Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 23,331, for Samuel Myer, New York
Page 1

SERVICE New York
Myer, Samuel
NUMBER  S. 23,331
B.L.W. 26354 -160 - 55
Page 2

Left top:
Cir.[?] A.S. Rowley Decr. 7/55

Left bottom:
Vol No. 2 page 179.

Right:

91.849	} Act March 3/55 
	        }        April 23   "

Samuel Myer, Ex. Rider

Rev. Pensioner under
Act of June 7, 1832
at the rate $300 "
per annum

[illegible] June 32-31303
[illegible] 21/86
[illegible signature]

A.S. Rowley
Hudson N.Y.

Scrawled across the document:
No 26 354 [illegible] May 24 [illegible]/56
Page 3

31303
New York   Albany
Samuel Myer
of Columbia Co in the State of New York who was an Express Rider in the company commanded by Captain [blank] of the Regt commanded by Col. Hay in the New York line for 15 months.

Increased from $150 per an.

Inscribed on the Roll of Albany NY at the rate of $300 Dollars and 00 Cents per annum, to commence the 4th day of March 1831, deducting former payments at $150 per an.

Certificate of Pension issued the 12 day of Jannuary 1852 and sent to
H Ray Esqr Present

Arrears to the 4th of [blank]
Semi-anl. allowance ending [blank]

{Revolutionary Claims,}
{  Act June 7, 1832. }

Recorded by A Van Wyck  Clerk
Book F 2 Vol. 4 Page 47
Page 4

91894
Revolutionary
Bounty Land Claim
of Samuel Myer
under Act March 3, 1855

Alex S. Rowley
Hudson N.Y.
Page 5

Original Declaration for a Revolutionary Soldier

DECLARATION.

State of New York	}
County of Columbia } ss
On this Seventeenth day of April A.D. 1855, personally appeared before me, a Commissioner of Deeds within and for the County and Stae aforesaid, Samuel Myer aged Ninety years, a resident of the Town of Taghkanick [sic] in the State of New York who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is the identical Samuel Myer who was an Express Rider in the Army of the United States in the Revolutionary War; that on account of his services in said War he was allowed and is now actually in receipt of a Pension under the Act of Congress, passed on the 7th day of June A.D. 1832 at the rate of $300- per annum, as will more fully appear by reference to the evidence now on file in the Pension Office at the City of Washington.
He makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining Bounty Land to which he may be entitled under the Act approved March 3d, 1855.
He also declares that he has never received any Bounty Land Warrant under this or any other Act of Congress, nor made any other application therefor.
				                            his
Claimants Signature,         Samuel   X   Myer
                                                             mark

We, Alex S. Rowley and Samuel L Myer residents of the City of Hudson in the State of New York upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Samuel Myer [the rest is obscured by the following Clerk's Certification atop the page]

State of New York			        }
Columbia County Clerk's Office	}  ss.

[SEAL of Columbia Co.]. I, D.C. Neefus, Clerk of the County of Columbia, do hereby certify that Lucius N. Gridley who name is subscribed to the certificate of proof or acknowledgement of the annexed instrument, was, at the time, a Commissioner of Deeds, in and for the city of Hudon, in said County, and duly authorized to take the same; and that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of said Commissioner, and verily believe that the signature to the said certificate is genuine. And that said instrument is executed and acknowledged according to the laws of the State of New York.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my name, and affixed the seal of said County, this 21st day of April A.D. 1855.
[Signed]  D.C. Neefus  Clerk

[Below this certification is the signature to the declaration]

[Signature obscured]
Commissioner of Deeds
Hudson NY
Page 6

[This is the previous page without the overlaid certification]

Original Declaration for a Revolutionary Soldier

DECLARATION.

