Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 17,310, Piter Bircki, New York
Page 1

3--1776
BIRCKI, PITER
or
BARGA, PETER
Anne Elizabeth
or
Elizabeth Ann

SERVICE New York
NUMBER W. 17,310
CONTENTS [blank]
Page 2

[Left column}
Increased from $26.30
Letter to T. W. Olcott. 28 May 1839

[Right column]
ALBANY 28,729
============
Peter Bircki
of Herkimer Co., in the State of N. York
who was a Pr. of Inft, Batteaurman in the company commanded
by Captain Staring of the Regt. commanded 
by Col. Bellinger in the N. York
line for 7 months & 27 days Pr. Inf.         26.30
9 months Batteauman                              30.00
                                         [Total]             $56.30
===============
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany
at the rate of 56 Dollars 30 Cents per annum,
increased from $26.30,
to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.
================
Certificate of Pension issued the 28th day of May
1839 and sent to Chas. Gray
Herkimer, N.Y.
=================
Arrears to the 4th of  [Blank]
Semi-annual allowance ending   [Blank]
[Total blank]
(Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.)
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk,
Book E.2. Vol. 4 Page 7
Page 3

State of New York   )
Herkimer County    )  SS

On this twelfth 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 said County now sitting Peter Birki a resident of the town of Frankfort
in said County of Herkimer and State of New York aged seventy nine years who being duly sworn
according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit
of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed June 7 1832--That he entered the service
of the United States under the following named Officers and served as herein stated.
That in the [lined out "month of March 1776"] spring [of] the second year of [the] war, the year before Oriskany Battle he enlisted for the term of six months and served
during the whole of said term of six months--That he enlisted into a company commanded
by Captain Jacob Seeber--1st Lieutenant Harryost House, 2d Lieutenant John Seeber and
Ensign John Durne--That said [lined out "that the said Company to which he belonged and 
into which he was so enlisted aforesaid was under the command of Colonel Wynkoop]--
company was stationed during the whole of said term of six months at different
stations on the Mohawk River--That said Company served part of said term at Fort
Standwix.  
[Lined out "that whilst/when he and company were stationed... came back from... at Fort
Stanwick they were under the command and attached to the regiment commanded by
Colonel Dayton]

After his company was at Fort Stanwix the Jersey Regiment
called the Jersey Blues came there--that from Fort Stanwix.  He was marched with his company
to Herkimer where he & his said company were employed in building Fort Dayton--That he at
the time of his said enlistment resided at the now town of Schuyler about six miles above
Herkimer on the Mohawk River then Tryon County--

And he the said Peter Bircki further states that the year following his
aforesaid term of service being the same year that Burgoyne was captured
[lined out "which he believes was in the year 1777"] the same year of Oriskany Battle, 
he again enlisted at Schuyler in said County of Tryon aforesaid
into the Boat Service of the United States--That he enlisted under Captain McGee 
about the middle of March and although he does not now remember the precise term 
and period of his enlistment yet he believes 
it was for the period of nine months or thereabout--That he served under said McGee
under said enlistment for the term of nine months and an half--that is until January furlough--
That he recollects said term of actual service to have been for nine and an half months
from the following facts which this deponent distinctly recollects--That shortly after his
enlistment he was ordered to Albany--That on his way from Schuyler to Albany at the city of
Schenectady, he saw a number of the Irish people engaged in celebrating St. Patrick's Day--
that from this circumstance this deponent believes that he arrived at Schenectady on his
way to Albany on the 17th day of March being the annual festival of St. Patrick--
that he recollects also that he proceeded to Albany on said Term of Service so early in
the spring that there was yet snow and ? was on the ground--That when he arrived
at Albany the navigation [lined out "that"] being [lined out "yet"] open this deponent's first service and which
continued for several weeks was in getting out batteaus timber, cart timber and
Page 4

some of the hands were employed in picking oakum--That the service
rendered by him in boating was performed upon the Hudson in transporting supplies
to the American Army during that year stationed in Saratoga and appeared to
Burgoyne--that the American Army during the early part of the season was commanded
General Philip Schuyler with whom he was acquainted and whom he saw repeatedly
at Fort Edward & at Fort Mibler--that when they arrived at Albany they were mustered in 
Genl Ph. Schuyler's dooryard--that General Schuyler was during the same season
superseded by General Gates and that General Gates had the command of the American Army
when Burgoyne was taken--that in the fall after the closing of the navigation he with
the rest of the company to which he belonged were employed in chopping and getting
out fire wood at a place called Niskayuna for the use of the American Army in
barracks at Albany--That he recollects distinctly that he remained in the service under
this enlistment into the Boat Service as aforesaid until New Years Day when he
and the rest of the company to which he belonged were dischared at Niskayuna
about seven miles above Albany--That a Mr. Winn who resided at Albany, was the
commissary and had charge of the continental store at Albany--and Colonel
Lewis who was also stationed at the same place was then Daymaster--After they
were mustered and put on the master roll at Albany they drew their provisions.

And this deponent further states that at the termination of his term
of boat service aforesaid he returned home to Schuyler aforesaid and where he was
enrolled and served in the Militia until the close of the Revolutionary War--That for about two
years after his return home from his Boat Service he lived at Schuyler and belonged to a Militia
company commanded by Captain Henry Staring, 1st Lieutenant and 2d Lieutenent Theobald Becker and John George Weber & Ensign Jacob Hiller--which company was attached to a Regiment
commanded by Colonel Peter Bellinger, Lieutenant Colonel Frederick Bellinger and Major Lewis
Clapsattle--that for about two years and whilst he so remained at Schuyler - as aforesaid
he was mostly stationed at a fort  built at Schuyler where the inhabitants of that district
had fled for protection and defended themselves against the repeated attacks of the Tories and
factions--
[line inserted "In the summertime we kept the fort & in winter time at home"]
--that he and others of the militia of that district with occasionally a small
body of state troops guarded and defended the said fort at Schuyler--against the enemy until
about the year 1780 as this deponent now believes when most of the militia of that
district having been killed and murdered and taken & carried off prisoners by the enemy
the said fort was abandoned and he and all the inhabitant of that district removed to
Herkimer--then Fort Dayton--that from the year 1780 he remained at Fort Dayton until the
close of the Revolutionary War--that during the time last aforesaid he was at different
times drafted and also volunteered into the service of the United States--that during his stay at
Fort Dayton he was drafted at one time and marched in pursuit of the enemy, and was
with the American forces when Butler was killed on the West Canada Creek--that he
was under the command of Colonel Willett and Major Andrew Finck in said pursuit

[a tear and taped patch at bottom of page]
Page 5

[tape or ribbon at top of page]

that at another time he was again drafted and marched to Canajoharie under the command
of Ensign Patrick Campbell where an attack at the time was expected from the enemy--
that he volunteered also at Fort Dayton under General Van Renssalaer--and pursued the enemy
being the same party who engaged defeated and killed Colonel Brown at Stone Arabia in the town
of Palatine then also in the County of Tryon--that at an other time he volunteered under Captain
Marks Daymuth and with Captain McGee and was marched to Oneida in pursuit of a party of
Indians and Tories--tht he repeatedly volunteered also in pursuit of parties of Tories and Indians
in their attacks upon the inhabitants in the vicinity of Fort Dayton--that whilst so stationed at
Fort Dayton from the time of his arrival which was in the summer of the year 1780
until the beginning of the winter following he and others of the militia were almost daily on duty
in guarding and defending said Fort Dayton--that early in the winter following and during that winter he and the
other militia stationed at Fort Dayton were relieved from duty by continental troops; first by a
party, under Ensign Mason and afterwards by a party under the command of Ensign Duty--
that he cannot ascertain nor does he recollect how long a tenure of service the whole
service rendered by him in the militia at the Fort at Schuyler--; at Fort Dayton and
the other drafted & volunteer service will amount to but that he believes and has no doubt--the
whole amount of service actually rendered by him as aforesaid exclusive of the two first services
aforesaid is at least eight and a half months and believes longer.
And this deponent further saith that he has no documentary evidence of any of his service
aforesaid nor does he know of any person by whom he will be able to prove his last
mentioned drafted & volunteer service except the service rendered by him when
drafted and marched in pursuit of the enemy when Butler was killed, which service
he expects to prove by Jacob Clements of Schuyler--in the county of Herkimer who was
with the American Troops in said pursuit--that his first enlistment & service for
six months under Captain Jacob Seeber--he expects to prove by said Jacob Clements also
who was enlisted and served with him in the same company--that his said Boat
Service for five and a half months he expects to prove by Jacob Bell of the town
and county of Herkimer who was enlisted into the same service with him and who
commenced and ended his term of service with him [some words deleted here
and other words only partially on the page]
Page 6

that his militia service at the Fort at Schuyler above Herkimer he expects
to prove by Jacob Widing of Schuyler--and his militia service at Fort Dayton from
the year 1780 to the close of the war he expects to prove by Peter Bellinger
who was also stationed at Fort Dayton during that period.  That [word blotched  out] stationed
at Fort Dayton he was under the command of Captain Henry Harter, Colonel
Peter Bellinger, Lieutenant Colonel Frederick Bellinger who were militia officers

[Ribbon at bottom of page and words "Mr. Bircki"]
Page 7

That he was born in the year 1753
on the 10th day of July (as he calculates by his age)
in Germany on the continent of Europe--that he had a record
of his age which he has lost since he had
come into the United States--:  Moved into
New York with his father's family about eight years
before the war and he was about twelve years old.

That he ? into the
United States when he was twelve years
of age--that he arrived at Philsdelphia
and from thence proceeded to German Town
above Herkimer now in the town
of Schuyler County of Herkimer and state
of New York--

That he resided in Germantown in the now town of Schuyler 
aforesaid when he entered into the service of the United States--

That since the Revolutionary War 
he had resided at said Germantown now
town of Schuyler in the County of Herkimer
until about four years old when he 
removed into the town of Frankfort in
said county where he now resides--

That he was enlisted for six months 
under Captain Jacob Seeber who was [deleted words "under
the command of Colonel Schuyler as he believes"]--that he cannot now say
to what corps the said Schuyler belonged--that he was enlisted into
the Boat Service of the United States for
nine months and served in
militia under the command of Colonel
Peter Bellinger, Lieutenant Colonel Frederick
Bellinger and that said militia
service was performed under orders
from their military commanders
[words deleted to end of page]
Page 8

that he does not know that he
ever had any written discharge
for any of his said services--

That Warner Folts and
John B. Dygert of Frankfort
reside in his immediate neighborhood
and to whom he is known
and who can testify as to his
character for veracity and their
belief of his services as a soldier
of the Revolution.

And he hereby relinquishes every
claim whatever to a pension or annuity
except the present and declares that he
is not on the pension roll of
the agency of any state--

Sworn to and subscribed
the day and year
aforesaid in Open Court

Piter Bircki
Julius C. Nelson Clerk

And the said Court do hereby declare
their opinion after the investigation of
the matter and after putting the interrogator's
              by the War Department and
after interrogating him particularly as to all the facts stated in his declaration
that the above     applicant was a
Revolutionary soldier and served as he
states--And the Court further certifies
that they are acquainted with Jacob
Clements & Jacob Bell.  Peter P. Bellinger
and Jacob Widing the persons by whom
the services of said applicant is proved
that they are persons of credibility
and that the statements contained in
their respective affidavits are entitled
to credit--
Page 9

12996
Anne Elizabeth Bircki
widow of Peter
N.Y.

Act 7 July 1838

Married 1792
Husband died 29 June 1845
Rejected
Page 10

Declaration - in order to obtain the benefit of the Acts of Congress
of July 7, 1838 and June 17, 1844.

State of New York   )
County of Oswego  )    ss.

On this 16th day of July 1846, personally
appeared before the subscriber, a Judge of the County Courts in
and for said County of Oswego, Anna Elizabeth Bircki, a resident
of the town of Sandy Creek in said county, aged eighty two
years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on her
oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the
benefit of the provisions made by the acts of Congress, passed
July 7, 1838, and June 17, 1844; That she is the widow of
Peter Bircki, who was a Private of Infantry and Bateauxman
in the War of the Revolution, (that she is unable to state the
particular service performed by said Peter during said war, but
would refer to the evidence and declaration made by him
prior to his receiving a Pension Certificate bearing date
May 28, 1834, and one issued in lieu thereof dated May 28th
1839, the latter for fifty six dollars and thirty cents per annum).
She further declares that she was married to the said Peter
Bircki on the fourteenth day of September in the year seventeen
hundred and ninety (1790); that her husband the aforesaid Peter
Bircki, died on the twenty ninth day of June eighteen hundred
and forty five (1845); and that she has remained a widow
ever since that period, as will more fully appear by
reference to the proof hereto annexed.

Sworn to and subscribed on the day
and year above written before me,
Note, the word "ninety" being first interlined.
And I further certify that said Elizabeth is a
credible person of sound mind & memory for and
of her years.  Also that the name "Anna" was
first interlined.     John M. Watson, Judge

Anna Elizabeth X her mark Bircki
Page 11

State of New York  )
Oswego County     )   ss.

Lawrence Widrick of the town
Page 12

State of New York  )
Oswego County     )  ss.

Lawrence Widrig of the town of Sandy Creek
in said county being duly sworn deposeth and saith that
he is in the fifty first year of his age, and 
has been acquainted, since his earlyest recollection,
with Elizabeth Bircki and her husband Peter Bircki, named
in the annexed declaration or affidavit of said Elizabeht;
that said Peter was a Revolutionary pensioner at the rate of
fifty six dollars and thirty cents per annum, as stated in his
Pension Certificate which was sent to the agent for paying
pensions in the City of Albany, state of New York, at the time
the said Elizabeth rec'd the balance of said Pensioner's Pension
due him at the time of his death.  That said Peter Bircki died
on the twenty ninth day of June eighteen hundred & forty five,
and that his widow, the said Elizabeth, has not since married.
And further that he was personally acquainted with the said
Peter and Elizabeth Bircki for forty years, immediately previous
to the death of said Peter, as above stated, during all of which
time they lived together as man and wife, and for several of the
last years, previous to the death of said Peter, they lived in
the family of this deponent, but he never saw any record of
their marriage, and never knew or heard of any except the
one made by the Clergyman, or Minister, of Fort Plain Church
who married them, where they were living when they were married.
And further saith not.

