Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 16371, for Christopher Peek, New York
Page 1

SERVICE
New York

Peek, Christopher
or       or
Peak, Christophel
Deborah

NUMBER
W.16371

CONTENTS
Page 2

Albany 5899
Deborah Peek
widow of Christopher Peek
[crossed out] who was a pensioner under the Act of [end crossed out]
and who died on the 27 April 1827
of Albany Co. in the State of New York
who was a Lieutenant in the company commanded by Captain Young N.Y. of the regt. commanded by Col. Willett in the N.Y. State Troops line for 7 months 24 days

Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 103 Dollars 98 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.

Certificate of Pension issued the 12th day of Nov. 1840 and sent to G. F. Yates Schenectady, N. Y.

Arrears to the 4th of [crossed out] March '41. $519.90 [end crossed out]
Sept '40  467.41
56.99
$519.90

{Act July 7, 1838.}

Recorded by D. Brown  Clerk
Book A.  Vol. 2.  Page 98
Page 3

5021

In the matter of the application of Deborah Peek, widow of Christopher Peek, for a pension under the act of 7 July 1838.

Married 14 Feb 1785
Husband died 27 Apl 1827

Agent 
Giles F. Yates
Schenectada N.Y.

[sideways]

STATE OF NEW YORK 
CITY OF SCHENECTADY,
CLERKS OFFICE.

I, William M. Tredway Deputy Clerk of said County, and sworn, was at the time of taking the same a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, duly commissioned and qualified as such;  and that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said John H. Van Eps Esq. and verily believe that the signature to said Affidavit and Certificate is genuine.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said county, this 21st day of November 1838.

[signed] William M. Tredway Dep Clerk
Page 4

State of New York
County of Schenectada  SS.

I certify that the following is a true copy of the record of the marriage of Christophel Peek and Deborah Wemple as contained in the Register of Marriages of the Reformed Dutch Church of Schenectada with the exception of the date which is expressed on the record in fair, legible figures, as follows:  "Feb: 14. 1785."  Christophel Peek jongh man met Deborah Wemple Jonge Daghter beyde geboren ende wonagtig onder Schenectady Bevestight February 14th 1785."  From which it appears, that Christophel (Anglice Christopher) Peek was lawfully married to Deborah Wemple on the fourteenth day of February one thousand seven hundred and eight-five by the Rev. Thomas Romeyn, then Pastor of said Church.  

[signed]
Jacob Van Vechten

I, Jacob Van Vechten above named, depose and say that I hold the office of Pastor of said Church and that the above is a true extract from the records of said Church with the exception above, as certified by me.

[signed]
Jacob Van Vechten

Sworn before me, this 23rd day of October 1838.

[signed]
Roswell Perry J.P.
Page 5

The Deposition of Joseph Peek of the City of Schenactada [sic] in the County of Schenactada and State of New York, who testifies and says that he was in the years 1779 & 1780 during the war of the revolution, Captain of the company of [illegible], Fatiguemen, and Laborers in the Quarter Master General's Department of the United States, that Christopher Peek the same person refered to and described in the preceeding depositions was during the war of the revolution in the year 1777 on duty in the Department of the Quarter Master General aforesaid at Stillwater and Bemis's Heights in the capacity of a Quarter Master.  This Deponent saw said Christopher Peek on duty as such Quarter Master, and knows that he served on this occasion as such for the term of at least three weeks -- but how much longer the said Christopher Peek served as such Quarter Master this Deponent cannot say.

[signed]
Joseph Peek

On this 8th day of March 1839 personally appeared before me the undersigned Joseph Peek above named, who made oath that the facts set for in the above deposition [writing covered]

STATE OF NEW-YORK
COUNTY O SCHENECTADY,
CLERK'S OFFICE  SS.

I, Archibald Campbell Clerk of said County, do hereby certify that Roswell Perry and Albert A. Vedder before whom the foregoing Affidavit were subscribed and sworn, were at the time of taking the same Justices of the Peace in and for said county, duly commissioned and qualified as such;  and that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Roswell Perry & Albert A. Vedder and verily believe that the signature to said Affidavits and Certificates thereto are genuine.

In witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affied the seal of said county, this 22 day of March 1839.

