Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 19,490, Peter Van Bergen, New York
Page 1

SERVICE
New York

CONTENTS

Van Bergen, Peter

NUMBER
S. 19490
carded
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24854
NEW York
Peter Van Bergen
of Troy, in the State of New York
who was a Pri: Sec Ensign, in the Company and
Captain Williams of the Regt commanded ┃
Col Bailey in the N.Y. Troops
for 5 mo as Private
6 mo as Sergeant
3 mo  as
Ensign

Inscribed on the Roll of New York
the rate of 76 Dollars 66 Cents per annum
commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
1834
Certificate of Pension issued the 13th day of Mar
and sent Geo Gont
Troy N. York
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1834 $229.98
Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sep. 4
38:33
$218.31
recorded by
Book E
Revolutionary Claim, 
Act June 7, 1832.
Geo B Whiting Clerk
Vol. 4
Page 85
Dead. See letter May 29, 1834
P. Agt Jno Fleming
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State of New York
County of Rensselaer. On this twenty fifth day
of August 1832 personally appeared before me
I McConihe one of the Judges of the Court
of Common Pleas of the County of Rensselaer
and Peter Van Buren resident
of the City of Troy in the County of
Renssellaer
aforesaid aged eighty 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 under the following
named officers and served as herein
named viz. That he enlisted in the
army of the United States as a volunteer at Catskill in the State of New York
as Second Lieutenant under in the
Company of Infantry commanded by
Capt John Williams in the Regiment
commanded by Col. Bailey in the last
the thing on the first of the summer in the
year 1776 I went to West Point where he
remained in the service about five
months was discharged in December
of January following at West Point
that he engaged or enlisted in the said
service in the first place for only three
months but remained as above stated about 
five months before was discharged
Peter Schuyler was a major in said Regiment
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That in the Spring following (1777)
he again went into the said service at
Albany as a Second Lieutenant in a
company commanded by Capt.
Hendrick Oathout as a volunteer
went immediately to Fort Miller
when he with said Company remained till
summer & retreated from there
with the American army to an
Schaick Island  when Burgoynes army
were coming down and that he again
with said Company and the army advanced to Saratoga where he arrived
at the time of the battle when
Burgoyne was taken in October in
the same year. that he then went home
or returned by order of the Commander
in Chief the General Gates  to
Catskill aforesaid where he received
a discharge in November following
as he thinks Philip Staats was first
Lieutenant in the company
under the aforesaid Capt. Williams at
West Point he does not remember the
name of the first Lieut under Capt. at
house that he was in the service under
said Capt Oathout about six months
That the next year or the
the year following he again entered the
said service as second Lieut in a company
under Col. Vrooman at Albany &
went to Schoharie the same year that
Cherry Valley was burnt & retired to
Albany where his company was discharged
having been at this time about three months
in the said service he
not on the pension of the agency of any
and
in
of
on
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And I do hereby declare my opinion
after the investigation of the matter
and after putting the interrogatories
required by the war department
that the above named applicant
was a revolution Soldier served as
he states and I do further certify
that Amos Eaton & Martin Eaton
in the annexed affidavits named
reside in the City of Troy Lave are credible
persons and that their
statement is entitled to credit
and I also certify that the said
Applicant cannot from body infirmity attend the Court-
P. McConihe One of the
Judges of the Court
of Common Pleas of the
County of Rensselaer aforesaid
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 State of New York
Rensselear County Ss. We Amos Eaton
Martin Eaton residing in the City of
Troy in said County hereby certify that
we are acquainted with Peter Van Bergen who has subscribed and sworn
to the annexed declaration, that we
believe him to be eighty years of age and to have been a soldier in the revolution that the said Peter is & has been reputed where he now resides in Catskill where he has resided
is believed to have been a soldier in
the army of the revolution - that these
deponents have been acquainted with
the said Peter about twenty eight years
that he is a man of truth & veracity.
and his statement is entitled to full credit
that these deponents are acquainted with
Fredrick Scham, Wessell
Salisbury and John Schumeman in
the annexed affidavits named and that
they are all men of truth & veracity
and their statements are entitled to
full faith and credit, two of them being
of land property and high standing
in the neighborhood where they resided
Subscribed sworn before

