Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 10936, for Robert Purchase, New Jersey
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
New Jersey
CONTENTS
D
Purchase, Robert
Eliza
of
laces
NUMBER
W. 10936
Page 2

'=
New York ⎬
Robert Purchase
of
in the State of New York
who was a Private in the
commande
by Captain
of the
commanded
by
and for
in the War of
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany N.Y.
at the rate of 80 Dollars
per annum,
to commence on the
4th day of
March, 1831, and to terminate on ┃
the 22d July 1859
Certificate of Pension issued the 5 day of
Sept. 1862
and Sent to
A M Van Buskirk
Hopewell Centre
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by
Book H No 3
Page 218
Clerk
Page 3

.
New
No. 7. 123
or
Eliza Purchase
widow of Robert, Purchase
who served in the Revolutionary war,
as a Private
J
Canandaigua
agency.
Rate
16
Dollars
cents per annum.
Commencing July 27, 1868
ment made
-
2
---
-
-
-
Certificate dated June 8. 1869
and sent to Alfred G Mudge
Rochester
N.Y
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February
3, 1853, Page
25
Vol. H
Page 4

Application
of
Robert Purchase
for
Pension
Page 5

State of New York 
County of Ontand
January
On this 12th day of
A.D 188. Personally appeared Before me
& State aforesaid
the Subscriber a Judge in & for the said County
duly authorized by law to administer Oaths
Robert Purchase a resident of the Town of
-
Phelps & County of Onton & State aforesaid aged
and in
.
years & upwards who being duly sworn
according to Law doath on his oath make
the following Declaration in order to obtain
the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7th
of June 1832, that he Enlisted in the Army
of the United States in the year AD 1777 1776, as
near as he can recollect (but by reason of old
age & consequent loss of memory, he can not
---
swear positively as to the precise time) perform
a company commanded
ed his service in & under Gen. Gates, Lieuten tidwell
of the other officers he has ┃
forgotton. He was usherd for & during the War
& private
Service was in the capacity of a misman
was in the water under Gen Gates
of
& other officers & at the time Burgoyne Surrend
His marches were in & through the different
part of New York State & N. Jersey
& that he more fully rely upon the proof he
may be able to obtain and annex hearunto &
trust that the Department will grant him
Such Pension as his proof & the merits of the
case shall warrant & that this is the first &
only application thereof that has ever been
made for a Pension for him, & that while
and
Page 6

the
of
&
Whis

service was performed he was not
Employed in any civil persuit. & also that
he was honourably discharged & further more
he still distictly recollect the Battle he was
under Gen Gates at Still water & the surrender
Burgain, in the time of the Revolutionary war
also that my discharge was bal
Purchase
of Acadia in the County of Wayne
the William Slaton and Mathew Ridley a residents of
the Town of Phelps County of Ontow & tate
of New York upon our oaths declare that the fore
going declaration signed by the ┃
above named Robert Purchase
our presence & that we know him to be the
person he represents himself to be
& that the believe he is of the age he represents
1
that he is reputed and believed in the Hugh
bourhood to have been a revolutionary Soldier
that they concur in that opinion & that the
belief is general & never doubted to our knowledge
& also that we have no interest in the above
Claim are not concerned in its prosecutor
William T. Caton
Mathew
Riley
Page 7

Tay
for
there
& that
Judge
Certificate
The foregoing Declaration & affidavits were Sworn
. Subscribed before me on the day & year above
Written and I certify that I know the affiants
to be credible persons, and that the Claimant
is the Identure person he represents himself to
& of good reputable standing in the night
hood he resides & likewise that one of the affiants
who has signed the preceding Certificate is a Cler
syman, in good standing, resident in the Coun
by, & State aforesaid & is a credible person
that their statements in the foregoing is entitled
to full credit & belief, & that I have no interest
in the above claim & are not concerned in
is Conation. I also certify that the applicant
cannot from bodily infirmity attend the Court
also all the Interlineations in the foregoing application
were made before Execution, and I further
cutify that the mental unicility of the said Robert
Richard the applicant is in from old age
as to render it improper, in my estimation
to administer an oath to him
January 12. 1858 Betty Taylor
Ontario County Judge
Washington D. C. Feb 2nd 1858
I certify that I am well acquainted with Henry
for whose name appears as the person before whom the
going affidavits were taken. That he was at the dates
& still in the County Judge of said County of Ontario N.Y.
from having frequently seen him write I have no doubt as
to the above signatures being his Emory B Pottle
Page 8

Statement of Eliza R
and evidence of his being
the Bishop Robt Purchase
Page 9

State of New York County
of Monroe City of Rochester SS.
Know all men by these
presents that I do hereby make constitute and
appoint Lyman Reynolds of the City of Washington
District of Columbia my true and lawful attorney
revocable for me and in my name to prosecute
any claim that I Eliza Purchase Widow of Robert
Purchase may have against the Government of
the United States for services rendered by Robert Purchan
in the war of the Revolution and I hereby authorize him
called and receive for me and in my name any sum
or sums that may be awarded to me in consequence of such
services and to do or perform any act in the premises
that I might or could legally do or perform were I personally
present and I hereby ratify and at he may dee right
proper or expedient in the further prosecution of my said
claim hereby revoking and annually any previous
power of attorney or right to act in the matter for me
what I have heretofore made and executed and in
all things he may do in the premises I shall consider
head as valid in every respect as if done by me
in the presence of
C Chrimate
Gard
Eliza Merchant
Subscribed actuated before
me the 24 day of June 1862 yea not us on a
W C Chumaker
County Judge of Monroe
County, New York-
Address
Lyman, Reynolds Esqr
Case of Doct. W.C. Do
Page 10

State of New York County 
of Monroe City of Rochester SS.
On this 21st day of
June 1862 personally came before
me in open Court Eliza Purchase who being duly sworn
by me depose and says that she was born in the City of
Albany State of New York March 25. 1804 and that her
maiden name was Eliza Waterman that on the 22d day
of September 1842 she was married to Robert Purchase of the
town of Phelps Ontario Co. Nuclork. and that she lived
with said Robert Purchase in Ontario Co. as his wife until
the time of his death which was July 22 1859. that she had
one child by said Robert who was her first husband which
child is now living in said Co. of Ontario and is named
Leman H. Purchase, that after the death of her said husand
she removed to the City of Rochester where she now lives
and that prior to his death he having become of unsound
mind and reduced in financial matters she made application
to the Government of the United States for relief the said
Robert having been a soldier in the War of the Revolution, this
deponent has been informed that in her petition for such
relief she is called by the name of Sarah instead of Elijawhich
she verily believes to have been an error on the pan
of the Attorney the employed to draw up her petition and
does not know how such enor chance to have been made
knowing as she does that in the Record of her marriage which
she has furnished to the Pension Department she is called
Eliza which is her correct name and that she was
married by the Rev. John G. Barker and that she is the
identical person who made and executed the papers in the
matter of said Petition alluded to and that she has
Robert Purchase died as aforesaid and that she is
not since married but still remains the widow of said
desirous of withdrawing her application for such relief
Page 11

from Congrees and of asking a reconsideration of her
Petition by the Hon. Caleb B. Smith Secretary of the clution
and she further states that her said husband having
suffered reverse of forthe left her without the necessary
means of support and fully believing in the justice of
the claim and confidently relying upon the magnanimity
of the Country and the honor of the department entrusted
with the duty of rewarding the defender of American liberty
that she hopes and believes that to her will be awarded
the amount due to her said husband for his services and
being on the decline of life and without resounes upon
which to depend the wishes to fill this statement and
affidavit as additional evidences in the case with
such other evidence as she may produce
the presence of
in Chinson
Gard
tized
to the
Subscribed and sworn before
me this 21th day of June 1842
Jno C. Chumason
County Judge of
Monroe County, New York
Page 12