[signed]
Arch. Campbell Clerk
Page 6

The deposition of Joseph Peek of the City of Schenectada in the County of Schenectada and State of New York, who testifies and says that he was in the years 1779 & 1780 during the war of the revolution, Captain of the company of Battlemen, Fatigueman, and Laborers in the Quarter Master Generals Department of the United States.  That Christopher Peek the same person referred to and described in the preceeding depositions was during the war of the revolution in the year 1777 on duty in the Department of the Quarter Master General aforesaid at Stillwater and Bemis's Heights in the capacity of a Quarter Master.  This Deponent saw said Christopher Peek on duty as such Quarter Master and knows that he served on this occasion as such for the term of at least three weeks - but how much longer the said Christopher Peek served as such Quarter Master this Deponent cannot say.

[signed]
Joseph Peek

On this 8th day of March 1839 personally appeared before me the undersigned Joseph Peek above named, who made oath that the facts set forth in the above deposition by him signed are true and I certify that said Joseph Peek is a credible witness.

[signed]
A.A. Vedder Justice of the Peace
Page 7

DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, of the 7th July, 1838, entitled "An act granting half-pay and pensions to certain widows."

State of New York, ss:

On this Sixteenth day of October 1838 personally appeared before the Circuit Court of the Third Circuit of the State of New York Deborah Peek a resident of the Town of Watervliet in the county of Albany aged sixty nine years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed July 7, 1838, entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows:"
That she is the widow of Christopher or (Christophel) Peek or Peak who was a Lieutenant in the regiment of Militia commanded by Colonel Abraham Wemple in the district of Schenectada in the year 1777 and served as such and also as Quarter Master during that year.  and in the year 1778 received a commission as Quarter Master and served as such until the year 1782 when he received the appointment of Ensign in the New York levies or State Troops under command of Colonel Marinus Willett and served as such for at least six month and in the month of March 1783 was appointed Ensign in the same Regiment of levies and served as such until the conclusion of the revolutionary war.  And she declares further that her maiden name was Wemple and that she was married by the Rev. Derick Romeyn at that time Paster of the Reformed Dutch Church Schenectada

She further declares, that she was married to the said Christopher Peek on the fourteenth day of February in the year seventeen hundred and Eighty five:  that her husband the aforesaid Christopher Peek died on the twenty second day of April 1827 that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January, seventeen hundred and ninety-four, viz. at the time above stated.

Sworn to and subscribed, on the day and year above written, before the Court aforesaid in open Court

[signed]
Deborah Peek

[signed]
Arch'd Campbell Clk of said Court
Page 8

State of New York
Secretary of State's Office   SS.

I hereby certify that as appears from the "Minutes of the Council of Appointment" of this State on file in this Office, at a Council held on the 20th day of June 1778, Christopher Peake, was appointed Quarter Master of the Regiment of Militia in the then County of Albany, whereof Abraham Wempel was appointed the Colonel -- and that said Christopher Peake, was on the 29th day of September 1782, appointed an Ensign in the Regiment of Levies raised for the defence of the frontiers and commanded by Lieut. Colonel Marinus Willett.  And that on the 21st day of March 1783, the Said Christopher Peak was appointed an Ensign in the regiment of Levies raised for the defence of the frontiers, whereof Marinus Willett is Lieutenant Colonel.  

[signed]
Arch. Campbell
Dep. Secretary

Albany Sep. 14. 1838
Page 9

State of New York
County of Schenectada   SS

The deposition of Christopher Ward of the city of Schenectada [sic] in said County aged 81 years and upwards who being duly examined testifies and says that he was a soldier in the war of the Revolution & is now a pensioner of the United States under the Act of Congress passed 7 June 1832.  During said war this Deponent was well acquainted with Christopher Peek whose widow Deborah Peek is now an applicant for a pension.

Deponents knowledge of the services of said Christopher Peek during said war extends to the following particulars.  In the month of January 1779 when this Deponent joined the Company of Captain John Clute under Col Christopher Gates Adjutant Quarter Master General he first saw said Christopher on duty in said Company of Capt John Clute at Saratoga.  Deponent remained in said Company for a period of four months during the whole of which time said Christopher Peek also remained on duty as aforesaid.  Deponent left said Peek on duty when he was discharged to wit after a service of four months as aforesaid, but how much longer he served this Deponent cannot testify.  Deponent has been informed &
Page 10

verily believes that said Christopher Peek performed military duty in said war after this time as a commissioned officer but this Deponent has no personal knowledge of the fact.

[signed]
Chris Ward

On this third day of September 1838 personally appeared before me the undersigned Christopher Ward & made oath in due form of law that the facts set forth in the above deposition by him subscribed are true & I certify that the said Christopher Ward is a credible witness.