Amos Eaton
Martin Eaton
Subscribed and sworn before me
on the 29th Sept 1832 by the
be named Amos Eaton on
Harlin Eaton
1st day of Oct. 1832 by the above
 named Martin Eaton

 [illegible]  I certify that I am peronally acquainted with the above  named Amos Eaton and Marton Eaton that they
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are persons of truth and veracity and their statement is entitled to full faith and credit. Oct 1 1832 I Mchile Judge of the Rens County Courts


State of New York
Rensselear County
P. P. Henry R. Bristol Clark of the
a
said County certify that Isaac McConihe Esqr
before whom the foregoing affidavits
and declaration purport to have been
Sworn was at the time of taking the same
and at the date thereof one of the Judges
the Court of Common Pleas in and for
the County of Rensselaer that I am well
acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe
is subscribed to the foregoing certificates & to be
his proper hand writing & signature Witness my
hand and Seal of Office this first day of June 1833
Henry R. Bristol Clerk
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State of New York
County of Greene ss. Frederick Schram of the Town of
Catskill and County of Greene, being duly sworn
being duly sworn according to Law
doth depose and say that he this deponent is
aged Eighty years and was born in the Town of
Catskill, and is now and was during the
Revolutionary War well acquainted with Peter
Van Bergen of the City of
Troy in the County
of Rensselear, and State of New York. that in
the year 1776 this deponent went as a soldier
in a militia company to Fort Constitution at
West Point on the Hudson river, that the said
Peter Van Bergen was an Ensign in said Company
and went with said Company to said Fort
constitution and remained there until late in
the full of the year 1776; that this deponent & was these three months, and said Peter Van Buren was
then during that time, but whether
a longer time or not this deponent does not
know that Captain Williams commanded the said
Company, and Phillip Staats was Lieutenant of
the Company
That in the year 1777 this deponent
was a soldier in the army which retreated from
Fort Edward to Stillwater, before the army
Burgoine for two months, and during that
time this deponent frequently saw the said
Peter Van Bergen in the army, but whether
as an officer or private soldier, this deponent
does not recollect

Frederick Schram

Sworn to and subscribed this
is 5th day of September 1832
before Joel Bellamy
Justice  of the peace of the
county of Greene
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to of New York
County of Greene Wessel Salisbury
of Catskill in the said
County of Greene being
duly sworn according to Law, doth
depose and say that he this deponent
is aged eighty four years and was born
in the said Town of Catskill; that he is 
and was during the revolutionary war well
acquainted with Peter Van Bergen of the
City of Troy County
of Rensselaer
State of New York. That in the year 1777 this
deponent was a lieutenant in a company of Militia
in the Town of Catskill, and went up and
joined the army between Fort Edward and
Stillwater and was there during that year
about five months, and while there the said
Peter Van Bergen was in the army and acted
as an ensign or lieutenant. That this deponent
& the said Peter Van Bergen are in the army at
the taking of Burgoine

Wessell Salisbury

Sworn to and subscribed
this 5th day of September 1832
before Joel Bellamy
Justice of Peace of the County of Greene
---
State of New York
County of Greene John Schuneman of the Town of
Athens in the County of Greene being sworn
according to Law doth depose and say, that
he this deponent is aged seventy three years
and was born in the Town of Catskill in
said County of Greene that he is now
and was during the revolutionary war well
acquainted with Peter Van Bergen of the City of
Iron County of Rensselaer & State of New York
that in the year 1776 the said Peter Van
Bergen was about from Catskill for some
time, & it was reported & so believed by this
deponent that he had gone as a soldier to
Fort Constitution in the Highlands on the
Hudson River, but how long he was about this
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deponent does not recollect. That in the year
1777 the said Peter Van Bergen has about
from Catskill for some time and it was
reported & so understood & believed by
this deponent, that he was in the army
which opposed & took Burgoine, [Burgoyne] but how long he was about this deponent does not
Wollet
John Schoeneman
Sworn to and subscribed
this 5th day of September
1832, Joel Bellamy Justice
Peace of the County of Greene

