Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12193, Barent Becker, New York
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SERVICE
New York
Becker, Barent
or Barnet
NUMBER
S. 12193
Carded
CONTENTS
See N. A. Acc. No. 874
050010- Not Half Pay
Barent Becker
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6468
New York
Barnet Becker*
of Middleburgh in the State of N. York
who was a Private in the Company commanded
by Captain Hale - of the Reg. commanded
by Col. Vrooman in the N. York
line for 18 months
*Barent Becker
Records corrected Aug. 19/05. JE
Inscribed on the Roll of N. York
at the rate of 60 Dollars - Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 1st day of [illegible]
1833 - u - and sent to H J Bouck  H. R.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1832  $90
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4th 1833 30
[total line]
$120
[line]
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Geo C. Stiles Clerk,
Book D Vol. 6 Page 60


Letters to Agent H Hager,
Nov 25. 1837. see Mr H's letter filed
with papers of Jos Brown No.
14741 N York.
Set to Hon R. McClellan June 15, 1838.
C.C. Tucker, Aug. 29/55
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State of New York
Schoharie County Ss }

On this fifth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty three, personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Schoharie in the state aforesaid Barent Becker a resident of the Town of Middleburgh in the said County of Schoharie & State aforesaid,who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on his oath make the following Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832
That he entered the Service of the United States under the following
named officers & served as herein
after stated - That in the year 1780
this Deponent lived in the Town of Schoharie & County of Albany, now called the Town of Middleburgh, situated in the County of Schoharie; that in the month of October of said year, to wit 1780- (The particular day this Deponent does not recollect) he this Deponent volunteered as a militia man in the service of the United States & was stationed at the Middle Fort, in

BECKER, BARENT
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the Town of Schoharie & County of Albany since changed into the Town of Middleburgh & County of Schoharie-
That this Deponent as such volunteer, served under one Col. Peter Vrooman
That this Deponent does not recollect
the names of the under officers. That this deponent, together with others, volunteered his services, for the defence of said Middle Fort, & to repel the attacks of one John Johnson who with about Eight hundred men, was endeavouring to take & get possession of said Middle Fort- That Col. Peter Vrooman succeeded one Major Woolsey in the command of the Militiaman stationed at said Fort-
That said Major Woolsey was about surrendering said Middle Fort to the hands of the British & Tories, under command of said Johnson, when the aforesaid Col Peter Vrooman took command of the Soldiers there stationed & defended said Fort &
preserved it from falling into the
hands of the British-
That this Deponent is confident & therefore expressly declares that he served faithfully as [2. Mo. written in left margin] such volunteer full two months being from the middle of October untill the Middle
of December 1780-
This Deponent further declares that on the first of April 1781 he this Deponent enlisted into the Army of the Revolution for the period of Nine months- That he served princi-
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pally in that part of the State of New York, then called Schoharie in the County of Albany but since erected in to the County of Schoharie-
That he served under one Captain Hale- That said Captain Hales Company was stationed principally at the Middle  Fort aforesaid- That said Fort during the Nine months service of this Deponent was commanded by one Col. Peter Vrooman- That during
said term of service, he this Deponent
was in the battle fought against the
British & Indians near the head of
the Delaware River- That this deponent was under the command of Capt Hale in Said Battle - That this Deponent was one of a scouting party, who surprised said party of Indians & Tories at a place then called Harpersfield- That there was a battle took place between the Scouting party of which this deponent was one, & the Tories & Indians at said place. That the party to which this deponent belonged as aforesaid, were repulsed with the loss of two Men. That said Scouting party retreated untill they met, Col. Peter Vrooman with his army. That then the Army
under command of Col. Peter Vrooman advanced to the attack of said party of Indians & Tories, but upon reaching the place then called Harpersfield, near the head of the Delaware River, they discovered that said party

