Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 8275, Henry Cyester, Md.
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(3-1776)

SERVICE |  |  NUMBER

Md | Cyester, Henry | S8275

Carded

CONTENTS
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left column
30,579

Maryland
==========
Henry Cyester

[illegible] Co. in the State of Maryland
[illegible] was a private in the company commanded
Captain Ott of the Regl commanded
by Col --- in the Maryland mill
for six months,
=====
Inscribed on the Roll of Maryland
at the rate of 20 Dollars - Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
=====
Certificate of Pension issued the 21 day of April
1836 and sent to J. Ross
Key, Esq. Hagerstown.
=====
Arrears to the 4th of March 1836  $100.--
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 1836  10.--
==
$110.--
==
{Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1834]

Recorded by Wm. S Allison
Book 62 Vol. 5 Page 98

right column
See letter to G. G. Brewer Nov.
2. 1836.
Nov 17 1838 J. R. Key [illegible]
with a Cert of Saver's men
Ower to pay - June 18, 1837.
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State of Maryland]
County of Washington] SS.

On this twenty ninth day of December - personally appeared Henry Cyerter in open court, before the Orphanage court of Washington County now sitting, a resident of Williamsport in the county of Washington, & state of Maryland, aged seventy eight years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, & served as herein stated. General Sprig, Colonel Rollins, Color Henry Schryock, Captain George Swingly, Lieutenant John Keiger, all of Washington County, which was at that time a part of Frederick County. That he does not recollect the precise time he entered the service but thinks it was about the year 1780. That he was drafted as a militiaman & served for the space of six month, that he was not called out of the state but was stationed during this term a Frederick City, Hagertown & at Fort Frederick; that in each place he was engaged in guarding the British soldiers who were captured in Pennsylvania & sent to this place. That before he was drafted he resided in [illegible]town in this County. That the expiration of six months he was verbally discharged at Hagerstown. That soon after his discharge he enlisted as a volunteer, Adam Ott was his captain, but he has forgotten the names of the other officers, he volunteered for the term of nine months, & served personally for the period of eight months, when he was taken sick, he then procured his brother Jacob Cyerter as his substitute, who served but th
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balance of his term which was one month. That he obtained a written discharge from Captain Ott, but which he has lost, he served both as a Militiaman, & as a volunteer, as a common soldier he recollects nothing more that that he was engaged & stationed during the period of his services in Frederick City, Hagerstown, & Fort Frederick, & was employed in guarding prisoners, he states that Captain Ott drew a pension for his services [until] his death. That he was home in Reading town, Berks Court, Pennsylvania, & that his father removed to this state & county when he was nine years old. That his brother, Jacob Cyester, who served as his substitute is still living & can testify to the truth of his declaration.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
[Henry] Cyester
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid

I Jacob Cyester residing in Cumberland Allegany County Maryland do hereby certify that I am a brother of Henry Cyester who has sworn & subscribed the above declaration that I am seventy five years old next May, & that Henry Cyester is two or three years older than myself. That I know him to have been a Revolutionary soldier & served both in the Militia, & afterwards as a Volunteer; that I know he was drafted in the militia for three months, but cannot say how much longer he served in the Militia. That after his discharge, he enlisted as a volunteer for nine months, & served in Frederick City, Hagerstown, & Fort Frederick for eight months of his time, when he was taken sick, & hired me to serve as his substitute for the residue of the time, that I did so serve, & was stationed at
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Frederick City & engaged in guarding British prisoners 
until I was discharged.  That Adam Ott was Cap
tain & that either William Beard or John Rench was 
first Lieutenant, but of this I am not certain 
& further this deponent saith not.
Sworn to the day & year aforesaid.  Jacob Scyster

We D H Williams & Daniel Schnebly 
hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Henry 
Cyester, who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration 
that we believe him to be seventy eight years of age; 
that he is reputed & believed in the neighbourhood [neighborhood] where 
he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, 
& that we concur in that opinion
Sworn & subscribed | D. H. Williams 
the day & year aforesaid | Danl Schnebly