State of New York
Greene County 
I William V.B. Heermance Clerk of the said county do certify that 
Joe Bellamy Esq before whom the foregoing affidavits purports to have been sworn, was at the
date of the same one of the Justices of the peace for said County and that I am acquainted with his hand
writing and verily believe that his name subscribed to the said affidavit to be his proper hand writing
and signature. Witness my hand and seal of office this 5th day of September 1832.
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14809
Peter Van Bergen
Revolutionary Soldier
of Troy NY
Direct to care of
MO Eaton, same place
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Town of Guilderland
Albany County
I John Sayer of said Town
being duly sworn deposeth & saith
that he this deponent and Peter Van Bergen
was under the command of Col. Baily
in the Revolution and that this
Deponent served as a militia under the
Command of Peter Van Bergen as
Lieutenant, and man the command
of Capt John Williams, and that this
Deponent and Van Bergen went
in the service in July 1776 and served
five months at West point & Fort Constitution and further this deponent with
not.
John Seyer

subscribed and sworn
to before me this 29th
May 1833
before me John D Ogsbury Justice

I certify that John Legar the deponent
in the above affidavit is a person of
good moral character.
---
John D. Opshing Justice

State of New York
Albany County ss  I Conrad A. Ten Eyck Clerk of the said County
Do hereby certify that John D. Ogsbury Esq. before whom
the above affidavit purports to have been sworn was on
the day of the date of the same one of the Justices
of the Peace in and for said County That I am well aquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his
name subscribed to the same is his proper hand writing
and signature
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my
seal this 20th day of May A.D. 1833.
C.A. Ten Eyck Clerk for Jonus Wilkes Depy
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State of New York
County of Rensselear
On this first day of June 1833
personally appeared before the Court of Common
Pleas of the County of Rensselaer having by law a seal
and a Clerk, being a Court of Record, Peter Van Burgen
resident of the City of Troy in the County of Rensselaer
and State of New York, aged Eighty years, who being
first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath
make the following amendment to his declaration
in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made
by the act of Congress, passed June 7th 1832. That
he was born at Catskill, County of Greene and State of
New York in the year 1753. That he has no record of
his age, except a minute which he took from the
record of the minister who baptised him and entered
in his bible, which he now has, That since the Revolutionary war, he has lived first in Catskill, whence
he moved to & lived in Hudson, thence again he
moved to and lived in Catskill, thence to Courtright
thence to Butternuts, thence to the City of Troy all in
the state aforesaid where he now resides. That he at
each & every time volunteered into the service of the
United States, and was then living at said Catskill
That some of the names of the officers who were with
the troops where he served were Col.
Bailey
Major Peter Schuyler, Capt. John Williams, Lieut
Philip Staats, Col. Anthony Van Burger, Majr
Aganus Van Order, Capt. John Witbeck, Lieut Wessel
Salisbury, Quarter Master William Van Order, Col
Vroom, Col. Alexander Harper, Capt Hendrick
at her received a Lieutant or Ensigns
Commission, signed, as he thinks, by George
Clinton Governor of said state, which is now lost.
that he is known to the Rev. Fayett Shepard
and Elias Vanderlip of said City of Troy who
can testify as to his character for veracity, and
their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution. That he served as a Lieutenant in 1776, five
months, that he served as a Lieutenant in 1777 six month
& that he served as a lieutenant in 1778 three months
That Anthony Van Burgen was Colonel of the Regiment in
he served in 1777.
Page 14

and that John Basker was
Captain of the company in which
he served at Schoharrie in 1778. That he knows of no
person now living by whom he can prove his service at
Schoharrie aforesaid in 1778. and that he never received
any written discharge, has no written document, and
knows of no other living testimony, as to his aforesaid
services, than those before furnished, & there hereto annexed
now in his power to produce.

