Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 22743, Nathan Durkee, Continental New York
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Service
Continental New York
Durkee, Nathan

Number 
S. 22743
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5184
New York
Nathan Durkee 
Of Washington in the State of New York.
Who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Stockwell of the Reg. Commanded by Colonel Warren in the N.York line for  Mears——-,—?—-,——
Inscribed on the Roll of New York
At the rate of 80 Dollars [ cents crossed out]
per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1831
Certificate of Pension issued the 6th day of Jan’y 1833 and sent to Hon. NR Pitch H of R
Arrears to 4th Sep.10th.                    $120
Semi anl. Allowance ending 4th.         40
                                                                  $160
Revolutionary Claim act June 7th 1832
Recorded by Geo. C. Stiles Clerk
Book D Vol. 5 Page 61
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Nathan Durkee 
New York 

aomd 

Hon. M. Pitcher
H.B.
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Brief in the case of Nathan Durkee
0f Washington in the State of New York
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
[initial on side] co
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Open Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
How old is he? 72
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period.
June In 1775
1778
Sep "
May  1779
Aug "

Duration of Service.
Years, Months, Days,
4 [days]
4 [months]
3 [months]
3[months]
1 [year] 2 [months]

Rank.
As a
private
"
"
"
"

Names of General and Field Officers
under whom he served.
Gen
Cap Alexander Campbell
Comr Payn Colo. Warner
Cap Stockwell
Luent Bradshaw
Cap Shipman Colo Warner

5.In what battles was he engaged? None mentioned
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Town of Fort Edward New York
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by
incidental evidence, or by the rolls? traditionary three Living Witness
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
George Payton
Examining Clerk.
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State of New York
County of Washington
Luclius Durkee of the Town of Fort Edward in said County being duly from deposeth and saith that Nathan Durkee is a brother of this deposant and does know that his brother Nathan Durkee was in the service as a private soldier of the revolutionary war from the New York militia and went into the service under Captain Stanwick & Lt. Thomas Boggs and did march and was stationed at Schumborough now Whitehall and did his duty as a private in the company three months.

And this deponent further saith that in the year of 1779 at the Town of Fort Edward on the fore haft of the month of January he was again drafted from the New York Militia under the command of Luit. Thomas Bradshaw and was again stationed as a guard at Shunsborough now White Hall and did his duty as a private soldier for the term of three months this depondant further saith that in the year of 1779 sometime about the last third Nathan Durkee volunteered as a private soldier under the command of Captain Thilman in Colonel Seth Warners regiment he went with the Hudson River as a hunting party of about sixteen in number and on their return this was informed and verily believes they or a part of their with Nathan Durkees unit into the home of Isaac Doty, (?) Col. Warners regiment and drink milk that had been ruined that Bart Wartham (?) Col Warner regiment saith the milk was ruined and that then was enough to ruin twenty men

This deponent further saith that Nathan Durkee was sick for two years afterwards and was not able to do much work and this apendment verily believe it was in consequence of drinking the ruined milk that Nathan Durkee was in Col Warners regiment including his sickness fourteen months according to the (?) of this aponent and this deponent further saith not
Lydius Durkee
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Justify the above on written oath
An affidavit was taken before me
In due form of law on the 26th day of July 1832. I also certify that Lydius Durkey is a person of truth, veracity and is so continued in his neighborhood 
John Moss a Judge of Washington County Courts
Washington Dec. 20, 1832 Nathan Durkee is a man of good character He lives in Fort Edwards since its early settlement of the County. His [illegible] has always been well known by the revolutionary men of our independence and the important service as a guide pioneer & orders during that time of trade have made him highly appreciated by the friends of freedom and there is not a man that knows Mr. Durkee wouldn’t doubt his stamina
Nath. Pitcher M.C.
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In the Matter of
Nathan Durkee
a Revolutionary Soldier
Declaration for a Pension

