Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 17778, for Peter S Schuyler, New York
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
New York

Schuyler, Peter S.
Catharine

NUMBER
of 17778

CONTENTS
(2 columns of 15 blank lines)
Page 2

Let to Catharine Schuyler,
[Aug crossed out] Sept 1, 1838


5537

New York
Peter S. Schuyler
of Watervliet in the State of New York
who was a Lieutenant In the Company  commanded
by Captain Ostrom of the Regt. commanded
by Col. Schuyler in the New York
line for 2 Years___,,______,,____,,____.
Claimant died on 1st November 1832
and certificate forwarded  to Catherine
Schuyler  his widow 9th February  1833
===
Inscribed on the Roll of New York
at the rate of 320 Dollars per annum, 
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
===================
Certificate of Pension issued the 9th day of February 1833 and sent Hon G Y Pawling House of Reps.
===================
---
Arrears to 1st November 1832
from 4th Nov. 31  529.67

$529.67.
$529.67

{Revolutionary Claim
Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by Geo. C. Stiles Clerk,
Book D Vol. 5 Page 207
Page 3

5527 

New York, Albany
_____________________________
Catharine Schuyler
widow of Peter S. Schuyler
who served in the Revolutionary
N. Y.
war, as a Lieutenant
______________________________
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
320 Dollars 

Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1848.
_____________________________
Certificate of Pension issued the
25th day of Sept 1850
and sent to
Hon P. Halloway
House of Reps. 

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
February 2, 1848, Page 188 Vol.  4
Page 4

Peter S. Schuyler's
Declaration.
No. 5548

Admd  2 years Lieut (Lieutenant) 
died on 1 Nov '32
allowance from 4 Mar
'31 to 1 Nov. 32 to Catharine
Schuyler widow


faint math:
13.30
9.05
__________
22.35
160
______________
182.35
320
_________________
$502.35
Page 5

State of New York 
City and County of Albany Ss.
I Abraham Ten Eyck Jun. one of the Judges
of the Court of Common pleas of the County of Albany, do certify, that Peter S.
Schuyler of the town of Watervliet in said County, Esquire, having, in the course
of the past week, been attacked with a paralytic Stroke, whereby his health is
so much impaired, as to disqualify him for attending at Court to make
his declaration in order to obtain a pension for revolutionary Services, under the
act of Congress passed June 7th 1832, and that the said Peter S Schuyler residing
in the said Town of Watervliet, within the distance of one mile from
my own residence in said Town, to wit at the Village of Fort Schuyler, he the
said Peter S Schuyler was attended by me the said Judge at his own residence
and there in presence of the Reverend Robert Bronk Pastor of the Reformed Protestant 
Dutch  Church in the United Villages of Gibbonsville & Fort Schuyler, and of James Van 
Ingan of the City of Albany, a Solicitor and Counsellor in the Court of Chancery
of the State aforesaid, made the following declaration, to wit: that he was
born in the Town, where he now resides on the 12th day of May 1758 ___That he
entered the service of the United States in the militia of New York in Capt Ostroms
Company and in Col. Philip P. Schuyler's Regt in the commencement of the year
1776 and marched with the expedition against Sir John Johnson, and was present at
the time be surrendered himself to General Schuyler and General Ten Broeck -That  the
Page 6

Company to which he belonged elected him the Lieutenant - Some time in a
the month of June in the same year, he the Declarer was appointed a member of a
court martial which was ordered to assemble in the City of Albany for the trial of
tories and disaffected persons in various parts of the County of Albany; That Col
Jacob Lansing Jr was President of the said Court martial, Jeremiah Lansing Esq
Judge Advocate, Major Myndert Wemple and Capt John Onderdonk were members of
Said Court martial all of whom this deponent believes are long since deceased.
That in the Autumn of the same year, he marched from Albany under the same
officers as before, in company with the Albany City Regt Commanded by Col Abraham
Cuyler for Lake George at which Post, Col. Peter Gansvoort then commanded, with which officer this Declarer, was intimately acquainted, and after
having remained there with Col. Schuyler's Regt until it was discharged
returned home. In the following year 1777, he this Declarer was again ordered out with the Watervliet Regt under the command of Col Philip P. Schuyler and the same company officers with the addition of Jacob Weaver, as the other Lieutenant of the Company to which this Declarer belonged, and were ordered to
march to Saratoga to join the army under the command of Major General Gates, which having joined at Van Schaicks Island, the Regiment proceeded
to Bemis's heights and served out that Campaign and was present when Burgoyne
 and his army surrendered; and recollects the circumstances of General
Page 7

Arnolds being wounded, and the British General Frazer being killed - That this Declarer was at the time attached to General Glover's brigade - That from a late paralytic
affliction, he this Declarer cannot after a lapse of more than half a century, now recollect many of the names of the officers with whom he then served - He however still remembers Major Ebenezer Stevens of the Artillery - That this Declarer after the year 1777 was in all or nearly all the expeditions with the company in which he was Lieutenant as aforesaid, and which was afterwards confirmed by Governor Clinton and the Council of appointment, as by reference to the
annexed certificate will be seen -- against the Tories, Indians and British in Schoharie and in
the matter of the Mohawk, having been stationed at different times, at two of the forts in Schoharie, at Fort Hunter at Fort Herkimer under Governor Clinton, General Robert Van Rensselaer with Col Abraham Wemple, with Col. Bruyn, Col. Harper, Col Peter Vrooman, Col Tiele and other field and Staff Officers not now recollected until the close of the revolutionary War; and that he has several times been ordered out, before having been at home a single day after having returned from a previous tour or expedition: This declarer doth further State that during the whole of the time before mentioned, he served as Lieutenant in said Company, to which he was elected by those belonging to it, until he was appointed in manner aforesaid - That he does not recollect at this distant period of time, the different periods of his service, or the time of entering the same or of his being discharged therefrom; but he doth confidently believe & doth therefore declare, that as he has performed military duty in each year, more or less during the continuance of the seven years war, the whole period of his services have exceeded
Page 8

