Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 16816, Richard Gale, New York
Page 1

(8-1776)
Service
New York
Gale, Richard
Number
S.16816
Carded
Contents
Page 2

[left side]
Ohio (crossed out) Missouri 19.845
Richard Gale
of Franklin Co on the State of Ohio
who was a private in the Company comm
by Captain Watkins of the Reg.t commanded
by Col. Nichols in the N York
line for 20 mths.
66.66/100

Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio
at the rate of 66 Dollars 66 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.

Certificate of Pension issued the 21 day of Sept 1833 and sent to R. W. Cowles. Northampton, Ohio

Arrears to the 4th of Sep. 1833 -         166.65
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar. '34.  33.33
                                                           $199.98

Recorded by M. R. Palmer Clert
Book E. Vol. Eight Page 9

[right side]
amt to Pen [illegible] 25 Aug 1838
To the [illegible] from 4 March 
1837. 28 Sept 1838. Notifica-
tion sent to [illegible] [illegible]
[illegible] illegible]

Letter to Hon A G Harrison H R
29 Jany 1839
Letter to Auditor 10 Sept 1839
Paid at the Treasury under
the acts of the 6 of April 
1839 from 4 March 1837 to
4 Sept 1838 Agts notified
20 Sept 1839
Paid as above Sept 4th
1840 to Sept 4th 1841 Agent
notified May 18th 1842

Dead
Paid as above from 4 Sept 1842
to 23 May 1843. Agt notifies
29 Oct 1844
Page 3

The State of Ohio Franklin County. On the fifth day of August 1833, personally appeared before me Samuel G Flanniken one of the parish[?]
Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for said Franklin County Richard Gale a resident of Perry Township in the County aforesaid and State of Ohio aged Seventy five years who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made
by the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States first as a substitute for Wait Leapgates[?] in June or July 1770 and went on an expedition against the Indians at a fort called Genceangh [?] fort our officers were Capt [Captain]Watkins, David Crawford Leunt. David Crawford Leunt [Lieutenant] Stephen Harlou [?]
Ensign - this occupied ten days. Second expedition in the December of 1773 under the same officers against the Indians was encountered [?] at that Deerpark in Ulster County, New York, remember of Eg [Ensign?] Swathmore being killed by the Indians, which occupied twenty days or little less - as near as I can recollect -  a third [?] I was in the same year, under the same officers George Clinton- I think being Governor of New York under whose authority we were called out, was [?] tioned at Ch[?] in Orange County State of New York and went against the Indians who were committing [?] deprecations in their party - this [?] occupied fourteen days. In 1774, went on an expedition against the[?] at Deerpark. McCloughry[?] was our colonel 
Jacob New Kirk, our major Samuel Watkins Captain
all of the Militia line in this expedition occupied fourteen days. In April 1774, I arrived at the age of 16 years and was put upon the muster roll and was called out during the
[?] several times against the Indians,
generally commanded by the same officers named last above. I cannot [?] the exact amount of time of their expedition but am certain they could not be left there thirty days in all - In the fall of 1774 or winter 1775 immediately [?] there was a company of volunteers called for the term of three months, in which I enlisted in Ulster County NY [New York] and marched to Fort Constitution on the east side of the north river opposite west point from which place I was discharged when my three months expired, and remember walking home on the ice. My officers were Col. [Colonel] N[?]. Capt [Captain] Barns  Leut [?} M Card and Robbin Rayen. We were called minute men. Early in the spring of 1775 I went on an expedition to Fort Constitiution which occupied 14 days shortly after I [?] in an expedition to Deerpark against the Indians which occupied 12 days - do not remember any
particular circumstances attending these expeditions. In Sept or October following I was called to Fort Montgomery which occupied about 15 days. In the year 1776 in May or June I went on an expedition to Fort Clinton which occupied about 14 days. In the same year the
Page 4

