Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 13739, for Jacob Lent, New York
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
Continental New York
Lent, Jacob
NUMBER
S. 13739
Carded
CONTENTS
Page 2

20.920 
New York
===================
Jacob Lent Gennessee Co in the State of New York who was a private in the Comp. commanded Captain Varney of the Regt commanded
Col. McCrass in the N. York line
for 13 mos. & 28 days--"--"
Continental and N. Y.   Records completed July 31d. 
===========================
Inscribed on the Roll of New York
the rate of 46 Dollar 41 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831
====================
Certificate of Pension issued the 21 day of Oct 1835 and Sent to Wm Mitchell Bethany
========================
Arrears to the 4th of Sep. '33
$116.02
Semi-anl. allowance ending [illegible]
23.26
=======
$139.22
=========
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk
Book E. Vol. 4. Page 66
Page 3

No 20479
Jacob Lent
Genesee Co N. York
admd.

4322
308
______
4641

9382
2320
________
11602


Wm Mitchell Agt
Bethany Genesee Co N.Y.
Page 4

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Pension Office,
May 27 1837
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, shewing the service of Jacob Lent Genesee Co N. York

[column headings:] Duration of the
claimant's service.|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 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.|

Enlisted 1777|3 [mos]|15 [days]|Private|Cap Varny|Col Schuler's Regt.|StillWater Ft Edwd|aged 75 Eaststown Washington|Traditionary

Drafted " [1777]|at least 10 [days]|Saratoga Lake| Isaac Storms

Col- 1778|at least 3[mos]|Cap Van Voorts|Col McCrea|Fort Miller|

1 [month] 12 [days]|

1777|about 3 [months]|Capt Chipman|Gen Linbrooks Brig|

drafted 1779|1 [month] 12 [days]| Col Varney Regt|Ft. Edwd

drawn " [1779]|14 [days]|Cap Van Voorts|Palmerston

drawn 1780|about 14 [days]|Col McCrea| Saratoga Ft. Edwd

Col 1775| 21 or 28 [days] Ft. Ann.[?]

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 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 } 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 ___  ages (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 provion 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 enered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which 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 applicacation 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 services 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. 
[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 in 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 claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his 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 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 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 in 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.
Page 7

Admd
1 yr. 1 Mo. 28 ds
12 mos.  28 ds pri
Page 8

State of New York Genesee County SS   On this 15th day of October 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of The Court  of Common Pleas in and for the said County of Genesee, Jacob Lent a resident of the town of Covington in the said County aged Seventy five years and upwards who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration in or to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.
That he was born at a place called Courtlands Manor in the County of Westchester and State of New York on the 9th day of August 1757, as he has always understood from his parents and believes to  be true did as also appears from the record of his age, in the hand writing of his father Abraham Lent, now in his possession.

That, in the month of February 1777, he resided in the town of Easttown in the County of Washington and State of New York, and enlisted at that place in the said month of February under Captain John Varney, in Colonel Schuylers Regiment for Nine months, that he was stationed during this
time  of service in the neighborhood of Stillwater, Fort Edward, and near Saratoga Lake in Saratoga County N.Y. and remained in the service three months and a half when he hired a Substitute by the name of Smith, that previous to hiring his said substitute and in the Spring after his enlistment he was employed on board the Batteaus in transporting Provisions and amunition from Still Water to Fort  [Edward crossed out] Miller.

That while his said substitute was in the service and before his time, had expired General Burgoynes Army
marched into the County from the North and he with the inhabitants generally fled before them and went below Albany for safety: that immediately after the battle of the 19th September 1777 returned to Easton and with other inhabitants was drafted into the service and was employed in Scouting and in directing the way of the Easton Troops, but so various and irregular was the service at this time that he cannot now either remember the names of of the Officers under whom he served nor the length of time he was out, but
from the best means of judging whether his power to use he thinks he served
Page 9


at last [illegible]days.
In the Summer of the year 1775 and after the surrender of Burguoyne he volunteered his services under Captain Van Voorts and in Col. McCreas Regiment, marched to Fort Edward and served at least three months, and immediately afterwards, in the same neighborhood he served six weeks in General Tenbrooks Brigade, but in what Regiment or under what Captain does not now recollect.
In the fall of the same year, that he was drafted, and found Captain Chipman in Col Warners Regiment, again marched to Fort Edward and
served at that time about three months
That in the Spring of the year 1779 he was again drafted, again attached to Captain Chipman Company again marched to Fort Edward, and remained six weeks; and remained Six weeks; and in  the fall of the same year was again Drawn, and attached to Captain Vanvoorts Company, and was stationed at a place then called Palmerstown where he remained two weeks.
That in the fall of the year 1780 he
was again drawn, and again served under Captain Van Woort at Saratoga about two weeks: That in the fall of the year 1780 he was again drawn, and again served under Captain Van Voort at Saratoga about two weeks. 
That previous to the several times of services above mentioned, (and which should have been first stated), and in the fall of the year 1776 this applicant, Voluntered his service under Captain Van Voorts, in Col. McCreas Regiment, and marched to Fort Edward and Fort Anne, and was employed in making and repairing the road from Fort Edward to Fort Anne; On this tour he was out three or four weeks when he was dismissed and returned home.

