Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 16631, for Abraham J Lighthall, New York
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(3-1776)

SERVICE: New York

Lighthall, Abraham J.
Catharine

NUMBER: W. 16631

CONTENTS: [blank]
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Albany
New York 6057
Catharine Lighthall
widow of Abraham Lighthall, decd. N H who was a pensioner under the Act of --- and who died on the 11th of March 1831 of Madison Co in the State of N York who was a private in the compy commanded by Captain Fonda of the Regt. commanded by Col Wemple in the N. Y. (illegible) 14 mos. 3 dys private

Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 47 Dollars -- Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.

Certificate of Pension issued the 19th day of February 1841 and sent to Giles F. Yates, Schenectady N. York

Arrears to the 4th of March, 1841 
Semi=annual allowance ending 
$235.00

Act of July 7, 1838.

Recorded by S. A. Elliot Clerk
Book A, Vol. 2 Page 88

Reported to Agent, February 19, 1841.
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In pursuance of a law passed the 27th day of April, 1784, entitled "An act for the settlement of the pay of the Levies and Militia, for their services in the late War, and for other purposes therein mentioned," the following certificates have been issued, bearing interest at five per cent per annum, viz:
1780 August 1 | 20.456 Abm. Lighthall Sergt. | 1 | 14 | 8
1780 April 1 | 20.624 Abm. Lighthall Pri. | 2 | 8 | 0
1780 May 24 | 20.336 Abm. W. Lighthall Pri. | 0 | 5 | 4
1781 Sept 12 | 21.369 Abm Lighthall Pri. | 0 | 3 | 6 2/3
1779 Dec 11 | 21.427 Abm Lighthall Pri. | 0 | 19 | 6 2/3
1779 Nov 6 | 21.476 Abm Lighthall Pri. | 0 | 10 | 8
1779 April 25 | 21.315 Abm W Lighthall Pri. | 0 | 5 | 11
_________________________________________________

STATE OF NEW - YORK,
Comptroller's Office, Albany, Nov. 27 1840}
I hereby certify the above to be true extracts from Book No. Five now remaining in this office, and that the service for which the certificates above named were issued, were performed under the following officers, viz:
First - under Capt. Fred'k Frank in Col. Peter Bellenger Sr. Regiment.
Second, under Capt. Fred'k Frank in Col. Peter Bellenger Sr. Regiment.
Third, under Capt. Jelles Fonda in Col. Abm. Wemple Regiment.
Fourth, under Capt. Jelles Fonda in Col. Abm. Wemple Regiment.
Fifth, under Capt. Jelles Fonda in Col. Abm. Wemple Regiment.
Sixth, under Capt. Jelles Fonda in Col. Abm. Wemple Regiment.
Seventh, under Capt. Jelles Fonda in Col. Abm. Wemple Regiment.
Eighth, [blank]

[signed] W. W. Tredway, Dep. Comp.
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DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, of the 7th July, 1838, entitled "An act granting half-pay and pensions to certain widows."

State of New York, Madison County} ss.
On this First day April 1839 personally appeared before the undersigned, one of the Supreme Court Commissioners on and for said County, Catharine Lighthall a resident of Wampsville in the county of Madison aforesaid aged seventy six 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed July 7, 1838, entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows." That she is the widow of Abraham (or Abraham J.) Lighthall who was a private in the Regiment of Colonel Abraham Wemple in the District of Schenectada, & then County of Albany [illegible] in the Companies of Militia commanded by Captain Jelles J. Fonda and Abraham Van Eps as this Declarant has been informed and believes to be true, and that said Abraham Lighthall otherwise served in the war of the revolution, as is set forth in the papers hereto annexed but that this Declarant has no personal knowledge of his services, yet remembers hearing him relate that he served in the campaign of 1777 at the taking of Burgoyne & that he was at Fort George making boats in 1779.
And she further declares that her maiden name was "Bayler", that she was married at Stillwater N.Y. at the time herein after set forth by some clergyman whose name she cannot recollect, that she has no documentary or record evidence of her marriage, except that contained in her family bible & the leaf on which the same was written is hereto annexed.
She further declares, that she was married to the said Abraham Lighthall on Ninth day of April in the year seventeen hundred eighty-seven; that her husband, the aforesaid Abraham Lighthall died on the Eleventh day of March 1831; that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January, seventeen hundred and ninety-four, viz. at the time above stated.
[signed] Catharine Lighthall

