Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 28712, William De Forest, New York
Page 1

SERVICE
New York
De Forest, William
or De Freest
NUMBER S. 28712
Page 2

24,317
New York
William Defreest
of Cayuga in the State of New York who was a Private in the Comp. commanded by Captain Defreest of the Regt. commanded by Col. Schuyler in the New York [illegible] for 17 months and 22 days.

Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 59 Dollars 20 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 21 day of Nov 1833 and sent to L. Jenkins Albany

Arrears to the 4th of Sep '33 $148
Semi-anl allowance ending [illegible]  29.6 [illegible - last digit cut off]
$177.6 [illegible - last digit cut off]

Revolutionary Claim
Act June 7, 1832

Recorded by Go. C. Stiles C[illegible word cut off]
Book E. Vol. 4. Page 96
Page 3

DECLARATION
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
STATE OF NEW-YORK
COUNTY of [illegible]

On the Fourth day of December 1832 personally appeared in open court, before the Court of Oyer & Terminer in and for the County of Cayuga now sitting, William Defreest [illegible] in the country of Cayuga and state of New York aged Seventy two 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 7, 1832. That he entered the service of the United States, and served as herein stated: That he was born in Greenbush in Rensselaer County, on the 28th day of Feb.y, 1760 and continued to reside there until the year 1815, when he removed with his family to his present place of residence, where he Still is, in the Town of Ira, and County of Cayuga: That he has extracted his age from the register of the births and deaths of the family as the same ore recorded in the Family Bible now in this declarers dwelling house at Ira aforesaid; That at the age of 16 and in the year 1777 he was enrolled as a private in the militia company commanded by Capt. Jacob Defreest in Col. Stephen J. Schuyler's Regt. and marched from Greenbush to Stillwater, Bemus's heights and Saratoga, and was in the battles between Burgoyne's army, and the Americans under General Gates, and remained in constant and active Service during the whole of that Campaign, and when not engaged in marching from Greenbush to other places, he was Stationed at various places the County and its vicinity in guarding the roads & passes; and the orders of Col. Henry K. Van Rensselaer to the Regt. were to be always on the alert and ready for duty - That in the Subsequent years of the revolutionary war, he has been thru [sic] Several times drafted on different alarms and on Sudden emergencies and marched from Greenbush to the relief of the forts at Schoharie, and for the protection of the inhabitants whilst harvesting and housing their grain, and in preserving, or preventing the destruction of their dwelling sand cattle etc from devastation and plunder; and in performing tours of duty to the frontiers and forts on the Mohawk river; the particulars of which, although now, not in the power of the Declarer to relate in detail, were extremely frequent, and often very harrassing [sic]: And as he cannot pretend to relate, with precision, the length of time which he devoted in the discharge of each individual performance of Service, he will only state and he hereby confidently declares, that according to his best recollection and belief, he has rendered Services to the United States as a revolutionary Soldier, during the course of the War for Independence for a period, in all, of not less than three years.
Page 4

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 the agency of any state.
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Subscribed and sworn by William De Forest
before December first 1832
Benjamin Canger & [illegible]
We Abraham Hoffman a Clergyman, residing in the town of Cato and Andrews Preston
residing in the town of Ira hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with William Deforest who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy two years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Abraham Hoffman
Andrews Preston
Subscribed and sworn before December first 1832
Benjamin Canger & [illegible]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, 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 Abraham Hoffman who hath signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman resident in the town of Cato and that Andrews Preston
who has also signed the same is a resident of the town of Ira and is a credible person, and that their statements are entitled to credit.
I, Michael S. Myers Clerk of the Court of Oyer & Terminer, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court, in the matter of the application of William Deforest for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this fourth day of December A.D. 1832
Note "December" twice written in the place of "October" & "Oyer & Terminer" written in the place of "Common Pleas"
Struck out
M.S. Myers Clerk
Page 5

