Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12461, Jacob Christman, New York
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SERVICE New York
Christman, Jacob
NUMBER S 12461
carded
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Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6th April 1838 from 4 Sept 1839 to 4 March 1840. Agt notified 9 Dec 1840

20907
New York
Jacob Christman
Oswego Co. in the State of New York who was a Corporal in the Comp. commanded by Captain Vanderwerker of the Regt. commanded by Col. Van Rensselaer in the New York line for 9 months a Corporal

Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 33 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 21 day of Oct 1833 and sent to L. Parke Amboy

Arrears to the 4th of Sep '33 $83.33
Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 M '34 16.66
$99.99

Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by W.L. Williams Clerk
Book E. Vol. 4 Page 93
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In the matter of 23.371
Jacob Christman
for a
Pension
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And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigating 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 Martin B Mowry who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the Town of Amboy in the County of Oswego. And that Albert Waldron who has signed the same is a resident in the said Town of Amboy and is a credible witness. And that their statement is entitled to credit.
Lowell Johnson
J. Reynolds
Saml Freeman
Judges of said Court

I Erie Poor, Clerk of the County of Oswego do hereby certify that the foregoing containing the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application Jacob Christman for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County this 20th day of February Anno Dominus One thousand eight hundred & thirty three
Erie Poor Clerk
By D McPherson
Dep. Clk
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State of New York
County of Oswego SS

On this Twentieth day of February Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and thirty three in open court before the judges of the court of Common Pleas of said County now sitting Jacob Christman a resident of the Town of Amboy in the County of Oswego and State aforesaid aged sixty nine years & seven months 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 on the first day of April 1780 as this deponent believes he enlisted into the army of the United States in a company commanded by Henry Vanderwarker Capt Col Van Rensselaer Regiment Lietenant French Putnam afterwards promoted to Captain. Other officers unknown or at this time not in the recollection of this deponent, that he entered the service on the day he enlisted and was discharged therefrom on the first day of January thereafter at Fort Plain - That he was born at a place called Stone Arabia-Minden Montgomery County New York and there enlisted and entered the service against the Indians Brittish [sic] & Tories. That he was in the Battle fought at or near Johnstown against the Indians when Butler was killed the latter part of July or August - That his duty and scout was about Fort Plain and Johnstown and about the Mohawk during the whole of the time of his enlistment that besides Capt. Vanderwarkers Company there were particularly attached to the service in which this deponent was engaged Capt Putnams Company Capt Snells Company Capt Van Rensselaers Company Capt Coffmans Company & others this deponent cannot name -
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Colonels Willet, Brown & Van Rensselaer. Brown either was or acted as General. that this deponent served as Corporal during the whole of his enlistment - that during the battle he received three wounds in his leg by musket balls - that he has no documentary testimony in his possession of his service or his discharge and that he now knows of no person by whole he can prove his service. That he moved from Stone Arabia to Shellsbush - from Shells bush to Danube and from Danube to Williamstown now Amboy- County of Oswego where he now resides-
And that he hereby relinquishes every claim 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 in the Union
Sworn to and subscribed
the day & year aforesaid
D McPherson
Dep. Clk
Jacob Christman

We Martin B Mowry a clergyman residing in the Town of Amboy County of Oswego & Albert Waldron of the same place hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Jacob Christman who has subscribed to the above declaration that we believe him to be about 70 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 opnion.
Martin B. Mowry
Albert Waldron
Sworn & Subscribed
the day & year aforesaid
D McPherson Dep Clk
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23371
Jacob Christman
Nwe York

not authenticated

Admitted
Corporal 9 months

Sage. Parke Esq
Amboy Oswego Cty
New Work
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office
183

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, shewing the Service of Jacob Christman County of Oswego State of New York

Period when the service was rendered. Enlist 1781
Duration of the claimant's service. Years. - Months. 9 Days.
Rank of the claimant. Corporal
Name and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Capt. Vanderwarker Col Van Renssalaer
Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. 69 years, Entd Montgomery County N York
Proof by which the declaration is supported. Traditionary Evidence Papers not authenticated Certificate of Clergyman & a Citizen

I am respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J.L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are
also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, mucicians [sic] or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of
County of
ss.
On this    day of     personally appeared (a) before      A.B. a resident   (b) of      in the county of     and State, Territory or District of     aged (c)     years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed
June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)     , with     and served in the     (e) regiment of the
     line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company  Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served
under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the
town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. 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 the Agency in the State of
declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of      
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.     A.B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the  above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I       of the Court of        do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of
the application of       for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this     day of     &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the     and C.D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with       , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be     years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A.B. who 
has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the
     and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the     
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Clerk of the Court of     do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of            for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal
of office, this     day of     &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
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will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his
case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6. {To a Soldier. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
{To an Officer. Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion.
If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the 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 before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper
Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.

[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and 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."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is
highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that 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.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, 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 carry 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.
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 note [j] note applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
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December 10, 1938.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Mr. Roger F. Williams
2 Rock Street
Alexandria Bay, New York

BA-J/ady
Jacob Christman
S. 12481

Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter relative to Jacob Christman, a  soldier of the Revolutionary War.

The data contained herein were obtained from the papers on file in the Revolutionary War claim for pension, S.12451, based upon the military service of Jacob Christman in that war.

Jacob Christman was born in Stone Arabia or Minden, Montgomery County, New York, date not given and no reference is made to his parents.

While a resident of Stone Arabia, or Minden, New York, he enlisted April 1, 1781, served nine months as corporal in Captain Henry Vanderwarker's Company, Colonel Van Rensselaer's New York Regiment and was in the battle of Johnstown where he received three wounds in his leg by musket balls.
He moved from Stone Arabia,  New York, to Snellsbush, thence to Danube, thence to Williamstown, (later Amboy) New York.

