Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 19,103, for John Staats, New York
Page 1

(3 - 1776 )
SERVICE
New York
CONTENTS
Staats, John
Jane
NUMBER
W. 19. 103
Page 2

3923
New York
N.Y. Jane Staats widow
of John Staats
who died on the 12th March, 1813
of Erie Cay-- in the State of New York
who was a Pr. & Ensign in the
commanded
by Captain
by
of the commanded
in the New York
line for
months 23 days private
3-2 Do Ensign-
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at
the rate of 52 Dollars 54 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 18th day of
September 1843 and sent to G. F. Yates
Schenectady N. Yk
Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1843 $656.75
Semi-annual allowance ending 26.27
$683.02
Revolutionary Claim,
Act July 4, 1836,
Section the 3d
Recorded by W M Steuart Clerk
Book A Vol. 2 Page 128
---

Letter to Hon. W. S. Mosley Dec. 1841
Page 3

State of New York
County of Erie ⎬ On this Eleventh day of May in the year
of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty there personally
appeared before the undersigned Frederick P.
Stevens one of the Judges of the Court of Common pleas in and
for the County of Erie and State of New York, Mrs Jane Staats
Widow a resident of Buffalo in said County aged eighty one
years and upwards, who being by me 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
4th 1836 that she is the widow of John Staats who
served in the Revolutionary War, in the militia of the
State of New York, as a private Soldier, and as an Ensign
that deponent as appears by the family records kept in a
Bible in possession of deponent, and which deponent
believes it is now in her eighty second year of
age, and will be eighty two years old on the fifth
day of August next, that deponent was married
to the said John Staats on the twenty fourth day of
September in the year seventeen hundred and eighty
at Albany in the State of New York, by the Rev. Mr. Waterloo, then a Clergyman of the Dutch Reformed Church in
Albany aforesaid, that this deponents name was Jane
McClellan (usually pronounced the Claiman) before her
said marriage, and that at the time of her said Marriage
deponent resided with her mother at Greenbush in the then County of Albany (now County of Rensselaer)
place in the State of New York this deponent further
says that she always understood and believes that
her said husband John Staats enlisted as a soldier
in the Militia of the State of New York in said tour of Greenbush
in the year 1776 that he at that lived with his father
Page 4

Joachim Staats in the Town of Schodack in the then County of
Albany (now County of Renssalaer) on the Seland
five miles South of Albany usually called Hogsberg
pronounced Hogs barrack that deponent has always
understood and believes that her said husband John
Staats was in actual service at different periods and
in various places from the said year 1776 up to and
prior to the time of our said marriage, but to what
companies or what regiment he was attached before the
said year 1780, this deponent by reason of the lapse of
time and the infirmities of age does not recollect specifically, but she has an impression that a portion of
said time before her said marriage he lived as a
private soldier in a company commanded by a
Captain Cole, and she thinks his given name was
James, and she has been informed and believes
that another portion he served in a company, in
the regiment of Col. Abm Van Alstyne - This deponent
was acquainted with her said husband for several
years before their said marriage, and recollects of hearing and understanding of her said husband at different
times being off on Military duty in various directions and on skirmishing and protecting expeditions
, and after their said marriage deponent
has heard her husband speak and converse with
herself and neighbors about such military services before the
marriage, but this deponent recollection does not enable
her at this time to give any connected account of those
military services, or the Country through which he marched
this deponent recollects at one time being in Albany before
our marriage, when deponent saw the Military in a large
body come into town, and then saw her said husband
with them, and deponent understood and believes
Page 5

that her husband then had been out on a Military expedition some five or six weeks, and deponent believes he
had then been out to Schoharie to repel some Indians
and tories that had ravaged and burnt that section of Country, but deponent cannot now fix the year
but recollects it was in the Summer of the year, and thinks it
was 1779 or 1780 - This deponent recollects of hearing from
him and others of her said husband being ordered out to
Cobbshill to repel the Indians and the enemy in that
section, and has heard her husband tell of finding
or their march a continental officer murdered and
mangled in a terrible manner and left by his murderers setting upright, with a continental bill in each
hand - but the name of the officer thus found
I cannot now recollect. This was before our marriage
and deponent understood and believes he was out on
that expedition some 5 or 6 weeks - Deponent well remembers the Battle of Saratoga Deponent was after the
final surrender in Albany at the house of Mr. John
Woodward on what was then called Main Street, and
well recollects seeing Gen. Philip Schuyler, who commanded the American Army in the North shortly
previous to said battle, and his suit come into town
to the residence of Gen Schuyler accompanied by Genl
Burgoyne Gen Schuyler residence was a little out of
Town, passing from Main up through Washington
Street as it then was called this was before deponents
marriage, and deponent well remembers of it that him
knowing that the said John Staats was out in military
at the north during that company and at
the said battle of heritage, and after her said marriage
deponent frequently heard her husband and neighbors talk
of his being there and tell over the incidents and
Page 6

