Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 23,937 S. 28094, for Alexander Mc Nish, New York
Page 1

(3-1776)

Service
New York 

McNish, Alexander
Sarah

Number
W. 23.937 
&
S. 28094

Contents
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New York

Alexander McNish
Sergeant
Captain Armstrong's company of Col. 
William's regt of militia NY

Ratio of disability (illegible) nearly 7/8
Date of discharge

Inscribed on the roll of New York agency
at $:4.33 1/3 dollars per month, 
increased to $:6.93 1/3 per mo
by Act of 24 April 1816

Formal 
Certificate of pension issued the 2d of Sept 1824
and sent to John Willard, Esq. 
Salem, New York 

Arrears to 4th
Semi-anl. all'ce ending
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Albany, NY 2542
Sarah McNish
widow of Alexander McNish dec. 
a pensioner under the Invalid laws
he died the 24 March 1827
Washington Co in the State of New York
who was a Lt Ens & Se. in the company commanded
by Captain MCracken of the regt commanded 
by Col. in the NY militia
line for 1 mo 23 d Lt
             3 " 15ds Ens
             5 "        pri

Inscribed on the Roll of Albany NY
at t he rate of 75 Dollars 22 Cents per annum
to commence on t he 4th day of March 1831

Certificate of Pension issued the 4 day of March
1839, & sent to Hon. D. Russell
Salem, P.O. New York

Arrears to the 4th of March 1839   $601.77 7/9
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sep '39 $37.61 1/9
$631.38 8/9

Revolutionary Claim, 
Act July 4, 1836
Section the 3d

Recorded by D McCurdy. Clerk
Book A. Vol. 2 Page 112

rep'd 

Paid at the Treasury under
the Act of the 6th April 1838
from 4 Sept 1840 to 4 March
1841 Agt Modified 30 Dec 
1841


871
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Alexr McNish Copy
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We the subscribers Abraham Ten Broeck and Peter Gansvoort Jun. do certify that upon and examination in pursuance of the Law entitled "An Act of making provision for officers, soldiers, and (illegible), who have been disabled in the services of the United States" passed the 22d of April 1786. We do find that Alexander McNish residing in the State of New York aged thirty two years, late a sergeant in Capt. Armstrong's company in the Regiment of Militia commanded by Col. Williams and claiming relief under the Act of Congress recited in the said law, as an invalid in fact; and that he became disabled in the Service of the United States in consequence of a wound in his neck at Saratoga in the month of October 1777. And do further certify that upon the principles of the said act of Congress, the said Alexander McNish is entitled to the pay of four and one third dollars per month. 
Given under our hands, in the City of Albany, on the fourteenth day of September 1786. 
C Abraham Ten Broeck
Peter Gansvoort Jun 

forty one dollar and
sixty cents every six
months

$41.60
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(2541)

3346

Sarah McNish
widow of Alexander
NY

Act July 4, 1836

Admitted
Lieut mo 1 & 23 days
Ensign 3 & 15 "
Private 5.- 
mo      days
10         8

