Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 2,809, Stewart Dean, New York Sea Service
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New York Sea service
Dean, Stewart  R2809
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38357
Stewart Dean's 
Application for a pension
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State of New York 
County of Livingston } ss:
On this thirtieth day of September in the year of our Lord 1833, personally appeared in open court, before the court of Common Pleas of the said county of Livingston, now sitting, Stewart Dean, a resident of the town of Livina in the county of Livingston and state of New York, aged eighty five years and upwards, 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 he entered the service of the United States soon after the commencement of the Revolutionary War, and although by reason of his advanced age and consequent loss of memory he is unable to state precisely when and how long he served at the different periods when he was engaged in such service, yet from the best of his recollection he was engaged in the land service of the United States as a volunteer private soldier in the militia of the state of New York at detached periods, not less in the whole than three months; and the he was engaged in the naval service at different times not less in the whole than fourteen months as master commandant of the vessels Livingston named, in virtue of Letters of Marque and Reprisal, granted by Congress, the particulars of which land and naval service so far as he can now recollect them are as follows;
On the 12th or 15th January in the year 1776 he marched from Albany to Johnstown on the Mohawk river, under the immediate command of Captain Garritt Groesbeck of Albany, Gen Schuyler commanding the expedition, and assisted in the capture of Sir John Johnston with 60 or 70 prisoners; was out at the time a week or 10 days, when he returned to Albany where he then resided. 
In the year 1777, having hired a substitute during the war and equipped him  impursuance(sic) of an act of Congress, in the latter part of the month of July or the forepart of August of that year, he again volunteered in a company of artillery that he thinks was also commanded by Captain Groesbeck, but does not distinctly remember and marched from Albany to Fort Plain and was engaged in pursuit of the indians at Cherry Valley German Flats and other places a little more than two months in the course of that year, during this period Gen Van Rensselaer had the command of the troops concerned in this expedition
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In the year 1778 an alarm was given that the enemy was making an incursion from the north, when he with others marched as a volunteer from Albany to Schenectady, (under whose command he does not recollect) and was out about a week, when there being no occasion for his further continuance, the enemy having retreated he returned again to Albany.
In the year 1779 some time in November or December, he marched from Albany to Schoharie as a volunteer and continued at the latter place two weeks or more when he again returned to Albany, whether he was attached to any company before or on his arrival at Schoharie he does not now remember. Genl. Schuyler or Genl. Tenbrook had the commission of this expedition but which of them he cannot say. 
In the month of June 1776, he thinks about the 20th. of that month, having received a commission of Setter of marque and reprisal as Commandant of the sloop Beavery he sailed from New York to New London where he fitted and manned the Beavery for a cruise, and immediately on receipt of the news at New London of the Declaration of Independence, departed in the Beavery for Providence on the 7th or 8th of July as near as he recollects bearing that intelligence. The day after his arrival at Providence he set sail on a cruise to the West Indies and when four or five days out, fell in as he anticipated with a fleet of British merchantmen of about 150 sail, which had just parted with his convoy, and in the course of 5 or 6 days succeeded in capturing four sail one of which the Earl of Errol carrying six 4 pounders was not taken till after a sharp conflict of two hours. The latter vessel, arrived safely at Boston, the others were recaptured. He arrived with the Beavery at the island of St. Martins about the middle of September and after disposing of her cargo and laying in another sailed for the United States, and arrived safely at Newport, Rhode Island sometime in October following from the time he received his commission till his return with the Beavery to New York was about five months.
Interlinuation made in court
S.G. Haven Dep  January of
