Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 2,620, Cornelius Dailey, Penn.
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Service
Penn. Dailey, Cornelius Number R2620
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State of New York
Monroe County

On this first day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred thirty-four, personally appeared in open court Addison Gardiner, Vice Chancellor at a Court of Chancery, being a court of record, having common law jurisdiction, a clerk and seal, with power to fine and imprison, held for the state of New York at the city of Rochester, Cornelius Daily, now a resident of the village of Brockport in said county of Monroe, of the age of ninety-one years, who being  first duly sworn, according to law, does on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7,1832.

That he entered into the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated:

That in the month of July 1776, and as this deponent verily believes, on the first day of said month he was drafted as a private militia man, out of the militia of the state of Pennsylvania and called out and served under General Robert Doe, Colonel Robert Lewis, Captain Marshall Edwards, 1st Lieut. Richard Whitton, 2nd Lieut. Samuel Swift, and ensign John Blake--regiment not remembered.  

That when deponent was drafted, he then resided in the township of Northampton in the county of Bucks in said state of Pennsylvania.  Immediately on being drafted, deponent and the company to which he belonged were ordered to march to Amboy on the eastern shore of New Jersey, near the mouth of the Raritan River, opposite Staten Island, and arriving at Amboy, they were stationed to guard the coast and prevent the landing of the English troops, who were then daily expected.  While thus stationed, they occupied a part of the time, a large dwelling house as a guard house, belonging to one Cortland Skinner, a Tory, who was then in the service of the enemy. 

The detachment to which said deponent belonged while at Amboy, threw up a redoubt about four feet high, and one and a half miles long, commencing near the mouth of the Raritan River and running east around the eastern point
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of land near Staten Island.  Deponent saw the British fleet from the tops of the houses at Amboy when it first came in sight and watched it until he passed up opposite, between Long and Staten Island.  Two ships came up and anchored off about one mile east of Amboy and remained there when deponent left the place, as he supposed to prevent the Americans from attacking a detachment of Hessians, which had landed on Staten Island.  

Deponent stood sentry one night with Judge Jacob Simmons then of Philadelphia County and in Moreland Township and who afterwards as this deponent was then informed and believed, received a lieutenant's commission, went (illegible) Washington and was taken prisoner and is since deceased.  

Deponent also recollects Simon Cruise, John Hilt, William Noll, and many others with whom he was acquainted and with whom he served; but those names, on account of his age, he cannot now recollect.   Deponent remained and served at Amboy for at least the term of two months, was discharged and left on the last day of August or first day of September of the year last aforesaid.  During the time deponent was stationed at Amboy, the battle on Long Island took place.  The Americans evacuated New York and Washington and was about returning to White Plains.  Deponent received no written discharge whatever, was called up in the morning and marched home with the officers.  

Deponent was again drafted from the militia of the said state of Pennsylvania as a private while residing in the township and state aforesaid on the first or second day of December in the year aforesaid and marched towards Trenton under the command of Joseph Reid, then Governor of said state as he believes, Brigadier General John Lacy, Colonel McElroy, Captain Jamison (their christian names he cannot recollect) was in the battle of Trenton and stood near Lieutenant Monroe(since President of the United States) when he was wounded.  Deponent was himself wounded by a lead(?) ball on his left shoulder the scars of which are now plainly visible.  Deponent
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remained in service at this time at least one month as a private, and was discharged on the third or fourth day of January 1777, in the same manner as he was at Amboy and marched home with his officers without receiving any written certificate of discharge.  

And this deponent further says that sometime between the twenty-seventh and thirtieth day of September 1777, a few days after the British took possession of Philadelphia, and while deponent still resided in the township, county, and state aforementioned, he enlisted as a volunteer in a detachment called the Troop of Light Horse, armed and equipped himself and supplied himself with a horse at his own expense and under Brigadier General John Lacey, there being no other officer appointed in his company at the time, as deponent now recollects. 

Deponent and this company were ordered to watch guard the roads leading from Philadelphia and arrest all persons who refused or failed to give a satisfactory account of themselves.  Deponent and the company to which he belonged remained and doing the like service during the winter, following the said September 1777. 