two years- He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to pension or annuity except
the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension role of the agency of any State-
Sworn to and subscribed this 23rd
day of August 1832.
Peter J Schuyler
Abraham Ten Eyck Jun.
Judge County Court
We Robert Brink a Clergyman, residing in the Town of Watervliet, and James Van Ingen
residing in the City of Albany do hereby certify, that we are all well acquainted with
Peter S. Schuyler who has subscribed and Sworn to the foregoing declaration; that we believe
him to be Seventy four years old and past, that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution; and that we concur in that opinion-
Sworn and Subscribed, the day & year aforesaid 
Robt Bronk.- Jas Van Ingen

And I the said Judge do hereby declare my 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 I further certify that I am well acquainted
with the Rev'd. Robert Bronk, who is a Clergyman resident in the Town of Watervliet, and a near neighbor [several blurred words] that James Van [blurred]t he has also signed the same, is
Page 9

a resident of the City of Albany, and is a credible person; and that their statements are entitled to credit. Whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and Seal this 23rd day of August A.D. 1832
Abraham Ten Eyck Jun
Judge County Court
State of New York City and County of Albany Clerk's Office ss: I, Daniel L. Bowler Deputy Clerk in the absence of Conrad Ten Eyck, clerk of the City and County aforesaid
do hereby certify, that Abraham Ten Eyck, Junior, Esquire, whose name is subscribed to the following affidavit and certificate was on the day of the date thereof a judge of the county court in and for the County aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his signature to the said affidavit and certificate are genuine. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court on the 26th
day of August A.D. 1832.

D.L. Bowler, Dep Clerk
Page 10

[all writing is so faint as to be illegible]

See Resolution of Congress of July 1st 1848
Page 11

Declaration to obtain the benefit of
the act of Congress of 7th July 1838, entitled "An act granting half pay & pensions to certain Widows."
State of New York, Albany County
Town of Watervliet }Ss
On this tenth day of September Eighteen and thirty-eight at her own dwelling house in the town aforesaid, personally appeared before
me Abel W. Richardson a Justice of the Peace in and the County of Albany aforesaid, Catherine Schuyler a resident of the town of Watervliet aged Seventy-four years
on the Seventeenth day of April last, 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 7th 1838 entitled "An act granting half pay and pension to certain Widows." That she is the widow of Peter S. Schuyler, who as he has been informed and verily believes was a Lieutenant in Col Philip P Schuyler's Regiment of New York Militia during the Revolutionary War. that she has no personal knowledge of the service of her said husband, but refers respectfully to his declaration made in the month of August 1832 and to the several papers afterward submitted in support of his claim, and upon which a certificate was on the Ninth day of February 1833 granted, to her as the widow of said deceased, authorizing her to receive the amount which would have been due to
him up to the time of his death; a copy of which certificate was submitted to the Commissioner of Pensions with her letter of 27th August 1838- She further declares that she was married to the said Peter Schuyler on the fifth day of December Seventeen hundred and Eighty nine and that her husband died on the first day of November
Page 12

One thousand eight hundred and thirty-two and she has since that time remained a widow. That she was married to said deceased prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place previous to the first of January Seventeen hundred Ninety-four, Viz.
On the fifth day of December, Seventeen hundred and eighty-nine as above stated. She
further declares that the paper herewith submitted containing a record of the birth of her husband and herself and of their Marriage and also the birth of their children and the Death of some of them was, for the purpose of being herewith transmitted, torn out of a Dutch Bible which her said husband inherited from her father in the year 1793 and which remained in his possession to the time of his death and since that time in her possession and that said record as far back as her recollection extends is strictly true-
Catherine Schuyler
I do certify that the above declaration of Mrs. Catherine Schuyler was by her, sworn to before me this tenth Day of September 1838
That I am well acquainted with the said Deponent and that her statements are entitled to the highest credit.  And I do further certify that she having been lately confined to her bed by  sickness is now unable to appear in Court and that there is no Judge of a Court of Record residing in this town. I do further certify that the paper attached to this Declaration purporting to be a "Memorandum" of the birth and Marriage of Peter S. Schuyler and Caty Schuyler and the birth of their children and the death of some of them, was in my presence torn out of a Dutch Bible in possession of said Deponent
A.W. Richardson
Justice of the Peace
City and County of
Albany Clerk's office
I, John B. Haswell Clerk of the said City and County, do hereby certify that Abel W.
Page 13

Richardson before whom the following declaration purports to have been sworn on the day of the date of the Jurat as a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County -- that I am acquainted with the handwriting of the said Justice and verily believe that his name subscribed to the same is his proper handwriting and signature.  In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and affixed the Seal of the said County this 14th day of September, 1838
A. B. Haswell Clerk

