Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 19,018, for Peter Shirts, New York
Page 1

[I am transcribing only the handwritten words]

New York__ __Shirts, Peter__ __W. 19,018__
____________ _________Elizabeth__ ______________
Page 2

[Written vertically on the left side from top to bottom]
Notification sent to Stephen Phelps 19[or 9] Sep1890 [or perhaps 1820]
Canandaigua, NY

10.257 R
New York
______________________________________________
Peter Shirts
of Lyons in the state of New York
who was a private in the regiment commanded by
Colonel Van Schaik of the New York 
line, for the term of five years 1770
______________________________________________
Inscribed on the Roll of New York
at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence
the 27 of April 1819
____________________________________________
Certificate of Pension issued the 5 of May 1819
and sent to Ezra Jewell Esq
Canandaigua New York
__________________________________________________
Arrears to 4th of March 1819 $82.09
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4 Sept 1819 48.00
_____________________________________________
$ 130.09
____________________________________________
{Revolutionary claim,}
{Act 18th March, 1818.}

Continued
Page 3

558
New York Albany
Elizabeth Shirts
widow of Peter Shirts
N.Y.
who served in the Revolutionary war, as a private Increased [illegible] $80 per annum
_________________________________________________
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 
96 Dollars 00 
Cents per annum, to commence on 
the ["4th" is crossed out] First day of ["March" is crossed out] July, 1848.
__________________________________________________
Certificate of Pension issued the
20 day of Sep 1851
and sent to 
J. F. Curtis
Huron
New York
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
February 2, 1848, Page 190 Vol. 4
Page 4

11349
Elizabeth Shirts
Widow of Peter
NY
Act 7 July 1838
M 880.32
Page 5

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the act of 6 august passed July 7th 1838. Entitled an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows
State of New York}
County of Wayne} Ss on this 10th day of September 1844 personly [sic] appeared before the Subscriber a Judge of the Courts in and for Said County Elizabeth Shirts of the town of Arcadia in the County aforesaid aged Seventy-three years; After being duly Sworn according to Law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress of the 7th of July 1838. granting half pay and pensions to Certain Widows! That She is the  widow of Peter Shirts. Late a Soldier in the war of the Revolution and a Pensioner of the United States; She further declares that She was married to the Said Peter Shirts Sometime in the Month of February 1788. Seventeen hundred and Eighty Eight, in the town of Claverack County of Columbia and State aforesaid; That She was not married to him Prior to his leaving the Service But that the Marriage took place previous to the first of January 1794 Seventeen hundred and ninety four- at the time above Stated 
That the aforesaid Peter Shirts died on the 31st day of October 1832. Eighteen hundred and thirty two- That this deponent has not Since married but remained The widow of the aforesaid Peter Shirts 
Elizabeth  her X mark  Shirts
Subscribed and Sworn before me}
The day and year above written --}
George W. Scott a judge of 
the county Courts of Wayne County New York

I Certify that the above named Elizabeth Shirts is a respectable person & That I consider her to be of the age Represented by her -- and that She cannot from bodily infirmity attend the Court to make this her declaration
George W. Scott a Judge of the County Courts of Wayne County New York

State of New York}
County of Wayne } ss. Personally appeared before the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for Said County. Polly Franklin of Arcadia in Said County aged Forty four years after being duly Sworn according to law deposeth and Saith That widow Elizabeth Shirts who is applying for a pension as the widow of Peter Shirts late a Soldier of the United States
Page 6

and a Pensioner is this deponents ["father" is crossed out] Mother; and the Said Peter Shirts was this deponents Father; That this deponent has always understood and believed that her aforesaid Parents were married in the Town of Claverack Columbia County State aforesaid; that this deponents aforesaid father died on the 31st day of October 1832 Eighteen Hundred and thirty two; That her aforesaid Mother has not Since married but remains a widow
Subscribed and Sworn before me}
This [long space] day of September 1844}

