Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 26,157, for James Terwilliger, New York
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New York   Terwilliger, James R.26.157
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State of New York
Chenango County Ss
On this thirtieth day of July
 in the year of our Lord one thousand, Eight
 hundred and
thirty two personally appeared in open Court before the Honorable
Robert Monell Vice Chancellor of the Sixth Circuit of
the State of New York, at a Court of Chanango held 
at the residence of the Vice Chancellor in the town of
Grum, in the County of Chenango and
New York now sitting James Terwilliger a resident
of the Town of Greene in the County of Chenango and
State of New York, aged Seventy three years, who being
first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath
make the following declaration, in order to obtain the
benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7th 1832
That he entered the service of the United States under the
following named officers and served as herein
stated. That he lived in the County of Tryon, now
Montgomery, in the State of New York, at the break
out of the war of the Revolution and in the town of
Johnstown in said County - That in the year
1775 he was called out as a militia man under
Captain John Davis in a Regiment commanded by
Colonel Frederick Fisher, and Lieut Colonel Volkert Vedder
and remained under said Captain untill he
was killed at Oriskany near Fort Stanwick, at
the time General Herkimer was wounded- That
he was present at the time General Herkimer was
wounded and helped carry him off the field, and
was engaged in that battle. That after the death of
Captain Davis, he served under Captain Nicholas
Doxtator, in the same regiment commanded by the same
officers, and remained under the command
of said Captain, untill after the surrender of
Burgoyne - That after that period he was under the
command of Captain Van Patten, at the time Captain
Butler was killed, and was present and saw Butler
and saw the Indian who killed him after he, Butter
was wounded at West Canada Creek-- At that
time this Deponent was still under Colonel
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and Colonel Marinus Willet who was the Superior Officer
That this Deponent from the commencement to the
end of the War, residing as his there did upon the
Northern lines, was constantly [illegible] out with the
Army or enrolled and subject to be called out
a moments warning, that he was out from time
to time as the times required and as Exchanges of
tours of Militia took place during the whole war-
That he was engaged in the battle at Oriskany And
at the time Butler was killed, and in several
skirmishes, and was taken prisoner at the time
Sir John Johnson come down and burned Caghnawaga
and other places on the Mohawk-- That his
Father was taken prisoner at the same time and
carried to Canada and kept by the Indians
Eighteen months- That he never received a written discharge. That he has no documentary proof of any part of
his services, and knows of no person who can testify
to any part of the same-- He herby relinquishes every
claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present
and declares that his name is not on the pension
Roll of the agency of any State

James Terwilliger

sworn and subscribed th
year aforesaid -

Robt Mozell
Via Chancellor
The following questions, were propounded by the Court, to the
applicant-
Where and in what year were you born-
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Ans - He was born at Shawangunk Ulster County,
York, the 21 of September 1759
2nd - Have you any record of your age, and if so where is it?
Ans - He has no record of his age and only knows his age
from information-
3d - When were you living when called into service, where
have you lived since the Revolutionary war; and when
do you now live?
Answ - He lived when called into service in the Town of
Johnstown, County of Tryon (now Montgomery in the
State of New York, since the Revolutionary War he
has lived in Shawangunk Ulster County, N.Y. and
also in Morristown, in the State of New York, also
in Chacant in the State of New York, and the residue
in the town of Greene, in the County of Chenango, and
State of New York, when he now resides-
4th - How were you called into service; were you drafted
did you volunteer, or were you a substitute, and if a
substitute for whom?
Ans - The principal part of his service was an Enlistment
He once went as a drafted man
5th - State the names of some of the regular officers who
were with the Troops, when you served; such Continental and militia regiments as you can recollect
and the general circumstances of your service?
Ans - his Colonel was Frederick Fisher General Herkimer
Colonel Volker Vidder, Colonel Marinus Willet-
He was at the Battle of Oriskany stood next to
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Captain John Davis, when he was shot - was present
at the time Captain Butler was wounded & afterwards
killed by an Indian. He saw General Herkimer
at the Battle of Oriskany, when he was wounded and 
assisted in carrying him off the field -
6th - Did you ever receive a discharge from the service;
and if so by whom was it given, and what has
become of it
Ans- He has never received a written discharge. He was
verbally discharged after serving his time out ┃
7th -
State the names of persons to whom you are known
in your present neighbourhood and who can testify
as to you character for veracity, and then brief
of your services as a soldier of the Revolution
Answer Barent Terwilliger, Alva Hunt, Levi Fan, Barne
Gray Erg, Gail Charles Squires