the hardships of that campaign-- but the company or
regiment to which he was there attacked this deponent
cannot state, and she does not know whether anyone
is now living who was personally aquainted of said John
Staats services during that campaign-
This deponent further says that some
time in the spring of 1780, as she has been informed and
believes the said John Staats was appointed an Ensign
of a company to which he was then attached, and this
deponent has frequently seen the commission to him issued
as such Ensign in the possession of her said Husband
with seal attached, and according to her recollection
signed by Gov. Clinton, and deponent remembers of
[illegible] the said Commission sometime after the death of her
said husband according to deponent recollection
said Commission was lost about the time of deponents moving from Greenbush to said Buffalo
her present residence in the year 1816, and deponent
has no recollection of seeing said Commission since this
deponent further says that at the time of her said
marriage as aforesaid her said husband was an
Ensign in the company commanded by Capt. Anthony Bries, in the Regiment of which William Van Ran
place was Colonel and Jacob C. Show who was
Major, and John H Beckman was sent
Colonel, of which company Harpent Witbeck was a
Lieutenant, and at that time her said husband
John Staats resided at Greenbush aforesaid - this deponent well recollects Capt. Bries in whose company
her said husband was an Ensign, and also well
recollects John H. Beckman, who always went by the
title of Col. Beckman. She also well remembers Harpent
Witbeck and Major Schamerhorn, that he has
Page 7

on them each at her house in Greenbush and
she has been informed and believes that no one of
them is now living. This deponent further says that
after their said marriage as aforesaid, she remembers that her said
husband went out on military expeditions in different directions, and that he continued in capt in company until
the termination of the war in 1783 holding said rank of
ensign or the rank of Lieutenant, to which he was promoted, but whether he was appointed Lieutenant before
the termination of hostilities this deponent cannot now
State or this deponent recollect, the fall of the year we were
married her said husband was out on such military
expedition on some alarm given and was absent on
such expedition some six weeks, and the following
summer and fall he was absent on such duty in
military service, but the length of time or direction, he went
deponent would not now designate this deponent remembers at one time after our marriage of his going up
to Johnstown on a military expedition and being
gone some five weeks or more, at another time he
went to Schoharie and Canajoharie on like service
, at another time down the River to Sopus Bay
to put down some Indians and tories in that vicinity
but the particulars and dates deponent cannot after this loss of time specify but alarms and
threatened difficulties were frequent and continued
till after the British forces left New York City, and he was
in this service from the time of the marriage till the
close of the war, and was about several times a year
to repel the marauding parties of the
different directions but dates and particulars this
deponent would not undertake further to give this
deponent further says that her said husband
the
Page 8

John Staats died at Greenbush aforesaid of an epidemic
fever on the 12th day of March in the year (1813)
eighteen hundred and thirteen, and that this deponent has remained a widow since that time to
the present period this deponent further says that in
the year (1816) eighteen hundred and sixteen this deponent
removed from Greenbush to Buffalo, her present residence in which last named place she has [illegible] to reside to the present period this deponent
further says that she did not earlier avail her
self of the benefit of the Pension Law, for the reason
that on its passage in 1836 the persons who knew
of her husbands Revolutionary services if living at all
resided at a distance of some three hundred miles
more from Buffalo in the vicinity of Albany
and she would with difficulty be the expense
of looking up the testimony deponent did institute some inquiries for that purpose some five
years since and found those persons most intimately acquainted with her said husband
as were not living, and in view of the
difficulties and expenses attending the obtaining the proof, this deponent permitted the matter
rest until within the last eighteen months
when she was advised that some proof of
those services could be obtained, and since that
period she has made efforts to obtain such
proof to support her application and this deponent further says that she is not able by
reason of advanced age and bodily infirmities to appear in open Court to
Page 9

make this declaration
The [illegible] Albany on the 2d line
of the sd Pay ceased & the war
heard on the last line but one of the
3d pay interlined before
being executed or sworn to
F. Stevens
 
Jane Staats

Sworn to and subscribed this eleventh
day of May A.D. 1843 before me, and
I certify that the Declarant Jane
that cannot from bodily
infirmity attend the Court
Fredk P Stevens
Judge Erie County
Court of Com. Pleas