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, 
after the investigation of the matter & after putting the inter
rogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above 
named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier & served 
as he states, & the Court further certifies that it ap
pears to them that D H Williams & Daniel Schnebly 
who has signed the preceeding [preceding] certificate, are credible 
persons, & that their statement is entitled to credit.  There 
being no clergyman here who knows the [illegible] applicant.  Tho. Keller, Wm Gabby, Alexr Neill

I, Daniel Schnebly Clerk of the Orphans Court of 
Washington County, State of Maryland, do hereby certify that the 
foregoing contains the original proceedings 
of the said Court in the matter of the appli
cation of Henry Cyester for a pension
[Blurred seal of office] In Testimony whereof I have hereunto 
set my hand & seal of office this 
29th day of Decr in the year of 
our Lord eighteen hundred & thirty five
Danl Schnebly [illlegible]
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Interrogatories put by the Court,

Intergy 1st.
Where & in what year were you born?
Ans.  I was born in Reading Town Berks County Pennsylvania 
the year 1757 August 18th

Intergy 2nd
Have you any record of yr age, & if so, where is it?
Ans. I have my age set down in my Bible, which I copyed [copied] from 
an entry in my Father's

Intergy 3rd Where were you living when called into service; where 
[repeated: where] have you lived since the Revolutionary War; 
and where do you now live?
Ans. I was living in [illegible] Town, Washington County when first 
called into service. I moved shortly after the war for a 
few months into Pennsylvania, & then a few months in 
Virginia, from there I returned to Williamsport in this 
State I have been residing there ever since

Intergy 4th How were you called into service; were you drafted, 
did you volunteer, were you a substitute, & if a 
substitute for whom?
Ans I was first drafted & then served as a volunteer

Intergy 5th State the names of some of the regular Officers who were with the 
troops when you served; such Continental & Malitia [Militia] regiments as you 
can recollect & the general circumstances of yr. service
Ans. I remember none others save those I have mentioned in my declaration
[Written vertically right margin]
33508
[struck out: Jacob] Henry Cyester 
Maryland

allowed
six months 
$20

Intergy 6th Did you ever receive a discharge from the service 
& if so by whom was it given, & what has become of it?
Ans I was verbaly [verbally] discharged from service when in the Malitia [Militia]; I obtained 
a written discharge from Captain Ott when I was a volunteer, which 
I have lost

Intergy 7th State the names of persons to whom you are known in 
your present neighbourhood [neighborhood] who can testify as to you char
acter for veracity & their belief of your services as a soldier 
of the Revolution?
Ans The Honble Judge John Buchanan, General 
Otho H Williams & William Vonleer
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[Written vertically left margin] 
Rev War

8275
INVALID. 
[illegible initials]

File No. 8275
Henry Cyester 
Priv Rev War

Act: June 7th 1832 
Index:-- Vol. 1st, Page 86

[ Arrangement of 1870. ]
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Mr. [name struck out] Allison will please forward to 
me at Hagerstown Md. the certificate 
of pension [illegible] Henry Cyester.
J Ross Key.
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Land Office, Annapolis, March 9th, 1836,
Dear Sir,
In reply to your letter of the 2nd [illegible], in relation to the services of Henry Seyster, a soldier of the revolution, I have to state, that the companies in which he served were of the "Select Militia of Washington [illegible] [illegible] - whether the "Select Militia," performed continuous services for so long a term as eight months, - I am unable to say, as the rolls in this office afford no evidence as to the length of their services - there are no pay rolls to be found of the "Select Militia," and the muster rolls do not show to what period they served, - I am therefore sorry that I cannot furnish you with any further information of the services of Henry Seyster, more than that his name appears upon both the muster rolls of Captain [illegible] and [illegible] [illegible] Company.
In haste, I am respectfully yours,
John [illegible], [illegible], [illegible]
G. G. Brewer
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Land Office, Annapolis, July 20th, 1836
Dear Sir,
Since I wrote to you a few days ago, I have found among the returns of the select militia of Washington County, in 1781, a muster roll of Captain [illegible] Company, on which I find the name of one Henry Seyster - there is also upon the same roll the names of George Kershner and John Sch [illegible] whom you stated in your letter served with Seyster - In the declaration forwarded on to me by [illegible] Edwards, the name was spelt Cyestar - I send you herewith his letter  - there must be a mistake somewhere 
In haste, very respectfully yours,
G. G. Brewer
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[Envelope]

