Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 2197, Peter Conca, New York
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SERVICE: New York
Conca, Peter
NUMBER: R. 2197
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Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of June 7, 1832. 
Form for State Troops, &c. (Printed & Sold by Kemble & Hooper, 8 State-st. Troy, N.Y.)

State of New York,}
County of Rensselaer & City of Troy} ss.
On this ninth day of August personally appeared in open Court, before the Mayors Court of the City  of Troy now sitting, Peter Conca a resident of Greenbush & county of Rensselaer and State of New York, aged seventy four 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 act of Congress passed June 7, 1832.  
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
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In the Matter of
Peter Conca's
Application for a
Pension

No. 5301
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That he commenced the service among the malitia [sic] under Captain George Sharp in the fall (Oct.) of the year 1776 as a private soldier and marched to Fort Edward from Greenbush and thence to Fort Ann. Thence he went to build a bridge between forts Ann and fort Edward. That at this time he served from four to five weeks. The Officers in said Company were Capt Sharp, Lieutenants Fonda & Barringer & Ensign John Riley. Said company belonged to the Regiment of which Col. Stephen Schuyler & Lt Col Henry K Van Rensselaer and Major Fonda were the field Officers. In the year 1777 in the early part of June he again marched under Capt. Sharp from Greenbush to Fort Edward and thence to Lake George - thence to fort Ann where Col Van Rensselaer was wounded he continued in the service at that time about a month and was then dismissed. That in September of the same year he was again called out and continued in the service until after the Surrender of Burgoyne and was dismissed after about six or seven weeks service. In July of the year 1778 he was again drafted and Marched under the Command of Capt Cornelius Lansing of Lansingburgh from Albany to Schoharie and continued in active duty about four weeks in the whole. In the same year in the month of November he again went to Schoharie under the Command of Capt. Tillman also of Lansingburgh and remained on active duty about three weeks. In the year 1779 he again marched under Capt. Sharp up the Mohawk River within five miles of a place called Stone Arabia and was on duty about six weeks. In the year 1780 he again went under Capt Sharp to Fort Edward at two different times for which he drew one months pay being absent from home about six weeks. Again called out under Lieutenant Fonda a short time before peace was declared and was on duty about
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four weeks. That the whole service of duty he performed was about seven months and an half 
1 Was born at Greenbush in the year 1757 on the 1st day of January 
2 That he has no Record of his age 
3 Was living in Greenbush when called into the service has lived there ever since the war and now resides there 
4 Volunteered into the service & once was drafted 
5 He has seen Genl. Gates at Bemis Height and has seen also Genl Arnold & Nixon of the regular army 
6 Has never received a written discharged 
7 Is well acquainted with Gilbert Riley of the city of Troy, David Defreest Walter Fonda & Col John J Ford - David Phillips & John Hubly - & Jacob Smith who will testify to my good character and reside in my neighbourhood 

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever except the present and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state 
Peter (X his mark) Conca
Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid} 
[Signed] Archibald Bull Clerk
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State of New York Rensselaer} 
County City of Troy} ss. 
I Philip Haynes residing in the City of Troy and County of Rensselaer hereby certify that I am and have been ever since the revolutionary war well acquainted with Peter Conca the above named applicant - that I believe him a man of truth and veracity and to be seventy four years of age. That I was a fellow soldier with him in said war and distinctly recollect of his having performed all the services in the declaration above named except the service stated to be performed under Capt. Cornelius Lansing which I believes he performed. That he has heard the above declaration read and knows the most to be true of his own knowledge 
Philip (X his mark) Haynes
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid}
[Signed] Archibald Bull Clerk 

State of New York}
Rensselaer County & City of Troy} ss. 
I John Lynd residing in the town of Brunswick and County of Rensselaer & State of New York hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Peter Chonca the above applicant and have been ever since I became acquainted with him when I we were both soldiers in the revolutionary war - that I believe him a man of truth and veracity and to be seventy four years of age. That I became sergeant of Capt Sharps Company and know all the services mentioned as performed by Peter Conca after I became a member of said company in the year 1790.  That I have heard the above declaration read and of my own knowledge know it to be true as far as the services are concerned which are stated to have been performed from the year 1790 inclusive
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and the rest I believe to have been performed 
[Signed] John Lynd
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid}
 