State of New York
County of Albany } ss:
On this 28th day of August 1850 before
William Parmelee, Judge the Albany County Court, in and for said County personally appeared Catherine Schuyler of Watervliet in said County, who being first duly sworn
according to law declare, that she is the identical person named and described in and who executed the foregoing Declaration and that the facts herein set forth are true according to the best of her knowledge and belief. She further declares that she has not intermarried since the death of her husband Peter S Schuyler aforesaid but still remains a widow and hereby renews her application under the Act of July 7th 1838, and also makes application under the Acts of Congress of 
July 3. 1843, June 17th, 1844, and February 2. 1845 in support of which claim declarant refers the pension department to the evidence on file in that office, also the foregoing Declaration & proof, she hereby claims a pension at the rate of three hundred & twenty Dollars per Annum, being the same amount granted to her husband aforesaid under the Act of Congress passed June 7th, 1832 -
Catherine Schuyler 

Subscribed & Sworn to before me
the 28th day of August 1850

Wm Parmelee
Albany County Judge
Page 14

State of New York
Albany ss: }
I certify that the foregoing deposition
was made before me by Catharine Schuyler who is to me personally known, that it was taken by me at her dwelling house in Watervliet Albany County - That by reason of lameness and other
infirmities arising from her advanced age she is wholly unable to appear in any Court and that I believe her to be the same individual who made the Declaration herein above set forth & sworn on the 10th day of September 1838
Wm. Parmelee
Albany County Judge 

[text written sideways is too faint to be legible]
Page 15

Memorandum
Peter S Schuyler Born 12 May 1758
Caty Schuyler Born 17 April 1764
we were married by the Reverend John Beseth 5th December - 1789

Eldest daughter Engelica Born 8th September 1790
2nd Daughter Susanna Born - 17 April 1793
Susanna Died 17 September 1793
Engelica Died -24 September 1793
3rd Daughter Engelica Born 25 January 1795
Engelica Died July the 16--1796
Our 4th daughter born July 18th and
 died same day 1797
-
our 5 Daughter Engelica born on October 1, 1798
our 1 Son John Charles Schuyler Born Dec 1, 1801
Our 2 Son Stephen Reuben Schuyler Born Dec 5, 1804
Page 16

3548
Peter S. Schuyler
Vol 6., p. 60-   £ 12.9.7.     1779
                            3.8.6     1780
15.18.1
1 month and 15 days

[more numbers]

24 Aug 1832
7 Nov  1832   P 24


Ja. Van Ingen
Page 17

Brief in the case of Peter Schuyler
of Watervliet
in the State of N. York
(Act 7 June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge before a Judge
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? it does so appear
3. How old is he? Seventy four years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

Period.|
Duration of Service.| Months, Days. Rank.
Names of General and Field Officers
under whom he served.  Gen.
States the [he] entered the service in 1776, and was elected by his Company as their Lieutenant, that he continued in that rank during the whole of his service, no part of which is accurately defined.  Declares that he performed military duty each year of the war, and that the aggregate of his services exceeded Two years
5. In what battles was he engaged: None named
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service   Albany New York
Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?  Traditionary, documentary and living testimony
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? the papers are correct above mentioned.
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case
Wm Gordon Examining clerk
---
Page 18

November 10, 1938

BA-J/AWF
Peter S. Schuyler
W. 17778

Mrs. John E. Wells
209 South William Street
Johnstown, New York

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which
you request the Revolutionary War record of Peter Schuyler who lived in the Mohawk Valley as late as 1785, also the parentage of Alida Schuyler who married George Herkimer on November 15, 1768.

This office has no general genealogical data
on file, and Revolutionary War data furnished by
this office are obtained from claims for pension
and bounty land which have been made to the United States, based upon service in that war. A search of the records fails to show such claims on file on account of the Revolutionary War service of George Herkimer.

You are furnished herein the Revolutionary War
record of Peter S. Schuyler, as found in claim
for pension, W. 17778, based on his service in
that war. This is the record of the only Peter
Schuyler found on file in the Revolutionary War
records of this office. The name was searched
under similar spellings.

Peter S. Schuyler was born May 12, 1758, at
Watervliet, Albany County, New York. The names of his parents were not designated.

Peter S. Schuyler was elected, early in 1776,
Lieutenant in Captain Ostrom's company in Colonel
Page 19

2 -
Philip P. Schuyler's New York regiment, marched in the expedition against Sir John Johnson, and was present when he surrendered to General Schuyler;
he was appointed a member of a Court Martial held in Albany for the trial of Tories and others, and in the fall of 1776, was stationed near Lake George; he was in all the campaigns  around Saratoga, was in the battle there and present when Burgoyne surrendered.
He continued to serve as lieutenant at various times in same company and regiment, until the close of the war, was in several expeditions against Indians and Tories in the Mohawk Valley, was stationed at Forts Herkimer and Hunter, length of this service as much as two years.

Peter S. Schuyler applied for pension August
23, 1832, then a resident of Watervliet, New York. The pension was allowed. He died in said Watervliet, November 1, 1832.

Peter S. Schuyler married December 5, 1789,
Catherine (Caty) Cuyler. She was born April 17,
1764, place not stated, nor are the names of her parents designated.

She was allowed pension on her application
executed September 10, 1838, then a resident of Watervliet, New York, where she continued to live in 1850.

She died September 28, 1855.