I further certify that said Elizabeth 
who was formerly known as "Anna
Elisabeth," never learned to write,
and never learned to read English
although she can read the dutch
language fluently.
Lawrence Widing

Subscribed and sworn before me
this 16th day of July 1846--and
I further certify that said Lawrence
Widrig is a credible person upon whose
statements full reliance may be placed.
Note--The words "is a son of Peter" being first erased.
John M. Watson
Judge Oswego Co Courts
Page 13

State of New York                     )
Oswego County Clerk's Office  )    ss

I John Carpenter Clerk
of the County of Oswego, hereby certify that John
M. Watson Esquire whose name is subscribed to
the jurats of affidavits & certificates hereon above
written was at the respective date, if with
jurats & affidavits a Judge of the County Courts
in and for the said County, dwelling in said
County and duly commissioned & qualified to
act as such:  that I am well acquainted
with his hand writing and verily believe his
signatures to said jurats & certificates are
genuine.
Witness my hand and the seal of the Court
of Common Pleas of said County this fourth
day of August A.D. 1846
John Carpenter Clerk
Page 14

14346
Peter Bircki

Admitted
Private of Infantry            7 Nov & 27 days
Private of Bateauxman     9 months
                                     ______________
                                        16 months & 27  days

5.16 ob
May 11, 1833
P. 373

Charles Gray
Herkimer
N.Y.
Page 15


14346

BRIEF in the case of Peter Bircki
County of Herkimer in the state of New York
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1.  Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge?  Court

2.  If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily informity?

3.  How old is he?  79

4.  State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

[Column titles:  Period, Duration of Service, Rank, Names of General and Field Officers
under whom he served.]

Enlisted in 17__--2nd year of the war, 6 Months, As a Private, under Capt. J. Seeber, Lieutenants House & Seeber

Enlisted year following, [unclear duration of service], As a Private, under Capt. McGee, in the U.S. Boat Service
          Genl. Schuyler, Genl Gates, Capt. Staring, Col. Bellinger--

Afterwards he was enrolled in the militia, served several tours till close of war.  His duration "not stated precisely", Rank as Private

That exclusive of the two first tours his actual service amounted to at least 8 1/2 months
      and he believes more"

5.  In what battles was he engaged? [Blank]

6.  Where did he reside when he entered the service?  Tryon County, N.Y.

7.  Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by
incidental evidence, or by the rolls?  Credible witnesses

8.  Are the papers defective as to form or authentication?  and if so, in what respect?  They are not
attached to the Seal as required.

*Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above
mentioned.
F. Waugh, Examining Clerk
March 7, 1833
Page 16

[The following is written in the German language, followed by same in English.]

Peter Birki son of Jacob Birki deceased and Anna
Elisabeth Young daughter of John Christ Young were
joined in the Bands of Matrimony Sept. 14th 1790
by D.C.A. Rick Pastor at that time of the Church
at Fort Plain.

A True Copy taken from the Fort Plain
Church wherein are registered, the marriages
births & deaths of the members are recorded. Which
Book of Registry came into my hands Oct. 2nd 1804
when I became Pastor of said Church.
Jno J. Wack

Subscribed & sworn to by
& before me this 12
day June 1846
Aaron Millis Justice

State of New York                  )
Fulton County Clerk's Office  )

I Stephen Wait Clerk of Fulton County do hereby
certify that Aaron Millis before whom the foregoing
Page 17

affidavit of John G. Wack purports to have been taken
was at the date & time of taking the same as Justice
of the Peace elected and sworn, dwelling in said county
and duly authorized to take the same; and further
that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of
said Justice and verily believe that his name subscribed
to the foregoing jurat is his genuine signature,--
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and
the seal of said County this 22d day of June AD 1846.
Stephen Wait, Clerk of
Fulton County
Page 18

[Left column]
3676
New York Albany
=============
Anne Elizabeth Bircki
widow of Peter Bircki
who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a Private & Bateauxman
["N.Y." inserted}
======================
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
56 Dollars 30 Cents
per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1848.
==================
Certificate of Pension issued the
3d day of Feby 1849
and sent to
T. L. Thugerland
Barneveld, NY
=====================
N.Y. Act  2, Feb 48 = 3676 =
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
February 2, 1848, Page 12, Vol. 11

[Right-hand column]
Reported
Feby 5/49
Page 19

November 23, 1933.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

BA-J/ady
Piter Bircki or Peter
Barga, W.17310 &
Jacob Christman, S.12461.

Mrs. Carolyn S. Williams
Ellisburg
New York

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request
the records of Peter Bargy and Jacob Christman, Revolutionary
War pensioners.

Their records are furnished you herewith as found in
the respective claims for pension based upon service in the
Revolutionary War.

Piter Bircki or
Peter Barga, W.17310

Piter Bircki or Peter Barga, son of Jacob, was born
July 10, 1753 in "Elson" Germany, and when about twelve
years old he emigrated with his father's family to the
United States, to Germantown, later called Schuyler, Tryon
County, later called Herkimer County, New York.  The name
of his mother not stated.

While a resident of said Germantown, he enlisted in
March 1776, served six months as private in Captain
Jacob Seeber's Company, Colonel Wynkoop's New York Regiment
and assisted in building Fort Stanwix.  He enlisted and
served nine and one half months as private in the boat
service under Captain Billy McGee, this service ending
January 1, 1778.  He enlisted and served eight and one half
months or more at different periods to the close of the war
in the New York troops as sergeant under Captains Henrich
Starring, Henrig Herder, Mark Demuth and Colonels Peter
Bellinger, Duboys, and Marinus Willett.

About 1831 he moved from said Germantown to Frankfort,
New York, and in 1838 he moved to Sandy Creek, New York.,

He was allowed pension on his application executed
October 12, 1832 while a resident of Frankfort, Herkimer
County, New York.  He signed Piter Bircki, the German
spelling.  Soldier's children wrote their name in English,
Page 20

Barga or Bargy.

Soldier died June 29, 1845 in Sandy Creek, New York.

Soldier married September 14, 1790 in Minden, Montgomery
County, Anna Elizabeth, of said Minden, daughter of
John Christ, or Christian, Young or Youngs.  Their marriage
was recorded on the records of the Fort Plain Church.  The
name of her mother not given.

Soldier's widow, Anna Elizabeth later known as
Elizabeth Ann, was allowed pension on her application executed
July 16, 1846 at which time she was aged eighty-two
years and a resident of Sandy Creek, Oswego County, New
York.  She died in 1850 in Sandy Creek, New York.  Date of widow's 
death not on AB [account book].

In 1861 soldier's daughter, Mary Barber, was living
in Great Valley, New York, her age not stated.

In 1861 soldier's heirs are shown as follow:  Jacob
Bargy, Garret Bargy, Nancy Vottentine, and Barbery Witherick.

One Sanford Barber was living in Cattaraugus County,
New York, in 1861, his age or relationship to soldier not
stated.  There are no further family data.

Jacob Christman
S.12641

Jacob Christman was born in Stone Arabia or Minden,
Montgomery County, New York, data not given and no reference
is made to his parents.

While a resident of Stone Arabia, or Minden, New York,
he enlisted April 1, 1781, served nine months as corporal
in Captain Henry Vanderwarker's Company, Colonel Van Rensselaer's
New York Regiment and was in the battle of Johnstown
where he received three wounds in his leg by musket balls.

He moved from Stone Arabia, New York, to Snellsbush,
thence to Danube, thence to Williamstown, (later Amboy) New
York.

He was allowed pension on his application executed
February 20, 1833 at which time he was aged sixty-nine years
and seven months and a resident of Amboy, Oswego County,

-2-
Page 21

Date of death
not on AB [Account Book]

New York.

There are no family data.

Very truly yours,

A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator.

-3-
Page 22

Rev.

WIDOW, &c.
_______________
File No. 17310
Anne Elizabeth Bircki
widow of
Peter Bircki
Pri Rev War
_____________
Act: Feb 2d, 48
Index:--Vol. 1, Page 63

(Arrangement of 1870.)

[Additional comments written vertically on page]
1933 Nov 23 Hist to Mrs. Carolyn S. Williams.
Also see her letter in Jacob Christman S.12461
Page 23

[Left side of page]

New York 254.
===============
Anne Elizabeth Bircki
widow of Peter Bircki
who was a Pri. & Bateauxman
in the New York Line.
Husb. died 29th June 1845.
======================
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
36 Dollars 30 Cents
per annum, to commence on
the 29th June 1845.
=================
Certificate of Pension issued the
5th day of Sept. 1846
and sent to
Hiram Hubbell, 
Richland,
N. York
===============
(Act of JUNE 17, 1844.)
Recorded in Book A.
Vol. 2.  Page 72.
D.H. Wood Clerk

[Right colum]

Rep'd
Lt. to 1.76 Munger
August 21st '47
Page 24

[Left column]
New York
Peter Bircki
Rev. War
_____________
Suspended
_____________
See let to Chs Gray
5 August 1833
______________
to same 6th Nov '33
_______________
Let to Hon. N. Halsey
6 Dec 1833
_______________
Let to Hon A. Mann
9 Dec 1833
________________
Let to Chs Gray Ap?
15 '34--
_________________
See other side
_____________
Act 7 June '32

[Written vertically on page]
The paragraphs in the letter to Mr. Halsey relating to this
claim and that of Henry Stewart was an error.  He
was not the agent.--
Page 25

[Very faded image]

[Left side]

Mr. Drury Rev Ex
[Date stamp] 
Champaign, Ill.
Dec 10, 1862

[Stamp]
Department of the Interior
Dec. 15, 1862 Pension Office

[Stamp]  FREE

Anne Elizabeth Bircki
wid. of Peter, N.Y. , 2d Feb '48
N.3676
2d Let from agent

[Right hand column]

Mr. Drury, Rev. Ex

[Stamp] FREE
[Stamp] Champaign, ILL
Nov. 27, 1862

Anne E. Bircki - wid of
Peter, N.Y., 2d Feb, 1848
Page 26

New York
Revo
Peter Bircki
Sispended
See letter to
Chs. Gray
5 August 1832
to same 6 Nov. 33.  Let to Hon
N. Halsey 6 Dec '33
__________________
see other side
Act 7 June '32
let to:  Hon A. Mann 9 Dec
1833.
 
[Written vertically on page]
The paragraphs in the letter to Mr. Halsey relating to this claim
and that of Henry Stewart was an Error.  He was not the agent.
Page 27

[Written vertically on page]

Let. to Hon A. Mann 28 May 34
Letter to Chs. Gray 10. May 1839

[Right side of page]

28729 New York
=======================
Peter Bircki
of Herkimer Co in the State of New Yorek
who was a Private in the Comp'y commanded
by Captain Staring of the Regt. commanded
by Col. Bellinger in the New York
line for 7 months & 27 days.
=========================
Inscribed on the Roll of New York
at the rate of 26 Dollars 30 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
==========================
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 day of May
1834 and sent to Hon. A. Mann Ho. Repr
==========================
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 34                    $78.90
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 34      13.15
                                  [Total]                     $92.05

(Revolutionary Claim,)
(Act June 7, 1832.      )
Recorded by Jno Cromwell Clerk, 
Book E, Vol. 4, Page 117
Page 28

[Very faded notes]

Peter Bargy or Barkie
28729
44)254
NY
No. 3676(2 July 48
[Line drawn through "Col. Niles"]
Mr. Rhett
Sept--11th/54
Page 29

[Very faded]

To Commissioner
of Pensions
Page 30

[Extremely faded page]

?  Lett 186?
To ? Commissioner of Pensions
Page 31

Orleunar Dece. 8th 1862
Commissioner of Pensions U.S.A.

Dear Sir:  

I have to state to you that on the 26th day of
November altimo I transmitted to you
accompanied with any address the
declaration of Mrs. Mary Barber
applicant for the pension arrearages that
are due and which have not been paid
Peter Bargy a deceased pensioner of
the Revolutionary War.  Said Mary
Barber daughter of said Peter
Bargy claimant as set forth
in said applicant's declaration for
what may be due and set forth in
claimant's declaration and I am
authorized to collect the sum from the
government and I have to state to you
that I saith you to transmit to me
that amount of the back arrearages
that are due and which are called
for by & through the Agency of mine
being a Power of Attorney and attached 
to said applicant's claim and
forwarded to you by me.  In my
former address of the 26th Ultimo
and may be due me & set forth in
Mrs. Mary Barber's declaration and
in for arrearages.  Please transmit the
draft through the United States
Express Company and mailed to 
my address Uebamar Champaign Co
State of Illinois.
Yours in haste Tenley
& ? Respectfully, Jno T. Page Ally for Claimant
Page 32

P.S.  Please be prompt as possible and
forward me a few of the late
forms to be used in obtaining pension &
bounty land warrants to imbursing
the late Acts of Congress.

J. T. Page
Page 33

[Left column]
[Stamp] Department of the
Interior Pension Office
Dec. 3 1861

[Right column]
This Declaration
of Mary Barber's
applicant
filed on
the 25th day of
June 1861.
By Jno T. Page
Atty
for claimant
Page 34

State of New York    )
Cattaraugus County )SS.

Be it known that before me a Justice of the
Peace in and for the county of
Cattaraugus and State of New York
and authorized according to law
to administer oath according to law.
SS.