I Certify that the above named Polly Franklin is a respectable person and worthy of Credit.
{The above affidavit was not executed[?] because the deponant [sic] was absent
J F Curtis Esqr

State of New York}
County of Wayne } Ss. Personly [sic] appeared before the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for Said County Stephen Shirts of Arcadia in Said County aged Thirty five years after being duly Sworn according to Law - deposeth and Saith That widow Elizabeth Shirts who is applying for a pension as the Widow of Peter Shirts ["& this deponent" is crossed out] late a Soldier in the War of the revolution is this deponents Mother; and that the Said Peter Shirts was this deponents father; That this deponents aforesaid parents had as the lawful fruit of their marriage Eight Children older than this deponent all own brothers and Sisters to this deponent - That this deponents aforesaid parents lived together as husband and wife from the earlist [sic] recollection of this deponent until the death of his Said father which took place on the 31st day of October 1832 and that his aforesaid Mother has not Since married but remains a widow 
Stephen Shirts [signature]
Sworn and Subscribed before me}
This 10th day of September 1844}
John F Curtis Justice of the Peace

I Certify that the above named Stephen Shirts is a respectable person and worthy of Credit
John F Curtis Justice of the Peace
Page 7

State of New York}
County of Wayne } Ss. Personly [sic] appeared before the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for Said County Henry B. Briser of the town of Arcadia in Said County aged Seventy Six Years - after being duly sworn according to law deposeth and Saith; That for the last Sixty five years he has been personly acquainted with Madam Elizabeth Shirts who is applying for a Pension as the widow of Peter Shirts late a soldier in the war of the Revolution and a pensioner of the United States. and that he was equaly [sic] well acquainted with her Said Husband the late Peter Shirts. That this deponent and the above aplicant [sic] Elizabeth Shirts and her Said husband were all brought up together in the town of Claverack County of Columbia and State of New York - That the Said aplicants [sic] Maiden name was Hauser. This deponent well recollects the time the Said Elizabeth Hauser was Said to have been married to the Said Peter Shirts. Though this deponent was not present at the wedding - They were married in Claverack and This deponent thinks the marriage took place fifty five or fifty Six years Since - This deponent thinks he cannot be mistaken about the marriage because he well recollects that on Sunday afternoon Peter Shirts Brother asked this deponent to go with him up to Mr. Hausers and get Some wine; and at the Same time told him His brother Peter had that day been married to Elizabeth Hauser. This deponent further Says that the present applicant is the identical person that was then Said to have been married to Peter Shirts. the late Soldier and pensioner. That they Continued to live together as husband and wife until his death which took place about twelve years Since - That the Said Elizabeth Shirts has not then married but continues to be a Widow

Henry  his X mark  B Briser
Subscribed and Sworn before me }
This 10th day of September 1844}
John F Curtis Justice of the Peace

I Certify that the above named Henry B Briser is a respectable person and worthy of Credit
John F Curtis Justice of the Peace
Page 8

State of New York
Wayne County Clerk's Office 
I certify that George W. Scott Esquire was on the 10th day of September instant a Judge of the Courts of said County, duly qualified; and that on said 10th day of September instant John F. Curtiss Esquire was a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly qualified; And that I am well acquainted with the respective handwritings of said Judge & Justice, and verily believe their respective signatures to the preceding Jurat, to be genuine.
Witness my hand & seal of office, Sept 10. 1844
Daniel Chapman
Clerk of Said Co.
[and there is a seal to the left of this signature, which is clearly a seal but completely illegible, as all the letters have faded away]
Page 9

