Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 9520, for Hendrick Shirts, New York
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
New York
CONTENTS
Shirts, Hendrick
NUMBER
R. 9520
S
Page 2

Commissioner of Pensions.

16.483
Hendrick Shirts -
District of Georgia
Vermt
17 May '77
Disd 1 Mar. '81

Upon the return
of these papers his
desertion was not
noticed
Jns -
Page 3

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Pension Office,
June 1, 1833
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has
been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of
your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and
the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed,
before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show 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.

Statement, showing the service of Hendrick Shirts
Period when the service was rendered.
1777-
The deponent states that he served six months in addition to the above -
Duration of the
claimant's service.
Years. Months. Days
3 - - 
Rank of the claimant.
Private
Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served.
Capt Windell
Names and Rank of the General and Field officers.
Colo Vanschaick
Battles in which the applicant was engaged.
Country through which he marched.
From Albany to Fort Edward-
Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period.
73 years
Claverick
New York
Evidence by which the declaration is supported.
By living witnesses & his Captains Certificate
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army,
and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia" and "volunteers," all
persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who
were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to
Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are
also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged
in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming
the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first in
stance, 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.
On this
DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
On this [blank] day of [blank] personally appeared (a) before
A.B. a resident (b) of [blank] in the county of [blank] and State, Territory or District
of [blank] aged (c) [blank] years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the
following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provion made by the act of Congress, passed
June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) [blank], with [blank] and
served in the [blank] (e) regiment of the [blank] line, under the following named officers:
(Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served
under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the
town or county and State in which he resided when he enered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged,
and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons
who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he
declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of
the Agency in the State of [blank]
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. [blank] A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary
soldier, and served as he states.
I [blank] of the Court of [blank]
do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of
the application of [blank] for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this
[blank] day of [blank] &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be
found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia,
except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and
subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the [blank]
and C. D. residing in (the same)
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with
[blank], who has
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be [blank]
years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier
of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after
putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a 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 [blank]
and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the [blank]
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, [blank] Clerk of the Court of [blank]
do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application [blank]
for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal
of office, this [blank] day of [blank] &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 5

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal
means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected.
All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there
subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account
of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State
troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute?
And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such
Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6. To a Soldier. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given
and what has become of it?
To an Officer. Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what
has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify
as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are
requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce n Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -one of whom should be
the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from
their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed
and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion.
If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character
and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct
proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the
enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before
required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the
proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to
perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record,
or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper
Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a
Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is
his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before
the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the
declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period
of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the
opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow
the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not
conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the
claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so
definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the
loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason
of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; - For _ year __ months, and __
days, 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
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 authority;
that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil
pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public
seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the
papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains
the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must
pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses,
who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his time 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 [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops, The proof required by rule in
note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Page 6

Hendrick Shirts
afft. in support
of his claim in
regard to time -
Page 7

I Hendrick Shirts of St.  Armand L. C.
late of Swanton County of Franklin and
State of Vermont do testify and say that
I was born in Claverack State of N. York
on the 13th day of December 1759. according
to my best recollection, have no
record of my age. Lived at Claverack
when called into service and continued to
live in sd Claverack till after the close
of the Revolutionary war; moved from
thence to St. Armand afsd where I lived
till the commencement of the last war
between the United States and great Britton
when I left the province and returned
back to Claverack, where I remained till
the close of the war afsd and and then returned
back to sd St. Armand where he lived till
August 1832. I then removed to swanton
and from thence, the present season to
Broom where I now reside.
I was called into service as stated in my
declaration, and Hon Discharged, which
discharge I have lost.
I am personally acquainted in the neighborhood
of St. Armand with the following named
gentlemen who can testify to my character for veracity and their belief of my services 
as a soldier of the Revolution viz-
Samuel Maynard Esqr William Baker,
John Baker Esqr, Capt John Baker, Esqr
Fraleigh, James Reed Clergyman,
Sworn and subscribed
this 4th day July 1833
Hendrik Shirts
Page 8

Before me
William Bridges
Justice of the Peace
I further certify that I am personally acquainted
with the deponent and know him to
be and honest Dutchman and a man
of truth and veracity
William Bridges
Justice of the Peace
State of Vermont
Franklin County}
I Horace James Clerk
of Franklin County
Court, do hereby certify that
William Bridges who has affixed his name
to the within is a Magistrate duly qualified
and that the same is his genuine signature
In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and affixd
the seal of sd Court at St Albans
this 4th day of July AD 1833
Horace James Clerk
Page 9

Hendrick Shirts
Declaration
16483
Page 10

DECLARATION.
Revolutionary claim, under an Act of Congress, Passed
June 7th, A. D. 1832.