State of New York	}
County of Columbia } ss
On this Seventeenth day of April A.D. 1855, personally appeared before me, a Commissioner of Deeds within and for the County and Stae aforesaid, Samuel Myer aged Ninety years, a resident of the Town of Taghkanick [sic] in the State of New York who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is the identical Samuel Myer who was an Express Rider in the Army of the United States in the Revolutionary War; that on account of his services in said War he was allowed and is now actually in receipt of a Pension under the Act of Congress, passed on the 7th day of June A.D. 1832 at the rate of $300- per annum, as will more fully appear by reference to the evidence now on file in the Pension Office at the City of Washington.
He makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining Bounty Land to which he may be entitled under the Act approved March 3d, 1855.
He also declares that he has never received any Bounty Land Warrant under this or any other Act of Congress, nor made any other application therefor.
				                           his
Claimants Signature,         Samuel   X   Myer
                                                           mark

We, Alex S. Rowley and Samuel L Myer residents of the City of Hudson in the State of New York upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Samuel Myer in our presence; and that, from the appearance and statements of the applicant, we believe that he is the identical person he represents himself to be.
Signatures of Witnesses,           Alex. S. Rowley
                                                      Samuel L Myers

[SEAL] The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me, on the day and year aforesaid; and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons; that the claimant is the person he represents himself to be, and that I have no interest in this claim.

Signature of the Magistrate,  Lucius N. Gridley [Signed]
Commissioner of Deeds
Hudson, NY
Page 7

5090
Application of 
Saml Myer

A.S. Rowley
Hudson
Agent

No. 5090
Page 8

State of New York	}
County of Columbia	} ss  On the Third day of August 1832 personally appeared before the Justices of the Justices Court of the City of the City of Hudson, now sitting, Samuel Myer, A Resident of the Town of Livingston County and State aforesaid, aged 67 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 was born in the year 1765 Harlem in the City & County of New York. That he volunteered and entered the service of the United States in the Summer of 1778 under the command of Colonel Udney [?] Hay at the quartermaster Department in the Town of Fishkill (Genl. Washingtons Head-quarters) and Rode as an express for some time, until Col Hugh. Hugh took the Command of Said department and continued Riding, as an Express under said Hughs directions until Said Department was broken up, or removed, while said applicant was under said Hay and Hugh at Fishkill he Rode to many different places some of which are the following - [illegible] to Danbury, Connecticut with Express to Major Starr to Col. Wadsworth, Granville to Judge Ward, Fredericksburgh to Major Campbell, quarter-Master, at Peekskill, Nicholas quackenbush quarter-Master at Albany, Genl Washington West Point - GenI. Green at New-Windsor - Genl. Heath at Robertsons in the Highlands at the place where Arnold the Traitor left the American's and went to the British Shipping - Genl McDougal at Peekskill, Timothy Pickering at New Burgh quarter-Master Genl. Major Hall, Hartford, Col Morehouse, Dover,  and to many other places. Continually on the move during said term, to George Clinton's at Poughkeepsie, Governor of the State. The different Expresses that Rode from Fishkill during said term beside this applicant were William Mayer James Hay, John McColum, Henry Peckwell William Slow, all under the command of Capt. Beckman, one other Circumstance, said applicant Rode with Genl. Lafayette from Fishkill to Thos. Storms, at Hopewell, a distance of about Eight Milles [sic] as a guide in the Night time, also as a guide for Count Rochambeau from Col. Morehouses in Dover, to Genl. Washingtons Head-quarters at New Windsor - all of the above named officers were personally known to Said applicant - That after Said department broke up, Said applicant went into the Commissary’s store, in Fishkill and Served, as an assistant Scales-man and in driving cattle from Fishkill to Peekskill & West Point for about Four Months - under Comfort. and Joshua Sands, Army Contractors, Tobias Van Zant Commissary - Michael Brooks, Scales-man - Godfrey Coons Butcher 
Said applicant has no Record of his age, he therefore States, only from tra[dition]
Page 9

[tra]dition, as has been related to him by his parents- That Said applicant Resided in the Town of FishKill at the time he entered the Service and Continued there until after the Revolutionary war & then immediately after peace, Removed with his Father to New York, and resided in said City, for the space of about 24 years, and then Removed to the Town of Livingston in the County of Columbia and resided there about 7 years, then moved into the Town of Claverack, in said County, and  Continued a Resident there until the first day of April last past, and then Removed into the town of Livingston aforesaid, and has been a Resident of said Town until this date.
Said Applicant 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. Said applicant further says that he has never Received any written discharge & therefore has no documentary evidence - that he has no knowledge of any living witness that he can procure, to Certify as to his Services - and that his neighbors who Can & will Testify as to his Credibility as to truth & veracity, and their belief of his Services as above Stated - are John P Miller, Walter Patterson, William Miller, Friend Sheldon, Robert H. Van Renssellaer, Jehoiakim A. Van Valkenburgh and John Van Deusen.
Subscribed & sworn to the			[Signed] Samuel Myer
day & year aforesaid 
Hiram Wilbur, Clerk 

