Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 6558, for John Lyon, New Jersey
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(8-1776)

SERVICE | NUMBER
New Jersey | Lyon, John | R.6558

CONTENTS
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Application of John Lyon for Revolutionary Pension under the Act of 7th June 1832.

14408
4 mo. specified and aggregate of 6 or 8.

[illegible

Hon R.H. Gillet
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Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.

State of New York
(St.) Lawrence County//

On this Twenty fifth day of September in the year of our Lord 1832 appeared in Open Court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in the said County of St. Lawrence, now sitting, John Lyon, a resident in the Town of Oswegatchie, in the County of St. Lawrence & State of New York, aged 79 years, on the 26th of August last, 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 in the year 1776, the month he does not recollect but thinks towards the fall, he, this deponent, was deputed (by an extra Court at Morristown, New Jersey, in which Judge Morris presided & Wm. Patterson, Attorney General) to guard
upwards of one hundred prisoners who were marching by force of arms as Tories from Sussex (County) through Somerset (County) to Staten Island to join the British & was engaged two months in guarding the prisoners & subpoenying  [subpoenaing] witnesses, and at which court two men by the name of Fliffe & Mea were convicted & hung, & Furman was convicted & reprieved, & that thirty three in the whole were convicted at that Court & that the prisoners pardoned were branded in the hand. That in the year 1777, month not recollected, he marched as a monthly drafted militiaman from Morristown, New Jersey under Capt. Bailey in Col. Jacob Ford's Reg(iment) and Gen'l Williamsons Brigade to Elizabeth Town Point where they were ordered to stand guard to prevent the British from landing from Staten Island & performed the service for two months as he confidently believes. That in the month of July or August in the same year, he, this deponent, was engaged in stacking hay when an alarm was given that the British had got into Springfield in Essex Co., New Jersey, & where a skirmish under Col. Seely of Morris County was had with the British, & in which Col. Seely was wounded.

That when this deponent arrived at Springfield after the skirmish, the British had retired from Springfield to Newark, to which place this deponent marched & thinks was under Capt. Austin Bailey, & the enemy having retired on Second River about six miles, he, this deponent, marched to near Second River where a skirmish was had with the British but this deponent was not in it, having been detailed...
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...by the officer in command to make cartriges (cartridges), being somewhat lame. That on the British retiring from Second River to New York, this deponent was marched under Capt. Bailey, he thinks, to Acquackenie (Acquackanonk) where a larger British force was stationed & where a skirmish was had with the British outposts, & the British being much the large force, the militia retired for a short distance under Col. Freelinghusen (Frelinghuysen) & commanded by Gen'l Wynes, & when the British broke up from there, the militia force & this deponent also went home & in that tour he was engaged a month, as he now believes. That shortly before (the) Battle of Monmouth, he marched as a monthly Militiaman under Capt. Moses Munson from Morristown to Brunswick, & thence to Monmouth, where they were in the battle at the outskirts & he, this deponent, acted as Sergeant of the Guard after the battle & continued in service at this term for one month or more. And this deponent testifies that he was out frequently afterwards in short tours of duty and declare without any hesitation that he was in actual service as such Militiaman for more than six months & he thinks for near eight or ten months in the whole. That he has no documentary evidence & knows of no person who cam prove his services.

He 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.

Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid.

And to the interrogatories propounded by the Court, this deponent answereth and saith that he was born in Newark, New Jersey, in the year 1753. Has a record of his age in his Bible. Does not know if there is any record of it at Newark. That when called into service he lived at Morristown, New Jersey. Continued at Morristown and County till about 1799 when he removed to the Town of Oswegatchie in the County of St. Lawrence, New York, his present residence and has lived there ever since.

That when called into service, he volunteered. The militia being classed for monthly service. That he has stated the names of the officers as far as recollected in his declaration...
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...never received any written discharges from the service. Was always regularly dismissed when the time was up.