State of New York County
of Monroe City of Rochester SS.
On this 24th day of June
1812. personally came before me
in open Court Emeline Gardner and Mary E. Donnell
of said City both of mature age and sound mind who
being by me duly sworn depose and say that they an
well acquainted with Eliza Purchase and that they
were both present and saw her married to Robert Purchas
of the town of Phelps, Ontario Co. New York, by Rev. John G.
Barker and that they of their own knowledge know that
she was the wife of said Purchase and that prior to his
death she made application for a Pension and that
she is now residing in this City of Rochester) and remains
widow of the said Robert Purchase and that she
a son named Leman, who is still living and
was born after her marriage above mentioned which was
Sept 22. 1842 and that she resided in Phelps, Ontario Co
New York and lived with said Robt, until his decease
which was July & 1849, and they further say that they
were well acquainted with said Robt Pehan and
that he was generally believed and known to have been a
Soldier in the Revolutionary war and that his statemes
are verily believed to be true and that he was known to be a
man of unquestioned integrity, and that they have each
read the annexed statement of said Eliza and know that the
same is true and that her name is Eliza and not Sarah
as they have been informed it was stated in her petition
body alluded to

Jane E. Hawell
Subscribed and sworn
before me this 24th day June 1812
as Thomas Gardner
to Chumason, County
Judge of Mann County New
I certify that the above named doponent who
signed her
homs as Mrs
Page 13

Thomas Gardner, is the same Emeline
Gardner named and refered to in
the foregoing deposition, and the
wife of Thomas Gandner: and to
signed said deposition as Mrs
Humas
Gardner
June 24 1862
wife
A Chumasin
Monroe County W.J.
Page 14

State of New York County of
do. City of Rochester
. I also certify that Evidence
of all entirely satisfactory nature
has been produced and that the court is satisfied that Eliza
Purchase is the widow of Robt. Purchase deed and that the
Petition which she made to the Government for Relief asking
a pension for her said husband Robt Purchase in which she
is called Sarch was begond a doubt an error on the part of the
person who drafted the petition and the Court is also satisfied
of the justice of the claim made by said Eliza who is of sound
mind and memory and whose statements are deemed truthful
and entitled therefor to full faith and credit
Dated June 24th 1862
C. Chase
State of New-York,
MONROE COUNTY CLERK' S OFFICE,
CHESTER.
County Judge
of
---
I Certify, that John C. Chumasen Esquire,
was, at the date of the certificate of proof or acknowledgement of the
annexed instrument in writing, a
County Judge
in and for said County duly authorized to take the same; that I am
well acquainted with his hand-writing, and verily believe that the signature
to said Certificate is genuine, and that the annexed instrument
is executed and acknowledged according to the Laws of this State.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed
the seal of said County, this 24th day of June
A. D. 1862.
Joseph Cochrane Clerk
Page 15

W. Wid
X
10936
IO
1
d
Page 16

87
PENSIONER DROPPED.)
H. S. Pension Agency
Hon. Wm. W. Dudley
Commissioner of Pensions
Sir
18
I hereby report that the name of Eliza Purchase
Widow of Robert
who was a pensioner on the rolls
of this Agency, under Certificate No. 7623, and who was
last paid at $8
to 4 June
1878, has
been chopped, because of Statute limitation
Very respectfully,
Every name dropped to be thus reported at once.
Page 17

Dear Sir:
April 8, 1940
Mr. S. H. Zimmerman
374 Main Street
Battle Creek, Michigan
The data which follow were taken from papers on file in the pension
claim, W. 10936, based on the military service of Robert Purchase
The date and place of birth of Robert Purchase and the names of his
BA-J/MCS
Robert Purchase, W. 10936
parents are not shown.
While living in Bergen County, New Jersey, Robert Purchase enlisted
in July or August, 1778, and served at various times until the close of
the Revolution, amounting to at least two years in all, as private and
musician with the New Jersey troops under Captain Callender or Kallendar
and Colonel Dey and was in the battle of Long Island, the second battler
of Stillwater and at the surrender of Burgoyne,
Robert Purchase applied for pension January 12, 1858, while living in
Phelps, Ontario County, New York, and he then stated that he was aged
one hundred and nine years and upwards. The claim was allowed.
He died July 22, 1859.
York.
While living in Phelps, New York, Robert Purchase married September
22, 1842, Miss Elisa Waterman who was born May 25, 1804, in Albany, New
She applied for pension June 21, 1862, as the widow of Robert Purchase
and she was then living in Rochester, New York. It was stated that she lived
claim was allowed.
a part of the time in Rochester and part of the time in Phelps, New York. The
Page 18

Eliza Purchase was living in Newark, New York, in 1869.
She stated that her only child was Leman H. Purchase who was
living in Ontario County, New York, in 1862.
In 1853, one John Waterman was living in Phelps, New York, aged
relationship to widow not shown.
seventy-seven years but it was not shown that he was related to the
widow. One Eliza Waterman was living in Rochester, New York, in 1869,
The papers in this claim contain no further family data.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 19

Revolution
New Jersey
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 1936
Eliza Purchase ┃
Widow of
Robert Purchase ┃
But Rev War
-
Act: Feby 3. 1853
Index: -- Vol. Page 4
[Arrangement of 1870.)
Nov. 7. Hist. to his N. A
son
Will
---
fist to M. S. H.
merman, See letter in Miss
McS.
Apr 9
Page 20

Certificate of the
Sec of State of NY
Page 21

B
State of New Jersey
(
I Whitfield S. Johnson Secretary
of State of the State of New Jersey do hereby certify that
I have made diligent search among the papers relating
to the war of the Revolution remaining in said Office
and I find evidence therein of a satisfactory character
that William Wind was a Gent in said war and the evidence
shows that he acted as such for Several years. Letters from
Camp Bergen and other places in the years 1778 & 1780
written by Clement Biddle shows that he was an acting
Col. in said war. The several amounts paid to Timothy Day
indicate that he occupied some prominent position in
said War but his rank cannot be determined. Philip
Kallendale name is found but once upon the lists as
receiving pay. I also certify that it appears that Robt
purchase recd pay June 10. 1882
I further certify that
there is not any complete or perfect record of the service
of the New Jersey troops in the Revolutionary War now in
the possession of the State whereby the amout of pay receive
or services rendered by said troops can be ascertained and
that many of the Muster and Pay Rools. Field Books exe
have not been preserved but have been permitted to be
taken away from the office as matter of curiosity and
that only a small proportion of the same are now remaining
in an office
R
In testimony whereof I have hereto setmy

hand and affixed the seal of my
said office this First day of July Eighteen
hundred and sixty two and the independence
of the United State the Eighty sixth
W
Johnson
Page 22

H. R. 601.
A BILL
Granting a pension to Robert Purchase, a soldier
of the revolutionary war.
APRIL 6, 1860. -- Read twice, committed to a Committee of
the Whole House, and ordered to be printed
Page 23