We Jehoiakim A. Van Valkenburgh and Robert H. Van Renssellaer both Residing in the Town of Claverack in the County of Columbia hereby Certify that we are well acquainted with Samuel Myer, who has Subscribed and Sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be Sixty Seven 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, also A Man of Truth & Veracity .
Sworn and Subscribed the 	}	[Signed] J A Van Valkenburgh
3d day of August 1832      	} 	[Signed] R. Henry Van Rensselaer
before me		          	}
[Signed] Isaac McCagg	}
Jus of said Court		        }
Page 10

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after investigating the matter and putting the Interrogatories prepared by the War Department (the Answers to which are embodied in the application) that the above named Applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and Served as he states, and the Court Further Certifies the above named Jehoiakim A. Van Valkenburgh who has certifyed [sic] above is a resident of the Town of Claverack in said County of Columbia that he is a Respectable merchant and also that Robert Henry Van Van Rensselaer is a Resident of the Town of Claverack personally known to the Court that both are Credible Men and entitled Credit. The above Jehoiakim A. Van Valkenburgh is also Port Master in the Town of Claverack.

[Signed] I. McCagg    }
[Signed] Wm R Macy } Justices

 I Hiram Wilbur, Clerk of the Justices Court of the City of Hudson in the County & State aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the Original Proceeding in the Matter of the Application of Samuel Myer for a pension 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of my Office Third day of August 1832 
[Signed] Hiram Wilbur, Clerk
Page 11

Return in 5 days to
HENRY GRADY HOTEL[Crossed out]
ATLANTA [Crossed out]
L.L. Satterfield
Hartwell, Ga.

Veterans Administration
Washington, D.C.

[Postmark] Hartwell GA., Oct. 26 1932 5PM
[Stamp] 3 Cents Washington stamp
Page 12

[Handwritten note] Leave under clip
Page 13

Brief in the case of Samuel Myer 
Columbia County and State of New York 
act 7 June 1832 

Claim, ("original," or "for increase.") [original is crossed out]
Proof exhibited, (if original.) 
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance. [blank]

(If for increase.) 
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Express Rider  - Increased from $150 to $300 per annum 

Name and residence of Agent
A.Ray,
Present 					

F.Cole
Examining Clerk.
Page 14

Washington Decr. 23d 1837

J.L. Edwards Esq

Sir / I have the Honor of Enclosing you some additional Papers in the Matter of the application of Samuel Myers for a Pension - The Enclosed Papers are from James Rowley Esq of the City of Hudson N.Y. - The Application of Mr Myers has been pending for some time - Mr Myers is a man I have known for a number of years, is a man of great Respectability and his statements are Entitled to full credit -
Yours with Respect
R. McClellan
Ho. Rep [?]
Page 15

Washington Decr. 27th 1837

J.L. Edwards Esq

Dear Sir /  I have the Honor  to receive your letter of this date in relation to the Application of Samuel Myers for a Pension. You inform me that if he will accept a pension for service for one year, a certificate will be granted as his signifying his acceptance [all underlined] - You will be pleased to make out and forward me the certificate and I will guarantee that he will accept same and be satisfied therewith as I am authorised [sic] so to do - I suppose the certificate will be operative from the year 1831, the date of the passage of the act -

I have the Honor to be
Sir yr obt servt
[Signed] Robt. McClellan
Ho. Rep [?]
Page 16

State of New York	}
Columbia County	} ss.

On this seventh day of September 1850, before me a Justice of the Peace in and for said County and State, duly authorised [sic] to administer oaths, personally appeared Samuel Myer a resident of said County, and a Revolutionary Pensioner, who first having been duly sworn according to Law, doth, on his oath state: That he is now in the receipt of a Pension under Act of 7 June 1832, at the rate of Forty Dollars a year, on account of his revolutionary services as an Express-rider - in said capacity he performed service for fifteen months.
This declaration now being made is to assert a claim to a pension at the rate of a Captains pay, which he declares he received while in the line of his duty, and also claims the amount of arrears due thereon from the 4th March 1831.
[Signed] Samuel Myer

Sworn to and subscribed	}
on the day and year		}
first above written before	}
me - 				        }
[Signed] Samuel Allen Justice of the Peace
Page 17

State of New York	}
Columbia County	} ss.  I, John R. Currie, Clerk of said county do hereby certify that Samuel Allen, whose name is subscribed to the foregoing deposition of Samuel Myer was on the day of the date thereof one of the Justices of the Peace in & for said County duly authorised by law to administer oaths.
That I am acquainted with the hand writing of said justice & verily believe his name thereto subscribed to be his genuine hand writing & signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said County this 13th day of September 1850.
John R. Currie
Clerk of Columbia County

For 25 cents.
Page 18

Washington
Sep. 17, 1850.