That he is well known in his neighborhood where he resides and refers to the Rev(eren)d Nathaniel Huse and to Louis Hasbrouck who can testify as to his character for veracity.
s/ John Lyon

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
s/ A.C. Low, Clerk

We, Nathaniel Huse, a Clergyman residing in the Village of Ogdensburg in the Town of Oswegatchie, St. Lawrence County, and Louis Hasbrouck, residing in Ogdensburg, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Lyon, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration. That we believe him to be about 79 years of age. And although we have no knowledge of his revolutionary services and do not know that he is reputed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution. Yet we know him to be a man of good moral character and his reputation for truth and veracity is undoubted. We give full credence to his declarations and concur in the opinion that he has performed the services stated in his declaration.
s/ Nathaniel Huse
s/ Louis Hasbrouck

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
s/ A.C. Low, Clerk
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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 Nathaniel Huse, who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman resident in the Village of Ogdensburg in the County of St. Lawrence. And that Louis Hasbrouck, who has also signed the same is a resident of the said Village of Ogdensburg, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
s, John Fine, First Judge of said County

I, Alvin C. Low, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of St. Lawrence, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Lyon for a pension.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal of Office this 25th day of September in the year of our Lord 1832.
s/ A.C. Low, Clerk
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Application of John Lyon for Revolutionary Pension under the Act of 7th June 1832.

14408
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State of New York
St. Lawrence County//

John Lyon, of the Town of Oswegatchie in the County of St. Lawrence and State of New York, aged 79 years the 26th of August last, the declarant named in the annexed petition for a pension under the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832, doth hereby in order to amend his declaration as far as is in his power, make his affidavit in the following words.:

Personally appeared before me, the undersigned First Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of St Lawrence, John Lyon, of the said Town of Oswegatchie and County of St. Lawrence, to me well known and 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 time of his services stated in the annexed declaration, further or more particularly than is therein mentioned and declared. But according to the best of his recollection and belief, he his confident he served not less than the periods mentioned in the said declaration and as therein is stated. And that for such services he claims a pension.
s/ John Lyon

Sworn May 18, 1833 before me.
s/ John Fine, First Judge of St. Law(rence) Co.
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I certify that I believe the above affidavit to be truth. The appearance of Mr. Lyon indicates great infirmity of body & of mind & too great feebleness again to attend Court. May 8, 1823.
s/ John Fine, First Judge of St. Law(rence) Co.

I, Alvin C. Low, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of St. Lawrence, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Lyon for a pension. 

And that the signature of John Fine, subscribed to the annexed affidavit to and signed the said declaration is the proper handwriting [duplicate: writing] of said Judge, and that he is First Judge of said County of St. Lawrence.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and affixed my Seal of Office this 23rd day of May in the year of our Lord, 1833.
s/ A.C. Low, Clerk
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E.M. VIOLETTE
HISTORY

STATE NORMAL SCHOOL
KIRKSVILLE, MO.
6/14/08.

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:-

Will you please give me a transcript of the record of one John Lyons, a Revolutionary Soldier, who enlisted from New Jersey. He had a daughter by the name of Nancy, who married a man by the name of Isaac Shoop. I do not know his wife's name and should be pleased to have as much of her record as you have.

Thanking you in advance for your kindness.

I am yours truly,
s/ E.M. Violette
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...information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. John Lyon R.6558

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. | LENGTH OF SERVICE. | RANK. | OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. (CAPTAIN/COLONEL) | STATE.
1776 | 2 mos. | Guarding of prisoners [crossed out: when were marching] from Sussex to Staten Island [crossed out: to join British].
1777 | 2 mos. | (blank) | Bailey | Jacob Ford | N.J. Militia.
July or Aug. 1777 | 1 mo. | (blank) | Austin Bailey | Frelinghuysen | (blank).
July or Aug. 1778 | (blank) | Sgt. of Guard | Moses Munson.
Afterwards | 6 mos. | In short tours in militia.

Battles engaged in, Monmouth.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Morristown, N.J.
Date of application for pension, Sept. 25, 1832
Residence at date of application, Oswegatchie, St. Lawrence Co., N.Y.
Age at date of application, 17; Born Aug. 26, 1753 at Newark, N.J.
Remarks: No data as to family. Claim not allowed. Not sufficient proof of alleged service. [illegible]
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Revolution
New York
John Lyon
Suspended Act 7 June '32
Letter 27 July '34 to Hon. R.H. Gillett, H.R.
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New York
Revo(lutionary War)

John Lyon
Suspended
Let(ter sent) to Louis Hasbrouck - 12 Aug. 1833.
Let(ter sent) to same 21 Sep.; volunteering paper.