Peter VanBergen

Sworn before me in open Court the  
day and date above written
Henry R Bristol

We Fayette Shepherd a clergyman, residing in the 
City of Troy County of Rensselear and Elias Van Dunlap
residing in
the same place hereby certify, that we are well
acquainted with Peter Van Burgen, who has subscribed
and sworn to the above & foregoing amendment to his
declaration; that we believe him to be Eighty 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.
Fayette Shepherd
Elias Van Dunlap
Sworn and subscribed 
the day & year aforesaid  
in open Court
Henry R. Bristol Clerk

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 Fayette Shepherd
---
who has signed the preceeding certificate is a
Clergyman resident in the City of Troy County of
Rensselaer & State of New York, and that Elias
underlie who has also signed the same is a resident
in said City of Troy and is a credible person, and that
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their statement is entitled to credit
I Henry R. Bristol Clerk of the Court of
Common Pleas of the County of Rensselaer do hereby
certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings
of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Peter Van Bergen for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand and seal of office, this first
day of June in the year 1833
Henry R Bristol Clerk
Page 16

14809
Peter Van Bergen
.
Admitted
Private 5 mo
Segt 6 "
Ensign 3 mo
14

George Gould Esq
Troy
New York
Page 17


WAR DEPARTMENT
Pension Office,
May 17 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 show 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, showing the service of Peter Van Burgen of Troy
in Renssalaer County New York

[chart]  Period when the service was rendered. / Duration of the Claimant's service. Years.- Months - Days / Rank of the claimant / Names and Rank of the Company Officers under whom he served. / Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. / Battles in which the applicant was engaged. / Country through which he marched. / Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. / Evidence by which the declaration is supported.

1776 / about 5 [mo] private / Capt Williams / Col Bailey/ None / from Catskill to West Point to Fort Miller to Vanshaicks Island / Catskill New York / Living witnesses

1777 / about 6 [mo] 20 [days] 2nd Lieut / Oathout

1778 / about 3 [mo] / " / / Vrooman / / /

Aged 80 years

 
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant
J. L. EDWARDS,
acting without a commission allowed as Commissioner of Pensions
son Commissioned officer
Page 18

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:
The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
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, claim-
Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is
ing the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first in
stance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of
considered a Court of Record.
On this
DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
Serity of
County of
A.B. a resident (b) of
of aged (c)
personally appeared (a) before
in the county of
and State, Territory or District
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 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)
---
served in the
(e) regiment of the
Watts
and
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers, the time he left the service; (and if he servunder
more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the
all he had
town or county and state in which he resided when he enered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged
And the country strokes will he marched. 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.
of the Court of
do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this
&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
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with
and C. D. residing in (the same)
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be
who has
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.
with a 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.
contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the approach of that the foregoing
for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal
&c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commisthe
estate, 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 ser-
----
the applicant and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light
upon the transacwhether
he produce 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 19

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.
An 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.
Q.
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?
Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what
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 he 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
enquiry 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 be
fore 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.
The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which ease the declarant will of
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 a
conforming to the rule.
The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
at mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
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 provision, the length of his service, and the first 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
less of memory, state precisely and 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 than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:--For---year----months, andas
and for such service I am
precision the persons for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, is the law
lines 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,
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 as
thority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil
The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
The pension of the Court is always required.
The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
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 pubthe
seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the amount character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the
papers.
Mode of authenticating paper.
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 verificate.
Proof of Service.
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 saint remnant, 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 covered by the proper officer, under his seat of
note il applies in continental troops only.
If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Page 20

JRW
Inv. 19490: Rev. War.
Sir:
July 7, 1904.
In reply to your recent inquiry, you are advised that
Peter Van Bergen, aged eighty years, residing at Troy, New York
, applied for pension August 25, 1832.
He was born at Catskill, New York, in 1753, and there
enlisted in 1776 and served as a private five months under
Captain John Williams and Colonel Bailey; six months in 1777
as a sergeant under Captain Oathont and Colonel Anthony VenBergen, and three months in 1778 as ensign under Colonel
Vrooman. No battles are mentioned. His claim was allowed.
Very respectfully,

Commissioner.