James L Edwards
Comr [illegible]

Sir,
You will receive here an application made by Samuel Myers of New York a pensioner under the act June 1837, at the rate of $40 per annum.
I am informed by his former Agent in the case, that Myer Served for two years as an Express Rider [underlined], and that there is proof on file that he actually performed for fifteen [underlined] to 18 Mo. Service [underlined] as an Express Rider.
Express Riders I beleive [sic], are entitled to the pay of a Captain. The claim is now made as to the rate to which he is entitled to rec'v as Express Rider, and for an allowance of all the time the proof on file shows, that he served.

I am very respectfully 
Alex. Ray
Page 19

Increase
Samuel Myer
NY
Act 7 June 1832
12 mo Express Rider
$90.00 p ann 4 March 1831 deducting what has been paid at the rate of $40.00 p ann.

Alexander Ray
Present
Page 20



Ho of Reps Sepr 20. 1850

[illegible Calo?],
James L. Edwards,
Comr of Pensions,
Sir, Please suffer me to solicit your Early Examination in the application or case of Samuel Myres of N. York under Act of 1832 - and make your report to Alexander Ray Esq
 I am with respect 
Your Hble servt
H. Putnam
Page 21


75 

Payment to be made at Albany by T. W. Olcott 
Agent for paying pensioners, in the Agency of New York

 Recorded in the Pension Office, 
in Book E2 [?] Vol. 4 Page 47 by 
[Signed] J. P. Chase Clerk
Page 22

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM. 
Increased from $40. per annum,

 I certify that in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Samuel Myer of New York who was an Express Rider in the Revolution is entitled to received Ninety dollars and [blank] cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semiannually on the 4th of March and 4th of September, in every year, after deducting what has been paid at the rate of $40 per annum .
Given at the Department of the Interior, this 30th day of September
one thousand eight hundred and fifty. 
[Signed] Alex H. H. Stuart 
Secretary of the Interior. 

Examined and Countersigned. } 
J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 23

Aw'd 15 mo's Express Rider
Inc'd to $150 per annum, ded'g former payts at $90 per annum
Albany Roll
A Ray 
Present

[Crosswise] J. L. Edwards Esq 
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
Page 24

Taghkanick, Columbia County, N.Y.
Oct 25th 1850

Jas. L. Edwards Esq
Comr of Pensions

Sir
I have received  the new increase pension certificate you sent me from $40 to Ninety dollars a year for my Services as an express rider, these certainly must be some mistake in making up the amount expressed in the certificate. I learn at the Pensions agency that express riders are allowed pensions at $240, a year and my Service for fifteen months is as clearly proven as any other given time, and therefore claim an increase to $150 a year upon the facts now on file in my case being the same rate as allowed several other express riders in the State of New York.
Very Respectfully 
Yours, 
Samuel Myer
Page 25

Washington
Nov 2 1850

James L. Edwards Esq.
Comr of Pensions

Sir
Some short time past, I presented, an application for Mr Samuel Myers of New York under act 1832 claiming an increase of his pension which was allowed to him, as (I think) a private. He alleged he served as an Express Rider and upon his application and a re-examination of his case his pension was increased Fifty dollars per annum, and the certificate was transmitted to him.
The enclosed letter I have just received from him addressed to you, per his statement it now seems he served for fifteen months as express Rider, indeed he states, his service "is as clearly proven" for 15 mo. as any other given time." and that he has been informed at the pay agency at Albany, Express Riders received at the rate of $240 pr. annum On examination of Preston's Resolution, I do find [underlined] that there are several express riders who are in the recd. or were allowed pensions at the rate of $240. [underlined] Whether in rating the pension it was computed as a less rate or a less period of service than 15 mo was allowed I cannot say. But if the Service be
Page 26

proved as it is alleged for 15 mo. it clearly follows by repeated admission of your office, that Express Riders are entitled to pensions at the rate of 240$ a year making $150 for 15 mo. as Express rider, and 12 mo. as private as first allowed. a pension is therefore claim'd for Mr Myer of $190 pr. annum.
I remain very
respectfully your
obt serv
Alex. Ray
Page 27

