Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 23,560, Israel Buck, New York
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(3--1776) SERVICE New York Buck, Israel  NUMBER S. 23,560  
COMMENTS [blank]
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23403 In the matter of the application of Israel Buck- for a Pension- } Declaration - and appt.- 
Done 
I hereby certify that the within papers passed the hands of the Clerk in the same state they received 
Jany 4th 1834 [??] 
E Powell the Congress
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State of New York Allegany Cunty } Ss. Nicolas Shessan of the Town of Pike in the said county of the age of fifty six years being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he is acquainted with Israel Buck and has been for fifty years his first acquaintance with him was in the town of Armenia in the County of Dutchess in the State of New York from the said Buck moves in the County of Delaware and lives there something like three years then he moved to Cocksaqui [Cocksackie] about twenty five miles below Albany and remained there somethin like three years then he moved into the county of Rensalaer [Rensselaer] something like four years from there he went to Cherry Valley does not recollect how long he staid there from then he went to Dutches County remained there three or four years from there he moved to Cazenova [Cazenovia] in Madison County from then he moved to Claverack in Columbia County and remained there something like eleven years from there he moved to Pike in Allegany Cunty 
This deponent further saith that he has lived in the family with said Buck at his fathers and since that time and during the whole time has been intimately acquainted with him with the exception of about three years. and this deponent further saith that he has frequently knew him speak of being in the Army at the time of the revolution as a drummer in Captain Wheelers Company in the United States Service also from the information I have received from him and from others that he was in the service with him there is not a doubt remained in my mind but that he was in the army at the time of the revolution and from the first acquaintance up to the
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present time I always considered him strictly honest and upright in all his dealings and that his testimony where he is known whould have full weight in any cause or in any event [signature:] Nicholas Shessan 
Sworn and Subscribed this 3rd day of October1832 before me [signature:] H. Miller J. P. } 
I hereby certify that that I am acquainted with Nicholas Shessan who made the preceding affidavit & that he is a credible witness. [signature:] Henry Miller J. P. 
Allegany County Clerks Office Ss } I Judson W Shenman Clerk of said County do hereby certify that Henry Miller before whom the above affidavit purports to have been sworn was upon the date of the same one of the Justices of the Peace in and for said County. And that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name subscrbied there to be his own known hand writing and signature Witness my hand and and [sic] Seal of office this 31st day of October 1832 [signature:] J W Shenman
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State of New York Allegany County } SS- Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County of Allegany, Israel Buck who being duly sworn deposeth and saith, that by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades- Viz- For one month & served as a private in the year 1777- For two months as a private in the year 1778- For three months as a private in the year 1779- and for such service I claim a pension- his X mark Israel Buck 
Sworn & Subscribed this 23d day of October 1833 before me- [signature:] Henry Miller J. P. } 
I hereby certify that I am acquainted with Israel Buck the above named deponent, that he is a credible witness and his statement is entitled to full credit and belief- [signature:] H. Miller J. P.
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State of New York Allegany County } SS- Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County of Allegany, Israel Buck who being duly sworn deposeth and saith, that by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades- Viz- For one month & served as a private in the year 1777- For two months as a private in the year 1778- For three months as a private in the year 1779- and for such service I claim a pension- his X mark Israel Buck
Sworn & Subscribed this 23d day of October 1833 before me- [signature:] Henry Miller J. P. }
I hereby certify that I am acquainted with Israel Buck the above named deponent, that he is a credible witness and his statement is entitled to full credit and belief- [signature:] H. Miller J. P.
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Allegany County Clerks Ofice ss } I Judson W Shenman Clerk of said County do hereby certify Henry Miller Esq before whom the within affidavit purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same one of the justices of the Peace in and for said County and that I am acquainted with his hand writing & believe his name subscribed there to to [sic] be his genuine signature. Witness my hand and Seal of Office this 4th day of November 1833 [signature:] W. W. Shenman Clerk 
Israel Buck -
