Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21540, Jonathan Travis, New York
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New York Travis, Jonathan S.21540
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New York 28.673
Jonathan Travis
[illegible] York Co in the State of New York
was a Private in the Company commanded
[illegible] aptain Heady of the Reg commanded
by Col Drake in the N. York line for 20 months

Inscribed in the Roll of New York
at the rate of 66Dollars 66 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 10th day of May
1834 and sent to Hon Allarde H. Rep

Arrears to the 4th of March '34 $ 199.98
Semi-anl. allowance Sept 4 '34- 33.33
$233.31
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.

Recorded by Sam H. Page Clerk,
Book E Vol. 4 Page 82
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Jonathan Travis
Pension papers

indefinite service
apparently that of patrol
disallowed

1st term 7
2     "      7
3     "      6 or 8
20 mo

Admd
20 mo. pri
$66.66

Send answer to Walker Todd
Carmel Putnam Co N.Y.
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Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the acts of Congress passed June 7th 1832

State of New York 
Putnam County – ss On this fourth day of February in the year of our Lord 1834 personally appeared in open court in the court of Common Pleas held at the court house in this town of Carmel in Putnam County in the state of New York. Jonathan Travis a resident of the town of Carmel in said county aged seventy two years who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of June 7 1833
That in the year 1778 he entered the military service of the United States and served as herein after stated. That he then lived in a place now called York town in Westchester County and within the unit of a company of militia commanded by Captain Smith Heddy William Genter was the lieutenant in the company & the company belonged to the regiment under the command of Colonel Samuel Drake. In the month of May in the said year 1778 the company to which declarant was attached was ordered into the service, the declarant went with the company under the command of said Captain Smith Heddy, the company went to Verplanks point and then down the river to Lorry Town, there across to Bedford guarding and protecting the country from the enemy. The declarant continued with its said company in actual and active service for more than three months. during this time the enemy came and burned the meeting house at Crumford which was occupied by said company as barracks, during this time also the declarant was engaged with others in a scurmish [sic] with the enemy near Verplanks point. After the time above mentioned had closed the company and declarant among them was permitted to return to their homes.
Within ten or fifteen days after declarant returned home the company was again called out in consequence of the landing of the enemy at Verplanks point. all the able bodied men in that section of the country were then called upon. the declarant
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as one of the company of Captain Hedder & under the said captain went out & continued on the lines in the county of Westchester until some time in December 1778. The service during this summer & until December was at least seven months which the declarent performed as a soldier in Capt Hedder’s company. The enemy continued to occupy the place called Verplanks point until late in December & it was in watching the operation of the enemy & in preventing them from making incursions into the country that that declarent & others were employed 
General Putnam & General McDougal had the command of the american troops during this time. The whole of Colonel Drakes Regiment was in the service on this occasion In December 1778 after the above service was performed Colonel Drake gave to the declarent a written discharge which by time & accident has been lost
In the month of March 1779 Capt Hedder’s company was again called out & ended all of Colonel Drake’s regiment declarent went with this company to a place called continental Village a little above Peekskill. 
William Gailer, was at this time the Lieutenant in the company of Captain Hedder in which declarent served.
The troops remained at Continental Village about six weeks, when the above had somewhat subsided. The whole of Col Drakes regiment removed to Yorktown & remained there as head quarters through the season, parties were detached at different times & different directions as the officers directed, the declarent continued in the service from March 1779 until the month of November of the same year. during this year, Colonel Drake was in command whist the troops lay at the village. Lieutenant Colonel John Hyatt & Major Joseph Strong were under Colonel Drake in the above service. 
In the month of May 1780, the British light horse came up into Westchester County a little above Pines Bridge and Killed Colonel Green and Major Flagg at the house of Richardson Davenport, within the town of Yorktown. This occurrance [sic] caused all the militia to