State of New York
Erie County ss Jeremiah Staats of Buffalo in said
County aged about forty five years being duly
sworn depose and says that the applicant a
State in the foregoing application named is
the mother of this deponent, that his father John
Staats in said application named died at
Greenbush in the State of New York on the twelfth
day of March 1813 of an Epidemic Fever
that the prevailed, that deponent was then living with his said Father, and was present at
his death. This deponent further says that the
said Jane Staats who makes the foregoing application is the surviving widow of the said John Staats
that from the time of his said Fathers death to the present
period, the said Jane Staats has continued to reside
with this deponent, and that she the said Jane Staats
him the said death of his said Father has not married again, and still continues a widow, that
age
Page 10

 
the names of the children of deponents said father
and mother John and Jane Staats were Joachim J
Staats, John J. Staats Elizabeth S. Staats, Barent J. Staats
Nicholas J Staats, this deponent Jeremiah Staats, and Philip
J Staats, and that none of them are now living except
this deponent. This deponent further says that he
well recollects of frequently seeing the Commission as
Ensign in the foregoing declaration mentioned
issued to his said Father John Staats, and remember
the large Seal attached thereto, and that according to
this deponents best recollection said Commission
was placed in a box containing some books and
valuable papers about the time that deponent
and his said mother removed to Buffalo in the
year 1816, that said box and its entire contents
was lost or stolen as deponent believes on the said
journey-- that great pains were taken to recover said box, as it contained some papers of value, inquiries were made, and letters written back to the East,
but all effects to regain it were unsuccessful and
deponent has always believed, and now believes
that said Commission was among said papers
in said box so lost or stolen, that deponent has
no recollection of having ever seen said Commission
sum our removal as aforesaid to Buffe to, and
further this deponent says not

Jeremiah Staats

Sworn to and Subscribed
eleventh day of May,
A.D.  1843, and I certify
that the deponent Jeremiah
tant is a credible witness
Fredk P Stevens
Judge Erie County
Court of Common Pleas
Page 11

Rev. War Section.
Mr. John S. Beach,
1423 New York Avenue, N. W.,
Washington, D. C.
Sir:
December 23, 1919.
In response to your letter dated the eighteenth instant,
you are furnished the following in formation in regard to all
and the only soldiers named "John Staats" found on the Revolutionary
War records of this Bureau.
In the papers in the claim of Jane Staats widow of John
Staats, W. File No. 19, 103 Rev. War, it is stated that said
John Staats, son of Joachim Staats, resided with his father at
Schodack, Albany County now Rensselaer County, New York, when
he first enlisted in 1776, and afterwards removed to Greenbush,
Albany, now Rensselaer County, New York, where he continued to
enlist for short periods at various times, on alarms and expeditions
, until the end of the war. Part of the time he served
as a Private under Captain Burger Claw and Colonel Abraham Van
Alstyne and was in the battle of Saratoga; served with a detachment
from Colonel Van Alstyne's regiment, to the lower Schoharie
fort, under Captain Abraham Yates; and on March 4, 1780, he was
commissioned Ensign of Captain Abraham Bries' company, Colonel
William Van Rensselaer's regiment.
Page 12

John Staats married at Albany, New York, September 24, 1780
1780, Jane McClellan, born August 5, 1761, of Greenbush, where
she resided with her mother whose name is not stated. Her father
was John McClellan, usually pronounced " McClannon", there is no
further information concerning her parents.
John Staats died at Greenbush, New York, March 12, 1813,
during an epidemic of fever, his age is not stated), and his
widow Jane Staats was allowed pension on account of his services
as a Private and Ensign, on her application executed May 11,
1843, at which time she resided at Buffalo, Erie County, New York
with her son Jeremiah, having removed there in the year 1816.
In 1843, said son Jeremiah Staats aged about forty - three
years, stated that he was the only surviving child of John and
Jane Staats, and that their other children were: Joachim J.,
John J., Elizabeth S., Barent J. Nicholas J. and Philip J.
Staats. There is no further family data on file.
Page 13

In the matter of the
application of Anna
Staats widow of John
Staats act of 4 July 36
N. 10.
Afft of Derick Hilton
.
G. J. Wells
Atty
Page 14

State of New York
County of Albany N.
Derick Hilton
of the town of Bethlehem in said County,
aged Eighty seven years & upwards, being duly
sworn saith that he is a pensioner of the
United States under the act of Congress passed
7 June 1832 in consequence of his services
in the war of the revolution as an
Ensign
in the Company of Captain Mathias Virgin
the Regiment of Colonel Jacob Lansing
, & for sundry other services in said
war and said B. Lansing was succeeded
by Colonel Abraham H Cayler
This Deponent then resided
in the City of Albany, and one John Staats resided
in the now called town of Greenbush
opposite the city of Albany, on the said
road to Kinderhook. The John Staats here
referred to this Deponent was well &
intimately acquainted with, and also with
his wife and family connections. The
said John Harts married a daughter of
John McClellan residery in said town of
Greenbush & her name was Jane and the
said John Staats had a brother by the
name of Philip whose son Barent Staats
was mently mayor of the City of Albany
aforesaid - Said John Staats belonged to the
mility beat under command of Colonel Abraham Van Alstine & Major Isaac Hoes will
both of whom this deponent was well acquain
ted said John Staats was in the last years
of the was an Ensign and attached to the Reg
Page 15