Sometime in the month of March (1778) said troop of Light Horse or part of them in which deponent then was, had a skirmish with the British Light Horse near a place then called "Crooked Billet", about twelve miles east from Philadelphia, in which skirmish about a dozen Americans were killed and some wounded as near as I can now recollect.  

Deponent continued upon duty guarding said roads to the best of his recollection until the fifth day of June 1778.  Deponent further says that the whole time he served as a volunteer in said troop of Light Horse was at least eight months, and that he received or was to receive during that time twelve dollars per month, but for which dragoon service this deponent received no compensation whatsoever, at that time or at any subsequent time and without being discharged from the service as volunteer aforesaid. 

Deponent received an appointment as a wagon master, with a captain's commission for the term of six months from Jacob Bennett, then Deputy Quartermaster General, under Robert Satis Hooper (as near as he can now recollect the names
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which said commission deponent lost, in the manner and under the circumstances hereinafter mentioned

Deponent was ordered to enlist twelve men.  Deponent did so and received twenty dollars bounty money for each man he enlisted. He then went to said Robert Latis Hooper at Eastown, Northampton County, Pennsylvania and got forty-nine horses and twelve wagons for baggage and loaded with provisions, horse shoes, (forty-eight of said horses for teams and one for himself to ride) drew them to Norristown and delivered them to the Quarter Master at that place, whose name deponent cannot now recollect. 

And at Morristown part of the contents of said wagons were taken out and some more put in and deponent continued on to White Plains with his company; and there ordered to draw stores from Tarrytown to White Plains.  Deponent and this company were thus engaged until the last of September 1778, when James Thomson then Wagon Master General, ordered deponent and this company to remove to Fredericksburg. 

About one month afterwards deponent was ordered from there to Springfield, New Jersey, from there to Trenton, from there to Monmouth where he remained the residue of his said term of six months, which expired in or about the fifth day of December 1778.  

Deponent was a regular Continental soldier (enlisted as a dragoon (illegible), at the time he was appointed wagon master, with a captain's commission, and as such Continental Captain, enlisted men and in Quarter Master General Green's department, served as a corps of Continental teamsters (not engaged (illegible) in any civil pursuit but as directed by Continental officers). 

During which last mentioned term of six months, deponent as such master made regularly monthly returns to the Quarter Master General, received money from him, gave receipts and paid his own men.  And deponent further states that while riding on horseback on his way from White Plains to Tarrytown with this said company of baggage, he lost his said commission which he received from said Jacob Bennett, Quartermaster, as aforesaid together with a considerable sum of money and a pocket book in which it was enclosed, that never since heard of or been able to recover it, but does now recollect the whole of its contents except the dates which are
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as follows:

"Sir, you are hereby appointed wagon master, provided you can raise men; you are to receive captain's pay and captain's rations when you arrive at headquarters, given under my hand.  Jacob Bennett, Deputy Quarter Master General."

And this deponent further says that he was born at Bristol in Bucks County, twenty miles from Philadelphia, and he is informed and believes on the 14th day of February 1743.  He has no record of his life made either by himself or his friends, as he can now recollect.  He lived at the place of his birth but three or four years, and after that at Northampton Township in said Bucks County until he was about thirty-six years of age, when he moved to the city of Philadelphia and resided there about four years.

He then removed to Port Hope in the district of New Castle, in the British Province of upper Canada, where he resided until a few months since, and that he now resides in the aforesaid village of Brockport, County of Monroe, State of New York.  And deponent further says there are no persons now alive to his knowledge with whom he is or has been acquainted who were personally known to deponent's having performed the services about state, in the American Revolutionary War. 

And said deponent relinquishes every claim whatsoever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency or any state or territory within the United States.