We Charles Squire Warren Gray of Justice of the
peace and Barent Terwilliger of the same of
Greene, in the County of Chenango and State of
New York hereby certify that we are well acquaint
ted with James Terwilliger, who has sworn to and
subscribed the above declaration, and that we
believe him to be Seventy three years of age, that
he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood
when he resides to have been a soldier of the
Revolution, and we concur in that opinion-
Sworn
the Ann
& subscribed
year aforesaid
Robt Monell
Charles Squires
Vice Chanceller
Warren Gray
Barent Terwilliger
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And the said Court do hereby declare his 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 County
further certifies that it appear to him, that the
Esquires, Warren Gray and Baunt Terwilliger,
date of the town of Greene, in the County of Chen
and and State of New York, who have signed
the preceding certificate are credible persons
and that their statement is entitled to credit
Robt Monell
Vice Chanceller
. Jonathan L. Woods Clerk of the Court of Chan
of the heir of the State of New York, do hereby certify the
the foregoing contains the original proceedings of
the said Court in the matter of the application
James Terwilliger for a pension-
In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and
Seal of Office, this Nintieth
day of July in the year of
Lord one thousand Eight
hundred & thirty two
Jonathan Woods
my
of
Clerk
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State pf New York
Chenango County ss 
On this tenth day of
in the year of our Lord, one thousand, Eight
hundred and thirty two, again personally
appeared in open Court, before the Honorable
Robert Monell, Vice Chancellor of the Sixth
circuit of the State of New York at
Court of Chancery held at the residence
of the Vice Chancellor, in the Village
Greene
of
County of Chenango and State
aforesaid, now sitting, James Terwilliger
a resident of said town of Grant, who
to being again first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the

following
additional Declaration, in order
to entitle him to the benefit of the act of
Congress passed June 7th 1832-
that in relation to his services as set
forth in the original declaration hereto annexed
further says that he was called in the year
1775 as a malitia man, and that he served
the company under Captain John Davis
as set forth in said
and other commanding on at the time of this
original Declaration
service he lived in
the
Tryon (now Montgomery)
  upon the Mohawk River and upon
the Extrence frontiers that his services were
for one week, a month and sometimes for a longer
period- That he lived at that place and was
called out when on an alarm was given, for
the space of two years and up to the time of
the surrender of Burgoyne, and that he
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was out according to the best of his recollection
within those two years, Eighteen month, but that
it is impossible for him to state the diffent
times nor the length of those time he can
only give the aggregate, which he is confided
be less than eighteen months
could not
In addition to his statement in
said Original declaration in relation to his
Service under Captain Van Patten, he
further says-- that the services under said
Captain were of a similar nature to those
under Captain Davis, and that in relation
to that service,
he cannot state the dif
ferent period, but should think they
would amount in the aggregate to not
less than
three months that
in relation to the
residue of his service as set forth in said
from
original declaration, he further says, that the
time of his services under Captain
Van Patten, he was still in the service, and
out frequently, as occasion required up to
the close of the War, but cannot give the
periods of those services, except in the age
which according to his recollection was for
the term of six months-
---James Terwilliger
sworn & subscribed the day and year aforesaid.