Willm Defreest's
19911
Declaration

J. Van Ingewes
Albany.
Page 6

State of New York
ss.
City & County of Albany
On this 17th October 1832
before the Justices Court of the City of Albany, in open Court, personally appeared, Jacob Van Alstyne, of the City of Albany, formerly of
Greenbush in the County of Rensselaer, and in the course of the revolutionary War between the United States and Great Britain an Adjutant and Quarter Master in Col. Stephen Schuyler's Regiment of Militia, and subsequent to the peace of 1783, an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the said County of Rensselaer for nine successive years, and to this Court well known as a person of unimpeachable character for truth & veracity, who being duly sworn according to law, doth depose and say that previous to the year 1815, and from his earliest childhood he has
been intimately and well acquainted with William
Defreest, formerly of Greenbush aforesaid whose declaration of his services as a Revolutionary Soldier is on the other side written, and intended to be by him subscribed & sworn to, and which has been distinctly read in the hearing o this Deponent, that from his great intimacy with, and
very near neighborhood to the said William
Defreest during the whole of the revolutionary War for Independence having been his next door neighbour, he of his own knowledge knows the facts therein stated and set forth to be
true in all its particulars.
Subscribed & sworn to on the day & year 
aforesaid in Plea Court, written in the seal of the justice crest of the City of Albany
By the Court
John G. Watson
Jacob Van Alstyne
Page 7

In the matter of the application of William Defreest for a Pension under the Act of Congress of June 7, 1832

Additional Declaration Ic.
Page 8

State of New York 
Albany Justice's Court⎬ 
this 5th day of November 1833
Personally appeared before the Justices of the Justices Court of the City of Albany, the same being a Court of [illegible]) William Defreest of the Town of Ira, in the County of Cayuga, State of New York, an applicant for a Pension under the act of Congress of June 7, 1832, who being duly sworn in open Court, deposeth and saith that by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot answer positively as to the precise length of his service, but according the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below and in the following grades; 
1. In the year 1777 I was enrolled in the Company of militia commanded by Capt Jacob DeFreest in Col. Stephen J. Schuyler's Regiment, as a private being then 16 years of age. 
 In the month of June I was ordered into the service and went with my Company to Fort Edward, where we were stationed for about three weeks  & we were then discharged, & returned to Greenbush, when I then resided. I served on this tour of duty as a  private in said Company not less than three weeks 
2. About eight or ten days after my return home I am again [illegible] into the service in said Company and we marched from Greenbush to Bemis Heights. The whole of my regiment were ordered about the same time were stationed on Bemis' Heights-- We were commanded by Col. Stephen J. Schuyler and  Major John J. Fonder, Jacob Van Alstyne was our adjutant. 
We remained in the service on this town until after Genl Burgoyne had surrendered, and were discharged on or about the 19th or 20th of October. and returned home. 
 During this time I was with my Company,   at Stillwater & Saratoga. 
I was in an active skirmish with the British in the woods, between Saratoga and Bemis Heights in the month of September. We took some of the British [illegible]  killed four. I helped to carry
Page 9

some of the wounded to Hospital,  and helped to bury one of the dead. I recollect that sixteen were buried in one grave. - I was in the service on this tour as a private in said Company not less than three months and  a half- 
3. In the year 1778 I was again ordered into the service in the said Company commanded by Capt Jacob DeFreest,  Martinus Sharp was our Lieutenant, and Rynier Van Iveren was our Ensign. In the month of September we were ordered to go Fort Edward and we marched from Greenbush to Fort Edward. We remained there about three weeks & were then discharged & returned home. Col. Henry K. Van Renselan commanded us at this time- I sued on this time, as a private in said Company not less than three weeks 
4. In the month of October 1779 I was again ordered into the service with company, the commanded by Lieutenant Martinus Sharp and Ensign Van Iveren. We were  to go to Stone Arabia with Montgomery and marched from Greenbush to that place. The Albany and Schenectady Regiments were then at the same time - Genl Ten Broeck was one commanding General.  We were stationed there about a fortnight & then were discharged & returned home - I was in the service on this town, as a private in said Company not less then three weeks, including going & returning- ---
 5. In the month of May, 1780, about the 20th of that month, I was again ordered into the service in the said company commanded by Capt Jacob Defreest & Lieut Sharp & Ensign Van Iverin-- the marched from Greenbush to Fort Hunter on the Mohawk River. We
Page 10