Signed: C. Dailey

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.  Before me.
A. Gardiner

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states.
A. Gardiner, Chancelor
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I, Samuel L. Selden, clerk of the said Court of Chancery for the Eighth Circuit, held in the city of Rochester in the county of Monroe, in and for said state of New York, do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceeding of the said court in the matter of the application of Cornelius Daily for a pension.  In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this first day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-four.
Signed:  Sam. L. Selden, Clerk

I, James M. Sawyer, residing in the city of Rochester in the county of Monroe, state of New York, merchant, do hereby certify that I am and have been well acquainted with Cornelius Daily at least during ten years last past, while residing in Port Hope, Upper Canada, who has subscribed to the above affidavit or declaration; 

That I believe him to be ninety-one years of age, that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he then resided (Port Hope) to have been a soldier of the Revolution, that I concur in that opinion and further that the said Cornelius Daily has been since I have known him and always reputed to have been a sober, industrious citizen and capable of managing his own pecuniary affairs.  Until within about two years he has owned a property in said Port Hope, to the amount of one thousand pounds Sterling, which was wrested from him by fraud and is now reduced to want and penury.
Signed:  Jas. W. Sawyer

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid, before me.
Signed:  A. Gardiner

Questions propounded by the court to the above named applicant and his answers thereto:

Question 1:  Where and in what year were you born?  
Applicant answer:  He was born in Bristol, Bucks County, Pennsylvania as he is informed and believes on the 14th day of February, 1743.

Question 2:  Have you any record of your age and if so, where is it?
Applicant answer: He has no records of his age or life.
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Question 3:  Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary War and where do you now live?
Applicant Ans:  That when first drafted from the militia of the state of Pennsylvania, he lived in the township of Northampton in Bucks County in said state and, at the same place both when he was drafted from the militia the second time and when he was appointed a wagon master, with captain's commission.

That he lived at the same place until he was about thirty-six years of age; he then resided in Philadelphia about four years; when he removed to Port Hope in the province of Upper Canada, where he resided until a few months since when he removed to the village of Buckport, in the county and state of New York, now resides there.  

Question 4:  How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute?  And if a substitute, for whom?
Applicant Ans:  That he was drafted the first two times he served and then last term enlisted as a volunteer in the Troop of Light Horse, so called, that awhile acting as a volunteer, he received a commission as captain of a company of baggage wagons in the Continental service and that was not a substitute at any time forming one.

Question 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, the general circumstances of your service.
Applicant Ans: Applicant states that when on his first term of service, some of the officers were General Robert Doe, Col. Robert Lewis, Capt. Marshall Edwards, 1st Lieutenant Richard Whitten, 2nd Lieutenant Samual Swift, Ensign John Blake, that he served at Amboy on the eastern (illegible) of New Jersey, opposite Staten Island.

While on his second term of service as a militia man some of his officers were Joseph Reid, then Governor of said state, Brigadier John Lacey, Col. Mackleroy and Capt. Jameson; that he was in the battle of Trenton and received two wounds one by a ball and the other by a cutlas.  Saw Colonel James Monroe when he was wounded; that while he was a volunteer he was stationed around
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Philadelphia, about twelve miles distant and guarded the High (illegible) leading therefrom; that he was in a skirmish once, with the enemy near a plain called "Crooked Billet,".  While service as a volunteer he was appointed by Jacob Bennett, then Deputy Quarter Master General, as wagon master, with a captain's commission for the term of six months.  Wagon and horses were found for him by Robert Latis Hooper, the Deputy Quarter Master, holding a similar office he cannot now recollect what; he enlisted his own men, twelve in number; that he was employed drawing stone from place and places as stated in the foregoing declaration until his term of service expired.

Question 6:    Did you receive a commission, if so, by whom was it signed and what has become of it?  And did you receive a discharge from the service, if so by whom was it given and what has become of it?
Applicant Ans:  That he received a commission signed by Jacob Bennett as Deputy Quartermaster General for the term of six months and that he lost said commission while riding on horseback from White Plains to Tarrytown and he has never since been able to recover it.  That while a soldier he never received any written discharge whatever but was verbally discharged at the different times by his officers.  

Question 7:  State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood and who can testify as to you character for veracity and their belief as by your service as a soldier in the Revolution.  
Applicant Ans: That he would refer to Mr. Paul Hayward and Mr. James Sawyer and Bemis in Rochester, to Mr. Martin, (illegible) Carpenter and others in Rockfort; and to M. H. Whitehead, attorney at law, Thomas Ward, attorney at law, John C. Smith, David Smart and William Williams, justices of the peace, Thomas Harris, Corone Williams Bennett and Nathan Watson, clergymen, John Creightree, William Watson, Leonard Soper, M.. W Allen and many other gentlemen in Port Hope, Upper Canada, have been acquainted with me for a long time, but whose certificate it would consider
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-siderering the distances they are from his present residence and high inability to go there in consequence of bodily infirmity and pecuniary distress, it may be impossible for him to obtain.  He further says that were he at said Port Hope in Canada, he verily believes and doubts not but all the above named gentlemen residing there, and many other respectable gentlemen, would willingly certify that he uniformly maintained a character of strict honesty, virtue and industry while he resided there.