36TH CONGRESS,
IST SESSION.
H. R. GOL.
Report No. 366.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
APRIL 6, 1860.
Read twice, committed to a Committee of the Whole House, and ordered to
be printed.
Mr. POTTER, from the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions,
reported the following bill:
Granting a pension to Robert Purchase, a soldier of the revolutionary
war.
1
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
3. That the Secretary of the Interior be, and he is hereby,
4 authorized and directed to place the name of Robert Purchase,
5 of Ontario county, State of New York, on the roll of revolu-
6 tionary pensioners of the United States, and pay to him the
sum of eighty dollars per annum, to be computed from the
fourth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-
one, and to continue during his natural life; and if dead, to
A BILL
10 his widow.
Page 24

Robert Purchase
Monroe County
New York
Act 7th June 1832
Allowed as a Private
at the rate of 80
per ann, to be in
Smith March 1834
& to terminate &
day of July 1859 - the
day of his death.
payable to his within
Eliza Purchar
Page 25

Petition of Sarah Purchase
Wife of Robert Purchase a
ing to be put upon the pension
Roll of Revolution, Soldier
March 29. 1858 Referred to
the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions
Feby 1859 Bill 868
March 6. 1860 Refer to
the committee or
Revolutionary Pension
1860 April C. Bill-601
H
and
1
Revolutionary Resmitter
Mr Pottle
Page 26

The State of New York
To the Honorable the Senate and
House of Representatives of the United States
The Petition of Sarah Purchase, wife of
Robert Purchase, respectfully represent, that her husband
the said Robert is now about one hundred and three years of age
and though in as good health as one of his years usually enjoy
physically, yet his mind for many years past has almost
been lost so much so as to be unable to recollect much of
the past. That in his earlier days when your petitioner of the
were married, she has frequently heard him state that he is a
soldier in the War of the revolution & that he served as a
private & sometimes musician therein from it commence
to it end, lent under what particular commanders your peti
tioner cannot with her own knowledg st. Your Petitioner
believes this to be true not only from his statement, but
from the fact that many recognized revolutionary soldiers
now dead, who were enjoying pension as such, frequent visit
the said Robert & your petition & speak of the occurency
of those days & the marches, battles & other incident that they
had endured together
Your petition would show that at that time, the said
Robert & your petition enjoyed all the necessary of life &
did not require and in the form of a pension & reve applied
for the same; but reverses have occured in their old age &
both now require more than their means afford, & your petition ┃
cannot as charity a a shelter in an almshouse, when the
generosity of her country holds out relief in the form of a
pension for service done her the
of
Your petition would show that by reason of mental
imbecility of the said Robert, he is totally unable to make
Page 27

a proper application at the Pension Office for the pension
statement
which he would be entitled, and to afford that strict
of the service he performed, required by the rigid ruly of the
Office, nor make the strict proof thereof as required. In
consideration of which total imbecility your petition is
compelled to know herself upon the County of Congress
& to ask in her behalf & for her her hand, that she may
be permitted to ask relief, & to pray that with such
idence as she may collect, if reasonably satisfactory
That your Honorable Body will pass a law
authorizing & directing the Secretary of the Interior
 to place the name of the said Robert
Purchase upon the Pension Roll of the State of
New York, as a private, & to pay to your Pension

the amount that he may be entitled to
under the Act of Congress of in such case
made & provided, to wit, the Act of 7th June 1832 ┃
And your Petition will in may &
1 for ) Sarah Purchase
Page 28

1123
Brief in the case of Eliza Purchase, widow of Robert
Monroe County and State of New York. Purchase a Private
act 3 February 1853
Section
in the revolution
Claim, "original" or " for increase.)
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either state the substance
Admitted by chersion of the Secretary of
the Interior
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Allowed at the rate of $80. per annum, tobegin

on the 23d day of July 1859 and
to continue during life or widowhood
Name and residence of Agent
Lyman Reynolds
Present.
L.M. Drun
Examining Clerk.
A.M. Van Buskirk Esq
Hopewell Centre
Page 29

Sir
Pension Office
July 5
The claims of Robert Purchase, under the act of
7th June, 1832, and his widow, under the act of 3d Feby
1853, have been filed and examined, but I am constrained
to say that the evidence is not sufficient to warrant the
allowance of a pension
It appears that the application was for the first time
asseted in the year 1839, when the claimant was over one
hundred years of age, and had become so imbecile that the
Judge before whom he appeared declined to administer the
oath to him. His mission to apply for a pension at any
time for twenty seven years subsequent to the passage of
the law, before his mind had become broken down, and
while his cotemporaries were living who were successfully assent
ing their own claims, and by whom he might have proved his
own services of any had been rendered, is calculated to give
the impression that he did not himself, when in the possession
of his faculties, consider that his services entitled him to a
pension
Under these circumstances, this office would not be
justified in rearing very materially the rigor of the
Page 30

regulations under the act of 7th June, 1832, which required
from the applicant a specific narration, under oath, of his
service, to be supported by the best attainable and most
reliable proof.
That act provided for a soldier an annual allowance
1
which depended upon the length and grade of service, and
in order to adjust a prorate pension it was necessary
to determine with accuracy the duration of each tour. It
was necessary that the whole amount should be at least
six months to entitle him at all, and two years service
gave a pension equal to the soldier's full monthly pay.
The applicant therefore was required to set forth a detailed
account of each particular town, its date and duration, the
names of his officers and such incidents of the service
as he could recoll. The general assertion that he served
all through the war, or even such general proof was
in admissible. This service was required to be proven either
be record evidence or by the testimony of witnesses, and in
some instances where a clear naration was given of the
time, place, events, and names of officers, which was corn
roborated by historical accounts and where the reputation
of the applicant as a citizen and a soldier was attested by
neighbors of high respectability, claims were admitted without
positive evidence of service
Page 31

out nearly all the qualities which combined to
secure the admission of such cases is wanting in this
of the mental condition of Robert Purchase was so feeble
that the Judge refused to administer the oath, it is scarcely
necessary to observe that he could have had no under
standing of, and of course no reliance can be placed upon
the nanation of alleged services drawn up for him, and to
which his signature is affixed. He is not therefore to be held
responsible for saying that he entered the service in
the year 1779, and their for detailing the event of a came
paign and battles which happened two years before. His
declaration has so many unnoted erasures and interlineation,
that event supported by his oath our rules would not admit
of its reception. The proof adduced to support the claim
consists of the testimony of two witnesses, a certificate of
the Secretary of the State of New Jersey that a Robert
Purchase received pay in 1782, and the testimony of two
or three persons that claimant bore the reputation of having been
a revolutionary soldier, and that they had heard
Purchase say he was an enlisted soldier and served in
the regular army
The two witnesses who swear to the service of
claimant are Stephen Westervelt and Peter Van Buskirk,
both of them aged ninety six years, and the latter a
Page 32

pensioner. It may be remarked as a general to
that when a person has reached the age of ninety six
years, his mind has become so broken down by age
and decrepitude that he is incapable of giving reliable
testimony of recent or ancient events. There may be
instances where men retain their mental vigor, but they
are exceptions, and to entitle their testimony to full credit
it should be made to appear, by the certificate of the
officiating Justice, or others, that their mental capacity is
still retained, as well as that they are, in other respects,
credible witnesses. But there is no certificate of
mental capacity or credibility of either of these wit
nesses, and our rules would exclude their testimony
for this reason alone, But if this objection is waived,
there is nothing in their testimony which sufficiently
proves the kind or length of service of Robert Purchase
Both of these witnesses swear that they saw him in
service as early as 1776, three years before his own
declaration bring him into service; that he was at
the battle of Stillwater at the surrender of Burgoyne,
and Westervelt says he saw him in service at
Middlebrook in the years 1778.9, and he has no
doubt he served more than two years. This
Page 33