[Illegible stamp]

12 1/2
J. Ross Key Esqr
Hagers Town, 
mail  Washington County, 
Md.
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War Department Pension Office
January 15, 1836

Sir,
Enclosed is the declaration of Jacob Cyester. I will thank you to give me all the information in your power respecting his alleged service and the services of his officers. An early answer is respectfully requested.
I am respectfully your [illegible]
J. L. Edwards

George G. Brewer Esquire [illegible]
Register of the [illegible] Office
Annapolis, Maryland
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Land Office, Annapolis, November 8th, 1836
Sir,
Your's of the 2nd [illegible] was received - I send you herewith enclosed agreeably to your request a certified copy of the roll of Captain Jacob S[illegible] Company of Militia in Washington County
Very respectfully your [illegible],
G. G. Brewer

J. L. Edwards [illegible]
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[Envelope]

[Written vertically left margin]

Apl 20
Md.

[Illegible stamp]

[Address]

FREE
J. L. Edwards, Esqr.
Commissioner of Pensions, 
Washington City, 
D. C. 
mail
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Land Office, Annapolis, April 16th 1836, 

Sir;

Your letter of the 21st ultimo, in relation to 
the services of Henry Cyester was received. I should 
have replied to it before, but my engagements have been 
such, as put it out of my power to do so until now. 
You request me to state, all the evidence which the records 
afford of the length and grade of his service, the [illegible]  
of Henry Scyster appears upon the muster roll as 
private, but as to the length of his service, it is impossi
ble for me to state, and I so informed Mr. Key. 
The rolls of the militia are very imperfect, by the return 
he appears to have served in the Select Militia, and there 
is nothing in this office to show that the Select Militia 
performed continuous service.  I have sent herewith 
a copy of the roll of Captn. Ott's Company to show that 
[word struck out] it furnishes no evidence as to the length of service, 
this is similar to all the rolls of the Select Militia.
(In haste,) I am very respectfully, 
Yr. Obt. Svt.
G. G. Brewer

J. L. Edwards, Esqr.
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[Envelope]

[Illegible stamp]

12 [illegible]

J. Ross Key, Esqr.
Hagers Town, 
Washington County, 
Md.
mail
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Land Office, Annapolis, Febry 18th 1836,

Dear Sir,

Your two letters of the 10th & 13th Inst, were 
received, in which you request information in relation to 
the service of Henry Cyester a revolutionary soldier. 
I received, I think a short time ago, from Mr. Edwards, 
the Commissioner of Pensions, at Washington, the declara
tion of Henry Cyester, and as well as I can recollect, 
I compared his [word struck out] statement with the rolls, but could 
not find his name upon the roll of the Company in 
which he set forth that he served, and I so informed Mr. 
Edwards.  On carefully examining all the rolls of the Wash
ington County Militia in 1777, I find the name of one 
Henry Cyster, whom I think, more than probable, is the 
same person.  HIs name appears upon the muster roll 
of a company commanded by Captain Jacob Sarer, George 
Sarer, was the 1st Lieutenant, John Funk, 2nd Lieutenant, 
and John Bowlen (Ensign).  His name does not appear 
upon the muster roll of either Captain Swingley's company 
or Captain Otts, as he states.  The rolls afford no furth
er evidence of his service.  I have deemed it unnecessary 
to make out any certificate of his name appearing upon 
the roll, until I again hear from you.  In his declaration 
(filed)
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filed at Washington, other persons are named as his 
officers. 
(In haste,) I am very respectfully, Yr [illegible]
G. G. Brewer

J. Ross Key, Esqr.

P. S. There is also upon the roll of the same company, 
the name of one Danl. Cyster, had Henry Cyester a 
brother in the same company.
G. G. B
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Land Office, Annapolis, Janry 27th 1836

