Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 23297, for Matthias Lane, New Jersey
Page 1

SERVICE
New Jersey

Lane, Matthias

NUMBER
S.23297
Page 2

24.620
New York
Matthias Lane
of Chattaraugus in the State of New York
who was a pvt of Drgs. in the Comp commanded by Captain Conover of the Regt. commanded by Col. Holmes in the New Jersey line for 2 years
---
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 100 Dollars 00 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 18 day of Jany
1834. and sent to G W Gillett
Farmersville
-
Arrears to the 4th of Sep. '33 $250
Semi-anl. allowance ending '34 50
$300
[Revolutionary Claim June 7, 1832.]
Recorded by Geo C Stiles Clerk
Book C. Vol. 4 Page 103
Duplicate issued 5 April '34 sent G. W. Gillett,
Farmersville N. Y.
Let to E G Stewart.
28 May 53
Page 3

Matthias Lane Cattauraugus County of New York

d. e. c.
Admitted Private of Dragoons 
2 years
G. W. Gillet Farmersville N York
Page 4

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
July 30, 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 shew 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.

A statement, shewing the service of Matthias Lane, Cattaraugus County, New York.

Period when the service was rendered. | Duration of the claimant's service. (Years/Months/Days) | Rank of the claimant. | Names and Rank of the Field officers under whom he served. | Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. | Proof by which the declaration is supported.
Vol. Apl.; Called May | (blank) | (blank) | (blank) | Trooper | Cap. Conover, Col. Holmes, Gen'l Furman | 74 years; County of Monmouth, New Jersey | Traditionary evidence & one witness certified credible [crossed out: proper court].

The applicant states that as much or more than two years.

Battle at Monmouth.

I am, respectfully your obedient servant,
J.L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

Some proof more direct in support of the above service is required.
Page 5

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 instance, 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.

DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of
County of //
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before
A. B. a resident (b) of __________ in the county of __________ and State, Territory or District
of _____ aged (c) _____ 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed
June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____ , with _____ and
served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ 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 entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. (illegible) 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 _____.

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. __________ 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, __________, of the Court of __________ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of
__________ for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _____ day of _____ &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 __________ and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with __________, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ 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 days 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 __________, and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the __________ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

I, __________, Clerk of the Court of __________ , do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of __________ for a pension. 

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ & 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 6

3

...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 the 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 in 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 inquiry 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 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 in 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 that the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: __ For ______ year ________ 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 two years 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 was the 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 leaving 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.

(Illegible) 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 (illegible) 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 7

State of New York
Cattaraugus County//

Timothy Lane of Farmersville in said County, being duly sworn deposeth and says that he is a nephew of Matthias Lane, who has made the proceeding declaration & that he has been particularly acquainted with him for residing of thirty years and considerable part of the time lived in the neighborhood with him. That he has always understood from him that he was in the service of the United States. The most of the time, for five years during the Revolutionary War, & that he has frequently heard Joseph Mofford, who now is dead, state that he was in the service with the said above named Mathias Lane. And this deponent further says that within six years past, the said Matthias has become very infirm & also blind [crossed out: and] in so much so that he has seldom, if ever more than on one [crossed out: or two] occasions for four years, to the knowledge of this deponent, has been two mile from his house or from the house of his children, where he lives. And this deponent also verily believes that the said Mathias Lane has within a few years past, in a great degree, lost his relative faculties.
s/ Timothy Lane

Subscribed & sworn April 27th 1833 before me.
s/ George W. Gillet, Commissioner of Deeds

We certify that we have been acquainted with Timothy Lane, who has made the foregoing affidavit for six years past. That he is a Deacon of the Baptist Church in this place and we believe he is of unquestionable veracity and that the above affidavit is entitled to full credit.
Farmersville April 27th 1833.
s/ George W. Gillet, Supervisor
Levi Peet, Post Master
Page 8

State of New York
County of Cattaraugus//

On this 8th day of March 1833, personally appeared in Open Court before the Judges of the [crossed out: (illegible)] Court of Oyer and Terminer now sitting, Matthias Lane, a resident of Farmersville in the County of Cattaraugus and State of New York, aged Seventy four 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 and served as herein stated.

