Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29533, Benjamin Westlake, New York
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(3-1776) 

SERVICE 
New York 
Westlake, Benjamin 

NUMBER 
S. 29533 

CONTENTS
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New York 3888 
Benjamin Westlake 
of Elmira in the State of New York who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Nichols of the Regt. commanded by Col McLaughry in the New York line for 22 months and 7 days 

Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 74 Dollars 69 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 

Certificate of Pension issued the 5th day of January 1833 and sent Thomas Maxwell Elmira, Tioga Co N.Y. 

Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832 $111.13 ½ 
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar ‘33 37.04 ½ 
$148.18 
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.} 
Recorded by Jno Cromwell Clerk
Book D  Vol. 5  Page 205.
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B. Westlake 11441 
admitted 
22 mo 7 days 
express rider & Teamster disallowed 
complete
Post office Elmira N. Y., care Ths Maxwell Agent
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State of New York 
Tioga County ss. }  Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the peace in and for said county Revd. Benjamin Westlake who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that by reason of old age & consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, during the Revolutionary war, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, & in the following grades: 
For twenty two months as a private in Capt Leonard Nichols company, in Col. McLaughrey's Regiment of Militia in the County of Orange N.Y. at the places mentioned in his declaration annexed from January 1776 to November 1777  } months 22.
For three months as an express, having enlisted for that term, in a company of Expresses attached to the Quarter Master’s Department near New Windsor, Orange Co. N.Y. under the charge of Quarter Master Uriah Mitchell, from Novemr. 1777 to Feb. 1778  } 3
For two months & twenty days in the winter of 1778 carrying baggage, hauling wood &c. as particularly stated in his declaration, having been pressed with his team  } 2 2/3
For two weeks in the spring of 1778 under Capt. Nichols on the Neversink frontier as stated in his declaration } ½
28.m 5 d.
Making all his services twenty eight months and days for which he claims a pension –
The said Benjamin Westlake further states that having made enquiry in relation to the few individuals, who if alive, could testify to his services but he cannot learn that there is any one living by whom he can prove the particular services
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above stated & more particularly related in his declaration 
[signed] Benjamin Westlake
Sworn & Subscribed Decemr. 24th 1832 Before me 
[signed] W Maxwell Justice of the peace Tioga Co. N.Y.

State of New York 
Tioga County Clerks office } ss  I Green M. Tuthill Clerk of the said County do hereby certify that William Maxwell Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavit was made is a Justice of the peace duly qualified & was so at the date thereof - that the above signature of the said Justice is genuine. Witness my hand & seal of office the 24 day of December 1832 
[signed] Green M Tuthill Clk
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At a Court of Common pleas held at the Village of Elmira in and for the County of Tioga in the State of New York commencing on the first Tuesday in September 1832 the same being a Court of Record, declared to be such by the constitution & laws of the said State and having a Seal and Clerk
Present Hon. G B Baldwin First Judge 
Davis Bentley }
John R Drake }
Joseph L. Darling } Esquires
Elijah Shoemaker } Judges

