Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15,015, John Bulson, New York
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(3--1776) SERVICE New York Bulson, John NUMBER S.15,015 
carded 
CONTENTS 
[blank}
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Reported died June, 1836. (A. B.) 
New York 28522 
John Bulson Albany Co. in the State of New York as a Priv & Sergeant in the Company commanded [damaged edge] Captain Osborne of the Regt commanded [damaged edge] Col Schuyler in the N York militia [damaged edge] for 1 mo 3 days Private 3 "  [mo] 12  "  [days] Sergeant } 
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 30 Dollars 88 Cents per annum. to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831, 
Certificate of Pension issued 8th day of April 1834 and sent to L Jenkins Esq 
Arrears to the 4th of March 1834 $92.64 
Semi-anl. allowance ending Sept 4 '34 15.44 
$108.08 
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. } 
Recorded by Sam H. Page Clerk, Book E Vol. 4 Page 116
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State of New York Albany County } Ss. On this 30th day of September 1833 personally appeared in open Court before the Justice's Court in the City of Albany (being a Court of record) were sitting, John Bulson a resident of the City of Albany, in the County of Albany and State of New York aged on the 8th day of July last ninety four 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 of June 7. 1832 - That I entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated- 
1. In the year 1775 I was a private in a Company of New York Militia, commanded by Capt. Ostrom - Lieut. Jacob Weaver & Ensign Peter Schuyler - In the fall of that year, said Company was ordered into the service, & I went in as a private in said Company, to Lake George- then was stationed & did duty there, about four weeks,- I was engaged on this tour of duty, as a private in said Company, not less than five weeks 
[note in margin:] 1.5 P [scribbled-over characters] 
including going and returning, according to the best of my recollection & belief- Genl. Ten Broeck was the General who had command of the Brigade to which we belonged- I recollect seeing him at Fort George - Col. Schuyler was Colonel of our Regiment - We marched from the town of Watervliet where I then resided to Lake George, & when we were dismissed, I returned back to Watervliet 
[crossed out words] upon further recollection, I think Col. Nicholls was our Colonel in the expedition to Lake George above referred t - & Col. Schuyler afterwards commanded us - On our way we passed through Half Moon. Still [large inkblot] __ atoga & by Fort Edward to Lake George- 
2 In the year 1776 about the month of June, I was again [damaged page] twice as a sergeant ["private" is crossed out] in said Company of Militia - under
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[notes in margin:] ["28" is crossed out] 1,65 
the same Captain, Lieutenant and Ensign - We marched from Watervliet & crossed the Hillebergh [Helderberg?] Mountain to Schoharie- we were quartered in the stone church- which was then occupied & made use of as a Fort- The whole of our Regiment commanded by Col. Philip Schuyler, was ordered out & were stationed there at this place [?] twice - We remained there about two weeks & were then dismissed & returned home to Watervliet0 I was engaged on this tour of duty according to the best of my recollection & belief, not less than eighteen days including 2 days in going & 2 days in returning - as a Sergeant in said Company of Militia- 
[note in margin:] 18 
3. In the same year 1776 I was again ordered into the service as a Sergeant of said Company, commanded by Capt. Ostrom, Lieut. Weaver & Ensign Schuyler- I think the whole Regiment was ordered into the service at the same time - We mustered from Watervliet to Fort Edward, and were stationed there about 2 weeks- & were then discharged- I was engaged in this tour, as Sergeant of said Company, not less than two weeks according to the best of my recollection - 
[note in margin:] 14 
4 In the month of June 1777 I was again ordered into the service as a Sergeant in said Company of Militia, still commanded by Capt. Ostrom- We marched from Watervliet to Fort Edward & lay there some time and then went to Fort Anne, and were stationed at Bridge near Fort Anne- [several crossed out words] . I think we laid at Fort Edward & Fort Anne - at least four weeks- [crossed out word] 
[note in margin, "28" is crossed out] 
I recollect that Major Schermerhorn was our Major & Col Schuyler commanded us on this tour- I recollect that Col. Henry Van Rensselaer was wounded in the skirmish with the British and serious [?] & was carried to Fort Edward- He was brought to Fort Edward in the night time - I think he was after
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[note in margin:] 1.5 
-units removed to Fort Hunter [??] - I was engaged on this tour of duty, as Sergeant of said Company, not less than five weeks including the time spent in going & returning. 