1st - That he entered the service [crossed out: under] and as a volunteer in a company of Light Horse commanded by Captain Conover, does not recollect the year but that it was in the spring after the enemy took the possession of New York City. That the company was raised to guard the shores. That he resided in the town of Freehold, County of Monmouth in the State of New Jersey. That he entered the service, he thinks, in the month of April or May. Was stationed at Colts Neck the first summer. The nature of the service was to guard against the Tories, who frequently came across the bay from Staten Island & Long Island and pilfered horses, cattle, sheep &c. and carried, as this deponent supposed, to the enemy. That he was in the service during the summer for five seasons. He was at home during the winter seasons and in the service summers. Colonel Holmes & General Furman commanded. That he was under the command of Captain William Remsen a part of the time. That while he was under the command of Captain Remsen, he was ordered to Philadelphia. That he marched through Allentown and Trenton on the Delaware River and crossed the river and marched to Bristol where he met Congress retreating from Philadelphia. And the company to which he belonged were pressed to guard Congress on their retreat. And they marched back to Trenton from thence to East Town up the Delaware River, from thence to Moravian town, from thence to Reading on the Schuylkill River. There we were dismissed by Congress and we marched back to Monmouth to guard the shores. That in the month of May the next year, the enemy came down towards Monmouth and we were called out together with the Militia [crossed out: at]...
Page 9

...That he was at Monmouth at the time of the battle. At that place he went to Monmouth Courthouse and his company had left and he fell in with Colonel Morgan's Riflemen and was down up in line of battle near John Richmond's Mills. That they remained there some time [crossed out: and this deponent]. That  on the account of Gen. Lee's disobeying orders they were not in the battle. After the battle, the enemy retreated to New York. That he was in the service three summer after that guarding the shores as above stated. That he was called out in the spring and remained through the summer and until about winter of each year. That he verily believes he was in the service during the five seasons as much or more than two years. That he never had any written discharge. That he was acquainted with Col. Morgan of the Riflemen and Captain Lee of the Cavalry. That Col. Holmes' Regiment of Militia was with them some of the time of his service. That he has a record of his age in his family Bible. That he will be Seventy four years of age if he should live to the 19thof May next.

That since the Revolution he has lived in Charlestown, Montgomery County, New York, and Sullivan, Madison Co. and Parma, Munroe Co., and that he now resides in Farmersville, Cattaraugus Co., and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service and that he has no documentary evidence.

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on any Pension Roll of the Agency of any State. That there is no Clergyman residing in the town of Farmersville, to this deponent's knowledge. That Francis E. Baillet & Ezra B. Strong are neighbors and can testify as to his character.
s/ Matthias Lane
Page 10

We, Francis E. Baillet & Ezra B. Strong, residing in the town of Farmersville, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Matthias Lane, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration. That we believe him to be Seventy four 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.
s/ Francis E. Baillet
s/ E.B. Strong

Subscribed & sworn the day and year aforesaid in Open Court before me.
s/ Israel Day, Judge of Cattaraugus Co. Pleas

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 Francis E. Baillet & Ezra B. Strong, who have signed the preceding certificate, are [crossed out: a] residents in the town of Farmersville and credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.

Judges of said Court:
s/ B. Chamberlain
s/ Israel Day

I, John W. Staunton, Clerk of the Court, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Matthias Lane for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal of Office this 8th day of March 1833.
s/ John W. Staunton, Clerk
Page 11

F.W. - ans(wered)

Rev. War Section.

November 22, 1912.
Mathias Lane
S.23297

Mr. E.H. Schilling,
State Center, Iowa.

Sir:

In reply to the personal request of this date, by Mr. Joseph Scott, you are advised that from the papers in the claim, Wid. File No. 20,408, Rev. War, it appears that William Lane was allowed pension on his application executed April 16, 1833, while a resident of Queensbury, Warren County, New York.

He stated that he was born February 24, 1763, at Brookfield, Worcester County, [crossed out: New York] Mass.; that he removed to Granby, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, where he resided when he enlisted and served as follows:

June or July, 1778; Captain Barton's company, Colonel Elijah Dwight's regiment; one month.
August or September, 1778; Captain Montague's company; three months.
Summer, 1780; names of officers not recollected; three months.
Summer, 1781; Corporal in General Stark's Guard; 3 months.

Soldier died February 12, 1840, and his widow, Sarah (Harris) to whom he was married March 5, 1789, at Westfield, afterwards called Queensbury, New York, was allowed pension on...
Page 12

2

...her application executed June 5, 1840, while seventy-two years old, and still residing at Queensbury, New York.