ment of Colonel Killian Van Rensselaer-
as Deponent understood & believes
This Deponent well recollects that
said John Staats engaged in the expedition
against Burgoyne in the year 1777, with the
the members of the militia from Albany
County for how long a term this Deponent
cannot specify but is certain that it was for
more than two months
in the said expedition against Burgoyne in said year 1777, said starts was not an
officer, but as deponent believes served as a
private only
said Deponent also recollects
that said John Staats served with a detachment from said Regiment of Clonel VanAlstine at the town
Schohaire fort and from
other Regiments of Albany from some time in
the month of June 1778 until the corn ripened
or within a few days of the first of September 1778
under the immediate command if deponent remembers right, of Captain Abraham Yates
In or during the harvest of the year
1779, the said John Staats served with this Deponent
for the term of one month at Fort Plank and
plain under this deponent as Ensign, and if he
remembers right some Captain in the Regiment of
Colonel Van Alstine
This Deponent also recollects that
said John Staats during the subsequent years of
the year served as an Ensign but deponent cannot
specify the names of the other officers of this company to which he belonged
In the year 1780, this Deponent
is not [illegible] to the services of said John Staats as ensign saw in the fall of the year when he
served with the Albany Regiment up the Mohawk
Page 16

in to fort Herkimer German flatts
fort Hunter fort Plain & other posts &
passes for a term of very near
one month
returning when the weather was at cold in
the month of October or November
this Deponent does not know
any of the services of said Staats the years
1781, or 1782

Derick Hilton

Subscribed & Sworn 
this Fifth day of May
1843, before me and
I certify that said
Hilton is, to me
well known and a witness
of credibility-
John J Groesbeeck
Justice of the peace

State of New York
Albany County ⎬ SS I Henry B. Haswell Clerk of the said County
do hereby certify that John P. Greensbeek before whom the
foregoing affidavit purports to have been sworn was on
the day of the date of the Jurat thereto a Justice of the
Peace in and for the said County and that his name
Subscribed to said jurat is his proper hand writing and
Signature
whereof I have hereunto set my name and affixed the
Seal of the said County this 27th day of May 1843
H.B. Haswell Clerk
In Testimony
Page 17

Certificate
Appl of John Staats
as Ensign 4. Mar.
1780-
No 8.

G. F. Yates
Altry
Page 18

State of New York
Secretary's office
I Certify that on the 4th
day of March 1780 the following persons were
duly appointed and commissioned officers of a
company in the Regiment of Militia in the then
County of Albany where of Killian Van Rensselaer was
Colonel Viz:
Anthony Brease Captain
Harpert Witbeck 1st Lieutenant
John Ostrander 2d Lieutenant
John Staats Ensign
all which appears by the minutes of the Council of
appointment in this Office
Arch Campbell
Albany Dec. 21. 1842
Dep. Sec. of State
Page 19

March 9, 1876
Record
John Staats

intimate 3d 2 [illegible] prior to fall of 75
1 21 pri rolls
3.70 Ensign "

JL Edwards Esq
 Comm of Pensions
Page 20


Washington DC
7 March 1846

Sir
We have been employed to prosecute
the claim of Mrs Jane Staats, widow of John Statts,
of New York, for an increase of pension
In order that we may proceed undestandingly in the matter it will be necessary for
as to make an examination of the papers on file
which we request permission to do
We are respectfully
your ob serv
K & A Tho Smith
Edward Esq
Comm of Pensions
Page 21

J.L. Edwards Esq.
Comr of Pensions
Washington (Miss Pelk's
28th Nov 45
Dr Sir
Please find on your files
the papers of Mrs Jane Staats on which the certificate
described in the accompanying letter was issued, & state the
ground on which part of her application was denied
with your reply, be so good as to return me the accompanying letters, and oblige your obedt servt
W.A. Mosley
Page 22

Sir
Washington D C
21 March 1846
On the 7th inst we addressed, you
informing you that we had been employed to
prosecute the claim of Mrs Jane Staats, widow of
John Staats of New York, for an increase of pension, and requesting an examination of the papers
in order that we might proceed understandingly
the matter.
We have received no reply to that
letter, and as we are anxious to proceed without
delay, and also to comply with the request which
you made to us in another case, that we should
examine the papers in our case before we take
any achin, [action] he respectfully request that the
papers in this case may be submitted to our inspection
We are very respectfullyyr obt svt
T L & A Tho Smith