The following data in regard to the children of
Peter S. Schuyler, and wife, Catherine, are shown in the claim-

Engelica born September 8, 1790, died September 24, 1793

Susanna " April 17, 1793, died September 17, 1793

Engelica " January 25, 1795, died July 16, 1796

4th daughter " July 18. 1797, died the same day

Engelica " October 7, 1798

John Cuyler " December 1, 1801

Stephen Reuben " December 5, 1804.
Page 20

Sons, John Cuyler Schuyler, and Stephen Reuben Schuyler, were botn {born} in 1883 living in Albany County,
New York; John Cuyler Schuyler at this time referred to his father-in-law, no name given, and to his "Uncle Reuben".  John Cuyler Schuyler gave his address in 1838, Watervliet, New York.

Philip S. Schuyler, brother of Peter S. Schuyler
was in 1833 of Watervliet, New York, and served in the Revolution with him.

One Jacob Cuyler was of New York in 1776; it
was not stated that he was related to the widow, Catherine, nor was it shown that the Colonel Philip
P. Schuyler under whom Peter S. Schuyler served during the Revolution, was a relative.

The papers on file in this claim contain no
further discernible data in regard to family.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 21

---
Albany County
Town of Watervliet }Ss
I do certify and declare that I have served
at different times and places in the Militia of this State in company with my late brother Peter Schuyler who was a Lieutenant in Capt Ostrom's Company in Col Philip Schuyler's Regt during the Revolutionary war and I do further declare that prior to the date of my personal service I know that he was absent from home with the Militia and have seen him with the army on Van Schaick island - I do not after so long a time recollect the length of each term of service but I do confidently believe that from my personal knowledge of his services and the length of time he was absent from home as above stated that the whole amount of his services exceeded the term of two years- 
Philip Schuyler

Sworn & Subscribed before
me this 30th day of January 1833
Gilbert C. Bedell Justice Peace

We do severally certify and declare that we are
the sons of Peter Schuyler late of this town now deceased that his death took place on the first day of November 1832 and that he is the Identical person who made on the 23d of August last before Abraham Ten Eyck
Junr Esq, one of the Judges of Albany County Courts, a declaration in order to obtain a pension under the act of Congress of June 7th 1832 - Watervliet January 30th 1833-
Sworn and subscribed before
me this 30th day of January 1833
John C Schuyler
Stephen R Schuyler
Gilbert C. Bedell Justice Peace
Page 22

I do hereby certify that I have for several years past been personally acquainted with the within named Phillip P. Schuyler, John C Schuyler & Stephen R Schuyler & have no hesitation in saying, full confidence can be placed in them each of these Gentlemen as to them being men of truth and veracity
Watervliet 30th January 1833
Gilbert Bedell, Justice Peace

I am well acquainted with Philip Schuyler John Schuyler and Stephen Schuyler above named and know them all to be reputable men and of unquestionable truth and veracity -
Washington 4 Feby 1833
Garret Manning
City and County of Albany
Clerk's Office
I hereby certify that Gilbert C Bedell whose signature is affixed to the within affidavit was on the day of the date of  the same, Justice of the peace in and for the County of Albany duly qualified according to Law and that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of the said Justice and verily believe the signature Gilbert C Bedell thereto subscribed to be his own proper handwriting.  Witness the hand and the seal of the said County this thirtieth day of January in the year of our Lord One thousand Eight hundred and thirty-three-
L. A. Ten Eyck
Page 23

[stamp] FREE
J.L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
 Washington - -
[on side]
[Jn - ab?] Aug 31
N.Y.
Catherine Schuyler  38
Page 24

Watervliet August 27th 1838
Sir

I have been informed that a law has been passed by Congress granting pensions to Widows of Revolutionary Officers & Soldiers. Supposing that I am entitled to the benefit of this law I have been advised to apply direct to you for such information as may be necessary to perfect my application. I was married on the fifth day of December Seventeen Hundred & eighty nine to Peter S. Schuyler late of this Town. He made application during the month of August 1832 for a pension under the Act of that year which was returned on account of some defect but before it reached this place. My husband on the first day of November 1832 Died. These papers were again sent to the pension office with some collateral proof in support of the claim and a request that the pension Office would review the subject and make such decision as might be equitable. On the Ninth day of February 1833 a certificate, of which a copy accompanies this letter (the original was surrendered at the time the money was drawn) was issued, enabling me to draw the amount to which my husband would have been entitled at the time of his death. I am desirous of knowing whether I am entitled to the benefit of the law of this year and also in what manner and form my application must be made and to whom it must be addressed. I shall be obliged to you for such information as you may think proper to communicate.
Your Obt Sevt
Catherine Schuyler

To J L Edwards Esq.
Comm of Pensions
Page 25

War Departt [Department] Pension Office
June 1832

Sir the claim of Peter S. Schuyler, dec’d., has been again agreeably examined to the letter of John C. Schuyler which you transmitted to the offices with an extract from the minutes of the Provincial Congress.  The extract points out the process of choosing the militia officers but expressly shows that a Commission was necessary to vest the office and rank.  It consequently establishes the Commission as the only legal tenure -- the inference that he held the office by legal tenure, drawn from the fact that he served on a militia court martial in ‘76, that he held his office by legal tenure is not admitted.  It might not have been as explained to the officers or they might not have deemed the possession of the Commission indispensable to the transaction of such business as engaged the labors of the Court Martial.  The intimation that the Commission was confirmation of the rank of the men & should therefore confer rank from the date of the selection – is an inference that covers three years inchoate title previous to the issue of a commission which confirmed it, and which is silent as to retrospective rank
Page 26

From the commencement of his service 
to the termination of the war was about 6 years -  nearly four years of that period elapsed before he received a commission - the dates of his service would not much exceed two years with a liberal construction upon the vague and unsatisfactory description of it in his declaration  -- under these circumstances, at the instance of the Representative, the department, waiving the objections which the decedent, if alive might have removed, but being dead, and incurable, decided to allow 2  years service: viz. - 1 year previous to 4 March '80 when he was commissioned & 1 year after that period.  The department adheres to the decision; and if the representative will forward proof duly authenticated of the date of the death of the claimant, a certificate will accordingly issue in conformity to the decision.