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be again called out & this declarent again went into this service under the aforesaid Captain Smith Hedder. a Mr. Scott was Lieutenant, marched to Pevis Bridge, thence to the mouth of the Croton then up to Peekskill. thence to Yorktown where the whole of Colonel Drakes Regiment remained for about two months, this declarent [sic] continued with the troops in the military service of the county for the whole of this period, when they were marched to [illegible] meeting house, remained there four or five weeks, thence to the house occupied by John Conklin, remained there four or five weeks that being the head quarters of the regiment. The declarent remained in this service moving from place to place through the season until December, being a continued service of more than six months. During a part of this service the declarent was in Captain John Drakes company, said Drake having command of a company made up out of Colonel Drakes Regiment to serve the country in different directions. Colonel Hammond had the command of the regiments below Drakes regiment in which declarent did service when on scouts out of his own regiment, after the militia was discharged in December the declarent returned to his fathers house and remained until about the first of January 1781 when it was rumored that [illegible] or cowboys were running about in the neighborhood of Pine Bridge. Colonel Drake ordered Captain Henry Strong to go with a company of men and apprehend them this declarent was called when to go on this service and did perform that duty which resulted in the capture of two individuals who were sent to West Point, declarent was absent from home in this and other military operations at least one month. During the year 1780 the treachery of Arnold was discovered and Andre apprehended these occurrences produced much alarm and the militia living on or near the lines as declarent did were kept in constant employment
Early in the year 1781 the declarent again went into the service and continued in the same until the close of the war
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The employment of the declarent was upon the lines sometimes down into the lower part of Westchester County, sometimes in the eastern part of it. during the service the delcarent was generally under the command of or attached to Col Samuel Drakes regiment but at times this company in which he served was under the immediate command of some other Colonel John Drake, Henry Strong & Elvin Purdy; were at times in command of the company in which declarent served in 1781 & 1782. Capt Heddy having left the regiment & gone to New London
During the military service of the declarent he assisted in taking one Stephen [illegible (Pain?)] who had when taking orders for inlisting soldiers for the British Army. He also assisted in taking some spies who were afterwards hung for that offense. From old age & the consequent loss of memory declarent cannot be more particular & definite as to the periods of his service & the officers under which he served. That in the declaration made by him before the [illegible (Marine?)] Court of the City of New York on the first day of June 1833
Declarent was born at a place called Crumpond in the town of York Town in Westchester County & there entered the service that he has the possession of the family bible in which is entered the name & place of his birth 
He has no documentary evidence to establish his claim to a pension , The testimony of his younger brother which is hereto annexed. The testimony of Daniel Carman which is contained in the papers heretofore presented to the [illegible (marine?)] Court in New York (the said Daniel Carman having died since his testimony cannot be taken in any other manner) The testimony of John Hyatt which was also hereto annexed
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In all the evidence within his knowledge or within his power to obtain 
After the revolution the declarent had for a few years in York Town in Westchester County , from that place he remained to the town of Carmel in which town he now resides and has resided therein for more than thirty years last past
Whenever he was called into the service it was by a general call for the militia & he allways obeyed that call & went with the company to which he belonged 
he never served as a substitute for any one, he allways served as a private soldier
General Washington, General George Clinton, Colonel Green, Colonel Sheldon, Colonel Miller, Colonel Van Cortlandt were with the troops were he has served 
Colonel Drake, Colonel Hammond, Lieut Colonel John Hyatt, Major Joseph Strong were also with the troops were declarent served
Declarent did on one occasion receive a written discharge from Col Samuel Drake, but the same has by Time and accident been lost 
The declarent is known to Beniah Y Morse a Clergyman living in Carmel. To William Drew & Thomas persons living in his neighborhood & who he believes [illegible] testify to his character for veracity & their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution
Subscribed & sworn in open court
February 4th 1834, Morehouse Clerk
Jonathan Travis
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We Benaiah Y Morse a clergyman residing in the town
of Carmel in Putnam, Thomas W. Tailor & William
Drew residing in the same town, hereby certify
that we are well acquainted with Jonathan Travis who has 
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe
him to be seventy two years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a 
soldier of the revolution that we concur in that opinion.

