Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12858, Cornelius J Elmendorph, New York
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(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
New York
CONTENTS
411
Elmendorph, Cornelius J.
or
Elmendorple
NUMBER
S. 12858
carded
CONTENTS
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1931
New York
Cornelius J. Elmendople
of Red Hook in the State of N. York
who was a Lieut. in the Comp commanded
by Captain Van Ness of the Reg commanded
by Col Graham in the N. York
line for 4 ½ Ms. Priv
10 Ms. 10 ds Le't        ⎬
Cornelius J. Elmendorph Records 
corrected Jan 5 '04
Inscribed on the Roll of N. York
as the rate of 187 Dollars 22 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of July 1833
and Smith J Rowly
Rep. Red Hook
Arrears to 4th of Mar '33 $374.44
Semi=anl. allowance ending 4 Sep 33 $93.61
[total]  $468.05
Revolutionary [illegible & missing text]
Act June 7, 18 [missing text]
Recorded by P. Stiles Cl[missing text]
Book [illegible] Vol. 3 Page 18.
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State of New York
Dutchess County ⎬ On this twenty second day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared before Robert S. Livingston Esquire one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Dutchess Cornelius J Elmendorph a resident of the Town of Red Hook in the County of Dutchess aforesaid and State of New York aforesaid aged eighty 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. In the year 1774 when he resided in the Town of Rhinebeck in the County of Dutchess aforesaid, in that part of the Town which is now Red Hork, he was elected Ensign and David Vanness, Captain of a company of militia under the new organization, when the old Colony militia offices were abolished-
In the latter part of February or forepart of March of the year 1775. this applicant, then following the business of a carpenter, volunteered together with several others from the Counties of Dutchess and what is now Columbia, to go to Saratoga under the command of one James Robertson They proceeded accordingly to Albany and thence to Saratoga taking their own tools with them. From Saratoga they proceeded to Fort George, where they met two other companies one from Albany and one from Schenectady -
At this place their captain James Robertson disappeared & they were ordered by General Schuyler to elect another in his place: and they accordingly
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elected John Fawkes in his place. They here received to the best of his recollection one months pay, and then volunteered to proceed on to Ticonderoga - they proceeded on the ice drawing their tools on hand sleds, on the Lake on the way they slept one night in shore in the woods - after reaching Ticonderoga they were employed in cutting & hewing timber until the Lake was clear of ice. They then went up lake Champlain in boats to Crown Point. From there to St Johns and thence to Chamblee where they remained until the army retreated from three Rivers, They accompanied the army [illegible] to Crown Point, where they remained some days. thence to Ticonderoga where they also remained some days - thence to Fort George - Here they were required to leave their tools which they did and received pay for them. They then came on to Albany & received their pay at General Schuyler's office and then returned home about the last of the month of July 1775 having been engaged in this tour, four months and a half at least as near as he can recollect.
In the ["spring of in the" blacked out] the month of January, as near as he can recollect, he was called out go to Westchester County. He was then ensign in the company commanded by Captain David VanNess, in Colonel Morris Graham's Regiment, & General Peter Ten Broecks Brigade but acted as Lieutenant of which accordingly as Lieutenant in the company above mentioned. They proceeded through Poughkeepsie, Fishkill, & Peekskill to North Castle in Westchester County, where they remained some days & after that were engaged in different places in Westchester County in patrolling the country, among other places he was at Delancey's mills at one time on a picket
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guard - from this place they retreated north to ward's several miles, in the night in a snow storm, and the next day continued on to Harrison's purchase. There a consolidation was made of the remainder of the Regiment, as there were too many officers in proportion to the number of soldiers, and this applicant fell into a company commanded by Captain Peter Westfall, and served in this company one month, as first Lieutenant as before. While in this company they were engaged in different parts of the County of Westchester and among other movements, he was called out at one time on a secret expedition or rather volunteered to go. They marched down in the night into an orchard near Fort Independence, called Valentines orchard where the British Picket guard was stationed as they supposed, finding no guard there, they went on to the Post Road at Williams & secreted themselves in three parties in houses & waited for some British light horse which were expected there. A few came and two of them were shot and killed, after which they retired back to their former quarters several miles north--