(?)
2 year pri
_______
$80
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State of New York
County of Washington
On this 4th day of December 1832 personally appeared in open court before us the Judges of the Court of Common War in and for the County of Washington and State aforesaid now sitting Nathan Durkee a resident of the town of Fort Edward County of Washington and State of New York aged seventy two years the first day of May last who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in  order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832
That he entered the service of the United States under the following Named officers and served as herein stated That while he lived in the town of Fort Edward aforesaid and in the Month of June A.D. 1775 the Militia were called out in Mass under the direction  of a town committee and under the command of Alexander Campbell who was appointed by the inhabitants of said town for the time being as the Militia were not orginered at that time and he was ordered to march for Ticonderoga He with the rest did march about twenty miles and was discharged by the said Alexander Campbell who shortly after went over to the enemy and remained thus 4 days and he this (?) was out four days at this time
And he further states that while he resides at Fort Bowner aforesaid and in the month of August and on the first day August A>D> 1777 he with all the initiates fled once left the County from before Gen Burgayon"s Army and with his fathers family marched to the town of Washington County of Litchfield and State of Connecticut and on the 15th day of November A.D. 1777 he and all the family moved back to Fort Edward aforesaid and while living at Fort Edward and in the Month of May A.D. 1778 he volunteered and entered the service under the command of Luit Noah Tayes commandant on the amount of terms which was almost continually during the spring and summer and by the order and command of Col Seth
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Warner and his Officers who were stationed at Fort Edward he was imployed and sent out in scouting parties to the several (?) where the (?) of the came required as parts of the County was (?) by the Indians once Tories constantly he continued in the service until in the month of September when he was discharged by Zorah and he further states that he was in the service at this time four months and performed his duty as a private soldier that during this campaign in August (?) family's were killed by the enemy and this declarant further saith that while he lived in Fort Edward afraid and immediately after his return and in the month of Sept A.D. 1778 the same year as above he was drafted in the New York Militia for three months and Luit Thomas Boggs and was marched to Thumborough now White Hall where he was stationed and sent out in scouting parties to about Lake George - Soundrage, Crown point on Lake Champlain that the British kept a guard shipment five miles below Crown Point on Lake Champlain and he was sent there very frequently to watch their movement once he continued in the service untill the last of December when his time expired and was discharged by (?) 3 mo that he served at this time three months as a private soldier

And this declarant further saith that while he lived in Fort Edward asforesaid and in the month of January following A.D. 1779 he was again drafted in the New York Militia for three months and entered the service under the command of Luit Thomas Bradshaw commandant and was marched back to Shunsbourg now White Hall and stationed as a guard and remained there untill in the month of April he had served and performed his duty as a private soldier three months and was discharged by (?)
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And he further saith that while he resideth at Fort Edward afterall and immediately on his return in the month of April A.D. 1779 he volunteered and entered the service of the new lines or State Troops New York line under the command of Capt Shipman and (?) Col Warner Reg. in Continental line and was stationed at Fort Edward that he was generally imployed in the scouting service as a guide and payment commanded (?) having a more (?) general knowledge of the wood  and country and sometime the latter part of August 1779 he with fifteen others were detached and sent up the Hudson to make some discoveries of a party of Indians and tories that were there committing their inhuman murder and to give them battle or take them prisoners of war they pursued and trapped them twelve miles up the river when they (?) over to the opposite side of the river that they were so near to them that waters was still muddy as they arrived the party or detachment was ordered to return he was marched back on his way his with other (?) at a house near Rogers Ferry and found that the family had left and gone to some other place for safety as the alarm (?) as much excitement and they (?) whigs and the husband and father Isaac Duty was then and at that time a Liut in Col Warners Reg and as he entered the home he found milk and being thirsty he drank it and immediately was taken very sick was not able to walk the next Fort about half a mile he was therefore carried into the Fort when relating the circumstances the remainder of the milk was sent for and brought (?) Washburn the (?) of Col Warner(?) have discovered it had been poisoned and gave you a portion of it to a calf and it died immediately it was generally believed the enemy had poisoned the milk to destroy the family it was afterwards that even in the field cucumber (?) on the vines were who poisoned - he was sick and put to do his duty for seven month he then went to his duty but was (/) and unwell he remained in the service untill
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in the month of July A. D. 1780 and found he was so much out of health and further he sought to  be discharged and was discharged by (?) - and he further saith he was in the service at this time  fourteen months and returned home sick and did not recover his health so as to do a days work for two years afterwards and he verily believes has not been entirely well free from the effects of the poison since - once this declarant further saith he lived in the town of Fort Edward in the Revolutionary War and has lived there ever since where he now lives