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the Interrogatories prescribed by the War department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he States. 
And the said Court further certifies that it appears to them that Philip Haynes who signed one of the above certificates is a resident of the City of Troy and that John Lynd who signed the other of the preceding certificates is a resident of the Town of Brunswick in the County of Rensselaer And that both are credible persons and that their statements are entitled to credit. And that there is no clergyman in residing in the vicinity of the said Peter Conca who is sufficiently acquainted with him to make the necessary Certificate
 I Archibald Bull Clerk of the Troy Mayors Court do hereby Certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Said Court in the matter of the application of Peter Conca for a pension 
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto Set my hand & Seal of office this ninth day of August 1832 
[SEAL]
[Signed] Archibald Bull Clerk

Crosswise:
In the Matter of 
Peter Conca's
Application for a Pension  
No. 5301
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22250
In the Matter of the
Application of Peter
Conca for a
Pension

In Vol 5 p 50 - $3.62
17 days -  55. 2.28
[=] 5.90
22 [days in all]
Page 9

State of New York} 
Rensselaer County} ss. 
On this fifth day of February 1833 personally appeared in open Court before the Mayors Court of the City of Troy now sitting Peter Conca named and who made the annexed declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on his oath make the following as an amendment to his said declaration hereto annexed viz  That he was called out another time in April of 1777 besides the services mentioned in said declaration hereto annexed. That at that time he was engaged in active service at least half a month That he meant to state in said declaration the shortest times which he actually served. That he is certain that he served at least seven months and a half in the whole and he believes considerably longer. That his memory has failed him in consequence of age but he is confident he brings the time of his services within the truth by stating it at seven months and a half. That he is not sufficiently acquainted with a Clergyman for him to make the necessary certificate 
Peter (X his mark) Conca
Sworn & subscribed the day and year aforesaid}
in open Court before me} [Signed] Henry R. Bristol Clerk

State of New York}
Rensselaer County} ss. I Henry Z Hayner residing in the City of Troy & County of Rensselaer aforesaid being duly sworn certify that I made out the annexed declaration
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that it is the same made out by this deponent originally and has not been altered or modified since authenticated originally by said Mayors Court and that he believes the whole proceedings are entitled to the fullest credit 
[Signed] HZ Hayner
Sworn to & subscribed this 5th February 1833} 
in open Court before me} [Signed] Henry R. Bristol Clerk

And the said Court do hereby certify that the proceedings annexed to this amendment are the original proceedings in said Court and that they have not been altered or modified since they were authenticated by said Court, and that Henry Z Hayner who certifies as above is a resident of the City of Troy aforesaid and is a credible person and that all the facts mentioned and stated in the said original and amended proceedings are entitled to the fullest credit

I Henry R Bristol Clerk of the Troy Mayors Court do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings together with the amended proceedings of the said Court in the Matter of the application of Peter Conca for a pension 
[RIBBONED SEAL]
[SIGNED] Henry R. Bristol Clerk

Crosswise:
22250
In the Matter of the
Application of Peter
Conca for a Pension

In Vol 5 p 50 - $3.62 - 1779, 80 & 81
17 days - 55.  2.28
[=] 5.90
22 days in all
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2197
Peter Conca
REJECTED
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Laid bye [sic] as susp'd
untill the original is returned
Let to L. Jenkins June 17th 36 - 
Same June 28. 1836 
Same July 11 "

2197
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5305  [?]
2nd declaration of
5305 [?]
Peter Conca -
New York
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Albany June 14, 1836. 
James L. Edwards Esquire, 
Commissioner of Pensions 

Sir, 
In the case of Peter Conca on his application for a Pension under the act of June 7, 1832, I enclose his declaration and other proofs, taken before the Justices Court of the City of Albany - He has hereto fore made a similar application founded on his declaration & proofs taken before the Mayor's Court of the City of Troy; but his papers were returned to him for reasons of which I am not apprised.
I have thought it best to draw a new declaration more full & specific than the former one, and to present his case upon the documents herewith transmitted-- But should you desire to see the former declaration & proofs, they shall be forwarded to you, as soon as I am informed of your wishes on the subject. 
I am, Sir, with great Respect, 
Your obedt Servt. 
[Signed] Lemuel Jenkins
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Albany June 20, 1836. 