were stationed at Fort Hunter about two weeks and were then discharged & went home. Col Goose VanSchaik commanded us at Fort Hunter-- I served on this tour as a private in the said Company not less than  two weeks. 
6. In the month of September or October of the same year 1780 I was again ordered into the service in the same company, upon the command of the same officers. We went to Fort Edward - Col Peter Yates of Schoticoke, commanded us at Fort Edward. We remained there until relieved by a company of Continentals belonging to Gansevoort's Regiment, then were discharged.  I served in this town, as a private in said Company of Militia, not less than three weeks. 
7. In the year 1781. I think in the month of September I was again read into the service, in the same Company and under the same officers, we marched from Greenbush under the command of Col. Henry K. Van Renselaer to Half Moon, and from thence to Schenectady, and from thence to Fort Edward. When we arrived at Schenectady, Gnl. Gansevoort took the command of us. We were at Half Moon about a week & about the same time at Schenectady & were then order to go to Fort Edward. We were all at Saratoga some time, We were at Fort Edward and Saratoga about a fortnight-- I was in the service on this tour, as a private in  this Company any not less than one month. 
8. In the month of July, but in what year not recollect, but I remember it was before Schoharie was burnt [?], I think in the year 1780,   I was [illegible] into the service in [illeg] a part of the Company I belonged to, to Schocharie.
Page 11

we went under Lieut. Sharp & relieved Capt Jacob DeFreest & part of the Company, who had been ordered there before.  We were stationed at the upper [illegible] under the command of Col. Peter Vrooman. We remained there about a month, protecting the Inhabitants & were then discharged & returned home. I served on this tour, on a private in said Company not less than one month .
9. In the year 1782. I think,  I was enrolled in a company of Rangers under Capt Jacob Defreest & Lieut Philip Harvey, I was engaged in action under same Company, from that time till the end of the [illegible]. I served as a private in said Company of Rangers not less than nine months. I  served in all not less than eighteen months, for such service I claim a pension- Sworn to & subscribed in open Court, 
this 5th day of November 1833 John G. Wasson Clk

William DeFreest
Page 12

State of New York Albany Justices Court ⎬ 
Jacob Van Alstyne of the City of Albany, being duly sworn in open Court, deposeth on his oath as follows, to wit. I am eighty four years of age I am well acquainted with William DeFreest, the applicant named in the annexed Declaration now present in Court. I knew him well in the revolutionary war I know that he was a private in the Company command by Capt Jacob Defreest, in Col. Stephen J. Schuylis Regiment of which I was adjutant- The annexed declaration subscribed & sworn to by the said William Defreest,  in this distinctly under my hearing by Samuel Justin Esq. and I know from my own personal recollection that the said William Defreest served as a private in the said Company & regiment, and performed the [ink blot], second, third, fourth, fifth sixth and seventh tours the said declaration mentioned and described and my recollection of the length of time he served in said tours respectively agrees with the statements in said declaration.v I have no personal knowledge of his servicri at Schoharie but I have no doubt that he did serve in said town as he has stated in said declaration . I also recollect that he belonged to the Company of Rangers as stated by him in said declaration, but which [ink blot] services he rendered or how long he served in the Company, I am not able to state.  The said William Defreest is a man of good character, and I have no doubt that his statements
Page 13

is fully entitled to credit.  