5. In the month of September 1777 I was again ordered into the service, as a Sergeant of said Company of Militia- under the command of Capt. Ostrom- Lieut Weaver & Ensign Schuyler- We marched from Watervliet to Saratoga- and were stationed a part of the time at Burris Height [??] , - The whole of our Regiment under Col. Schuyler was ordered out at the same time & we all went to Saratoga- [two crossed out words] Genl. Gates was the Head General of us all of that time - We remained there until after Genl. Burgoyne's army surrendered, & were discharged a few days afterwards, & returned home- I recollect very well being in Burgoyne's Camp after the surrender- & seeing the [illegible word] men & prisoners- I was not present at the actual surrender being then engaged as guard- On this term of Duty I was engaged as Sergeant of said Company, not less than thirty four days, 
[note in margin:] 1.4 
including 2 days spent in going & 2 days in returning- 
6. In the year 1778 I was again ordered into the service, as Sergeant of said Company- still commanded by Capt. Ostrom- We marched from Watervliet to Schoharie- I think this was before the Village was burnt- I recollect Col. Van Alstyne was there- I think he was from Kinderhook- I believe I was engaged on this term of duty, as Sergeant of said Company not less than sixteen days- 
[notes in margin:] _16 [crossed out digits] 3.2 
7. According [ink blot] to the best of my recollection & belief I
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[notes in margin:] 
[crossed out digits] 5.02 
being four times at Schoharie, on military duty- as a Sergeant in said Company, including the two tours above mentioned- But my memory is impaired by age that I am not able to specify the times when, nor how long I was engaged on two of said tours, except that they were, as I believe both before the Village of Schoharie was burnt by the British & Indians- and all of the said two tours of duty was performed during the Revolutionary War- and according to the best of my 
[note in margin:] + 
recollection and believe I was engaged in said tours not less than two months, over and above the time already specific in respect to the two tours above particularly mentioned- 
8. In the year `1770 I was again ordered into the service as Sergeant of said Company of Militia, still commanded by Capt. Ostrom. We marched from Watervliet to Schenectady- and from thence up the Mohawk to the said Flatts- and through the woods in the pursuit of the British & Indians under Sir John Johnson- We were two days in the woods- We had a battle with the British & Indians- The battle took place on the lowland near the river- I was engaged in it. We were commanded by Genl. Van Rensselaer- The whole of the Company was in the action- Some of our men were wounded- but I think more of them were killed- Our party existed of about 800 men. We were joined at Fort Plain by about 300 men under the command of Major or Col. Dubois- & by some friendly Indians- after the Battle our troops retreated - & the British &
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their Indian allies went across the Mohawk & afterwards retreated- The battle was fought on the North side of the Mohawk river- Fort Plain is on the south side of said river- We crossed over the river above Fort Plain before the battle. 