Sworn to and subscribed, on the day and year above written, before me the said Commissioner, and I certify that said Catharine Lighthall is unable to attend Court, by reason of bodily infirmity. "The words "of Oneida" and the words "March" and the words "Judges of the court of common Pleas" first erased & other words written over them.
[signed] Ich'd. T. Spencer
Sup. Court Comm.
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State of New York, Madison County} S.S.
On this first day of April eighteen hundred & thirty nine before me the Subscriber is Supreme Commissioner of said county appeared John A. McDougall of the town of Lenox in said county who being duly sworn saith that for the last twelve years, or since the year 1827 he this Deponent has seen the family Bible of the within named Catharine Lighthall, and has noticed the record contained therein of the marriage of said Catharine to her said husband Abraham Lighthall, that the leaf hereto attached or prefixed, is the identical one referred to in the within Declaration, and was by this Deponent detached from said Bible for the purpose of accompanying this Deposition, and according to the best of the knowledge & belief of this Deponent, contained the true record of said marriage and this Deponent further faith, that he was with acquainted with said Abraham previous to his death, that he died about eight years ago, and that said Catharine his widow has remained simple and unmarried ever since and is still unmarried.
[signed] John A McDougall

On this first day of April 1830, personally appeared before me the undersigned John A. McDougall above named to me well known, who made oath, that the facts set forth in the above deposition, are true and correct, and I certify that said John A McDougall is a credible witness. Note the name of "Jelles J. Fonda" [illegible]
[signed] Ich'd. S. Spencer
Sup. Court Comr.

State of New York, Madison County Clerks Office} S.S.
I, Alexander Donaldson Clerk of said County do hereby certify that Ichabod S Spencer was on the first day of April 1839 a Supreme Court Commissioner in and for said County duly Commissioned and qualified and that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Ichabod S Spencer and verily believe the foregoing Signatures purporting to be his are genuine. _____ of whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Sea [tear in page has affected the text] ounty the 17th day of April 1839.
[signed] Alexander Donaldson Jr. Clerk
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FAMILY RECORD.

[1st column] BIRTHS.
Janehelen Lighthall was born October 12th 1800
Caty Mariah Lighthall was born February the 11 1803
[2nd column] BIRTHS.
William Lighthall was born June the 1 1806
Abraham Is Lighthall was Born 9 July 1753
Catharine Cuyler was born 4 January 1763
Sarah Lighthall was born 30 April 1788
Nancey Lighthall was born 13 March 1790
James Lighthall was born 24 April 1792
Cornelius Lighthall was born 9 March 1794
John Lighthall was born 7 June 1796
Jacob Wendel Lighthall was born 5 July 1799
Janehelen Lighthall was born 12 Oct 1800
Caty Mariah Lighthall was born 11 Feb 1803
William Lighthall was born 1 June 1806
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677
FAMILY RECORD.

[1st column] MARRIAGES.
Abraham Lighthall was married to Catherine Cuyler April the 9 1787.
Nancy Lighthall was Married to Peter BoVie in the year 1814 Sep 10
Jane Kenen Lighthall was Married to Joseph Blakesly in 1822
Helen
[2nd column] MARRIAGES.
William Lighthall was married to Harret Jackson July the 1 1832

86 4R
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7623
In the matter of the application of Catharine Lighthall widow of Abraham Lighthall under the act of 7th July 1838

[illegible] Apl 1781
H[illegible] 1881

Agent Giles F. Yates
Schenectada N.Y.
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Harmon Peters of the town of Charlton in the County of Saratoga in the State of New York aged seventy seven years, and a pensioner of the United States, being duly sworn saith, that during, previous and subsequent to said war, he was well acquainted with Abraham or Abraham J. Lighthall the same person who married Catharine Cuyler, this Deponent also knew said Catharine before subsequent to her marriage, that said Catharine & said Abraham Lighthall were married contrary to the wishes of her parents and were joined in wedlock out of schenectada (but that said parents afterwards became reconciled to the match) & they lived together & were universally known & esteemed as husband & wife. That in the early part of the war of the revolution, this Deponent thinks in the year 1775, said Abraham served in the Department of the Quarter Master General, but Deponent is unable to state the particulars of his service in said Department or the names of his officers. In the face of the year 1777 Deponent served with said Lighthall at Stillwater  Bemis Heights & other places in that vicinity for at least the term of two months in the company of Captain Jelles Fonda, & this Deponent served at the same time in the company of Captain Abraham Van Eps in
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the Regiment of Militia commanded by Col. Abraham Wemple. This Deponent believes that said Lighthall served during this expedition for a period of three months or more or during the whole of said Campaign, but Deponent cannot positively testify to more than two months as aforesaid. during the year 1778, this Deponent was at the Schoharie forts on two different engagements, and well remembered seeing said Lighthall there also in garrison, but deponent cannot tell under what officers he served, but thinks Captain Patrick had the command. How long said Lighthall served at said forts this Deponent cannot tell from his own personal knowledge, but this Deponent at the time thereof knew that said Lighthall was drafted together with Abraham Yates & Adam Vrooman & others not now recollected, out of the company of minute men commanded by Capt. Jelles Fonda aforesaid, to serve in the New York Levies for nine months, and this Deponent heard of the service of said Lighthall at Palmertown & [illegible]shen during said year. When at Schoharie this Deponent was under command of Capt. John Van Patten of said Regiment. In the face of the year 1779, this Deponent again met with said Lighthall at Fort Plank
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and Stone Arabia, and served with him at that time for a period of four weeks. How much longer said Lighthall served on this occasion this deponent is unable to say. Captain Jesse Van Sleyck of said Regiment had the command of the detachment to which this Deponent then belonged. Deponent remembers that he saw said Lighthall on duty on other occasions, but he is unable to specify particulars.
[signed] Harmon Peters