In this tour of service he was engaged as he thinks at least a month & a half when they were dismissed & returned home in the latter part of February or forepart of March 1777 -
After his return, as near as he can recollect in the spring of 1777, he received the commission of second Lieutenant, but had previously and did afterwards act as first Lieutenant at all times when in service. This commission he has last - who it was signed by he does not recollect-
Sometime in the spring of 1777 as he thinks, & when Lieutenant, he was appointed a member of
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a Brigade Court Martial held at different places in Dutchess County, and served as such member about two weeks. To the best of his recollection, Colonel Morris Graham was the president-
In the same spring of 1777, there being many robberies committed and many disaffected persons lurking about the country, the Town committee convened & sat at the house of Jacob Thomas in that part of Rhinebeck which is now Red Hook, and this applicant was called out by the committee to act as  Lieutenant commandant of its guard, consisting of about thirty men - He accordingly acted as such commandant & was employed in guarding the committee, arresting & bringing disaffected persons before the committee for trial and taking some of them to Fishkill to the committee of safety. In this service he was engaged about two weeks--
After this but at what time he does not recollect he was called out by the Town Committee and engaged for about one week. in siering [sic] teams for the Northern service, acting as Lieutenant-
In the spring of the same year 1777 he was commissioned Lieutenant commandant and directed to raise a company of twenty four volunteers for three months to guard the Powder works of John R. Livingston in Rhinebeck. The required company was accordingly raised and he entered upon the duty of guarding the said works as such commandant on the fifth day of May 1777 and continued in this service until the thirtieth day of June following, when the Powder works accidentally exploded on account of some mismanagement in the work and the company was then discharged. He was
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engaged in this service, in brating (sic) up volunteers, guarding the works and travelling to receive the pay of the company, at least two months - his commission he has lost. He has the pay roll of the company in his possession, which is herewith transmitted- who signed the last named commission he does not recollect.
In the forepart of the month of August in the year 1777 a draft was made from the Regiment of Colonel Morris Graham in Dutchess County and the company of Captain John H Gernicance in the said regiment, to which company this applicant belonged and in which he was second Lieutenant, was required to furnish a Lieutenant and a certain number of privates, for the purpose of joining the northern army - on this occasion, this applicant volunteered without drawing to serve for three months as first Lieutenant. He entered on this tour of service as first Lieutenant as aforesaid on the ninth day of August 1777. They proceeded from Rhinebeck to Albany & reached there on the 17th day of August. On the 19th they left Albany and proceeded north, and on the 21st reached Van Schaicks Island. Here they encamped for a night and then proceeded north and reached Stillwater on the 9th day of September, and on the 17th joined the Brigade of General Glover, Thence they proceeded and joined the army of General Gates. Here they remained until the battle & the subsequent surrender of General Burgoyne & the British army. After the battle & before the surrender, Colonel Graham's Regiment, in which this applicant was, which was stationed on the right of the army in General Glover's Brigade, advanced to the left of the British army, where their pickets
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were stationed, drove them in, took possession of their brush  outworks and then returned after the surrender of Burgoyne's Army.  They commenced their march south and arrived at Albany on the 19th day of October. On the 23d they left Albany in company with Colonel Morgans corps of Riflemen and proceeded south, on the west side of the Hudson River, through Coeymans, Coxsackie, Kausbaum (now Saugerties) to Kingston, & thence to Hurley where they were discharged, as he thinks in the forepart of November in the year 1777 and returned home, having been engaged in this service, the full term of three months to the best of his recollection.