Personally appeared Mary Barga
a resident of the town of ?Girent
Realley & State of New York a daughter
of Peter Bargy pensioned to
her marriage ? now Mary Barber
and daughter of the said Peter
Bargy a Revolutionary soldier
and who belonged to the continental
war and belonged to the
New York State Troops under ?
a resident of Herkimer County
& of said state of New York and belonged
to the Militia Company
commanded by Capt. Company
? and Regiment commanded
by General Wasse or as the case
may be and who said attached and
belonged to the New York Line and
Page 35

is no dead and he was pensioned
under Acts of Congress passed 1818
or as the case may he and to which you
are referred to the pensions roll and
list at the Pension Ofice at the
department of the Interior ask the
City of Washington and District
of Columbia and who was paid
at the Agency of the State of New
York said Mary Barbar first
being sworn according to law did
saith that she is the daughter
of the above named Peter Bargy
and who was pensioned by the
United States and made oath
in due form of law that she is
the daughter of Peter Bargy the deceased
person who was a pensioner &
is now dead & to whom a pension certificate
of pensioners was issued which
is not herewith surrendered due
diligence have been used in search
of said certificate it having been
duly surrendered previously or
has been lost & therefore cannot
be surrendered from the fact it being 
lost or destroyed or illegally with
Page 36

held & it therefore cannot herewith
be surrendered & that the
deceased pensioner died June 30
1847 from which time his said
wife Anne E. Bargy widow of
said Peter Bargy now deceased &
who died on the 15 day on a ?
that day 1850 and who was a pensioner
whose pension took
effect from the day of the death
of her said husband's death & who
died at the town of Sandy Creek
as the town where her said
husband died being Sandy Creek
& County of Herkimer &
State of New York.  Said Mary
Barber & Jacob Bargy & Garret
Bargy & Chancy Valentine &
Barbery Witherich the applicants
make this application being of
legal heirs & representatives 
of the said Peter Bargy the said
Mary Barber for her self & the
other heirs claim the amounts
not paid unto the said Peter Bargy
& his said widow deceased being the
Bircki arranged from the day that
Page 37

the Act was passed & had not been
paid unto said Peter Bargy nor
to his said widow or her attorney
or to said heirs & legal representatives.
Said Mary Barbar declares that
no Probate Will had not been prepared
of the estate of Peter Bargy
deceased in the County of Herkimer
County where said soldier
died aforesaid & before his death
said applicants maked this
application for herself & the other
heirs above named claiming all
that might be due owing unto
said applicants at the death of said
pensioner the day of their death
under Act of 18th of March 1818
and 1828 & 1832, and any other acts
that may be or had been passed by the
hands of Congress and all and every
part or fractional part that may
not have been paid as aforesaid
under Act of 18th March 1818
& 1828 and 1832.  Said applicants
allege & declared that said soldier
had not been paid that amount
due & owing unto her at the day
Page 38

of his death which amount had
not been paid which amount is
now due and owing unto said heirs
& said representatives the said
applicants also are I declare that
the soldier entered volunteered
at the commencement of said
war in the year A.D. 1773.
On 29th on or which that day
and done duty for 5 years in
said War of the Revolution or
during the War as the case may
be & was honorably discharged
at the ceremony he as it more fully
appears at the department upon
the Pension List at the Pension
office at the department at the
City of Washington said applicant
Mary Barber & the other heirs
make this application that
they may obtain the amount
of pension that mey be due
from 18th of March to 1818 to 1818
under act of 1828 at the rate
of $96 per annum ninety six
dollars per annum and that
for actual part that is a fraction
Page 39

part due since his death &
not paid & now due & owing
to said applicants & legal representative.
The mark X of Mary Barber

The above subscribed and deposed
to before me this 25th day of
June 1861.
Henry Heath
Justice of the Peace

Know all men by these present
that I Mary Barbar do hereby
appear John T. Page my true and
lawful attorney for me & in my
name to dispense & receive my
pension money and me & the
each other heirs named & in the
annexed Declaration hereto
attached and I do hereby say
said attorney to denounce a pension
that is most of pension money
named & described & in the said
applicants declaration from the
Commissioner of Pensions and of the
United States and my attorney
is also authorized to approve
one or more substitutes and
Page 40

attorneys under him and I also I've
known him with the power of also
institution  & revocation and to do 
all other acts as fully as I could do
were I personally present myself
at the doing thereof I am authorize
my said attorney to obtain from officials
of the government of the United
States at the City of Washington
& elsewhere certified copies of any
Army or Navy records that may
send  to establish his or her claim
or claims set forth in said
applicants declaration hereto named
and hereby revoking all former
answers & authority that had been
given previously by me for the
reasoning of the above mentioned
some claim & a?       mentioned
& expressed given under my
hand & seal this 25th day of June
1801.
Her mark and seal of
X Mary Barber  [Seal]

Attested Henry Foltz
Henry Heath
Page 41

State of New York
Cattaraugus County
June 25 1807 
before Henry Heath Esqr Justice
personally appeared before me
--Mary Barber  to me known to be the subscribed--
to the foregoing letters & Power
of Attorney & subscribed to the same
& acknowledged that it was her
own & free act & did before me &
that it was for the purpose above
named & expressed &c.
Attested
Henry Heath, Justice

And on the same day appeared
personally before me resident of
the County of Cattaraugus County
& State of New York persons personally
known to me who are residents
& witnesses & persons of respectability
& who I certify to be credible
witnesses & that they were duly
qualified & sworn by me as according
to law & that they were personally
present & gave the declarant
subscribed her chance to the declaration
hereto annexed & that's
from their acquaintance with her
& from the appearance of the
Page 42

Declarants believe her to be the
same which individual that the
respondent herself to be & that
as the affiants do further swear
that they have no interest
in said claim and that
they ?  reside at the
place above named &c.
Henry Foltz
Sanford Barber

The above sworn to
and subscribed to before
me the 25th day of June
1801.
Henry Heath, Justice

State of New York     )
Cattaraugus County  )   SS
 Conformably to the Regulations
of the War Department office the
27th of Oct 1832

I Henry Heath--a magistrate in the County of
Cattaraugus above named  do
hereby certify that I have the most
satisfactory evidence of the Truth
Page 43

In the foregoing affidavit of identity
of Sanford Barber &
Spring Falls -------
who this day appeared before me
to take the oath of identity is the
identical person she declared
herself to be in the annexed
affidavits & I am also satisfied
that the statements
made by her in relation
to the promised pension certificate
is true given under
my hand at ?Great Valley
from this 25th day 1801
the day & year above written.
Henry Heath, Justice

State of New York        )
County of Cattaraugus )
Clerk's Office                )

I Enos H. Southwick, Clerk of the County
Clerk and Clerk of the County Court Supreme Court and
all other courts of record in and for the County of Cattaraugus
do hereby certify that Henry Heath Esqr--
before whom the foregoing declaration was sworn to
and subscribed and whose name is subscribed
to the certificate thereof was at the date thereof
an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the
Page 44

county aforesaid, duly elected sworn and authorized
to administer oaths and affirmations
and further that I am well acquainted with his
hand writing and verily believe that his signature
to said certificate is genuine.

In testimony whereof I have
hereunto subscribed my name
and affixed my official seal
at Ellicottville in said county
the 25th day of June 1861--
Enos H. Southwick, Clerk

[Seal and ribbon here]
Page 45

See Barga
Bircke it
should be
254-44
Page 46

Declaration

In order to obtain Pension, and the benefits of the
act of congress of the 2nd February, 1848, entitled
"An act making further provision for surviving
widows and soldiers of the Revolution."

State of New York     )
Oswego County        )   Ss

On this ninth day of
September A.D. 1848, personally appeared by
me Mason Salisbury--a Justice of the Peace
in and for the said County of Oswego, duly
authorized by law to administer oaths, Elisabeth Anne
Barga, a resident of the Town of Sandy Creek,
in said County of Oswego, aged 84 years, who
being first duly sworn according to law doth on
her oath make the following declaration in one
to obtain the benefits of the provision made by
the act of congress passed on the second of
February, 1848, granting pensions to widows of
persons who served during the Revolutionary War.
That she is the widow of Peter Barba, who
was a soldier in the United  States service in the
War of the Revolution and lived in the Mohawk
Valley in said State of New York, and who died
a Revolutionary Pensioner on or about the thirteenth
day of June 1835, in the aforesaid Town of Sandy
Creek, and County of Oswega.  That Declarant
drew a pension of fifty six dollars and thirty
cents per annum, under the act of 17th June, 1844.
She further declares that she is still a widow.

Subscribed and sworn to before me
the day and year first aforesaid.
Elizabeth Anne(her mark X) Barga
Mason Salisbury, Justice of the Peace
Page 47

[Top 9 lines too faded to decipher]
 . . .
I further certify that the name Barga is a
German name and the said Peter Barga
[word blocked] retained the German or they imply
and spelled his name Peter Binckie but the
children write their names in english Barga
or Bargy at the present time
Mason Salisbury, Justice of the Peace

State of New York,                   )
Oswego County Clerk's Office ) SS

I, Jabez H. Gilbert, Clerk of the County of Oswego,
hereby certify that Mason Salisbury, Esq. whose name
is subscrbed to the jurat of affidavit & certificate
hereto annexed, was, at the date of said jurat & believe to be a Justice
of the Peace in and for the said county, dwelling in said county, and duly elected
and qualified to act as such; that I am well acquainted with his hand-writing,
and verily believe his signature to said jurat & certificate is genuine.
Witness my hand and the seal of the said county
this ninth day of September A.D. 1848
Jabez H. Gilbert, Clerk
Page 48

No. 12996 )  335

Anne Elizabeth Bircki
Widow of Peter
N.Y.
Act of July 1838
Rejected husband died
29 June 1845

Adm. Act 17 June 1844
7 mo, 27 days Priv of Inf.   $26.30
9 mo Bateauxman              30.00
        [Total]                        $56.30

from 29th June 1845

Hiram Hubbell
Richland
N.Y.
Page 49

State of New York
Montgomery County SS

George Geortner of the town 
of Canajoharie in said county being duly
sworn deposeth and says that he is aged
eighty years 15th of Jany next
that he was acquainted
with one Peter Bircki who formerly resided in the
county of Herkimer that this deponent was
present at the marriage of said Peter Bircki
which took place in the town of Minden in
the County of Montgomery about fifty six
years ago to Elizabeth Youngs of said town the
daughter of Christion Youngs that the clergyman
who officiated at the marriage was residing
in the town of Minden & his name was
D.C.C.A. Peake that he had been dead a
number of years.  This deponent further states
that this deponent & his present wife Catherine
stood up at the marriage of said Peter Bircki.
This deponent further makes oath & says that he
knows well recollects of said Bircki's doing duty
in the Revolutionary War at Fort Dayton in
particular, when the said fort was attacked by
the indians when he acted as a sergeant he
also knows that said Bircki served in the Cattaraugus
service on the North river during the revolutionary 
war--That some time after the marriage the
said Bircki removed into the county of Osage
as he has informed this deponent has not had much interest
with him since.
Subscribed and sworn to
the 12th day of June 1841
before me.
George Geortner
C. Browne Justice of the Peace
Page 50

State of New York
Montgomery County  SS

Catherain Geortner the wife of
George Geortner within named age of seventy
seven years being duly sworn says that she was
well acquainted with Elizabeth Youngs who
resided in Minden in said county formerly.
That she was present at her marriage to
Peter Bircki & stood up at the ceremony with
her husband, that they were then single but
married about one year after & that the
Rev. Mr. D.C.C.A. Peake was the clergyman
who performed the ceremony & further
says not.--
Subscribed and sworn the
12th day of June 1846 before me.
C. Brown Justice of the Peace
Catharain her mark X Geortner

Montgomery County  SS

I do hereby certify that I am well
acquainted with George Geortner and Catherain his wife
and that they are respectable people and in good standing
in society and entitled to credit.

Canajoharie June 12th 1846.
C. Brown, Justice of the Peace
Page 51

Please direct ?
to    ?   at Cazenovia
N.Y.
Wm J. Hough

[Vertically on page]

Hon. J. L. Edwards
Com. of Pensions
Page 52

Hon. J. L. Edwards

Sir--
"Herewith I hand you the Declaration
of Anna Elizabeth Bircki for a Pension on account of
services of her deceased husband who was a Pensioner.
Also a verified certificate of Rev. John J. Wack
as to the church record of the marriage
of said Anna Elizabeth with said Pensioner--also affs. of
George Geortner & wife as to said marriage--these last need the
proper Certificate of C. Brown the Justice as to his official
character, said Justice having stated to the person who presented
the paper to him that a Certificate would be unnecessary as
he was well known at the Pension Office.  I have supposed
that you might consider the other testimony as to the marriage
sufficient, and have therefore not been at the trouble and expense
of sending for the Clerk's Certificate.

Accompanying the Declaration is an Aff. of Lawrence
Widrig as to the death of the Pensioner.

Should you deem these papers insufficient to entitle
the widow to a pension for a time according to the several
acts in such cases, please inform me in what particulars.

I am, Sir, very respectfully
Your Obdt. Servt.
Hiram Hubbell
Richland, N.Y. Aug. 7, 1846
Page 53

State of New York  )
Herkimer County   )  Ss

Personally appeared 
before me Charles Gray, Commissioner
of Deeds & Peter Bircki who being duly
sworn deposeth & 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 nine and a half months, I served
as a private in the Boat Service of the United
States in a company commanded by
Capt. Billy McGee & that I do not know
that there were any other officers in said
company nor do I know for certain under whose
command the said McGee served but
believe he was under the command of Gen. Philip Schuyler
that the only officers that belonged to said
corps that I now recollect were a
Mr. ? who was a Commissary
and Morgan Lewis was our Paymaster.
That both Lewis and ? were
stationed at Albany, state of New York.
That I rendered this service by enlistment
in the year 1777 as I believe I am
certain it was during the same
season that Burgoyne was captured.