Mr. Arthur MacArthur,
16 3d Street,
Troy, New York.
Page 21

No.
19490
INVALID.
File No. 19490
Peter Van Bergen
Segt Rev War
---
Act: June 7" 32"
Index: - Vol. 2, Page 432
Arrangement of 1870.}
July 7, 1904 His to
Arthur Mac Arthur
Troy N.Y.
Page 22

19490
3-065
(old No.3-849)
Bureau of Pensions.
Peter Van Bergen
Aug 25, 1832.
Troy N.Y.
76
Catskill
Capt. Jno. William
Bailey
pvt. 5 mos
Col
to
N. Y.
Sp.
Capt Hendrick Oathout
Col Anthony Van Bergen
Sergt 6 mo
-
Amos
78
Capt
Col Vrooman
Ensign
3 mos
No Bab
Page 23

Revy
Act June 7 1832
Peter Van Bergen
Suspended
See letter
Claimant
Troy N.Y
16 Oct.. 1833
Page 24

Van Bergen
Peter
Jan
D
27. 1834
of
War
I
Edwards Esq
Commissioner
Pensions
Washington City
W
Page 25

Troy 21st Jany 1834
J.L. Edwards Esqr
Sir
On the 22d Nov
last, I sent to the War Department, a certificate of the Secretary of this State, in the case of
Peter Van Bergen, applicant for pension under act
of 7th June 1832. As his application was made
before his death, I conceive that if the proof is
(as I believe it) fully sufficient, the certificate should
be granted, & the proof of heirship made, in the
usual way, in open court, in order to draw
the money due on the certificate of a deceased
pensioner. That form, certainly reaches the
equity of the case, & I see no objection of
weight, to it.-- Please to let me hear from
you as soon as convenient
Respectfully
yours o
Geo. Gould
Page 26

[column 1]
[stamp] RECORD & PENSION OFFICE WAR DEPARTMENT MAY 21 1904  791807
 
Troy N.Y.
May 20.04
Peter Van Bergen
Rev War

Arthur Mac Arthur
requests record
of service

[column 2]
Address: "The Military Secretary, War Department, Washington, D. C."
The Military Secretary's Office
WAR DEPARTMENT.
Washington, May 21, 1904.
Respectfully returned to
Mr. Arthur Mac Arthur,
Budget Building,
16 Third Street,
Troy, N. Y.
To facilitate a search of the
records, the designation of the organization
in which Peter Van Bergen
served, or the State from which he
enlisted, should be indicated.
Reed Back R. & P.O. MAY 26 1904
 
BY AUTHORITY OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR:
[illegible] The Military Secretary
(300s)
Page 27

ARTHUR MACARTHUR.
Street.
PHONE No. 500.

Col. F. C. Ainsworth,
Record & Pension Office,
Troy, N.Y. May 20th, 1904.

War Department

Dear sir:-
Washington, D. C.

Will you kindly give me some information with reference to Peter
Van Bergen who at the age of eighty years died in the City of Troy and was buried
August 3rd, 1833. He was on the pension list. I want to know if he was a
Revolutionary soldier and what his service was in the Revolutionary War, I would
appreciate it if you would kindly give me this information.
Thanking you in advance, I remain
Yours respectfully,
Arthur MacArthur

AMA-JMR.

[stamp] US PENSION OFFICE A JUN 4 1904

[STAMP] OLD WAR & NAVY JUN 7 1904 FILES
Page 28

ARTHUR MACARTHUR.
and Street.
TELEPHONE No. 500.
Troy N.Y.
Commissioner of Pensions,

Washington, D. C.
June 2, 1904.
Sir: --
I would respectfully ask that you give me some information with
reference to Peter Van Bergen, who, at the age of eighty years, died in
the City of Troy, and was buried August 3, 1833. He was a Revolutionary
Soldier and was on the pension list. Evidently he was a member of
a New York Regiment, possibly one of the Regiments of this County, as
he was a resident of the City of Troy, County of Rensselaer.
I would like information with reference to his revolutionary service.
I have been referred to you in this matter by the Military
Secretary of the War Department, Colonel F. C. Ainsworth, as you will
see by the documents herewith attached.
Yours respectfully,
Arthur MacArthur

