Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12147, Christopher Beakleey, Continental New York Penn.
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(3-1776)

SERVICE
Continental 
New York 
Penn.   

Beakleey, Christopher    
or Brakley

NUMBER
S.12147.

Carded
-------------------------
CONTENTS
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New York
20.901
--------------------------
Christopher Beakley of New York Co. in the State of New York who was a private in the Comp. commanded by Captain Craig of the Regt. commanded by Col: Hand in the Continental and line for 15 months
_______________________________________________
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 50 Dollars ___ Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831
____________________________________________
Certificate of Pension issued the 21 day of Oct. 1833  and sent to R. J. Dillon New York
________________________________________________
Arrears to the 4th of Sep. '33                     $125
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 [  ] '34             25
                                                                    ____
                                                                   $150
                                                                  
{Revolutionary Claim,}
{ Act June 7, 1832.     }

Recorded by W. L Williams  Clerk,
Book E  Vol. 4, Page 89 
Pa & N.Y.
A.o.T.
Aug. 11, 1905
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21898
In the matter of the application 
of Christopher Beakley 
for a Pension under the 
Pension Act of 1832
-------------------------------------
R. J. Dillon 
Agent  
4 Broad St. 
N.Y.


Admitted 
Private 15 months
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Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7th 1832

State of New York,    }
City and County of New York } Ss.

On this fifteenth day of January one thousand eight hundred and thirty three, personally appeared in open Court, before the Marine Court of the City of New York, now sitting Christopher Beakley, a resident of the City and County of New York and State of New York, aged seventy five years, who, being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
   That he was born, in the City of Philadelphia, on 16 July 1757, which record of his age is in his Family Bible now in his possession: that he was living at Philadelphia when called into the service, and since the Revolutionary war has resided in the City of New York, the place of his present residence
    That in the year 1775, a Rifle Regiment was raised in Pennsylvania, under a Colonel, whose name he does not recollect, but who was sent with a detachment to Canada at the time Montgomery was killed: that thereupon Hand, the Lieutenant Colonel, assumed the command of the regiment, which moved on to Boston, and laid on Prospect Hill, near Cambridge: that he with eight others went to Prospect Hill, and joined the said regiment about the month of June in the said year 1775: the weather was quite warm: it was after the battle at Bunker's Hill: that he entered the company of Captain Charles Craig, for a service of twelve months: in going to Boston, the Asia, British man of war, was lying in the harbor of New York: That in the summer of the same year, but the precise month he cannot recollect, the American troops lay encamped on [Haybed] Hill, & his regiment continued on Prospect Hill: the British were on Bunkers Hill, & crossed over Mystic River to attack
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our men, who were driven back beyond what was called, he thinks, Mystic Town, 37 miles in the interior: that there they received a reinforcement of militia and in turn, attacked the British, that the British retreated and went down to Mystic River, which they crossed under the protection of a vessel of war, which lay in that stream.
    That some time after, in the latter part of the same summer, the troops were deposed as before stated: there were a great number of ^ [standing] troops and militia: that the British crossed Mystic River from Bunker Hill to seize the cattle: that they were engaged by his regiment alone, & were repulsed: two men of his regiment in Captain Ross' Company were wounded:
   That he believes General Washington was at the battle of Houghed Hill: he does not know by whom all the forces of either British or Americans were commanded
    That nothing of importance was done during the succeeding winter of 1775, but he remained in camp and manned the lines: In the spring of 1776 the precise month he cannot recollect, he was ordered with his regiment, from Boston to New York, that they came all the way by land, passing through Hartford and New Haven, marching pretty much on the main post road: that they entered New York through Kings Bridge and Harlam; [sic] they proceeded through New York City to Long Island and lay encamped, a part of the Regiment, at New Ultrecht  the other part at Gravesend: the ground of encampment at New Ultrecht was Captain Van Selts farm: That here his term of service, [Sourt.] twelve months expired: he took his discharge unable to remain in consequence of sickness; he believes that his regiment was the first who came from the Eastward to New York, and that the New England troops came afterwards: he believes that he arrived at New York in the month of May: That
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when he left the service, the British fleet had arrived but the troops had landed in Staten Island
    That he receded subsequently, at Fishkill, Dutchess County, State of New York and was enrolled therein: that about the year 1780, at the time of Arnold's treachery, he cannot specify more particularly, he entered with the militia in the company of Captain Van Wyck and in the regiment he believes of Colonel Brinckerhoff for a service of three months: that they lay encamped between Fish Kill and Peeks Kill, and supposed that the British would land and destroy the stores, but they did not:
   That in his first service he was a volunteer, and in his second, was drafted. 
That he has no particular recollection of any regular officers:  he saw many, and frequently at Boston, General Washington and Lee
    That he received a discharge from his first service which was signed by Colonel Hand that he kept it a number of years but has now lost it: That he never received a written discharge from his second service
   That he served one year and three months as a private and for each service claimed a pension
    That to the best of his knowledge and belief, all his officers and fellow soldiers are dead: but that the Reverend Nicholas I Marselis, of whose church he is a member, and Abraham Labagh, citizens of his neighborhood, can testify to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution.
    That he has no documentary evidence and that he knows of no person who can testify to his actual services.
    That he hereby relinquishes every
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[possible initials in left-hand margin]

claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present and that his name is not on the Agency [crossed out] Pension Roll of the Agency of any state.