After the British & Indians had retreated, we marched up to Fort Herkimer- and went into the woods in search of the Enemy- We did not find them- but we took one Indian a prisoner- He mistook us for his own people- He was taken by our Indians. I think I was also at Fort Hunter while on this expedition- but I am not certain whether is was on this occasion or a on another tour that I was at Fort Hunter- I was engaged on this tour of duty, as Sergeant of said Comp[any, not less than two weeks - 
[note in margin:] 14 
9. Afterwards, and I believe in the same year 1779 I was again ordered into the service as Sergeant of said Company, commanded by Capt. Ostrom- We marched from Watervliet through Schenectady, up the Mohawk, to Fort Hunter- I think we were commanded whilst there by Col. Schuyler- I believe I was engaged in this tour of duty, as Sergeant of said Company, no less than three weeks- 
[note in margin:] _21 6-7 
10. afterwards, but in what year I am not able to state, but I believe in 1779 or 1780, I was again ordered into the service as Sergeant of said Company of Militia, commanded by Capt. Ostrom. We marched from Watervliet to Schenectady &from there to Rosedale [?] at the upper end of Niskayuna, about 4 miles from Schenectady- We were stationed there a
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[note in margin:] 6 - 7 
a few days & from [inkblot] there discharged & returned home- I was engaged on this tour of duty not less than ten days- as Sergeant of said Company- 
[notes in margin:] - 10  6.19 
I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State- I have never learned to write- his X mark John Bulson 
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid, in open Court- [signature:] John G. Wasson Clk. 
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 that Reuben Schuyler & Philip S Schuyler whose depositions are hereto annexed are well know to this court as respectable citizens and are credible witnesses- I John B. Wasson Clerk of the Justices Court of the City of Albany do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Bulson for a Pension In testimony whereof I have hereto affixed the seal of the said Court this second day of October 1833. [signature:] John B. Wasson Clk
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State of New York Albany Justices Court } SS. Reuben Schuyler of the Tow of Watervliet in the County of Albany, Physician being duly sworn in open Court deposeth and saith as follows - to wit- 
I am seventy years of age- I know John Bulson now present in Court and have known him as long as I can remember- I know him particularly in the revolutionary War- I know that said Bulson served in Capt. Ostrom's Company of Militia in the year 1778- I was a private in the same Company- and I well remember that Bulson was with said Company in Schoharie in said year- I do not recollect whether he was a private or a noncommissioned officer- He was one or the other- My Brother Peter Schuyler was then Lieutenant of said Company under Sapt. Henry Ostrom- 
I also well remember that in the year 1776 in the month of November of that year the said Bulson belonged to the same Company which was then stationed at Lake George- My brother Peter was then Ensign of the Company- 
I did not then belong to the Company- I then resided in the Town of Watervliet, and I recollect that said Bulson, my brother Peter, and Abraham N. Cuyler arrived at the evening at my Fathers house having, as they said, marched forth from Lake George, with their muskets on their shoulders and packs on their backs, that day- being upwards of fifty miles- Their regiment had just been discharged- It was commanded by Col. Philip P. Schuyler- 
My brother Peter died on the 1st. of November last. He
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was a pensioner of the United Sates at the time of his death. 
I have understood and believe that he drew a pension for [several crossed out words] two years services- and from my knowledge of said Bulosn's service in the same Company I have reason to believe and do believe that said Bulson rendered service in the same Company of which my said brother was Ensign & Lieutenant as often and as long as my said brother di - 
In the year 1777 said Bulson belonged to said Company and went with it to Van Schaick's Island. & was stationed there some time before Genl. Yates came on to later command- Genl. Schuyler then commanded - Afterwards said Bulson went with said Company to Burn's Heights- and was with the army when Burgoyne surrendered - I saw him there myself o the 175h. day of October 1777- I was there with my father- we went out of curiosity- I was not in the service until the following year- 
In the year 1779 I also recollect that said Bulson belonged to said Company, commanded by Capt. Ostrom- & by my Brother Peter as Lieutenant- I was there in the service & belonged to Capt. Fonda's Company of Schenectady. 