I have the honor/ Act 7 June

[signed] G. Lansing
Page 27

Peter S Schuyler's
Declaration

Isaac Groot & 5 others affidavit relative to the
[?] rank of Peter S. Schuyler Lt. of Militia-
Peter S Schuyler
Page 28

City of Albany ss We do severally and respectively certify and declare that we are, and have been for fifty years last past, well acquainted with Peter S. Schuyler of the Town of Watervliet, and during the whole of the Revolutionary War, and that we knew him when he was a Lieutenant in the Militia and that
he served as Lieutenant during the greater part of the Revolutionary War.
Albany, June 30th 1832

Witness
Abraham Groot of Watervliet, Albany Co
[illegible ] Vandenburgh
William Orloff (x) his mark
Peter Shafer (x) his mark
Hendrick Rankle (x) his mark

Sworn & subscribed to before me
in my person above named this
30th day of June 1832

P.L. Van Ingen
    Notary Public
Page 29

Hon James L Edwards
Pensions Office
War Dept
Page 30

House of Reps
Feby 6. 1833

Hon J. L. Edwards

My Dear Sir
I am unable from my own personal
knowledge to inform the department that
Catherine Schuyler is the widow of Peter S.
Schuyler, deceased.
I feel much anxiety to hear from the Department on the subject of Zachariah
Sickles-he is old and poor.  If he is to receive anything from the government now is the time.  He planned to let me enter proof of the 
necessary information to communicate
to him this day or tomorrow.
I am very respectfully
Your Obed Servt.

G. Manning
Page 31

Recorded by
George Stiles, Clerk

Book D, Vol 5
Page 207
Page 32

Copy
War Department
Revolutionary Claim -
Catherine Schuyler, Widow of Peter S Schuyler
deceased, late of Watervliet, New York who died on the 1st November 1832 is entitled to the amount which was due the said deceased from the 4th March 1831 up to the time of his death, which is to be paid by the pension Agent at the City of New York agreeably to the provisions of the Act of June 7th 1832, at the rate of three hundred and twenty dollars per annum.
L. S.
Given at the War office of the
United States the Ninth day of
February One thousand Eight
Hundred and thirty three
Lew Cass
Secretary of War

Examined and Countersigned }
J.L. Edwards
Page 33

War Department
Pension Office 
January 31, 1833

Sir the claim of Peter S. Schuyler, dec’d., has been again examined agreeable to the letter of Mr. John C. Schuyler which you transmitted to this office with an extract from the minutes of the Provincial Congress.  The extract points out the process of choosing the militia officers but expressly shows that a Commission was necessary to vest the office and rank.  It consequently establishes the Commission as the only legal tenure -- the inference that he held the office by legal tenure, drawn from the fact of service on a militia court martial in ‘76, that he held his office by legal tenure is not admitted.  It might not have been as explained to the officers or they might not have deemed the possession of the Commission indispensable to the transaction of such business as engaged the labors of the Court Martial.  The intimation that the Commission was confirmation of the rank of the men & should therefore confer rank from the date of the selection – is an inference that covers three years inchoate title previous to the issue of a commission
Page 34

commission which confirmed it, and which is silent as to retrospective rank. 
From the commencement of his service
to the termination of the war was about 6 years - nearly four years of that period elapsed before he received a commission - the dates of his service would not much exceed two years with a liberal construction upon the vague and unsatisfactory description of it in his declaration -- under these circumstances, at the instance of the Representative, the department, waiving the objections which the decedent, if alive might have removed, but being dead, and incurable, decided to allow  2 years service: viz. - 1 year previous to 4 March '80 when he was commissioned & 1 year after that period. The department adheres to the decision; and if the representative will forward proof duly authenticated of the date of the death of the claimant, a certificate will accordingly issue in conformity to the decision.

I have the honor, to be,
Respectfully Sir,
 Yr: Mo: Ob: St: [your most obedient servant]

Hon. G. Y. Lansing
House of Representatives
Page 35

Hon Gerrit Y. Lansing
Washington
Page 36

Watervliet Jany 7th 1833
Sir
Your letter of 28th Nov. was received on the
3rd January.  We return you our thanks for your kindness in attending to our business at the War Department and the promptness with which you have communicated the decision.  I wish to ask pardon in advance for again troubling you on this business as I fear your patience is already exhausted.  We feel gratified in hearing that my father's services have been acknowledged by the Department but we cannot conceal our disappointment at the offer of an allowance for the service as private for one half of the term on the grounds that my father did not hold his office by a Legal tenure.  Since the receipt of your letter I have examined the records of the older time in the office of the Secretary of State and found in the manuscript minutes of the provincial Congress of the then Colony
of New York, resolutions directing the appointment of Militia officers by their respective companies and the manner of conducting the Elections, presuming (from the circumstance of these records being in manuscript) that the war department is not
possessed of them.   I herewith send a certified copy of said resolutions-- I am aware that this does not cover the whole ground, but I think it completely establishes the position that those persons, who were elected by their respective companies, held their offices by a Legal tenure
Page 37