State of New York}
County of Columbia} ss Personly [sic] appeared before the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for Said County John Smith of the Town of Claverac in Said County aged Eighty Nine Years: after being duly Sworn according to law deposeth and Saith. That for the last Seventy Years or upwards he has been personly [sic] acquainted with the present Widow  Elizabeth Shirts who is applying for a Pension as the Widow of Peter Shirts; Late a Soldier in the War of the Revolution and a Pensioner of the United States;  and also equaly [sic] well acquainted with her late husband the aforesaid Peter Shirts That the above named parties were living in the town of Claverac in the County aforesaid at the time of this deponents first acquaintence [sic]with them; This deponent well recollects that the above named parties war [sic] Said to have been married; and that from the best of this deponents recollection. Said Marriage must have taken place fifty Six or fifty Seven Years Hence, and that Since that time the Said parties have lived together as Husband & Wife and have had as the legal fruit of Such Marriage ten or Eleven Children; and that the present applicant the aforesaid Elizabeth Shirts is the identicle [sic] person & Widow of the aforesaid Peter Shirts; That was Said to have been Married as above Stated
John A  his X mark  Smith
Subscribed and Sworn before }
Me this 14th day of August 1844}
E.W. Stannard, Justice of the Peace  Col Cn}
[I'm guessing the above refers to Columbia County]

E W Stannard. Witness to the Mark made the Signature by John A Smith
[I Ce]rtify that the above named John Smith is a respectable [per]son
E W Stannard
Page 10

[I will transcribe all of this, because even the printed matter is made to look like script, and some is printed in antique style with some letters that could be hard to read for people unfamiliar with it]

Columbia County,}
Clerk's Office,} ss.

I,
John J. Traver Clerk of the County of Columbia, Do hereby certify, That Erastus W Stannard
 --- before whom the affidavit purports 
to have been sworn, was on the day of the date of the same, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County. And further, that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice, and verily believe the name of the said Justice subscribed to the said affidavit, to be his proper hand writing and signature.

In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my name and affixed the Seal of the said County, this 17h day of August 1844,
JJ. Traver Clerk.
Page 11

The State of New York}
Columbia County } I Ira C. Boice Pastor of the Reformed Dutch Church of Claverack in Said County do hereby Certify that I find among the records of Said Church the following record (to wit) - "The Third of February one thousand Seven hundred and Eighty Eight Peter Schertz and Elizabeth Hauser were married" - the above is a true copy of the record with the exception of the date which is expressed on the record in plain[??] legible figures as follows -- 
("of[?] 3den February 1788 
Peter Schertz & Eliza-t Hauser Syn getrouwt")
I. Ira C. Boice above named depose and Say that I hold the office of Pastor of the Refd Dutch Church of Claverack in Said Town, County & State aforesaid, and that the above is a true extract from the records of Said Church with the exception above named as certified by me.

Sworn & Subscribed
before me this 16th day of August
A. D. 1848 [or possibly 1840] ---
E.W. Stannard Justice of the Peace


Answer to be Sent to John F Curtis Huron Wayne Co NY
Page 12

Columbia County}
Clerk's Office,} ss.
I,
John I Traver Clerk of the County of Columbia,
Do hereby certify, That Erastus W. Stannard --
before whom the affidavit purports of have been sworn, was on the day of the dated of the same, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County.  And further, that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice, and verily believe the name of the said Justice subscribed to the said affidavit, to be his proper hand writing and signature.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my name and affixed the Seal of the said County, this 17th day of August 1844

J I Traver Clerk.

[Mr Traver could be John I Traver or also John J Traver. There seems to be very little difference between how these two capital letters are written.]
Page 13

Proceedings in the 
Case of 

Peter Shirts



Clerk Certificate
 ____ wanting



[there is another word, possibly a name, that I cannot decipher, which looks something like 
r. Brulles]
Page 14

Peter Shirts, prive. [private]
Lyons, Ontario Co.
New York.
March 1778, to June 1783.
Colo. Van Schaick's 
regt. N. Y. line.
27th April, 1818.