Sir

The muster and pay rolls of the revo
lution in this office have been carefully 
examined, and they afford no evidence of the 
service of Jacob Cyester, or Henry Cyester. 
Henry Cyester states in his declaration, 
that he served first under Captn. George Swing
ly, and afterwards under Captain Ott.  HIs 
name however is not to be found upon the 
roll of either of their companys.  The dec
laration is herewith returned.
Very respectfully 
Yr. Obt. Svt.
G. G. Brewer

J. L. Edwards, Esqr.
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Hagerstown Md
March 12m 1836

Dr Sir

I received yr letter of the 29th ult. & inst
ructed write to Mr. Brewer to obtain [illegible] as 
possible such information as might be required. 
Enclosed you will find his letter. By it you 
will perceive that Mr. Cyster was a "Select Militia"
man & consequently was in actual service & not 
merely "ready to serve" as you stated in yr. 
letter to me.  The only question then it seems to 
me, remains to be answered is the length of ser
vice performed by the Petitioner.  The Petitioner is by 
law entitled to something & whatever that is he 
is anxious to receive.  The Land Office at Annapolis 
has no evidence of the length of service & if the 
Petitioners declaration [illegible] by the [illegible] of his 
brother be not sufficient for that purpose.  Mr 
Cyster has no further evidence to support his 
claim.  I think however he has made [illegible] a 
claim sufficiently strong to entitle him to the benefit 
of the pension law & mere want of evidence of the 
fact of such long service cannot [illegible] a presumption 
that such service as stated was not rendered; in opposition 
the [illegible] evidence that it was. You state
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in your letter to me that there is no evidence 
in yr. office of such long service & Mr. Brewer states 
that there is no evidence in his.  It might perhaps be 
a sufficient answer to this to say that there is no 
proof in either of the offices that such service was not 
rendered.  The absence of evidence therefore cannot 
establish the fact that such service was not performed 
Sir it proves that the declaration of such service 
ought to be admitted, quite as well as it proves it 
ought to be rejected.  Yr. argument is briefly that 
there is no evidence in this office which goes to 
prove that [struck out: the declaration [illegible]] such service as stated 
in the declaration to have been performed was rendered as stated. Therefore it cannot 
be presumed such service was performed.  Now try the 
argument on the other side "There is no evidence in 
the office which goes to prove that such service as 
stated in the declaration to have been performed was 
not rendered as stated.  Therefore it cannot be presumed that 
such service was not performed as stated.  The 
truth is the argument in both sides is illogical & 
unsound.  The absence of evidence proves nothing. 
If this position be right, you have more ev
idence that such service was performed than 
you have that it was not performed.

I wish you would precede to make a final
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decision in his case & let me know what it 
is.  Mr. Cyster has not further testimony to offer
& delay to him will be of no avail.  I wish 
however you would peruse the papers I 
have sent you in his case.  Sir if yr.
final determination should be adverse 
to his claim, I shall immediately 
draw a memorial to Congress.  Sir 
if a petitioner with such evidence 
as Mr. Cyster has produced cannot 
avail himself of some benefit from 
the pension law, then is that law 
but a mockery.
With respect
Yr obt. svt.
J Ross Key
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To be answd. when letter is 
recd. from Mr. Brewer.

[Written horizontally left margin]

To Mr. J L. Edwards

[Following is shown upside down on image]

To Mr. J. L. Edwards 
War Department 
Pension Office
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Hagerstown Md
Feb. 24th 1836

Sir

Mr. Henry Scyster, a revolutionary 
soldier, received an answer to an application 
made by him for a pension, from Mr. Francis 
Thomas a letter addressed by you to Mr. Thomas 
in which letter your stated that Mr. G G Brewer 
the Register of the Land Office of this state, has informed 
you that the name of Mr. Henry Scyester does not appear 
upon the rolls of either Captain Swingley's or Captn.
Otts companies.

Upon the receipt of yr. letter, at the request of Mr.
Scyster, I immediately wrote to Mr. Brewer giving 
him at the same time the information which might 
enable him to discover the name of Mr. Scyster upon 
the rolls of the Washington County Militia.