Sir,
Your form [?] of the 17th inst is received. I enclose the original papers in the case of Peter Conca referred to in my letter of the 14th inst & am 
Very Respectfully 
Your obt. Servt.
[Signed] L.  Jenkins 

J. L. Edwards Esq 
Commissr of Pensions
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Albany July 5th 1836 
James L. Edwards Esquire 
Commissioner of Pensions 

Sir, 
Your letter of the 28th ult. respecting the case of Peter Conca was duly received. You state that admitting the amount of his services previous to 1779 to be correct, the whole would not be sufficient to entitle him to a pension under the act of June 7, 1832. Allow me to suggest that either this conclusion is erroneous, or there is a mistake in your statement of his having served five months [underlined]  in 1776. It may be that the word months [underlined] should have been written weeks [underlined]. Will you have the goodness to refer to his supplemental affidavit in relation to that point? As I did not retain a copy of it, I am unable to correct this error, if it be one. 
I herewith send the affidavit of Jacob Van Alstyne in support of Conca's claim, and beg to refer also to Mr Van Alstyne's additional declaration in his own case for proof in regard to the length of time in which his Regiment was engaged in the Service at the periods referred to by Conca. 
I am, Sir, with great respect, 
Your obt. Servt.
[Signed] L. Jenkins
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In the Matter of the
Application of Peter
Conca, for a Pension under
the act of June 7, 1832

Declaration &c.
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State of New York} 
Albany Justices Court} ss. Martin Van Alstyne of the City of Albany, Merchant being duly sworn in open Court, says that he is well acquainted with Peter Conca, the above named applicant, and has Known him for many years. That said Conca has always been reputed to have been a Revolutionary soldier and this Deponent has no doubt that he served as stated by him in his annexed declaration, & that he is about seventy eight years of age as he states himself to be. And this Deponent further saith that said Conca is man of good character, & habits. 
[Signed] Martin Van. Alstyne
Sworn & subscribed this 13th day} 
of June 1836 in open Court} 
[Signed] J.G. Wasson Clk 