Subscribed & sworn this 24th day of April 1839, before me, and I certify that said Harmon Peters is a credible witness.
[signed] Roswell Perry, J. P.
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County of Schenectada ss.
James J. Van Vorst of the City of Schenectada in said County being duly sworn saith, that Abraham Lighthall the same person referred to in the accompanying papers as the husband of the lady whose maiden name was Catharine Cuyler, & who is now an applicant for a pension, served as this Deponent well recollects in the expedition against Burgoyne in the year 1777, but he cannot pay for how long a term said Lighthall hailed from this Regiment of militia commanded by colonel Abraham Wemple, & thinks he on this occasion served under Captain Jellis Fonda. That said Abraham Lighthall served as this Deponent well remembers in an expedition with a detachment of militia from Schenectada to Ballstown, when that place was burnt by the enemy in the year 1780. The term of this service was eight days, and the commander of this expedition, if this Deponent remembers right, was Captain Abm. Van Eps from said Regiment of Colonel Wemple.
James J (X - his mark) Van Vorst

Sworn this 29th day of May 1839, before me; and I certify that said James J. Van Vorst is a credible witness.
[signed] Roswell Perry J. P.
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State of New York, County of Schenectada} ss.
Joseph De Golyer of the town of Broadalbin in the County of Fulton in said State, being duly sworn saith, that he is now a pensioner of the United states, under the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832. That during the war of the revolution he was well acquainted with Abraham Lighthall the same person referred to & described in the accompanying papers. That said Lighthall belonged to the same Regiment of militia as this deponent, to wit the Regiment commanded by Colonel Abraham Wemple in the District of Schenectada. said Lighthall was enrolled as deponent thinks in this Company of Captain Jelles Fonda whereas this Deponent belonged to the Company of Captain John Van Patten. In the year 1778, (the first year in which this Deponent performed military duty) as draft was made upon the minute companies belonging to said Regiment viz the companies of said Captain Jellis Fonda, & the Company of captain John Mynderse, to raise a number of men for nine months service. This Deponent remembers that said Abraham Lighthall
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was among the men thus drafted, and he believes that said Lighthall did serve pursuant to said draft, but this Deponent is unable to say under what officers. Although he saw him on duty during said year at Schoharie middle fort, and served with him there & at the other Schoharie forts for a period of four weeks, and this Deponent then understood that he was serving pursuant to said draft. Captain John Van Patten aforesaid commanded the Detachment to which Deponent then belonged.
In the fall of the next year 1779, Deponent again met with said Litehall at Forts Plank & Paris, & served with him on that occasion for four weeks. How much longer said Lighthall served on the expedition last named, this Deponent is unable to say. Capt. Jesse Van Slyck had the command of the detachment to which Deponent then belonged. Deponent thinks he served with said Lighthall on other occasions, during said war, but he cannot now remember the particulars.
Joseph (X - his mark) De Golyer

Subscribed & Sworn this 14th day of June 1840, before me; and I certify that said Joseph De Golyer is a credible witness.
[signed] Roswell Perry, J.P.
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The Deposition of Jacob P. Chute of the City of Schenectada in the county of Schnectada, aged eighty years & upwards who being duly sworn saith, that during the year 1776, he this Deponent served for a period of nine months in a company of artificers & fatigue men at Saratoga & places in that vicinity. That during said time he frequently met with Abraham Lighthall whom he well knows to be the same person described in the accompanying papers, & saw him on duty with a like company, and as this Deponent was then informed & believes for the like period of nine months. The Company to which deponent belonged was Captain Nicholas Veeders, & this company to which said Lighthall belonged, was that of Capt Jacob Vrooman on said companies served under the Department of the Quarter Master General, & under the immediate superintendance of Christopher Yates a Deputy Quarter Master General.
Jacob (X - his mark) P. Clute