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; the court further certify that it appears to them that James Sawyer and (illegible) are residents of the city of Rochester are creditable persons, that their statement is entitled to credit.

I, Samual L. Selden, clerk of said court do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceeding of the said court in the matter of the application of Cornelius Dailey for a pension.  

Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this first day of July one thousand eight hundred thirty-four.  
Signed:   Sam L. Selden, Clerk
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In addition to the affidavits of Messrs. James Sawyer and Paul Hayward, I subjoin the following one, which I have been politely furnished with by Mr. Bemis.

I, Zelotes Bemis, merchant of the city of Rochester, county of Monroe, state of New York, do hereby certify that I was acquainted with Cornelius Dailey, who has subscribed to the above affidavit or declaration for the term of eight years while he lived in Port Hope, Upper Canada, that he was the reputed owner of a farm on which he lived and procured a living by his industry. 
Signed:  Zelotes Bemis

Subscribed and sworn before me the day and year aforesaid.
Signed: A. Gardiner

Sir,
You will readily perceive by the enclosed paper sent in the return of Mr. Daily's pension claim, from the War Department (which claim bore the date 30th Apr. 1834) and marked S, that the certificate of Messrs. Sawyer and Hayward appended to this sheet, by two wafers(?), is the same that was forwarded to the War Department in the claim 30 Apr. 1834, subscribed and sworn before Judge Gardiner.  

In consequence of the claim made out and forwarded by Mr. F. P. Stevens, being returned as defective and handed to me to correct.  I saw fit to make out a new paper; since the other was made out and signed. Mr. Hayward, clothier, has gone from this city to a remote part of the Republic with a vision of settling in business and may not return; not being able consequently to get his testimony on this claim, I have cut out the appended certificate from the other claim knowing it would answer the same purpose, it is as follows:
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We, James Sawyer residing in Rochester in the county of Monroe and state of New York, merchant, and P. Hayward residing the same place, clothier, hereby certify that we are and have been well acquainted with Cornelius Dailey at least during ten years last past while residing in Port Hope, Upper Canada, who has subscribed and sworn to the above affidavit or declaration; that we believe him to be ninety-one years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he then resided to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion. 

And further that the said Cornelius Dailey has been, since we have known him, and always reputed to have been a sober, industrious citizen and capable of managing his own pecuniary affairs and until within about _____ years, has owned a property in said Port Hope to the amount of one thousand pounds which was wrested from him by fraud and is now reduced to poverty.
Signed:  P. Hayward, Jas. W. Sawyer

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me
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and resided about four years, he then removed to Port Hope in the district of New Castle in the British Province of upper Canada where he resided until a few (illegible) since and that he now resided in the city of Rochester in the country of Monroe and the state of New York.

And deponent further says there are no persons now alive to his knowledge with whom he is or has been acquainted with who were personally known to deponent having performed the services above stated in the American Revolutionary War.   And deponent further says that on account of his short residence in said city or Rochester, he is not acquainted with any clergyman in said city, but can and does refer to William Bennett and Nathan Watson, clergymen in said town of Port Hope in said province of Upper Canada, whom personal attendance in open court he is unable to procure on account of the great distances and deponent's indigent circumstances.  

And said deponent relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and he says that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency
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Sir,
You will readily perceive by the enclosed paper sent in the return of Mr Dailey's pension Claim, from the War Department, (which claim bore date 30th Ap'l 1834) & marked S. that the certificate of Messrs. Sawyer & Hayward appended to this sheet, by two wafers, is the same that was forwarded to W. Department in the Claim 30 Ap'l 1834 Subscribed & sworn to before Judge Gardiner - In consequence of the Claim made out & forwarded by Mr. F. P. Stevens, being returned as defective & handed to me to correct, I saw fit to make out a new paper; & since the other was made out & signed, Mr. Hayward, Clothier, has gone from this city to a remote part of the republic with a view of settling in business & may not return; & not being able consequently to get his testimony on this Claim, I have cut out the appended certificate from the other claim knowing it would answer the same purpose - it is as follows:-
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Exhibit A

We, the undersigned, citizens of the village of Brockport in the county of Monroe and state of New York, do hereby certify that we are personally acquainted with Cornelius Dailey, who has subscribed to the above affidavit or declaration with a view to obtain the benefit of the pension act.

