
Perhaps the blunder in my letter has led you into an error. If so you will examine all the papers in this case once more in concession with my explanation, I am persuaded you will find satisfactory evidence of six months service at least, and strong presumptive evidence of fourteen months in addition Mr Dickersons widow is a respectable  but poor woman, who has not as yet been able to pay the funeral expenses of her late husband.  On the whole it appears to me that after an applicant has clearly established his service from time to time in the army, every presumption should be made in support of his own affidavit, as to the length of time he was in the service. Congress have acknowledged after a lapse of fifty years that the Nation is indebted to the militia for their services in the Revolutionary War. Death has in the mean time closed the grave over the great mass of them, insomuch that they were in actual service find it often improbable to establish the different period they were actually engaged, in the irregular tours when they were called into service. But this is no fault of theirs.  I remain very respectfully yours Walter Case
Page 51

WIDOW, & c.
20986  Sarah Dickerson widow of Nathaniel Dickerson Priv. Rev. War July 7 1838 
Vol A page 184
Page 52

New York Revo..  N. Dickinson 
let to W. Case Oct 15 1834 set to June Day 26, 35
Walter Case 11 April 36
"  " 2 May 36  Walter Case 21 May 36