Benaiah Y Morse [signed]
Thomas W Taylor [signed]
William Drew Jr [signed]

Subscribed and sworn in open court
February 4th 1834 - J. Morehouse Clk of said court
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Putnam County ss John Hyatt being duly sworn doth
Depose and say that he was sixty eight years of age in April
1833. That he lives in York town in Westchester County and
has had there ever since he was born, that he knows
Jonathan Travis of the town of Carmel in Putnam County
and has known him ever since he can remember. That
during the revolutionary war then, and in the same
law with Mr Travis, about three miles from
when deponent was first enrolled in its militia, aforesaid
Travis was a member of the company in which the
Deponent was enrolled. Elvin Purdy was the captain of the
company, Colonel Samuel Drake commanded the regiment
Deponent thinks that in 1779 and 80 he was in its service, the
company was often called out & deponent and said Travis were often in the service together, sometimes they were called to one
part of the county sometimes to another. the company was so 
divided that every third night our third of the company was out all night. this arrangement continued
for six or eight months, from early in the spring until the
severity of the weather compelled them to go within the house . during this time when patrolling as aforesaid the head quarters
were at Crompand, until the meeting house was burned by the
enemy, then they were removed to the house of Joshua Hyatt
the father of the deponent
that the deponent before his was old enough to perform
military duty after saw the said Travis in the service and the 
year before deponent was enrolled the enemy lay at Verplanks point and the whole of company of militia to which Travis belonged and which was then commanded by Captain Smith
Hadden, was ordered out remained at and near Verplank Point
the whole summer from quite early in the spring until cold
weather the fall, that during this summer the deponent
frequently saw said Graves in the service, he allways [sic] was with
the company and the company and regiment were often changing
their position and after came where deponent saw them.
The deponent fully believes, that the said Travis spent the
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whole of this season in the military service of his country.
The deponent recollects on one occasion when the enemy’s
light horse came up from below and killed Colonel Green and 
Major Flagg of the Rhode Island troops at the house of
Richardson Davenport, deponent thinks this occurrence was in
the year 1781, on that occasion the whole of Colonel Drakes regiment was called out. Deponent and said Travis were out
on this occasion, four months, when they were permitted to
home. In the year 1781 the deponent left the company of
militia and joined a company of horse under the command
Israel Honeywell, that for the two years previous to deponent joining the horse and whilst he was in the militia he
has no doubt but the company of militia was in the
service at least one third of the time, and he fully believes 
that the said Jonathan Travis aforesaid performed military service
for the country within aforesaid two years
at least one third of the time. That after deponent
joined the horse he frequently saw the said Jonathan
Graves in the service but cannot fix with any certainty
upon its length of time he was so employed.
that during the two years when the deponent was in it
militia he acted as Sergeant and the said Travis was a corporal
in of same company
John Hyatt
Sworn and Subscribed this 30th
day of December 1833 before me
I do certify that he is a credible
witness 
Jonathan Morehouse
Justice of the peace
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State of New York
Putnam County Ss.⎬Joseph Travis of the town of
Carmel in the County of Putnam being duly sworn
doth depose and say that he is sixty nine years of age
the fifth day of January 1834, that he is a brother of
Jonathan Travis who was a soldier in the revolution and
about two or three years younger then the said Jonathan.
That the name of the father of the deponent and of Jonathan
Trains was Gilbert Travis, that previous to and during the
revolutionary war, the family of the said Gilbert Travis
lived at a place called Crumpond in the town of Yorktown in the County of Westchester and State of New York.
The father of the deponent was a commissary &and had the
charge of the continental stores at the place where he
resided as aforesaid: The deponent knows that his said
brother Jonathan Travis was in the military service of
the country during the revolutionary war. Smith
Heddy or Hadder was the captain of the company of militia
within whose unit the deponent and his said brother
resided. the said company belonged to Colonel Samuel Drakes
regiment. The deponent knows that in the year 1778
the enemy having come up the river as for as Verplanks
paint, the Company of Militia of Captain Smith
Heddy or Hadden was all ordered out that the brother
of the deponent, the said Jonathan Marched with the
said company, in the spring of that year, and continued in
the service until late in the fall before he returned to
his fathers house; that deponent saw him several
times in the course of that time, in the army, sometimes
when they were encamped and at other times when on
march. That the said Jonathan Travis, the next [illegible] 
again entered the service, but in what manner or
under what captain the deponent does
not remember, but he does know that from this [illegible] 
to the close of the war the said Jonathan was absent from 
home and in the military service of the country the greater
part of the time. The family residing a short distance
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above the British lines, every man who was capable of
wearing arms was almost constantly in the service.
the said Jonathan did not hasten to attend to the farm
or its concerns that was left for the deponent and a still
younger brother to attend to. whilst the father and brother of 
the deponent were in the military service.
living as the deponent did on the farm and in the immediate
neighborhood where the said Jonathan performed his military service the deponent had a good opportunity of knowing
How much time the said Jonathan spent in the service
and he does verily believe that from the time the
said Jonathan entered the service the spring of 1778
he did not serve less than four years.
Joseph Travis

