Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 13,005, for Benjamin T Terwilleger, New York
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE
New York

Terwilleger, Benjamin T
or 
Terwilliger

NUMBER
S. 13005
carded

CONTENTS
Page 2

14803

[page torn off] Terwilliger
County of Ulster, State of New York
who was a private in the com. commanded 
by Captain Hasbrouck of the regt commanded
by Col Clinton in the NY militia
for  one year private
 
Jany [illegible]

Inscribed on the Roll of New York
at the rate of 40 Dollars -- Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 27 day of
March 835 and sent to
Pension issued the 27 day of March
and sent to James N. Mitchell, Shawangunk

Arears to the 4th of March '38
Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept 1838 $20.00 ┃
$20.00
=

{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832. }

Recorded by Danl Boyd Clerk,
Book E 2, Vol. 4, Page 72
Page 3

Letter to John Fleming Sept. 13, 1834
Letter to Pensioner Sept. 13, 1834
Letter to Pensioner Oct. 14, 1834

-----------------------------
New York 14803
Benjamin T. Terwilliger
of Shawangunk in the State of N.Y.
who was a private in the company
commanded by Captain Hasbrouck of the Regt. commanded by Col Clinton in the NY Militia
2 years
Susp

Records completed Jany 5/06

Inscribed on the Roll of N.Y.
the rate of 80 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to
commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 27 day of June '33 and sent to J.N. Mitchell, Shawangunk, N.Y.

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 160.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 1833 40.00
[total] $200.00

{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Francis Francion Clerk,
Book E Vol. 4 Page 80
Page 4

State of New York
Ulster County } ss:

On the 20th day of July 1832, personally
appeared before me, John Jansen, one of the Judges of the Court of Common pleas in and for the County of Ulster aforesaid, Benjamin
T. Terwilliger, a resident Citizen of the Town of Shawangunk in said County -- Aged 77 Years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the
benefits of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832.
1st - That in the month of June 1775 he was a volunteer in the Company of Captain Elias Hasbrouck in the Regiment commanded by Col Clinton & General Schuyler for the term of five
months -  that he volunteered in Shawangunk and went from there to Lake Champlain on the way to Canada and then took sick and laid in the hospital untill my time of service was out and was there discharged in November following - (2) That next in the same month of
November he was again a volunteer under Capt Hunter for One Year and was enlisted and received his cockade in Shawangunk.  The said Company was styled minute men and served therein for said Term under Colonel don't remember for the said full term & was discharged in Shawangunk aforesaid
at the Expiration of said term of time.  That during said year the said Company were employed upon Indian Excursions along the
West Side of Shawangunk Mountain & with Colonel Weisenfelt in Sullivan County. [12 mo]
---
(3rd) That on the 1st day of January 1777 he volunteered for 2 mo. under Capt. Johannes Bourge & Col. Pauling and served at Ramapo and Paramus in New Jersey. [2 mo.]
(4th) That he then volunteered under Capt Matthew Jansen for 1-1/2 months and was marched to Fort Montgomery and served there & was discharged.  That he volunteered in June 1777 and was discharged at the expiration
of the term at Fort Montgomery.  That Colonel Dubois' Regiment and Capt Moody's Company of Artillery was at the Fort at that time- [1-1/2 mo.]
(5th) That on 1st September 1777 he volunteered for 1 month - he volunteered
for the said term in Shawangunk under Capt Matthew Jansen and served on the Frontiers for said Term [1 mo.]
(6th) That on the 6th or 7th of October 1777 he was ordered out with the Shawangunk Militia for to go to Fort Montgomery and heard the Fort was taken at NewBurgh - that he was then commanded by Capt Jansen &
Colonel Hardenburgh & went with the troops from NewBurgh to Kingston & Hurley & was in the service at that time for 1-1/2 months & was discharged at NewBurgh----- [1-1/2 mo.]
-
(7th) Next, that in the year 1778 he was called out for 11 months under Capt Matthew
Jansen & Served at New Town & Rochester for said Term [1 mo.]
Page 5