Col. Schuyler's Regiment, Col. Memphis Regiment, & some other troops were at Fort Hunter on the Mohawk- I think we were commanded by Col. Goes Van Schaick- The said John Bulson was there with his Company- I do not recollect how long we were there- I well remember seeing Bulson at Fort Hunter at that time- 
I further state that the said John Bulson has always sustained an excellent character for truth and veracity- and
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I have heard his declaration hereto annexed read, and believe it to be substantially true, making our allowances for his deficit of memory, owing to his great age- and I do verily believe that he actually served in the Revolutionary War, a much longer time than he has stated or given a particular account of- I am a pensioner of the U. States [signature:] Reuben Schuyler 
Sworn to and subscribed in open Court this 2d. day of October. 1833- [signature:] John G. Wasson Clk
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State of new York Albany Justice's Court } Ss. Caleb S. Schuyler of the Town of Watervleiet in the County of Albany, former [?] being duly sworn in open Court, deposeth as follows - to wit - 
I am sixty nine years of age & upwards- I have known John Bulson now present in Court ever since I can remember- I knew him well in the revolutionary War- He and I both belonged to the same Company- I was a company of Militia commanded by Capt. Ostrom- Jacob Weaver Lieutenant, & Peter Schuyler (my brother) also Lieutenant Col. Philip P. Schuyler and our Colonel, and Major Fonda was our Major- The said John Bulson was a Sergeant in said Company whilst I belonged to it- I was a private- 
I was in the service with said Bulson in said Company in July 1778- at Schoharie. I think we were at Schoharie, three times in the course of the years 1778 & 1779- and were on duty there no less than three months- at different times - I was also with said Bulson at said Company, at Schenectady, and also Fort Hunter & Fort Plain and Fort Herkimer- and at other places on the Mohawk River during the years 1779 & 1780 - 1781. & 1782 and we were also together at Saratoga- but in what year I do not recollect. It was after the year 1777- I was not in the service myself previous to the year 1778- But I know that said Bulson was in the service in the year 1777- 
I believe that said Bulson was always in the service in the said Company with my brother Peter, who was lieutenant of the same- & that said Bulson served on as many terms as
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military duty as my said Brother did - and I verily believe he is entitled to a pension for the like period- that in two years- which I understand was the period allowed to by Brother- who was a United States Pensioner & died in November last- I recollect that Genl. Robert Van Rensselaer was our commander at Fort Herkimer- We had a battle with the British & Indians & Tories on the North side of the Mohawk River- I was in that engagement & so was said Bulson. The British & their allies were commanded by Sir John Johnson- It was said the Enemy had about 900 men- We had several Regiments of Militia & our regiment of 9 months were under Col Dubois- We had a severe battle- we beat them- but had to retreat- We retreated to Forest [?] in Palatine - there we stayed till [two illegible words] & went to Fort Herkimer & from there we went into the woods in search of the Enemy- and there 2 Companies- Capt. Vrooman was one- were sent about that time to Oneida Lake to destroy the enemy's boats- These two companies were taken prisoner- This was in the fall of the year 1780- when Caughawaga was burnt- & the houses and barns & grain along the Mohawk was burnt and destroyed by ["the" is crossed out] Sir John Johnson's army- 
I also remember being with said Bulson at Weidman's [??] Fort at Beaver Dam. not far from Schoharie. I do
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not recollect the year- but a know it was in the fall- 
We were there several months- but how long I am not able to state- The Albany Regiment under Col. Cuyler was there. Our regiment was also there - under Col. P. P. Schuyler- I am not able to state the length of time that said Bulson and myself were together in the service but believe it was not less than two years in all- besides the time said Bulson served before I entered the service- 
The character of said Bulson for truth and veracity is good- & I believe his statement of his serve to be true- making due allowance for defects of memory owing to his advanced age- I believe him to be as old as he represents himself to be- that is- ninety four years of age & upwards - [signature:] Philip S Schuyler 
Sworn to & subscribed in open Court this 2d. day of October 1833. [signature:] John G. Wasson Clk 
I hereby certify that Reuben Schuyler & Philip Schuyler who have subscribed the preceeding affidavits are residents of the town of Watervliet in the County of Albany, well known to the Court, and are credible witnesses. In testimony whereof I have hereto affixed the seal of the said Court this  26 March 1836. By the Court [signature:] J. G. Wasson Clk
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January 17, 1936
HENRY BULSON, S. 12373
JOHN BULSON, S. 15015
BA-J/MLB OWN 
Mr. Leon R. Brown
267 State Street
Rochester, New York
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of Benjamin, Henry, John, Cornelius, erardus Gerardus (Garades) Bulson (surname variously spelled) who were sons of Hendrick Bulson, of Albany, New York.
