Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 14465, for William Sickler, New York
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
1
New York

Sickler, William
-
NUMBER
S. 14465
Carded
CONTENTS
Page 2

14612
New York
---
William Sickler
Albany in the State of NY
who was a Musician in the Compy command
Herrick of the Regt command
Col Waterman the - N. Y.
6 Months and 6 days

Inscribed on the Roll of New York
of 22-Dollars 73 -- Cents per annum
on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 1st day of June 
1833 and sent to J. B. Moore
 Rensselaerville Albany Co. N.Y.
Arrears on the 4th of March 1833 $45, 46
Semi-anl allowance ending 4 Sep 1833. 11. 36
$56.82
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
by George Taylor Clerk
Book E Vol. 4 Page 17
Page 3

William Sickler
2126
Direct Certificate and
all communication
relating to this case to
J. B. Moore Rensselaer
Ville, New York-
J.B. Moore
Page 4

State of New York
Albany County SS. On this 27th day of October 
AD 1832 personally appeared before Joseph
B. Moore a Judge of the County Courts
of the County of Albany and State aforesaid
William Sickler a resident of the town of
Cayman in the County of Albany and
State of New York aged 72 years and
who first
being 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 7, 1832 
That he entered the service of
the United States under the following named
officers, and served as herein stated-
He entered the said service
at a place then called New Britain, now 
in the County of Columbia in the State of
New York where 
he their resided as a volunteer, and joined
Captain Daniel Herricks Company and
Colonel Watermons regiment, as Fifer 
on the first of April 1777 and was immediately marched to Albany where he staid
a short time, and was then marched to Fort
Edward, where he staid three weeks, and was
then marched to Lake George and from there 
to Fort Stanwix, where he continued a short time
and was then marched to Johnstown, and from
there to Fort Miller where he staid and did
Garrison duty untill the 6th day of October
1777. when he received a furlough for nine
days to return home in consequence of being
sick and unable to duty, that he immediately
went down to Albany and could
get no further on account of his illness
He continued at Albany untill after the 
surrender of Burgoyne at Saratoga
Page 5

and was there when the troops marched
down, to Albany and he there some gene
Burgoyne. After the surrender of Burgoyne
the Company and regiment to which he
belonged, were disbanded and he returned
he served in the said Company
and regiment as a Fifer, from the
first of April 1777 to the last of October
1777 (including the time he was on a furlough
making in the whole six months
for which he claims a pension, besides the
time he was on a furlough
He was in no
battles nor did he receive a written discharge
. He was born in the year 1760
as near as he can recollect, in the town of
Fishkill in the now County of Dutchess
in the State of New York and removed
from there the New Brittain aforesaid when
he was a small boy, where he continued to reside
untill he removed to the said town of
Coeymans where he has resided about fifty
years. He has no record of his age
that his reccollection is verry much
impaired and he does not now recollect
the officers names who name in the Army
at the same time, recollect however that
Nathaniel Herrick brother of his captain was a
Lieutenant in his company, that Joseph French
was the drummer and he this declarant, the
Leser of the said Company a private belonging to the same company called King Carvis was
killed by the Indians near Lake George
also Simon Lathrop, He knew Saml Wheeler
and Peter Douglass
Page 6

who belonged to the same company & regiment, the latter of whom was whipped for stealing
Cabbage and deserted the next night after.
there is no Clergyman in his neighbourhood or within the vicinity where he resides
who knows or has heard any thing of his
services in the revolutionary war, to his
knowledge-- He is well known to Stephen
Plains Esqr, Henry Niles, John Whiteck, Thomas
Witbeck and Isaac Witbeck and others who
are now living in his neighbourhood
and who can testify to his character for truth
and veracity and their belief of his services
as a soldier of the revolution
He resides about 18 Miles from
the City of Albany where the Courts
of record for the County of Albany are
held, and that he is wholly unable to
travel that distance to attend the Court
that he is troubled with an extremely
bad rupture which entirely disable him
from labour, and from travelling-
He has no documentary evidence, nor does he know of any person
he can procure to testify to his services, although he has made every enquiry possible
to obtain witnesses
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever
to a pension or annuity except the present and
declares that his name is not on the pension roll
of the agency of any State-- that he is unable to write
his name having never been taught to write
William his x mark Sickler

Sworn to & subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Before me B. Moore Judge  of Albany County Courts
Page 7

We Stephen Haines residing in the town of
Coeymans in the County of Albany and
State of New York and George Lamoreux
residing in the same place
hereby certify
that we are well acquainted with William
sickler who has subscribed and from to
the foregoing or within declaration; that
we believe him to be 72 years of age
and upwards; that he is reputed and
believed in the neighbourhood where
he resides to have been a soldier of the
revolution, and that we concur in that
opinion 