Ezra Jewell, Judge
Phelps, Ontario
County, N. York.
Page 15

Ontario County [illegible blotch]
On this twenty seventh day of April eighteen hundred and eighteen before me the Subscriber, one of the Judges of the Courts of Common Pleas in & for the county of Ontario State of New York personally appears Peter Shirts aged fifty five years resident in Lyons in said County, who being by me first duly sworn, according to Law, doth, on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the late act of Congress "Entitled " An [blotch--probably a]ct to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war;" That the said Peter Shirts enlisted in March 1778 in the State of New York in the company commanded by Captain Cornelius Johnson in the first New York Regiment commanded by Colonel G. VanScaick [sic--should be Van Schaick]: that he continued to serve in the said Corps untill [sic] the Eighth Day of June 1783 when he was Regularly discharged from the said Service at the then head quarters of the American Army which discharge was Signed by Gen G Washington Commander in Chief of the American Army (and is here offered in evidence) That he was in the Battle at the Taking of Cornwallis and several smaller Scirmishes [sic] And that
Page 16

he is in Reduced Circumstances [misspelled] and stands in need of the assistance of his Country for Support and has no other evidence in his power of his Services --- Peter Shirts
Sworn to and declared before me 
the Day and year before mentioned
Ezra Jewell Judge as aforesaid

I Ezra Jewell one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Ontario aforesaid do Certify that it appears to my Satisfaction that the Said Peter Shirts did serve in the Revolutionary War against the Common Enemy -- And I now [illegible-perhaps "transmit"] the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me as also his discharge produced under oath to the Secretary of the War Department pursuant to the directions of the act of Congress --
Given under my hand at Lyons in Said County this day and year aforesaid

Ezra Jewell
Page 17

Ontario County Ss
I further Certify that Isaac Spaar who is known to me and lives near the before mentioned Peter Shirts was duly Sworn before me and testified that the said Peter Shirts is well known to him and that he the Said Shirts is in very [illegible--it looks like "Clidued"--it could be "Reduced", but I'm not sure. Certainly the meaning is that he's in dire straits right now and he really needs this pension] Circumstance wholly d[illegible--my best guess is that the author misspelled "destitute" as "destute"] of property and from my own knowledge of his Circumstance I have no doubt but that he is destitute

Ezra Jewell Judge as aforesaid
Page 18

State of New York}
Ontario County }
Clerks office ----} Ss In testimony that Ezra Jewell whose name is subscribed to the foregoing certificate was on the day of the date of the same one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Ontario and that same is his signature I hereunto subscribe my name and affix the county Seal at Canandaigua this 28th day of May AD 1818

Hu: Mc: Nair Clk
Page 19

Copy [It may say Copy 2, but I can't tell for sure; some slight chance it says Copy 4]
[Some other Peter 's name is crossed out]
Peter Shirts

Gansevoort 
Van Schaick

10257
[very light:] 5 May1819[?]

Sep 19[or 18]
[I see nothing else legible on this image]
Page 20

[I will transcribe only the handwritten parts]
21st -- August --- 1825 [I think it's 5]
Peter Shirts
fifty Seven --- Lyon

For six years that he intisted [sic--should be "enlisted"] in the year 1777 into the company commanded by Captain Seights in the Regiment commanded by Col. Peter Gansevoort in the New York line after wards Col. Gansevoorts & Col. Goose Van Schaicks Regiments were consolidated Col. Van Schaick took the command he was in Sullivans campaign & at the taking of Cornwallis & was discharged  3 June 1783 by Col Van Schaick & Capt Cornelius Johnson etc [two illegible words]

twenty Seventh -- April --- 1818
10257
[a list of personal property and their value follows:]
1 horse -- $20.00
I Cow --- 16.00
7 hogs --- 14.00
9 Geese --- 1.75
1 Calf --- 2.00
5 Sheep --- 5.00
1/2 of old waggon 5.00
1 Chest of drawers 1.25
1 chefne [can't figure it out] & dishes 6.00
[total this column] 69.00
[Right hand column]
Boot ap --- $69.00  [I have no idea what the words are, but the author is clearly bringing the sum of the previous column up to the top of the second column] 
1 table --- 0.25
1 churn --- 0.75
3 pails --- 0.50
1 small wheel 2.00
1 quat [or great] wheel 0.75
1 old harness 2.50
[total both columns] $75.75
Peter Shirts