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State of New York Allegany County- } Ss- On this 30th day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the said County of Allegany now sitting Israel Buck - a resident of the Town of Angelina in the said County of Allegany and State of New York aged seventy years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits 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 herein stated- Viz- 
That in the year 1777 about the time Burgoyne surrendered he was drafted in the militia service for one month in the company commanded by Captain Barker, in the regiment commanded by Colonel Southerland & Major Freeman, and they were under the command of General Clinton- he continued in the service until the expiration of the time for which he was drafted, when he was dismissed- 
That in the summer of the year 1778 he was again drafted into the militia for one month in the company commanded by Captain Humphry, in the Regiment of Colonel Hopkins under the command of General Glover, and he was stationed a part of the time at West Point 
That in the fall of the same year he was again in the militia service under the command of Captain Lemuel Waters in the regiment of Colonel Newkirk and was on an expedition against the indians to Minisink - 
That in the year 1779 he was again in the service in the company of militia commanded by Captain Noah Wheeler in the regiment of Colonel Hopkins, and that he was in the service at this time upwards of three months- 
He had no documentary evidence and
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that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to service- 
That Nicholas Shesser & Samuel Shesser have known him a number of years, and will testify as to his ["service" is crossed out] character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution- 
He was born in the Town of Sharon in the County of Litchfield in the State of Connecticut on the first day of May in the year 1762- 
He had no record of his age- 
He never received a written discharge from the service- 
When he was first called into the service he was living in the Town of Armenia in the County of Dutchess in the State of New York- that he removed to the County of Madison where he lived about two years- and then to the County of Rensalier [Rensselaer] where he lived about six years- and then to the Town of Pike in the County of Allegany in the said State of New York- and from there he was taken to the Poor house in the Town of Angelica in the said County of Allegany where he still remained- that he is a very feeble old man and not able to labour and that he has no relatives upon whom he can depend for support- 
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- [signature:] Israel Buck ]Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid ] [signature:] J W Sherman Clerk
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We Nicholas Shessan ["a Clergyman" is crossed out] residing in the said Town of Pike - in the said County and - Samuel Shessan- residing in the same place - hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Isarel [Israel] Buck - who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy - years of age that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resided to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion - [signature:] Nicholas Shessan [signature:] Saml. Shessan 
Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid } [signature:] J W Shenman Clerk 
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary Soldier and served as he states- And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Nicholas Shessan who has signed the preceeding certificate is a ["Clergyman" is scribbled out] resident in the said Town of Pike- and that Samuel Shessan who had also signed the same is a resident [two illegible words] is a credible person. And that their statement is entitled to credit - [signature:] John Griffin [signature:] Asa S Allen 
[signature:] Josiah Utter } Judges of Com Pleas 
I JUdson W Shenman Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the said County of Allegany, do hereby certify that the foregoing contained the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Israel Buck for a pension- 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 30th day of October in the year one thousand eight hndred & thirty two- J W Shenman
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24587 New York Israel Buck of Angelica in the State of New York who was a Private in the Compy commanded by Captain Barker of the Regt commanded by Col Sutherland in the N York line for 6 months. 
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 20 Dollars ["Cents" is crossed out] per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 
Certificate of Pension issued the 15 day of Jany 1834 and sent Hon E Howell House Repret. 
Arrears to the 4th of Sept. '33 - $50. 
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar '34 10. 
$60 00 
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. } 
Recorded by Jno Cromwell Clerk Book E Vol. 4 Page 109 
276211
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Israel Buck Allegany Co. N York - Afft. 23 403 Done- 
e.i.j. 
Admitted Private 6 months 
Hon. E Howell
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WAR DEPARTMENT, Pension Office, June 3 1833 
Sir, The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of
your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. the notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: } ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim. 
A Statement, shewing the Service of Israel Buck 