This applicant has in his possession part of a small memorandum  or journal of this tour, made by him at the time, by which he is enabled to give the above dates, but it extends no further than the 27th day of October 1777 the remainder being lost.

He has also in his possession a special commission or warrant, which he received while engaged in the last above mentioned service, after he had joined the northern army, and while he was acting as first Lieutenant as aforesaid, dated September 3d 1777 & signed by Stephen Lush by order of his Excellency the Governor as it appears. in which he is described as "Lieutenant Cornelius Elmendorf of Ulster County". But this applicant had previously removed from Ulster county and was then a resident of Rhinebeck, in that part of the Town which is now Red Hook in the County of Dutchess - This commission or warrant is herewith transmitted.

In the year 1778 he received his regular commission as first Lieutenant of the company of
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militia whereof Andrew Heermance was captain in the Regiment in the County of Dutchess, whereof Morris Graham was Colonel. at what time it
was received he does not know as part of it is last, but it appears he took the oath of allegiance and of office under it on the 8th day of June 1778-
His commission is herewith transmitted. He thinks it was signed by the Governor of the State of New York. At one period during the Revolution, but at what time he does not recollect, while Lieutenant he was called out on an alarm and went to Claverack in what is now Columbia County, and was engaged, as near as he can recollect, as much as five days.

In the month of September of the year 1779 he was called out in service, and went to Fishkill in Dutchess County in a company commanded by Captain Silas Husted, this applicant first Lieutenant, in a detachment from the Regiment of Colonel Morris Graham. They being joined by detachments from the Regiments of Colonel Hopkins and Colonel Hathorne and all being placed under the command of Colonel Hopkins, as he thinks. The draft upon which they went was for three month as he believes.  they remained stationed at Fishkill, this applicant acting as first Lieutenant as aforesaid, for about two months and a half, as near as he can recollect & were then discharged previous to the expiration of the time & returned home-
In addition to the above services he was out in service very frequently during the revolution on alarms & in arresting disaffected persons, but how often, when, or how long he does not now recollect.

This applicant was born in Kingston in the County of Ulster & State of New York on the tenth day of July in the year 1752, old style the record of his age is in the family Bible
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now in his possession.

In the month of May in the year 1767 be removed with his father from Ulster County, into Rhinebeck in that part of the Town which is now the
Town of Red Hook in the County of Dutchess. aforesaid, where he was living when called into service, where has lived since the revolutionary war and where he now lives - 

The names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops where this applicant served are the following-

At Chamblee, Colonel Morgan of the Virginia Riflemen. General Thomas and General Thompson who both died at that place-
At Westchester County - General Peter Ten Broeck of Dutchess County, Col Van Rensselaer of Albany- Major Nicholas Fish of New York-
At Saratoga County - Colonel Morris Graham of Dutchess County -  Major John Cantine & Quarter Master John Rose of Ulster County - General Glover - Captain James Tallmadge, Captain John Heermance-
At Fishkill, Colonel Hopkins, Captain Pierce, Captain Silas Husted--
The following persons to whom this applicant is known, in his neighborhood can testify as to his character for veracity, and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution- Andrew N. Kittle, Nathan Beckwith, Gottope Martin, Peter Lewis.

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.

[signed] Cornelius J Elmendorph

Sworn to and subscribed
the day and year aforesaid ⎬
Robt  L Livingston
One of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Dutchess County
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14, 865
Cornelius J. Elmendorf
e.j.
Admd
Jno Rowley Upper Red Hook
Dutchess County
NY
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the 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, showing the service of Cornelius Elmendorph of Red Hook Duchess County New York
=====================================================
Period when the service was rendered | Duration of the claimant's service. Years/Months/Days | Rank of the claimant. | Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. | Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. | Battles in which the applicant was engaged. | Country through which he marched | Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. | Evidence by which the declaration is supported
____________________________________________________________________________________
1775 |   | 4 months |   | Ensign | Capt. Vanness | Col |   | Saratoga & Ticonderoga | Rhinebeck, Dutchess County NY | tradition commission muster roll & six witnesses

1777 |   | 1 month | 15 days |  "  |  "               | Graham |

1777 |   |   | about 14 days | 2nd Lietu |   |   |   |   |   |   

1777 |   | 2 months |   | " |   |   |   |   |

 "       |   | 3 months |   | " | Hermann | " |   |   |    |   

1778 |   |   | 5 days | 1st " | " |   |   |   |
1789 |   | 2 months | 15 days |   | Husted | Hopkins |   |   |   |

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," Militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance,  make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.

DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1822.
State, Territory, or District of}
County of} ss.
On this _____day of _______ personally appeared (a) before _____A. B. a resident (b) of ______ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) ____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 enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____(e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service (and of the served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]

He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.  _____A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.

I _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _____ day of _____ & c.

If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.

Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:

(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C.D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ 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 and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.