Subscribed & Sworn this 13th day of June 1840, before me, & I certify that said Jacob P. Clute is a credible witness.
[signed] Roswell Perry J. P.
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State of New York, County of Schenectady Clerks Office} ss
I Theodoric R Van Ingen Dep Clerk of said County do hereby certify that Roswell Perry before whom the foregoing affidavits of Harmon Peters, James I Van Vorsh, Joseph DeGolyer & Jacob V. Clute purport to have been taken was at the respective dates thereof a Justice of the Peace in & for aid County duly commissioned & sworn & that his signatures to said affidavits are genuine.
Witness my hand and official seal this 11th day of December One thousand Eight hundred & forty.
[signed] TR Van Ingen
Dep Clk
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In the matter of the application of Catharine Lighthall widow of Abr'm Lighthall for a pension under the act of July 7 1838.

[notation written in pencil is illegible]

Agent
Giles F. Yates
Schenectada N.Y.
Page 18

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th July 1838, entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows."

State of New York, Madison County} ss.
On this 21 st day of December 1840 personally appeared before the undersigned a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said county, Catherine Lighthall a resident of Wampsville in the County of Madison aforesaid aged 77 years and upwards who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed July 7, 1838 entitled an Act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows. that she is the widow of Abraham (or Abraham J.) Lighthall, who was a private in the Regiment of Colonel Abraham Wemple, & served in the companies of Captain Jellis J Fonda and Captain Abraham Van Eps as this Declarant has been informed and believes to be true, and she has also heard her said husband relate that he served with said militia upon various occasions during the War of the Revolution, but Declarant cannot specify particulars save that he served in the expedition against Burgoyne.
And she further declares that her maiden name was "Cuyler", that she was married at Stillwater N.Y. at the time hereinafter set forth by an itinerant clergyman whose name she cannot now recollect. That the accompanying record is the family record of this Declarant, born by her friend her family bible to accompany this her application for a pension. She further declares that she was married to the said Abraham Lighthall on the ninth day of April in the year seventeen hundred & eighty seven, that her husband the aforesaid Abraham Lighthall died on the eleventh day of March 1831, that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January seventeen hundred and ninety four at the time above stated.
[signed] Catharine Lighthall

Subscribed and sworn on this day & year above written, & I certify that the said Declarant is unable to attend Court by reason of bodily infirmity.
[signed] Horatio Yates Warner Judge Mad. Co. Curate
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State of New York, County of Madison Clerks Office} ss
I, Lewison Fairchild, Clerk of said county do hereby certify that Horatio Yates Warner before whom the within affidavit or declaration of Cahterine Lighthall purports to have been taken, was at the time thereof a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in & for said County duly commissioned & from, and that his signature of said declaration is genuine.
Witness my hand & official seal this sixth day of January One thousand Eight hundred & forty-one.
[signed] Lewison Fairchild Clerk

[addressed to] Giles F. Yates Esq.
Schenectady
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Res WIDOW, etc.
[illegible]
File No. 16631
Catharine Lighthall
Wid of 
Abraham Lighthall
Pri Rev War
Act: July 7th /38
Index: Vol. A, Page 436
(Arrangement of 1870.)
Page 21

[notation written in light pencil & difficult to read]

Abraham Lighthall
1776x 0 9 0 Capt Vrooman - Company not cont[illegible]
1777 0 8 0 Capt Jellis Fonda
1778 0 9 0 same [illegible] from [illegible] role of Deputy from that company
1779 0 0 18 Capt Van Slyck
1780 0 0 8
-- 0 0 27
___________
1. 2. 3
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7623
Catharine Lighthall
Act. July 7. 1838
Married 9th April 1787
Husband died 11 March 1831

Col Wemple, Capt Fonda} New York duties & militia

Admitted 
Private 14 Mos & 3 days
$47.-
Giles F. Yates Esq, Schenectady NY
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J.L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
[illegible]
I send accompanying this, papers in support of the claim of Catharine Lighthall for a pension under the act of 7 July 1838.
Yours respectfully,
G. F. Yates
January 18th 1841.