State of New York 
Tioga County ss. } On the 4th day of September in the year 1832 Personally appeared in open court before the above named Judges Benjamin Westlake, a minister of the Gospel, aged Seventy Six years and upwards, a resident of the town of Elmira in the said County of Tioga who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832:  That the County of Orange in the said State of New York where the deponent resided during the war of the Revolution was, in consequence of the irruptions of the Indians and Tories along the Minisink frontier on the one side, and the attacks of the British and Refugees, on the other, & its situation near the banks of the Hudson, the scene of constant alarm & agitation during the greater part of that eventful contest. These attacks and depredations were much facilitated & encouraged by the British forces continuing in possession of New York with shipping to enable them to command the navigation of the Hudson – 
It was therefore necessary that the disposable force of the militia of the County of Orange, who were friendly to the American cause, should be kept in constant requisition to
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repel such attacks, as well as to aid the Inhabitants of the neighboring counties along the Hudson, in the alarms which so frequently required their services. That the said deponent therefore entered as a volunteer in a company of Orange Militia commanded by Capt. Leonard Nichols, in which Isaac Shultz was Lieutenant at New Windsor in the said County of Orange in January 1776. That the said company belonged to the Regiment commanded by Col McLaughrey of the said County of Orange, and was kept in continual Service either in acting as guard and patroles in the neighbourhood or in execuisions to West Point, Fort Montgomery & Clinton, Stony point and various other places in the County of Orange & the adjoining counties as occasion required - That he continued in the said Service under the same officers until the fall of 1777 shortly after the capture of Forts Montgomery & Clinton by the British Troops - That during the said term of service they were on one occasion ordered to Haverstraw where they remained a month. That during the summer of 1776 the said Company were frequently on fatigue at Fort Montgomery in tours of two weeks at a time; that his service in the said Company amounted to twenty two months or more –
That late in the fall of 1777 he enlisted for three months in a company of Expresses attached to the Quarter Master’s Department in the neighborhood of New Windsor under the charge of the Quarter Master Uriah Mitchell then stationed at that place and continued in service as an Express rider during the said Term of three months – 
That in the winter of 1778 he was pressed with a team to carry the baggage of a British major (who was a prisoner) from New
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Windsor to Sussex Court House in the State of New Jersey and was absent about twelve days and was a few days after pressed to carry tents & baggage from New Windsor to near Pompton in New Jersey, and was absent about 8 days - and on his return to New Windsor was again pressed under the direction of a Continental Quarter Master with his team as aforesaid, to transport baggage & stores for Gen Hand's headquarters then in the neighborhood of New Windsor aforesaid; the General himself being quartered with his suite at the house of this deponent, & afterwards in hauling wood for headquarters & provisions & supplies in which latter service he was employed with his team about two months - making in all of his services during that winter two months & twenty days or thereabouts, with a team – 
That in the spring of the year 1778, he was out in the said company commanded by Capt. Nichols on a tour to the Neversink frontier to guard against the attacks of the Indians who were prowling about that region, and continued at Neversink two weeks, and was also called out during that summer, in frequent expeditions of a similar nature of a few days continuance, but the precise time so employed he cannot now recollect. 
In answer to the interrogatories propounded by the War Department, not included above he states that he was born at Newburgh in the then County of Ulster now Orange, in the State of New York, on the 15th April 1756; the record of his birth having been kept in the family genealogy and in the records of the Episcopal Church at
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that place, to which his parents were attached - That he was living at New Windsor when called into the service, and continued his residence at that place (with the exception of four years on Long Island) until the month of May 1815 when he removed to the town of Elmira in the said County of Tioga where he still resides. That the continental officers with whom he was acquainted were General Hand, Clinton, Knox & Sterling, Col Lewis Dubois, Majr. Sprout & Capt. Carlisle 
That he has no documentary evidence of his services now in his possession & does not know that there is now any person living by whom he can prove them 
That the persons to whom he would refer for proof of the general reputation & belief in the neighborhood of his residence in regard to his revolutionary services, are the Hon G B Baldwin, Darius Bentley & Jonas Sayre of Elmira aforesaid and the Rev’d Simeon R. Jones of Southport in the said County of Tioga. 
He hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension or annuity except the presents and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any State 
[signed] Benjamin Westlake
Sworn & Subscribed the day & year aforesaid 
Before me 
[signed] Green M Tuthill Clk 

We Simeon R Jones a Clergyman residing in the Town of Southport in the said County of Tioga and Revd Asa Cummings resident in the Town of Spencer in the said County do
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do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with the Rev. Benjamin Westlake who has subscribed and Sworn to the above declaration; that his moral character is fair and unimpeachable; that we believe him to be of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion – 
[signed] Simeon R. Jones   Asa Cummins
Sworn & Subscribed on the day & year aforesaid, before ) 
[signed] Green M Tuthill Clk 

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories required by the War Department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states: And the Court further certify that it appears to them that Simeon R. Jones who has Subscribed the above certificate is a clergyman residing in the said Town of Southport, and that Revd Asa Cummings who has also signed the same is a resident of the town of Spencer in the said County of Tioga, and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit and the said Court from their personal knowledge of the said applicant are satisfied with the truth of the same –
[signed] J. B. Baldwin First Judge 

I Green M. Tuthill Clerk of the said Court of Common pleas do hereby certify that the foregoing
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contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of the Revd. Benjamin Westlake for a Pension – 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name & affixed the Seal of the said Court the 4th day of September 1832 – 
[signed] Green M Tuthill 
Ribbon attached Dec 24. 1832 
[signed] Green M Tuthill Clk
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No 11441 
Benjamin Westlake 