[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the muster, 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 it appears to them that A.B. _____ who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the ____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.

Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.

If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the service of each person
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3
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 expected. 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?
6. {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 he 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.

[footnotes]
[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 _____. For 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 notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops, The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This 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.
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General Orders Kingston Ulster County State of New York September 3d 1777.
Lieutenant Cornelius Elmendorph of Ulster County is appointed to command as first Lieutenant of the fifth Company in the Regiment formed from Detachments of Milita ordered into actual service ^{illegible) from
Ulster and Dutchess Counties and commanded by Col Morris Graham and as such is to be obeyed and respected. This appointment is not however to give the said Lieutenant any Rank or command after the
said [illegible] day of November other than what he is entitled to by service of his appointment in the Regiment to which he formerly belonged.
By Order of his Excellency
the Governor
[illegible signature]
[illegible circular stamp]

Cornelius Elmendorph, NY
S. File 12,858
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[left side horizontal script] Rev War
12858
INVALID.

File No. 12,858
Cornelius J. Elmendorph
Lt Rev. War
Act: June 7 1832
Index: __ BVol. _____, Page _____
Arrangement of 1870.)
Cornelius J. Elmendorph. Records corrected
Jan. 5, '04 a
Page 17

We Andrew N. Kittle a clergyman residing in the Town of Red Hook in the County of Dutchess, and Peter Lewis residing in the same Town hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Cornelius J Elmendorph who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration. That we believe him to be eighty 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 and subscribed the day & year aforesaid }  [signed[ A.N. Kittle
[signed] Robt S. Livingston [signed] Peter Lewis

And I the said Robert S. Livingston one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Dutchess aforesaid do hereby declare my opinion, after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. and I further certify that it appears to me that Andrew N. Kittle who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the Town of Red Hook in the County of Dutchess aforesaid, and that Peter Lewis who has also signed the same is a resident in the same place, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. And I do further certify that the said applicant cannot from bodily infirmity attend the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Dutchess aforesaid [signed] Robt S. Livingston
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State of New York
Dutchess County ⎬ ss. Peter Barringer of the Town of Williamstown in the County of Oneida and State of New York aforesaid being duly sworn says that he is acquainted with Cornelius J Elmendorph of Red Hook in the County of Dutchess aforesaid and has been acquainted with him since the year 1775- And this deponent further says that in that year, in the latter part of February or forepart of March, be volunteered as a carpenter under one James Robertson to go to Saratoga, with several others from Dutchess and what is now Columbia counties. Among these was the said Comelius J Elmendorph. They proceeded to Albany and thence to Saratoga; taking their own tools with them. From Saratoga they proceeded to Fort George & here met two other companies, one from Albany, and one from Schenectady- At this place their captain James Robinson disappeared & they were ordered by General Schuyler to elect another in his place, and they accordingly elected John Fawkes in his place-- at this place to the best of his recollection they received one month's pay & then volunteered to go on to Ticonderoga and the three companies proceeded on the lake to that place.      drawing their tools & baggage on hand sleds on the ice. On the way they slept one night on shore in the woods. They remained at Ticonderoga some time & were engaged in cutting & hewing timber until the ice was out of Lake Champlain, when they proceeded to Crown Point in boats; from there to Chamblee by the way of St. John's, and remained at Chamblee, until the army retreated from three Rivers. They returned with the army to Crown Point where they remained some days, thence to Ticonderoga & after remaining there some days, they proceeded
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to Fort George where they were required to leave their tools, which was done & they were paid for them. They then proceeded to Albany and received their pay at General Schuylers office & then had leave to act home which they did about the last of July, having been engaged in this service between four & five months, and this deponent knows that the said Elmenndorph was in this service during the whole time- and this deponent knows that the said Elmendorph was afterwards an officer in the United States service, in the Revolutionary war, but not having served under or with him, he does not know any further particulars of his service-
[signed] Peter his X mark Barringer
Sworn & subscribed before me September 19th 1832-
Jno. Rowley
Justice of the Peace