That as far as we can ascertain he has sustained the character of an honest and sober man since his residence among us; that we believe him to be of the age of ninety-one years; that he did, in our opinion, serve in the war of the Revolution, as set forth in his above affidavit or declaration and that he is now poor and dependent upon the charity of his fellow men for food, drinks and clothing; that he moved here from Port Hope, Upper Canada; that he is really, fully and distinctly entitled to the benefit of the Pension Act; and that we hope he may immediately receive such pension from government. 

Signed: 
D. Carpenter, Mr. D., Attending Physicians
Squire W. D. Chace, Minister of the M.E. Church Brockport
Barnhard K. Mead, Minister of the M.E. Church
Seth L. King, Docent of the Tolls on the Erie Canal
Wm H. Seymour, Postmaster, Brockport
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Rochester City, N.Y July 1, 1834

Sir:

I herewith return Mr. C. Daily's application for a pension.  It was first made out and forwarded by F. P Stevens, an attorney in this city, on the 30th April last past and was supposed by him to be legal and complete, as required by law.  It was, however, returned from the Pension Office, as defective in some important points, together with a printed sheet containing a full explanation of the requirements in order to establish a claim, and with a request that said sheet should be returned to the War Department, and which is also herewith returned.  

With the claim made out by Stevens being returned, Mr. C. Dailey and his friends came to me with it and requested that I would look it over, compare it with said printed sheet, make up its defects if possible and return it.  At that time I could not attend to it, but in consequence of my professional avocations pressing upon me; but after repeated and earnest solicitations, agreed to do it, without any compensation, but purely with a hope of making a partial return or at least expressing my gratitude for the service rendered by this old careworn and scared veteran, in procuring the freedom and independence which I together with my countrymen so profusely enjoy.  

When comparing said claim with the said printed sheet, I found it so defective as to make it absolutely necessary to make out a new claim, which I have done.  I have written out a copious description of his services inserting all the names of the officers and circumstances which he could recollect in order to make it intelligible.  I have (illegible) as near as circumstances would permit to the requirements of the act under which this claim is made. 

It is, in consequence of his great age impossible to get any witnesses to testify to his actual services without search among the dead.  Inferring from a clause in the said printed sheet, that it is of some importance in the absence of some direct testimony in order to establish the claim, that the War Department be convinced that it is the general belief where claimant resides, that he did actually serve in the R. War, and that he is entitled to a pension justly, I have procured and attached to this claim the certificate of several of the most substantial and excellent men in Brockport, where
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claimant has (now) resided ever since he came from Port Hope and if I thought more names were necessary, I might procure at least hundreds.  Every man who sees him and converses with him upon the subject is perfectly, at once, satisfied that he did actually serve as he sets forth in his declaration and that he is really justly entitled to a pension.  He would go to Port Hope to procure other testimonials, but were he to undertake it, his great age and weakness (to say nothing of his poverty) are such that he must inevitably perish on the way.  

Be assured that if Mr. Dailey ever receives a pension in this world, it must be soon.  His name cannot long continue on the roll; he can never drain much from the Treasury of the nation.  But he should receive his due while he stays with us.

He must have been blessed with an uncommonly strong healthful constitution, lived a strictly temperate and industrious life, or he would have been in his grave long since.  to say nothing of Messrs. Sawyer and Hayward, which (illegible) confirm this declaration, by their affidavits.

He unquestionably possessed a comfortable property, till within a few years, when he, in consequence of great age and infirmness, gave it to his grandchildren (having buried wife, sons and daughters) with the understanding that he should receive a support as long as he lived; but was brutishly driven from their protection and turned upon the icy (illegible) charities of an unfeeling world.