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further Certifies, that Martin Van Alstine who has signed his name to the preceding affidavit is a resident of the City of Albany and is a credible person, and his statements are entitled to credit. 
I John G. Wasson Clerk of the Justices Court of the City of Albany, Do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the Application of Peter Conca for a pension 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court this 13th day of June 1836. 
[SEAL] 
[Signed] John G. Wasson Clk
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State of New York} 
County of Albany} ss. On the 11th day of June 1836 personally appeared in open Court before the Justices of the Justices Courts of the City of Albany (the same being a Court of Record) Peter Conca a resident of Greenbush in the County of Rensselaer, and State of New York, aged seventy eight 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 act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. 
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers & served as hereinafter stated --
1. In the month of October 1776 he was enlisted into Service in the Company of Militia then commanded by Capt George Sharp - That he went with said Company from Greenbush to Fort Ann and Fort Edward - That whilst he was engaged in said service among other duties he assisted in building a bridge over Mud Swamp Creek between Fort Ann & Fort Edward - That he served on this tour of duty, not less than five weeks as a private in Said Company. [1 mo 5 days noted in margin] The other Officers of the Company besides Capt. Sharp were John Fonda, Lieutenant & John Riley Ensign - Stephen Schuyler was Colonel, Henry K. Van Rensselaer was Lt. Colonel, and John I. Fonda was Major of the Regiment to which said Company belonged 
2. In the month of June 1777 this Deponent was drafted to go as a private in the Company commanded by Capt Sharpe to the northward - We [he?] marched from Greenbush in the first part of the month of June, and went to Fort Edward, & thence to Lake George - thence to Fort Ann, when Col Van Rensselaer was wounded - We [he?] continued in the service at least four weeks and were then discharged. [28 days noted in margin] - Deponent served as a private
We [he?] had the Same officers on this tour that we had on the previous one, as above stated. The draft was made of about one half of the Company -  the rest remaining went home [2 mo 3 days noted in margin]
3. In the month of September in the Same year (1777)
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[2 mo 3 days carried over from previous page]
this Deponent was again called into the service, and went as private in the same Company still commanded by the same officers, and went to Saratoga, & Bemus's Heights - Whilst in this town, this Deponent went with his Company, as an ecort [escort] to a half a Company of Artillery of the Regular Army, having two field pieces with them, from Bemus's Heights to Saratoga, upon the east side of the River. The British were in the West side of the River - We went to Reinforce several Companies of Bennington Militia, who it was expected, were to be attacked by the British. We started on friday morning from Bemus's Heights and arrived a little east of Saratoga about sun set - At about nine O'Clock in the night an express came bringing orders that we should march to Batten Kill - which we did & staid there all night. In the morning the British who were on the oppesite side of the River saw us & fired with their cannon at us - We returned & joined our Artillery, and our Artillery distroyed some of the teams & baggage waggons of the British Army. 
This Deponent entered in the service as a private in Said Company, until the 16th day of October 1777, when the Company was discharged & he returned home. This Deponent says that according to his recollection, Burgoyne surrendered on the 16th though he is informed by others, that it was the 19th - They were busy making the Capitulature when the Militia was discharged - I saw a flag of truce come from Genl Burgoyne to Genl Gates, & afterwards saw another flag go from Genl Gates to Genl Burgoyne - I was not present when the actual surrender was made - I went home as soon as I was discharged - I served on this tour as a private in Said Company, not less than five weeks. [1 mo 5 days noted]
[subtotal 3 mo 8 dys]
4th. In the month of July 1778 this Deponent was again
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drafted into the service, and went as a private in the Company commanded by Capt Cornelius Lansing of Lansingburgh, from Albany to Schoharie - John Sebring was our Lietenant - we had no Ensign - We went to Fort Vroman [sic - Vrooman], or Upper Fork in Vroman's Field or Land as it was called - It was the year before Schoharie was burnt - Col. Peter Vroman was our commanding Officer at the Fort - Afterwards Col. Butler of the standing troops came from the south, and took the command - He came there two days before we were discharged - I served on this tour as a private in said Company, eighteen days. [18 days noted in margin] 
[Subtotal 3 mo.26dys]
5th. In the month of November in the same year (1778) I was called into the service again in the Company commanded by Capt Christopher Tillman, also of Lansingburgh - our Lieutenant was a Scotsman, but I do not recollect his name - We marched from Albany to Schoharie to the Stone Church or Lower Fort, near the mouth of the Hoxen Kill [?], where we were stationed & remained on active duty - I served in this tour as a private in said Company not less than three weeks.
The Fort was commanded by Major John I. Fonda. 
6th. In the month of November 1779 I was again ordered into the service in the Company commanded by Capt. Sharpe of Greenbush; we marched from Albany to Schenectady, thence to Conawaga [sic], thence to Stone Arabia - or within five miles of that place - where we found Col Stephen Schuyler, who commanded the Regiment to which I belonged - Whilst there we got out of provisions, & sent to Johnstown for some but did not get any - Old Douw Fonda of Caghnawaga furnished us with provisions for three days, & after that we march home to Greenbush - I served in this tour as a private in said Company, as near as I can recollect, not less than three weeks. 
7th In the fall of the year 1780, I was again called into the service, twice, under the command of Capt Sharpe. The first time
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I went as a private in his Company, to Fort Edward, and served about three weeks - The second time I went to Saratoga, & was engaged in the service about two weeks as a private in said Company - I think I served in these two tours, not less than four weeks. [28 days noted in margin]
8th. In the year 1782, in the month of October, I was again ordered into the service as a private in the Company commanded by Lieut. Fonda, and went to Schenectady, and was there taken sick, and after being absent from service about a fortnight I received a furlough, & returned home. The rest of the Company served about three weeks, & was discharged. 
I now recollect that the name of the Scots Lieutenant was James Patchit or Patcher
In answer to the Interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, this Deponent says 
1. He was born at Greenbush in 1757 on the 1st January 
2. He has no record of his age. - 3. He has always resided in Greenbush & now resides there - 4. Volunteered some times & others was drafted - 5. He has seen Genl Gates & Arnold & Nixon - saw them at Bemus Heights - 6. He has never received a written discharge - 7. Is well acquainted with Gilbert Riley of Troy, David Deprest & others of Greenbush & with Martin Van Alstyne of Albany. 
He hereby relinquishes every claim for a pension except the present & declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State or Territory 
This Deponent has never learned to write.
Peter (X his mark) Conca 
Sworn in open Court this 11th day of June 1836} [Signed] J. G. Wasson Clk
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In the Matter of the
application of Peter Conca
for a Pension under the
Act of June 7, 1832.