Hon. D Russell
House Reps
NY
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State of New York
Cayuga County 
William McCoy of Sterling in said county being duly sworn says that he is aged seventy five years and upwards and is a pensioner of the United States under the Act of June 7 1832.
That at the time of commencement of the Revolutionary war he deponent resided in the town of Salem in the County of Washington in said state. That he was then well acquainted with one Alexander McNish who resided in the same town. That within fore part of the year 1776 as deponent believes the said Alexander McNish enlisted into the service of the United States in a company commanded by Capt. Joseph Creshan, Lieut. Moses Menten, 2d Lieut. John Bames to Ticonderoga where he joined a regiment as deponent understood. That deponent also was informed and believes that said McNish marched to Canada and as far as mentioned and afterwards retired to Ticonderoga where he remained until their place was evacuated in the approach of Burgoyne's army. From there he retreated with said company to Salem aforesaid where they were engaged in building a piquant fort nd remained until said McNish was discharged as deponent believes having served a term of eighteen months or about that as he believes. Then deponent was not with said McNish in service but saw him go away and well remembers when he returned. He further says that soon after said McNish was so discharged as aforesaid a company of Rangers was rendered at Salem aforesaid under the
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command of Capt. John Bames. That said Alexander McNish enlisted into said company and soon after marched therein to Saratoga to meet Burgoyne's army . That he was wounded in the Battle of Saratoga and was brought home wounded about the middle of October 1777. That he as wounded as deponent believes on the 13th of October 1777 and did not recover from his said wound until one year afterwards so as to be able to engage in service or attend to his business. He further says that said McNish served under Captain John Bames a term of three months before he was wounded as deponent believes. He further says that said Alexander McNish was lawfully married to Sarah McCoy the sister of this deponent in the month of August 1778 by the Rev's Thomas Clerk. That he deponent was present at said marriage and saw the ceremony performed at the house of deponent's father in Salem aforesaid. He further says that soon after said marriage in the fall of the said year the said Alexander McNish was appointed and commissioned an Ensign in the company of militia commanded by Capt. John Armstrong at Salem aforesaid. That he deponent was a soldier in the same company at the time. Deponent further says that in the fall after said marriage and in the month of October as he believes the said Alexander McNish again entered service as such Ensign and marched to Whitehall and continued to serve
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four weeks. That he deponent was with him at the time. That in the fall of 1779 the said McNish was again called into serve and marched to Granville where he was stationed for a time and then marched to Salem where he was stationed for a time and continued to serve at this time at least one month as deponent believes. He further says that at the time Gov. Clinton came up and crossed the lake being in the in the summer of 1779 as he believes the said Alexander McNish was again in service as such Ensign and marched to Fort George and was out two weeks or more. I was not with him during said tour and was also with him in various other tours at different times and different places 
deponent is unable to specify 

State of New York
Cayuga County
Clerk's Office} ss. 
I, William Richardson, Clerk of the County of Cayuga, and Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, in and for the said County: Do hereby certify, that R Cook Esquire, was on the 15th day of February one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, duly commissioned and sworn, and that full faith and credit are to be given  to his acts in that capacity: And that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said R Cook and verily believe the signature to the annexed Affidavit to be his proper hand writing.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas of the said County, and subscribed my name this 15th day of February A.D. 1838.
William C. Thompson
Dep Clerk

not reviewed.
Sworn this 15th day of 
Feby 1838 before me 
R Cook Justice Peace 

William McCoy 

I certify that said William McCoy is a man of truth and veracity 
Feby 15 1838
R Cook Justice Peace
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four weeks. That he deponent was with him at the time. That in the fall of 1779 the said McNish was again called into serve and marched to Granville where he was stationed for a time and then marched to Salem where he was stationed for a time and continued to serve at this time at least one month as deponent believes. He further says that at the time Gov. Clinton came up and crossed the lake being in the in the summer of 1779 as he believes the said Alexander McNish was again in service as such Ensign and marched to Fort George and was out two weeks or more. I was not with him during said tour and was also with him in various other tours at different times and different places but
deponent is unable to specify with much particularity said times (unknown) except as above. He further says that he remembers that McNish was out at another time and was stationed in a vast part of Salem one week but in time deponent can not state. I remember another time we were out one week in pursuit of the Torys who shot and nearly killed a Mr. Younglove but the time not remembered. 
William McCoy

Sworn this 15th day of 
Feby 1838 before me
R Cook Justice Peace 

I certify my opinion that said William McCoy is a man of truth and veracity 
Feby 15 1838
R Cook Justice Peace
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State of New York
Washington County ss. Nancy McCoy now of the town of Hehon in the said County of Washington being duly sworn deposeth and saith that she is seventy years of age or thereabouts as near as she can remember. Was born in Albany in the County of Albany in this state. That she knew Alexander McNish before and in the year 1775. That she lived a near neighbor to him in the town of Salem in the County aforesaid. That the said Alexander McNish was married to Sarah McNish the sister of this deponent at her fathers house in Salem aforesaid as this deponent believes the year after the taking of Burgoyne in 1777. She remembers that her sister would have been married to him the year before but he was married but on account of fears that her mother had that the said Alexander McNish might be killed in battle. She recollects that he served again ensign in the company commanded by Capt. Barnes and was out in the service during the Revolutionary War. That she well recollects that her sister was married by the Rev. Thomas Clark (who died a number of years previous to this date) to the said Alexander McNish, this deponent further saith that she well remembers that the said Alexander McNish was wounded in the neck at the battle of Saratoga and that she saw him so wounded when he was brought home wounded from said battle and this deponent further saith that the said Alexander McNish died at the town of Salem aforesaid some years since having the said Sarah McNish his widow now living in the said town and further saith not. 