Payment to be made
at Albany N.Y.
by T.W. Alcott Esq
Agent for paying pensioners,
in the Agency of
Albany
New York

Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book E.2. Vol. 4, Page 47. by
[Signed] H.R. Weightman, Clerk
Page 28

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.

 I certify that in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Samuel Myer of the State of New York who was an Express Rider in the Revolution is entitled to receive one hundred and fifty dollars and ---- cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March and 4th of September, in every year, deducting former payments of ninety dollars per annum.
 Given at the Department of the Interior, this twenty ninth day of November one thousand eight hundred and fifty.
[Signed] Alex H. H. Stuart 
Secretary of the Interior.

Examined and Countersigned. } 
[Signed] Jas. E. Heath 
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 29

Incd to $300, deduc'g former payts at $150 per annnum, comc'g 4 March 1831

Albany

A Ray
Present
Page 30

Washington Dec 24 / 57

J.E. Heath Esq
Sir, 
In the case of Samuel Myers act 1839 Albany Agency, the papers on file will show my authority as his agent.
He was pensioned 12 mo. (as Express rider but claimed fifteen months service) at the rate of $240 pr. annum has been lately allowed.
Mr Myer claims that 15 mo service is very clearly proven, and in his name I have most respectfully to request a re-examination of his [?] of service, claiming at the same time for the allowance of time already made, a pension at the rate of $480 pr. annum.
I remain very
respectfully
your most
Obt Ser
Alex. Ray
Page 31

Washington
Sept 9 1857

J.E. Heath Esq
Comr of Pensions

Sir
In an application I made some months back in behalf of Samuel Myers of New York under act June 7 1832, who was allowed 15 mos. as an Express rider at the rate of $40 pr. mo [underlined].
An examination of the records at the Department of State upon the subject of pay to Express Riders [underlined] find they were paid as high as 60$ pr. month. And as I can perceive no reason why they are not entitled, like other staff officers, equal to their monthly pay. In the case of Samuel Myer who I represent, do make a claim for him at the rate of $50 pr. mo.
I understand the document to which i refer in the Dept of State, a copy of which has been furnished your office.
I remain Sir
your obt Ser
Alex. Ray
Page 32

J. L. Edwards Esq.
Washington
Pension Office

Noted upper right:
Free
R. McClellan
M.C.

Crosswise reads: 
Dec 28
M ----- at
Issue Cert. 
Saml Myers


Hnl. R McClellan
AR [?]
Page 33

J. L. Edwards Esq.
Washington D.C.
Pension Office

Noted upper right:
Free
R. McClellan
M.C.

Crosswise reads: 
Dec 26

Hnl. R McClellan
Hn
Page 34

Samuel Myer, Albany Agency, NY act 7 Mar 32
$40.00 p. an.
To what time was he last paid?
[illegible]

Pension Office
Septem 26 1850 }     Ans.  Sept. 4, 1849.
Page 35

Albany 31.303 
Samuel Myer 
of Columbia Co. in the State of N. York 
who was an Express Rider in the [blank] by commanded by Captain [blank] of the Corps commanded by Col Udney Hay in the N. York line for 1 year

Inscribed on the Roll of Albany 
at the rate of 40 Dollars [blank] Cents per annum 
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 

Certificate of Pension issued the 29 day of Dec 1837 and sent to Hon R. McClellan, N.R. 
Arrears to the 4th of Sep. 37 		260.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending Mar 38     20.00 
					                     $280.00 
{Revolutionary Claim}
{  Act June 7, 1832.  }

Recorded by D. Brown. Clerk, 
Book E.2. Vol. 4 Page 45
Page 36

N. York
Samuel Myer
Letter to Hon. R. McClellan 27 Dec. '3?

Rejected
Page 37

Saml Myer
Rejected
See Letter Nov 1 1832
to James Rowley esq.
Hudson

New York act June 7 1832

See letter 28 Jany '34 
Hon. A. Vanderpoel
Page 38


[STAMP] O.W. & N. Division
May 3 1900
Received

Initial "M" letterhead
Hudson NY Aprl 28th 1900

Hon H Clay Evans
Comr of Pensions

Sir,
Will you please give me the number of the pension certificate of Samuel Myers, who served as an express rider in the American army from 1781 to 1783
He died in 1859, aged 93 years

Respectfully yours
Richard Macy
353 Union St.