[signed]
John H. Van Eps
Justice of the peace.

[written sideways]

5021
In the matter of the application of Deborah Peek widow of Christopher Peek, for a pension under the act of 7th July 1838

Married 14 Feb 1785
Husband died 27 April 1827

Agent 
Giles F. Yates
Schenectada N.Y.
Page 11

Widow of
Christopher Peak
viz. Debora Peek -
Supplemental evidence
under act of 7th July 1838

Agent
Giles F. Yates
Schenectada
N.Y.
Page 12

Schenectada Feb. 19th 1840.

To J. L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions

Sir:

I have endeavored to comply with the requisitions of your letter of the 15th July last in the case of Debora Peek, widow of Christopher Peak.  I send annexed a certificate from the Comptroller of N. York proving nine months service in 1782, & a Certificate from the Secretary of State of N. York of his service in 1783 - confirmed by the affidavit of Simon J. Vrooman who was himself an officer in the Levies - all in addition to the four months service in the Quarter Master Department allowed.

I am yours respectfully

[signed]
G. F. Yates
Page 13

J. L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 14

The number and amounts of Certificates issued by the Treasurer of the State of New York for Levys and Militia Services continued from Book No. I.

 To Whom Given

1782 July 31  7391 Gary Young  Captn    60 16 "
   "       "   31  7392  Joel Gillett   Capt      80   "  "
   "       "     "   7393  Duncan Campbell Lt 93 17  4
     August  1  7394 Peter Van Ruger  do     8   3  "
     Dec      31  7395  Christr Peak       do   93 17  4

[handwritten in pencil next to Peak] 234.66
7 mo & 24 days

State of New York
Comptrollers Office
Albany March 7. 1840

I hereby Certify the above to be a true Extract from Book No 2.  now remaining in this Office and also that it appears from the same book that the above named persons served under Marinus Willett, Colo Comdt. Elias Van Benschoten and Andrew Finch Majors and Pliny Moore.

[signed]

W W Tredway
Dep Comptroller
Page 15

The deposition of Simon Vrooman of Oswego in the State of New York (now in the City of Schenectada) aged Seventy nine years who testifieth and saith that he receives a pension under the act of 7th June 1832 having been a private soldier and Lieutenant in the Revolutionary War.  That during said war the place of his residence when not with the army was the (said City, then) township of Schenectady and he then became acquainted with many of the inhabitants of said township and, among the rest with Christopher Peek in behalf of whose widow application is now being made for a pension under the act of 7th July 1838.  During the years 1775 and 1776, this deponents father Jacob Vrooman, Nichola (or Claus) Veeder and others were Captains of Companies of Carpenter and did service in the Quarter Masters Department under General Schuyler and the Deputy Quarter General for the time being.  In the year 1775 said companies were engaged in building boats and doing other fatigue duty at Ticonderoga and in that neighborhood preparatory to the then contemplated invasion of Canada and in the year 1776, at Whitehall and other places performing similar duties.

In the first or second week of March 1777 he this deponent commenced service under Colonel Christopher Gates Deputy Quarter Master General and continued so to serve until October in the year last named, or for the term of nearly seven months, at Fort Am. Stillwater, and with Major General Arnold's division up the Mohawk Valley and was during this term of his service all the time actively engaged as assistant to said
Page 16

Colonel Gates and took part in several skirmishes with the enemy.

In the forepart of the summer of the year 1778, he served for two months and more under said Colonel Gates at Saratoga and elsewhere, and during these two terms of his service last named, he was under the immediate command of said Gates.

In the summer of the year 1778 he this deponent engaged in an expedition to the middle fort of Schoharie and performed garrison duty there at least four weeks, with a detachment of Militia from said township under command of Colonel Abraham Wemple Captain John Mynderse and Lieutenant James H. Peck.

In the spring of the year 1779 he again performed a tour of duty in the Department of the Quarter Master General at Saratoga under the immediate command of said Colonel Gates, for the term of at least four weeks.  In the summer of the year last named he did the like duty under Colonel Gates at Canajoharie and Lake Otsego for at least four weeks.

In the fall of the year 1778 he served with the Schenectada Militia at Fort Herkimer for the term of four weeks under the immediate command of James H. Peck Lieutenant.