Their children are referred to the only name stated being that of Moses.

From the papers in the claim Sur. File No. 23,297, Rev. War, it appears that Matthias Lane was allowed pension on his application executed March 8, 1833, while a resident of Farmersville, Cattaraugus County, New York.

He stated that he was born May 19, 1759, and resided at Freehold, Monmouth County, New Jersey, when he entered the service in January, 1777, and served at various times amounting in all to two years, as a Private under Captains Conover, Randolph, William Remsen and Jacob Covenhoven, and Colonels Daniel Hendrickson and Asher Holmes.

Several children are referred to, but no names are stated.

There is no further data.

Very respectfully,
s/ J.L. Davenport, Commissioner.
Page 13

Payments to be made at New York by Pres. U.S. Bank, Agent for paying Pensioners in the Agency of New York.

Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book E Vol. 4, Page 182 by Geo C. Stiles, Clerk.
Page 14

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.

I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Matthias Lane of the State of New York, who was a Private of Dragoons in the Revolutionary Army is entitled to receive One Hundred dollars and (blank) [crossed out: 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 18 day of January, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty three.
s/ Lew Cass, Secretary of War

Examined and countersigned.
s/ J.L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 15

Revolution(ary War)

23297

INVALID.
File No. 23,297
Matthias Lane
Pri(vate) Rev(olutionary) War

Act: June 7th 1832

Index: -; Vol. 2; Page 234

{Arrangement of 1870.}

1912 Sep. 23 -  Hist(ory sent) to Mrs. Flo. Shilling. J.L.M.
1912 Nov. 22 -  Hist. to E.H. Schilling. F.W.
Request of Mr. Scott (see carbon [copy]).
Page 16

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION. 3-525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D.C., (blank) 19 (blank)

S.F.23,297

In reply to your request of (blank), received (blank) for a statement of the military history of Matthias Lane, a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. | LENGTH OF SERVICE. | RANK. | OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. (CAPTAIN/COLONEL) | STATE.
Jan. 1777 | Served at various times 2 years. | Pri(vate) | Conover, Randolph, William Remsen, Jacob Covenhoven | Daniel Hendrickson and Asher Holmes | N.J.

Battles engaged in, (blank)
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Freehold, Monmouth County, N.J.
Date of application for pension, March 8, 1833. His claim allowed.
Residence at date of application, Farmersville, Cattaraugus County, N.Y.
Age at date of application, Born May 19, 1759.
Remarks: Children are referred to but no names are stated.

Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

6-2856
Page 17

(Matthias Lane)

Nov. 22

E.H. Schilling
State Center, Iowa

(Request of Mr. Scott)

Nov. 22.
Page 18

E.H. Shilling | G.F. Shilling 

SCHILLING BROS., Dealers in HARDWARE and Farm Implements
ORGANS and PIANOS | AUTOMOBILES, PLUMBING and HEATING

State Center, Iowa, Sept 14, 1912

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:

Have you any record of the Revolutionary service of Matthias Lane, born 1759? I do not know where he enlisted but some years after the war he lived in Montgomery County, N.Y. and later on he lived in Cattaraugus Co., N.Y., where he died some time in the 1840ies.

Would also like to know if you have any record of Bondewin Kipp, who served as private in the Vates Regiment of New York?

Sincerely,
s/ Mrs. Flo. Schilling
Page 19

May 21/'53

Resp(ecting) Polly Root, wid(ow of) Billa [Root].

3rd Feb. '53

& Mathias Lane; Bo(unty) Land

E.S. Stewart, Farmersville, Cattaraugus Co., N.Y.
Page 20

24,620
24,709

Farmersville, Cattaraugus Co., N.Y.
May 18, 1833

To the Commissioner of Pensions:

Dear Sir,

Billa Root, a Revolutionary Pensioner died Feb. 5, 1857. His widow (Polly Root) made application and rec'd the amount of pension due him at the time of his death. In so doing she was obliged to make proof that she was his widow &c. That proof is probably on file in Washington. Now she wishes to know if any further proof of the same kind is necessary to enable her to obtain a pension under the Act of Feb. 3, 1853. If so, will you do her the favor to send me the necessary instructions.