Militia of Ulster County aforesaid were classed for the purpose of raising two companies to station on two small bays on the north river then called Tappan and Haverstraw bay where the British were in the habit of landing their boats and plundering the country. I was in the service one month [?] under Capt Watkins - On our return called to Peepuck [?] against the Indians a tour of 12 days - In December 1776 our whole regiment was called to the same place by Governor Clinton from thence marched to Paramus in the state of New Jersey where we met with Col Adler[?] Col. H[?] or E[?] regt. and one other Regt. from Orange and one from Ulster County where we remained on duty until the last of February 1777 being a term of three months during which time there was a quantity of British stores taken by us at Hackensack. Quantity[?] of sprits, sugar. We had alone sixty of the British here taken at
Page 5

in Ulster County N.Y. where a quantity of damaged [ ? ] 
 had been sent by government to be taken 
over under the command of Major
Philipp and Leut Deming.  I was occupied in this tour two months 
or sixty days in Sept  or
October following year 
in 1778. I went as a volunteer on the pastor or
month under
Capt Tilford from the County, where
we had a slight engagment with the Indians near an
Indian place called Willimaugh when we lost three men, one of them Leut John G[illegible]
 In 1779. I was
out on an expedition against the Indians at Pompeck
at a Fort called Dewit 14 days
In July or
August 1779. the whole body of militia was called
to report the Indians, Orange County Regt being in
advance in the pursuits were mostly killed, this was
called the great battle in the Banks of the Delaware
River at the officers who fell at that time were Col  Lastin 
 Capt Sawyer, Jones, Little & Dunham and Capt. Wood taken 
prisoner this expedition occupied 14 days, my Capt. was
Watkins I was also out after this last mentioned in
the same year 1779 on an expedition by order of
committee to disarm a set of tories about 2 weeks
under Sergeant Brockway
This declarant further
says that he is confident he was out on expedition more than the time heretofore enumerated, but cannot alter the lapse of upwards of fifty years state all particularly with much precision
I have no documentary evidence
to prove any of the above facts and know of but one person
who is acquainted personally with any service done by me
he lives about Eighty miles distant I sent him a letter
and received an answer that he remembers but one fact
which is the Willimaugh Skirmish
I hereby relinquish every 
claim whatever to any pension or anuity except 
the present, and declare that my name is not
on the pension roll of the agency of any State whatever
and further says during the time which the services
were performed he was not employed in any civil persuit
This great battle so cited,  I stated in my former declaration in 1778. Upon reflection I think it was in 1779 and
Sworn to and subscribed so stated in the above the
day & year first above
written
Richard Gale
Saml G Flenniken
associate Judge of
 Franklin County
Sam G Flenniken Associate Judge of Franklin County
Page 6

We Chandler Rogers a Clergyman residing in Perry township
Franklin County State of Ohio and Isaac Case and 
Flavel Fuller residing in the same County hereby certify
that we are well acquainted with Richard Gale who had
Subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration, that we
believe him to be seventy five years of age, that he is
reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resided to
have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur
in that opinion-
Sworn to and sub
this fifth day of Sept 1833
Chandler Rogers
Isaac Case
Flavel Fuller
Samuel G Flennikin

Associate Judge of Franklin
Conty
Saml G Flennikin
Personally appeared before me the undesigned
a Judge of the Court of Common Plea
.
in the County of Franklin and State of Ohio Richard Gale who
being duly sworn defends  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. For one year and Eleven months
I served as a private and for such service I claim a
pension-
Sworn to and subscribed this fifth day of Sept 1833. Richard Gale
Samuel G Flenniken 
Associate Judge of Franklin
County
The following answers were elicited by the interrogatories laid down for the
Court to proposed to applicant 
To question 1 I was born in
Ulster County, New York in the year 1758. 
Question 2 I have a
Record of my age in a Book at home  where a family record is
kept 
Q 3   when called into service I lived in Ulster County
N.Y. Since the Revolutionary war, I have lived in Franklin County Ohio where I now reside to which place I moved from Ulster County N Y in 1816.  
 4  I served as a substitute for Nait Carpenter and
a volunteer, and classed in the Militia and in those different
expeditions named above. 5th I do not recollect the names
of any regular or
continental troops when I served, but know
were released from duty by what was then called standing free
at New Windsor In the time of the War Ulster
County was a frontier County and its exterior boundaries
upon the Indian territory entrance a distance of about
inty miles which by some arangement made it be
come the duty of the citizen of that County more
particularly to defend although not absolutely
confined to those limits, having often to perform [illegible ].thouse
Page 7