That he has no documentary evidence and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can proven who can testify to his service except by the affidavits of Solomon Durkee and Lydia Bristol who are now dead and whose affidavits are hereto affixed Which was taken in their lifetime and found his dictation to Congress and Lydia Durkee when affidavit is also annexed - That there is no Clergyman riding in the neighborhood where he lives who knows his character as a soldier
1. That he was born in the town of Washington County of Litchfield and State of Connecticut  in the year 1760
2.That there is a word of his age in his bibble and does not know of any others and
3.That when he was called into the service he lived in the town of Fort Edward and since the revolutionary war he has lived in the town of Fort Edward and still lives there
4.That he entered the service as a volunteer and was drafted
5. That the names of the officers and regiments he has mentioned in the body of his declaration as fully as he can remember with (?) recollection and that there were but (?) regiment in (?) (?)
6.That he never received a written discharge
7. That he is known in his present neighborhood by Nathaniel Titcher Eagle, John F. neighborhoods, Timothy Eddy, Samuel Bennet, Warren Belk, Esq -  and many others who can testify to his character for truth and veracity and this belief of his service as a soldier of the revolution
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He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State or Territory
 Nathan Durkee
Subscribed to and Sworn
the day and year aforsaid
J.S. Leigh Clk
W. John F Gandall residing in the town of Fort Edward
and Timothy Eddy residing in the same town
hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Nathan Durkee who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy two years of age that he is respected and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to  have been a soldier if the revolution and that we concur in that opinion sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
J.S. Leigh Clk
John F. Gandall
Timothy Eddy
And the Court do here declare their opinion after the investigation of the matters and after putting the interrogations furnished by the war department that the abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states - And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that John F. Gandal resident in Town of Fort Edward  and that Timothy Eddy resident in the same town Fort Edward who have signed the (?) certificate and they both are (?) pensions and that their statement is intilled to credit
J. (?) S. Leigh clerk of the court of common (?)in once for the County of Washington do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the originals findings of the court in the matter of the application of Nathan Durkee for a pension - and I further certify that John Mass before whom the annexed affidavit purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same one of the Judges of the Court of (?) in said County and that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name subscribed to the said (?) affidavit to be his true hand writing and signature
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In testimony whereof I  have set my hand
and seal of my office this 4th day of December 
1832
J. L. Leigh, Clk
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Revolution
22743
INVALID
File No. 22743
Nathan Durkee
(?) Rev War
Act June 7the 32
Index - Vol 2 Page 115
(Arrangement of 1870)
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State of New York
Washington County
I Jesse S. Leigh clerk of the Court of Washington County Court Common (?) do hereby certify that the annexed contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matters of the application of Nathan Durkee for a pension In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and seal of my office this 4th day of December 1832 J.S. Leigh Clk
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State of New York
Washington County
Solomon Durkee of the town of Fort Edward in said county being duly sworn deposseth and saith that he is a brother of Nathan Durkee of the United States to be placed on the list of invalid pensioned, that in the year 1779 the said Nathan Durkee was a soldier in the Continental Regiment commanded by Colnel Seth Warner then stationed at Fort Edward that a marauding party of Indians and Tories from Canada had arrived in the vicinity of Fort Edward and were committing upon the scattered inhabitants the most inhumane murders and massacres that this defendant then a Militia man saith his brother and fifteen men who were detached from said regiment to search and the enemy and to give them battle that the small detachment of seventeen pursued the (?) of the enemy but were not in time to overtake them that in returning to the garrison at Fort Edward they called at a house near Rogers Ferry (the house had been occupied by a whig family until alarm given by their marauders when its inhabitants fled to some place of safety) five of their party entered the house where they found and drank milk that the deponent (?) his brother Nathan drink of the milk that day was all taken immediately sick and was unable to reach Fort Edward although within half a mile, the milk on examination of the Surgeon of Warner's regiment Doct Washburn, was declared to be poisoned and on sending for the portion of the milk that remained, it was given to a calf which died within a few minutes, it was generally believed that the
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milk had been poisoned by the enemy for the purpose of destroying the whig family above mentioned head of which family had been shot at by the tories before they reached his dwelling, that his brother Nathan lay sick and feeble for a long time  and that his health has ever since been poor and this deponent believes that it was occasioned by the circumstances above stated
Solomon (his Mark X) Durkee

Personally appeared before me
David Sanders
One of the Justices of the Peace
of the town of Fort Edward in the
County of Washington the above
named Solomon Durkee and made
solemn oath that the above affidavits
to which  his name is subscribed
counting its truth and further certify that he is a man of good character and (?) to (?) (?)
for truth and veracity (?) (?)
22
1829
David Sanders Justice of the Peace
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State of New York
Washington County
Lydius Durkee and Lydia Bristol of the town of Fort Edward in said county being duly sworn depose and say that they resided in the neighborhood of Fort Edward at the time of the transaction detailed in the foregoing affidavits made by Solomon Durkee that the facts therein set forth  were notorious and they verily believe them to be true that they saw Nathan Durkee immediately after his return from pursuing the enemy as stated in the said affidavit that he was then very sick that they heard Doct Washburn say that he was poisoned and that there was poison enough in the milk to poison twenty men that since the occurrence they have always lived near the said Nathan Durkee that his health was feeble for a long time after taking the poison milk and they believe that his constitution was much impaired in consequence of (?)
Lydius Durkee 
Lydia Bristol
her mark X
Personally appeared before me David Sanders one of the Justices of the Peace of the Town of Fort Edward in the County of Washington the above named Lydius Durkee & Lydia Bristol and made solemn oath that the above affidavits to which they have subscribed their names is true and I further certify that they are persons of good character and worthy of full credit
Dated Dec 22 1829
David Sanders Justice of the Peace
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State of New York
Washington County
SS: I Jesse L Leigh Clerk of the County of Washington do certify that David Sanders Esquire before whom the written affidavits were sworn was at the time a Justice of the Peace of said county appointed and sworn and duly authorised by law to act as such Justice - and I further certify that I am acquainted with hand writing of the said Justice and do verily believe that the signatures "David Sanders" subscribes within to the said affidavits are genuine and the proper hand writing of the said Justice - In testimony where of I have here unto subscribed my name and office the seal of the said county this 30th day of Dec. 1829
J. L. Leigh Clk
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Nathan Durkee
Jan 5 - 1830
(?) to (?) Pensions

M Horrow

Martindale 15. Pens
addl. dics