Mathias Lane, a Revolutionary Pensioner of this town wishes to know whether he is entitled to receive Bounty land. He never having rec'd any. He has received a circular letter from some professed pension agent who proposes to give him valuable information respecting the same if he will send him $5. Pensioners are frequently imposed upon in this way. The old man is poor & I presume the government does not intend to make such Bounties subject to the heavy charges of speculating agents. On that account, I venture to trespass upon your valuable time.

Respectfully yours,
E.S. Stewart
Page 21

free

Farmersville, N.Y.
March 26th 1834

Hon. J.L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pension

Pension Office, Washington City
Page 22

Farmersville Cattaraugus, N. York

March 26, 1834

Hon. J.L. Edwards

Dear Sir,

Enclosed, I return Matthias Lane's certificate to have the date of the year corrected. It was dated the 18th of Jan. last. And your Clerk wrote the word Three instead of Four. Will you erase the one and insert the other & return it, as I make out the papers & send them to N. York  & they returned the form to have me insert the word Four & cross the Three in the form but I could not as it was there in the certificate.

Yours respectfully,
s/ G.W. Gillet
Page 23

Cattaraugus County//

Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, Matthias Lane, who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that by reason of old age, sickness & 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 as stated in his declaration accompanying this affidavit, except that was probably mistaken as to the length of each period which he supposes was as is stated by the affidavits of Lewis Covenhoven and Joseph Vancleif, of Monmouth County, New Jersey - with whom this deponent was well acquainted while in the service and served in the same company which them, which was that I entered the service in January 1777 & served every other month till the fall or winter of 1782. That this deponent cannot recollect the term of each engagement any further than is stated by his declaration and the affidavit above referred to. That this deponent did not at the time he made his declaration know that the persons who have made the affidavits to his services were living. That he sent by his son to New Jersey, who found these witnesses and procured their affidavits. That there is no Clergyman residing in this town with whom he is acquainted who can testify as to his character; and this deponent further states that he was not engaged in any civil employment or pursuit as he recollects during his service. That his services were rendered in the field and further this deponent saith not.
s/ Matthias Lane

Subscribed & sworn before me the 25th day of Nov. 1833.
G.W. Gillet, J.P.
Page 24

State of New York
County of Cattaraugus//

I, John W. Staunton, Clerk of the said County, do certify that George W. Gillet, before whom the within amended declaration purports to have been sworn, was at the date of the same one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the said County and that I am acquainted with his handwriting and verily believe his name subscribed to the said amended declaration to be his proper handwriting and signature.

Witness my Hand and Seal of Office the 29th day of November 1833.
s/ John M. Staunton, Clerk
Page 25

State of New Jersey
Monmouth County/
Louis Covenhoven of the township of Freehold, County and State aforesaid, being duly sworn agreeably to law deposeth and saith that he was Eighty one years of age on the first day of this instant. That he volunteered in a company of Light Dragoons in the month of January 1777 in the County of Monmouth and served in said company every other month from that time until the close of the war as a sergeant in said company. That said company was commanded by Captain Randle or Randolph when he first joined it; afterwards by Captain Remsen, then by Captain Jacob Covenhoven and after he was made prisoner by Lieutenant Barnes J. Smock, who acted as commandant of said company & was out at the close of the war. That their headquarters were at Tinton Falls, Middletown and Freehold during said period and their duties were to guard the coast and shores of Monmouth County from the inroads of the British and Tories, then marched were from their headquarters to Middletown Point, The Highlands, Shrewsbury, Long Branch, Tinton Falls and there after mediate points and places guarding the coast and shores. That he was well acquainted with Mathias Lane of said County during aforesaid period. That he, the said Lane, to the...
Page 26

...best of this deponent's recollection, joined said company then commanded by Captain Randolph, in the month of January 1777 and served therein every other month from that time until the fall or writer of 1782. That this deponent saw him frequently in said service at their headquarters at Freehold, Middletown and Tinton Falls and on then marched through the County at Middletown Point, Shrewsbury, Long Branch, Manasquan and the intermediate points and places. That at the tours of duty in Monmouth County, New Jersey, were constantly under the laws and ordinances of New Jersey. He cannot pretend to specify the particular times and places the aforesaid Matthias Lane (was) in the service but he well recollects he joined the company about the time it was formed and joined therein until the close of was as a good soldier; always he believes doing his duty and performing his monthly tours of duty. That he was always esteemed a good soldier in the troop and performed his duties well. During this period, their company was at first under the command
of Col. Daniel Hendrickson and afterwards under Col. Asher Holmes. David Furman was their general. That he well recollects one part of the company on one occasion was appointed and did march from...
Page 27