witness is not a pensioner, was not long, if at any time,
in service, and could have had no personal knowledge
of his having rendered six months service. His testimony
might be material to identify purchase with a service
already proven, but can be of little value to prove a service
itself or its duration. As to the other witness, Peter Van
Buskirk, it is sufficient to remark that he swear positively
that purchase was in the campaign of 1777, and was at
---
1
the battle of Stillwater and Saratoga, and the surender
of Burgoyne, this the witness knows, for he was his com
panion in arms with his company at those places. In
Van Buskirk declaration for a pension, he swore that his
service first commenced in the year 1779, and that it
was all rendered at one place in New Jersey, and in all
his statements he never said a word of having been in the
Campaign of 1777, when Burgoyne surrendered
These witnesses, as well as the others, are made to
convey the idea that Purchase served all the time to the
close of the war. Such service would be continuous, and
could have been rendered only in the regular line under
an enlistment. If he had been a continental soldier
his name would be borne on the rolls in this office, but
it is not upon them. But the witnesses name several
Page 34

officers under whom he served, but none of them were
Continental. They must have been officers of the militia
and the certificate of the Secretary of the State of New Jersey
sets forth that they did serve in the militia, and he
further certifies that the name of Robert Purchase is mentioned as having received pay in 1782.
But this certificate
 does not show whether this pay was for military or
civil services, or for how long or under what officers, or
whether the applicant was the individual who received it.
He may have served in the militia and under the officers
named, but there is no evidence of the length of time
)
and it certainly could not have been for any such period
as the witnesses swear to. The militia were often called
out for a few days at a time, and never for a a longer
period than two months. It is impossible, from all the
evidence filed, to arrive at any accurate conclusion as to
the length of time he served. The witnesses are all mistaken
in the supposition that he was an enlisted soldier
and consequently their assertion that he was in service
several years and to the conclusion of the war, is noneous
He might have served in the militia every year, and
yet not have performed in the whole as much as six
months service: yet all this would have been sufficient to have given him the reputation of having been a
Page 35

revolutionary soldier, and to have had him ranked as such
in all public celebrations occuring many years after the
war. Such a reputation is valuable as auxiliary proof
to sustain a claim to a pension that is supported by other
evidence, but is of but little value when taken alone
A careful examination of this claim has been
made, but for the reasons above indicated, I am unable
to arrive at the conclusion that it should be allowed
Very respectfully
To
R. H. Duell
House of Reps.
Your Offor
arrant
J. H. Barrett
1
Commissioner
Page 36

Brief
Widow of Robert
Purchase
Page 37

if in the case of Eliza Purchase
widow of Robt. Purchase decd
for a pension in Revolutionary War in this
case the applicant
asked relief of Cargen during the life time of her
husband he being of unsound mind and she being
unable to procure a pension in her own right
from the Comm of Pensions during his life, the said
Robt deed July 1859 and the said Eliza now remains
his widow. The proof in the case are briefly as follows
John Waterman swears that he has known Robt Parton
many years is his neighbor and that he is believed
by all who know him to have been a soldier of
the Revolution. Mathew Ridley swears to about
the same State of facts and that he has now
him (Purchase) for fifty years, Judge Taylor of New
certifies that these witnesses are entitled to full faith
and credit. Robt Purchase States substantially the same
thing and recollects distinctly being present
at the battle of Stillwater and the surrender of
Burgoyne, and the affidavit of John R. Green
Page 38

a highly respectable and worthy citizen of Phelps
whose knowledge of Mr Purchase was the result
of many years acquaintence and trade and he
affirms the character of Mr Purchase to be above all
suspicion or reproach Stephen Wester will prears
positively that he has no interest in the case and
that he knows that said Purchase did serve in the
Army of the Revolution and that he saw him on
duty in 1776 and at various other times and
places and mentions the names of several of the
officers in command, the same thing is stated of
Peter Van Buskirk another witness and their
statements are corroborated by the Record Evidence
furnished by Sec of State of New Jersey which shows
that Genl. Wind was in the service as stated also
that Clement Biddle was an acting Col. in the
affidavits above mentioned he is said to be a
Lieut. Timothy Day occupied an important
position but the Rank not known it may
have been Col. Phillip Kallender's name
found among others who did service in
said War, he may have been a Capt.
Page 39

and Robt Purchases name is foundary
those who were paid of June 1782. but the
Secras N.Y. are so incomplete that the and
of pay or length of service cannot be determine
the affidavits are certainly sustained fully
and the purchase served until the end of the
was cannot be deemed and undoubtedly of
the pay rools or Muster Rolls could be found
it would thus appear. If the Com. on her claims
at their Report by Judge Potter has believed
that purchase rendered two years service and was
willing to allow the claim on the noted affidavits
then there can be no doubt of the facts of the
case now stands and the evidence produced that
he was in service in 1782. If the said Purchase did
serve in said war it was over two years beyond
a doubt
Page 40

W
W
for
as
her
my
from
Rob
his
John
M
cart
and
Son
of
Roy
be
Page 41

Eliza Purchase
widow of Robert
Report adopted by the
House of Representations
referring case to the
Secretary of the
┃ Interior for allowance
Page 42

House of Representations
July 12th 1862
The Committee on Revolutionary Claims
to whom was refered the memorial of
Eliza Purchase widow of Robert Purchase
deceased respectfully report,
When this case was before the com
with this session we had no doubt of
the justice of the claim, and therefore record
minded the petitioner to withdraw her papers
and present the same to the Pension Burean
for examination. This course was adopted,
and your committee learn with surprise
that the case has been suspended at the
Pension Office because the proof, in the
judgment of the commissioner, fails to astablish
the service of Robert Purchase in the
war of the Revolution. A letter prepared in
the pension office bearing date July 5. 1862
showing why the claim has been suspended,
has been laid before us, and on a further
careful examination of the evidence, and
of the decision of the Pension office your
Committee are constrained to taken to
the opinion arrived at by two committees
of this House, that the case is sustained by
the necessary proof and should be allowed
It may be well in the reexamination
Page 43

of this case to refer to the act of Congress
of June 7th 1832 under which the applica
tion is made. The 1st section of that act
is as follows
"Be it enacted &c that each of the
surviving officers, non commissioned of
fears,- musilians, soldiers and Indian
spies who shall have served in the continental
line, or state troops, volenters of
milita at one or more times, a penedof

two years during the war of the revolu
tion and who are not entitled to any
benefit under the act for the relief of
certain surviving officers and soldiers
of the revolution passed the 15th day of May
1828, be authorized to receive, out of any
money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated
the amount of his full pay in
the said line, according to his rank,
but not exceeding in any case the
pay of a Captain in the said line, such
pay to commence from the 4th day March
1831, and shall be continued during his
natural life
11 ┃
This section is very simple and
easily understood, and the question is
whether Robert Purchase served for the
period of two years in the continental
Page 44

line, or State troops, Volunteers or Militia
during the war of the revolution. On this
point your committee entertain no doubt
whatever, as the fact is most amply
proved by the positive testimony of two intraditionary


contradicted witnesses, and by testamentary
proof supported by record evidence. When
a claimant produces satisfactory proof in
the form required by law, he is not to
be deprived of his rights upon a barn
allegation that his witnesses may have
sworn false, or may be mistaken
notwithstanding the Pension office
has adopted certain rules and regula
tions to carry into effect the act of June
7, 1832, yet a claimant under that act
is not to have his claim rejected if he
fail to comply with some technical rule
of the office, provided he complies substantially
with the provisions of the act
itself
It has been understood heretofore that
on account of the rapid decrease of the
survives of the revolutionary army, and the
consequent difficulty of procuring direct
positive testimony in every case, that the
Department had felt justified in relating
the rigor of the regulations formerly ades
ted- I refusing to extend to Mrs
It may be well in the reexamination
Page 45