Sworn & Subscribed this 30th day of January 1834 before me and I do hereby certify that the said
Joseph Travis is entitled to credit
Uriah Hill Justice of the peace
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Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress
passed June 7. 1832
State of New York 
City and County of New York ⎬
On this first day of June AD 1833
personally appeared in open Court before the Marine
Court for the City and County of New York now sitting
Jonathan Travis a resident of the Town of Carmel
County of Putnam in the State of New York aged Seventy
one years and upwards, who being 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 by him-
That he entered the service of his County in the year
1778 in the Militia of West Chester County and State of
New York as a volunteer in a Regiment commanded by
Colonel Samuel Drake the company commanded by
Captain Smith Heady and William Gailer as Lieutenant
which service commenced in the month of May in the
year 1778 and continued for 3 months during which
time he was in a skirmish with the British Troops as
Verplanks point. Also fought the British at the
burning of the Meeting House at Crumpond by a
Detachment of Colonel Tarltons light Horse
After which he again entered the service by a general
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Call for all the Militia to turn out in the same
year and served from the month of August to the
month of December being about four months- in
the month of April 1779 he again volunteered
his service and served until about Christmas making
about nine months service-
In April 1780 he again volunteered and served
until the British troops left the lines making about
Two years and eight months service-
During his service he was under the command of other
Militia Officers [illegible] there[sic] first names. The continental officers under which he served were General 
Washington General George Clinton, Colonel Green, Colonel
Sheldon and Colonel Millan under whom he served.
That his services were performed in the Counties of West
Chester and Dutchess, that in the course of his term of service
he assisted in capturing Stephen Paris and others with
enlisting orders from the British besides some British spies the
which were hanged-
That he was born in the Town of Crumpond West Chester
County where he entered the service of his County which
is now called Yorktown Westchester County, that he
has the possession of the family bible whereby he
Can show where he was born and show his age-
That he has no documentary evidence to substantiate his
claim except the Testimony of his younger brother Joseph Travis
living in the Town of Carmel County of Putnam which will be
herewith sent taken, by Jonathan Morehouse Justice of this
Peace and certified by J Moorhouse the Clerk of the County
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of Putnam. That he this applicant for a Pension
always acted during his services in the capacity of a
Soldier although he might perhaps have risen, his
father being a Quarter Master in the Militia in the
service at the same time. He also has the testimony
of Daniel Carman a Soldier of the Revolution hereunto
annexed to show that he served as in this his declaration
is set forth. He also says that William Gailer the
Lieutenant with whom he served could testify to the
facts herein stated as to his services but cannot now
be well procured, but that a statement made by him
heretofore on the eight of April AD 1833 and sworn to will be
herewith sent. He further deposeth that the witnesses
as to his services can be much easier and better procured 
in the City of New York than in the County of
Putnam where he resides as those that are now living
who were in actual service with him reside in the
City of New York and are not able to go to another
County to have their testimony taken, and which is the
Cause of his applying in the City of New York-
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.-
Jonathan Travis
Sworn and subscribed
the day and year aforesaid
in open Court-
John Barberie
Clerk
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City of New York Ss. Daniel Carman a Soldier
of the Revolution residing in the City of New York
being duly sworn doth depose and say that he resides
in the said City that he formerly resided in the County
of West Chester that he is well acquainted with the
foregoing applicant for a Pension Jonathan Travis. has known him ever since the commencement of the
Revolutionary War, has heard the aforegoing affidavit
read to which the said Jonathan Travis was sworn to
and subscribed in his presence, knows that the statements
therein made are correct knows that he was in the service
of his Country for the space of four years andupwards
during the Revolutionary W
Daniel Carman

Sworn and Subscribed the day and
year aforesaid in open Court 
John Barberie Clerk