...Freehold to Philadelphia to guard and escort Congress from Philadelphia. Deponent thinks this was before the Battle of Germantown but is not certain. Deponent was left at Monmouth with a part of the company and he thinks said Lane was one of the company which marched to Philadelphia for the purpose aforesaid.
s/ Louis Covenhoven

Sworn & subscribed before me, a Justice of the Peace, Monmouth County, N. Jersey, this 10th day of September AD 1833.
s/ William Lloyd, J.P.

New Jersey
Monmouth County//

Joseph Van Cleaf of Freehold, Monmouth County, New Jersey, being duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith that he was Seventy three years of age the sixth day of last February. That he, this deponent, joined a volunteer company of Dragoons commanded then by Lieutenant Barnes J. Smock (Captain Jacob
Covenhoven of said company being then a prisoner) a short time after the Battle of Germantown being in the latter part of the month of October or first of November 1777, and that he served in said company as a private every other month from that time till the close of the war in the fall or winter of 1782. That their headquarters during said time was at Tinton Falls and at Middletown in said County of Monmouth, and...
Page 28

...their marches where from thence to The Highlands, Shrewsbury, Long Branch and Manasquan, then duties being to guard the coast and shores from the British and Tories. That from the time this deponent joined said company, Matthias Lane, then of said County, was a private in the same company and served therein as this deponent believes every other month under the then laws and ordinances of New Jersey. That he frequently saw said Matthias Lane in the service at their headquarters at Tinton Falls, Middletown, Long Branch, Shrewsbury, The Highlands and at Manasquan and the intermediate points and places guarding the coast and shores from the British and Tories. That he cannot particularly name the times when he saw said Lane but he well knows he was out in the service in the same Troop of Horse with this deponent and that he always performed his duties well and served as this deponent believed his regular
monthly tours of duty until the close of the war. Asher Holmes was our colonel and David Furman, General. That the said Matthias Lane was a member of the company when this deponent joined it. That the said Matthias Lane moved from the County of Monmouth about forty years ago to the State of New York, as this deponent then understood...
Page 29

...That he was a good soldier while in the service. Deponent always understood that before he joined the company, it was first commanded by Captain Randle or Randolph, as he was differently called, and afterwards by Captain Remsen.
s/ Joseph Van Cleaf

Sworn & subscribed before me, a Justice of the Peace the said County of Monmouth, N.J., Sept 10th 1833.
s/ William Lloyd, J.P.

And I, the said William Lloyd, Justice as aforesaid, before whom the foregoing affidavits of Lewis Covenhoven and Joseph Van Cleaf were respectively subscribed and sworn to, do hereby certify that it appears to me and that I know the fact that the said Lewis Covenhoven and Joseph Van Cleaf are respectably, credible persons and that their statements are entitled to credit. Dated Freehold, Monmouth County, New Jersey, Sep. 10th 1833.
s/ William Lloyd

I, Daniel H. Ellis, Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the County of Monmouth and State of New Jersey, do hereby certify that William Lloyd, whose name is signed to the Jurats of the two foregoing affidavits and to the certificate of the said William Lloyd, Justice as aforesaid, himself was at the respective dates thereof and now is a Justice of the Peace of the said County of Monmouth...
Page 30

...duly commissioned and sworn and that full faith and credit ought and should be attached to all his official acts as such, and also that the same aforesaid William Lloyd, to each of said hereto and to said certificate is the proper handwriting and signatures of the said William Lloyd, his true as aforesaid.

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and affixed my Seal of Office at Freehold this tenth day of September Anno Domini Eighteen hundred and Thirty three.
s/ D.H. Ellis, Clerk
Page 31

The National Archives Form VAM-51 12-5-41
Bounty Land Warrant Record Card*
Division of Veterans' Administration Archives
Name: Lane, Matthias
Grade: Private
Line: New Jersey

Warrant Number: 8498
Acreage: 100
Issued: June 11, 1789 to Johnathan Dayton, assignees

*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.