For six months, I served as a
private by enlistment in a company
commanded by
Capt. Jacob Seeber
1st Lieut Harryost House
2nd Lieut John Seeber &
Ensign John Durne
Col. Wynkoop commanded the
regiment as I am informed and believe
and as is testified by Jacob Clements.
Page 54

who enlisted and served with me during 
said six months and whose Affidavit
is attached and my declaration. Although
I do not myself positively recollect
whether said company was under
Col. Wynkoop--

For eight and a half months
and as I believe longer I served
[lined out "as a private in"] the militia of
the state of New York--that in
said service of eight & a half months
I include all the actual militia
service that was performed by
me from the commencement
to the close of the Revolutionary
War--that in said term of 8 1/2
months is included all my days?
volunteer and other militia
service--that said service was
rendered at intervals and at
different periods and under
different militia and other officers
and I cannot remember and
cannot therefore state how much
of said 8 1/2 months service was
rendered under each of said
officers under whom I served--
that when I resided at Germantown
now Schuyler I served in a company
of militia commanded by Capt. Henry
Staring 1st & 2d Lieutenants Theobald Becker
and George Neber & Ensign Jacob Hiller--that
at Herkimer at Fort Dayton where I also
resided for several years during said war
I served in a company of militia
Page 55

commanded by Captain Henry
Harter that Peter Weber was also an
officer in said company and I believe
he was lieutenant and I believe when Demuth was
also an officer in said company but cannot state certain--

That both said companies of 
militia in which I so served as
aforesaid belonged to the regiment
commanded by Col. Peter Bellinger
Lieut. Col. Frederick Bellinger & Major
Dennis Clapsattle--that until the
Oriskany Battle where he was
wounded and of which wound he
died Nicholas Herkimer was General
of the militia in which I served--
that I do not recollect who
succeeded Genl Herkimer in
command and I believe there was no
general in our militia after Herkimers death to the
close of the war--that  my drafted and
volunteer service was rendered under
Col. Willett, Col. Dobois, Genl Van Rensselaer,
Ensign Campbell, Capt. Demuth and
was not nor was any of my other
militia service excepted the two
terms of enlistment aforesaid for
any fixed as certain terms or
periods, that I can now recollect
and I cannot therefore state how long
precisely I did service under any or
either of said officers although I have
no doubt, that said service taken
collectively exceeds the term of 8 1/2
months.  And for all of the aforesaid
services I claim a pension--and I further
state that at the time I [something lined out here]
served at Fort Stanwix as is stated in my
declaration the company in which I
served was under the command of Col. Dayton
Page 56

who commanded a regiment of continental
troops called the Jersey Blues in that I served
under said Col. Dayton at Fort Dayton at
Herkimer although Col. Dayton was not
the colonel of the regiment in which I
was at the time enlisted--that I served
as first Sergeant during the whole period of
my militia service both in the company
of Capt. Henry Staring and in the company
of Capt. Henry Harter--that at the time
I was stationed at the fort at Germantown
under Capt. Staring an attack was made
upon said fort by the Indians and Tories
and that Capt. Staring being absent at the
time as well as the other officers of the
company some of whom having been recently killed
[a few words lined out here] I had the command of said Fort.
Piter Birki

State of New York   )
Herkimer County    )  SS

On the 21st day of
May 1833, before me Charles Gray
commissioner of Deeds &c came Peter
Bircki to me known & subscribed and
made oath in due form of law to
the foregoing Affidavit; and I further
certify that the said Peter is a person
of fair character and a man of
entire credibility--
Charles Gray

State of New York   )
Herkimer County    )   SS

I Julius C. Nelson clerk of the
said county do hereby certify that Charles Gray
before whom the foregoing Affidavit was sworn
was on the date of his certificate thereto annexed
a commissioner in & for said county and duly
authorized to administer oaths--and that from my
acquaintenance with the hand writing of said Charles I
believe the signature of said Charles to said Affidavit
to be genuine and the proper handwriting of
said Charles Gray--Given under my hand and seal of
office this 21st day of May 1833.
Julius C. Nelson Clerk
Page 57

Peter Bercki

14.346
Revs.
New York
Suspended, Act 7 June '32

Susp'd
letter 1 Nov. '33
to
Charles Gray
Page 58

[Graph]
Peter Bircki's Services for which he
claims a Pension--

[Colum headings:[  "Period when service was Rendered/ Dates of Claimant's Service/
Names & Rank of Officers Under Whom he Served/ Remarks"

1776, 6 Months, Col. Dayton, Capt. Jacob Seeber, 1st & 2nd Lieutenants Harryost House & John Seeber & 
Ensign John Dunn--This service was by enlistment.  See page 1 of Affidavit

1776, 6 Months, 2 days, Genl Nicholas Herkimer, Col. Peter Bellinger, Lieutenant Col. Thomas Bellinger
Major Lewis Clapsattle, Capt. Henry Staring, 1st and 2d Lieutenants Becker & J G Weaver & Ensign Jacob Hiller--
This service was by order of my militia officers under whom I read ?enrolled & served.  See p. 3, Affidavit, line 19 &c.

1777, 6 Months, 2 days, Genl Nicholas Herkimer, Col. Peter Bellinger, Lieutenant Col. Thomas Bellinger
Major Lewis Clapsattle, Capt. Henry Staring, 1st and 2d Lieutenants Becker & J G Weaver & Ensign Jacob Hiller--
This service was by order of Capt. Staring.  See p. 4, line 5, Affidavit.

1777, 9 1/2 Months, Genl. Schuyler, Genl. Gates, Capt. Bellinger.  See Affidavit, p. 2 & 3, Part A

1778, 2 Months, Col. Peter Bellinger, Capt. H. Staring, Lieutenants Becker & Weaver
At Fort Widrig.  See Affidavit pages 42/part 5

1779, 1 1/2 Months--Same as above.

1779, 1 Month, Col. Peter Bellinger, Capt. Henry Harter, Lieutenant Peter Weaver & John Damuth &
Ensign John Bellinger, Served at Fort Dayton.  See p. 6, line 15.

1780, 3 1/2 months--Served under:  Same as above.  Ditto--page 7, line 30

1781, 3 1/2 months--Served under:  Same as above.  Ditto--page 8, line 12

1782, 2 months--Served under:  Same as above.  Ditto--page 8, line 16

At different periods of the war the years not recollected for volunteer I drafted several including some service rendered
in the night time -- 21 days..... For the 21 days service, see Affidavit pages 9-10 & 11.

During the whole period of the service above contained Mr. Bircki acted in the
capacity of a sergeant except his boat service and his enlistment for six months when he acted as a private.
Page 59

Tabular Statement
Page 60

Tabular Statement of the Services of Peter Bircki for which
he claimed pension.
=============================================
Column headings:  
Period when the service was rendered
Duration of service--Years, months, days
Rank of claimant
Names & rank of the field & other officers under whom the claimant served
Present age of claimant and place of abode when he entered the services
Proof by which the declaration supported
Page and lines in declaration where service is set forth and remarks
_____________________________________________________________________
1776  6 Months, as Private
Under Col. Dayton, Capt. Seeber, Lieutenants House & Seeber, Ensign Dunn
Eighty years, Germantown, Herkimer County
Affidavit of Jacob Clements, Page 1, line 13 or to page 20--

1776  2 Days, as Drill Officer & Sergeant
Genl. Nicholas Herkimer, Col. Peter Bellinger, Lieutanant Col. Fredk Bellinger, Major Clapsattle, Capt. Staring
Eighty years, Germantown, Herkimer County
This service is proved by certification of John B.  Dygest & Marian Folts--annexed.  P. 4, lines 8, 9, 10, 11

1777  2 Days, as Drill Officer & Sergeant
Officers--Same as above.
Age/Abode--Same as above.
Proof--Same as above.
Page/Lines in declaration--Same as above.  Lines 21 & 22 one day & one night equal 2 days

1778  2 Month, 15 days only, as Drill Officer & Sergeant
Officers--Same as above.
Age/Abode--Same as above.
Proof--Same as above.
Page/Lines in declaration--Affidavit Jacob Midry annexed, p. 5, lines 3 and 22

1779  1 Month, 15 days, as Drill Officer & Sergeant
Officers--Same as above.
Age/Abode--Same as above.
Proof--Same as above.
Page/Lines in declaration--Affidavit Jacob Midry annexed, p. 6, line 15

1779  1 Month, 15 days, as Drill Officer & Sergeant
Officers--Col. Bellinger, Capt. Harter
Age/Abode--Herkimer--Herk. Co.
Proof--Affidavits of Philip Harter & J.B. Dygest & Marian Folts
Page/Lines in declaration--Same as above, line 31

1780  15 Days, as Drill Officer & Sergeant
Officers--Col. Bellinger, Capt. Harter
Age/Abode--Herkimer--Herk. Co.
Proof--Affidavit now on file, p. 7, line 30

1781  15 Days, as Drill Officer & Sergeant
Officers--Col. Bellinger, Capt. Harter
Age/Abode--Herkimer--Herk. Co.
Proof--Affidavit now on file, p. 8, line 15

1782  2 Months, 15 Days, as Drill Officer & Sergeant
Officers--Col. Bellinger, Capt. Harter
Age/Abode--Herkimer--Herk. Co.
Proof--Affidavit now on file, p. 8, line 18

Volunteer & Drafted Services, this period not remembered:
5 Days, 1 Day, 1 Day, 1 Day, 2 Days, 1 Day, 3 Days, 2 Days, 1 Day, 1 Day
1 Day, 1 Day, 1/2 Day, 2 1/2 Days
Officers same as in 1782.
Age/Abode same as in 1782
Proof--Affidavit Jacob Clements, Certificates of J.B. Dygest & M. Folts.
Page/Lines--p. 9, lines 14, 18, 25, 30
p. 10, lines 3, 12, 19, 25, 28 & 29
P. 11, lines 5, 10, 16, 21,
p. 12, lines 14, 17, 18 & 20

[Writing vertically on page]
That, the applicant served
as sergeant during his whole
term of militia service appears
from page 8 lines 25 & 26.
Page 61

Bircki

Revolutionary claims

J. L. Edwards, Esqr.
Court Pens.
Washington

May 4
?
[Date stamp]
Page 62

Herkimer 29th Apl 1839

J. L. Edwards, Esquire

Sir:

I addressed a letter to
you some time during the past writen in
behalf of the Peter Bercki a Revolutionary
Pensioner under the act of June 7, 1832
for an increase of his pension--

The increase is claimed for a term of Boat
Service for 9 months which at the time
of his original application was
denied, but which service is now
as we understand, deemed a service
coming within the act, entitling the
persons who rendered it to a pension--

You will by a reference to
Mr. Bercki's papers on file in your
department find undoubted evidence
of this service--We have received
no answer to our inquiry & application
and after repeated inquiries from all Mr.
B[ircki] and his friends as to your conclusions
in this matter and their urgent
Page 63

request to have us offer  & to you
on this subject, we are induced to
make the inquiry whether our letter
on this subject was received and
whether you consider Mr. Bercki
entitled to this increase--

I am very respectfully
your obt. servt.
Charles Gray
Page 64

Peter Berecki
N.Y.
on roll '32
No. 28.729
Revolutionary Claim
May 27
In at N.Y.
[Date stamp May 23]

J. L. Edwards Esquire
Com. of Pensions
Washington
Page 65

Herkimer May 23d, 1839

J.L. Edwards Esquire

In compliance with your
offer contained in your letter of the 10th
instant to issue a new certificate
including 9 months additional reported Boat service
on the return of the old certificate
I herewith return to you Mr.
Peter Bercki's pension certificate.

You also state that the letter
alluded to by me as sent in the winter
of 1839 was not received--

In that letter I called your
attention also to the claim of the heirs
of Frederick Bellinger of Germanflatts
now deceased--Mr. Bellinger was
an applicant also for a pension in
1832 and made proof positive of 9 mos.
Boat Service.  His application was 
wholly denied and that service
rendered in the Boat Service was denied
expressly on the ground that the
Boat service was not contemplated
in the act--Mr. Bellinger died
in the summer of 1833 and in
my letter of last winter which
you state was state was not
received I made application also
for the heirs of the Bellingers for his
service for Boat Service (9 mos.) from
March 1831 & his death which occurred
in 1833--Since the death of Mr.
Page 66

Bellinger we have accidently discovered
from the pay rolls of Capt. Michael
Ittig (which rolls lately forwarded to
you by me with the papers of
widow Elizabeth Shoemaker--wife
of Christopher Shoemaker, that Mr.
Frederick Bellinger--rendered militia
service under Capt. Ittig--

We would thank you to inform
us for the benefit of the heirs of
Mr. Fredr Bellinger, whether they are
entitled to the pension which
would have been allowed to their
father for the Boat Service, had the
same construction--which is now
put upon the act, preterite when
he was living and made his application.

Since the Department is now
giving the benefit of this construction
with Mr. Bercki and others, survivors of
this species of service we apprehend
that it will not be denied to the heirs
of such who had made application while living would be
equally entitled to it if living--

Please forward to me the new
certificate for Mr. Bercki and an answer
to our inquiries relative to the chance of
the heirs of Bellinger.

I am respectfully your
obt servt.
Chas Gray
Page 67

Payments to be made
at New York
by the Presd. Mech's Bank
Agent for paying Pensioners
in the Agency of

New York

Recorded in the Pension Office,
in Book E, Vol. 4
Page 117 by Jno Cromwell, Clerk
Page 68

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.

I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United
States of the 7th June, 1832, Peter Bircki of the
State of New York
who was a private in the Revolutionary Army
is entitled to receive Twenty six dollars and
thirty cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing
on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually
on the 4th of March, and 4th of September in
every year.

Given at the War Office of the United
States, this 28th day of
May one thousand eight
hundred and thirty-four.

[Incomplete initials]

[A Ribbon]

Examined and
Countersigned.

Came to reside from Frankfort to Sandy Creek
in March 14 1838
Page 69

7 mo & 27 days

Adm'd
7 mo 27 days pri

Hon. A. Mann Jr.
Page 70

State of New York
County of Herkimer

On this sixth day of February personally appeared
in open court before the judges of the Court of Common
Pleas now sitting Peter Bircki a resident of Frankfort
in the County of Herkimer and State of New York aged eighty
years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his
oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the
benefit of the act of congress passed June 7th 1832--that by reason
of old age and the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear
positively to the precise length of his service, but according
to his best recollection he served not less than the periods
mentioned below and in the following grades--and under
the officers herein after named--

For six months in the summer of the year 1776 I was
enlisted and served in a company commanded by Captain Jacob
Seeber, 1st Lieut. Harryost House, 2d Lieut. John Seeber & Ensign
John Dunn.

I do not know to what Regiment said company
was attached--I with said company was marched to Fort
Stanwix and employed in building said Fort.  That after we
were stationed at Fort Stanwix a short time Col. Dayton with
his regiment being a regiment of regulars called the Jersey
Blues arrived and commenced the building of the Fort--That
as soon as Col. Dayton arrived our company was under
the command of Col. Dayton--that our company continued
so employed upon said Fort until the same was completed--
That I do not remember how long we were employed in the
building of Fort Stanwix, but believe it was at least two months.
That after the completion of Fort Stanwix I and the said
company under the command of said Col. Dayton were
marched to Herkimer and there still under the command of
Col. Dayton commenced the building of Fort Dayton at that
place--that the said company in which I was enlisted
continued under the command of Col. Dayton to be employed
upon Fort Dayton until the same was also completed--That I
do not remember how long precisely we were engaged in building
Fort Dayton but I believe two or three weeks-- that in building
Fort Dayton we were assisted by the militia and were not a
Page 71

great while in doing the work--that after the Fort was completed
Col. Dayton and his regiment left Herkimer and Captain
Seeber and his company of which I still continued to be a
member were left in said Fort Dayton to guard said Fort
until the expiration of my said term of enlistment for
six months--that I acted as a private during the whole
term of my six months enlistment--I resided at Germantown
now Schuyler Herkimer County, when I enlisted--

[The following text was crossed out.]