He solemnly avers that the true reason of his not sooner applying for pension was that he had property enough to support himself and that he had too much pride to ask his country for support, so long as he could do it (illegible).  But now being robbed of his substance, overwhelmed with years, tottering on the nearest verge of eternity, supporting his trembling limbs by means of two canes, and sharing enduring scars (which I have seen) received at in the same battle in which last President Monroe was wounded, worse than all, being in a state of abject poverty, without a relative to whom he can look for aid.  He throws himself upon the justice of his country for assistance.  God grant he may receive it.

P.S. If this claim is defective so that he cannot or benefited without still more evidence after I have at L=length explained the circumstances of the case, its difficulties, write specifically what more is required and if possible, it will be forthcoming. 

Yours,
Royal P. Crouse, Claimant's Atty.
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31,025
Cornelius Dailey
2620
R. P. Crounse Esq
Rochester
New York
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S
War Department 
Pension Office,
May 28. 1834
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 compling {sic} with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.

A Statement, shewing the Service of Cornelius Dailey
Period when the     Duration of the claimant's 
(illegible)                 service
                                Years.  Months.   Days.
1776                                          2
1777                                          1
1777                                          8
1778                       

Rank of the           Names and rank of the Field 
claimant.         officers under whom he served.
Private           }  Col R Lewis    Capt Edwards
    "                 }  Pat Jemison    Col McElroy
Dragoon         no officers Brig Gen John Lacy
     + Term Service

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
James L. Edwards,
Commissioner of Pensions.
+ No term service (illegible) embraced by the act except such as war Informant in a Corps of Continental Teamsters
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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, mucicians 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) of _ in the county of _ and State, Territory or District of _ aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d), with _ and served in the (e) regiment of the _ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. 
This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons
who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I _ of the Court of
do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _day of _ & c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _ and C. D. residing in (the same)
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have beena 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 _ & 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
Page 21

3
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute?  And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6. 
To a Soldier
Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
To an Officer
Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from
their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion.  If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct
proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
(a) The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
(b) The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
(c) The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
(d) The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
(e) Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every clamant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who,
being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:--For _ year _ months, and _ days, I served as a _.  For _ months and _ days, I served as a _; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service.  The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil
pursuit.
(f) The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
(g) The opinion of the Court is always required.
(h) The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
(i) The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
The notes from (a) to (i) are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note (j) applies to continental troops only.
(k) This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
(l) If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
(m) The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and went to the War Department, with the declaration.
Page 22

Rejected
2,620
P.O. Cornelius Dailey
Service: _______
Enlisted: _________ , 18 ___.
Discharged: ________, 18 ___.
Application filed: _______, 18 ___.
Alleges: _____________
Re-enlisted: __________
Attorney: ___________
P. O. ______________
________ Recognized.  _______ Contact.
_______ Cert. of Dis.  Searched for ____,18 __.
Page 23

New York
Revo.
Cornelius Dailey
Suspended
 let to R. P. Crounse
July 16. '36
let to same Sept. 11, {year illegible)
Page 24

We the undersigned - Inhabitants of the Township of Hope in the District of Newsmith
in the Province of Upper Canada - do certify that we have been acquainted with the bearer hereof, Cornelius Daily for a great number of years past - and that as far as our dealings with him have extended - have always found him honest and upright, - and that he has been an industrious farmer in Said District for many years past --
Dated the 15 April 1834
M. F. Whitman
T Harris
David Smart J. P.
John D Smith J.P
J Williams J. P.
Wm Barrett
Page 25

A Rummund
from 
L Sopen
Page 26

To whom it may concern:

This is to certify that I, this subscriber, have been personally acquainted with the bearer hereof Cornelius Daily, for thirty-six years last past; and I have known him to have been an honest and very industrious man and during which time the said Daily had accumulated a property to the amount of nearly four thousand dollars, but by some means, has lost the whole and is now left destitute.  

The said Daily was formerly from the city of Philadelphia in the state of Pennsylvania and I have often and repeatedly heard him state that he was in the American Service and served as wagon master and drew captain pay.  Served in the years A.D. 1776-1777 and 1778.

Given under my hand at the township of Hope this 14th day of April 1834.

Signed: Leonard Soper
Page 27

Jeremiah Alfred
E Hibbard
(illegible)
Page 28

We, William Barrett, Methodist Minister in the township of Hope District of Newcastle in the province of Upper Canada, and Nathan Walton, of the township of Hope in the said district and province hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Cornelius Daily who now makes application for pension under the act of Congress of the 7th 1832.