18
Purchase the benefit of this human
and wholsome doctrin, injustice has
been done her by the Pension office, which
ought to be comited
Your committee propose to examine
very briefly the objections raised by the
Pension office to the allowance of this claim
The first objection is that the soldier
neglected for 2 years after the passage
of the act to present his application
Your committee are unable to see any
force in this objection. There is no present
tion of payment arising from lapse of
time in a case of this kind, and the
act itself does not require the claimant
to present his application in any specifind
time. The Pension office overlooked
the fact stated in the report of Judge
Potter in this case in which he says
The reason assigned in the petition why
no application has heretofore been made
by the said Robert Purchase for a pension
is that until recently he has enjoyed
all the necessities of life without aid
from the government, but reverses have
accused in his old age, and he and
his wife now require more for their support
than their means of Ford
Page 46

In the judgment of your committee
this excuse is sufficient if one was
necessary.
A further objection is made that the
applicant does not set forth a detailed
account of each particular tour,
its date and duration &c It is sufficient
to say that there is nothing in the act
requiring this statement, and where, as in
this case it is claimed by the applicant
and established by independent proof, that
he entered the service at the beginning of
the revolutionary war and continued to
its close, it can hardly be necessary that
these particulars should be set forth
Another objection is that the soldier
was not able to state in 1859 the
details of his service by reason of imbecility.
of the statement of the soldier is of any
importance, then such statements are
abundantly proved by the testimony of John
Waterman, Rev. Mathew Ridley, John R
Greene and others who state that long
before he became of feeble intellect he
often related the particulars of his service
in the war of the revolution, and his
wife states that when they were first marred
she frequently heard him state
that he was a soldier of the revolution
It may be well in the reexamination
Page 47

under what circumstances he served &c
and also that many recognized revolu
tionary soldiers, who were enjoying per
sions, frequently orsited the said Robert
Purchase and would converse of the
marches, battles and other incidents that
they had endured together
Another objection, is that purchase
gives the year 1779 as the time he entered
the service, and there proceeds to detail
the event of a campaign in which he
participated two years before. Your comneither
regarded this as a very formidable
objection and were disposed to hold it
almost fatal, notwithstanding his imbecility,
but in close examination it appears that the
date in 1776 and that the error is
one into which the pension office has
fallen instead of the soldier. Mr Purchase
is therefore consistent with himself, as well as
with his witnesses, who state that he
was in service in 1776
Another fection is that the declaration of purchase contains many unnoted
erasures and interlineations which should
cause its rejection-- Considering the fact
that the declaration had been summarily
rejected by the Pension office because it
was made by a man of weak mind &
Page 48

of
not sworn to, your committee are conable
to see the force of this obection, as the
case does not rest at all upon this
declaration. But aside from this your
committee find on examination that the
erasures and interlineations all appear
to be in the handwriting of Judge Taylor
before whom it was subscribed, and
whose handwriting is personally known to
one of gave committee - the affidavit have
ing doubtless been drawn up in
advance and changed by the Judge
to conform to the recollection of the soldier
Your committee now propose to
examine the testimony in the case and
see whether it is not sufficient for the
purposes of the application
On referring to the rules of evidence
adopted by the Secretary of War under the
act of June 7th 1832 adopted June 27
1832 and found in Mayo & Montton's work
one pensions page 604 (second Edition), your
Committee find certain rules laid down
which they proceed to quote
11
Every applicant will produce the best
proof in his power. This is the original
11 ┃
1
discharge or commission; but if neither
" of these can be obtained the party will
so state under oath; and will there
&
It may be well in the examination
Page 49

proceese if possible the testimony of at least
---
-
one creditable witness, stating in detail.
his personal knowledge of the services of
the applicant, and such circumstances
connected therewith as may have a tendency
to throw light upon the transaction
The applicant will further produce
" two respectable persons (one of whom should
be the meanest clergyman of one lives in
" the immediate vicinity of such applicant)
who can testify from their acquaintance
" with him, that they believe he is of the
" age he represents, and that he is reputed
" and believed in the neighborhood to
" have been a revolutionary soldier, and
that they concur in that opinion.
to require from the applicants position
proof of service from a continessorary
survivor would after the lapse of so many
years, be to deprive many of them of the
benefit of the law
It thus appears that every intendment
is to be made in favor of the applicant,
and that he is held to no such strick
ness as the decision of the pension
office, in this case would lead in
1
to believe - tested by the rules laid down
Page 50

by the Secretary of War, or by the rules
of evidence at common Law, it is respect
fully submitted that this case is most
abundantly made out
First: We have the evidence of Stephen Wester
belt and Peter Van Buskirk (the latter a
Revolutionary pensioner) against whose cred
bility there is not a particle of evidence,
both of whom testify that they knew
Purchase prior to the Revolution, when he
resided in Bergen Co N.Y. and that in
the summer of 1776 he enlisted as a private
in the company commanded by Captain
Callender, in the Regiment of Col. Day
commanded by Gen Wind- That afterwards
St Biddle or Lt Bidwell commanded the
company. The particulars of his service
is shown, and it appears very clearly by
the testimony of both these witnesses that
Purchase served from the beginning to the
close of the war
Your committee will not stop to notice
the criticises upon the testimony of these
witnesses inasmuch as their statements are
position and uncontridented, and it is
not to be supposed that they are to be
convicted of either falsehood or mistake
upon mere conjection
2
It may be well in the examination
Page 51

Secon
This
R
On
of
.
10
: Laying aside the declaration of
Robert Purchase, there is produced the
affidavits of John Waterman, Rev Mathew
Ridney - John R Green, William T. Caton
Emeline Gardner, Mary E Dunnwell, persons
of the highest respectability, some of whom
had known purchase for fifty years, and
they testify that he was a man of truth
and unquestioned integrity, that he was
reputed & believed in the neighborhood to
have been a Revolutionary soldier, and
that they concur in that opinion. That
when he was in the full possession of
his mental faculties, they had frequent
conversations with him & that he then related
many incidents connected with his
service in the army of the Revolution
: Hon H. W. Taylor the County Judge
of Ontario Co N.Y. and at one time a
Judge of the Supreme Court of said State
certifies that Purchase is a credible person
, and that he believes him to be the
identical person he represents himself
to be, and of good reputable standing
in the neighborhood where he resides &
also testifies to the credibility of the with
nesses Waterman Ridney and Caton
Page 52

Fourth: The certificate of the Secretary of State of
New Jersey is produced. The records of
the State of New Jersey are so incomplete
that very little evidence could be procured,
yet it significant fact those records,
imperfect as they are most fully sustain
the paral testimony given by Westervelt &
Van Buskirk in several particulars. It is
worthy of note that the affidavit of Westerveltwas
made in 1837 and that of Van Bus
Kirk in 1858 and they could not have
known anything of the proofs in the Secre
tarys office, for his certificate was given
four years afterwards, yet it appears that
Gen Wind was in the service as stated by
them, that Clement Biddle was an officer
in the New Jersey line, that Timothy Day
occupied an important position rank not
known), that Phillip Kallender's name is
found among those who did service in the
war of the Revolution in the N. J. Troops,
and finally the name of Robert Purchase
is found among those who were paid
off at the close of the war in 1782. It is
difficult to person what evidence could
be stronger than the parol and record
cordance produced in this case, after
the lapse of 80 years. It is said that
it does not appear but what this
It may be well in the reexamination
Page 53