16 – 
8 Sep ‘32
11 Dec

Ths. Maxwell, Agent 
Elmira 
N. York 
P147.
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No. 11441
Brief in the case of Benjamin Westlake of Elmira, County of Tioga in the State of New York
(Act 7th June, 1832.) 
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? In Open Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? 
3. How old is he? 76. Years.
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 

[BEGIN TABLE]
Period.   |   Duration of Service. Years, Months, Days.  |  Rank.  As a  |  Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.  Gen.  |
Jany In 1776  |  about 22 Months.  |  private  |  Capt. L. Nichols, Col. McLaughrey.  |
Fall 1777  |  3. Months  |  Express rider  |  Qr. Master Uriah Mitchell.  |
Winter 1778  |  about 2 Months 20 Days  |  Teamster  |  Genl. Hands.  |
Spring 1778  |  14 Days  |  private  |  Capt Nichols  |
[END OF TABLE]

5. In what battles was he engaged? None
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? New Windsor
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary incidental evidence, or by the rolls? By traditionary Evidence.
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned
[signed] James Ord Examining Clerk.
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Rev and 1812 
Wars Section 
MEE/eel 
August 19, 1929 
Mrs. Harriet E. B. Stowell 
4501 Lilac Road 
South Euclid, Ohio
Dear Madam: 
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.29533, it appears that Benjamin Westlake was born April 15, 1756, in Newburgh, Ulster County, later Orange County, New York. His birth was kept in the records of the Episcopal Church at Newburgh, to which church his parents were attached, the names of his parents are not shown. 
While residing in New Windsor, Orange County, New York , Benjamin Westlake enlisted in January, 1776, served as a private in Captain Leonard Nicoll's Company, Colonel McClaghry's New York Regiment, and was discharged in the fall of 1777, having served about twenty-two months. 
He enlisted in November, 1777, served as an express rider under Quartermaster Uriah Mitchell and was discharged in February, 1778. 
He enlisted in the winter of 1778, and served two
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months and twenty days with his team transporting story and supplies under General Hand. 
He enlisted in the spring of 1778 and served two weeks in Captain Nicoll's New York Company.
He subsequently served in frequent expeditions against the Indians, no further details given. 
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 4, 1832, while a resident of Elmira, Tioga County, New York, to which place he had moved from New Windsor, in May, 1815. At the time of his application for pension, he was a minister of the Gospel. 
It is not stated that the soldier was ever married. 

Very truly yours, 
EARL D. CHURCH 
Commissioner.
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In reply to your request of ___ received ___ for a statement of the military history of Benjamin Westlake a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his [crossed out: (or his widow's)] application for pension on file in this Bureau.  S.f. 29.533

[BEGIN TABLE]
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.  |   LENGTH OF SERVICE.   |   RANK.   |  OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. CAPTAIN.   |   COLONEL.   |   STATE.  |
New Windsor, NY Jany ‘76  |  22 mos.  |  Pvt.  |  Leonard Nicoll  |  McClaghry  |  N.Y.  |
Nov. 77  |  3 mos.  |  Exp. Rider  |  Uriah Mitchell QM  |    |    |
Winter 78  |  2 mos. 20 d.  |  Teamster  |  under  |  Genl. Hand  |    |
Sp. 78  |  2 whs  |    |  Nicoll  |    |    |
[END TABLE]

Battles engaged in, 
Residence of soldier at enlistment, New Windsor, N.Y.
Date of application for pension, Sept. 4, 1832 - allowed
Residence at date of application, Elmira, Tioga Co., N.Y.
Age at date of application, B. Apl. 15, 1756 at Newburgh, N.Y. date of 
Remarks: birth kept in the records of the Episcopal Church at Newburgh to which his parents were attached - Their names are not men – Sol. was a minister of the Gospel -
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13 Congdon Place 
Binghamton N.Y. 
Apr. 13. 1907. 
The Commissioner of Pensions 
Washington D.C. 
Dear Sir: -
Will you kindly send me the war record of Benjamin Westlake, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, who enlisted from New Windsor, N.Y. and such facts concerning him as are on record in your office.
And oblige 
Yours very Respectfully.
Mrs. Frank E. Yung.
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S. 29,533.