In the fall of the same year he, this deponent, did garrison duty at Fort Paris in Stone Arabia for the term of three months under the immediate command of Captain John Mynderse and Lieutenant James H. Peck of the Schenectada Militia.
Page 17

In the forepart of the summer of the year 1780, he this deponent marched with a detachment of Militia to Beaverdam in pursuit of one Captain Pall and 50 of Butler's Rangers and took two men prisoners.  Major Wemple had command of this expedition and the term of this tour was two or three days.

A few days thereafter he marched with a like detachment under command of Lieutenant James H. Peck Captain John Mynderse and others to a place Southwest of Albany and served in this last named town two or three days.

In his capacity as a private afterwards as a Lieutenant of the New York levies or State troops he served for the months of June, July, and August 1789.  He was then attached to Malcolm's Regiment, and five weeks thereafter to Lewis Dubois' Regiment, Captain John Burnet.  During this term he marched up the Mohawk Valley to Fort Plain Albany, Westpoint Fishkill and Dobbs Ferry.  He was ordered by Colonel Malcolm to remain on duty after three months, the term of his engagement had expired and he did remain on duty accordingly for one month and two weeks, until relieved by Captain Dunscomb and Lieutenant Freligh.

In the year 1781 he this deponent served as first Lieutenant in the Company of Captain Lawrence Gross.  Timothy second lieutenant for the term of nine months in the Counties of Tryon and Herkimer from April to 1st January 1782.

He this Deponent has thus give a brief detail of his services for the sake of more ready reference to those of said Christopher Peek and according to the best of his recollection said Christopher Peek
Page 18

did serve in the expedition up the valley of the Mohawk in the year 1782 in the State troops under command of Lt. Colonel Marinus Willett further term of at least nine months.   This Deponent did not serve during said year, but he remembers well that said Christopher Peak did serve as aforesaid in the capacity of Lieutenant - said Captain Gross did not serve in the year 1782 & this Deponent cannot say what Captains said Christopher Peek served under but thinks it was Captain Gray or Young.  This Deponent also recollects that said Christopher Peek served till the end of the war in 1783, but cannot specify the particulars of his service in 1783 - but knows he was an officer & a Lieutenant and Ensign.  This Deponent is also well acquainted with Debora, the widow of said Christopher knew her during her courting, or while she was the wife of said Christopher Peek & since the death of said Christopher she has remained single & unmarried.

[signed]
S.J. Vrooman

Subscribed & sworn this 20th day of July 1839 before me, & I certify that said Simon J. Vrooman is a credible witness.

[signed]
Roswell Perry J.P.

[written sideways]
Christopher Peak
Page 19

State of New York
County of Schenectada
Clerks Office    SS.

I Theodric R Van Ingen Dep Clk of said County do hereby certify that Roswell Perry before whom the foregoing deposition of S. J. Vrooman purports to have been taken was at the date thereof Justice of the Peace in & for said County, duly commissioned & sworn & that his signature to said deposition is genuine.

Witness my hand & official seal this 21st day of February One thousand Eight hundred & forty

[signed]
T R Van Ingen
Dep Clk
Page 20

State of New York
Secretary's Office

I certify that on the 21st day of March 1783 Christopher Peak was appointed an Ensign in the regiment of Levies raised for eight months for the defence of the Frontiers whereof Marinus Willett was Lieutenant Colonel Commandant - all which appears by the minutes of the Council of Appointment of this State in this Office.

[signed]
Arch'd Campbell
Dep. Secretary

Albany Feb 18. 1840.
Page 21

NY   Sept 14. 1840

J. L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington 
D.C.
Page 22

In the matter of Deborah Peak widow of Christopher Peak & under the act of 7th July 1838.

To J. L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions

Sir:

I am so often appealed to by those interested in the above application, that I must request you to reexamine it.

In your letter of the 12th of June last you say, that "the Lieutenant described in the Comptroller's certificate ( I furnished ) as having been paid for service rendered previous to Dec 1782 could not have been the Claimant's husband.  Chris Peek's first appointment as an Ensign in the Levies is dated the 29 Sep 1782" & now the certificate shows that Chris Peak was paid as a Lieutenant in Dec 1782.  I think that if due weight is given to the following facts, the discrepance as to the grade of Mr. Peek will be found to be unreal.  Was not Mr. Peak in pursuance of a common practice paid as a Prevost Lieutenant & Lieutenants were often paid for services as Captains.  That Mr. Chris Peak Lieut. & Chris Peak Ensign are identical is conclusively proved by the fact that they served
Page 23

under the same officers - Col. Willet & if there had been 2 officers of the same name in the same Regiment, they would have been distinguished by a middle letter or in some other way.  I can get any number of affidavits to show that there was only one Christopher Peak in these posts during the revolution.