Sworn to and subscribed }
in open Court, the day and }
year aforesaid.}  
Christopher Beakleey [signature]

John Barberie 
Clerk

We, Nicholas J. Marselis a clergyman, residing in the City of New York and Abraham Labagh -- residing in the same City, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Christopher Beakley, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration: that we believe him to be seventy five years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion.

Sworn and subscribed, the day }
and year aforesaid, in open Court} 
John Barberie Clerk   

N. J. Marselis [signature]
A Labagh [signature]

    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 it appears to them that Nicholas J. Marselis, who had signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the city of New York and that Abraham Labagh
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who has also signed the same, is a resident in the said City and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit 
By the Court
   John Barberie, Clerk

I, John Barberie, Clerk of the Marine Court of the City of New York, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Christopher Beakley for a pension.

    In testimony whereof I have herewith set my hand and seal of office this fifteenth day of January one thousand Eight hundred and thirty three
             John Barberie [signature]
             [SEAL]
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No 21898
Christopher Beakley
City & County N.Y--
     N.Y--

J.

R J Dillon 
Agent
4th Broad St
N.Y --
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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 show what is necessary to be done.  These points to which your attention is more particular directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace. (thus}).  You will, when 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 Christopher Beakley, New York Co, State N.Y.
============================
Period when the service was rendered/Duration of Claimant's Service/Rank of Claimant/Names and rank of the Field officers under whom be served/Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service/Proof by which the declaration is supported.

- Vol. June 1775/12 months/Private/Capt Craig/75 years Philadelphia/Traditional Evidence stated credible by the court.
 - Drafted 1780/3 months/Capt Vaullyek Col. Hand/-.

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

It cannot be readily admitted the service act forth is issued entitled of proof, and the regulations require the best applicant can furnish.
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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 Staff 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, 1832.
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 if he 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 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 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 it 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
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3
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person 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?
To an Officer. Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court. Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace. the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance. [b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
" Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of bis 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 mouths 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 au embodied corps called into service by competent authority that lie 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 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 [j] 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.


John N Ashton
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Rev War [left-hand margin]
12147 
INVALID.
----------------------------
File No. 12,147 [initialed]
Christopher Beakley
Priv. Rev. war
Act: June 7th 1832
---------------------------
Index:--Vol. a, Page 29

[Arrangement of 1870]
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[right-hand margin]

In the matter of the application
 of Christopher Beakley for a Pension 
under the Pension Act of 1832
________________________________________________
Supplemental Affidavits

R. J. Dillon 
Agent
4 Broad St.
N. Y.
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In the matter of the application } 
of Christopher Beakley for a      }
Pension                                      }


City and County of Philadelphia Ss: Margaret ---Beakley of the said city, being duly sworn deposes and says: that she is well acquainted with Christopher Beakley of the City of New York, an applicant for a Pension: That she was residing at Philadelphia in or about the month of Time -- 1775, when the said Christopher left the said city to join a Rifle Regiment, under Colonel Hand, then at Boston, which had been raised in Philadelphia: that she understood at the time and has ever since believed that he entered the company of Captain Craig for a service of twelve months-that she did not see him until after the expiration of twelve months--and has frequently heard subsequently that he served the whole of that period ___________ _____________ ____________ _______
My husband received several letters during his absence, stating his sufferings in the army_______
_______ _______  _____
     Margaret [her X mark] Beakly

Affirmed before me this 4 day of }
July 1833 & I do certify that         }
Margaret Beakly is a person         }
of fidelity                                      }
Andrew Geyer Ald
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I, Richard Palmer Clerk of the ^ court of common pleas for the City and County of Philadelphia, do hereby certify that Andrew Geyer Esquire before whom the preceeding affidavit of Margaret Beakley was taken. I am Alderman of the City aforesaid and that the signature attached thereto is his genuine signature.
   In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this Fourth day of July one thousand eight hundred and thirty three 

S W Almen [signature]
Prothonotary
& Clerk
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In the matter of the application              }
of Christopher Beakley for a Pension      }

City and County of New York Ss

Robert Hunter of the said City being duly sworn deposes and says that he became acquainted with Christopher Beakley the applicant for a pension, at Fishkill, about the year 1779 from which time he has known him well to the present time: that he knows Samuel Craig, the Lieutenant of the Rifle Company to which said Beakley belonged who has frequently told him that said Beakley served in the said Company, marching from Prospect Hill at Boston in the twelve months service:  that he has frequently heard the said Beakley and the said Craig speak together of their said services:  And that, from the period of his first acquaintance with the said Beakley to the present time.  The said Beakley has always been considered to have been a Revolutionary soldier--and to have served in the said service at Prospect Hill; that he is now in the receipt of a pension for services as a Captain during the Revolutionary War and is at present an officer of the Customs.

Robt. Hunter [signature]

Sworn and subscribed this }
13th day of June 1833 & I  }
thereof certify that the said Robert}
Hunter is a person of credibility}

John Velleyman Jus. Peace [signature]

I, Abraham Asten, Clerk of the City and County of New York do hereby certify that John Velleyman before whom the affidavit of Robert Hunter was made is a Justice of the Peace in and for the said City, and that the signature attached hereto is his genuine signature as I verily believe.
1833 ~
Abraham Asten, Clk
[seal]