He was allowed pension on his application executed February 20, 1833, at which time he was aged sixty-nine years and seven months and a resident of Amboy, Oswego County, New York.

There are no family data.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name of person paid and possibly the date of death of soldier, you should apply to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D. C., and cite the following:
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Jacob Christman, Certificate No. 20907, issued October 21, 1833, rate $33.33 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, New York Agency".

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
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November 23, 1933.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Mrs. Carolyn S. Williams
Ellisburg
New York

BA-J/ady
Piter Bircki or Peter
Barga, W. 17310 &
Jacob Christman, S.12461.

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which  you request the records of Peter Bargy and Jacob Christman, Revolutionary War pensioners.

Their records are furnished you herewith as found in the respective claims for pension based upon service in the Revolutionary War.

Piter Bircki or
Peter Barga, W. 17310

Piter Bircki or Peter Barga, son of Jacob, was born July 10, 1753 in "Elson" Germany, and when about twelve years old he emigrated with his father's family to the United States, to Germantown, later called Schuyler, Tryon County, later called Herkimer County, New York. The name of his mother not stated.

While a resident of said Germantown, he enlisted in March 1776, served six months as private in Captain Jacob Seeber's Company, Colonel Wynkoop's New York Regiment and assisted in building Fort Stanwix. He enlisted and served nine and one half months as private in the boat service under Captain Billy McGee, this service ending January 1, 1775. He enlisted and served eight and one half months or more at different periods to the close of the war in the New York troops as sergeant under Captains Henrich Starring, Henrig Herder, Mark Demuth and Colonels Peter Bellinger, Duboys, and Marinus Willett.

About 1831 he moved from said Germantown to Frankfort, New York, and in 1838 he moved to Sandy Creek, New York.

He was allowed pension on his application  executed October 12, 1832 while a resident of Frankfort, Herkimer County, New York. He signed Piter Bircki, the German spelling. Soldier's children wrote their name in English,
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Barga or Bargy.

Soldier died June 29, 1845 in Sandy Creek, New York.

Soldier married September 14, 1790 in Minden, Montgomery County, Anna Elizabeth, of said Minden, daughter of John Christ, or Christion Young or Youngs. Their marriage was recorded on the records of the Fort Plain Church. The
name of her mother not given.

Soldier's widow, Anna Elizabeth later known as Elizabeth Ann, was allowed pension on her application executed July 16, 1846 at which time she was aged eighty-two years and a resident of Sandy Creek, Oswego County, New York. She died in 1850 in Sandy Creek, New York. Date of widow's death not on AP.

In 1831 soldier's daughter, Mary Barber, was living in Great Valley, New York, her age not stated.

In 1861 soldier's heirs are shown as follow: Jacob Bargy, Garret Bargy, Nancy Vottentine, and Barbery Witherick.

One Sanford Barber was living in Cattaraugus County, New York, in 1861, his age or relationship to soldier not stated. There are no further family data.

Jacob Christman
S. 12461

Jacob Christman was born in Stone Arabia or  Minden, Montgomery County, New York, date not given and no reference is made to his parents.

While a resident of Stone Arabia, or Minden, New York, he enlisted April 1, 1781, served nine months as corporal in Captain Henry Vanderwarker's Company, Colonel Van Rensselaer's New York Regiment and was in the battle of Johnstown where he received three wounds in his leg by musket balls.

He moved from Stone Arabia, New York, to Snellsbush, thence to Danube, thence to Williamstown, (later Amboy) New York.

He was allowed pension on his application executed February 20, 1833 at which time he was aged sixty-nine years and seven months and a resident of Amboy, Oswego County,

-2-
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New York.

There are no family data. Date of death not on AB.

Very truly yours,

A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator.


-3-
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2 Rock St.
Alexandria Bay, NY
October 29, 1938

Veterans Administration
Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:
Jacob Christman (Crisman or Chrisman) was born about 1761 or 1762 and served in the American Revolution. He was placed on the Pension Rolls Mar. 4, 1831. Then he lived in Amboy, Oswego Co. NY or vicinity.
From the pension papers on file in your office I would like an abstract of the same including War Record, family data, etc.
May I have this soon?
Sincerely,
Roger F. Williams
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Ellisburg, New York
November 9, 1933

Veterans Administration
Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:
If your records in the Revolutionary War files show such information I wish to get all the data concerning the soldier their wives, families, War Record and any other items of the following:
Peter Bargy (spelled Bircki Barga etc.) died about 1845 in Sandy Creek, New York. He is on Pension Census 1840; Herkimer County Pension Roll 1832. His wife Elizabeth survived and died about 1853 in Sandy Creek.
Jacob Christman lived in his later years in Amboy, Oswego Co. N.Y. his pension commenced March 4, 1831. He had a son Adam.
Sincerely,
(Mrs.) Carolyn S. Williams

[stamp]
Received Nov 11 1933
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TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
November 30th, 1840.

Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," Jacob Christman, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Albany, N.Y. Agency, at the rate of Thirty three Dollars and 33 Cents per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has been paid at this Department from the 4th of Sept. 1839 to the 4th March 1840.
Respectfully yours,
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller.

To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.
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RevWar
INVALID.
12461
File No. 12,461
Jacob Christman
Corpl., Rev.War

Act: June 4th 1832
Index: - Vol. A, Page 66
[Arrangement of 1870.]

1933 Nov. 23 Hist. to Carolyn S. Williams A.D.Y
1938 Dec. 10 Hist. to Roger F. Williams A.D.Y.