Elihu W Baldwin a Clergyman residing
in the City of New York and Richard Carman
And Joseph I Travis - residing in the City of
New York hereby certify that we are well acquainted with
Jonathan Travis the applicant who has signed
and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe
him to be Seventy one years of age, that he is reputed
and believed in the neighborhood where he resides and
also by those that know him in this City to have been
a Soldier of the Revolution, that he is a man of truth
and veracity that we concur in that opinion and
believe the matters set forth in his declaration to
be true.-over
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Elihu W Baldwin
Richard Carman
Joseph J. Travis
Sworn and subscribed the
day and year aforesaid in open Court 
John Barberie, Clerk
And the said Court do hereby declare their
opinion after the Investigation of the matters, and
after putting the Interrogatories prescribed by the
War Department that the above applicant Jonathan
Travis was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as
he states. And the Court further certifies that
Daniel Carman who has testified as to his own
knowledge of the services of Jonathan Travis in the
Revolutionary war is a respectable citizen of the City of
New York and is entitled to full credit-
And the Court further certifies that
Elihu W Baldwin who has signed the
preceeding [sic] certificate is a Clergyman residing in
the City of New York and that Richard Carman
and Joseph Travis who have, also signed
the same are residents of the City of New York, that
they are credible persons, and that their statements
are entitled to Credit
-
By the Court
John Barberie, Clerk
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I, John Barberie clerk of the Marine Court of the City of New York do herby certify proceedings in the matter of the application of Jonathan Travis for a pension. 
In witness whereof I have here until affixed the seal of the said court this 6th day of June one thousand eight hundred and thirty three.
John Barberie.
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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
Jonathan Travis was a revolutionary soldier and served as he
States, and the Court for this certifies that Beniah Morse 
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in
this town of Carmel and that Thomas W Tailor and William
Drew who have also signed the same are also residents in
the said town of Carmel and are credible persons and that their
statement is entitled to credit
Ebenezer Foster
Bennet Boyd 
Daniel Kent
Harry Garrison
Judges of Putnam County Court

I Jonathan Morehouse Clerk of the County Court of the
County of Putnam do hereby certify that the foregoing contains
the original proceedings in the matter of the application of
Jonathan Travis for a pension, and I do further certify that
Jonathan Morehouse before whom the preceding affidavit of
John Hyatt was taken, was a Justice of the peace, duly
commissioned and sworn, and I do further certify that Uriah
Hill before whom the preceding affidavit of Joseph Travis
was taken is also a Justice of the peace duly commissioned
sworn
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and affixed my seal of office this 7th day of
February in the year of our Lord 1837
J. Morehouse
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H Relay Evans
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington DC
Dear Sir
Jonathan Travis, a life long resident of Putnam County NY dies Feb 2 1945 aged 86 years, being in receipt of a soldiers pension. 
Will you please inform me whether he was a solder in the war of the Revolution, or in the that of 1812?
The above enquiry was address to Col Ainsworth, Chief of Record and Pension Office and his answer and instruction was as follows.
The records of this office show that one Jonathan Travis, served as a private in Captain John Clar's company in Major James Adams battalion of New York militia War of 1812 from June 23 to July 3, 1812. 
The records also show that one Jonathan Travis served as a private in Captain Jonathan Ferris company. 61st Regiment (Carver's) New York militia War of 1812 from September 6th to December 4th 1814. It appears that this company was raised in the counties of Putnam and Dutches.
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The records further show that one
┃ Jonathan Travis, rank not stated, was a
┃ member of Colonel Samuel Drakes regiment of
┃ New York troops in the Revolutionary war
His name appears only on a receipt roll, which
┃ shows that Colonel Drake commanded the
regiment from 1778 to 1781. but contains
no particulars relative to the soldiers service.
Colonel Ainsworth instructs me
┃ to enquire of the Commissioner of Pensions
┃ for information relative to any pension that
┃ may have been granted on account of the
┃ service of any of the above named soldiers
As the terms of service was at
different periods of time, it may be they were
performed by one and the same person, if there
was but one pension granted to one Jonathan
Travis for services in the Revolutionary war it is
┃ proof positive that this person was a soldier of the
War of the Revolution.
the present generation can find no
private papers of his, and will have to rely solely
┃ upon the records at Washington
Please inform me of the records in your
office relative to the to the above, and oblige
┃Yours Etc.
L.H. Travis
 Frederick City Maryland
May 10th 1838.
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[Box upper left of page:]

This bureau can finish the military record of only such Revolutionary soldiers
as were pensioned or whose widows were
pensioned for their services.
Such of the original muster and pay
rolls of the Revolutionary War and the
War of 1812 as are now in the possession
of the Government are on file in the
Record and Pension Office, War Department.
Original rolls and other records pertaining
to service in the Revolutionary War may also be found on file in the archives of many of the original States.
O. W. & N. DIV. [Old War and Navy Division]
REVOLUTIONARY.