For nine months and a half I served in the Boat
Service under the command of Capt. Billy McGee under whom
I was enlisted for the term of nine months--this service
was by enlistment for the term of nine months and was in
the year 1777 and under the command of General Philip Schuyler
for part of the term, and under Genl. Gates who during said
year superceded Genl Schuyler during the residue of my said
term--That I am informed that for this service it is the
opinion of the department that I am not entitled to a
pension for the reason that it is not considered as a term
of continued service and that the act does not contemplate
or provide for any such service--That I am informed
by Andrew Piper of Frankfort Herkimer County that a pension
has been allowed to him said Andrew for a precisely
similar service & that from this circumstance I am induced
to think there is some mistake about this service and will
therefore again state this service and the answer thereof--

I enlisted in said Boat Service as I now believe about the first
day of March 1777 & that I at the time resided at the place
now called Germantown Schuyler above Herkimer--That about
the middle of March 1777 I and some of my neighbors who
had also enlisted were ordered to Albany to enter upon our Term
of Service--that when we arrived at Albany we were mustered
in Genl. Philip Schuylers door aforesaid--that we were immediately
thereafter by the command of Genl Schuyler put upon duty
and drew our rations the same as other troops in the service
of the United States.
Page 72

[This first paragraph was crossed out.]

That our first service was in getting out bateaux & cart
timber which continued as I now believe about three weeks.
That after this and until the close of navigation in the fall
I continued in the Boat Service on the Hudson River.
and after the close of the navigation and until New Years
day when I was discharged, we were engaged in getting out
firewood in the neighborhood of Albany, for the troops
in barracks at Albany--That this service was continued
and uninterrupted from the middle of March when I first
arrived at Albany until New Years day following when
I was discharged except that during said term I obtained
a furlough for about two or three weeks during which
time I visited my family, at Germantown and at the
end of said furlough I again returned to my service.
That the whole of this service was in the company
of Capt. Billy McGee and under Generals Schuyler and
gates as aforesaid.

[The following NO LONGER is crossed out.]

That the following is all my other militia
and volunteer serviced in the service of the United States
during the Revolutionary War--In the fall of 1776 after
the expiration of any aforesaid term of enlistment for six
months, I was enrolled in a company of militia commanded
by Capt. Henry Staring, 1st Lieut. Theobald Becker, 2d Lieut.
John George Weaver and Ensign Jacob Hiller, in the
regiment commanded by Col. Peter Bellinger, Lieut. Col.
Frederick Bellinger & Major Denis Clapsattle, and the
whole were under the command of General Nicholas
Herkimer--that the said militia were as I am informed
and believe regularly organized in pursuance of a
Page 73

P. 4
resolution of congress of 1775 and were then and during
the whole period of the war under orders to keep themselves
in readiness to march at a minutes warning--That for
the reason that I had been in the service and had learned
to exercise some I was appointed a sergeant in the company
of Capt. Henry Staring on my enrollment therein in the
fall of 1776 and that during said fall the said company
were culled together for the purpose of exercising once or
twice when I attended and by the order of Capt. Staring
exercised the company--that I served as a drill officer
one or two days in the fall of 1776.   That these trainings
were in pursuance to the resolution of congress aforesaid
as I am also informed and believe--That in the
winter following I was ordered by said Captain Staring
to go in pursuit of a man who was supected to be
a tory--that I proceeded upon this service from
Germantown where I resided to Deerfield near Utica, the
distance of about nine miles--I left home one day
and in the same night following took the man, brought
him to Schuyler to Capt. Staring who examined him and
then discharged him--I was gone on this duty part
of one day and one night.  This man subsequently runaway
a tory.  This service and my Boat Service was my only
service that I now remember doing in the year 1777--
In the spring or summer of 1778 Capt. Staring to whose
company I belonged and under whom I continued to serve
after my return from the said Boat Service received
orders but from whom I do not now remember, but
believe from Colonel Gansevoort and Col. Peter Bellinger to erect at Germantown
a Fort for the protection and defense of the inhabitants
residing in that place which Fort was called Fort
Widrig--that under said Staring and the other officers
Page 74

[Ribbon here]

except Ensign Hiller who was killed in the year 1777 in the
Oriskany Battle.  I in the early part of the said year 1778
served as a sergeant for at least one month as I now believe.
That I was during said term of one month wholly and
constantly upon the building of said Fort.  That after
the completion of said Fort the inhabitants of Germantown
immediately collected at said Fort and remained there
constantly until the winter following when the enemy
having gone off they returned home to their houses--
That from the time of the completion of said Fort
and the collection of the inhabitants there and whilst
the said inhabitants so continued at said Fort and
until the winter following a guard was constantly
kept up at said Fort.  There said guard during said
period consisted of the said Militia company of Capt. Staring
to which I belonged and parties of nine months men & three
months men who were from time to time ordered to said Fort
by Col. Peter Bellinger and who alternately came to relieve the Militia
under the command of Capt. Henry Staring--that in this alternate
guard service during the year 1778 after the completion of said
Fort & before the winter following I performed as I now believe
["22" in left margin] at least one month active service and I think more--
That early in the spring of 1779 after the enemy made his approach
and when danger was apprehended the inhabitants again collected
at this Fort and a guard was again put into said Fort
to keep and defend it--That the company of Militia of
Capt. Staring in which I still continued to serve were again
ordered to said Fort and were stationed there on duty and
kept on duty except that we were again occasionally assisted
and by turns relieved by troops ordered there belonging to the
nine months and other service until [crossed out "about the first of September"]
August or September 1779 when the said Fort was abandoned
and the troops stationed there together with the inhabitants
removed to Fort Dayton at Herkimer--That during the
spring and summer of 1779 Lieutenants Weaver and Becker
Page 75

[Ribbon at top of page]

P. 5

except Ensign Hiller who was killed in the year 1777 in the
Oriskany Battle.  I in the early part of the said year 1778
served as a sergeant for at least one month as I now believe.
That I was during said term of one month wholly and
constantly upon the building of said Fort.  That after
the completion of said Fort the inhabitants of Germantown
immediately collected at said For and remained there
constantly until the winter following when the enemy
having gone off they returned home to their houses--
That from the time of the completion of said Fort
and the collection of the inhabitants there and whilst
the said inhabitants so continued at said Fort and
until the winter following a guard was constantly
kept up at said Fort.  There said guard during said
period consisted of the said Militia company of Capt. Staring
to which I belonged and parties of nine months men & three
months men who were from time to time ordered to said Fort
by Col. Peter Bellinger and who alternately came to relieve the Militia
under the command of Capt. Henry Staring--that in this alternate
guard service during the year 1778 after the completion of said
Fort & before the winter following I performed as I now believe
["32" in left margin] at least one month active service and I think more--
That early in the spring of 1779 after the enemy made his approach
and when danger was apprehended the inhabitants again collected
at this Fort and a guard was again put into said Fort
to keep and defend it--That the company of Militia of
Capt. Staring in which I still continued to serve were again
ordered to said Fort and were stationed there on duty, and
kept on duty except that we were again occasionally assisted
and by turns relieved by troops ordered there belonging to the
nine months and other service until [lined out "about the first of September"]
August or September 1779 when the said Fort was abandoned
and the troops stationed there together with the inhabitants
removed to Fort Dayton at Herkimer--That during the
spring and summer of 1779 Lieutenants Weaver and Becker
Page 76

p. 6

were both taken prisoners by the enemy in the
vicinity of said Fort Widrig and some of the Militia and
other inhabitants having been killed the defence of said Fort
was deemed no longer practicable--that some time during
the summer of 1779 after the said Lieuts Becker and Weaver
were taken off prisoners and in the absence of Capt. Staring
and all the other commissioned officers an attack was 
made upon said Fort Widrig by a party of Indians
and tories when I being a sergeant had the command
of the Fort and resisted the attack and saved the fort.

That I served at said fort in the year 1779 & before
the month of August or September of the same year when
the Fort was abandoned at least one
month and a half as I now believe--This service was also in
the Militia in the company of Capt. Henry Staring although said
Staring was absent part of the time--Said company during
said year 1779 still remained under the command and in the regiment 
commanded by Col. Peter Bellinger--Lieut. Col. Frederick Bellinger was
taken prisoner and General Herkimer and Major Denis Clapsattle
were killed in the Oriskany Battle in the year 1777--

When I arrived at Fort Dayton in the month of August or
September 1779 after the abandonment of Fort Widrig at Germantown
I was enrolled in a company of Militia commanded by Capt.
Henry Harter, Lieuts Peter Weaver and John Daymouth [lined out
"and ensign John Bellinger"]
in the regiment commanded by
Col. Peter Bellinger--That I was immediately after my
arrival at Fort Dayton and enrollment in said company
of Capt. Harter ordered upon duty at said Fort Dayton and
during the fall of said year 1779 at said Fort Dayton served
in said company & under said officers for the term of at
["number 31" in left margin] least one month--That the duties at said Fort Dayton
were the usual Garrison duties and were also our duties at Fort Widing--
That in the winter following
we were relieved from duty by regular troops who were
stationed at said Fort during the winter, but whether the
regulars stationed there during the winter were commanded

[Ribbon here]
Page 77

[Seal or stamp at top of page]

["17" in left margin]
by Ensign Duty or Ensign Mason or some other regular
officer I cannot now remember, but I do remember that at some
period of my station at Fort Dayton regular troops were
stationed there commanded by Ensign Duty and at an other
time an other party stationed there was commanded by
Ensign Mason, and at times I believe there were regular troops
at said Fort Dayton without any commissioned regular officer
with them--

In the year 1780 I remained stationed at Fort Dayton at
Herkimer and served in the same company of militia commanded
by Capt. Henry Harter in the regiment of Col. Peter Bellinger--
I do not recollect whether Capt. Harter remained at said Fort during
this year--Capt. Harter moved away about this time, and went
some where below Albany where he remained until the close of
the war--In the absence of Capt. Harter the company was
under the command of Lieut Weaver & Lieut. Daymouth as
I think but all our orders whilst I remained at said Fort
Dayton where I remained stationed until the close of the war
were given to us by Col. Peter Bellinger--during the season of
1780 commencing the 1st of April and ending the first of November
we by the orders of ol. Peter Bellinger were kept under arms, and
upon duty almost continually at said Fort Dayton--That
there were spells when we were relieved from duty, by regulars,
and when we were not engaged in any other duty than occasional
pursuits of the enemy--For most of the said period of seven
months commencing the first of April & ending the first of
November we by the express orders of Col. Peter Bellinger were
kept on duty in said Fort Dayton and I do now believe
that the duty done by some in said Fort during said period
was at least three and a half months actual service--
That I do not remember of doing any duty at said Fort Dayton
the winter following or any other winter season whilst I remained
Page 78

[Stamp at top of page]
["17" in left margin]

by Ensign Duty or Ensign Mason or some other regular
officer I cannot now remember, but I do remember that at some
period of my station at Fort Dayton regular troops were
stationed there commanded by Ensign Duty, and at an other
time an other party stationed there was commanded by
Ensign Mason, and at times I believe there were regular troops
at said Fort Dayton without any commissioned regular officer
with them--

In the year 1780 I remained stationed at Fort Dayton at
Herkimer and served in the same company of militia commanded
by Capt. Henry Harter in the regiment of Col. Peter Bellinger--
I do not recollect whether Capt. Harter remained at said Fort during
this year--Capt. Harter moved away about this time, and went
some where below Albany where he remained until the close of
the war--In the absence of Capt. Harter the company was
under the command of Lieut. Weaver & Lieut. Daymouth, as
I think:  but all our orders whilst I remained at said Fort
Dayton where I remained stationed until the close of the war
were given to us by Col. Peter Bellinger--during the season of
1780 commencing the 1st of April and ending the first of November
we by the orders of Col. Peter Bellinger were kept under arms and
upon duty almost continually at said Fort Dayton--That
there were spells when we were relieved from duty by regulars
and when we were not engaged in any other duty than occasional
pursuits of the enemy--For most of the said period of seven
months commencing the first of April & ending the first of
November we by the express orders of Col. Peter Bellinger were
kept on duty in said Fort Dayton and I do now believe
that the duty done by me in said Fort during said period
was at least three and a half months actual service--
That I do not remember of doing any duty at said Fort Dayton
the winter following or any other winter season whilst I remained
Page 79

p 8
at Fort Dayton--In the winter season and every winter that
I was at Fort Dayton there were regular troops stationed there
who kept and guarded said Fort as I now believe--Said Fort
was in the summer season kept and guarded mostly by the
militia although there were parties of regulars there occasionally
in the summer--I remained at said Fort Dayton in
the year 1781 in the same militia company and under the
same officers I think that were there in the year 1780--during
the year 1781 under the same officers and under the command
of Col. Peter Bellinger we performed again the same duties that
were rendered by us and for the same period that we served
during the year 1780, and although I cannot state precisely
how long I did serve during that year yet I believe that
during said year in said Fort I did serve for the period of
["15" in left margin] three months and one half.

In the year 1782 I was also at said Fort and under
the same officers under whom I served in the year 1781--I again
["16" in left margin] served as I believe for the period of two months--This service
was rendered in the early part of the season--I remember distinctly
that on the night previous or the same night when the enemy
attacked and burnt the Mill at the Little Falls which was in May
or June of that year as I believe I acted as officer of the guard
at Fort Dayton--that from the time of my enrollment into the
militia in the fall of 1776 in the company of Capt. Henry
["25" in left margin] Staring and afterwards under Capt. Harter to the close of
["26" in left margin} the war I acted as a sergeant--My militia services during
the several years herein before mentioned and for the several
terms claimed in those several years respectively were not a
constant and uninterrupted service--But taking my
actual services rendered in each of the said years aforesaid
which were done in tours varying from two to six weeks
each together I have served as I believe the said periods
claimed in each of the said respective years.