That in 1780 - 1781 he was ordered out along the Frontiers to guard the same & to pursue Indians and such purposes for at least 12 times, during each of which time he was on an average out at least upon duty 8 Days at Each time, making in the whole 96 Days or____
Most Actual Service the same under Captain Matthew Jansen, making in the whole two years and three months service: viz., 
as above set forth
1st for 5 months
2nd for 12 months-
3rd for 1½ months--
4th for 1 month
5th for 12 months
6th for 1 month
7th for 3 months
Making 27 months actual service
as a private in the Militia for which service I claim a pension
---
To the Interrogatories as per the Instructions of the secretary of war, this Deponent answer to them
1st - That he was born in Shawangunk aforesaid in the year 1755, Nov 21
2nd -That his age is recorded in the Church of the Shawangunk Congregation (of dutch reformed) that he was Baptised in said Church by the Reverend M Mincher
3rd - That he has always lived in the said Town of Shawangunk except only when he was in the service aforesaid--
4th & 5th - That he has set forth in the preceding declaration the facts of the Enquiries of the said interrogatories as far as he can
remember-
Page 6

6th - That he was discharged by being called up in the company to which he was attached and dismissed as having served the term of time for which he Volunteered was classed or ordered out.
7th - That he is acquainted with most of the Inhabitants of the Town of Shawangunk (many of which would freely testify to his good character)  - that Evert Decker, John McCord, David Winfield, Peter Decker, Abraham Sparks & others can testify to my said service as aforesaid set forth.
-
That 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 any state, &  that from Bodily infirmity he is not able to go 28 miles to the Court, the distance from this place to the Court house.
[signed] Benjamin T. Terwilleger

Sworn to and Subscribed the
day and year aforesaid Before me
John Jansen, one of the Judges &c. as aforesaid
-
John McCord, Peter Decker, David Winfield & Abraham Sparks, Residents of the Town of Shawangunk aforesaid, do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Benjamin
T. Terwilliger who has subscribed and sworn to above declaration, that we believe him to be 77 years of age, that he is believed and
reputed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier in the Army of the Revolution, that the facts set forth in the aforesaid declaration have been carefully perused by us & we do say that most of the
said services are personally known to us to have been performed as therein stated and to the extent therein set forth as we verily believe from our distant recollection of the said facts
& that we believe the said declarant to be a highly respectable & reputable Citizen--
[signed] John McCord (X) his mark
[signed] Peter Decker
[signed] David Winfield
[signed] Abraham Sparks
Sworn and Subscribed the day and year
aforesaid Before me

John Jansen, one of the Judges of the Court of Common pleas
in and for the County of Ulster, &c.
Page 7

I, John H Bevin, a Clergyman residing in the Town of Shawangunk, in the same neighborhood with the above named Benjamin T Terwilliger, the above named declarant, and Peter Decker and John McCord, David Winfield and Abraham Sparks, the within named witnesses to the above declaration and with the witness Evert Decker whose testimony is hereunto attached & do certify that the said persons are as far as come to my knowledge entirely respectable & Reputable Citizens, and that I have within the last year become a citizen of said Town & pastor of said Church, and that I have heard Benjamin T. Terwilliger represented as having served in
the Revolution and from my knowledge of the persons above named I would
freely attach full credit to their testimony aforesaid heretofore contained.
[signed] John H Bevin
Sworn and Subscribed the day
and date above mentioned before me
John Jansen, one of the Judge &c as aforesaid

I John Jansen one of the Judges of the Court of Common pleas in and for the County aforesaid do hereby declare that it is my opinion after
the Investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states, that he has so long been
reputed to my knowledge in the neighborhood where he resides, and I do verily believe that he served as aforesaid & I further certify that
John H Bevin is a Clergyman in the neighborhood of the above named applicant & the witnesses & that the said declarant & the Witnesses are credible & reputable and entitled to implicit belief & I further certify that it is my opinion that from the old age
and bodily infirmity of the said Declarant ( & his witnesses) that it would be out of his power safely to attend Court where the same is
held is 28 miles from his residence.
Witness my hand this 20 July 1832
John Jansen, one of the Judges &c. as aforesaid
Page 8

State of New York
Ulster County Clerks office } ss:
 I, Jacob Snyder, Clerk of the County of Ulster
and clerk of the Court of Common pleas of the said County of Ulster do hereby certify that John Jansen Esquire was on the day of the date
of the annexed application of Benjamin T. Terwilliger for a pension and the affidavit of John McCord, Peter Decker, David
Winfield and Abraham Sparks, and the affidavit of John H Bevin and the certificate, A Judge of the Court of Common pleas in and for said County duly commissioned and sworn as and Judge and that I am well acquainted with
the hand writing of the said Judge and verily believe the signature "John Jansen" Subscribed to the certificate, to the said application affidavit and certificate to be genuine.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and seal of office this twenty ninth day of
July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and thirty two.
Jacob Snyder Clerk