L. W. B.
I. 21540
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
WASHINGTON, D. C.,
May 20th, 1898.
Sir:
Replying to your recent communication you are advised that Jonathan
then Travis made an application for pension on June 1, 1833, at which
time he was 71 years of age and residing at Carmel, New York, and his
pension was allowed for twenty months actual service as a private in
the New York troops, Revolutionary war; a part of the time he served
under Capt. Heady and Col. Drake. He enlisted in Westchester County,
New York.
A very careful search has been made and the name of Jonathan
Travis has not been found upon the War of 1812 pension or bounty land
records on file in this Bureau.
Very respectfully,
Acting Commissioner.
Mr. L. H. Travis,
Frederick City, Maryland
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23968 
Jonathan Travis State of New York 
b-e-j- 
[illegible]
Honorable A. Ward
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WAR DEPARTMENT.
Pension Office,
May 17, 1833

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 Jonathan Travis City and County of New York
[Table of six columns, headed:]
Period when service was rendered  ||  Duration of the claimant's service || Rank of the claimant || Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. || Age at present and place of abode when he entered the service || Proof by which the declaration is supported.
Volunteer 1778 || Time not specified || Private || Colonel Drake, Captain Heady, General Washington ||71 years. Westchester County New York || Traditionary evidence. 1 living witness for four years and upward. Witness not certified to be credible.The declaration not made in the county where the applicant resides. 
Clergyman Citizen
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, etc., Teamsters, Boatmen, etc. 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
On this
day of
personally appeared (a) before
A.B. a resident (b) 
in the county of
and State, Territory or District
Of
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.
(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, etc.]
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.
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
etc.
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.
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: [namely]
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with
and C. D. residing in (the same)
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 days 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
etc.
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
Page 27

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?
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 payment 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 which the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
(b) The declarant must make his declaration 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 names of the colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim
cannot be had. Every clamant must state, with precision the length of his service and the different grades in which he served,  in language so definite as to allow the department to determine what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case when an applicant cannot by reason of the loss of memory state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making a definite affidavit in the following words: “Personally appeared before me, the undersigned a justice of the peace etc A.B. who being duly swore, deposit and saith that by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear posiively 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, served as a . For months and days, served as and for such service I claim a pension.
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the morn, to 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 year
in the militia, etc. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration in
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 place 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 he 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 most
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 o the Department to prove his service by the
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 well
in the regiment, company, and he to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibly of the witness and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper office under his seal of office.
The notes from to (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
Page 28

New York Revolution 
Jonathan Travis 
Suspended act 7 June [18]32
letter [illegible] [18]36
to Honorable A. Ward.
Page 29

[Two sides. Left side:]
21540 
INVALID.
Revolution
Number 24540
Jonathan Travis
Private Revolutionary War
Act: June 7, [18]32
Index: - Volume 2, Page 423
Arrangement of 1870.)
[Right side:]
MAY 20 1898 
L. H. Travi
Frederick City Maryland
Page 30

New York
J.L. Edwards, Esquire of the pension office
Honorable A. Ward
Page 31

Sir
I send you herewith some additional proof in the case of J. Travis- and will thank you
to give it your earliest attention.
Yours etc.
A. Warde]
House of Representatives May 9th [18]34
Page 32