In reply Mr. Brewer enclosed me yr. letter to 
him by which I find you speak of a "Jacob 
Cyester."  The Petitioners name is "Henry" & I believe 
so written in the declaration.  I know of no such person 
as "Jacob Cyster."  I will here mention the 
fact that the name of Mr. Syster is spelt 
in various ways.  It is a Dutch name & was 
originally written Zyster by his father & has since been written
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by his sons Cyester, Cyster, Syster, Scyster.
Mr. Brewer further states that upon investigation 
he discovered upon the rolls of the Washington County Militia 
in 1777 the name of one Henry Cyster.  That his name 
appears upon the muster roll of a company commanded by 
Captain Jacob Sarer, George Sarer 1st Lieutenant
John Funk 2nd John Bowlen Ensign.

In another letter from Mr. Brewer he states that 
he has since found among the returns of the Select Militia 
from Washington Cnty. in 1781, a muster roll of Captain 
Otto's company in which appears the name of one 
Henry Seyster.  This is evidently one & the same 
person.

It is time that Mr. Seyster states that he 
served under Captain Swingley but the [illegible]
must have come from the fact that Mr. [illegible] 
being an officer at the time, with whom Mr. 
Syster was intimate & having lived near him 
for many years he has blended the one from the 
other.  I send you the letter I received from Mr. 
Brewer on this subject, with the exception of the two 
I wrote to him, of which I have no copy.  If you 
should deem them important you can write to 
Mr. Brewer for them.

Mr. Brewer states that the rolls furnish no other evidence of service
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In yr. letter you state that there is no evidence in yr. 
office that the militia of Maryland performed continuous 
service for so long a period as stated by Scyster. 
The rolls prove that Mr. Scyter served in 1777 & again 
in 1781.  This then is not continuous service.  Mr. Cyster 
states that the first served as a militiaman for six months 
& afterwards as a volunteer.  The rolls prove the fact 
that he served [illegible] militiaman & afterwards as a 
volunteer.  It is very natural that a man at his ad
vanced stage of life should forget the time that 
elapsed between his first & second service. 

You go on to say that unless it can be satisfactorily 
shown that there was such service, a favorable decision 
cannot be had in his case.  His brother swears positively 
he served as a militiaman for [word struck out] three months 
& afterwards as a volunteer for eight months.  If 
further proof of service be required now that his name 
appears on the rolls, if you will let me know of what 
nature I will endeavor to obtain it.

An answer to this letter letting me know how his case 
now stands, with the department, & if any thing further 
is required, what it is, will confer a favor on a 
worthy old man & oblige yr obt svt
John Ross Key

P.S. I will merely add that both Mr Ceysters whose
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names appear on the petition are men who sus
tain most excellent characters & ample proof 
of the fact can be given to the department if required. 
If however no further proof can be obtained of the 
length of service save what is offered, he is 
entitled I suffice to something & I will be obliged 
to you to state what it is.  Yrs restfly
J Key

To Mr. J. L. Edwards 

[Written vertically in right margin]
To be answd. when letter is 
recd. from Mr. Brewer

To Mr. J. L. Edwards 
War Department 
Pension Office
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Pension Agency 
Union Bank of Maryland 
Baltimore 9 June 1837

Sir

I forward herewith the voucher 
of Henry Cyester 7 June '32, unclaimed 
for 12 months, requesting an order for 
the payment of the same.

I am Sir 
Very respectfully 
Yr Obt Svt
A W Evans
Pension agent

To
J L Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions 
Washington City,
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Henry Cyester, S. File 8, 275

Certified copy of "Return 
"of Capt. Adam Ott's Company 
"of Select Militia in Washington 
"County," upon which the name 
Henry Scyster appears, has 
been withdrawn from this 
case as likely to be returned 
to the War Department Same 
furnished by the Register of Land Office, W. S. Maryland.
Filed in office safe.
O.W.&N. Divsn
A.H.M.

Nov. 2 [illegible] 04.
[illegible initials]