This position admitted I think the presumption is fair that my Father was duly elected.  He says so in his declaration and all the Witnesses he has produced say that they knew him as a Lieutenant during the greater part of the Revolutionary War.  But there is one thing more in declaration which puts this Question completely at rest -- I mean his having been selected a member of a Court Martial as early as June 1776. This circumstance, more than any other, shows that he was recognized and acknowledged as an officer by the Constituted authorities of the County and also by the Court Martial itself.  For I am also to believe that such men as Col. Lansing and Major Wemple would have consented that a private should be a member of the Court. With this explanation (which if I had the ability might be greatly enlarged) and the certificate aforesaid, I solicit the Department to revise their decision in the hope that they will allow the whole claim. If however upon a reexamination they should make the same decision we shall be willing to accept a certificate for the service of Lieutenant for one half of the term and to relinquish the other half for the service of private.   I am certain my father would not have accepted it while living and I am unwilling to dishonour his memory when dead.
I pray you Sir to accept our best wishes for your health and happiness and believe me,  your much obliged Friend  John C. Schuyler
Page 38

P.S. I forgot to mention that in the minutes of the Provincial Congress I found an entry substantiating as follows--  "Mr Jack Cuyler stated to the Congress that a great number of Officers had not received their Commission; he therefore moved that One hundred blank
Commissions be issued for Regiments in Albany County, whereupon Congress resolved that seventy blank Commissions issue accordingly."
The above entry is dated in August 1776 and as I have not been able to discover any return of the names of officers of the Militia for the County of
Albany, it is probable that no return was made
to the Congress on this subject and part, and is now in existence.
J.C.S.
Page 39

House of Representative
Sept 20-1850
Mr Edwards will please report to me upon the
enclosed papers in the case of Catharine Schuyler.
I am informed that this case will require a very
brief investigation being approved in the provision of the Joint Resolution of Congress of July 1st 1848 and the applicant having heretofore made application.
Mr Edwards will favor me with a report at his
earliest possible convenience and much obliged.
Ransom Holloway
M.C. Esq.-  District of N York
Page 40

Peter S. Schuyler, New York Revo.
In '76 I was chosen Lieutenant by the
members of a Militia Company, and served in that capacity whenever the company was called into service during the War. His Commission is conferred on 4th March '80, making no allusion to the previous election or conferring any retrospective rank.
Claims the pension of a Lieutenant for the service
previous to his being commissioned, and the Department resists the claim upon the ground that he did not hold that grade by the legal
tenure.
The question submitted is whether he was
previous to 4th March '80 subjected to the responsibilities, duties and liabilities imposed by the law martial as a Lieutenant of the militia.
Page 41

Extract from the Minutes of the Provincial Congress
August 9, 1775
Mr. Hobart from the Committee to form an arrangement of the Militia of this Colony, delivered in a report and asked leave to sit again.  The received Report was read and being again, read, paragraph by paragraph
and amended, was filed and is in the words following, to wit:
Your Committee do report that it be recommended
1. That every County, City, Manor, Town, Precinct and District within this Colony, where the same is not already done, be divided into Districts or beats, by the respective Committee, in such manner that out of each may be formed one military company ordinarily to consist of about Eighty three able bodied and effective men, officers included, between Sixteen and fifty years of age.  The Battalion, commanded by Col. Lasher, the company of Artillery, Light Horse and Hussars in the City and County of New York, and the troop of Horse Companies of Grenadiers and the associated Companies already formed in the several Cities and Counties within this Colony Excepted.
2. That in each company so to be formed there be chosen (in the manner hereinafter mentioned) One Captain, two Lieutenants, One Ensign, four Sergeants, four Corporals, one Clerk, one drummer and one fifer.
3. That two committee men, at the least, attend in Each District or beat on a day to be by them appointed for the purpose of choosing the above mentioned officers, who shall be persons within Such beat or district who have signed the general association recommended by this Congress, that such choice or election be made in the manner following, to wit:
after the company is drawn up, the Committee men, who preside at the Election may repair to a station at some convenient distance from the Company, then let the men pass in a single file, between them, each man giving in the name of the person he chooses to fill the office in question; the majority of such votes to determine the election.  But in case the votes shall be so divided that no one has the majority, then the presiding Committee men to acquaint the company
Page 42

therewith and call them to a new election, the same to be repeated till such majority be obtained, or the company agree upon some other mode of choosing the officers.  The names of the Captains, Lieutenants and Ensigns so chosen to be returned with all convenient speed to this or some future Provincial Congress of this Colony, or during their recess to the Committee of Safely, to be commissioned by them.
"Ordered that Congress do agree with the said Committee in their report - and ordered that it be published as resolutions of this Congress in all the newspapers."

State of New York
Secretary's Office  }  I Certify the preceding to be a true extract from the minutes of the Provincial Congress
No. 2 page 102 and remaining in this Office
Arch. Campbell
Dep. Secretary
Albany January 5. 1833
Page 43

N. York No 1664
Catharine Schuyler
letter to John C. Schuyler 5 Nov. '38
Papers returned --

Act 7 July 1838
Page 44

11,006
New York. Albany
Catharine Schuyler
Widow of Peter S. Schuyler
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832
and who died on the 1st Novr 1832
of Albany Co in the State of N. Y.
who was a Lieutenant in the Company
commanded by Captain Osborne
of the Regt commanded by Col Schuyler in
N. York line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany
at the rate of 320 Dollars and 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of
March, 1836
Certificate of Pension issued the 25th day of
Sept 1836 and sent to
Hon. R. Halloway
House of Reps
Total amount
[Act July 7, 1838.}
Recorded by H. R. Wrightman Clerk
Book D, Vol 1., Page 545
Page 45

8897
New York, Albany
Catharine Schuyler
widow of Peter S Schuyler
who was a Lieutenant
in the Revolution
______________________________
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
320 Dollars 00
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1843.
_______________________________
Certificate of Pension issued the
25th day of Sept 1850
and sent to
-
Hon R. Halloway
House of Rep's
[Acts of March 3, 1843, and June
17, 1844.]