Stephen Haines
George Lamoreaux

sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid Before me J. B. Moore Judge
of Albany County Courts

Albany County SS. I the Subscriber a Judge of the County
Courts of the County of Albany do hereby certify and
declare my opinion after the investigation of the matter
and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war
Department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And I do further certify that I am well acquainted with Stephen Haines
and George Lamoreux who have signed the preceding
certificate that they both reside in the said Town of
Coeymans and are credible persons, and that their
statement is entitled to credit. And I further certify
that the said applicant cannot attend the Court
by reason of bodily infirmity
J. B. Moore

State of New York
Albany County ⎬ I Conrad A. Ten Eyck Clerk of the
City and County of Albany do hereby certify that
Joseph B. Moore before whom the within declara
Page 8

tion and the above certificate were from
and who has made the above certificate is a
Judge of the County Courts of the County of Albany
, and that the signature J. B. Moore to
the said declaration and certificate is his
genuine signature - In Testimony whereof
have hereunto set my hand and affixed
the seal of the said County this 19th day
March A.D. 1833.
C. Ten Eyck
esq
Page 9

24626
William Sickler
Albany 60
New York
J. B. Moore
Rensselearville
Albany
New York
Page 10

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Pension Office,
183
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has
been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of
your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and
the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed,
before a pension can be allowed. the notes and the regulations will shew what is
necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed,
you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when
you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and
you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your
claim.

A Statement, showing the Service of William Sickler Albany Co
New York

[table]
Period when the service was rendered / Duration of the claimant's service years-months-days / Rank of the claimant / Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served / Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service / Proof by which the declaration is supported.

1777 / 6 [months] 6 [days] / Col Waterman Cap Herrick / 72 years Columbia Co N York / Traditionary
 
I am 
Your obedient servant
J. L. EDWARDS.
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 11

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army,
and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all
persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who
were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to
Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are
also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged
in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
The Regular Troops.
The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
Persons employed in the Naval Service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming
the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, mucicians or privates, will, in the first
instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of
Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is
considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
Sate, Territor
County of
On this
day of
A.B. a resident (b) of
personally appeared (a) before
in the county of
and State, Territory or District
of
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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed
June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)
---
served in the
(e) regiment of the
Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he servunder
more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the
town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged,
and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons
who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he
declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of
the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
And then will follow the certificate of the Court.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary
soldier, and served as he states.
of the Court of
do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of
the application of
for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this
day of
& c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be
found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia.
except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and
subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with
and C. D. residing in (the same)
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be
who has
years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier
of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
And then will follow the certificate of the Court.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after
putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary
Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A.B.
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the
and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
1,
Clerk of the Court of
contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of that the foregoing
for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal
of office, thisday

of
& c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission
; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if
possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services
of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light
upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will
also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful
in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
Page 12

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case The facts stated will afford one of the principal
means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted
; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be exexpected
. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and
there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his
case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of
service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State
troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war
, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute?
And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such
Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it giv-
{To a Soldier, and what has become of it?
Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what
ance has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify
as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are
requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be
the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from
their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed
and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion.
If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character
and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct
proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the
enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before
required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper
county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform,
and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record,
or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper
Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a
Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is
his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before
the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the
declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure
, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period
of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the
opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will fol-
The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not
The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the
claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so
definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the
loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason
of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his
recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:--For---year----months, anddays
, I served as a -. For - months and - days, I served as a ; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law
directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months,
is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years
in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is
highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement;
the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent suthority
; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil
The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
The opinion of the Court is always required.
The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public
seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the
papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains
the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must
pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses
who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as
the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses
, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
The notes from to are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in
note il applies to continental troops only.
This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Joseph Bowen
Page 13

Rev War
14465
INVALID.
to No. 14465
William Sickler
Fifer
Musician Rev War
---
Act: June 7th 32
Index: -- Vol. Page 32
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 14

J. L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
Page 15

J. L. Edwards Esqr
Com of Pensions
Sir
Rensselaerville
Albany County
New York
March 15. 1833
Herewith you have the
application of William Sickles for a
Pension under the act of June 7, 1832
wish you to examine this claim &
forward certificate and all communications
relating to this case to me at 
Rensselaerville New York
Yours in
J. B. Moore
Page 16

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAN-51
12-5-41
Division of Veterans' Administration Archives
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

Sickles, Abraham Grade Private Line New York
WARRANT NUMBER
7794
ACREAGE. 100  ISSUED August 25, 1790 to Abr Sickeler

The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of ""Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800"" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800.
Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.