We Chandler Rogers a Clergyman residing in Perry township
Franklin County State of Ohio and Issac Case and Flavel Tuller residing in the same County, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Richard Gale who had Subscribed and served to the foregoing declaration, that we
believe him to be seventy five years of age, that he is
reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to
have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur
in that opinion-
Sworn to and filed
this fifth day of August 1833
Chandler Rogers
Isaac Case
Flavel Tuller

Saml G Flennikin 
Associate Jude of Franklin
County

Saml G Flennican Personally appeared before me the undersigned
Judge of the Court of Common Pleas
in the County of Franklin and State of Ohio Richard Gale who
being duly sworn depose 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. For one year and Eleven months
I served as a private and for such service I claim a
pension -
Sworn to and Subscribed this
fifth day of Aug 1833-
Richard Gale

Sam Glenniken
Associate Judge
of Franklin
County
The following [responses?] were elicited by the interrogatories laid down for the
Court to propose to applicant - Question 1st I was born in
Ulster County, New York in the year 1758. -Question 2 I have a
Record of my age in a Book at home where a family record is
kept -Q. 3 when called into service I lived in Ulster County N.Y. Since the Revolutionary war I have lived in Franklin County
to where I now reside to which place I moved from Ulster County N.Y. 
in 1836: 4th I served as a substitute for Wait Carpenter and as a
volunteer, and [drafted?] in the Militia and in those different
expeditions named above. I do not recollect the names
of any regular or
continental troops when I served, but know
me [illegible] [illegible] from duty by what was then called [illegible] at New Windsor. In the time of the War Ulster
County was a frontier County and its exterior boundaries
upon the Indian territory enchaced a distance of about
[forty] miles which by some arangement made it be
come the duty of the citizen of that County on
particularly to defend although not absolutely
confined to those limits, having often to perform [through]
Page 8

of duty out of the County and something out of the State
having the British to harrasson one side and the Indians
on the other -- 6 "
I never received any discharge from the
service - 7th I would refer to Chandler Rogers
Isaac Chase and Flavel Fullerr citizens of long residence
and who can testify to the affirmative of the facts
stated in question 7 And I do hereby declare my
opinion after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War
Department, and after the investigation of the subject 
matter that the above named applicant was
in
Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states and
I further certify that it appears that Chandler Rogers
who has signed the same is a clergyman and
resident of Perry in said Franklin County, and that
Jane Case and Flavel Fuller who have also
signed the same are residents of
Sharon township
in said Franklin, and are credible persons and that their statements are entitled
to credit
And I also certify that from information obtained and
from the appearance of the applicant that it is
my opinion he could not consistently attend Court his
residence being about ten miles distant
the said
Same G Flenniken
Associate Judge of
Franklin County
The State of Ohio Franklin County
Abram Mc Dowell Clerk of a Court
of Common pleas for said County do hereby certify that
Samuel G Flenniken is an Associate Judge in and
for said County duly commissioned and qualified
and that his signature above written is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand and affixed my seal of office
at Columbus this 10th day of August
Anno Domini
1833
A Mc Dowell CloC
Page 9

Copy 5
Page 10

State of Missouri
County of Lewis ^set

I, J H Blair, clerk of the county court in & for the county aforesaid do hereby certify that Stephen Cooper who's name is subscribed to the foregoing instruments of writing is & was at the time of executing the same an acting Justice of the peace is & for the county aforesaid duly commissioned & qualified according to law ^ &  that his signature is [illegible] is genuine & that full of with & credit should be given to all his official acts & deeds as such.
Witness J Blair clerk as aforesaid with my hand & official seal hereunto affixed done at office in Monticello on the 9th date of August A.D. 1838 J. H. Blair, Clerk by A. Reese Depty [Deputy]
Page 11