Period when the service was rendered. 1777
Duration of the claimant's service. [blank] Years. 1 Months. [blank] Days. 
Rank of the claimant.  Private 
Names and Rank of the Company Officers under whom he served. Capt Barker 
Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Col Southerland Genl Clinton 
Battles in which the applicant was engaged. [blank] 
Country through which he marched. [blank] 

Period when the service was rendered. Summer 1778 
Duration of the claimant's service. [blank] Years. 1 Months. [blank] Days. 
Rank of the claimant.  "  [Private] 
Names and Rank of the Company Officers under whom he served. Col Hopki9ns 
Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. 
Battles in which the applicant was engaged. [blank] 
Country through which he marched. West Point  

Period when the service was rendered. Fall 1778 
Duration of the claimant's service. Time of service not stated.  
Rank of the claimant. "  [Private] 
Names and Rank of the Company Officers under whom he served. Capt Waters 
Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Col Newkirk 
Battles in which the applicant was engaged. 
Country through which he marched. [blank] 

Period when the service was rendered. 1779
Duration of the claimant's service. [blank] Years. 3 Months. [blank] Days. 
Rank of the claimant.  "  [Private] 
Names and Rank of the Company Officers under whom he served. Capt Wheeler 
Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Col Hopkins 
Battles in which the applicant was engaged. [blank] 
Country through which he marched. [blank] 

Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. 70 years Dutchess Co. N York 
Evidence by which the declaration is supported. Traditionary & living Witness - not certified to be credible 

I am, respectfully, Your obedient servant, J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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2 REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832. The following regulations have been adopted: This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers, all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service. Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law: 1. Regular Troops. 2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers. 3. Persons employed in the Naval service. 4. Indian Spies. As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record. DECLARATION, In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832. State, Territory, or District of County of } SS. On this [blank] day of [blank] personally appeared (a) before [blank] A.B. a resident (b) of [blank] in the county of [blank] and State, Territory or District of [blank] aged (c) [blank] 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 provion [sic] made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) [blank] , with [blank] and served in the [blank] (e) regiment of the [blank] line, under the following named officers: [Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he enered [sic] the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.] He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of [blank] Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. A. B. [And then will follow the certificate of the Court.] And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. I [blank] of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this [blank] day of [blank] & c. If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out. Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz: (k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the [blank] and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with [blank] subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be [blank] years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. [And then will follow the certificate of the Court.] And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. [blank] who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the [blank] and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the [blank] and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. I, [blank] Clerk of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the applicacation [sic] of [blank] for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this [blank] day of & c. Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction. If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
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3
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6. {To a Soldier.{ Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it?
{To an Officer.{ Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If
one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination
of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:--For [blank] year [blank] months, and [blank] days, I served as a [blank]. For [blank] months and [blank] days, I served as a [blank]; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the during of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[j2] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops, The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
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JRW OWN 
Inv. 23360: Rev. War. June 23, 1904.
Madam: In reply to your inquiry, you are advised that Israel Buck, residing at Angelica, New York, applied for pension October 30, 1832 ["i830" is crossed out] , alleging that he was born May 1, 1762, at Sharon, Connecticut, and that he enlisted in October, 1777, in Dutchess County, New York, and served one month as a private under Captain Barker and Colonel Southerland; one month in summer of 1778, under Capt-tain [sic]] Humphrey and Colonel Hopkins; one month in fall of 1778 under Captain Waters and Colonel Newkirk, and three months in 1779, under Noah Wheeler and Colonel Hopkins. No battles Very respectfully,
mentioned. His claim was allowed. 
Very respectfully, Acting Commissioner.
Mrs. Chas. W. Beale,
Wallace, Idaho.
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Revolution 23560INVALID. 
File No. 23,560 Israel Buck Pri Rev War 
Act: June 7 32 
Index:-Vol. 2, Page 57 
{ Arrangement of 1870. } 
June 22, 1904 His to Mrs. Chas. W. Beale Wallace Idaho
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Charles W. Beale. Attorney at Law. Wallace, Idaho. 
Wallace, Idaho- May 30 1904 
[rectangular stamp:] U. S. OLD WAR & NAVY JUN 8 1904 FILES. P. B. 
To the Commissioner of Pensions Washington, D. C. 
Dear Sir: Will you please inform me if there is any record in your office of a pension having been granted to Israel Buck or his widow a Revolutionary soldier who enlisted from Connecticut but afterwards moved to Western New York, where he died. 
Yours truly, Mrs. Charles W. Beale.