[lined out "and I further certify that"]
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State of New York
Dutchess County} Ss Henry V. Hovenbergh of the County of Saratoga in the State of New York aforesaid being duly sworn says that he is well acquainted with Cornelius J  Elmendorph of Red Hook in the County of Dutchess aforesaid & has been acquainted with him for about sixty years during which time he the said Cornelius J Elmendorph has resided in Rhinebeck (now Red Hook) in the County of Dutchess aforesaid. and this deponent further says that the deponent, was in the United States service in the Revolutionary war and among other tours of service he was in service in the County of Westchester in the State aforesaid in the latter part of the year 1776 or first part of the year 1777, and was the Quartermaster of part of a regiment under Major Nicholas Fish, there being too many officers for the number of soldiers & the whole being consolidated into two companies, upon which consolidation Brigadier Generals Ten Broeck & Scott left the remainder of the Regiment in the command of the aforesaid Major Fish. At this time deponent served as Quartermaster as aforesaid in the said County of Westchester at least one month & perhaps more, as he does not distinctly recollect the length of time. and this deponent further says that during this term of service the said Cornelius J Elmendorph was at the same place in the service of the United States & was a Lieutenant in the company of Captain David Van Ness, in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Morris Graham and after the consolidation above mentioned, the said Elmendorph fell into the company of
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Captain Peter Westfall & acted as a Lieutenant in that company.
And this deponent further says that while in this service & as he thinks in the month of January in the year 1777 three or four companies were called out & went on a secret scout or expedition under Colonel Hendrick Van Rensselaer & Major Nicholas Fish. & the said Cornelius J. Elmendorph & this deponent went in the same company - this deponent having volunteered in this expedition. They marched in the night, into an orchard near Fort Independence called, as deponent believes, Valentines orchard where the British Picket guard, was supposed to be stationed. Finding no guard stationed there they went on to the post road at Williams & there secreted themselves in these houses & waited for some British light horse which were expected there. A few came & two of them were shot & killed. After which the American detachment retreated back to their former quarters several miles north - and deponent further says that he believes said Elmendorph to have been an officer in the militia during the Revolutionary war & that he is a man of veracity - and deponent further says that he, deponent was seventy four years old in March last.
Sworn & subscribed
before me August 22 1832 ⎬ [signed[ Henry V. Hoevenbergh
Jno. Rowley Justice of the Peace
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State of New York}
Dutchess County } S.S Nicholas Bonesteel of Red Hook in the County of Dutchess aforesaid being duly sworn says that he is 78 years of in November last- that he is well acquainted with Cornelius J Elmendorph of Red Hock aforesaid & has been acquainted with him since the year 1770 - and this deponent further says that he knows the said Comelius J Elmendorph tohave been in the service of the United States in the year 1777 in the montha of January & February, and that he acted as a Lieutenant in the company commanded by Captain David Van Ness & afterwards upon a consolidation of the several companies in Colonel Morris Graham's Regiment commanded by Captain Peter Westfall, in the County of Westchester- this deponent having been in the same company during the time that the company remained there which was as deponent thinks at least one month & a half - and this deponent knows that said Elmendorph remained in service & acted as such Lieutenant during the aforesaid time - Deponent further says that he knows the said Elmendorph to have served in guarding the Powder works at Rhinebeck & that he was the Lieutenant commandant of the company, but how long deponent does not know, and this deponent further says that he the said Cornelius J Elmendorph was to deponent's knowledge in the service of the United States at Stillwater in Saratoga County at the time of the capture of General Burgoyne in October 1777, and that he acted as Lieutenant there, but how long he was in this service deponent does not know, he not having been in the same company but being engaged as a wagoner-
[signed] Nicholas Bonesteel
Sworn & subscribed before me September 10th 1832.}
Jno. Rowley Justice of the Peace
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State of New York