J L Edwards Esq.
Comm of Pension
Page 23

State of New York
County of Herkimer

Robert Norton (or
Knowlton) of the town of Fairfield in said County
aged Eighty five years, being duly sworn saith
that he is a pensioner of the United States
under the act of Congress passed 7 June 1832
That during the war of the
rolution he resided in the Eastern part of the
of Greenbush in the then County of Albany
did military duty as a Militia man under
one William Van Rensselaer. That the company
the Regiment of said Conel in which he
deponent was enrolled was that commanded by
Captain Anthony Briese. That he was often
on duty under different officers from those belonging to
the Company in which he was enrolled and on
is and other accounts cannot now call to
mind the names of the officers under whom he
served in Captain Breese, Woodworth & Turner
The names of the inferior commissioned officers under whom he served the Deponent cannot recollect
distinctly now, as his memory has failed him but he
know that one John Staats belonged to the Regiment
of Colonel Van Rensselaer aforesaid yet cannot say
when he first commenced serving as an officer
or how long he served, nor can he give the details
of his service, and thinks that he Deponent &
said John Staats served apart for a portion of
the time and not on every occasion in the same
expeditions
Deponent well recollects that said
Staats was an Ensign in said Regiment, and
heard at the time thereof that said John Staats served
as such Ensign. But Deponents intimacy extended only to one of the officers under
whom he served in the said war, to wit Captain Breese aforesaid. He however remembers
Page 24

[see image #25 for a 'right-side-up' view of this image]
Page 25

distinctly that he saw said John Staats on
duty with the Albany Militia during the retreat
of General Schuyler in the year 1777, but how
long he then served Deponent is unable to say
from his own personal knowledge, yet believes it
was at least two months, and he thinks three
months, as three months was the usual term
for which service was rendered by the Militia
in that expedition against Burgoyne. Deponent
cannot say when said Staats was appointed a
Commissioned officer, yet thinks it must have
been after 1777 as it was not till after that
year that he saw the said Staats in an of
officers uniform - And further deponent cannot
say or specify
Robert  his x mark Norton
John Green

Subscribed & sworn this 11th day of May 1843 before me
and I certify that the deponent
Robert Norton is to
well known, & that he
credible witness
John Green Justice

State of New York Herkimer County
I certify that John Green Esq before whom the above
affidavit purports to have been sworn was on the
day of the date thereof a Justice of the peace in and
for said County duly Elected qualified and that I
am well acquainted with his handwriting and
verily believe the above signatures purporting to be
his are genuine - Witness my hand seal of said
County May 12th 1843-
E.A. Munson Clerk

In the matter of Anna Staats widow of John Staats under act of 4th July 1836
Appl of Robt Molton
N7
GF Yates atty
Page 26

5886
Jane Staats
widow of
John Staats
---
No 1. Declaration under
act of 4. July 1836.
2. Affid of Jer: Staats
m80 d13-
admd
4m. 23 pri
3  20d Ensign
.
52:54

13.33
2.53
36.66
52.52

G. F. Yate
Atty
Schenectady
his
Page 27

Salisbury & Clapp, Printers, Exchange Buildings, Buffalo

State of New-York,
COUNTY OF ERIE,
 
I NOAH SPRAGUE, Clerk of the County of the Court of Common Pleas thereof.
do hereby certify that Frederick P Stevens
Esq. whose name is subscribed to the annexed Certificates
was at the time said Certificate bear date
Judge of Erie County, court of Common Pleas, in and for said County, duly elected and sworn, and acting
as such. And further, that I am acquainted with the hand writing of said Judge Frank P Stevens
to be his genuine signature.
and verily believe the signature " M.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my name and affixed the Seal of the Court of Common
Pleas of said County, this 11th
day of May A.D. 1843
Noah P. Sprague
Page 28

Anna Staats widow
of John Staats
---
act of 4. July 1836
Comptrollers certificate
Voucher No 12
G F Yates
Atty
Page 29

In pursuance of a law passed the 27th of April, 1784, entitled ""An act for the settlement of the pay of the
Levies and Militia, for their services in the late War, and for other purposes therein mentioned, the following certificates
have been issued, bearing interest at five per cent per annum, viz:
30th Novr 1775 / John Staats / Private / L4.11.4
1st June 1780 / " / Ensign / 4.15.0
23d Dec do / " / " / 3.16.6
16th Sept 1781 / " / " / 2.7.4
4th Novr do / " / " / 2.18.0
24th Octr do / " / " / 5.1.2
 

STATE OF NEW-YORK,
COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE, Albany, Jun 2
1843
I hereby certify the above to be true extracts from Book No. 9
now remaining in this office, and
that the service for which the certificates above named were issued, were performed under the following officers, viz:
First -- under Capt. Burger Claw
in Col. Am Van Alstyne Regt
Second, "" Anthy Bries " " Killian V. Rennselaer
Third, " "
.
Fourth,
.
Fifth, ""
4
Sixth, Harpert Witbeck "
Seventh, ""
D
Eighth, ""
Ninth,
16
Tenth, ""
L
Philip Phelps
Dep Comp
Page 30

Jane Staats
widow of John Staats
under act of 4 July 1836.
Affts of
Nancy Van Wil-Marriage Identity
Barent P. Staats - Do -
5. John J. Wilson Church record
G.F. Yates
Attorney
Page 31