Sworn to me in open Court [illegible] of November 18[illegible] 
John G. Wasson , Clk
Albany Justices Court 

Jacob Van Alstyne 

This may certify that Jacob Van the above named witness is a respectable citizen, well known to the court, and his statements are entitled to full credit.
 In testimony whereof I have hereto affixed the seal of the said Court this 5th day of November 1833. By the Court John G. Wasson Clk
Page 14

William Defreest 
W. Y. 

Adm 17 months
2[illeg] days 

Samuel Jenkins 
Albany NY
Page 15

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. 

Showing the service of William Defreest, Cayuga 

Period 
'77

Rank of the Claimant:  Pr. 

Names and rank of the Company of officers under whom he Served: Cap. DeFreest 
Names and Rank of the General and Field Officers: C. Schuyler.
Battles in which the applicant was engaged: Saratoga 
Country through which he marched: NY 
Place of abode when he entered service and age at the present period.  72, [illegible] NY
Evidence by which the declaration is supported: Trady 
"shall not be less than 3 years" 

I am respectfully, your obedient Servant, J.L. Edwards, Commissioner of Pensions.  
The alleged service can't be allow as a continuous service.   The [illegible] according to the Regulation (see [illeg]) must be specified to best proof [illeg] of Services must
Page 16

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been considered 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-commission 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 in 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_
of _ aged (c)_ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on this oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provion made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)_, 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. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except to 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. 
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court]
And the said Court do herby 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 was 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 day and year aforesaid. 
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. 
__ who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the __ 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 entitle to credit. 
I, __ Clerk of Court of __ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the applicacation 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 commision; 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 on credible witness, stating in the 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 17

8
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; 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 live now?
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?
6. 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 I your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied I 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 doe, 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 traditionally evidenced of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever exited upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit 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 of 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 declaring must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declaring will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declaring 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 whose her served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
“Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn , deposeth (?) and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less then the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: -For _ year _ months, and _ days, I served as a _. For _ months and _ days, I served as a _; and for such service I claim a pension.”
It is important, in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase “about three or four months”, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served 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 places or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which 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 earl, 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 masgistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
? The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in not [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionally 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 18

28 712
Invalid 
Revy 
File No.  28 712 
William Defreest 
Prv. Rev War 

Act: June 7 32 
Index: Vol 2; Page 107 

Arrangement of 1870
Page 19

Abstract of William Defreest addl. decl'n
Dated Nov. 5, 1833
Page 20

Abstract William Defreest additional declaration Nov 5 1833

He served as a private in a Company of Militia commanded by Capt. Jacob Defreest in Col. Stephen J Schuyler's Reg't as follows.  

mos  / W / D 
1.  At Fort Edward in June 1777   0/ 3/0 
2. at Bemis Heights in July of 1777   3/2/0
3. at Fort Edward in Sept of 1778 0/3/0
4. At Stone Arabia [?] in Oct 1779 0/3/0
5. At Fort Hunter in May 1780    0/3/0
6. At Fort Edwards in Oct 1780   0/3/0
7.  at Half Moon, Schenectady, Fort Edward, and Saratoga in Sep 1781    1/ 0/ 0
8. At Schocharie, Upper Fort, under Lieut. Sharp in July 1780   1/0/0
--------------
9/0/0

9. He also served at a private in a company of Rangers commanded by Capt. Jacob Defreest Harvey, in 1782 and 1783     9/0/0 

He claims for   18/0/0 
L. Jenkins - agent 
Albany
Page 21

To J. L. Edwards Esq. 
Comr of Pensions.
Page 22

Albany, Nov 5, 1833 
James L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions, 

Sir, 
I herewith transmit the original and additional declaration &c in the case of William Defreest an applicant for a Pension under the act of Congress of June 7 1832. 
I think the additional declaration with the affidavit of Jacob Van Alstyne Esq. will be found satisfactory.  I also include an abstraction of his add'l decl'n. 
Very respectfully, 
Your obed Servant 
Samuel Jenkins