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In the year 1782. went to Philadelphia and there superintended the building of an armed vessel called the Nimrod for Robert Morris & Co. The Nimrod carried 10 four pounders and had a complement of 25 men in the forepart of April in 1782. having received a commission of Letters of Marque and reprisal, a master commandant of the Nimrod, he sailed from Philadelphia with dispatches from the French Minister in the United States for Count DeGrasse, and in about 20 days arrived at the island of St. Christophers, where he learned that the count had been defeated and that time before. While lying in the harbor at St. Christopher the Nimrod was attacked by two 20 gun ships, and after a short but severe conflict captured and carried to Antigua. He was badly wounded during the engagement, and immediately after the surrender of the Nimrod, and was detained a prisoner about 20 days; at the expiration of which time through the friendly interposition of Admiral Crosby and the than Governor of Antigua, whose name he has forgotten, the Nimrod with the remainder of her crew was restored to him, and after returning to St. Christopher's, whither he was towed by one of the Admiral's ships, and laying in a cargo, arrived safely at the head of Elk river in Maryland in August or September having been absent between 4 and 5 months.  Immediately after disposing of the Cargo of the Nimrod and laying in another he sailed for Havanna under the same commission, where he arrived soon after. The vessel was embargoed at that .port and detained about 2 months.  after which he sailed for Philadelphia where he arrived in safety in the latter's port of December or forepart of January following: that the whole time he was employed in the two .cruises in the Nimrod after receiving his commission for that vessel, including the time of fitting her and laying in her cargoes, he should think at the last nine months. That he has lost both his commissions, and has no documentary evidence whatever of his services to his knowledge. That he resided in the city of Albany at the several times when he entered the service of the United States, and since the Revolutionary war he has resided the principal part of the time in Albany and New York, But for near three years past has resided in the town of Lima in the county of Livingston and state of New York, where he now resides. The following persons he believes will recollect something of his land=service
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all of whom reside in the city of Albany namely, Abraham VanVechten, Leonard Gansvoort, John P. Dow and Zachariah Sickle. William Patterson of Baltimore in Maryland knows that he commanded the Beavery and something of his service while in command of that vessel although the said Patterson was not on board of her during her sruise a Mr Livingston of New York was a part owner of the Beaver and he believes is still living, though he cannot recollect his christian name. The name of the first mate of the Beaver was John Autcher, that of the 2nd mate of the Nimrod Francis Manscolloch, The owners of the Nimrod so far as he knows are all dead, nor is there any person living to his knowledge who knows anything of his services while in command of her. That he was born on the 4th of July 1748 in Somerset County Maryland, he has no record of his age, nor was there ever to his knowledge any record made thereof except in the Family Bible and where that is he does not know, he never received any discharge for his services in the militia, nor does he know by whom the Setters of Marque and Reprisal under which he cruised were signed. The following are the names of some of the persons in his present neighborhood to whom he is known, and who can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his revolutionary services, namely, Matthew Warner, Augustus A. Bennett, Revd John Barnard Junior, Henry Grant, Erastus Clark and Melanchor W. Brown. 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. Stewart Dean
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year first aforesaid in open court. S.G. Haven Dep clerk
We Matthew Warner, Augustus A. Bennett and Melancton W. Brown all residing in the town of Lima in the county of Livingston state of New York hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Stewart Dean who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be Eighty five years of age: that he is reputed
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and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and to have been employed in the naval service of the United States in the manner set forth in the said declaration, and that we concur in that opinion Matthew Turner
A.A. Bennett
Melancton W. Brown
Sworn and subscribed the day and year first aforesaid in open court. S. G. Haven Dep Clerk
this affidavit in  in open court
William W. Dean residing in Lima do certify that I called upon the Rev'd, John Barrett of Lima aforesaid, the clergyman named in the foregoing declaration to procure his attendance at present time of this court to make the certificate above mentioned who informed me that the he could not attend in assist of the sickness of his family. Wm. W. Dean