12
payment to Robert Purchase was for civil
services - It is respectfully submitted that
this doubt is hardly warranted by the
circumstances, his name appearing upon
the records with those of known military
officers, yet it show how are ingenious
mind can raise doubts in a clear case.
Your committe have not thought
it necessary to refer to the objection arged
against the evidence of Westervelt and
Van Buskirk on account of age. Every
intelligent person know that aged men,
particularly soldiers of the Revolution who
participated in that glorious struggle, can
remember and recount the same of
their youth with perfect exactness at
though upon modem occurrinces their
minds may be obliious. Neither will
your committee stop to argue the question
whether it is probable that these
witnesses committed perjury in stating
that they know positively that Purdanserved
in the war of the Revolution for
more than two years. It is easy to see
state, and to conjecture, but it will hardly
do to characterize every witness in this
case as unworthy of belief. We howrie
Page 54

beg to dissent from the conclusions
arrived at by the Pension office, that
Robert Purchase who is shown to be a
man of truth and veracity, has been uttering
falsehoods for a life time in claiming
to have been a soldier of the Revolution
when he was not
Your Committee, in conclusion
literate, that the petitioners claim in
this case is fully established, and they
therefore recommend the adoption of
the accompanying resolution, directing
the Secretary of the Interior to adjust
this claim under the act of June 7.
1832, and 3 February 1853 for two
years service
Attest
R H. Duell
Chairman
It may we were in
Page 55

Payment to be made at
Albany N Y.
by
D Wright Esq
Agent for paying Pensioners, in the
Agency of
N.Y.
Payable on the 4th September and 4th
March
Recorded in the Pension Office on the
Roll of Pensioners under act February
3d, 1853, Page 25 Vol. 3 Books
W. H. Champion Clerk
Page 56

July 1859
4
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
WIDOW'S PENSION.
123
2
W
I certify that, in conformity with the 2d section of the act of
February 3, 1853,
Eliza Purchase
widow of
Robert Purchase
W
who was a Private
in the revolutionary war,
is inscribed on the Pension List, at the rate of
dollars and
Eighty
cents per annum, commencing on the 28 day of
, and continuing for life, unless she should
again marry; in which case the Pension is not payable after the
time of such marriage
Given at the Department of the Interior,
this Fifth
day of September
one thousand eight hundred and sixty-two
Caleb Smith
Examined and countersigned
W Helmich
Acting Commissioner of Pensions.
Secretary of the Interior
Page 57

Claim of
Act of
STATE OF
COUNTY
1
1
.
Be it known, That on this
day of
A. D., eighteen hundred and fifty
before the
undersigned, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared
resident of
made oath according to law that he is the
in said County, and
who was a Revolutionary Pensioner
at the rate of
Dollars per annum; that has been
informed that the said Pension ought to be increased; that he is directly interested as a claimant in
said Pension, and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence or arguments as my
Agent may use in prosecuting said claim.
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and
year aforesaid, before me.
J. Peace.
Justice of the Peace, in and for said County do hereby certify that
who executed the foregoing paper is a
respectable resident of this County, and is, I believe, directly interested in said claim as therein set forth.
:
J. Peace.
and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that
Court in the County
before whom the
foregoing papers were executed, was, at the date of the same, one of the Peace in and for said
County, duly authorized by law to administer oaths and the name thereunto subscribed, is
signature.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have used my name and
office, this
A. D. 185
day of
=
Clerk.
Hopewell
Page 58

POWER OF ATTORNEY - Revolutionary Pension Claims.
Know all men by these Presents, That I,
Widow of
Robt Purchase
hereby constitute and appoint
A
an
Purchase
Buskirk
my true and lawful Agent and Attorney, to prosecute the Claim of myself
for any amount of Revolutionary Pension, or Increase of Pension, that may be due; and I hereby authorize
my said Agent to examine all the papers and documents in relation to said claim, on file in the Departments
at Washington City, or elsewhere; to file additional evidence or arguments; and to receive the certificate
which may be issued for said Claim, which Certificate I wish made payable to to
myself
to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purposes herein expressed; and to do all things that
might or could do were I personally present. Hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorneyto

Signed and Sale in three
Wm. J. McPherson
Rochester, N.Y. Attorney &
Rochester N.Y Merchant
MONROE CO. CLERK'S OFFICE,
ROCHESTER.
Eliza Purchase
1
STATE of New York
COUNTY OF Monroe
Rochester
On this twelfth
before me, the subscriber, a
Eliza Purchase
and acknowledged the foregoing Power,
State of New York,
I, JOSEPH COCHRANE, Clerk of the County of Monroe, of the County
Court of said County, and of the Supreme Court, both being Court of Record,
having a common seal, do certify the
1 McPherson
was at the date of the certificate of proof or
acknowledgment of the annexed instrument in writing, a NOTARY PUBLIC,
in and for said County, duly authorized to take the same; that I am well
acquainted with his handwriting, and verily believe that the signature to said
Certificate is genuine; and that the annexed instrument is executed and acknowledged
according to the Laws of this State.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal
of said County and Courts, this 19th day of August
A. D. 1862
Joseph Cochrane Clerk.
Page 59

POWER OF ATTORNEY - Revolutionary Pension Claims.
Know all Men by these Presents, That I,
Widow of
Eliza Purchase
Robert Purchase
hereby constitute and appoint
A
Van
Buskirk
my true and lawful Agent and Attorney, to prosecute the Claim of myself
for any amount of Revolutionary Pension, or Increase of Pension, that may be due; and I hereby authorize
my said Agent to examine all the papers and documents in relation to said claim, on file in the Departments
at Washington City, or elsewhere; to file additional evidence or arguments; and to receive the Certificate
which may be issued for said Claim, which Certificate I wish made payable to to
Mysels
to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purposes herein expressed; and to do all things that I
might or could do were I personally present. Hereby ratifying in all
as such purpose
WITNESS my hand and Seal this 12 day injust A.D. 1862
Signed and Sealed in the presence of
Wm J. Pherson
Rochester, N.Y. Attorney
O Hyde
Rochester N. Y. Merchant
Elisa
Purchase
STATE of New York
None
Mother
On this twelfth
August
before me, the subscriber, at the
Eliza Purchase
and acknowledged the foregoing Power,
of Attorney to be her act and deed, for the purposes therein mentioned.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand,
the day and year aforesaid
Wm J. McPherson
●
R
Anton Publicof
Rochester, in said County
Page 60