[stamp] O. W. & N. DIV. FILES APR 16 1907

[stamp] U.S. Pension Office APR 15 1907
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29533 
Revy INVALID. 
File No. 29,533 
Benjamin Westlake 
Pri Rev War

Act: June 7" 32”
Index: - Vol. 2, Page 443 
{Arrangement of 1870.} 


1907 Apl. 1 - History to Mrs. F .A. Bryan 
1907 May 2. Hist to Mrs. Frank X. Yung
1907 May 3. Hist to Grace E. Westlake 
1929 - Aug. 12. Hist to Mrs. Harriet E B Stowell
M.E.E.
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Minneapolis Minn 
April 15, 1907
Commissioner of Pensions – 
Honored Sir –
Will you kindly give me the Revolutionary record of Benjamin Westlake (Westlick) Enlisted from New York state and pensioned for the year previous to his death in 1835 I think. We wish to make
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Our calling and of election sure as Daughters of American Revolution – 
Thanking you advance for the courtesy
I am yours very respectfully 
Grace E. Westlake

2015 second Avenue South 
Minneapolis Minnesota
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[stamp] O. W. & N. DIV. FILES APR 18 1907

[stamp] U.S. Pension Office APR 17 1907
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Answered

file with
Sur File 29533.
Benj. Westlake
Rev. War
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[stamp] O. W. & N. DIV. FILES MAY 6 1907 

Addison N.Y.
Steuben Co.
May 3rd, 1907. 
To the Commissioner of Pensions 
Washington D.C. 
My Dear Sir – 
Will you kindly send me such record as you may have in your office of Benjamin Westlake, a Soldier and pensioner of the Revolutionary war, who enlisted at New Windsor N.Y. or Newburgh and whose pension was sent
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to Elmira, Tioga Co. N.Y. 
Several weeks ago I wrote to you, asking this information, but receiving no reply, concluded that my letter had gone astray. 
Hoping to hear from you soon on this subject 
I am 
Very Respectfully 
Mrs. Frank L. Yung 

[stamp] U.S. Pension Office MAY 6 1907
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[stamp] O. W. & N. DIV. FILES MAR 20 1907

2788 N. Meridian St
Indianapolis Ind. 
Mar. 18. 07. 
Commissioner of Pensions, 
Dear Sir – 
Have you on your pension list of Revolutionary War the name of Benjamin Westlick (also spelled Weslick) and if so where were the pension cheques mailed to –
This Benj. Westlick (or Weslick) was on Rev. roll as private of Cap. Leonard D Nicoll’s Comp of Col. James McClaughy’s
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Reg. of N.Y. Militia “ordered into the service of State of New York by Geo. Clinton Gov to the Western frontier of Ulster County. His name appears on a roll dated Oct 29, 1778 It also appears as Benj. Weslick on a roll of same Company which shows he entered the service Oct 26 1780 & was discharged Oct 30, 1780. This is my information from War dept & they advised me to write for & see if I can get any additional information
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I want to prove this is my great grandfather - who lived in a town called New Windsor a mile from Newburgh, Orange Co N. Y. until about 1815 when he removed to Horseheads N. Y. If he was pensioned please let me know where he was living at times he rec’d it & if they were sent to these places I have mentioned. I think I can prove my claim to be a D. A. R. His mail might have been sent Elmira N.Y. after 1815 
Truly yours
Mrs F. A. Bryan

2738 N. Meridian St.
Indianapolis Ind
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[stamp] U.S. Pension Office July 22 1929

2 Only under any spell -

4501 Lilac Rd.
South Euclid, Ohio. 
July 20, 1929 – 

Mr. Winfield Scott 
Bureau of Pensions –
Washington D.C. 

Dear Sir, 
I beg to inquire wheather there is a possibility of one securing a list of names of Soldiers of the American Revolutionary War?
My Mother & I are writing a Genealogy of the Westlake family and as there were numerous families in this country at that time, it has been said they took part with the colonists for Independence from England  We thought this way we could make sure of those who fought and it would help us so much in placing the different families 
If one can have a list of these Soldiers having this family name Westlake (also sometimes spelled Westlick & Westluck, how would we be able to secure it - Might one come in person or hire one for this service? or Are there Lists of these Soldiers to be found in Print?
Any thing you can tell us, will be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much.

Respectfully, 
Ruth D. Stowell and Harriet E. Stowell