Dutchess County ss ⎬ Philip Bonesteel of Woodstock in the County of Ulster, being duly sworn says that he is acquainted with Comelius J Elmendorph of Red Hook in the County of Dutchess aforesaid & has known him for the last sixty years or more. That this deponent served under the command of the said Cornelius j Elmendorph in the United States Service as a volunteer in the year 1777, when the said Cornelius I Elmendorph was a Lieutenant & commanded a company of volunteers stationed at the Powder Works in Rhinebeck in said County of Dutchess for the purpose of guarding them - And deponent says that said Elmendorph was in the service at the said place & in command of the said  company when this deponent entered it & this deponent remained in said service for one month & twenty two days during which time deponent knows that said Cornelius I Elmendorph was in service as Lieutenant & commander of the said Company. And deponent recollects that said Comelius J Elmendorf paid off the company after it was discharged
Sworn & subscribed before me September 6th 1832.}
[signed[ Philip his X mark Bonesteel
Jno. Rowley Justice of the Peace
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State of New York
Dutchess County ss⎬ Gottope Martin of Red Hook in the County of Dutchess being duly sworn says that he is acquainted with Cornelius J Elmendorf of the place aforesaid and has been acquainted with him at least sixty five years and this deponent says that he & the said Elmendorph were both officers in the same company commanded by Captain David Van Ness in Colonel Morris Graham's Regiment, in the County of Dutchess aforesaid in the year 1777- That in the forepart of August in that year a draft was made in the aforesaid Regiment, & the company aforesaid was required to furnish a Lieutenant & a certain number of privates, for the purpose of joining the northern army - that on this occasion the said Cornelius I Elmendorf volunteered to go as first Lieutenant, and did go as such officers in a company commanded by Captain John Heermance in said Colonel Grahams Regiment and this deponent further says that he understood & believes that said Elmendorf was engaged in this tour of service three months. And this deponent further says that he knows the said Elmendorf to have been out in service on alarms, in arresting disaffected persons &c. different times during the Revolution
[signed] Gottope Martin
Sworn & subscribed before me September 17th 1832
Jno. Rowley Justice of the Peace
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State of New York
Dutchess County ss ⎬ Jacob P. Cole of Milan in the County of Dutchess aforesaid being duly sworn says that he was 78 years old in January last-
that he is well acquainted with Comelins J Elmendorph & has been acquainted with him since the year 1771.
and this deponent further says that he was in the service in the month of January & February in the year 1777 in the army of the United States in the County of Westchester under Captain David Van Ness in Colonel Morris Graham's Regiment, and after a consolidation of the companies of the Regiment. under Captain Peter Westfall. And deponent further says that he was as near as he can recollect engaged in this service as long as a month & a half at least & that during this time the said Cornelius I Elmendorph was there in the said service and acted as first Lieutenant of the aforesaid company under said Captains Van Ness & Westfall.
And this deponent further says that he was again in service in the fall of the year 1779 at Fishkill in the County of Dutchess, in a company commanded by Captain Silas Husted, in a detachment from Colonel Morris Grahams Regiment - and was engaged in this service about two months & a half as near as he can recollect. and that during this time the said Cornelius I Elmendorf was engaged in the said service and was first Lieutenant of the aforesaid company-
{signed} Jacob P Cole
Sworn & subscribed before me September 10th 1832
Jno. Rowley Justice of the Peace
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State of New York
County of Dutchess} ss. I, Henry I Traver Clerk of the County of  utchess do hereby certify that Robert Livingston Esquire before whom the annexed declaration and examinations were made was at the time of taking the same a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of the said County and that I am well  acquainted with the hand writing and verily believe that the signatures annexed to said Declarations and examinations are the genuine signatures of the said Judge-
And I do further certify that John Rowley Esquire before whom the six several annexed affidavits were made was at the time of taking the same a Justice of the Peace in and for said County and that the signatures annexed affidavits are the genuine signatures of said Justice.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office the twenty eighth day of September 1832-
[signed] Henry I Traver Clerk
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State of New York
Dutchess County ss⎬ I John Rowley a Justice
of the Peace of the said County of Dutchess
do certify that I am acquainted with Peter
Barringer, Henry V. Hoevenburgh, Nicholas
Bonesteel, Philip Bonesteel & Jacob P. Cole
whose affidavits are herewith annexed to
the declaration of Cornelius I Elmendorph. That
they are credible persons & their statement
entitled to credit. And I further certify that
I was acquainted with Gotlope Mattin in
his lifetime, whose affidavit is also herewith