No 33427
in the case of Robert Purchase
a Private in the
Monroe County and State of New York
revolution act 7 June 1832
Claim, (original " or " for increase)
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
This claim is allowed by the decision of the
Secretary of the Interior
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Allowed at the rate of $80. peranumith
to begin on the 4th March 1831, and to terminate
on the 22d of July 1859. when Robert Purchase
died. Payable to his widow Eliza Purchase.
Name and residence of Agent
Lyman Reynolds
A Van Buskirk
Hopewell Culer
Munroe Co
York
L.M. Drury
Examining Clerk.
Page 61

tate of New York
Ontario Co
On this 26 day of June 1862 before
me a Justice of the Peace for said County personally
came before John R. Green of Phelps in the above
mentioned County and State and being duly sworn
depose and says that he knew Robert Purchase of
said town of Phelps for many years and that he was
reputed by old people and generally believed to have
been a soldier of the Revolution of which this deponent
has not the least doubt, deponent further says that
he was a man of veracity and that he never heard
his truthfulnes questioned by any one and that he
should give full credit to any statement made by him
deponent also says that he knew his wife and
that she is still living and sends a portion of her
time in Rochester A. and a portion in said town of
Phelps, he also says that he knows he made application
to the Gov. of the United States for a Pension for the services of
her husband in the Revolutionary War and this deponent has
been informed that in said application she is called by
the name of Sarah which he believes to have been a
Error on the part of the Attorney who drew up the papers
in the said application and that he knows her name
is Eliza, that he is a merchant in said town of Phelps and
has done business with the family who trade with him
that he knew the family intimately since 1824 and he
also recollects when or about the time said Robert Purchanwas
married to said Eliza and he knows that said
widow of Robert Purchan is named Eliza instead of
Sarah as set forth in said papers, and he also says
that they lived together and was generally believed
and Known to be married up to the decease of the said
Page 62

Robert Purchase and that he never heard any person
question the marriage of said Robt and Eliza
Jr
Subscribed and from
Jan
before me this 20th day of June 1842
Lysander Redfield, a just
of the Peace, of Ontario County
W
State of New York,
ONTARIO COUNTY CLERK' S OFFICE, }
As Clerk of said County, and of the County and Supreme Court of Record thereof, I do
HEREBY CERTIFY, that Lysander Redfield whose name is subscribed
to the certificate of the proof or acknowledgment of the annexed Instrument, was at the date
of said certificate, a Justice of the peace
in and for said
County, and duly authorized to take the same; that I am well acquainted with his handwriting
and verily believe the signature to the said certificate of proof or acknowledgment to be genuine
; and I further certify that said Instrument is executed and proved or acknowledged according
to the laws of this State.
31 wits errat, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County and said Court, this
20th day of June
A. D. 1862
Term of Office commenced
/60 Elected & qualified for
I Whitney
four years J G Whitney clk
Page 63

Recorded
for
Smith
Anang
Page 64

Increase
Brief in the case of Eliza Purchase Widow of Robert Purchase
Private
Rev War
Arcadia
Wayne
7.123
County and State of New York
S
CLAIM FOR NEW PENSION CERTIFICATE,
Act 2d Sec. Feby 3. 1853.
PROOF ExHIBITED,
Pensioner at $80 per ann. The returns certificate
claims increase pension by 13th Sec Act
July 27, 1868
Identity and Widowhood house
Admitted June 17, 1869 to pension as 1960
. Ann to commence July 27, 1868 deducting
pay since
Name and residence of Agent.
Alfred G. Mudge
Rochester
New York
W. E. Trask
Examining Clerk.
Page 65

Robert Purchase
Widow of
Minional of
Eliza Purchase
and of
Son
---
---
July 10, 1862
Com on Revolutionary
Cains
-
-
---
July 12. 1862 reported
back with resolution
Mr Duell
Page 66

to be made and House of Reps
your petitioner Eliza Purchase
Widow of Robert Purchase and respectfully
shows that she recently applied to the
---
Commissioner of Pension, for the allowance
of her claim as the widow of Robert Purchase
deed who was a soldier in the Army
of the revolution and that said Commisfrom

has got her application
That the proof submitted by her Established
the full that said Robert Served for a period
of one two years that two committees of the
House of Representation decided that
her claim was first and legal and she
before again appeals to Congress to
grant her relief in the premises
dated July 9th 1862
Eliza Purchase
by Reynolds
hirty
Page 67

7123
New York
Al
Eliza Purchase
widow of Robert Purchase
who served in the Revolutionary
N. J.
war, as a Private
of
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate
80 dollars
cents per annum, to commence on
the 3d February, 1853. 23 July 1859
Certificate
of Pension issued
fifth
and sent to
day of Sept. 1862
A.M. Van Buskirk
Hopewell Centre
N.Y
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
February 3, 1853, Page 24. Vol. H.
Page 68

Depositions
Robert
Purchase
V. Buskirk
S. Westerly
Page 69

State of New York
County of Ontons
of the town
John Waterman
Phelps in the mid
County of the age of Seventy seven
years and upwards being duly
sum doth depose & say that he
has resided in the town of Phelps
opened a neighbor of the said
Robert Purchase, for about fifteen
year last past diving all which
time he has been well acquainted with
the said Robert Purchase that
for ten years or more of this
deponent became acquainted with
the said Robert, he was in
full posession of his mental face
with that during that time
this deponent had bequent
converations with him the said
Robert, in relation to his connexion
with the army of the United States
in the Revolutionary war that he
was an enlisted soldier in
November
of the peace
on depo
of Began
personally
remined
at at be
in Beny
hear
by Capt.
in
General
the
He may
drummer
and this
Midde
the same
marched
in the
Robert
of Gen.
Gates. Deponent knows this is his brother went to & he saw them
both after the battle of Stillwater in October following
Deponent further and that he knows that the said Rob.
at purchase was with the army as musician at the battle of
Saratoga & the surrender of Gen. Burgoyne to Gen. Gates. From
the time the said Robert entered the army in July or August
1776 to the end of the war, deponent has seen him in service in
field and gainsion, saw him on guard at middlebert when in in
ter quarters in the winter of 1778. He served more than two
years deponent has no doubt
Stephen Westergeththe

in
my
two
Page 70

some capacity, and served in them
the same, and that he was engaged
in the battle at Stillwater, at the
said Robt
taking of Rengoyne, & that he
battle
saw Genard haver fall in
Gates, from
the battle. And this deponent
says that from all the knowlege
August
service in
he has gained from a constant
in Win
interim, with the
1
him the said Robert
law two
he has no doubt that the said
Robert Ringhase the applicant
sett
in this case was a revolutionary
soldier and in that capacity
served his time in the army
of the United Colonies and
further say not
Sworn and rebuted this
12th day of Jany 1828
before me
John Waterman
Henry Magin
contain County Judge
Page 71

Ridley
R
of
State New York
County of Ontario
Mather
the town of Phelps and a near
November
neighbor of Robert Purchase
being on doth depose & say that
of the peace
he is seventy seven year old &
on depo
upward, and has been acquainted
of Bergen
personally
with the said Robert Purchase the removed
applicant for a pension. In over at at the
Fifty years. That on his part
in Benj
acquaintance the said Robert Marion
was according to the best recdledon by Capt.
and judgment of this deponent General
over fifty years of age, that he was in the
then and for more than forty
He was
years afterward in the full
drummer
possession of his mental faculties
said, this
that this deponent has often con-
Middle,
versed with the said Robert in
the same
relation to his connexion with
marched
in the Revolutionary army and
in the
that these converation he
Robert
of Gen.
Page 72