Jonathan Travis
Honorable a. Ward
Honorable a. Ward
Page 33

State of New York
Putnam County Jonathan Travis of the town of Carmel in the County of Putnam and State of New York being
duly sworn doth depose and say that he was a soldier of the
army of the revolution and served therein as follows. That
some time in the month of May in the year 1778 he lived
in York Town in Westchester County within the list of of Captain
Smith Heddy or Haddens company of Militia and in Colonel
Samuel Drakes Regiment. That the whole company of Captain
Heddy or Hadden, was warned to appear at the meeting house
in York Town in May aforesaid, in pursuance of such
warning the deponent attended at said meeting house when the
whole company was ordered to march to Tarry Town - from
thence to White plains, from thence to Bedford, from thence
to Povis bridge, and thence to York Town, from there to
Peekskill and from thence to Continental Village where the
company encamped with the army. I remained some weeks
when the company was again ordered to march and went to Coleburgh and from thence to York Town, and in a similar manner
the deponent was with the company of Captain Heddy or Hadden
marching and countermarching in the County of Westchester until
late in the fall or beginning of winter, and during the whole
time the company was under military orders and raised the
supply of provision from the commissary department.
the said company was at no time dismissed or disbanded
during the season. That this service was for an
timed period of not less than seven months
That in the month of April 1779. the same company
was ordered to assemble at Peekskill, where Colonel
Drake lived, and deponent with the company assembled at
Peekskill, when the company was thus assembled. a draft
was made of every sixth man for a tour of duty of
three months .the deponent was drafted as one of the
men from Captain Huddy or Haddens company The
drafted men were put under the command of Captain
Daniel Delavan Elijah Scott, Lieutenant. The company
Page 34

thus organised patrolled Westchester county from place to
place during the three months for which time of service
the company was drafted. the deponent served the
whole of said three months in the military service of
the country during the latter part of this three months
service, the ships of war of the enemy lay in the North River
And at the expiration of the three months, the company of
drafted men was discharged and deponent returned to the
Company of Captain Huddy or Hadden, which had been
ordered into the service, andjoined that company at the
meeting house in York Town where the whole of Drakes Regiment had assembled. That the regiment remained
encamped at the meeting house in York Town for several
months, the enemy day in the river and were occasionally
landing their troops and committing depredations, and to defend the country and drive back the enemy, the regiment
was kept under arms, sometimes a guard patrolling in
one direction and sometimes in an other, watching the movements of the enemy, until the enemy returned to York
in the fall. That during all this time from some time
in April until late in the fall the deponent was
constantly engaged in the military service of the country
for a period of not less than seven month.
In the spring of the year as deponent thinks in April 1780
the company to which he belonged, then commanded by
Captain Alden Purdy, Ezekiel Hyatt Lieutenant 
McReady also a Lieutenant. (The former officers of the company Captain Heddy and Lieutenant Gaylor having left the company and entered into the service on board of the ship Trumble, The regiment and company to which deponent belonged assembled in York Town at a place called Hyatts
Plains, that was the head quarters for the season. The regiment of Colonel Nathaniel Delavan, also the Regiment of Calolonel
___Ludington were encamped at the same place
from this place scouting parties composed of different
Page 35

numbers, sometimes fifty sometimes one hundred were
scouting the country in different directions, the deponent
participated in this service, acting this year as a corporal
and was engaged during the season until the army
went into winter quarters in the military service of the
entry devoting his whole time and attention to it
And away for a period of from six to eight months
That from this period until the close of the war deponent was engaged every season in the military service
of his country, but cannot from age and of consequent
failure of memory specify the exact time of each service
But he well he recollects that on one occasion when under the
command of Captain John Drake who commanded a company
made up from different companies of militia
he was with the company acting in concert with
Sheldens light horse patrolling the country in various
directions, during his service he recollects the
following occurrence, that the enemy came up
into the lower part of York Town and killed Colonel
Green  Major Flagg at the house of Richardson Davenport, Green and Flagg were officer from Rhode Island
The company to which deponent was attached was
encamped at the meeting house in York Town
when this occurrence took place a few miles from
the scene of this outrage
That deponent was at West farms in Westchester
County when the news of peace reached the army with
his company and regiment and had been then under arms
for several months, from the commencement of
the service of deponent 1788 he was during the
War until peace in the military service of the
country every season and no service less than six months
on some occasions more. That the service and
which he was engaged was not attended with any
signal officer, but being on the lines constant at
Page 36

truely was necessary to to defend against the enemy and 
such attention was given by the deponent as he was
called upon to perform, which occupied so perfectly his
time that he attempted no business of any kind other
than that of a soldier
Jonathan Graves
Sworn & Subscribed this 11th day of April 1834 before me
Ashur Gilbert Deputy Cork
of Putnam County the clerk being absent

Putnam County
Clerks Office Ss. I, Ashur Gilbert do hereby certify that I am the deputy of of the clerk of the County
of Putnam and as such an authorized to administer
oaths. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and affixed the seal of said county this 10th day
of April 1834 
Ashur Gilbert Deputy Clerk
in absence of the Clerk