The Revolutionary War records of this office have been searched and no claims for pension or bounty land found based upon service in the Revolution of Hendrick Bulson, or of his sons Benjamin, Cornelius, or Gerardus or Garades Bulson under any spelling of the surname. Such claims are the source of Revolutionary War data furnished by this office. Records were found of Henry and John Bulson, the only soldiers of that surname under any spelling found in the Revolutionary War records of this office, and they are as follow. 
Henry Bulson
S. 12373
The data herein were obtained from the papers on file in pension
claim, S.12373, based upon the Revolutionary War service of Henry Bulson.
Henry Bulson was born September 18, 1761, the place of soldier's birth and names of his parents are not given.
Henry Bulson enlisted in 1776 or 1777, served as a private in Captain Ostrum's company, Colonel Philip P. Schuyler's New York regiment, stationed at different places along the Mohawk River to repel the British Indians and Tories, was called out on a sudden alarm to Schenectady and was in a skirmish at Klock's Farm and was discharged after having served one month two weeks. He again served
in 1777 or 1778 and served two weeks under the same officers. He enlisted in 1779 and served nine months as private in Captain Peter E. Tierce's company, Colonel Marinus Willett's New York regiment.
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Upon the expiration of that tour, he immediately reenlisted for three years, served as private in Captain Tierce's company, Colonel Willett's New York regiment, went on the expedition to Oswego and was discharged after having served seven months. The place of soldier's enlistements was not stated. 
Henry Bulson was allowed pension on his application executed August 4, 1832, while a resident of Watervliet, Albany County, New York, where he was still living in 1833.
There are no family data shown in the claim.
In order to obtain date of last payment of pension, the name and address of the person paid and possibly the date of death of this soldier, you should write to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following: enry Bulson, certificate #20475, issued September 16, 1833, rate $59.74 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act June 7, 1832, New York
Agency.
John Bulson
S. 15015
You are furnished below the record of John Bulson as shown in the papers on file in pension claim, S. 15015, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
John Bulson was born July 8, 1739; the place of soldier's birth and names of his parents are not shown.
While residing in Watervliet, Albany County, New York, John Bulson enlisted sometime in 1779, served on tours at different times until
sometime in 1779 or 1780, amounting to less than a year in all, as private and sergeant in Captain Ostrum's company, under Colonels
Nicolls and Philip P. Schuyler in the New York troops, went on expeditions to Lake George, Schoharie, Fort Edward and Fort Ann, 
Saratoga, where he was engaged as a guard at the time of Burgoyne's surrender there, to Schenectady where he was in a battle with the British and Indians in the lowlands on the north side of the Mohawk River, and to Fort Hunter.
John Bulson was allowed pension on his application executed September 30, 1833, while residing in Albany, Albany County, New York, He died in June, 1836.
-  2  -
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Upon the expiration of that tour, he immediately reenlisted for three years, served as private in Captain Tierce's company, Colonel Willett's New York regiment, went on the expedition to Oswego and was discharged after having having served seven months. The place of soldier's elistments was not stated. 
Henry Bulson was allowed pension on his application executed August 4, 1832, while a resident of Watervliet, Albany County, New York where he was still living in 1833.
There are no family data shown in the claim.
In order to obtain date of last payment of pension, the name and address of the person paid and possibly the date of death of this
soldier, you should write to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following:
Henry Bulson, certificate #20475, issued September 16, 1833, rate $59,74 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act June 7, 1832, New York Agency.
attest
John Bulson
S. 15015
You are furnished below the record of John Bulson as shown in the papers on file in pension claim, S. 15015, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
John Bulson was born July 8, 1730; the place of soldier's birth and names of his parents are not shown.