I, David Winfield of the Town of Shawangunk in the County of Ulster, after being duly sworn
according to law, do depose and say that I am 77 years of age, that I am intimately acquainted with Benjamin Terwilliger, the above declarant, that I believe him to be 77 years of age, that I know he was in the militia service of the Revolution, that I know that in the month of June 1775 he volunteered for five months under Captain Hasbrouk to go to the North, that he was in the service for the said term of five months, that I also know he did in November 1775 volunteer for one year in Shawangunk and [illegible] of Jack [illegible] under Captain Matthew Hunter, that I know he did serve for one year in said Company, that I 
also know he did in the winter of the year 1777 about the 1st of Jan'y volunteer under Captain Lancy for 2 months to go to New Burgh to Ramapo --- I also know that in October 1777 he did go with the Shawangunk Regiment to New Burgh and to Kingston and Hurley, &c. and was out at that time for 1-1/2 months.  That I know he was much time in service, but cannot particularly identify the precise amount of his further service but think they could not be less in all to what is above set forth than 7 or 8 months.  I know he was out on frequent alarms and further this deponent saith not.
[signed] David Winfield
Sworn and Subscribed this 14th day of December 1832 Before me, John Jansen, one of the Judges of the Court of Common pleas in and for the County of Ulster.
Page 9

I, Abraham Sparks, a resident of the town of Shawangunk, after being duly sworn according 
to law do depose and say that I am 70 years of age, that I am well acquainted with Benjamin Terwilliger who is an applicant for a pension above named - that I believe him to be 77 years of age, that I was acquainted with him at the time of the Revolutionary War, that I know he did volunteer for 5 months with Captain Hasbrouk to go to the north in the summer of 1775.  I also know he did volunteer for 12 months under Captain Matthew Hunter in the fall of 1775 and am fully satisfied that he did perform both these terms of service. 
I also according to the best of my recollection believe he served in the summer of 1777 at Fort Montgomery for 1-1/2 months under Capt. Jansen.  I also believe he served for 1 month in 1778 at Roakinton? on the frontier.  That my age is much impaired and cannot more particularly set forth his services.  I also know he did more service but at what particular times and how long I cannot say, and further this deponent saith not.
[signed] Abraham Sparks
Sworn and subscribed this 1st day of December 1831 before me. 
N. Mitchell, Commissionr etc.

I, John McCord, a resident of the Town of Shawangunk in the County of Ulster aforesaid after being duly sworn according to law  do depose and say that I am 85 years of age, that I am very well acquainted with Benjamin Terwilliger, an applicant for a pension above named, that I believe him to be 77 years of age, that I was acquainted with him at the time of the Revolutionary War, that I know he volunteered in June 1775 for 5 months under Captain Hasbrouck to go north, that I know he volunteered in November 1775 for 12 months under Captain Hunter and I am well persuaded that he did perform the full term of both the aforementioned engagements from the fact of me then hearing of the circumstances.  I also
know he served for 2 months in 1777 in the early part of the winter in January and February at Ramapo and Paramus - he was then under Captain Matthew Jansen.   I also know he was on duty for 1-1/2 months at Fort Montgomery in the summer of 1777, I think in June and July.  I also know he was on duty for 1-1/2 months when the Shawangunk Regiment was called out at the taking of Fort Montgomery; that he went with the same to Kingston & Hurley &c.  He was called out on the 6th day October 1777.  I also know he was out on a great number of alarms, to the full extent of which I cannot say and from my age and the great length of time that has elapsed set the same forth more particularly, but do verily believe he 
did Militia Service in addition to the above of at least 8 or 9 months in Alarms & months of engagement and further this deponent saith not.
[signed] John McCord
Sworn and subscribed this 4th day of October
1832 before me
John Jansen, one of the Judges of Ulster County Court of C. P.