New York Gale, Richard S16816
Carded
Page 12

Application for a transfer
Sate of Missouri
Lewis County
On this 4th day of July 1838 before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace for the same County of Lewis personally appeared Richard Gale who ion his Oath declares at he is the same person who [?] belongs to the Regiment commandant Colonel [McLahey] in the service  of the [renitia] states that his name placed on the pension roll of the state of Ohio from whence he has lately remained that he now resides in the State of Missouri where he intends to remain and wishes his pension to be where payable in future.
The following are his reasons for remaining from Ohio to Missouri that his son who he has made his home with removed now from Ohio to Mo. consequently he has to remain to be under the protection of his son as disability of age requires it
Richard Gale (signature)
Sworn and subscribed before me the day and year of [?]
Stephen Cooper JA
I certify that Richard Gale who subscribes to the above application is the identical person described in the affidavit
Willian Prett (signature)
Sworn and 
I certify that the above [?] is a person of 
veracity 
Stephen Cooper JA
Page 13

235th [strike through] 19.845
Rich [illegible] Gale
[illegible] Ohio
Adm. 1 year & 8 months
1 year $40
8 months 26.66
[underline]
$66.66
2 
[underline]
133.32
133.35
[underline]
166.65
R.M Cowles
[illegible] agent
Worthington Ohio
Page 14

War Department, Pension Office

Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under this act of June 7, 1832 has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done.Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.

A Statement, shewing the Service of Richard Gale Franklin 6 Ohio

Period when the service was rendered.
Duration of the claimant's service Years. Months. Days.
Rank of the claimant.
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.
Age at present and place of abode when he entered the service.
Proof by which the declaration is supported.

Maj. Phillips

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J.L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 15

New York Gale, Richard S16816
Carded
Page 16

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be exexpected. [sic] All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6 {To a Soldier. {Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
{To an Officer {Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed
and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period
of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For ___ year ___months, and ___ days, I served as a ___. F___or months and ___ days, I served as a___; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement;
the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The clerk must affix his seal and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must 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
The notesfrom [a] to [i] are equally applicable to the cases of Militia min, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] The traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Page 17

Treasury Department
Second Comptroller's Office
September 12th, 1839

Sir:

Under the date of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States,"

Richard Gale

a Pensioner on the Roll of the Missouri Agency, at the rate of sixty-six dollars and sixty-six cents per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of March 1837 to the 4th Sept. 1838.

Respectfully yours,
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller

to the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.
Page 18

Treasury Department
Second Comptrollers Office,
August 24th, 1844

Sir:

Under the date of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," and the third section of the Act of August 23, 1842, extending the time within which pensioners may receive their pensions from the pension agents,  Richard Gale, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Missouri Agency, at the rate of sixty-six dollars and sixty-six cents per annum, under the law of the 4th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of Sept. 1842 to the 23d May, 1843.

Respectfully yours,
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller

to the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.
Page 19

Treasury Department
Second Comptroller's Office
May 5th, 1842

Sir:

Under the date of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States,"

Richard Gale

a Pensioner on the Roll of the Missouri Agency, at the rate of sixty-six dollars and sixty-six cents per annum, under the law of the 4th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of Sept. 1840 to the 4th Sept. 1841.

Respectfully yours, 
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller

to the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.
Page 20

H. Reps
Jany 27th 1839
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Court H
Sir
I desire you will examine the
within and as far as practicable direct it
to be done as he requests
respectfully
A. G. Harrison
Page 21

(illegible) Aug 24 38
Pension owing
Mr. Swan

Free
Secretary of War
Washington City D.C.
Page 22

Declaration of 
Richard Gale
Revolutionary Soldier
Ohio Aug 10

(illegible)
J. S. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
Page 23

Worthington Aug 10th 1833
Sir. Enclosed I send the Declaration
of Mr. Richard Gale prepared
as much in detail as his
memory will enable him to give.
He hopes that the Department will
be as favourable to an old and
infirmed soldier as circumstances
will permit.
(illegible) Respectfully
Yours
Cobert (illegible)
Rensselaer W. Cowley
Page 24

Free
J. L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
Page 25

Franklin Bank of Cincinnati
30th Augst 1838
Sir,
The last payment made to Richard Gabe, a pension as per act of 7th June 1832, at the rate of $66.66 per annum
was up to the 4th of March 1837-
I am yours
very respectfully
John H. Groesbeck P Agt
By R. W. Lawrence
J. L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
Page 26

INVALID.
File No. (illegible)
Richard Gale
(illegible) Rev. War
---
Act: June 7th 32
Index: -- Vol. 1, Page 427
Arrangement of 1870.}