Robt Morell
Vice Chancellor
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State of New York
Chenango County ss On this sixteenth day of January
one thousand eight hundred and thirty
three again appeared in Open Court before the
honorable Robert Morell Vice Chanceller
of the Sixth Circuit of the State of New York at
a Court of Chancery held at the residence
the Vice Chancellor in the Village of
Greene County of Chenango and State aforesaid
now sitting, James
Terwilliger a resident
of said town of Greene, who being again
duly sworn according to law, doth
on his oath make the following additional
declaration in order to obtain the benefit
the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832
that by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear
positively as to the precise length of his services
nor as to the precise time when he engaged, and
the said precisely, which he served, but according to the best of his recollection he served
not less than the period mentioned below and
in the following grades:
That in the year 1775 and as well as
he can now recollect in the month of Sept
that year; and from the fact that he became
sixteen years of age on the twenty first day of
that month, and that he was called out so
he was of sufficient age, he was he thinks
called out in September 1775 under Captain Davis
as stated in his original declaration, and served
under said Captain, untill he was killed at Oriskany
at the time General Herkimer was wounded
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That the battle in which General Herkimer
was wounded was according to his recollection
Sometime in August 1777. That he was not
constantly out and engaged in service from September 1775
to August 1777, but that the
Militia were constantly under alarm, and
that he was under arms, Subject to be called
upon at a moments warning, and is confident
for September 1775 to August 1777 who
Genl Herkimer was wounded, he was in active
service at least one year; that he believes he
was were, but will not state it confidntly
that after the death of Capt Davis at
Oriskany in August 1777, he record under
Capt
estate as stated in his original
declaration, untill the the same of
Burgoyne on the 17th day
October 1777
a period of two months-
The in November 1777 on the 15th the with
as man as he can recollect he was
called
out under Capt. Pitman to guard Fort Plain
Maloney County and was stationed at
at plain, and that he served at this time
him back and was discharged-
He was
this time sold as a rate that
Militia man for Capt. Daytons Company
That in April 1778 he was called out
again under Capt Doxtater, and served for
different tours, he is was Cochrawaga
Cara
chain and several other places, and that in
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that year 1778 he served at least four
months, but cannot state the precise period
being called out and when discharged
as his memory does not serve him - 
That in May 1779 he enlisted under
Captain Tam Potter (that this was the final service under Tam Potter and not as stated in 
his original declaration after the surrender of Burgoyne) as before mentioned in
the original declaration and was under him as before
in as by the oath was ill
and served during that year at least
then hath that he cannot state the
time of enlistment and service then a
particularly
that he has done
James Terwilliger

 Sworn & 
Subscribed the
and year aforesaid
Robt Morell
Vice Chancellor
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James Terwilliger