Recorded in Book A
Vol.2  Page 89
Page 46

Hon Gerrit Y  Lansing
Washington
Page 47

Watervliet Jany 30th 1833

Dear Sir

Your letter covering Mr Edwards' last decision
has been received. At the time of taking the affidavits of Messrs Groot, Orless, Shafer & Vandenbergh I made particular enquiry of each of them as to the length of service of
my late father. Not one of these persons could recollect how long the terms of service were.  I have called upon Rutger Van Woert but he is not willing to state anything as to time. In this dilemma, although I feel some delicacy in introducing it, I have procured the affidavit of Ph. S. Schuyll who, from his situation during the Revolutionary war, I am satisfied, knows
more of my father's service than any person now living. I have also enclosed the certificate required, made before a Justice as the County Court is not in session-
Judging from Mr Edwards' communication of
Decr 26th 1832 I supposed he was willing to allow the whole time of two years. I forwarded the Resolutions of the Provincial Congress for the purpose of establishing the legality of the tenure by which the office was held.
I have some fears that Mr Edwards thinks I have pressed this matter with unbecoming pertinacity, but I do freely declare that if I could for a moment bring myself to believe that my Father was not justly entitled to this allowance I would promptly and without hesitation withdraw the whole claim-
Taking into consideration the peculiar circumstance that the applicant in this case cannot personally amend his declaration (a privilege I believe extended to all who are living) I believe it would be well to renew our
proposition of submitting to such decision as the Department in the exercise of a sound discretion may make as to the length
of service, judging from the history of those times of the probable duration of the terms of service mentioned in the Declaration.  I wish however to submit the whole affair to your discretion, at the same time assuring you of our deep sense of the trouble we are giving you and that we shall never forget your kindness on this as well as on other occasions. I have also enclosed Mr Edwards' decision of Jany 16th 1833 and as you may not have the original
Page 48

at hand; your letter containing a copy of his
decision of Decr 26th 1832, please to compare them as these two last may be of use hereafter.  I request you to preserve them among your papers or enclose them to me-- My Father in law found considerable difficulty in perfecting his declaration as far as relates to the amount of time - as soon as perfected they will be forwarded-
I am happy to inform you that Uncle Reuben has
received his certificate. He thanks you cordially for the lively interest you have taken in his behalf.
Please to accept the respects of all our family and believe me, Sir, your most obliged servant-
John C. Schuyler

Hon G. Y. Lansing
Page 49

State of New York
County of Albany } Ss:
We do severally & respectively certify and declare, that we have been for upwards of fifty years and during the whole of the Revolutionary War well acquainted with
Peter S. Schuyler, late of this town, now deceased, and that we know him from our own knowledge to have served as a Lieutenant during the greater part of the Revolutionary War.

Hans Groot
Abraham L. Groot.
Peter Shafer (x) his mark
William Orloss (x) his mark
Vandenbergh
Sworn and Subscribed before me by the five persons above named all of whom are to me personally well known and whom I certify to be men of the highest standing for truth and
veracity.--  Watervliet Decr 14th 1832-
Ethal Enos Justice of the peace

City & County of Albany
Clerk's Office                   }
---
Conrad A. Ten Eyck, Clerk of the said County do certify that that Ethal Enos, Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavit purports to have been sworn, was on the day of the date thereof a Justice of the peace for the County aforesaid. And that I verily believe his signature subscribed to the said affidavit to be his genuine signature.
Witness my hand and the seal of the said
County this 13th day of December 1832 
Conrad A. Ten Eyck, Clerk
Page 50

[To] James L Edwards Esq
Comm of Pensions
Washington

[written sideways]
File in
Catherine Schuyler
Rec'd 14 Sept

Sept 26

[postmark - Watervliet
Sep 22 N.Y. ]
Page 51


Watervliet  Sept 21st 1838

Sir

I prepared and sent to you on the 18th Sept
a Declaration for obtaining the benefit of the
pension law of the last Session of Congress, made by my Mother Mrs.  Catherine Schuyler-
the declaration was sent without any letter
accompanying it which I infer to be indispensable to insure the action and decision of the department from the fact that a printed letter received by the applicant on the 18th but has the last paragraph marked on the margin and the word "letter" in the first line under second-- I regret having fallen into an error in not complying with a regulation of which I was ignorant and as to which the regulation of July 9th 1836 & July 7th 1838, both of which were sent to the applicant from the pensions office, are silent- I respectfully request that this letter may be received in lieu of the one in default and that any letter or communications on this subject may be addressed to me or the applicant in person at Watervliet Albany County N. York--
 Respectfully your ob't serv't
John C Schuyler

To James L Edwards Esq
Com of Pensions Washington
Page 52


Lt. Peter S. Schuyler's
Declaration and
Certificate & affidavits
Page 53

State of New York
Secretary Office

I certify that it appears by the records
of the Council of appointments of this State that on the fourth day of March 1780 Peter S. Schuyler was appointed Second Lieutenant
in the regiment of Militia in the County of Albany in this State commanded by Colonel Philip P. Schuyler.