[Seal]
Page 80

[Seal]
p.9
The services were rendered from time to time under orders
from my officers and for no fixed or definite periods.  I was
always during said war when not enlisted under orders to
keep myself in readiness to march at a minutes warning and
which orders I always during said war promptly obeyed--
that the duration of our terms of service in the militia
always depended upon the exigencies requiring the service--
Besides my aforesaid service by enlistment and my said
garrison service I rendered also the following volunteer and
drafted service--at the time that Col. Willet pursued the enemy
after the Johnstown Battle at the time Butler was killed on the
West Canada Creek I was drafted and marched with Col. Willet
and his men and was on duty from the time I left Fort
["14" in left margin] Dayton until I returned to Fort Dayton again, five days--
I was at another time drafted when stationed at Fort Dayton
to pursue the enemy who had taken prisoners as was supposed
three women in the neighborhood of said Fort--That I and
["18" in left margin] the rest of the men who pursued were out but one day, when
we found two of the women dead whom we brought to
Fort Dayton where they were buried.  The other was taken
off as was afterwards ascertained a prisoner by the Indians.
At an other time I volunteered and with Ensign Mason and
some regular troops pursued the enemy being a party of Indians
who approached the Fort and fired upon the inhabitants--we
["15" in left margin] were gone part of a day only--At an other time I volunteered
and in company with some more of the militia at Fort Dayton
pursued the enemy being a party of Indians when we had
some skirmishing--there were two of our men killed and
four taken prisoners and two wounded--were out part
["30" in left margin] of a day only--I volunteered also at an other time
and proceeded from Fort Dayton with the troops under General
Van Ransselaer in pursuit of the enemy who had defeated Col.
Brown at Valentine--We pursued the enemy but did not come
Page 81

p. 10
up with them and Genl. Van Ransselaer gave up the pursuit
and returned to Albany and I returned to Fort Dayton--I was
["3" in left margin] out on this excursion two days--I was drafted at one time
at Fort Dayton and with some more of the militia who were also
drafted was sent to Germantown to see whether the enemy was
not at that place--When we arrived at Germantown we found
that the enemy had just left there having set fire to the Fort
which had some time before been abandoned--before we returned
to Fort Dayton the Indians had been in the neighborhood
of said Fort had a skirmish with our men--murdered
one man and took one of our soldiers prisoner--I was
["12" in left margin] gone on this service one day--At an other time with a
party of nine months men I volunteered at Fort Widrig
under Capt. Damouth & Capt. McGee and sent to Oneida in
pursuit of a party of Indians who had halted at that
place as we were informed with the plunder taken by them on
the Mohawk River--when we arrived at Oneida the Indians
had left two or three days before with all their plunder--
["19" in left margin] I was engaged in this service three days--At an other time
when at Fort Widrig I was drafted and sent with Ensign
Campbell and a party of about twenty men to the neighborhood
of Canajoharie to ascertain whether the enemy was
there, we having been informed that a large party of the
enemy was in that place or neighborhood--that in this
["25" in left margin] service I was engaged two days--that at the time the
enemy attacked Christopher Shell & his two sons in the neighborhood
of Fort Dayton I with some more of our militia
["28" in left margin] volunteered and pursued the enemy--was gone part of a
["29" in left margin] day only--Shell and one of his sons were mortally wounded
and died the next day.  The other son of Mr. Shell was
also wounded but he recovered--At an other time I also
volunteered at Fort Widrig [lined out "and in company with four other men at Fort
Widrig"] and in company with four other men went in
pursuit of the Indians who had taken Lorence Frank a prisoner
Page 82

[Seal]
p. 11

we crossed the river and went to the place where the village
of Frankfort now stands--a party of the militia from
Fort Dayton went in puruit of the same Indians and came
up with them at Frankfort where they killed one Indian &
["5" in left margin] this service was part of a day only.
At an other time I with some other of the militia at Fort
Widrig volunteered and pursued a party of Indians who
had shot and scalped George Schiff.  We did not come up
with the Indians but brought in and buried the corpse.
["10" in left margin] In this service I was engaged part of day only--
At an other time I in company with an other man when an
attack from the enemy was expected to be made upon Fort
Widrig where I was then stationed went in the night time
as an express from Fort Widrig to Fort Dayton to Col.
Peter Bellinger for a reinforcement--I was engaged in
["16" in left column] this service for one night--
At an other time I volunteered with four others at Fort
Widrig and pursued a party of Indians who had taken
prisoner in the neighborhood of said Fort a boy named
Jacob Oyer.  We were out in pursuit of the Indians about
["21" in left margin] half a day but did not come up with the enemy when
we returned to the Fort--All of the said drafted and
volunteer service was rendered during said war.  The
particular years in which the same was done I do not
remember--And I do further state that the reason
why in my declaration for a pension heretofore made
and now on file in the pension office as I am informed
I did not claim for more than eight and an half months
service in the militia during the Revolutionary War is
that I was informed that two years service would entitle
the applicant to a full pension--that believing that
nine and an half months for my said Boat Service
and six months for my said service by enlistment under
Page 83

["2/2" in left margin] Captain Seeber would be allowed and that eight and an half
months in addition thereto would be all that would
be required to make out said term of two years entitling
me to a full pension.   I deemed it unimportant and
of no consequence to state the whole of my additional
militia service and therefore stated my militia service
at least eight and an half months which did
not include nor was it at the time intended to include
all my militia service rendered by me during the period
of said war--I further state that when I was stationed at
Fort Dayton I at one time volunteered in
pursuit of the enemy who had killed Capt. Ellsworth
a regular officer and who ? as nine months
["14" in left margin] men on ? Creek and had gone out one day--and
at the time that Henry Frank, George Power & Mr. Brownie
were killed below Germantown.  I volunteered from Fort
["17" in left margin] Widrig and went in pursuit of the enemy and was out half a
["18" in left margin] day--was out part of a day also when George Michael Weaver
 [words blocked out]  was killed
near Fort Dayton went out from Fort Dayton and
["20" in left margin] was out part of a day in pursuit of the enemy I
brought in the person killed--

I have no record of my age.
I was born in 1753 in Elsan Germany--
When first called into service I lived at Germantown and
I have lived in the town of Schuyler since the close of the
war and until about three years ago when I moved into the
town of Frankfort in the county of Herkimer where I now reside.

I entered the service as an enlisted soldier for six
months in the United States service--I enlisted and served
also in the Boat Service for 9 1/2 months--
my militia service was by orders of our militia
officers under whom I was enrolled, at times
I was drafted & at times I volunteered.
I was acquainted with & served under Col.
Dayton, Genl. Schuyler & Genl. Gates of
the regular service--Col. Willett of the
State Troops & Genl. Herkimer, Col.
Bellinger and other officers of the militia.

I never had any written discharge
that I now remember--
Page 84

I am known to John B. Dygert,
Warner Folts, Mason Barker
and Amos Smith who reside
in my present neighborhood
and who can testify as to my
character for truth and veracity
and their belief of my services as
a soldier of the Revolution.

And I further state that I know
of no person living by whom
I can prove my said militia
and other services herein before
mentioned which are not
now proved by the previous
whole affidavits are annexed--
[signed] Piter Bircki

Sworn in open court
Feby 6th 1834
J. C. Nelson, Clerk

And the said Court do hereby declare their
opinion that the above named applicant
was a revolutionary soldier and served as he
states--and that they derive their opinion
from the investigation of the matter and
state further of the interrogations prescribed by
the War Department--And the Court further
certify that they are acquainted with 
John B. Dygert a resident of the town of Frankfort
who has signed the certificate hereto annexed
and that he the said John is a credible
person and that his statement is entitled to 
credit.

I Julius C. Nelson, Clerk of the County of
Page 85

Common Please of the said county of
Herkimer do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains ahd original proceedings of the said
court in the matter of the application of
Peter Bercki for a pension--And I do
further certify that Charles Gray, whose
name is subscribed to the Affidavits of
Philip Harter, Jacob Clements, Warner Folts
and Jacob Widrig was on the date of those
respective affidavits a commissioner
qualified and duly authorized to swear affidavits
that I am acquainted with the hand writing
and signature of said Charles Gray and
believe the signature of Charles Gray to said
respective affidavits to be genuine and the
proper hand writing of said Charles Gray.

In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and
seal of office this 18th
day of March 1834.
Julius C. Nelson, Clerk

[Ribbon and seal]


[Another seal]
Page 86

[Seal]

State of New York 
Herkimer County     SS

Philip Harter of the town of
Herkimer in the county being duly sworn
saith that he was seventy two years of
age on the 26th day of January last--That
he is acquainted with Peter Bercki who is an
applicant for a pension under the act of
June 7, 1832 as this deponent is informed and
that he was acquainted with him during
the Revolutionary War--That this deponent
distinctly recollects that the said Peter Berki
and his mother & family were at Fort Dayton
in the war that during said war and in the spring of the
year 1780 as this deponent believes but cannot
say certain this deponent and his father & family
moved from Fort Dayton where they were living
from the beginning of the war until that time
to a place below Albany where they
remained until the close of the war
when they removed back to Fort Dayton
again--that this deponent knows that
said Berki lived at Fort Dayton at the
time they moved away as aforesaid
and that he was still living at said Fort
Dayton when he this deponent came
back to Fort Dayton again--

That although this deponent cannot now
recollect that he saw said Berki discharged
any particular services or duty at said Fort
yet from the fact that said Bercki was
living at said Fort during said period
and from hearsay this deponent has
no doubt that the said Peter Bercki
discharged the usual military service
which during said period was required
at said Fort Dayton--That this
deponent has been acquainted with said Peter
ever since the war and that he has always
sustained a fair character and is entitled to credit
and this deponent has no doubt that he has
performed the service which in his declaration
hereto annexed he states to have served.
Philip Herter

Sworn & & subscribed
Page 87

this 6th day of February
1834 before me
Charles Gray
Commissioner of Deeds
And I the said Charles Gray do further
certify that I am well acquainted with the
said Philip Harter that he is a person of fair
character and good repute and that his
statements are entitled to full credit.
Charles Gray, Comm. of Deeds

State of New York      )
County of Herkimer   )   SS

On the 12th day of February
1834 before me Charles Gray Commissioner of
Deeds came Jacob Clements of Schuyler
who being first duly sworn did depose and
say that he was seventy four years of age
in January last--that he now knows and
ever since before the Revolutionary War
he has known Peter Bercki the applicant
in the annexed pension papers named and
that in the year 1776 that deponent and the
said Bercki (at the time both residing
in the county of Herkimer then called
Tryon) enlisted into the United
States service in a company commanded
by Capt. Jacob Seeber, 1st Lieutenant
Harryost House, 2nd Lieut John Seeber,
Ensign John Durue in a regiment commanded
by Col. Wynkoop--that he does not know
who were the other field officers not did I ever
see Col. Wynkoop this company being most
of the said term of enlistment stationed at
Fort Stanwix also part of the time at Fort
Herkimer where said Wynkoop was not
with them--that said Bercki served the
full term of his enlistment for six months.
Page 88

[Seal]

in said company which fact this
deponent knows from the fact that
this deponent & said Bercki enlisted
together served together during said
period and at the close thereof were also
discharted together--that this deponent
knows the fact also that said Bircki
was out with the American troops
under Col. Willett at the time Butler
was killed at the West Canada Creek.

And further this deponent saith
that said Berki was a faithful and
active soldier during the Revolutionary
War.  That he has been a man of
fair character ever since and is in
his statement is entitled to full credit
and further saith not--

Sworn to and subscribed
before me this 12th
day of February 1834

Jacob X his mark Clements

And I certify also that I am well acquainted
with the said Jacob Clements and that he
is a person of fair character and that his
statements are entitled to full credit--

Charles Gray, Comm. Deeds
Page 89

State of New York )
Herkimer County  )   SS

On the 8th day of February
1834 personally appeared in open court before the
judges of the Court of Common Pleas now sitting
John B. Dygert a resident of the Village of
Frankfort in the town of Frankfort in
said county and did upon oath state &
certify that he was well acquainted with
Peter Bercki who has submitted and
sworn to the above foregoing declaration
and that he believed him to be
eighty 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 he the said
John B. Dygert concurred in that
opinion--

Sworn and subscribed
the day & year aforesaid.
John B. Dygert
J. C. Nelson, Clerk

State of New York   )
Herkimer County    )  SS

On the 10th day of 
March 1834 before me Charles Gray
Commissioner of Deeds come Warner Folts
of the town of Frankfort in said county
and did deposeth & upon oath state and I
certify that he is well acquainted with
Peter Bercki who has subscribed and
sworn to the foregoing declaration and
that he believes him to be eighty years
of age--that he is in the neighborhood where he resides
as reputed also believes to
have been a soldier of the Revolution
Page 90

and that he the said Warner Folts
concurred in that opinion.
Sworn & subscribed 
before me this 10th day
of March 1834

Warner Folts

And I further certify that I am well
acquainted with the said Warren Folts, that
he is a person of good repute and that
his statements are entitled to full credit--

Charles Gray, Commissioner of Deeds
Page 91

[Seal]

State of New York  )
Herkimer County   )  SS

On the [blank] day of
February 1834 personally came before
me Charles Gray a commissioner of
deeds in & for said county Jacob
Widrig of the town of Schuyler in
said county aged seventy one years
and being first duly sworn according
to law did depose and say that he was
well acquainted with Peter Bercki the
pension applicant in the annexed
declaration mentioned before and
during the Revolutionary War and
that he has known him well
ever since--that until within
three or four years now last past
the said Bercki has lived in the
town of Schuyler and a near
neighbour to this deponent from
the close of the said War.
That during the War of the Revolution
and as this deponent now believes but
cannot state with certainty in the
year 1778 a Fort was built at
Germantown now Schuyler on
the Mohawk River above Fort
Herkimer & Fort Dayton--that
said Fort was built by the
direction and order of Colonel Gansevoort
who was in the regular
Page 92

[lined out "or state"]
service--that this deponent
and said Bercki were at the time both
enrolled in the same company of
militia being the militia company under
the command of Capt. Henry Staring
and the other militia officers named by
said Bercki in this declaration hereunto
annexed which declaration has been
read to this deponent--that this
deponent and the said Bercki were
both employed in the building of
said Fort for at least one month
that after the said Fort was
completed and in the same year of
the building of said Fort this
deponent and the said Bercki were upon duty in said
Fort and from the time of the completion
of the same and before the
winter following served for at least one
month--that taking the said service
upon the said Fort and in the said Fort
during the year together this deponent
has no doubt the said Bercki
served for the space of at least
two months--that in the
year following which this deponent
thinks was in the year 1779 the said
Bercki and the deponent were again
stationed at said Fort at Germantown
although this deponent thinks that that year 
he was enlisted in the nine service.
and again on duty--that during
said season and as this deponent
believes doing the harvest of that
year--the said Fort for the reason
that its defense was no longer
practicable was abandoned and
the troops & inhabitants stationed and
living at said Fort removed to
Fort Dayton at Herkimer--

[Seal]
Page 93

that the said Bercki as this deponent
believes during said year 1779 at said
Fort at Germantown & before the same
was abandoned served again taking
all his service at said Fort for that
season together for the space of one
and an half month as is stated
by said Bercki, as this deponent
verily believes--That about a
fortnight after the said Peter Bercki
arrived at Fort Dayton at Herkimer
this deponent was taken prisoner
and detained a prisoner in Canada
to the close of the War and cannot
state therefore how much service
was rendered by said Bercki
at Fort Dayton--That this
deponent knows that said Bercki
went to Fort Dayton at the time
and in the manner stated by him
and [lined out "that he remained at Fort
Dayton to the end of the war when this
deponent returned
from Canada at the close of the
War and has no doubt from
what this deponent however since
he has understood."  That said
Bercki remained at Fort Dayton for
the whole period and  performed all
the service noted by him in his
declaration--this deponent has always understood & believes--and this deponent further notes that whilst the said Bircki and
this deponent were enrolled and served
together in the militia in the company
of Capt. Henry Staring at Fort Widrig
in Germantown the said Bercki acted
as sergeant in the said company--
and this deponent further saith that the
Page 94

said Bercki was a good soldier during the
said war and [lined out "was"] he has always & since the
war sustained a fair character and that he is
man of good reputation and entitled to
full credit and further saith not.