6558

Act 7 June '32
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John Lyon
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John Lyon's papers, which were suspended 12 Aug. '33 have been returned to Louis Hasbrouck at New York City agreeably to his instruction dated 18 Sep 1833. See letter to L. Hasbrouck 21 Sep. 1833. His post office in Ogdensburg, N.Y.
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2 - 2 ct. - stamps enclosed. E.B.

220 Carolina St.
Ogdensburg, N.Y.

The Pension Office
Washington, D.C.

Rev. Sect. C.W.

Pleas find enclosed record of "Lyon" family. Can you give me any record of John Lyon, born Aug. 26th 1753. I would like to know who his wife...
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...was. Also the names of sons born to them and if any of them served in the Rev. War, so as to have the family due to my grandfather; born May 21st 1787; died 1842.

Will you please look this up for me and send bill to Mrs. Nellie S. Lane, 220 Carolina St., Ogdensburg, New York.

Aug 18th 1921

I would like the following, his service, pension, his wife's name, birth & death...
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...I am enclosing a record I received from my cousin in Cambridge which you will kindly return to me.
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3-871.
RECORD DIVISION.
Department of the Interior,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Briefed by L.D.L.
Claim No. (blank)
Certificate No. (blank)
Claimant (blank)
Soldier. John Lyons
Service. N.J.
Additional Service. Rev(olutionary) War
No. (blank) claim, State records (blank), 190 (blank)
No claim, combination records (blank), 190 (blank)

REMARKS:
No claim as above Try Rej. #6558.

O-8 | Chief Division
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6558

P.O. John Lyon
Service: (blank)

REJECTED

Enlisted: (blank), 18 (blank)
Discharged: (blank), 18 (blank)
Application filed: (blank), 18 (blank)

Printed 1852. Rejected and suspended pensions. Book gives reasons for suspension, "The declaration was vitiated by an interlineation without the authority of the courts after the papers had  been in this office, and remanded, for correction. 

Alleges: (blank)
Re-enlisted: (blank)
Attorney: (blank)
P.O. (blank)

(blank) Recognized.  (blank) Contract.
(blank) Cert. of Dis. Searched for (check mark), 18 (blank).

1908 June 27 - Hist(ory sent) to E.M. Violette. J.L.M.
1921 Sept. 18 -  Hist(ory sent) to Nellie S. Lane
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Louis Hasbrouck

21 Sep. 1833

D.C.

Revol. A.D.
Pa. 235

Louis Hasbrouck
New York
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War Dept.
Pension Off(ice)
Sep. 1838

Sir,

In reply to your letter of 18 inst., I have to state that there is no disposition to call into question your assertion that no interlineation was made after the certificate of the Judge & Clerk was appended to the papers of John Lyon. But you will see by the enclosed brief that the Clerk who retuned [crossed out: them] the papers had made the objection that claimant had not alleged that he could not obtain evidence of his service. And therefore the Clerk who adjudicated the claim & drafted my letter of 12 Aug., insufficient by per necessary distrust respecting the genuineness of papers which the experiences of [crossed out: the] all public offices justifies, inferred that the objection (14) was property taken and that the interlineation which was evidently inserted after the draft of the declaration had been made after the return of the papers to obviate that objection. This is the solution of that aspect of his papers, which [crossed out: called for] justified the grounds taken by my letter of 12 Aug. and which has called forth your disclaimer. [crossed out: As to] Upon the tone & language of that disclaimer, it would...
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...be inconsistent with the relations which I bear [crossed out: with] to all persons having business with this office to [crossed out: offer either] comments. The papers in the case are herewith returned.

Louis Hasbrouck, New York

Louis Hasbrouck

21 Sep. 1833

D.C.

Revol. A.D.
Pa. 235
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John Lyon

Susp(ended)?

R.H. Gillett
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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 John Lyon, which require further proof or explanation.

I.   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? (blank)
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 amount (sp.) of pension he is entitled? [crossed out: Yes] Applicant required to furnish data and length of each year of service specifically.
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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2

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? Yes.
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? (blank)
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? No.
XIV. *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? [crossed out: No]
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? [crossed out: No]
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? [crossed out: No]
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? [crossed out: No]
XVI. **Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No.
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? (blank)

EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* - QUERE V. 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 (blank) year (blank) months, and  (blank) days, I served as a  (blank). For  (blank) months and  (blank) days, I served as a  (blank); 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 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 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.

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.