her
Nancy x McCoy
mark 

Subscribed and mark affixed and 
sworn to this 29th day of September
1837 before me
Phila Curtis Justice of the Peace

State of New York
Washington County ss  I Edward Dodd Clerk of said county hereby certify that Phila Curtis Esquire is a Justice of the peace as above and that the above certificate purporting to be his is genuine. 
Given under my hand and the seal of said county this 5th day of March 1838
Edward Dodd Clerk
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Washington County ss- 1837 September 29th 
I certify that Nancy McCoy who subscribed in my presence her name to within deposition as well known to me to be the person mentioned therein and to be a person of truth and veracity and that full faith and credence is to be given to her attestation and that from lameness and other bodily infirmity she is not able and could not personally per deed in court. 

Pleurtes 
Justice Peace
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State of New York 
Washington County ss} John Stule of the town of Salem in the said County of Washington being duly sworn and saith that he is seventy seven years of age or thereabouts that he was well acquainted with Alexander McNish before the Revolutionary war and during that struggle for Independence and up to the time of his death which took place as near as this deponent can recollect about two years since. That he believes that he was a married man m 1780 and then living with Sarah McNish then his wife and now his widow and that she hath remained ere since and still is the widow of the said Alexander McNish. And this deponent further saith that the said Alexander McNish was in the militia source of the United States in the year 1778 under Capt. John Armstrong an  Ensign in his company in the Regiment of Col. Alexander Mcstyle and was called out and went with his company to Lanesborough and other places on Lake Champlain was out in this service two weeks as he believes, knows that he was frequently called out into the service during the whole period of the Revolution and at different posts. That he was in Col. John Williams regiment at the commencement of the Revolution under the said Capt. Armstrong until Col. Webber took the command and this deponent further saith not. From his recollection he believes that the said Alexander McNish under both Col. Williams and Webber during their command the said McNish was in his country served more than six months. That this deponent returned from Nathanstown to Salem in the month of December 1777 and about the first of January thereafter. He saw the said McNish then suffering under his wound which was alleged to have been inflicted in the battle with Burgoyne. 
John Stule

Subscribed and sworn to this 
29 day of September 1837
Before me P. Curtis Justice of the Peace
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State of New York
Washington County ss} I Edward Dodd Clerk of the said county hereby certify that Phila Curtis Esquire is a Justice of the Peace as within and that the within certificate purporting to be his is genuine. 
Given under my hand and seal this 5th day of March 
1832
Edward Dodd Clerk

Washington County ss 1837 September 29th
I certify that John Stule who subscribed in my presence his name to the within deposition is well known to me to be the person mentioned therein and to be a person of truth and veracity and that full faith and credence is to be given to his attestation and that further chronic rheumatism, old age and other bodily infirmaties he is not able and could not be personally prescribed in court. 
P. Curtis Justice Peace
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State of New York
Washington County ss} John Rousau now residing in the town of Sunderland but formerly of the town of Salem county of Washington and State of New York at which latter place he came to reside in the year 1772 or 1773 and resided at Salem until about three years. Since that period to the Revolutionary war and up to the time of his death this deponent was well acquainted with Alexander McNish late of the town of Salem in said County deceased and with whom this deponent served as a soldier in the Revolution at various times and places in the militia of the State of New York. And this deponent knows that the said Alexander McNish was embodied in the Regiment commanded by Col. John Williams of said militia in Capt. Armstrong's company . That the said regiment was called out at the time the incur and that Genl. Burgoyne was marching down through the county. This deponent and the said Alexander McNish was called out under Capt. Armstrong as believed in July to march to Bennington. That the said Alexander McNish was in the service of the United States from that time to  the taking of Burgoyne at Saratoga on the 17 day of October in the year 1777 in which Battle in one of the skirmishes the said McNish was wounded by a musket shot through the neck. That in the spring in some months the said Alexander McNish together with this deponent assisted in building a fort in Salem aforesaid under Capt. McCracken and that they continued building said fort until the month of July where orders came from Genl. Schuyler for the inhabitants to move office to bring their families into the for that this deponent believes that the Alexander McNish was engaged in the building of said fort for considerable part of the time from early in the spring until he went to Bennington. This deponent remained. That the said Alexander McNish was living with Sarah McNish his wife in the autumn of 1778 to whom he had ben married as this deponent was then informed but shortly believed that the said Alexander McNish and Sarah his wife continued to live together as man and wife until the time of
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his death and by whom she had a number of children and further saith not. 