Sworn & subscribed
this 12th day of February
1834 before me.

Jacob his X mark Widrig

And I certify also that I am
acquainted with the said Jacob Widrig
and that he is a person of fair character
and whose statement are entitled to
full credit.

Charles Gray, Commissioner
Page 95

[Seems to be an addressed envelope]

Herkimer, N.Y.
May 22, 1833

Revolutionary Claims
J. L. Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington

N.Y. ret'd

J. L. Edwards
Page 96

Herkimer May 21, 1833

[Most of name off edge of page]
. . . ards Esqr

Sir:

Enclosed I return to the
department the pension papers
of Mr. Peter Bercki with his
amendatory declaration and
authenticated as required by your
brief--He was twice enlisted
and served for 6 and for 9 1/2 months
under his enlistment--He
swears to 8 1/2 months additional
service as drafted volunteer &
militia service--His 8 1/2
months service was not for
any fixed or definite periods.
I cannot in the discharge
of the normal garrison duties
at the different Forts at which
showing the period of the
war he was stationed &
volunteer service and draft
service in pursuit of the
enemy while always
depended upon the exigencies
of the times--Sometimes
the whole militia were active
out to oppose or to pursue
the enemy and when the
? of the enemy was
arrested and the enemy expelled
they returned to those
Forts in which they were
stationed and lived during that
period--

Yours very respectfully
Charles Gray

[Seal in left margin, mid page]
Page 97

State of New York    )
Herkimer County     )  SS

Personally appeared before me Abijah
Osborn a Judge of said county of the degree of Counsellor
of law of the Supreme Court
Peter Bercki who being duly sworn deposeth and saith
that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of
memory he cannot swear positively to the precise length
of his service, but according to the best of his recollection
he served not less than the periods mentioned below
["page 1" in left margin] and in the following grades--

For six months in the summer of the year 1776 I
was enlisted and served in a company commanded
by Captain Jacob Seeber, 1st Lieutenant Harryost House,
2d Lieutenant John Seeber & Ensign John Dunn--
I do not know to what regiment said company
was attached--I with said company was marched to
Fort Stanwix and employed in building said Fort--
that after we were stationed at Fort Stanwix a short
time Col. Dayton with his regiment being a regiment of
regulars called the Jersey Blues arrived and commenced
the building of the Fort--that as soon as Col. Dayton
arrived our company was under the command of Col.
Dayton--that our company continued so employed
upon said Fort until the same was completed--that
I do not remember how long we were employed in
the building of Fort Stanwix but believe it was at least
two months--that after the completion of Fort Stanwix
I and the said company under this command of
said Col. Dayton were marched to Herkimer and there
still under the command of Col. Dayton commenced
the building of Fort Dayton at that place--that the
said company in which I was so enlisted continued under
the command of Col. Dayton to be employed upon Fort
Dayton until the same was also completed--that I
do not remember how long precisely we were engaged 
in building Fort Dayton but I believe two or three weeks
that in building Fort Dayton we were assisted by the
militia and were not a great while in doing the work--
that after the Fort was completed Col. Dayton and his regiment
Page 98

left Herkimer and Captain Seeber and his company
of which I still continued to be a member were left in
said Fort Dayton to guard said Fort until the
expiration of my said term of enlistment for six months
that I acted as a private during the above term of
my six months enlistment--For nine months and a
half I served in the Boat Service under the command
of Capt. Billy McGee under whom I was enlisted for the
term of nine months--this service was by enlistment
for the term of nine months and was in the year
1777 and under the command of Genl. Philip Schuyler
for part of the term and under Genl Gates who during
said year superceded Genl Schuyler during the residue
of my said term--that I am informed that for
this service it is the opinion of the Department that
I am not entitled to a pension for the reason that
it is not considered as a term of continued service
and that the act does not ? or provide
for any such service--that I am informed by Andrew
Piper of Frankfort Herkimer County--that a pension
has been allowed to him said Andrew for a precisely
similar service--that from this circumstance I am
induced to think there is some mistake about this
service and will therefore again state this service and
the manner thereof--I enlisted in said Boat Service
as I now believe about the 1st day of March 1777--
that I at the time resided at a place called Germantown
now Schuyler above Herkimer--that about the middle of
March 1777 I and some of my neighbors who had
also enlisted were ordered to Albany to enter upon our
term of service--that when we arrived at Albany, we were
mustered in Genl Philip Schuyler's door yard--that
we were immediately thereafter by the command of
General Schuyler put upon duty and drew our rations
the same as other troops in the service of the United
States--that our first service was in getting out
bateaux & cart timber which continued as I now
believe about three weeks--that after this and until

[Seal]
Page 99

[Seal]

the close of the navigation in the fall I continued
in the Boat Service on the Hudson River, and after
the close of the navigation and until New Years
Day when I was discharged we were engaged in 
["p 3" in left margin] getting out fire wood in the neighborhood of Albany
for the troops in Barracks at Albany--That this
service was continued and uninterrupted from the
middle of March when I first arrived at Albany
until New Years Day following when I was discharged
for about two or three weeks, during which time I visited my
family at Germantown and at the end of said
furlough I again returned to my service--
that the whole of this service was in the company
of Capt. Billy McGee and under General Schuyler
& Gates as aforesaid--That the following is all
any other militia and volunteer service in the service
of the United States during the Revolutionary war--
In the fall of 1776 after the expiration of my aforesaid
term of enlistment for six months I was enrolled
in a company of militia commanded by Capt. Henry
Staring, 1st Lieut. Theobald Becker, 2nd Lieut. John George
Weaver and Ensign Jacob Hiller in the regiment
commanded by Col. Peter Bellinger, Lieut. Col. Frederick
Bellinger and Major Denis Clapsattle and the whole
were under the command of General Nicholas Herkimer
that the said militia were as I am informed and
believe regularly organised in pursuance of a Resolution
of Congress of 1775 and were then and during the
whole period of the war under orders to keep themselves
in readiness to march at a minutes warning--that
for the reason that I had been in the service and
had learned to exercise some I was appointed a
sergeant in the company of Capt. Henry Staring
on my enrollment therein in the fall of 1776 and
that during said fall the said company were called
together for the purpose of exercising ["and during" lined out] once
or twice when I attended and by the order of Capt. Staring
Page 100

exercised the company--that I served as a drill
officer one or two days in the fall of 1776--that
this training require in pursuance to the resolution of
congress aforesaid as I am also informed and
believe--that in the winter following I was ordered
by said Capt. Staring to go in pursuit of a man
who was suspected to be a tory--that I proceeded
upon this service from Germantown where I resided
to Deerfield near Utica the distance of about 9
miles--I left home one day and in the same
night following took the man brought him to
Schuyler to Capt. Staring who examined him &
then discharged him--I was gone on this duty
part of one day and one night--this man subsequently
run away a Tory this service and my Boat
Service was my only service that I now remember
doing in the year 1777--In the spring or summer
of 1778 Capt. Staring to whose company I belonged and under
whom I continued to serve after my return from
the said boat service received orders but from
whom I do not now remember but believe from Col.
Peter Bellinger to erect at Germantown a Fort for the
protection & defense of the inhabitants residing in
that place which Fort was called Fort Widrig--that
under said Staring and the other officers except
Ensign Hiller who was killed in the year 1777 in
the Oriskany Battle.  I in the early part of the
said year 1778 served as a sergeant for at least one
month as I now believe--that I was during
said term of one month employed wholly and
constantly upon the building of said Fort--that
after the completion of said Fort the inhabitants
of Germantown immediately collected at said Fort
and remained there constantly until the winter following
when the enemy having gone off they returned
home to their houses--that from the term of the

[Seal/ribbon]
Page 101

[Seal/ribbon]

["completion" in left margin]
of the said Fort and the collection of the inhabitants
there and whilst the said inhabitants so continued
at said Fort and until the winter following a
["p 5" in left margin] guard was constantly kept up at said Fort
that said guard during said period consisted of the
said militia company of Capt. Staring to which I belonged
and parties of nine months more and six months
men and three months men who were from time
to time ordered to said Fort by Col. Peter Bellinger
and who alternatly came to relieve the militia
under the command of Capt. Henry Staring--
that in this alternate guard service during the
year 1778 after the completion of said Fort &
before the winter following I performed as I
now believe at least one month active service
and I think now--that early in the spring
of 1779 after the enemy made his approach and
when danger was apprehended the inhabitants
again collected at this Fort and a guard was
again put into said Fort to keep and defend
it--that the company of militia of Capt Staring
in which I still continued to serve were again
ordered to said Fort and were stationed there
on duty and kept on duty except that we
were again occasionally assisted and by turns
relieved by troops ordered there belonging to the
nine months and other service, until about the
first of September 1779 when the said Fort was
abandoned and the troops stationed there together
with the inhabitants removed to Fort Dayton
at Herkimer--that during the spring and
summer of 1779 Lieutenants Weaver & Becker having
both been taken been prisoners by the enemy in the vicinity
of said Fort Widrig and some of the militia
and other inhabitants having been killed the defense
of said Fort was deemed no longer practicable--
that some time during the summer of 1779 after
the said Lieuts Becker and Weaver were taken off prisoners
and in the absence of Capt Staring and all the
other commissioned officers an attack was made
Page 102

upon said Fort Widrig by a party of Indians and
Tories when I being a sergeant had the command
["L 6" in left margin] of the Fort and assisted the attack and saved the
Fort--that I served at said Fort in the year
1779 & before the month of September of the same year
when the fort was abandoned at least one month
and a half as I now believe--this service was
also in the militia in the company of Capt Henry
Staring although said Staring was absent--part
of the time--said company during said year 1779
still remained under the command and in the
regiment commanded by Col Peter Bellinger, Lieut
Col. Frederick Bellinger was taken prisoner and General
Herkimer and Major Denis Clapsattle were killed in
the Oriskany Battle in the year 1779--after the
abandonment of Fort Widrig at Germantown I was enrolled
in a company of militia commanded by Col Capt Henry
Harter, Lieuts Peter Weaver & John Daymouth and Ensign
John Bellinger in the regiment commanded by Col
Peter Bellinger-that I was immediately after my
arrival  at Fort Dayton and enrollment in said company
by Capt. Harter ordered upon duty at said Fort
Dayton and during the first of said year 1779 at
said Fort Dayton for the term of at least one month--
that the duties at said Fort Dayton were the
usual garrison duties--that in the winter following
we were relieved from duty by regular troops who
were stationed at said Fort during the winter but
whether the regulars stationed there during that winter
were commanded by Ensign Duty or Ensign Mason
or some other regular officer I cannot now remember
but I do remember that at some period of my
station at Fort Dayton regular troops were stationed
there commanded by Ensign Duty and at another
time another party stationed there was commanded
Page 103

time another party stationed there was commanded
_____________________________________________________________
by Ensign Mason and at times I believe there
were regular troops at said Fort Dayton without
any commissioned regular officer with them--
["p 7" in left margin] In the year 1780 I remained stationed at
Fort Dayton at Herkimer and served in the same
company of militia commanded by Capt Henry
Harter in the regiment of Col Peter Bellinger--
I do not recollect whether Capt. Harter remained at
said fort during this year--Capt Harter moved
away about this time and went somewhere below
Albany where he remained until the close of the war.
In the absence of Capt Harter the company was
under the command of Lieut Weaver & Lieut Daymouth
as I think but all our orders whilst I remained
at said Fort Dayton where I remained stationed to
the close of the war were given to us by Col Peter
Bellinger--during the season of 1780 commencing the
last of April and ending the first of November, we
by the orders of Col Peter Bellinger were kept under
arms and upon duty almost continually at
said Fort Dayton that there were spells when
we were relieved from duty by regulars and when
we were not engaged in any other duty than occasional
pursuits after the enemy--For most of the said
period of seven months commencing the first of April
and ending the first of November we by the express
orders of Col Peter Bellinger were kept on duty
in said Fort Dayton and I do believe that the
duty done by me in said Fort during said
period was at least three and an half months
actual service--that I cannot remember of
doing any duty at said Fort Dayton the winter following
or any other winter season whilst I remained
at Fort Dayton--In the winter season and every
winter that I was at Fort Dayton there were regular
troops stationed there who kept and guarded said
Fort as I now believe--said Fort was in the
summer season kept and guarded by the militia
although there were parties of regulars there occasionally
Page 104

in the summer--I remained at said Fort
Dayton in the year 1781 in the same militia
["p 8" in left margin] company and under the same officers I think
that were there in the year 1780--during the year
1781 under the same officers and under the command
of Col Peter Bellinger in performance again the same
duties that were rendered by me and for the same
period that we served during the year 1780, and
although I cannot state precisely how long I
did serve during that year yet I believe that
during said year in said Fort I did serve for
the period of three months and an half--
In the year 1782 I was also at said Fort and
under the same officers under whom I served
in the year 1781--I again served as I believe
for the period of two months--this service was
rendered in the early part of the season--I
remember distinctly that on the night previous
or the same night--that the enemy attacked
and burnt the mill at Little Falls which was
in May or June of that year as I believe--I acted
as officer of the guard at Fort Dayton--that from
the time of my enrollment with the militia in the
fall of 1776 in the company of Capt Staring and
afterwards under Capt Harter to the close of the
war I acted as a sergeant--My militia service
during the several years herein before mentioned
and for the several terms claimed in those several
years respectively--were not a constant and uninterrupted
service--but taking my actual services
rendered in each of the said years aforesaid which
were done in tours varying from two to six ["months" lined through] weeks
each.  Together I have served as I believe the said
periods claimed in each of the said respective years.
The services were rendered from time to time under
orders from my officers and for no fixed or definite
periods--I was always during said war when not
enlisted under orders to keep myself in readiness to
march at a minutes warning and which