AMA/CES

[stamp] US PENSION OFFICE A JUN 4 1904
IN
Page 29

[column 1] R.&Po 791807 May 26/04

[column 2]
The Military Secretary's Office
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, May 27, 1904.
Respectfully returned to
Mr. Arthur MacArthur,
Budget Building,
16 Third Street,
Troy, New York.
A man named Peter Van Bergen is
reported as head of class on a return, on file in this office, dated
Claverrack March 1, 1783, described
as a return of bounties paid by the
respective classes to levies raised
within the regiment of militia under
command of Lieutenant Colonel Henry
J. Van Rensselaer since the 10th of
March, 1781. This return bears
opposite his name the entry, Amount
of Bounties, $23."
In view of the statement that the
man to whom your inquiry relates was a
pensioner, it is suggested as a
possibility that his military history
may be obtained from the Commissioner
of Pensions, Washington, D.C., who
is the custodian of the pension records
of the Revolutionary war.
(1 inclosure.)
(800s)
BY AUTHORITY OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR:
[illegible] The Military Secretary
Page 30

ARTHUR MACARTHUR.
┃ Street.
TELEPHONE No. 500.
Troy, N.Y.May 24th, 19041

Military Secretary,
War Department,
Dear sir:-
Washington, D. C.


I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your esteemed favor as comprised
in the endorsement on my letter to you of May 20th with reference to Peter VanBergen, a Revolutionary soldier. I am not in possession of the facts or in
formation you ask me to forward and because of my lack of information on the subject
I wrote my letter to you on the 20th
I am exceedingly anxious to obtain some information with reference to
Peter Van Bergen who, as I described in my letter of the 20th, was on the Rev.
Pension list when he died August 3rd, 1833. Further information I have not on the
subject. Evidently he was a member of a New York regiment, possibly one from this
county as he was a resident of the city of Troy, County of Rensselaer.
Yours respectfully,
Arthur MacArthur

[stamp] US PENSION OFFICE A JUN 4 1904

[STAMP] OLD WAR & NAVY JUN 7 1904 FILES
Page 31

additional evidence
Peter Bergen
of
No. 28. 1833
of
Commissioner of Pension

Washington City
Page 32

Troy 21st Nov. 1833
Sir, In the case of Peter Van Bergen I have had
(in relation to a letter of October 16th) some correspondence with the Secretary of our State. I would, however,
State in the beginning that Van Bergen died soon after, on
about the time of, the receipt of a letter. His heiress is
very poor, & involved by supporting her father: & comes under the
provisions entitling heirs, in such cases where application
was made before death of soldier) to draw the pension the
would have been allowed ancestor, from March 1831 to the
of soldier's death. Van Burgen's first service sworn to, as I
told, was before & at Burgoynes capture:-- and "at that time
as on Secd mites me, there is no regular account of the appointment of militia officers, as our State Government
not organized till Sept. 1777, So that the Van Bergen
as 2d lieut. before that time there could be no record of it found
to prove that he did afterwards serve, & serve as an officer
though from his age, & failing memory, & having been for
years always called Lieut Van Bergen, he seems to confound
grade , I enclose the certificate of one Secy
I am
informed that he declared his service as 2d Lieut. If so
is still consistent with the fact that he served as such
the, without a State commission, prior to Sept 77- And I
state in addition, that most pensioners whose declaration
I have made, (& they are a good many
have in the court
of their statements to me said-- you call them Ensigns no
but then, we in the service, called every thing higher to
a sergeant, a lieutenant 1st 2 & 3d "If a certificate
should be given, it may be sent to me, & the heirship will
cause be legally shown in due time. Most Respectfully 
Geo. Gove
J. L. Edwards Esq Comr
Page 33

At a council of Appointment held at Poughkeepsie in
Dutchess County 18th June 1778
Present
His Excellency
Governor Clinton President
Abraham Yakes Junr
Alexander Webster
John Marin Scott
Esquires members
The Houble
Resolved that Anthony Van Bergen Esquire be and he is
hereby appointed Colonel of the Regiment of Militia in the County
of Albany ) heretofore commanded by him:
That John Whitbeck be captain
of the company of the beat (in the said Regiment) wherein he
resides; and that Francis Salisbury be first Lieutenant, Wessel
Salisbury Second Lieutenant and Peter Van Bergen ensign
of the said Company,
State of New York
Secretary's Office
I certify the preceding to be a true
Extract from the minutes of the council of Appointment of
this State and that commissions were issued to the Officers above
named.
Given under my hand and the Seal of this
Office at the City of Albany the twenty
ninth day of October in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and
thirty three.
Arch Campbell
Dep. Secretary