I Peter Decker, a resident of the Town of New Paltz in the County of Ulster, after being duly sworn according to law,  do depose and say that I am 85 years of age, that I am well acquainted with Benjamin T. Terwilliger, an applicant for a pension above named, that I believe him to be 77 years of age, that I was well acquainted with him at the time of the Revolutionary War, that I know he did volunteer for 5 months in June 1775 under Capt. Hasbrouk and served out said term, that I know he did volunteer in the month of November 1775 for 12 months and did serve for said term.  That I know he did serve for 1-1/2 months when the militia was called out for
the alarm at the taking of Fort Montgomery; that he was called out on the 6th day of October 1777. That in the winter of the year 1777 about the 1st of Jan'y he volunteered for 2 months under Capt. Jansen.
That I know he did serve in the year 1778 in the summer for 1 month in Roakinton? on the frontier.  That I know he did serve for a considerable time more but cannot set the same forth except that he was out at least 14 times on alarms which I should believe lasted mostly 8 days at a time.  That the Regiment to which he belonged was very often called out for alarms on the River at NewBurgh, New Windsor, Fort Montgomery and at the frontiers of Shawangunk Mountain.
That further this deponent saith not.
[signed] Peter Decker

{ the 9th line was interlined before execution of the above affidavit containing a term of service of 2 months.}
Sworn and Subscribed this 14th day of
October 1832 before me
John Jansen, one of the 
Judges of Ulster County
Court of Common Pleas
Page 10

I, Evert Hoffman, a resident of the Town of Shawangunk in the County of Ulster, after being duly sworn according to law do depose and say that I am 83 years of age, that I am well acquainted with Benjamin T. Terwilliger,  an applicant for a pension above named.  That I believe him to be 77 years of age; that I was acquainted with him at the time of the Revolutionary War; that I know he did volunteer for service under Captain Hasbrouk in June 1775 and did serve for said term.  I also know he did volunteer for 12 months under Captain Matthew Hunter in the fall of 1775 and did serve for said term.  I also know he did duty for 1-1/2 months at the time the Regiment to which he belonged was out at the alarm of the taking of Fort Montgomery.  I also know he was out for several months at different engagements besides in addition to the three set forth; and I also know he was called out on alarms for at least 12 or 14 times, perhaps much more, when he would be out for from 7 to 16 days at a time; that I am sure the term would average 8 days at a time.  And further the deponent saith not.
[signed] Evert Hoffman
Sworn and subscribed this 14th day of Dec'r 1832 before me
John Jansen, one of the Judges of Ulster County Court of Common Pleas
Page 11

I, Evert Decker of the Town of Shawangunk in the County of Ulster and State of New
York being duly sworn according to Law do depose and say that I am 80 years of age, that I personally am acquainted with Benjamin Terwilliger of the same Town; That I know of the fact that the said Benjamin Terwilliger was in the militia of the Revolutionary army; that he
was a volunteer in the Company commanded by Capt Elias Hasbrouck, Colonel Clinton for 5 months and served therein for said time and
was Discharged; that the said service was commenced in June 1775 and Discharged in Nov. following - that in said November 1775
the said Benjamin Terwilliger was a volunteer in the Company of Captain Wheaton for one year and served therein for one year to November 1776 and was discharged.  That he then became a Volunteer under Capt Matthew Jansen for 1-1/2 months and served at Fort Montgomery and its vicinity for said time.
That in 1777 in September he was then a volunteer for one month under Capt. Matthew Jansen and Served on the frontiers - That in the fall of 1777 the militia of this Town into which he did belong the Regiment unto which he did belong was Classed and that he served for his term of time of 1-1/2 months.
And he was called and did serve from the year 1777 to the year 1780 at least the full half of said time; that I am well knowing to the facts set forth; that I was an Eye Witness to the said Services above recited and further this Deponent saith not.
[signed] Evert Decker (X) his mark
Sworn and Subscribed
the 3d Day of July 1832
Before Me, James N. Mitchell
Commissioner &c.
Page 12

State of New York
County of Ulster } ss:
On this 14th day of December 1832 personally appeared Before me John Jansen, one of the
Judges of the Court of Common Pleas
in and for the County of Ulster aforesaid
Benjamin T. Terwilliger a resident of the Town of Shawangunk in said County, who being first duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith That in order to amend the declaration previously made for the purpose of obtaining a
pension under the law passed 7th June 1832 and which original declaration is hereunto attached, he sets forth that he served as a
private in the Militia of the Revolution for the term of two years and 3 Months under the following Engagements - viz.
---
That he volunteered in June 1775 for 5 months & served said Term
He Volunteered in November 1775 for 12 months & served said term
Volunteered in Jany 1st 1777 for 2 Months & served said term
He Volunteered in June - 1777 for 1-1/2 months & Served Said term
He Volunteered in September 1777 for 1 month & served said term
He was ordered out in October 1777 for 1-1/2 months & served said term
He was ordered out in --1778 for 1 month & Served Said term
He was ordered out in the years 1780 & 1781 at least 12 times for a term of not less that 8 days each time on an average making an actual service of 3 Months
That the above terms of service make in the whole 2 years and three Months Service as a private in the Militia for which service he
claims a pension. That he produces to prove more particularly and definitely his said services - an affidavit of Evert Decker,
John McCord, David Winfield, Evert Hoffman and Abraham Sparks, and further he saith not.
[signed] Benjamin T. Terwilliger
Sworn and Subscribed this
14th day of October 1832
Before me John Jansen, one of the Judges of the Court of Common pleas in
and for the County of Ulster aforesaid