Sworn + subscribed the day and year aforesaid. S. G. Haven 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 William W. Dean, Matthew Warner, Augustus A. Bennett and Melanchon W. Brown who have signed the preceding certificates are residents in the town of Lima in the county of Livingston, state of New York, that they are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit. 
I Chauncey R. Bond clerk of the court of Common Pleas of Livingston County, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Stewart Dean for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this first day of October 1833
C.R. Bond clerk
By. S. G. Haven Dep clk
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Capt Stewart Dean
Lima, Livingston County State of New York
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Capt. Stewart Dean
State of New York 
Baltimore 24th June 1833
Dear Sir I was no less surprised than please at having this day received a letter from your son Wm W Dean dated 15th instant informing of your being yet in the land of the living, and that you wished to obtain such information from one as might enable you to be placed on the pension list as a revolutionary claimant, I fear that it is out of my power to promote your views and interest in this respect, + all I can do is to state the circumstances that took place so early in the american revolution as the year 1776 when everyone who took an active part at that time did it at the risk of their lives with a halter round their necks, this country at the commencement of the Revolution was so destitute of the municions (sic)of war + the means of carrying on the war, that I was induced to establish myself at the island of St Eustatia as a merchant for the sole purpose of procuring + forwarding in to america such articles as were necessary for carrying on the war, in which I must acknowledge with gratitude that Goodrich DeGraff of St Eustatia, + governer Hylger of St Martins gave us americans every aid in their procure, altho it was contrary to their instructions from the Government of Holland who were at the time under the influence of England, during the year 1776 or early in 1777 I recollect that you arrived at the Island of St Martins as Master of the armed letter of Marque Sloop of war Beaver, in company with the armed letter of Marque Brig Enterprise Capt Deweight, both from New York, that you had cruised in company during the passege and had captured three or four British vessels + ordered them into american posts, but had retained the British prisoners on board your two vessels + brought them into St Martins, under these circumstances one or both to keep the prisoners confined on board your vessels and that I would dispatch your vessels withour loss of time back to america, + for this purpose I came over to St Martins with a sum of money sufficient to purchase full cargoes of sugar + Rum for both vessels + did send them off as soon as possible, + both arrived safely in america making great voyages. I knew nothing of your employment afterwards during the war of the Revolution, but after the peace I remember your having called on me in Baltimore + informed of your having made a voyage to caution in a small sloop, from what I have here stated it if can make use of it in anyway you find best, or if you will point our any other mode in which I can serve you I will do it with pleasure. Asto
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as to myself you may perhaps be curious to know some particulars of my life since our early acquaintance, I returned from the West Indies to this place in the year 1778 + have been largely concerned in the shipping business ever since + have still five fine vessels running principally in the south american trade, I am now in my Eighty first year + have been sixty years of that time a Shipp (sic) owner, never without a fleet of vessels more or less, but I think it is now high time for me to retire and I mean to send of my worldly concerns as soon as practible(sic). 
I am Dear sir with much regard 
Your Obed Servant 
Wm Patterson
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blurry typed page.
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Dear Sir: Please furnish me uncertified photostatic copies of 14(fourteen) pages from Rev. War pension claim, R. 2809, of Stewart Dean.
Very truly yours, 
Mr William J Wilgus
Carvel Hall
Annapolis, Md.
Rev. & 1812 Wars Section:
Received payment -$2.10
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2804
Stewart Dean
1852 Printed
Book-Rejected and Suspended Pensions gives reasons for rejection " He did not serve six months as a soldier".
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"Saturday morning June 29th 1776
The Congress me pursuant to adjournment 
Present- John Harnig Esq. Prest. pro. tem.
New York
Col. Broome