And I do further Swear & declare that I am by occupation labourer & that by age & infirmity I am unable to do any labour of any consequence -and that my family consists of my wife Elizabeth aged forty Eight years, my daughter Julia Ann aged fourteen years my son Stephen aged nine years my son Amos aged Seven years my daughter Hannah aged five years one grand child an orphan named Elias Shirts aged two years & that I have no other family --
Peter Shirts

Sworn & declared the 21st day of August 1820 in open Court before me Wm Roggs
a [illegible] ont[he?] Court [of] pleas
Page 21

[I will transcribe only the handwritten parts of this image]
John Van Fossen
Seventy five --- Seventy five
21st -- August 1820
J Van Fossen
Page 22

Rev
WIDOW, &c.

File No. 19018
Elizabeth Shirts
wid. of 
Peter Shirts
Priv Rev. War

Act: Feb 2d /48
Index: --Vol. M, Page 208

Arrangement of 1870.
Page 23

8872
New York
_____________________________________
Elizabeth Shirts
widow of Peter Shirts
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1818
and who died on the 31 Octo 1832
of Wayne in the State of N York
who was a Pri in the Co
commanded by Captain [left blank] of the
reg commanded by Col Van Schaick in
the N York line for 2 years
______________________________________
Inscribed in the Roll of Albany
at the rate of 80 Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
_________________________________________
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 day of
Nov. 1844 and Sent to J. F. Curtis
Huron, Wayne Co. N.Y.
__________________________________________
Total amount $ [left blank]
Recorded by F.L. Swann Clerk,
Book D Vol. 1 Page 181
Page 24

[The left side of the image:]
558
New York Albany.
Elizabeth Shirts.
widow of Peter Shirts.
who served in the Revolutionary 
war, as a private

_____________________________________
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
80 Dollars ~
Cents per annum, to commence on 
the 4th day of March, 1848.
_______________________________________
Certificate of Pension issued the 
28 day of June 1848.
and sent to 
J. H. Curtis
Huron
N.Y.
____________________________________

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
February 2, 1848, Page 185. Vol. 4

[The right side of the image:]

Reported
Let to J.F. Curtis 18 Sept 51 
[or possibly 1 Sept 51]
Page 25

[on the left half of the image:]
2 Cents
1838}
1843-44}repo.

[on the right half of the image"]
6395
Albany
New York
_________________________________
Elizabeth Shirts,
widow of Peter Shirts,
who was a Private,
in the N. York, Sine [or "Line" perhaps]
______________________________________
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
80 Dollars 00
Cents per annum, to commence on 
the 4th day of March, 1843.
______________________________________
Certificate of Pension issued the 
23 day of Nov. 1844
and sent to 
John F. Curtis
Huron,
Wayne Co.
New York
_________________________________________
[in brackets:] Act of March 3, 1843. [brackets end]
and June 17. 1844
Recorded in Book A
Vol. 2 Page 85
Page 26

Admitted


J. F. Curtis
Huron
N.Y.
Page 27

[I'll mostly just transcribe the handwritten parts in this image]

Wayne
16th day of June 1848
Elisabeth Shirts
Arcadia
county of Wayne
aged Seventy Seven years
she is the widow of Peter Shirts who was a private in the War of the Revolution from the State of New York
That her memory will not allow her to State the names of his officers or the Regiment he Served in -- that She drew a pension under the act of June 17th 1844 of Eighty Dollars per Annum

Elisabeth  her X mark  Shirts

Nathan Leighton
Justice of the peace


Nathan Leighton
Justice of the peace
Page 28

[given all the crossing out going on, I guess I'll just transcribe the whole thing, leaving out the crossed-out stuff]
STATE OF NEW YORK,}
WAYNE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE,} ss. I, ALEXANDER B. WILLIAMS, Clerk of said County, hereby certify that Nathan Leighton Esq., before whom the annexed declaration was taken, was, at the time of taking such, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly authorized to take the same. And that I am well acquainted with his hand-writing, and verily believe his name subscribed to the Jurats of the same, to be genuine.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the County COURT OF the said County, this 16 day of June 1848
A. B. Williams  CLERK
Page 29