STATE OF VERMONT, 
District of GEORGIA, SS.} Franklin County Probate Court, October 9th A.D. 1832
Personally appeared in open Court, being the Probate Court for the County of Franklin, and a Court of Record
for said County, and State of Vermont, as will appear by the first section of a Statute Law of said State, entitled "An act,
constituting Probate Courts Court of Record," passed November 15th, A. D. 1821, [see 1st. section of said act,]
Hendrick Shirts
aged 73 years, resident in Swanton
in said County, 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, A.D. 1832. That he entered the
Service of the United States in the year 1777 and
served in the 1st N York Regt under the following
named officers -
he enlisted under Liut
Christopher Miller at Cloverick state of
New York his place of residence, for three years
Joined his company at Albany and served
under Capt Randell, Liut C. Miller afsd and
Ensign Jeremiah Miller in the Regt command
by Col. Van Schaick, (the two above named
Miller were both dismissed soon after the battle of
Monmouth for cowardice) mustered at
Albany aforesaid by one Dersike, marched
from thence to Fort Edward, there stationed
till the Regt to which he belonged march
from thence to Fort Stanwick, there stationed
about two months, from thence to Albany
for winter Quarters. In the spring following
by water down the Hudson River to White
Plains, New York, there stationed some months
from thence to the Jersies from thence to
Pennsylvania and there stationed till the British
Army evacuated Philadelphia, when the Regt
to which he belonged left and marched in
pursuit of the enemy, came up with them
at a place called Freehold, a battle ensued, upon
which a retreat was ordered, but the Americans
were soon supported by the rear guard under gen
Washington, and a stand was made and the enemy
drove back and retreated in silence the night
following, the troops suffered exceedingly in this
Page 11

to which he belonged left and marched in
pursuit of the enemy, came up with them
at a place called Freehold, a battle ensued, upon
which a retreat was ordered, but the Americans
were soon supported by the rear guard under gen
Washington, and a stand was made and the enemy
drove back and retreated in silence the night
following, the troops suffered exceedingly in this
engagement in consequence of the extreem heat.
After the battle aforesaid the Regt to which he
belonged proceeded to the Jersies, stayed a short time
and from thence to West Point, stationed there a
short time and from thence by water to Albany
and from thence to Fort Stanwick and there
stationed about one year and six months.
being six months more than his first
enlistment, having volunteered the last six
months; was at the Fort when thirty six
men was ambushed 27. Killed and nine
taken prisoners including himself but
escaped from the enemy and returned back to
the fort, and was discharged in May or
June 1780, received his discharged at the
close of his first campaign, but continued
in service six months after his three
years expired, he says he received an hond
discharge from Lieut Van Dike which
discharge he has lost
Page 12

He has no documentary evidence whatever
He hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension
or annuity whatever except the present,
and declares that his name is not on the
pension roll of the agency of any state-
Sworn to & subscribed
the day and year afsd}
Hendrick Shirts

And the Court do hereby declare their opinion, that the above named applicant
was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
William Bridges Judge
I, John Gates, jr. Register of the Court of Probate for the district aforesaid, do hereby
certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the
matters of the application of Hendrick Shirts
for a pension.
IN TESTION WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 9th day of October
A. D. 1832.
John Gates Register.
Page 13

Revo
Vermont
Jun '32
Rejected
Hendrick Shirts
See letter to
John Gates Jr.
Albany
Vt.
9520
Page 14

REJECTED
9.520
P.O.
Hendrick Shirts
Service:
Enlisted: __, 18  .
Discharged: __, 18  .
Application filed: __, 18  .
Alleges:
Re-enlisted:
Attorney:
P. O.
Recognized.   Contract.
Cert. of Dis. Searched for __, 18
Page 15

To whom it may concern,
 I certify that the tract Hendrick Shirts
has served as a private Soldier in my Company in the first New York
Regiment commanded by Col. G. Van Schlaick, -  he was enlisted by Lieut.
A. Miller who at that time was one of my Lieuts. That he enlisted for three years & served
out his time, which circumstance I do well remember. Given under my hand at
the City of Albany this 5th day of February 1827.
Jn Wendall late Captain in
the 1st N. York Regiment in the
last Revolutionary War.
Page 16

Albany County ss
William Carr being duly
Sworn deposeth and saith that he this deponent served in the army of the United States
in the Revolutionary War as a private
in the Regiment commanded by Colo G. Van
Schaick in the Company, under the command
of Capt Nicholas Van Rensselaer that he was
discharged at fort Stanwicks on the Eighteenth day of March in the year one
thousand Seven hundred & Eighty and
that Hendrick Shirts was at that time
in the service of the United States as a
private Soldier in the said Regiment commanded by Colo G. Van Scheick
and in the company commanded Capt John
Wendell and that this deponent well knows
that the said Hendrick Shirts had served
in the said company for one year previous to
the discharge of this deponant as aforesaid
and further this deponent saith not
William Carr
Sworn this fifth day of
February 1827 before
me 
D. V. Antwich
Justice of the Justices Court of the
City of Albany & Justice Peace of the
said County
Page 17

To the Hon. Secretary of War
It will be seen that the
enclosed evidence was taken in 1827, at which
time Mr Shirts, the applicant was on a visit
among his friends in the State of N. York, was
advised to apply for a Pension under the act of 1818.
and accordingly took the enclosed evidence for
that purpose. His Capt who made out and signed
the enclosed is deceased, as I am informed-
Mr Shirts informs me that he found that he
was not entitled to a pension under the afsd
act, agreeably to its provisions, on account of
his property-
Mr Shirts is a respectable man
and his statement entitled to credit
William Bridges Judge
Page 18

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-5-41

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

NAME Shirts, Mathias
GRADE Private
Line New Jersey
WARRANT NUMBER 8764
ACREAGE 100
ISSUED March 1, 1796
to - not shown -
*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.