State of New York ⎬
Albany County ⎬ ss. Nancy Van Wie, of the City of Albany
Widow, being duly sworn deposeth as follows Viz I am
seventy five years of age & upwards. I was married to my
late Husband, Cornelius Van Wie, on the 12th day of February
in the year one thousand seven hundred & eighty five -
I became acquainted in the fall of the year previous to
my said marriage with Mrs Jane Staats, then the wife of John
Staats of Greenbush in the County of Rensselaer I then resided
with my Father, William Shankland, in the Town of Bethlehem
in Albany County. I recollects well that in the fall of said
your Viz. 1784 I spent about three weeks in the family of
the said John Staats, and was employed in spinning stocking
you, for his wife the said Jane Staats. That they then lived
together as Husband and wife and were required as such by
the neighborhood, and I never heard the first questioned or [illegible]
at the time I spent the three weeks was there as above stated, they
had two or three children. I am certain they had at least two.
the oldest in a boy about three or for years old as  
I can recollect. I remember he was boys clothes, and his name
my Youken or Jehoiakin the from being his name in
Dutch, & the latter in English-- Mr Staat's name before her
marriage, I always understood as McClellan her mother
resided with her and my know as Mrs McClellan but to
not recollect whether she was a widow or not. I have know
the family ever since, but have had little or no intercourse with
them since my own marriage. I never learned to write & therefore
make a mark or cross in my signature

Nancy her x mark Van Wie

Sworn to & subscribed this
24th day of December 1842
before me-- & I certify that the
deponent is
a credible witness-
R Shepherd
Comr of Deeds
Page 32

 
State of New York
Albany County ⎬ ss Barent P. Staats Mayor of the City of
Albany, being duly sworn, deposeth that he was well acquaint
with the within named John Staats in his life time; that the said
John Staats was this deponents Uncle, and that he died in 
about the year one thousand eight hundred and eight leaving
the within named Jane staats his widow. that the said
Jane has ever since the death of her said Husband, remained &
now is a Widow as this Deponent believes, having never heard
of her having married again. This Deponent further saith that as he
has been informed & believes, the said Jane now resides in the City of
Buffalo - and this Deponent knows that she & her Husband
formerly resided in the Town of Greenbush, namely opposite the City of
Albany - that the name of the said June previous to her
marriage was McClellan. This deponent further deposeth that
he has known the within named Deponent, Nancy Van Wie
that she is an [illegible] woman, but a woman of strict
veracity, and strong memory and this deponent has full
confidence in the Correctness of his statement-
This Deponent further saith that the said John Staats & his
said wife, had five children, the name of the oldest of whom
was Schikin, who is now dead - that he this deponents
knowledge and recollection of said Schockin, he would if now
been living of sixty years of age-

Barent P. Staats

Sworn to subscribed this
24th day of December 1842
before me - The and for thirty years &
upwards" and the and word "here" interlined before being sworn to I also
certify that the Deponent is a
credible Witness
R Shepherd
Com of Deeds
Page 33

State of New York 
City & County of Albany ⎬ ss. I hereby certify on oath, that it
appears by the record of Marriages of the Reformed Protestant
Dutch Church in the City of Albany of which records I have
the custody, that John Staats was married to Jane McClellan, on the twenty ninth day of September in the year
one thousand seven hundred and eighty - And I further
Certify that the following is a true copy of the record of said
marriage, as found in the Records of said Church, Viz
1780. Sept 24 John Staats to Jane McCannen" (purporting to be in the
hand writing of Eliardus Westerlo then the Minister of the said Church
and that the said record is expressed in plain legible words and
figures as are set forth in the Copy thereof
Johnston and
Church Master for the year 1842&3

I John T. Wilson of the City of Albany above
named,
depose and say that I hold the office of Church Master in the
above named Church, and that the above is a true extract from
the Records of said Church as Certified by me
Sworn to & subscribed this twenty
Sixth day of December 1842
before me the word "Ninth"
John D Wilson
being first erased and the word
fourth inserted in its place

R Shephard
Comr of Deed
Page 34

State of New York ⎬
County of Albany ⎬ SS: I Henry B. Haswell Clerk of the said County
do hereby certify that Robert Shepherd before whom the
preceeding affidavits purport to have been sworn was
on the day of the date of the Jurats thereto a Commission
of deeds & in and for the said County and legally authorized to administer oaths and take affidavits. That I
am acquainted with the hand writing of the said Commissioned and verily believed that his name subscribed to the
said jurats is his proper hand writing
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and affixed the seal of
H.B. Haswell Clerk
Page 35