[Seal & Ribbon]
Page 105

[Seal and Ribbon]

orders I always during said war promptly obeyed--
that the duration of our terms of service
in the militia always depended upon the exigencies
requiring the service--
Besides my aforesaid service by enlistment and my
said garrison service I rendered also the following
volunteer and drafted service--at the time that
Col Willet pursued the enemy after the Johnstown
Battle at the time Butler was killed on the west
Canada Creek I was drafted and marched with
Col Willet and his men and was on duty from
the time I left Fort Dayton until I returned to Fort
Dayton again five days--I was at another time
drafted whilst stationed at Fort Dayton to pursue
the enemy who had taken prisoners as was supposed
three women in the neighborhood of said Fort--that
I and the rest of the men who pursued were out but
one day when we found two of the women dead whom
we brought to Fort Dayton where they were buried
the other was taken off as we afterward ascertained
a prisoner by the Indians--At another time I
volunteered and with Ensign Mason and some
regular troops pursued the enemy being a party of
Indians who approached the Fort and fired upon
the Inhabitants--we were gone part of a day only.
At another time I volunteered and in company
with some men of the militia at Fort Dayton
pursued the enemy being a party of Indians
when we had some skirmishing--there were
two of our men killed and four taken prisoners and
two wounded--were out part of a day--I volunteered
also at another time and proceeded from Fort Dayton with
the troops under General Van Rensalaer in pursuit of
the enemy who had defeated Col Brown at Palatine
we pursued the enemy but did not come up with
them and Genl Van Rensalaer gave up the pursuit and
returned to Albany and I returned to Fort Dayton
Page 106

I was out on this excursion two days--
["p 10" in left margin] I was drafted at one time at Fort Dayton
and with some more of the militia who were also
drafted was sent to Germantown to see whether
the enemy was at that place--when we arrived
at Germantown we found that the enemy had
just left there having set fire to the Fort which
had some time before been abandoned--
before we returned to Fort Dayton the
Indians had been in the neighborhood of said
Fort had a skirmish with our men murdered
one man and took one of our soldiers prisoner.
I was gone on this service one day--
At another time with a party of nine months
men I volunteered at Fort Widrig under Capt
Daymouth and Capt McGee and went to Oneida
in pursuit of a party of Indians who had
halted at that place as we were informed with
the plunder taken by then on the Mohawk
River--when we arrived at Oneida the Indians
had left two or three days before with all their
plunder--I was engaged in this service three days.
At another time when at Fort Widrig I
was drafted and sent with Ensign Campbell
and a party of about twenty men to the
neighborhood of Canajoharie to ascertain whether
the enemy was there in having been informed that
a large party of the enemy was in that place
or neighborhood--that in this service I was
engaged two days--that at the time the enemy
attacked Christopher Sheell and his two sons in
the neighborhood of Fort Dayton I with some
men of our militia volunteered and pursued
the enemy--was gone part of a day only--
Sheell and one of his sons were mortally wounded
and died the next day.  The other son of Mr. Sheell
was also wounded but recovered
Page 107

[Seal]

At another time I also volunteered at Fort
Widrig and in company with four other men
went in pursuit of the Indians who had taken
Lorence Frank a prisoner--we crossed the River
and went to the place where the village of Frankfort
now Stanwix a party of the militia from Fort Dayton
went in pursuit of the same Indians at Frankfort
and came up with them
where they killed one Indian--This service was part
of a day only--At another time I with some other
of the militia at Fort Widrig volunteered and
pursued a party of Indians who had shot &
scalped George Schiff we did not come up with
the Indians but brought in and buried the
corps--In this service I was engaged part of
a day only--At another time I in company
with an other man where an attack from the
enemy was expected to be made upon Fort Widrig
went in the night time as an ? from Fort Widrig
to Fort Dayton to Col Peter Bellinger for a
reinforcement--I was engaged in this service for
one night--At another time I volunteered with
some others at Fort Widrig and pursued a
party of Indians who had taken prisoners in
the neighborhood of said Fort a boy named
Jacob Oyer we were out in pursuit of the Indians
about half a day, but did not come up with
the enemy when we returned to the Fort--all
of the said drafted and volunteer service was
rendered during said war--the particular years
in which the same was done I do not remember.

And I do further state that the reason
why in my declaration for a pension heretofore
made, and now on file in the pension office
as I am informed, I did not claim for more
than eight and a half months ? in the
militia during the Revolutionary War is that
I was informed that two years service would
Page 108

entitle the applicant to a full pension--
that believing that nine and a half months
["p 12" in left margin] for my Boat Service and six months for my
said service by enlistment under Captain
Seeber would be allowed and that eight and
one half months in addition thereto would
be all that would be required to make out
said term of two years entitling me to a full
pension--I deemed it unimportant and of
no consequence to state the whole of my additional
militia service and therefore stated my militia
service of at least eight and an half months
which did not include nor was it at the 
time intended to include all my militia
service rendered by me during the period
of said War.      Piter Bircki

State of New York   )
Herkimer County     )     SS

I certify that on the 28th day of
August 1833 personally came before me Peter Bircki
to be known and made with that the fact contain
in the above affidavit subscribe by him we substantiate
true as therein stated--and I do hereby
further certify that I have been acquainted with said
Bercki for some two or three years with him--that
know common reputation his statement is entitled
to full credit--our belief and hereby certify that he
is a credible person.
A Osborn
Judge Herkimer Co. Courts
Page 109

State of New York   )
Herkimer County    )    SS

Jacob Bell of the town and
County of Herkimer being duly sworn saith
that he was eighty four or eighty five years of
age on the first day of January last, but
not knowing of any record of his age or of
any other way of ascertaining his age
exactly cannot determine whether he is eighty
four or eighty five years of age--that he
is acquainted with Peter Bercki of the town
of Frankfort in the county of Herkimer--that
he was acquainted with said Peter previous
to the Revolutionary War and has been acquainted
with him ever since--that during said War
and in the year that Burgoyne was taken
which he believes was in the year 1777 the said
Peter Bercki was enlisted into the service of the
United States into a company of Boatmen under
the command of Captain Billy McGee--that
said Peter enlisted into such service early in the 
spring of the same year that as early as the month of 
March of the year the said Peter left Herkimer where
he and this deponent at the time resided and
proceeded to Albany upon his term of service--
that this deponent does not recollect of how
long a tour the said Peter enlisted but does
remember that he served under his said enlistment
from March of the said year 1777 until
the first day of January following--that on
the first day of January following his enlistment
the said Peter was discharged and returned home
that this deponent knows of the said enlistment
and service of the said Peter Bercki from the circumstances
that he this deponent enlisted with the said
Peter into the same service--served with him
during most of the said tour of service and
was discharged with said Peter on the said
first day of January aforesaid, and returned
home with him to Herkimer and further
this deponent saith not--
Jacob  X his mark Bell

Sworn to this 17th day of
September 1832 before me.
Chas. Gray, Commissioner of Deeds
Page 110

State of New York   )
Herkimer County    ) SS

On the 17th day of
September 1832 before me Charles Gray
a commissioner of deeds & personally
appeared Jacob Bell to me well known
and subscribed and made oath to the foregoing affidavit
and I do further certify that I am well
acquainted with the said Jacob Bell and
know him to be a person of good repute
and entitled to credit--
Chas. Gray
Page 111

In the Matter of
Peter Berki for
a pension

14346

Boatservice
disallowed

[right side of page]

[Seal and Ribbon]
Page 112

[Ribbon]

State of New York   )
Herkimer County    )   SS

Jacob Clements of the town of Schuyler
in said County being duly sworn saith that he is seventy two
years of age, that he has been acquainted with Peter Bircki
of the town of Frankfort in said county from the time
that he--this deponent was seven years of age--that he was
acquainted with said Peter prior to the Revolutionary War--
that during the said new end in the year 1776 in the month
of March at the town of Schuyler then Tryon County the
said Peter Bircki enlisted into the service of the United States
for the term of six months and served under said enlistment
under Captain Jacob Seeber--Lieutenants Harryost House & John
Seeber and Ensign John Devens for the full term of six months--
that the said company commanded by Capt Seeber as this deponent
then understood and now believes belonged to a regiment commanded
by Colonel Wynkoop--there said company was during said period
detached from said regiment to which the same belonged--
that said company in which said Peter was enlisted was during
said term of six months stationed at Fort Stanwix and at other
points on the Mohawk River--that part of the time whilst
stationed at Fort Stanwix Colonel Dayton who commanded the
regiment called the Jersey Blues was also stationed at said fort--
that part of said term of service was rendered by said Peter
at Herkimer at Fort Dayton--that this deponent knows of the
said enlistment and term of service of the said Peter Bircki
from the fact that he this deponent and the said Peter
enlisted together at the same time served together during the
whole of said term of six months and were discharged from
the said service at the same time--and this deponent further
saith that he knows also that the said Peter Bircki was with
the American Troops under Colonel Marinus Willett in the
pursuit of the enemy under the command of Major Ross
when Butler was killed on the West Canada Creek in
Herkimer County then County of Tryon
Page 113

But whether the said Peter was drafted or volunteered this
deponent does not know except from hearing and from
hearsay has learnt that he was drafted--that this deponent
was also with Colonel Willet at the time and saw said
Peter with the troops--and further this deponent saith not.

Sworn to this 29th day
of August 1832 before me
Chas. Gray
Commissioner of Deeds

Jacob X his mark Clements

Sworn to again in open
court before the Judges of
the court of common
pleas the County of
Herkimer October 12th 1832

Julius C. Nelson, Clerk
Page 114

State of New York    )
Herkimer County     )  SS

On this eleventh day of
October 1832 before me Charles Gray a commissioner of deeds, &c
personally appeared Jacob
Widrig of the town of Schuyler of said
county aged seventy years who being first
duly sworn did depose and say that
he was acquainted with Peter Bercki of
the town of Frankfort in said county during
the Revolutionary War--that said
Peter and this deponent and others of
the militia and inhabitants of Germantown
above Herkimer now in Schuyler
in the county of Herkimer were during
said war stationed at a fort at
Germantown aforesaid--that they
were stationed at said fort for about
two years when the enemy could no
longer be resisted and the said Fort
was abandeoned that during their stay
at said fort they were almost
constantly on duty guarding said
fort--that during their stay at
said fort they had several skirmishes
with the enemy and were
at one time attacked in said
fort by the enemy that said
Peter Bercki was during that
period constantly at said fort
as he believes and engaged constantly
in the defense of said fort--
Jacob X his mark Widrig

Sworn to and subscribed
the day & year aforesaid
before me.
Chas Gray Commissioner
of Deeds &c in & for the
county of Herkimer
State of New York
and I the said Charles Gray the person
before whom the foregoing affidavit was sworn
Page 115

by the said Jacob Widrig do hereby further certify
that I am well acquainted with the said Jacob
Widrig and that he is a reputable citizen of the
town of Schuyler in the county of Herkimer and
a person entitled to credit--

Dated October 11. 1832         Charles Gray



[Seal]
Page 116

State of New York    )
Herkimer County     )  SS

On this 12th day of
October 1832 personally appeared in Open Court
before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas
now sitting Peter P. Bellinger of the town
of Danube in said county aged seventy two
years who being first duly sworn doth on his
oath say that he was acquainted with Peter
Bercki of the town of Frankfort during the
Revolutionary War--that he knows that
said Peter Bercki was during said War in
the service of the United States in the militia
of Tryon County--that said Peter was for
some time during said war stationed at the
Fort at Germantown now Schuyler
in Herkimer County where he was on
duty guarding said Fort--that after
serving at said Fort at Germantown said
Peter Bercki came to the Fort called Fort
Dayton where he the said Peter P.
Bellinger was then also stationed and on
duty--that he cannot state what year
said Bercki came to Fort Dayton but
knows that after coming to Fort Dayton
he remained there until the close of the
Revolutionary War and that he was stationed
there for several years immediately
preceding the close of said war--that
whilst so stationed at Fort Dayton
the said Bercki as well as all the other
militia stationed at said Fort was
almost continually on duty in
guarding said Fort and the inhabitants
collected at said Fort Dayton--that
besides guarding said Fort said Bercki
was also engaged in other services whenever
a pursuit of the enemy or other military 
services became necessary--
Sworn & subscribed the
day & year aforesaid in Open Court

Peter P. Bellinger
Julius C. Nelson, Clerk
Page 117

I Julius C. Nelson Clerk of the Court of
Common Pleas of the County of Herkimer
do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings of
the said court in the matter of the application
of Peter Bercki for a pension.
And I do hereby further certify that
Charles Gray before whom the affidavits of Jacob Bell
and George Widrig and hereto annexed were
sworn was on the date of the same a
commissioner authorized to take affidavits
and that I am acquainted with the said writing
of said Charles and on examination of the
same do certify the signature, of the said
Charles Gray to said affidavits to be genuine
and the proper hand writing of said Charles
Gray--

Intestimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand & seal of office this thirteenth
day of Octobe 1832.
Julius C. Nelson Clerk

[Ribbon & seal]