Albany
Mr Gansvoort
Col. Rensselaer

Suffolk
Mr. Tredwell
Mr Wickham

Ulster 
Col. Haasbronck
Major Parks

Dutchess
Mr Schenck
Mr. Delavergne
Col. M. Graham

Orange
Mr. Haring
Mr Pye
Col. Allison

Westchester
Col L. Graham
Mr. Paulding

Richmon
Mr. Conner
Mr. Corlelyrn

Queens 
Col Blackwell

Kings 
Mr. Pelhemus

Tryon
Mr. Moore
Mr Harper

Cumberland 
Col Marsh

Charlotte
Mr. Webster
The application of Stewart Dean for a commission and Letter of Marque for the Sloop Beaver with a manifest of her warlike equipments was read- Ordered that a Commission issue. Thereupon the said Stewart Dean and James A. Stewart master and owner of the said Sloop entered into Bonds conferrably to the Regulations of the Continental Congress in such cases made and provided.
Know all men by these presents that we Stewart Dean of the City of New York mariner, James A. Stewart of the said City Merchant and Isaac Sears of the said City Merchant are held and firmly bound to John Hancock Esquire President of the Congress of the United Colonies of New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, the counties of New Castle, Kent, and Sussex, on Delaware Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia in the sum of Five thousand dollars to be paid to the said John Hancock or his certain attorney, Executors, Administrators or assigns, in trust for the use of the said United Colonies: Tow which payment well and truly
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to be done, we do find ourselves, our Heirs, Executors and Administrators jointly and severally, firmly by these presents. Sealed with our seals, dated the twenty ninth day of June in the year of our Lord 1776.
  The condition of this obligation is such, That if the above Bounder Stewart Deane who is Commander of the Sloop called the Beaver belonging to James A Stewart + company of the City of Jew York in the Coloney of New York mounting six carriage guns and navigated by twenty five men and who hath applied for a commission or Letters of Marque and Reprisal, so arm, equip, and set forth to sea, the said Sloop as a private ship of war and to make capture of British vessels and Cargoes, shall not exceed or transgress the powers and authorities which shall be contained in the said Commission, but shall in all things observe and conduct himself, and govern his crew, by and according to the same, and certain instructions therewith to be delivered, and such other instructions a may hereafter be given to him; and shall make reparation for all damages sustained by any misconduct or unwarrantable proceedings of himself or the officers or crew of the said Sloop Beaver. Then this obligation shall be void or else remain in force
Stewart Dean L.S.
A. Stewart L.S.
Sealed and delivered in the presence of us the words ( in the sum of Five thousand dollars) in the obligation interlined} State of New York Secretary's office}
I certify the preceding to be a true extraction from the minutes of the provincial Congress of New York dated June 29, 1776 together with a copy of an Original bond on file in this office among the Revolutionary papers. Given under my hand and the Seal of this office at the city of Albany the first day of February A.D. 1834
Archd. Campbell
Dep. Secretary
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Capt Stewart Dean 
Lima
Livingston County
New York
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Capt. Stewart Dean  
Baltimore 19 Sept 1833
Dear Sir
Your letter of July 9th got to hand soon after it was written and would have been answered sooner had. I not been from home for a great part of the summer, I have considered carefully your claim + wish to be placed on the pension list, + am sorry to say that it seems impossible for me to aid you in that business, for I only knew you as commanding a private vessel with a commission as a letter of Marque, and I believe that no law of the United States comprehends any claimans(sic) but such as has been in the public service at Sea or on shore, in my letter to you of the same I stated every thing I know of your situation, + this I could swear to if necessary Provided it would answer your purpose, but for the reasons now assigned I think it would not + therefore would be useless, I would gladly serve you were it in my power but you see it is not. I am Dear Sir with much regard your friend + obt. servant
Wm Patterson
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Captain Stewart Dean
Lima Livingston County
State of New York
Mail
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Sir
Albany 23 August 1833

I received your letter of the 15th of last month. It is your wish to bring to my recollection circumstances, and events, that have happened upwards of half a century ago of which I have but a very indistinct and imperfect Recollection at the present Day, what I do remember, I will state. I know that you acted as one of the commissioners appointed for detecting, and defeating the conspiracies of what were then denominated Tories, how long you served in that capacity I cannot say, I recollect that after the Revolutionary War, Mathew Visscher who was also one of the commissioners, took the accounts out of my banks, and offered them for settlement at the office of the then state comptroller, who I believe was Peter Curtenius than when said accounts were audited, the
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Comptroller struck out my account, obscuring to W. Visscher, that these there was no clause in the act, authorizing the commissioners to appoint a clerk, or secretary, and that consequently he could not admit of my account, as charged for services rendered as clerk to that Board W. Visscher then advised me to petition the nations for my services, some short time after W. Visscher informed me that he had got my account allowed and paid me. It is true I did act as clerk to that Board, but as my appointment was unauthorized, I cannot give the certificate you wish. I have overlooked my papers, do not find any account, or even a copy of an account, in relation to this Business. I presume they must all have been delivered over to W. Vischer when he too the papers from me to get the account settled. 
  You call me your old Friend, be I always was and hope will continue to be, you wish me to present your best Respects to all your old
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Dutch Friends in Albany, name them if you can, I cannot, they are all all of them dead, you, and I, are left. how long? possibly a few more months, or years we cannot reckon, when the Places we now occupy, will know us no more forever.
I wish my respected friend that the Remnant of your Days may flow smoothly, and that you may continue to enjoy as much health, as you can expect at your advanced Period of life, in these Wishes Mrs. Gansevoort joins me.
With great Respect I am your hum. Servant 
Leonard Gansevoort

war, Captain Stewart Dean