BECKER, BARENT
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of Indians & Tories, had retreated & left that Place- That then Col. Peter Vrooman with the Soldiers under  his command returned to the said Middle Fort- That this Deponent during said Nine months service, was frequently out as one of a scouting party sent out to discover the situation of the Enemy, forces-
 That at the Expiration of his said term of Service, to wit  the first of January 1782, he this Deponent was honorably discharged, but that his discharge is now lost & [9 mo. written in left margin] cannot be found- And this Deponent further declares that in the month May 1782, he this deponent, was ordered out as a militiaman & 
Served under Captain George Rytchmyer  [Rightmyer] &  in Col Peter Vrooman's Regiment- That this Deponent was stationed the principal part of the time at the Middle Fort in Schoharie aforesaid- That he frequently served as sentry at said Middle Fort & was frequently sent out in scouting parties to various parts of the Counties of Tryon & Albany- And this deponent further declares that he faithfully served as such Militiaman, for the full period of Seven months being from the first of May untill the [7 mo. written in left margin] first of December 1782- And this deponent
further declares in answer
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to the Interrogatories presented by the War Department, That
he was born in the Town of Schoharie & County of Albany Since enacted into the Town of Middleburgh & County of Schoharie- That he was born about the year 1762, but he cannot state positively how old he is, but to the best of his information & belief, he is now about 70 years of age, That he has no record of his age & his Parents have long been dead - nor does he know, of the Existence of any Church or other record of his age-
And this Deponent further
declares that he is now infirm & in 
indigent circumstances; that he has
for a long time been affected with a Rheumatic affliction, which has deprived him of the use of his limbs,
& Entirely incapacitated him for any
kind of labor, & thus cut him off from his only source of support- That Petitioner hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any State.
Barent Becker
Sworn to &  Subscribed the day & year aforesaid in open court
John Gebhard Jr Clk  
Becker, Barent
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And said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatives prescribed by the war department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states_ And the said Court further certifies that it appears to them that John P Becker and Ferris Eckerson, the persons named in and who signed and made oath to the annexed affidavits corroborating the declaration of said applicant, are men of purity and character, and that their statements are Entitled to the fullest credit_ And the court further certifies that Barent Becker the said applicant is a man of truth and veracity, and that his statements are Entitled to credit_
William Beekman
Wm. Mann
Thos. P Danforth
I John Gebhard Sr Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Schoharie hereby certify that the foregoing and annexed paper contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Barent Becker for a pension_ In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of my office this 5th day of February 1833.
John Gebhard Sr. Clerk of the court of Common pleas of the county of Schoharie
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Barent Becker

Admd

Hon J. Bouck
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BRIEF in the case of Barent Becker
of Middleburgh in the State of N. York
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Open Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? About 70 years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period.|Duration of Service.|Rank.|Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.|

October In 1780|2 months|Private|Colo. Peter Vrooman N.Y.|

April 4th 1781|9 months|[Private]| Capt. Hale - Col. P. Vrooman [N.Y.]

May 1st 1782| 7 months| [Private]| Capt. Geo. Richtmyer Col. P. Vrooman [N.Y.]|

5. In what battles was he engaged? Harpersfield
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Schoharie
N. York
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Two living witnesses who testify to the service of 9 mos in 1781
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? they are properly authenticated
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above
mentioned.
Wm Gordon Examining Clerk
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Act of June 7. 1832

Barent Becker
Pensioner N.Y. Agency
Power of Attorney
 To examine claim

Chas. C. Tucker
 Atty
Present.
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Act of June 7. 1832

Barent Becker
Pensioner N.Y. Agency
 Power of Attorney
to examine claim

Chas C. Tucker
 Atty
 Present.
Page 13

Power of Attorney

Know all men by these presents, that I John Becker of the town of ? County of Montgomery and State of New York - do hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint Charles C. Tucker of Washington City, D.C. my true and lawful Agent and Attorney to prosecute the Claim of Barent Becker - for any amount of Revolutionary Pension or increase of Pension that may be due under the provisions of the Act of June 7th 1832 or any other Act or Resolution of Congress, and I hereby authorize by said Attorney to examine all papers and documents in relation to said Claim on file in the Departments at Washington City, or elsewhere, to file additional evidence or arguments, and to receive the Certificate which may be issued for said Claim, and to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purpose herein expressed:  and to do all things that I might or could do, were I personally present.  Hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney may lawfully do in the premises.