annexed and that he was a credible person
& his statement entitled to credit
Dated June 6th 1833
[signed] Jno. Cowley Justice of the Peace
[crossed out "State of New"]
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STATE OF NEW-YORK }
County of Dutchess } ss I, HENRY I. TRAVER, Clerk of the County of Dutchess
the County of Dutchess, DO HEREBY CERTIFY, That John Rowley whose name is subscribed to the annexed Certificate was at the time of making the same, a Justice
of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, dwelling in the said County,
and Further, That I am well acquainted with the handwriting of the said John Rowley and verily believe that the signature to the said Certificate is genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said county, the sixth day of June A.D. 1833
[signed] Henry I Traver, Clerk
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State of New York
Dutchess County ⎬ ss. Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace of said County, Jacob C. Elmendorf who being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that he is the son of Cornelius J Elmendorph late of Red Hook in the County aforesaid, who has made application for a pension under the Act of Congress of June 7, 1832. That the said Cornelius J. Elmendorph died on the tenth day of March one thousand eight hundred & thirty three, that this deponent knows of no evidence or testimony in support of said application besides such as has heretofore been transmitted, except the information obtained from conversations with his father during his life, and with those who were acquainted with his services in behalf of the United States, & whose affidavits are annexed to the declaration heretofore transmitted. From these conversations this deponent has always understood that his father the said Comelins J Elmendorph served, at all times when in military service in behalf of the United States during the Revolutionary war, in the grade of First Lieutenant except on his first tour of service of four months & a half, although not actually holding a commission as such officer during the whole time. And this deponent always understood that his said father claimed & was believed to have served not less than the periods mentioned below & in the following grades.
For four months & fifteen days as a private 
For ten months & ten days as a first Lieutenant 
and that for such service he claimed a pension. and this deponent further says that he is the only child of the said Cornelius I Elmendorph-
[signed] J. C. Elmendorph
I certify that the above was subscribed sworn to before me, May 28th 1833 I am well acquainted with the said Jacob C. Elmendorf and that he is a man of veracity & his statement entitled to credit}
Jno. Rowley Justice of the Peace
-
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adm'd
4 ½ pre
10 mo 10 da
$187.22
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STATE OF NEW-YORK, 
County of Dutchess, } ss. I, HENRY I TRAVER, Clerk of the County of Dutchess, DO HEREBY CERTIFY, That John Rowley
whose name is subscribed to the annexed examination, was at the time of taking the same, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, dwelling in the said County,
and Further, That I am well acquainted with the handwriting of the said John Rowley and verily believe that the signature to the said examination is genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said county, the sixth day of June A.D. 1833
[signed] Henry I Traver, Clerk
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The People of the State of New York
by the Grace of God FREE AND INDEPENDANT
To Cornelius Elmendorph Gentlem'n Greeting.
We reposing especial Trust and Confidence, as well in your Patriotism, Conduct and Loyalty as in your Valour and Readiness to do us good and faithfull service- Have appointed and constituted, and by these Presents Do Appoint and Constitute you therefore Cornelius Elmendorph first Lieutenant of the Company of Militia where of Andrew Hearmanton Esq is Captain in our Regiment
of Militia [illegible] County of Dutchess whereof Morris Graham Esqr. is Colonel
You are therefore to take the said Company into your charge and care as first Lieutenant thereof and duly to exercise the Officers and Soldier of that Company in Arms, who are hereby commanded to obey you as their first lieutenant and you are also to Observe and follow such Orders and Directions as you shall from time to time

n the 8th day of June 1778
tleman within named was duly
oaths of Alegiance & of office
before me
Anthy Hoffman Just
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Periods | Duration of Service | Rank | Cornelius J. Elmendorph
of | [blank] | [blank] | [blank] | in which
Service |   Years | Months | Days| he served
__________________________________________________
1775 | [blank] | 4 | 15 | Private |
1777 | [blank] | 1 | 15 | 1st Lieutenant |
  "   | [blank] | [blank] | 14 | " |
  "   | [blank] | [blank] | 14 | " | 10.10
  "   | [blank] | [blank] | 7 | " |
  "   | [blank] | 2 | [blank] | " |
  "   | [blank] | 3 | [blank] | " |
1778 | [blank] | [blank] | 5 | " |
1779 | [blank] | 2 | 15 | " |
______________________________________________