Afft. of Jacob Van Alstyne
Page 24

State of New York} 
Albany County} ss. 
Jacob Van Alstyne of the City of Albany, being duly sworn, doth depose as follows - viz. I am eighty seven years of age. I am well acquainted with Peter Conca of Greenbush in the County of Rensselaer, & have known him for more than sixty years past. In the year 1776 I was Quarter Master of the Regiment of Militia commanded by Col. Stephen J. Schuyler, a brother of Genl Schuyler - & also acted as adjutant of said Regiment in that year & until 1779 when I obtained a Commission as Adjutant of said Regiment. 
In the year 1776 the Company commanded by Capt George Sharp belonging to said Regiment was in the service, and served at Fort Edward. I recollect that the said Peter Conca was a private in said Company, and have no doubt that he served at Fort Edward in the year 1776. But I do not recollect how long said Company was out that year - Capt. Sharpe's Company was again in the service in 1777, twice - once in the spring and once in the fall. In the spring they wet to Fort Edward  & in the fall were at Saratoga or Bemis's Heights - I think the said Company served in said year, including both times, upward of three months. In the year 1778 Capt. Christopher Tillman's Company was in the service at Saratoga & Fort Edward. Tillman's Company belonged to Col. Schuyler's Regiment. I do not know whether Conca served in said Company at that time, but it is probable he did serve as a drafted man, as there were men drafted from other Companies in the Regiment to go into the service in said Tillman's Company at that time. In the year 1779 Capt. Sharpe's Company was in the service & served at Johnstown & Stone Arabia. I do not recollect how long they were in the service - but believe it was upward of three weeks. It was in December when they returned from Stone Arabia. In the year 1780 Capt.
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Sharpe's Company was in the service & served at Fort Hunter. This was in the spring -  they were out about a fortnight. In the fall Capt Sharpe's Company were in service at Fort Edward & Saratoga, & served about four weeks on that tour. In the year 1781 Capt Sharpe's Company was again in the service & served at Fort Edward & Saratoga, in the fall of the year. Said Company served in this term, more than a month - but I do not recollect how much longer. In the year 1782 the Same Company then commanded by Lieut John Fonda was in the service at Schenectady - & served on that tour about two months.  As I know Said Peter Conca well & after since him serving as a private in Capt Sharpe's Company, & know that he was a good & faithful soldier, I have no doubt that he served in said Company in all the times of duty which they were engaged in from the year 1776 to the year 1782 inclusive. And I do not doubt that he also served in the Company commanded by Tillman, as a drafted man, altho his name may not appear on the rolls of said Company. Drafts were often made from the different Companies belonging to the Regiment, & the drafted men placed under the command of particular officers detailed for the purpose of taking the command of them on some special occasion or tour of duty. 
[Signed] Jacob Van Alstyne
Sworn & subscribed this 2d day} 
of July 1836 before me} 
[Signed] Lemuel Jenkins 
Commissioner of Deeds
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I certify that I am well acquainted with the above named Jacob Van Alstyne, and know him to be a respectable Citizen & entitled to credit as a witness 
[Signed] L. Jenkins Comr of Deeds 

State of New York} 
County of Albany} ss.  I Conrad A. Ten Eyck Clerk of the Said County do hereby certify that Lemuel Jenkins whose name is subscribed to the above affidavit and certificate of credibility was at the date of the same a Commissioner of Deeds in and for the Said County and that his name subscribed to the same is his proper hand writing and Signature
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and affixed the seal of the said County this 5th day of July 1836 
[SEAL]
[Signed] C.A. Ten Eyck Clerk 

Note - The above named Jacob Van Alstyne, being aged & infirm & his memory being impaired within two or three years past, is unable to state the length of time in which the Regiment of which he was Adjutant was engaged in the different tours of duty referred to in the annexed affidavit, but he refers in that particular to his supplemental or additional declaration in his own case, now on file in the Pension Office
[Signed]  L. Jenkins