[STAMP] U.S. Pension Office
K May 1 1900
Page 39

23331 INVALID.
Revolution [hand written]
File No. 23,331
Samuel Myer
Express Rider Rev-War
Act: June 7th '32
Index: Vol. 2, Page 293

[Noted on Right side:]
May - 9 - 1900
Richd. Macy- Hudson

1930 - Mch -6- Mrs. C. T. Luckhurst
add cost of photos - corres. in
cl. [?] of Esau King - S. 23750 MMHF
1932 - July 28 - Mrs. C.T. Luckhurst
 adv. second time
cost of photos - MMHF
Page 40

26,354

Alex. Ray
Page 41

July 28, 1932.

BA-J/MMHF

Mrs. Charlotte T. Luckhurst,
156 Western Avenue
Albany, New York

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request to know cost of photostatic copes of papers on file in claim for pension of one Samuel Myers of Columbia County, New York, in 1840, and reported on the list of pensioners in that year.

The number of pages to be copies in his claim for the pension is eight and the cost is fifteen cents per page.

The proper amount should be forwarded t this office by money order drawn to the order of the Treasurer of the United States.

This information was furnished you on March 6, 1930.

Very truly yours,

A.D. Hiller
Assistant to Administrator.
Page 42

MRS. CHARLOTTE TAYLOR LUCKHURST 
REGISTERED GENEALOGIST
 156 WESTERN AVENUE 
ALBANY, NEW YORK

May 13, 1932 

Bureau of Pensions,
Rev. & 1812 Division, 
Washington, D.C. 

Gentlemen-:

On the 1840 Pension list is record of Samuel Myers, aged 73, of Taghakanic, N. Y. who is living in the home of Abraham Myers.
Please advise me as to cost of photostat copy of his application.

 Very truly yours, 
[Signed] Charlotte T. Luckhurst 

[Postmark] May 16 1932

1840
    73
    67
Page 43

Samuel Myers
Statement of Affidavits

[Very faint]
May be [illegible] 12
mo. Express Rider

Hon. R. McClellan
HR
Page 44

State of New York - Columbia County

Samuel Myers of the town of Taughkannick in the County of Columbia and State of New York, Begs leave once more Respectfully to present his claims for a Pension, to the War Department, and wishes them to be re-examined, together with the additional evidence of his Services in the Revolutionary War & this explanation of the Same - which after a great deal of trouble & Expence he has succeeded in procuring the affidavits of two Gentlemen, both of his acquaintance, which at the time of his making out his Declaration he did not know they were living - as they are both of them old men - by the names of WIlliam B. Hay, of the City of Hudson and Samuel Ryer of the City of New York, both of them are well known to him, as they were Express-rider-Boys together, he being the youngest Knew and Saw them both during the Revolutionary War frequently and very often at Fishkill, he says that the Services Stated in his Declaration, now on file at the War Department, he did not intend to have them [illegible] So as to be understood as he belonged to Col. Sheldons Dragoons. That in order to explain that part, he now States Distinctly & unequivocally, that he Rode as an express Rider under the authority and Direction of Col. Udney Hay From Fishkill to sundry places wherever ordered by Said Hay - [illegible] to Danbury, in Connecticut & Hartford, Albany, Peekskill & with Letters or Dispaches from Genl. Washington to the Commanding officers at the different Posts or places - to Genl. McDugal at Peekskill & Major Campbell & many others and continued under Capt. Bakeman & Said Hay as such Rider full three months & even & then Col. Hugh Hughs took command of said Department at Fishkill and Said Myers Continued as Such express Rider under Said Hughs upwards of Fourteen Months longer - Riding on Horse-back from Fish-kill to various parts of the Country by Night and by Day whenever ordered by Said Hughs to carry Letters or Dispaches from Fishkill to a place called Dover at Col. Morehouses, & from thence to Washington fourteen miles farther on, from Col. Morehouses near the Connecticut State line, and there met Col. Sheldons Dragoons & Delivered to and received from them Dispaches as that was the place fixed upon for him to go to and there exchange letters or Dispaches from Genl Washington & Genl Rochambeau & Lafayette and continued in that Chain or line of Duty at least Nine months to and from the above named places, and then went to West Point very frequently with letters or Dispaches to Genl Washington & taking others from him Back again, also to Newburgh at Genl Washington head-quarters, and to New Windsor to Genl. Green & to Peekskill to Granville to Col. Wadsworth, to Albany to Genl. Schuyler & to Danbury to
Page 45