That in the year "76" he was called out on an alarm, and went to Fort Edward, where he remained a few weeks, but how long or under what officers he cannot now remember: But he feels very confident, that he served during the war of the Revolution at least three years. That he lived in the said town Easttown
until he was about forty six years of age when he removed to the town of Minden, in the County of Herkimer N.Y. or Montgomery Co.  where he remained about fifteen years, and then removed to Sullivan
Page 10

in Maddison County, where he remained about three years when
he removed to Eaton where he lived one year and then removed again to Mendin when he remained two years, and then removed to Covington Genesee County where he now resides, upon the charity of his son, having no means of supporting himself.
That he had a written discharge signed by Captain John Varney but that said discharge is lost That he has no documentary evidence and knows of no person except Isaac Stone who can testify to his having rendered service, but that Wilber Hoag Seth
Mattison Amaziah Babbins can testify to his character for veracity and their belief of his having rendered services in the War of the Revolution
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
Jacob his X mark Lent
Sworn to and Subscribed
the day and year aforesaid
in open Court   Timothy Fitch Clerk

We Seth Mattison a Clergyman residing in the town of Batavia in the County of Genesee and State of New York and Amaziah Babbens of Covington in said County of Genesee aforesaid hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Jacob Lent 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
Amaziah Babbins
Seth Mattison
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid in open Court
Timothy Fitch Clerk
Page 11

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 Seth Mattison who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman residing in the town of Batavia in said County and that Amasiah Bobbins who has also signed said Certificate is a resident of the town of Covington in said County that they are credible persons and that their Statement is entitled to credit 
[signed] Isaac Wilson 
William Mitchell 
James Taggart 
Robert Earll Jr

I Timothy Fitch Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Genesee County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Jacob Lent for a pension 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name & affixed the seal of my office this fifteenth day of October 1832 
[signed] Timothy Fitch Clerk
Page 12

Isaac Storms of the town of Covington in said County being duly sworn doth depose and say that he is well acquainted with Jacob Lent of the said town of Covington that he this deponant was well acquainted with the said Jacob Lent in the time of the Revolutionary war that at that time this deponant and the said Jacob Lent both lived in in the town of Easton in the County of Washington in the said State of New York, that this deponant served as a soldier in the company of Capt Peter Van Vort in the regiment commanded by Col McCrea with the said Jacob Lent. we served together at Fort Edward also at Schuylers in Saratoga County and that he has known the said Jacob Lent [illegible] since 
[signed] Isaac Storms 
Subscribed & Sworn before me this 17 day of November 1832 
[signed] James Sprague Jr Justice 
State of New York 
Genesee County ss } I Timothy Fitch Clerk of said County certify that James Sprague Jr. before whom the above affidavit purports to have been taken and made was at the date of taking the same a Justice of the peace in and for said County. And that I am well acquainted with the Signature of said Justice subscribed to said affidavit and verily believe the same to be genuine – 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and seal of Office this twenty second day of November 1832. 
[signed] Timothy Fitch Clerk  By B. Pringle Dep Clk
Page 13

I James Sprague Junior the Justice before whom the foregoing affidavit of Isaac Storms was taken do certify that I am well acquainted with the said Isaac Storms and that he is a credible person and his statement is entitled to credit 
[signed] James Sprague Jr Justice
28th June 1833 

[upside down text]
Please make returned to William Mitchel of Bethany Genesee Co. New York.


State of New York 
Genesee County ss.  I, Timothy Fitch Clerk of said County certify that James Sprague Jr by whom the above certificate purports to have been made was at the date thereof a Justice of the Peace in and for said County and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name subscribed to said affidavit is genuine 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and seal of office this first day of July 1833 [signed] Timothy Fitch Clerk 
By B. Pringle Dep Clk
Page 14

[NOTE: Most of this page is too light to be legible other than a few words here and there]

the year 1780 I served under Capt Van Vort at Saratoga not less than fourteen days making in the whole of my Service during the war of the revolution the time of one year one month and twenty
Page 15

Eight days which time I served in the manner set forth in my declaration as a private Soldier and for which time I claim a pension and during the time aforesaid I was not employed in any civil pursuit - and further this Deponent Saith not 
[signed] Jacob Lent 
Sworn and subscribed before me the 26th day of June 1833 
[signed] William Mitchell a Judge of the Genesee County Courts

State of New York 
[County of Genesee} ss. } I, Timothy Fitch, Clerk of said County certify that William Mitchell before whom the foregoing affidavit purports to have been taken and made was at the date of taking the same one of the Judges of the County Courts in and for said County. And that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of said Judge and verily believe his name subscribed to said affidavit is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my name and seal of office this first day of July 1833. [signed] Timothy Fitch Clerk 
By B. Pringle Dep Clk

Admd 
1 yr. 1 mo. 28 ds 
or 13 mo. 28 ds. pri.
Page 16

13.739
INVALID.
RevWar
---
File No. 13, 739
Jacob Lent
Pri Rev War
------
Act: June 7th 1832
Index: --Vol. 1, Page 221
[Arrangement of 1870.]