New York
Act 7th June 1832
Rejected. See
letter Monell & Pattison
April 11th 1833.
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No other claim for any James
Terwilliger other than the
3 below mentioned
Rejected File 26 17 James Terwilliger
This claim is not identical with
Jas Terwilliger S. File 42466 Oct.
Mar 18, 1818 who died Sept. 2.1821.
or with
Jas Terwilliger S. File 14666
Act June 7, 1832,neither
service nor residence or
respond but the papers
were mixed with last
case and have been removed
therefrom
W. Mar. 15. 1907
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Copy
War Dept
Pension of.
Apr 11, 1833
Sir:
The claim of James
Terwilliger been again examined
and disallowed Claimant who
rely upon traditionary evidence
alone to establish closes are
required by the regulations
to give a very full account
of their services & especially
to set forth the time of entering
and leaving the service;
the names and rank of
officers where stationed or this
what country they were marched
no allowance can be
service in
made his character in
which the grade term
period of each tour with
the names and rank of
officers &c are not clearly
set forth. Mr Terwilliger
has failed to assert any part of
his alleged service with
the above particulars except
a tour of 19 weeks which is
under the
insufficient to entitle him
to a pension
act of June 1832. His papers
are placed on
Messos Monell and Pattison
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Copy
War Dept.
Pension off
June 3. 1834
he reply to yours of 30 [illegible]
covering the letter of Mr Monell
to the Hon Henry Mitchell herewith
returned, respecting the
claim of James Terwilliger
have the honor to state
that the specifications of
his service are so imperfect
that no allowance could
be made in the present
condition of the papers
and it is therefore indispensable that the claimant 
should comply with the
regulations as required by
by letter to the Hon H.
Michell 11 Apr last
and
Hon Nichol Halsey
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Copy
Apr. 11, 1834
Hon H. Mitchell
H of R
Sir 
In answer to your enquiry
respecting the claim of James Terwilliger
I have the honor to state that the papers in connection
with the additional proof
have been examined. The militia to which the
claimant belonged were drafted for
short tours varying from six to thirty days
and rarely exceeding the latter term
Hence no part of the applicant statement can be
received except so far as it is sustained by
proof
. If the claim is persisted in the
duration of each term of actual service
must be specified strictly in conformity
with the regulations. The papers remain on file
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Free
L. Edwards Esq
Pension Office
War Department
Washington
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J L Edwards Esq.
Greene Chenango Co N.Y.
April 10th 1833
Dr. Sir
Enclosed we send you proof in
the case of James Terwilliger whose papers were placed
on file in your office the
old Man has been to
that section of this State in which he did his service
and has succeeded in procuring the affidavits of
three of his old companions in arms-- We hope
the proof may from satisfactory and that the old
man may be allowed something for his services he
is old and forgetful, and in needy circumstances, a Dutchman & extremely grant-
Thomas Sammons (as we are
formed was formerly a member of Congress
from this State-
Have the goodness to inform
is as to the result of this claim as soon as
convenient -
Very Respectfully
You Obt Servts-
Atterson & Monell
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James L. Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
War Department
Washington
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Greene April 2nd 1834
Dr Sir - 
A long time since, the papers of
James Terwilliger were sent to the Department, with proof of his services, as was required
The
applicant is extremely anxious
to ascertain if his papers have reached in
safety, and if so, when he may expect
an investigation of his claim-
An answer to this will
appease the extreme anxiety of the applicant, and save the subscribed a deal
of trouble from his repeated application
to know the result of his application-
Mr. Terwilliger is an old
man, in eeble health and an object of
commisseration, strongly claiming the
assistance of Government, should in
application be deemed meritorious-
I have the Hon to be
Very Respectfully
Your br. Robt Monell
James L. Edwards Esq.
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[stamped] REJECTED

3 -- 223.
No. 26157
Ex'r.
Act June 7, 1832
OLD WAR INVALID.
James Terwilliger
P. O. Greene,
Chenango Co.
No Y
New York mil.
Revolutionary War
Service:
Enlisted:
Discharged:
Application filed:
Alleges:
Re-enlisted:
Attorney:
O.
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State of New York
Montgomery County
 Simon Veeder of Johnstown being duly sworn

say that he is well acquainted with James Terwilliger of the
Town of Greene in the County of Chenango from the commencement of the Revolutionary War until now  that the deponent
is in the eighty fifth year of age, that the said James left
this deponent house about the first of August 1777 in militia service John Davis Captain Abraham Veeder Lentenant
Frederick Fisher Colonel & in said Fisher Regiment that this
deponent went with the said James from Johnstown as far
the German Flat in Herkimer County and then the said
James Marched towards & for Staners & this deponent
then ever since understood that the said James
ceeded under the command of General Herkimer to
the Oriskany & there was in the battle at that place
(1777) the said James returned about a fortnight after he started
but this time he is certain of but might have been longer
and this deponent also knows that the said James in that
year served in the militia against Burgoyne & he left
Johnstown about the father part of August or first part of
September & marched towards Saratoga to oppose Bur
one that he as such militia was orderly about
five miles that on this last vollunt Veeder was Colonel
(1778) Nicholas Doclustader Lieutenant Commandant of the
Company in the year 1778, the said James was
called out in the militia to build a block house or fort
at Mayfield in Montgomery County & was then
duty about a week or more. Vollent order was in for
and Abraham Reeder Lieutenant Commandant of
the company. I recollect the militia in said year in
called out to go & guard said Fort or block house but I am
unable to say whether of the said James was there
for certain but I believe he was, that in the year 1779-
the said James as a Militia manarded & assisted in
ral James Clinton in carrying baggage & from
the Mohawk River to Otsego Lake about the middle
of July he began & was so engaged about four weeks
& was called out by the personal orders of that general
That I believe that he was in the last mentioned year
stationed as a meletia man about a fortnight under
Col Robert Veeder and said Docited Lieutenant
Commandant at the said late in Johnstown
(1780)In the year 1780. that about the first of May he was
called out as a militia man, & continued for about twenty
days at Johnstown then called Caughnawaga and
Col Fisher commanded Abraham Veeder Captain
that I do not know for certain but then & ever since was
informed that the said James in the last mentioned
year did militia duty at Canajohage for
right & which I believe
 