That we believe him to be ninety 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. 

Signed:  Wm. Barrett, Nathan Walton

Sworn before me at Port Hope this 18th day of April 1834
Signed:  John D. Smith, J.P.
Page 29

To John O’Donoughue
And 
John Ofa

Find on reading and filing 
The a
Page 30

To whom it may concern
This is to certify that we the Subscribers - are well acquainted with Cornelius Dailey - the bearer hereof and are knowing to his having lost all his Real and personal property to the amount of one thousand pounds by being defrauded out of the same
Hope 16th September 1833 --
Fred. P. Stevens
Thos Crightree
William Watson
William Watson
{written across the bottom 7 times} Hope
Page 31

To
Capt C Dailey
Hope
Page 32

This may certify that I, the subscriber, have been acquainted with bearer hereof, Cornelius Daily, for more than thirty years and have to my certain recollection heard C. Daily say that he was a soldier in the American Revolution.  Firstly, he states he belonged to the Light Hose(sic) and afterwards captain of a brigade of wagons. 

I can also state that about five years ago, I resided in the state of Pennsylvania, (illegible) Township and have heard Judge Swinney say that he and the said Daily was in a part of the Revolution together.  The said Judge Swinney resided in (illegible) Township, Pennsylvania.
Hope district of New Castle and Province of upper Canada.  April 16,1834.

The said Daily stated this to me more than twenty years ago

Signed: T. W Allen
Page 33

Personally appeared before me, John D. Smith, Esquire one of his (illegible) justice of the peace, Thomas Gohan, of the township of Hamilton in the district of New Castle and province of Upper Canada, who deposeth and says that he is acquainted with Cornelieus Dailey, and has been for more than sixty years, now of the township of Hope District and Province aforesaid and formerly of the township of Bensalem, county of Bucks and state of Pennsylvania. 

This deponent further says that he knows the said Dailey was a soldier in the American Revolution and that he belonged to the Light Horse and afterward master of a brigade of wagons. 

This deponent further saith that he has been to school with the said Cornelius Dailey in the state of Pennsylvania and township of Bensalem. 

This deponent is seventy-seven years of age and believes the said C. Dailey to be nearly ninety years of age.
Signed: Thomas Gohan

Sworn before me at Port Hope District of New Castle and Province of Upper Canada the fourteenth day of April 1834. 
Signed:  John D. Smith, J.P.
Page 34

State of New York
Monroe County 

On the twenty fifth day of July in the year of one thousand eight hundred and thirty four, personally appeared before me Addison Gardiner Esquire, Vice Chancellor of the Eighth Judicial Circuit of the State of New York, in a court of chancery held for the State aforesaid, having common law jurisdiction, with power a fine and imprison, a clerk and seal, in open court, Cornelius Dailey, now a resident of the Village of Rockport in the county of state aforesaid, of the age of ninety one years, ho being first duly sworn recording of loan, doth on his oath make the following dictation, as supplementary to or more fully to explain some of the points in his pension claim now upon file in the Pension Office, War Department , city of Washington, D.C. and in order to establish his claim to the benefit of the pension provision made by the act of Congress, passed JUNE 7TH, 1832.
That sometime between the twenty seventh and thirtieth day of September (1777) a few days after the British took possession of Philadelphia, while deponent still resided in the Township County of Northampton, County of Bucks and State of Pennsylvania, (as stated in his claim on upon file of which is a supplement) deponent enlisted as a volunteer in a detachment called a “Troop of Sight House”, armed and equipped himself supplied himself with a house at his own private expense, and under Brigadier General John Lacey. Said General Lacey was then commander over five or six hundred drafted militia men, with regular under officers, as he thinks and as near as he can now recollect. The detachment or company of which deponent belonged places themselves as volunteer under said Lacey’s command and direction, during the whole time continued to discharge whatever duties he ordered. Furthermore, the reason of his not appointing a regular Captain and other Company officers was as follows: his Company was ordered to watch and guard the roads, and owing to the number of roads under our charge, were ordered by the said General Lacey to separate into small parcels or bodies of five or six men on each road, for the purpose of arresting all persons who refused or failed to give their names and full and satisfactory account of themselves and their business, in which service we continued until the 5th day of June (1778) as near as he can now recollect, occasionally coming together at headquarters when in the manner directed by Our Commander. Had a skirmish some time in March (1778) with the British, at a place then called “Crooked Bullet”, which was the true reason why said Company of Sight House was not supplied with a Captain and under Officers, as our Commander informed us, and as
Page 35