John Becker


Witness my hand and seal this 23rd of February 1853

In presence of 

S. Sammons
John Everson

State of New York, Montgomery County ss.

On this 23rd day of February 1853, before me a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State above mentioned personally appeared John Becker 
and acknowledged the foregoing power of Attorney to be his act and deed for the purposes therein mentioned.

John Everson
Justice of the Peace

State of New York
Montgomery County ss.

On this 23rd day of February 1853, before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County and State aforesaid, personally appeared John Becker a resident of said County, and made oath according to law that he is the identical person who executed the foregoing power of Attorney, and that he is directly interested in said Claim, and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence or arguments as my said Attorney may use in prosecuting said Claim.

John Becker

Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written

John Everson Justice of the Peace

State of New York
County of Montgomery

I John W. Van Derveer Clerk of the County Courts of said County do hereby certify that John Everson Esq. before whom the foregoing acknowledgment were made and who has thereunto signed his name, was at the time of so doing a Justice of the Peace, in and for the County and State aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, and that all acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name and affixed my official seal this 23rd day of February 1853.

J.W. Van Derveer
Clerk
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In the matter of the application of
Barent Becker for a Pension-
Admd
18 mo pri
60 $
M. Bouk
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State of New York
Schoharie County Ss.}
John P. Becker of the town of Brown Ville in the County of Jefferson and state of New York being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he is sixty nine years of age_ was born in Middleburgh in the County County of Schoharie then Called Schoharie in the County of Albany as this deponent hath been informed & therefore believes_ That he is well acquainted with Barent Becker now resident in the town of Middleburgh in the County of Schoharie and hath been so acquainted with him as long as this deponent can remember_ That this deponent remembers that during the revolutionary war the said Barent Becker served as a private Soldier in the Militia service during said war and did duty as such under one Captain Hale for the period as near as this deponent can remember of about nine months_ This deponent distinctly remembers that said Becker was stationed as [illegible] soldier at the Middleb. Fort in Schoharie at the time it was burnt or shortly afterwards_ & further Saith not
John P. Becker
Sworn before me this 16th day of June 1831
Hezekiah Manning Commissioner &c. 
State of New York
Schoharie County Ss.} I John Gebhard Sr. Clerk of the Said county Do certify that Hezekiah Manning before whom the preceding affidavit purports to have been sworn, was at the date of the same one of the commissioner of Deeds in and for the Said county and duly authorised by law to administer oaths &c. and that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believes his name subscribed to the Said affidavit to be his proper hand writing and signature_ Witness my hand and seal of office this 5th February 1833_
John Gebhard Sr. Clerk
BECKER, BARENT
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State of New York
Schoharie County

Tunis Ekesen of the town of Middleburgh in said County being duly sworn doth on his oath say that he has been well acquainted with Barent Becker of the town of Middleburgh in said County of Schoharie ever since the american revolution, that he the Barent Becker enlisted for the term of Nine months in the Spring in the year 1781, in the company commanded by Captain Hale in the regiment commanded by Col. Peter Vrooman of the Militia, this deponent testifies that he has frequently seen the said Barent Becker in the Service in Middle Fort in Schoharie, that he this deponent and the said Barent Becker was in Harpersfield in a battle with the Tories and Indians.  Some of our men was killed, that this deponent ? part of the time together in Middle Fort in Schoharie and in that vicinity, that he has been informed and believes the same to be true that the said Barent Becker served his term of enlistment out faithfully and honorably discharged in Middle Fort in Schoharie.