(1782) That in the year 1782 that about the beginning of March the said James was placed at the block
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house or Fort at Canglin an a now Johnstown &
continued them as a militia man until the end
of the revolutionary War. that the said James is
a credible person
Simon [illegible]
sworn to this 8th day of May 1833. before me
I certify the witness to be a credible
person & of the best character
Aaron Haring Jus Peace of Montgomery County


State of Newyork
Montgomery County
(1777)Frederick Sammon of Johnstown being
duly sworn says that I was well acquainted with James
Terwilliger of the Town of Greene Chenango County in
the Revolutionary War that in the year 1777 I am
time do duty as a Militia than in Col Fisher Regiment
Captain Davis Company & [illegible]his way
to Fort Stanwick & before he arrived at the Oriskany I was also in
duty but at the battle I was on a scouting party & was
therefore not in that battle that he was in that Com
paign about three weekswas belonging to that company
That in the fall of that year in said Regiment and in
Capt Abraham Veeders Company in was again doing
duty & on his march to oppose General Burgoyne
he was then on duty about six weeks as [illegible]
State. That in the year 1778, about the middle of July
as near as I can state, he did militia duty in said
Fishers Regiment & said Ab Veeders company that
he did duty about one month which I believe
that was at Bowmans Creek in Canajoharie this
County that in the year 1779 the said James
was again doing militia duty at Canajoharie he
begain about the eighteenth of October as near as I
can state & he continued there about three weeks
near as I can state & in the last mentioned Regiment
& Company that the said James is a credible person
Fred Sammons
Sworn to this 6th day of May 1833
 before me and I certify
the witness to be a credible
person& of the best character
Aaron Haring Justice of peace
 
State of
Newyork
Montgomery County ss Thomas Sammans being duly sworn
says that I was well acquainted with James Terwilliger
the foregoing applicant previous to the Revolution
war & during it & since that in the year 1778 in
the said James doing the militia duty at Johnstown
Jail in Fisher Regiment in Capt A. Griders Company
I cannot state how long he was there that in this year I
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I also saw him do militia at the said Said flats in
said Company and Regiment the time I cannot state
that in the year 1779 in the fall and state them
but was about September or October as again doing
Militia duty & have frequently that year doing it
duty but I cannot state the times or places
That in the year 1780 the said James was doing militia duty about the first of May at Caughnawaga
at Fonda in said Company of Regiment I cannot
State the length of that service that about the 18th of
may he did duty at Johnstown Village or Militia
man in said last Regiment of company & I cannot
State how long he served at the last place
That I have frequently seen him on militia duty
at various other time and places during that war
but I cannot particularize the times or places-
That the said James is a credible & [illegible]
in to this 9th day of
May 1833 before me &
tify the witness to be an
dible person of good character
Tho: Sammons
Aaron Haring Justice
of the peace
late of New York, Montgomery
County Clerks
office ss:
I, George D. Ferguson, Clerk of
the Court of Common pleas of Montgomery
County, do hereby certify that Aaron Haring
Esquire before whom the foregoing affidavits of
Simon Veeder, Frederick Simmons and
Thomas Sammons, purport to have been
sworn, on the date thereof a Justice of the peace of the
said County, and that I am well acquainted with the
hand writing of the said Luther of the Peace & verily believe
that his name subscribed to the said affidavit is his
proper hand writing
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand
and seal of Office this 6th May 1833.
Geo: D. Ferguson