Major Starr, and to many other places, to all of said places said Myers Says that he was sent as an express to Carry, and bring Back letter or Dispaches  to and from Some one or more of the officers herein before named as well as to many others not recollected by him, and that all his Said Services as herein Stated was with the Continental Horses & Branded, as such & in the service of the United States & that no part of it was upon any Civil Contract -  That from by the great lapse of time and the Consequent loss of memory he Cannot State the precise periods, or perhaps not with that precision that might be expected from more recent transactions, but he as endeavoured to give it with as much precision as possible. He not having any Written or Documentary evidence of his services - therefore it is from his Recollection, he says he had what was Called a Pass Signed by Genl Washington & Govr. Geo. Clinton which had affixed to it the United States Seal - permitting him to go where ever he pleased within the United States, which Pass he says was Burnt upwards of twenty years ago, as he then had his House Burned. He further says that the Services performed by him, as herein Stated, were all as near as he can recollect, in the years 1780 & 1781 and that after the most Mature Deliberation, reflection, and Consideration he says that the terms of his actual duty, as above stated amounts to not less than one year & five months in the service of his Country for which he never Received any Compensation .
[Signed] Samuel Myer
personally appeared before me the within named Samuel Myers well known to me & after hearing the above Instrument read to him Subscribed his name thereto, and being by me Sworn, Says the facts contained therein are true according to the best of his knowledge and belief this 2nd day of December 1837.
[Signed] James Rowley 
Commissioner of Deeds & -
Page 46

State of New York [this line cut off]	}
Columbia County 		                        } ss.
 William B. Hay, of the City of Hudson in the Said County of Columbia, being duly Sworn says that he is acquainted with Samuel Myers of Taghkonnick in Said County, and has known him for upwards of sixty years, this Deponent became acquainted with him at Fishkill Barracks at General Washingtons head-quarters, this Deponent was well acquainted with Lawrence Myres [sic] the father of said Samuel who was a Blacksmith in the army at the head-quarters, and while at the head-quarters of General Washington the said Lawrence Myres had his family with him, & said Samuel Myres lived with his father & this deponent knows that said Samuel Myres was engaged as an express to carry letters from General Washington & other officers at the head-quarters to other posts, and this deponent says that he distinctly recollects that one night said Samuel Myers was called up out of bed to go on an express for General Washington, and this Deponent slept with said Myres on the night refered [sic] to - this Deponent has known said Samuel Myres to go on express frequently - And this Deponent says that he was employed as express to carry letters & messages from the head-quarters for one year or more, this Deponent lived about Eight miles from the head-quarters of General Washington & was frequently at the head-quarters while the American Army lay there - and this Deponent was intimate with the Said Samuel Myres and also with the father of said Samuel - this Deponent is aged seventy years and upwards - said Samuel Myres always rode on horseback when he went on express & was considered smart on a horse - this Deponent saw Colonel Hughs at the head-quarters of General Washington and this Deponent verily believes that said Myres was constantly engaged in the service of the American Army for at least one year and more, this Deponent says that the horses that he saw said Myres ride were horses called Continental horses, they were marked with the U.S. upon them, by having those letters branded on the animals - This Deponent further says that frequently he has seen said Samuel Myres on horseback both starting out & returning to the head-quarters of the Army of General Washington, and heard him, at the time say that he had been on express for the Army - and it was generally understood that said Samuel Myres rode as express for the Army - thinks all to have been in 1779 & 1780 or 1781.
		his
William B.   X   Hay
		mark

Sworn & Subscribed before		                }
me this twenty fifth day of Sept. 1837	}
[Signed] James Rowley - Commissioner
of Deeds
Page 47