[Just barely legible at the top of the page:]
Elizabeth Shirts

Payment to be made at Albany by

Thos. W. Olcott Esq
Agent for paying Pensioners, in the Agency of New York

Payable on the 4th September and 4th March


Recorded in the Pension Office on the Roll of Pensioners under act February 2d, 1848, Page 185, Vol. 4.

Geo.J Sutnins
Clerk.

[written vertically from bottom toward the top on the right-hand side of the page:]
Cam A Soders last of Soy 1850 [sorry, it's pitiful, but it's the best I can do]
person resides in Arcadia
Page 30

WAR DEPARTMENT.
WIDOW'S PENSION
________________________
I certify that in conformity with the act of February 2d, 1848,
Elizabeth Shirts.
widow of Peter Shirts.
who was a private --- in the revolutionary war,
is inscribed on the pension list at the rate of Eighty. dollars per annum, commencing on the 4th of March 1848, and continuing for life, unless she should again marry; in which case the Pension is not payable after the time of such marriage.

Given at the War Office of the United States this 28th day of June one thousand eight hundred and forty eight

W. L. Marcy
Secretary of War.

Examined and Countersigned
J. S. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
By F. S. Evans.
Page 31

Brief in the case of Elizabeth Shirts, widow of Peter Shirts
Wayne County and State of New York
act 2 February 1848.
_________________________________________________
Claim, ("for increase.")

Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls?  If either, state the substance.



(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?

Husband received $96 per annum;

Widow is entitled to the Same amount per annum, under the Joint Resolution of July 1, 1848.

Admitted at the above rate commencing 1 July 1848, deducting former payts at $80 per annum

Name and residence of Agent.
J. F. Curtis,
Huron, N.Y.

S. Cole,
Examining Clerk.
Page 32

11349
Elizabeth Shirts
Widow of Peter
NY
Act 7 July 1838

Admo. 2 years private
$80 per anno

Admo. act 3March 1843
and 7 June 1844
$80
act--
No. 1843 --- 6748
No. 1844 ---   277



John F. Curtis
Huron
Wayne Co
NY
Page 33

[illegible] $9h. 6169[maybe] $80
Conmg 1 July 1808


Albany


J. F. Curtis
Huron,
N.Y.
Page 34

Declaration

State of New York}
County of Wayne} ss. On this 12th day of March 1837 personally appeared before me the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for Said County Elizabeth Shirts, a Resedence [sic] of Said County, who being first duly Sworn according to law. deposes and States that She is the Widow of Peter Shirts deceased, who during his natural life was a Revolutionary pensioner under the act of Congress of March 18th 1818.
at the Rate of Ninety Six Dollars per annum; and that She is in the Receipt of a pension at the Rate of Eighty Dollars per annum
Now the object of this Declaration being made is in order to open a Claim at the Same Rate her husband Received-- Claiming on the evidence filed in her late Husbands Case, and under the Resolution of Congress approved the 1st July 1848 [????? how could this be? the 1848 date must be wrong]. She further Declares She is Still a Widow
Elizabeth  her  X  mark  Shirts
Sworn and Subscribed before me}
This 12th day of March 1837}

M.W. Gage Justice

I do hereby Certify that the above named Elizabeth Shirts is well known to me. and that She is the Widow of Peter Shirts who was a Revolutionary Pensioner
M.W. Gage Justice
Page 35

[I will only transcribe the handwritten words in this document, to the best I can decipher them]

Say:[??] BSaritt Deputy [Clerk]

Manlius W. Gage

and Certificate

12 day of March A. D. 1851

SBSarittDepClerk
Page 36

Report to John F Curtis
Huron-Wayne Co. N.Y.