his 
John x Thorau 

Sworn this 20 day of July 1837
before me
A. Robertson Surrogate
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State of New York 
Washington County SS} Zacheus Atwood of the town of Salem in the said county of Washington aged sixty one years and upwards personally appeared in open court and being duly sworn according to Law doth depose and say that he moved into the said town of Salem in the year 1804 and then became a neighbor to Alexander McNish who was then living with his wife Sarah McNish on the farm adjoining this deponents farm. That the said Alexander McNish deported this life in the year 1827 then leaving Sarah McNish his widow residing on the same place where the said Alexander McNish died and this deponent further saith that the said Sarah hath not since the death of the said Alexander McNish married again, but that she the said Sarah McNish is now (unknown) since the death of the said Alexander hath been his widow- as this deponent believes.
Zach Atwood

Subscribed and sworn to in open
court this fifth day of March 1838
A. Robertson Surrogate
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State of New York Washington County SS
On this sixth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight personally appeared in open court before Alexander Robertson Esquire Surrogate of the County of Washington and State of New Yok, Sarah McNish a resident of the town of Salem in the said county of Washington aged eighty years and upwards who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the pension made by the act of Congress passed July 4th 1820 that she is the widow of the said Alexander McNish who was a soldier and also an ensign in the army of the revolution. That in the fore part of the year 1776 as the deponent believes the said Alexander McNish enlisted into the services of the United States in a company commanded by Capt. Joseph McCracken and Lt. Moses Martin and 2d Lieut John Barns all of the town of Salem aforesaid were officers but the other officers of the company at the distant period I cannot recollect. That she this deponent recollects the said Alexander McNish marched from Salem aforesaid to go to Ticonderoga and that she heard at the time that he had gone to Canada with the troops that he returned to Salem on the approach of Burgoyne's Army. That she recollects that the said Alexander McNish assisted in building the picket fort in Salem and was stationed there but the precise time she cannot now recollect. That she well remembers that the said Alexander McNish was enlisted into the company of Capt. John Barns and that they with the officers whose names are not now recollected marched from Salem against the Army of Burgoyne to Saratoga and that the said Alexander McNish was wounded with a musket ball in the neck in the said battle with Burgoyne at Saratoga and was brought home to Salem some says after the battle and that the said Alexander McNish from said wound was unable to perform any business for nearly or quite a year from that
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time in consequence of the said wound. And this deponent further saith that she will recollect that the said Alexander McNish after he was married to this deponent was appointed and commissioned as she believes as an Ensign in the Company of Capt. John Armstrong (who is long since deceased) of Salem aforesaid and as this deponent believes the said Alexander as such ensign marched to Lanesborough now Whitehall for the purpose of capturing Col. Skene at that pace but the precise time he was engaged in this service this deponent cannot recollect. That at the time she well recollects that the said Alexander McNish was called out into the service of his country during the war of Independence as such Ensign to different parts of the Country and at (unknown) and especially she recollects that he marched to Fort George as such Ensign and she believes that her brother William McCoy was with him the said Alexander during their time the length of time of service she cannot now recollect. And this deponent further saith that she has made diligent search amongst the papers of the said Alexander McNish since his death and that she has been unable to find any commission belonging to the said Alexander McNish amongst his said papers and this deponent further saith that the said Alexander McNish during his life time obtained a pension from the United States in consequence of such (unknown) the certificate for which pension has been returned to the proper office since the death of the said Alexander McNish and is not now in the possession of this deponent and this deponent further saith from her re4collection and  belief and from information she is rendered to believe that her husband was in the service as a soldier and a subscribed ensign two years and more at different times that after her manager and after her appointed as an ensign in 1778 he must have been in due service in Col. Wiliams and others at one year in not anymore.
She further declares that she was married to the said Alexander McNish at the town of Salem in the said County of Washington the Rev'd Thomas Clark (who is since deceased) on the 20th day of August 1778 a certificate of which this deponent does not now recollect of obtaining of such marriage. That her husband the aforesaid Alexander McNish died on the 26 day of March 1827 at Salem aforesaid and that she hath remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof annexed. 

Sarah McNish

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year
above written
A. Robertson Surrogate