State of New York City
& County of New York } ss:  Samuel Ryer of the twelfth ward of the City of New York being duly sworn deposeth & saith that he is well acquainted with Samuel Myer of Taghkanic in the County of Columbia & State of New York and has known him for sixty years past, & that this deponent is now sixty five years of age. That this deponent has known him from his
youth up, & has lived in the same neighborhood with him the greater part of that time. This deponent was well acquainted with Lawrence Myer the father of the said Samuel who was a blacksmith in the barracks at Fishkill in the County of Dutchess in the continental service at the head quarters of General Washington the said Lawrence Myer had his family with him. I said Samuel Myer lived with his father. And this deponent knows that the said Samuel Myer was engaged
as an express rider under Colonel Hughs to & frequently see him on horseback riding express: for about one year, towards the close of the war. It might have been a few months over a year or a little short of year this deponent cannot pretend to state the exact time but believes him to have been so engaged for about a year. This deponent further saith that he lived with his father Tms Ryer about seven years during the revolutionary war at Fishkill aforesaid-
Samuel Ryer [signature]

Sworn before me in Open Court this the 9th day  of October 1837 
[Signed] G[?] Oschriffehn
Justice of the Marine Court of the City of New York.

James Rowley -  Commissioner of Deeds
Page 48

Columbia County State of New York. I Jacob Berger of the town of Claverack in Said County of Columbia Do hereby that I am well acquainted with Samuel Myers of the Town of Taghkonnick in Said County of Columbia. And that he is a Communicant member of the Church of which I have charge as Clergyman, and a man of Respectability and good Standing in Society, as to truth and veracity, and further I have seen the accompanying Statement made by him for the purpose of obtaining a Pension for his Revolutionary Services. And from the length of time that I have been acquainted with him, and also from conversations I have had with him in Relation to his Revolutionary Services, I have the most implicit Confidence in the Statement made by him, and believe his Said Statement entitled to full credit
[SIgned] Jacob Berger Pastor of the Ev Lutheran Churches of Ghent & Claverack
Columbia Co. N. Y.

Subscribed and Sworn to this 7th day of December 1837 
[SIgned] James Rowley - Commr of Deeds


State of New York }
Columbia County  } ss
I James Rowley do hereby Certify that I am a Resident Citizen of the City of Hudson in said County & a Commissioner of Deeds in and for the Same, and that I am well acquainted with Samuel Myers whose papers were some time since transmitted to the War Department, by me, for a Pension, and now again I transmit this Statement by him made, also I am well acquainted with William B Hay whose affidavit accompanies that of Myers & also that of Samuel Ryer of New York with whom I am not personally acquainted except from here-say & that he is a man of good Character. I am also well acquainted with Jacob Berger & know him to be a Clergyman as Stated by by him, all of which I think are entitled to the utmost Credit, & Consideration by the Secretary of War, and I full believe Said Myers to be entitled to a Pension. Hudson Dec 15th, 1837
James Rowley, Commissioner of Deeds
Page 49

31303. Increase. A.
New York

Samuel Myer 
Columbia Co in the State of New York 
who was an Express Rider in the Company commanded by Captain [blank] of the Regt, commanded by Col Hay in the New York line for 12 months 
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany 
at the rate of 90 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, 
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 30 day of Sept
1850 and sent to Alex Ray, Present

Arrears to the 4th of  [blank]
Semi-annual allowance ending [blank]
Increased from $40.00

{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act of June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by J B Chase Clerk,
Book E2 Vol. 4 Page 47

Reported 
Inc to $150 Nov 29th 1850. & Certificate
sent to A. Ray Esq.
Present
Page 50

Payment to be made
at Albany
by T. W. Olcott, Esqr.
Agent for paying Pensioners, in the Agency of
Albany

Recorded in the Pension Office, 
in Book E.2. Vol. 4 Page 45 
by D. Brown, Clerk.
Page 51

WAR DEPARTMENT
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I certify that in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Samuel Myer of the State of New York who was an Express Rider in the War of the Revolution is entitled to receive Forty dollars [and cents crossed out] per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March and 4th of September, in every year.

Given at the War Office of the United States, this twenty ninth day of December one thousand eight hundred and thirty-seven.

J. R. Poinsett
Secretary of War.

Examined and   }
Countersigned. }

J L. Edwards,
Commissioner of Pensions.