Very respectfully
Your Obt Servt

[signed]
G. F. Yates

Schenectada Sep 10 1840
Page 24

In the matter of
Deborah Peek
widow of Chris. Peek under the act of 7th July 1838

Agent
Giles F. Yates
Schenectada
N.Y.
Page 25

State of New York
County of Oswego  SS.

I Simon J Vrooman of the Town of Oswego in the County & State aforesaid, late a lieutenant etc in the New York State troops or levies in the war of the revolution do depose and say that Christopher Peek of whose services I have heretofore made an affidavit in the matter of the application of his widow Deborah Peek for a pension under the Act of 4th July 1838 was the only officer by the name of Christopher Peek (and to the best of my recollection & knowledge of the name of "Peek") that served in the Regiment of State Troops, or any regiment of New York State troops or Levies under command of Colonel Marinus Willett in 1782.

[signed]
Simon J. Vrooman

Subscribed & sworn to before me Oct 19. 1840

John M Casey
Justice of the Peace

State of New York
Oswego County  SS.

I Daniel H. Marsh clerk of the county courts of said county do hereby certify that John M. Casey is a Justice of the Peace in & for said county duly elected & qualified.  That his term of office commenced on the first day of January AD 1839 and will expire on the thirty first day of December A.D. 1842. and that his signature above written is genuine.

Given under my hand & the seal of said county this 19th day of October AD. 1840

[signed]
D. H. Marsh Clerk
Page 26

To
J.L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 27

Schenectada Mar: 22 1839

J. L. Edwards Esq

Sir

If documentary evidence of the service of Christopher Peek, (the papers of whose widow under the act of 7th July 1838, you will receive herewith) is not in your office, I can furnish it.

Respectfully
Your Obt Servt

[signed]
G. F. Yates
Page 28

93.17.9
93.17.9
46.30
________
232.50
    2.16
________
239.66




5021
N.Y  Mar 27
7July 1838.

[written sideways and cut off]

J. L. Edw
Com
Page 29

Mar 6. 1840
NY

J. L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
D.C.
Page 30

Schenectada June 3rd 1840.

J. L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions

Sir:

When at Washington I was not able to ascertain the state of the claim of Debora Peek widow of Chris Peek, for the reason that the correspondence on the subject of that claim was in the hands of the binders.  Be kind enough to inform me what further proceedings or proof is necessary to establish that claim.

I pray also for a report in the matter of the application in behalf of Nelly Palmatier widow of Isaac Palmatier dec'd which was forwarded to your office some months ago.

I am very respectfully
Your Obt Servt

[signed]
Giles F. Yates
Page 31

Oct 26. 40
N.Y.

D Peak

Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington 
D.C.
Page 32

Schenectada  Oct - 23rd 1840

To J. L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions

Sir:

Enclosed I send the proof of identity required in the case of Deborah Peek widow of Chris Peek under the act of 7th July 1838.

Yours respectfully

[signed]
G. F. Yates
Page 33

Mar 4 1840
James L. Edwards Esq
Washington
Page 34

Washington April 3. '40.

Sir

G. F. Yates has sent you Pension papers for Mrs. Deborah Peak (wid. of Christ. Peak) a year or more since - has anything been done on it?  If so, what? - if defective inform me in what respect - she desires to know.

Yours 

[signed]
P. J. Wagner
Page 35

N. York
Deborah Peek
let to G.F. Yates 15. July 1839
" to Hon P. J. Wagner 6. April 1840
to same 25. May 1840
To G. F. Yates 12. June 1840
to same 15. Sep. 1840

Act July 1838
Page 36

Rev  WIDOW, &c.

File No. 16371
Deborah Peek
Wid of
Christopher Peek
Lieut Rev War
Act:  July 7th '/38
Index: - Vol. M, Page 122

{Arrangement of 1870}
Page 37

5021
Deborah Peek
Act. July 7. 1838

Married 14 February 1785
Husband died 27. Apr 1827

Col Willett   New York State Troops
Capt Guy Young

Admitted 
Lieutenant 7 mos & 24 days
$103.98

Giles F. Yates Esq
Schenectady
N.Y.