Tunis Ekeson (his mark)

Sworn and subscribed the 11th day of September 1832
before me Henry Shafer
a Judge of Schoharie
Common Pleas

I Hnery Shafer a Judge of the court of Common Pleas in and for the county of Schoharie do certify Tunis Ekeson who took the foregoing oath is a man of credibility and believed on oath

Henry Shafer

State of New York
Schoharie County

I John Gebhard Jr. Clerk of the said county do certify that Henry Shafer before whom the preceding affidavit purports to have been sworn, and whose name also appears to the preceding certificate of credibility, was at the date of the same one of the Justices of the court of common pleas in and for the said County, and that I am acquainted with the handwriting of the said Henry Shafer and verily believe his name subscribed to the said affidavit and certificate to be his proper hand writing and signature
Witness my hand and seal of office this 5th day of February 1833

John Gebhard Jr. Clerk


BECKER, BARENT
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12193
INVALID. 
Rev War
File No. 12, 193
assessed
Barnet* Becker
Priv Rev War
Act: June 7, 1832
Index:--Vol. A, Page 29
[Arrangement of 1870.]
*Barent Becker
Records corrected Aug. 19/05 [initials illegible]
Page 18


Washington D.C. Aug. 21, 1855
Hon. J. Minot
Commissioner of Pensions
Sir.
I send enclosed a letter from the 3d Auditor informing me that the pension of Barent Becker a pensioner on the New York roll. under the act of June 7. 1832.-
Will you please inform me the cause of said pension having been suspended.
Very respectfully
Your Obt Servt.
Chas. C. Tucker
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Ho Reps June 9th 1838
J. L. Edwards Esq
Dear Sir/

I have been informed that the Pension of Barent Becker of Schoharie  Co. N.Y. has been suspended, Am I in order in asking the reasons of such suspension, if I am, I desire to be informed thereof, that I may communicate same to a worthy old soldier of the Revolution-
I have the Honor to be
Yr Obt Sevt
R. McClellan
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Barent Becker which require further proof or explanation.

1. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason
assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes
V. *Has he mentioned 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 amout of pension he is entitled? Yes
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes
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XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? No
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? None
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one
living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
XIV. [sword symbol] If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? the Court has
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? Yes
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? Yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how
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, and --- days, I served as a ------For ------months and -----
days, I served as a -------: and for such service I claim a pension.
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3
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 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 shewn 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 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 pursuit.
QUERE XIV. 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 claimants 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.
+QUERE XVI. 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 paper 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.
[pointing finger symbol] In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.
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John Becker decd
Act 32  New York

Alex Ray
6 Sept 53
Page 24

Know all men by these presents, that I John Becker, of the Village of Fort Plain County of Montgomery & State of New York, and son of Barent Becker, deceased, who was a
Revolutionary soldier, do hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint Leander Fox of said Village, County and State aforesaid, and Alex Ray Esqr of the City of Washington my true and lawfull attorney for me, and in my name, to examine into and prosecute any claim for a Pension &c. against the Government, which may be due me by virtue of my deceased father Barrent Becker, who served
in the Revolutionary war, and the several acts of congress relative thereto, and to receive the cirtifficate [certificate]
of Pension, &c. when issued by the Department, I hereby confirm whatsoever my said attorney's may do or cause to be legally done, either in person or by substitution, in the prosecution of said Claim, Except drawing the money in my favor. I revoke any other authority I may have given to any person or persons in the premises whatsoever.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this 9th day of August 1853
 John Becker
In presence of
Jas Aplin

State of New York
Montgmry [Montgomery] County ⎬ SS
On this 9th day of August, 1853. personally appeared before me John Becker and acknowledged the within
Power of Attorney to be his act and deed; and I certify that I well know the said John Becker and that he is the person now present and who executed the above Power of Attorney, Jas Aplin Justice Peace
Page 25

STATE OF NEW YORK,
Montgomery County Clerk's Office, } SS,
I, Darius V. Barry Dep [J.W. Vanderveer - crossed out] Clerk of said County, do hereby certify that James Aplin, Esquire, whose name is subscribed to the certificate of proof or acknowledgement to which this is annexed, was on the date of the same a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, and dwelling in said County, duly qualified, and authorized by law to take the same, and that the said certificate of proof, &c. is taken according to laws of this State. And further, that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of said Justice, and verily believe his signature to the said Certificate is genuine.
 In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name, and affixed my official seal, at Fonda, this 10th day of August 1853
 D. V. Barry  Dep Clerk.