While residing in Watervliet, Albany County, New York, John Bulson enlisted sometime in 1775, served on tours at different times until
sometime in 1779 or 1780, amounting to less than a year in all, as private and sergeant in Captain Ostrum's company, under Colonels
Nicolls and Philip P. Schuyler in the New York troops, went on expeditions to Lake George, Schoharie, Fort Edward and Fort Ann. Saratoga, where he was engaged as a guard at the time of Burgoyne's surrender there, to Schenectady where he was in a battle with the
British and Indians in the lowlands on the north side of the Mohawk River, and to Fort Hunter.
John Bulson was allowed pension on his application executed September 30, 1838, while residing in Albany, Albany County, New York, He died in June, 1836.
-  2  -
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There are no family data shown in the pension claim of John Bulson. 
In order to obtain date of last payment of pension, the name and address of the person paid and possibly the exact date of death of this soldier, you should write to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division and cite the following: John Bulson, certificate #23522, issued April 8, 1834, rate $30.88 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act June 7, 1832, New York Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator 
-  3  -
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1936 Jan. 17- Hist. to Leon r. Brown - MLB 
P. 15915 INVALID. 
File No. 15.015 John Bulson Sergt. Rev. War 
Act: June 7 1832 Index:-Vol. 1, Page 52 
[ Arrangement of 1870. ]
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To J. L. Edwards Esq. Commr. of Pensions
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Albany March 26. 1834. 
James L. Edwards Esquire, Commissioner of Pensions, Sir, 
I have lately received from the Hon. Mr. Lansing the papers in the case of John Bulson, by which it appears that the Secretary of War has confirmed your decision - I have now the honor to return the papers with the request that you will please to allow such part of his claim as it appears to you is sustained by the evidence in the case- I observe that the Clerk of the County (Mr. Wasson) had omitted to certify as to the credibility of the Witnesses- This defect is now supplied- Whether it will have any bearing in regard to the extent of his claim as testified to by them, I submit for your consideration 
I have not seen Mr. Bulson lately, and do not know whether he would be willing to make any other declaration than the one already made or not - But considering his great age (94 years) I doubt whether his memory would enable to state any more than he has done- I regret that you have not been able to see the case in the light that I do, for I am fully convinced that it is a meritorious claim to ["the" is crossed out] a full pension- I beg leave now wish to call your attention to the case of Duick Hilton & Thomas Hall & others, about which I wrote you four days since- Very Respectfully Your obed. Servt. [signature:] Lemuel Jenkins
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New York Returned 31. March 32 
[circular stamp:] ALBANY JANUARY 25 
James L. Edwards Esquire Commissioner of Pensions War Department City of Washington 
30.88 
3 
92.64 
1544
2 
3088
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BENJAMIN E. TILTON TRUSTEE OF NEW YORK STATE RAILWAYS, DEBTOR 267 STATE STREET ROCHESTER, N.Y.
Dec. 30th, 1935.
U. S. Pension Bureau Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen: Will you please send me data on the pension applications of persons by the name of Bulson (Bulsin, Bulsing, Busling) who fought in the Revolution. All of this name in that war were doubtless sons of Hendrick Bulson of Albany, N.Y. His sons names were, Benjamin, Henry, John, Cornelius, Gerardus (Garades), and they were in Col. Schuyler's Regiment (one was under Col. Willet for a time).
I am anxious to secure the genealogical data on these applications ( if any exist) for D. A. R. purposes and I am interested only in persons of these names coming from Albany and vicinity. I doubt if there will be any others.
Very truly yours, [signature:] Leon R Brown 
[circular time stamp, with arrow pointing at a little after 3:] RECEIVED JAN 3 1935 MAIL SUB-DIV.[several faded, illegible words]
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THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51-
12-5-41
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
Division of Veterans' Administration Archives 
Burnbo, John Henry GRADE Private LINE Pennsylvania 
WARRANT NUMBER 8989 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED March 14, 1793 to Gideon Merkle, assignee 
"The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volume 2 to 4 of ""Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. 
Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.