I, John Jansen, the said Judge do certify that Evert Decker & Peter Decker, John McCord,
David Winfield, Evert Hoffman and Abraham Sparks the witnesses whose depositions are hereunto attached are men of Good Character and entitled to implicit belief.  Witness my hand this 14th day of Oct 1832
John Jansen one of Judges, &c.
Page 13

State of New York
County of Ulster } ss:
I John Jansen the said Judge do certify that
I am personally acquainted with Benjamin T. Terwilliger the within declarant and with Petrus Decker, Evert Decker, John McCord-
David Winfield & Abraham Sparks & Evert Hoffman the above named witness and that they are of good character and Severally entitled to full credit - -
{ one of the Judges of the Court of Common
Pleas in and for the County of Ulster }

Ulster County
Clerk's Office } ss:
I, Jacob Snyder, Clerk of the County of Ulster and Clerk of the Court of Common pleas of said County do hereby certify that John Jansen was on the date of the certificates to the five foregoing affidavits, a Judge of the Court of Common pleas of Ulster County and that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the
said Judge and verily [believe] his name subscribed to the said certificates to be his proper hand writing and signature
---
I further certify that James N. Mitchell was on the date of the Certificates to the two foregoing affidavits a Commissioner
of Deeds and that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of said Commissioner and verily believe his name subscribed to the said two certificates to be his proper hand
writing and signature-
Witness my hand and seal of office this twenty second day of January 1833.
Jacob Snyder

Adm'd
12 mo. pri
$40

James N. Mitchell
Shawangunk, NY

[written on the left margin "B.T. Terwilliger 1415."]
Page 14

Benj'n T. Terwilliger
NY
Mar 21

14 March - Free

[to] James L Edwards
Com'r of Pensions
Pension Office
Washington
Page 15


Shawangunk 16 March 1835

J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions

Honored Sir, Benjamin T. Terwilliger of Shawangunk, Ulster County N.Y. Wishes me to request from you a certificate for the pay that you are willing to allow him for his services during the Revolutionary war under the act of
7th June 1832.  (His certificate has been
sent to Washington last Winter by Request of
the Department.) Since which he has rec'd
Information that a part of his pay could not
be allowed him but a certificate for forty Dollars would be forwarded him if acceptable.
---
He thinks very hand of being cut short of a part of his pay, he says he can get a petition from 500 Inhabitants of this Town praying his full restoration on the Roll  -- which the petitioner has no doubt he performed the full service of two years.  "the objectionable service is for 1 year and Capt Matthew Hunter as a minute man in 1776."
Your Respectfully by Request of Benjamin T. Terwilliger
James N. Mitchell
Page 16

Payments to be made
at New York
by Pres't U.S. br. bank
Agent for paying Pensioners
in the Agency of
New York

Recorded in the Pension Office in Book C. Vol. 4.
Page 80 by Francis F. Franciosi, Clerk
Page 17

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Revolutionary Claim.

I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Benjamin T. Terwilliger of the State of New York
who was a private during the Revolutionary War 
is entitled to receive Eighty - dollars and
cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States,
this Twenty Seventh day of June one thousand
eight hundred and thirty three.
John Dobbs
Acting Secretary of War.
Secretary of War.

{Examined and Countersigned.}

J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 18

Benj'n T. Terwilliger

J L Edwards
Commiss'r of Pensions

Mr Benjamin T. Terwilliger
Shawangunk
New York
Page 19

War Department
Pension Office
Sept 13th 1834

Sir
You an requested to return to this
Office your pension certificate under the act
of June 7th 1832 in order that an error may be
corrected.

Respectfully
Your obt servant
J L Edwards

Mr. Benj. T. Terwilliger
Shawangunk
New York
Page 20

Shawangunk N.Y.
20 Oct.
Free

J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Pension Office
Washington City
Page 21

J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir, I enclose to you my certificate as per your request. I hope not to my prejudice.
Your obt Servt

Benjamin T. Terwilliger

Shawangunk N.Y.
2 Oct 1834