deponent verily believes; and that during the the whole time deponent and the company which he belonged continued in such and similar services, under the inspection, command, and direction of said Gen John Lacey and that such period of time was at least eight months and for which draggoon service, deponent was to receive twelve dollars per month, but did not receive at that time, nor has he since received any compensation from any person or quarter whatever: and that in addition said services, deponent had his horse stolen in the night from the pasture where he left it, as he believe, by some person or persons then known as, I called "Refugers" and that deponent values said horse at two hundred dollars.
And deponent further says, that, immediately after his discharge from said Light Horse service, without going home, he received the appointment of Waggon Master, with a Captain's commission for the term of six month, from Jacob Bennett,k then Deputy Quarter Master General, under Robert Salis Hooper (as near as he can recollect the name) which said commission deponent lost as stated at length in his claim now on file in Pension Office; and that deponent was distinctly and repeatedly informed that his company was attached to and considered as a part of the "Continental Teamsters" and that he then verily believes was the case; and that in the belief and by the orders given him he enlisted men, received and expended monies (officially) received regular orders and made regular returns as such Captain, and served faithfully, gained and preserved the confidence of his superior, until his commission as Captain expired.  And deponent farther says that hedout know whether his company was organized under the State law-the old government law, or one then recently made, or whether there was any law by which his company was organized, but was so informed by said Bennett, who have him said Captain's commission by virtue of which he acted as above stated.
C. Dailey
Subscribed and sworn by before me July 25th, 1834
A. Gardiner
Page 36

I Samuel L. Selden Clerk of the said court, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Cornelius Daily for a pension.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this twenty fifth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty four.
Sam L Seldon  Clerk

A notice signed "Vinal Luce Clk" from the War Department was received and the residue of information in order to establish Mr.Dailey's claim to a pension so far as is possible I have obtained and condensed in the above supplement to the claim, now on file in the pension office.  I shall not be able to get any further proof, so the claim must be established upon what is contained in the claim on file together with what is contained in this supplement.  Since I sent the claim several certificates, which were obtained about the time  or at least soon after Mr. Daily came here
from Port Hope, Canada, but it seems the person to whom they were entrusted to bring to Rockport, did not come.  Hearing of this fact about the time I made out his claim I wrote for them and received them yesterday my mail.  They must throw all necessary light upon the subject, beyond a doubt. One of them you will perceive Thomas Gohan, testifies that he knows of Mr. Dailey serving in the R. War-has been at school with him, etc-another G.W. Allen, Barrister at Law, and to me personally known to be a scholar, a gentleman and a great lawyer and of the highest veracity, testifies that Judge Summers says that he served with said daily in said war-others show the opinion of those where he lived with regard to his service and go to prove what the old man said more than thirty years ago about it; although then residing in a monarch's government and perfectly independent himself, never thinking at that time, he should apply for a pension.  The old veteran will wait the result of your examination of the validity of his claim with peculiar anxiety;  for on the result
Page 37

depends whether he may live out the rest of his days in decency or whether he shall beg or be consigned to the County pauper house.  He is not worth a Penny at this time.  With regard to Mr. John Gohan's affidavit not being taken in court, it cant make it possess any less might, because it cannot be expected that Mr could go several hundred miles & being an old man just ready to totter into his grave here to testify before our Judge & Court; it was taken before one of his Majesty's Justices you will see - He does not state how long he (Dailey) served in said War - I presume he thought when testifying that to establish that he served was sufficient.
               Your Obe't Serv't
                Royal P. Crouse
                Atty. at Law & agent for C. Dailey
Page 38

ILLEGIBLE  Aug 1st
Cornelius Daily
Supd
Pension Claim
Pension Office

Honorable Lewis Cass
Secretary of War
Washington D.C.

waiting for evidence continued in the pension of John Stevens of N. Jersey