Given under my hand and the seal of this Office
at the City of Albany the fifth day of July in
the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two

Arch Campbell
Dep. Secretary
Page 54

1916 Nov. 11 History to 
Geo W Carpenter Jr 
1930 Aug 5- Hist to
Wm. R Frick 
1939 Nov 10 - [illegible] to Mrs. John S Wells


Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 17778
Catharine Schuyler
Widow of
Peter S. Schuyler
Lieutenant Rev War

Act: Feb 24 48
Index: - Vol. M, Page 194
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 55

Rev
Pension Bureau
Washington D.C

Would you have the kindness
to give me any facts your
Records may show as to
Peter S. Schuyler who served
in Revolutionary War from
Albany Co NY. He died Nov 1
1832. I think he was a
Lieutenant of Militia.

Very truly, 
George W. Carpenter Jr
33 Clinton Avenue
Albany NY
October 20, 1918

[faint stamp]:
Oct 21
Office
Page 56

Philadelphia, Pa. May 1st, 1930.

Commisioner of Pensions,

My dear Sir-

Will you kindly give me any information you have in your department of the military record of my ancestor, Major Peter Schuyler who fought in the war of the Revolution.  I desire it to complete a record I have.

Thanking you in advance, I am,
Respectfully yours,
William Russell Frick (signature)

William Russell Frick,
Middle City Station.
Nos 35-37 South 18th Street
Philadelphia, Pa.
Page 57

IN REPLY REFER TO
Rev. and 1812
Wars Section.
MLB

3-2562
VETERANS ADMINISTRATION
UNITED STATES
(DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR XXXover)
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
WASHINGTON

July 24, 1930.

Mr. William Russell Frick
35 - 37 South 18th Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Dear Sir:

I advise you that the data furnished by you are not sufficient to enable this bureau to make intelligent reply to the queries contained
in your letter.

Please fill out such of the blank spaces below, as the information in your possession will permit, and return to this bureau.

First name of wife.  Catherine Herkimer, sister of Gen Herkimer

Full name of soldier Peter Schuyler

Residence of soldier at enlistment Herkimer Co. N. Y.

Residence of soldier after service. ""

Name of state from which he enlisted ""

Approximate date of birth  have no record,

Approximate date of death ""

Kindly return attached letter with your reply.
Respectfully,
(Signature)
E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner.

 stamp: Pension Aug 1  1930
Page 58

MRS. JOHN E. WELLS
209 SOUTH WILLIAM STREET
JOHNSTOWN NEW YORK
5 Oct., 1938.

Pension Bureau,
Washington, D. C.

Gentlemen:

Will you kindly send me the Revolutionary War record of Major Pieter Schuyler who lived in the Mohawk Valley as late as 1785, and any information you may have relative
to his ancestors or descendants.

Also have you any records, or do you know where they may be obtained, that show the parentage of Alida Schuyler
who was born in 1752, died Nov. 3, 1830, and on Nov. 15th,
1768, married George Herkimer, brother of General Herkimer, and who is buried at the foot of the Herkimer Monument,
near Herkimer, N. Y.?

Thanking you for any information you may be able to give,
I am
Very truly yours,
Rhea C.A. Wells
(Mrs. John E.)
Page 59

August 6, 1930


Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
AWF: MLB

Mr. William Russell Frick
35-37 South 18th Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Dear Sir:

You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War Pension claim, W. 17778, that Peter S. Schuyler 
was born May 12, 1758, at Watervliet, Albany County, New York.

He enlisted early in 1776, and was elected lieutenant in Captain Ostrom's Company, Colonel Philip P. Schuyler's Regiment
of New York Militia, served at various times and was at the surrender of Burgoyne. He was commissioned March 4, 1780,
lieutenant, and continued to serve in the same company and regiment at various times, until the close of the war, amounting
in all to about two years.

He was allowed pension on his application executed August 23, 1832, at which time he was living in Watervliet, New York.

He died there November 1, 1832.

The soldier married December 5, 1789, Catherine or Caty Cuyler, who was born April 17, 1764.

She was allowed pension on her application executed September 10, 1838, while a resident of Watervliet, New York.

Children:
Engelica born September 8, 1790, died September 24, 1793

Susanna " April 17, 1793, died September 17, 1793

Engelica "January 25, 1795, died July 16, 1796

4th daughter " July 18, 1797, died the same day

Engelica " October 1, 1798
Page 60

Children, continued-

John Cuyler born December 1, 1801
Stephen Reuben " December 4 or 5, 1804

The above history is that of the only Peter Schuyler found on the Revolutionary War records of this bureau.

Very truly yours
E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner

handwritten:
widow died
Sept 28- 1855 AB
added Nov. 10 -38 [illegible]
Page 61

[pen]sion on file in this Bureau.

Dates of Enlistment or Appointment. 
[faint, illegible]

Length of Service.
2 years

Rank.
Lieutenant

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. 
CAPTAIN.  
Ostrom

COLONEL.   
Philip P Schuyler

STATE. 
New York

Bro Philip

Battles engaged in,  Many tours against Ind[ians] & Tories [Bi?]

Residence of soldier at enlistment,
Date of application for pension,
Residence at date of application,
Age at date of application,
Remarks: [faint writing]


Respectfully,

Commissioner.