State of New York
County of Montgomery
Jacob Van Alstine of
the town of Mohawk in said County, aged ninety
four years, being duly sworn saith that he
was a Quarter Master and Adjutant in the
Regiment of Militia in the then County of
Albany Commanded by Colonel Stephen I
Schuyler in the Brigade of General Ten
Brock and now receives a pension on account of
his services as such Quarter Master and
Adjutant.
That the beat of Col. Killian Van
Rensellaer's Regiment extended from Bath a little
north of a point opposite the City of
Albany & extended to some point in Schodack & that the Regiment of Colonel Abraham
Van Alstine extended from Schodack aforesaidt o

kinderhook. And this Deponent well
recollects that the members of one Regiment
during said war were after called upon to
serve in a Regiment adjoining - Private soldiers
even as after on duty under different officers
from those to whose companies they were attached as under their own officers for particular
services not only soldiers but officers occasionally
joined or were for a time attached to other companies.
This Deponent was during said war
well acquainted with the family of the Staats
He well knew Philip Staats, for whom on
a previous occasion he testified in the matter
of the application of said Philip's widow for a
pension - That said Philip had a brother by
the name of John who was an Ensign in the
said war in the Company of Anthony Bries
Captain - That said John Staats's father's
Page 36

 name was Joachim Staats who resided in
Schodack aforesaid and previous to said
John Staats moving to Greenbush opposite
to Albany City or nearly so, he resided with
his father the said Joachim in Schodack
aforesaid and of course belonged to the Regiment
of Colonel Abraham Van Alstine aforesaid
This Deponent knows little of
the details of said John Staats services
in the war of the Revolution. He remembers
that he was on duty as a private in the
year 1777, in the expedition which eventuated in the Capture of Burgoyne and that
he then was attached to the Regiment of
Col Van Alstyn aforesaid, but deponent
is not to say how long he served on this
occasion, yet is assured that it was for a
period exceeding two months - he thinks
more than three months. Deponent recollects
that said John Staats afterwards served
as Ensign as aforesaid in the Company of
Captain Bries aforesaid in the Regiment of
Colonel Killian Van Rensselaer but deponent
is unable to give the details of the services of
said John Staats as such ensign as aforesaid
except by tradition, and report thereof at the
time thereof and further this deponent
saith not.

Jacob Van Alstyne
---
Subscribed & Sworn this
10th day of April
1843, before me; and I
certify that said Jacob
Van Alstine is a credible
Witness -
Abm A Van Horne Justice of the Peace
Page 37

STATE OF NEW YORK.
Montgomery County Clerk's Office. ss
I, HENRY COOK, Clerk of the County of Montgomery, do hereby certify, That Abraham A.
Van Horne esq whose name is subscribed to the certificate of the proof
acknowledgment of the annexed affidavit
was at the time of taking such proof knowledge, a Justice of the Peace
in and for the county aforesaid, dwelling in the said county.
commissioned and sworn, and duly authorised to take the same. And further that I am well acquainted with the
handwriting of such Justice and verily believe that the signature to the said certificate
of proof or acknowledgment is genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said county the twelfth day of May 1843
H Cook Clerk
Page 38

Anne Staats
widow

of John Staats
act of 4 July 1836
to
11. Afft of John J. Van
Schaick -
G F Yates
atty
Page 39

State of New York 
City
& County of New York ⎬ I John J Van
Schaick of the City of New York, aged
seventy eight years and upwards, being
duly sworn saith that he was born and
brought upon what is now called the town of
Greenbush opposite the City of Albany-
That he was during the revolutionary war
well acquainted with the family of Johiakim Staats who lived in the adjoining town of
Sebdack - that said Joikim had sons
by the name of Philip Garrett John
Nicholas & Barent with whom the deponent
was well acquainted- that said John moved
from his fathers residence in Schodack when
about 24 - years of age to said town of Greenbush
when he kept a public house - Deponent also
knew the former wife, now widow of said John
Staats previous to her marriage; that she was the
daughter of John McClellan and named Jane
Deponent resided at a distance not exceeding
300 yards from the residence of said Mr Clellan
was acquainted with said John Staats from
his earliest recollection - knows that during the
revolutionary war said John Staats did
military duty in the Regiment
of Col. Van Rensallaer and Company of Anthony
Brees, but deponent is unable to specify the particulars
of service- yet remembers that he went
out on several expeditions and among them
remembers very distinctly of his going to Saratoga
and was present at the taking of Burgoyne
. Deponent says that the above is according
to the best of his knowledge and belief
and according to reports at that time from soldiers in
service who were at the taking of Burgoyne.
before me the 8 of June 1843.

John Van Schaick

Sworn before me the 6 of June 1843.
Clinton Haring
Comr of Deeds
Page 40


STATE OF NEW YORK.
CITY AND COUNTY OF NEW YORK,
I, NATHANIEL JARVIS, CLERK of the City and County of New-York, DO HEREBY CERTIFY
at Clinton Haring
whose name is subscribed to the Certificate
of the proof or acknowledgement of the annexed instrument, and thereon written, was, at the time of
taking such proof or acknowledgement a Commissioner of Deeds for said City and County, dwelling
in the said City, commissioned and sworn, and duly authorized to take the same. And further, that
I am well acquainted with the handwriting of such Commissioner, and verily believe that the signature
to the said certificate of proof or acknowledgement is genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said County.
the 14th day of June
1843.
Nath Jarvis Clerk
Page 41

John Staats is
Widow
Jane Staats
No 9 afft of J. Rochester
G. F. Yates
Atty
Page 42

State of New York 
City& County of Albany

Joseph Rockinsteer of Watervliet
in said County of Albany, aged Eighty six years, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, That he was a soldier during the war of the Revolution That in the fall of the year 1776, he this Deponent, moved 
from East Camp into Rennssalaer County, opposite Albany, where he
became acquainted with one John Staats, who was then a soldier
in the Albany Militia under Colonel
 [forgotten] Van Renssalaer but
whether as a private or as a Subaltern officer Deponent does not remember - 
and Deponent further saith that he this deponent
served in the year 1777 in the expedition against Burgoyne
in which expedition the aforesaid John Staats was also engaged
Deponent frequently saw the said Staats during said expedition
and is confident that the said Staats served in said expedition for
as much as three months at least. And Deponent further saith
That he repeatedly heard and verily believes that the said Staats remained
in the service after the said expedition against Burgoyne
and subsequently received a Commission as Lieutenant, but as Deponent
did not see him the said Staats after the period above stated, he cannot
on this point speak from personal knowledge, although as it was a matter
of current report and belief amongst mutual acquaintances Deponent
had no doubt of such being the fact, more especially as towards the
close of the war the said Staats was constantly spoken of, Known
and recognized as Lieutenant Staats, and further this Deponent
saith not

Joseph his x mark Rockinstier

Subscribed and sworn before me
this fifth day of April 1843
and I certify that the said Joseph
Riockinstier, is a credible Witness and
that the said Rockinster makes a mark
not having learnt to write
R G Bancroft
Court of Deeds
Page 43

Expanatory Letter
to J. L. Edwards Esq
Comr of Pensions
Page 44

Schenectada July 5 1843
Sir
I send accompanying this letter,
sundry papers designed to establish the claim
of Anna Staats widow of John Staats for a pension
under the act of 4th July 1836.
1. Declaration of widow
2 - affidavit of Jer. Staats as to death of John Staats
Coverture, widowhood -names of children & other evidences of
identity & loss of Commission as Ensign
3. Afft of Nancy Van Wie as to marriage identity &c
4. Do. Hon: B.P. Staats as to identity widowhood &c
---
5. D
John J. Wilson Elder & Church Master, furnishing
record evidence of Marriage
6. do. Jacob Van Alstine, late Adjt & in the same Regt with
Staats showing Staat's service as a private in
1777 for more than 3 months
7. Do. Robt Norton as to same service
8. Document shewing when Staats was commissioned as
Ensign 4. March 1780
9. Afft of J. Rockinster confirming service of 1777
10 Do " Derrick Hilton giving a general confirmation
of the service last named
11. D. John J. Van Schaick traditionary particularly
as to service other than in 1777, which he confirm
the affidavit of said Derick Hilton also specifies
at Schohare in the year 1778 for more than say 2 mos & 15 days
at Fort Plank & Plain in 1779 at least
---
at Herkimer & 1780 nearly to say 25
card over-- 4,10
1
Page 45

period of service proved by parole testimony brought
from preceding page  4 mo & 10 days
And service in 1777  3 [mo]
7 [mo] 10 [days]

No. 12. Comptrollers certificate showing service 
Staats over & above that established by witnesses  3 [mo] 20 [days]
being as Ensign
and as private 1 [mo] 21 [days]
12.21
of which amount of service (being all that can be
made out at this day the said John Staats served
pursuant to said proof in the capacity of a
private soldier for the term of Eight months
six days
& as an Ensign for 4 ½ months.
months & 6 days
4. 15.
in the aggregate -
12 mo. 21-
and the claim of the widow for such service is
hereby assisted-
I am very respectfully
Your obt svt
G.F. Yates

J. L. Edwards
Comm of Pensions
Page 46

Miss Mabel B. Beach
102 Meigs St.
Rochester
NY
Personal inquiry
April 9th
Page 47

of
owes Fred G. Schifferdecker
R D 1-
Selkerk.
Albany Co
N Y
July 27. 1920
M. Beach left this inquiry
Page 48

Miss Ella M. Beach
608. Washington St.
Rome N.Y
Apr. 9th
Page 49

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No.
19103
Jane Staats
Wid of
John Staats
Ensign Rev War

Act: July 4, 1836
Index Vol. M Page 247
[Arrangement of 1870.]

1919 Dec. 23. Hist to John
S. Beach, letter in S. File
14.597 John Staats. 
1920 Apr. 20 Hist to Ella M. Bray
and Mabel M. Beach
1930 July 27 Hist. to Mrs. Fred S.
Shiffer decker.
1922 Aug. 7 his. J. S. Beard
personal inquiry Bu of Pensions of
this . & Sol. in S.14597 as con
tained in reports in both claims,