State of New Jersey
Bergen County
On this twenty ninth day of November
AD. 1857 personally appeared before the undersigned, a Justice of the peace
in and for said County, Stephen Westervelt who being duly sworn deposeth
& saith, that he is ninety six years of age, and is a resident of Begin
County when he was born & has resided all his life. That he personally
knows Robert Purchase formerly of Bergen County but who removed
to Ontario County, State of New York many years ago. That at the
time of the Revolution the said Robert Purchase resided in Bay
County & deponent knows that he was a soldier in the Amerian
Army, and was a private in the Company at my commanded by Capt.
Callender, and regiment commanded by Col. Day of which General
wind was the General, Deponent first saw him on duty in the
summer of 1776 just after Independence was declared. He was
then a musician sometimes as fifer, and sometimes a drummer.
Deponent has seen him often with merit keeping guard, this
may afterwards when the army was in winter quarters at Middle
brook, Lieutenant Biddle or Bidwell was Lieutenant in the same
company. In August 1776 the said Robert Purchase, marched
to Long Island, with a brother of deponent and they were in the
battle fought there and were beaten. After this the said Robert
of ┃
Purchase, joined the army in New York under the command of Gen
Gates. Deponent knows this is his brother went also & he saw them
the
both after the battle of Stillwater in October following
Deponent further and that he knows that the said Rob.
est purchase was with the army as musician at the battle
had
of Saratoga & the surrender of Gen. Burgoyne to Gen. Gates. from
the time the said Robert entered the army in July or August in
1776 to the end of the war, deponent has seen him in service in
field and gainson. Saw him on guard at middlebert when in in
ter quarters in the winter of 1778. He served more than two
May
years deponent has no doubt
Stephen Hestergeth
two
Page 73

in
that with no my my his own during
my pres put
upon to manage this & no ways
my son of Angus is issues
me my wont growing or hereaf⌨
then ye may pay
lynn hill
to my son
&
State of New Jersey
Buren County S.
Gaunt Ackerson
Clerk of the County of
Begin and Clerk of the Court of Commis P
in and for said County do certify that
Abraham & Hellemean before whom the foregoing
deposition of Stephen Westervelt was taken and
to which he has subscribed his name was
at the time of the doing thereof and this is a
Justice of the peace in and for said County
duly commissioned and sworn and fully
authorized to take the same and full
that I am were bequainted with the handing
of said Justice and verily believe that his
to
to the same is genuine
Witness my hand and seal
of said County and Court this
first day of December AD 1857
G. G. Ackerson
Page 74

and my body to my
Son
where
44
he he
The State of New Jersey
Bergen County ss
Be it remembered that on the day & year
aforesaid, the foregoing affiant personally appeared before me the under
signed, an officer duly authorized to administer oaths, and being duly sworn
depose that the matter & things contained in the within statement and
just correct and time
Given under my hand & seal the day & year aforesaid
Abrm J Acken Justice
of the ┃
Page 75

Be it known that on this 3d day of
district of Columbia
ty & County of Washington
February
December A.D. 1859 personally appeared before me the undersigned, a
Justice of the peace, in and for said County of Washington in the District
of Columbia, Peter Van Buskirk, of lawful age, who being duly sworn
deposeth and saith that he is ninety six years of age, in good health
strength, & of sound memory especially of events that transpired at
the time of the revolutionary war in the neighborhood where he re
sides. That he was born & raised in Bergen County, in the State of
New Jersey, in Harington township, and that he was a soldier in a
service in said war, and served as a private in the company com
manded by Captain Callender. That he now enjoys a pension
he said service
Deponent and that he was personally acquainted with Robert
purchase, at the time of the revolution, and who now resides in
Ontario County, New York. That the said Robert Prushate at the
time of the revolution resided in Bergen County, New Jersey, and de
ponent personally knows he was a private in the company of State
troops commanded by Captain Callender aforesaid in and
Days Regiment. General Wm Winds commander. That in the month of
August A.D. 1776 he was in active service in said Company and was
detached as a musician, and sent to Long Island before the better
and was there at the battle where the Americans were defeated
& repulsed. That he came back again to his company then in
command of Lieutenant Bidwell, when the company marched
to New York State, and joined the body of the American Army
then under the command of General Gates. Deponent knows of his
own knowledge, having been his companion in arms, that the said
Robert Purchase with his company was at the battle of Stillwater, in the Fall of 1777 forget the exact date thinks it was
September or October then were two battle at Stillwater, to
or three weeks apart - Deponent can never forget this battle-
Page 76

Deponent further and that he knows the said Robert Purchase was at the battle of Saratoga, and therefore was present at the surrender of General Burgoyne to one Commander
Gen. Gates. This was in October following the battle of Still
water. Remember Rese facts perfectly & that the said Robert
Purchase was in it
Deponent and that he has from the time that he first
knew the said Robert, in August, 1776, to the end of the war
seen him in the service as a sometimes camp
a musket
has no doubt he was in constant service to the end of the
and visited him at his tent at Middlebrook, when the army way
in Winter quarters there in the winter of 1778. He served most
of his time as a musician, sometimes fifer, and sometimes as
drummer. He was considered only as a musician the said
Robert was a resident of Bergen, New Jersey, & the neighbor
of deponent has not seen him for seven years, as he moved to be
York Deponent and that he is not related to a connected with the
said Robert Purchase and of course has no interest whatever
in his application for a pension
Peter Van Buskirk
Sworn
the year
The
to & subscribed before me
& day above written
I Williams
J.
7
Page 77

W
of us
of
of
the char
at the time
whit G. Mudge
-
Attorney
Rochester
Page 78

State of New York
County of Monroe
House
On this 8th day of June
. One thousand eight hundred
nine personally appeared horn N
Ass' deputy Clerk
Bardwell
for the County and State aforesaid Eliza Purchase
aged 65 years a resident of Newark in the State
New York who being duly sworn did
according to Law declare that she is the identient
Eliza Purchase to whom was granted pension agent
23 Marable Allan A. D. of the at
┃ Tift
dollars per month Annum, island and
the Act of February 8th 1853. That she makes the
declaration in order to fine times of
Session to which she is entitled under the White
Section of the Act of July 27th 1868 Thatch his not
my Post Office address is as follows: Arcadia
Wayne Co N.Y. Elisa Purchase
Call uppon Eliza Waterman
James & Thomson resident of the City of Hockerley
person whom I certify to be aspectable and entitled
to credit and who being by me duly
say that they were present and saw
other name to the foregoing deed
the
the
Page 79

no interest in the prosecution
that they an
of this
Eliza Waterman
and

subscribed before me this ninth day of
June 1869 and notify that he
J. M. Cardwell
Asst depty Clerk
Page 80

POWER OF ATTORNEY -- Pension.
Printed and Sold by Benton & Andrews, Rochester, N. Y.
---
Know all men by these Presents, That I,of

the
of ⌨
in the County of the
in
the State of New York, do hereby make, constitute and appoint ┃
S
of 4
---
asses
New York, my true and lawful Attorney, for me and in my
name to ask, demand, and receive from the United States the Pension to which I am entitled, as is
mentioned in the foregoing declaration. I hereby revoke any and all other Power of Attorney or
other authority which I may have given for any such purpose, and invest the same solely and
irrevocably in my said Attorney.
WITNESS my hand and seal this
day of
1864
Eliza PurchaSE
Attest
to
Keller
On this
COUNTY
I,
To
State of New York,
COUNTY OF
1
day of
A. D. 1860, before me personally appeared
to me known
to be the same person described in, and who executed the foregoing Power of Attorney, and
acknowledged to me that he executed the same.
State of New York,
Monroe
CLERK'S OFFICE.
Charles J. Powers Clerk of the
County of Moor of the County Court of said
County, and of the Supreme Court, both being Court of Record,
having a common Seal, do certify that James Morson)
Esquire, before whom the annexed affidavits and acknowledgment,
in writing, were taken, was, at the time of taking such affidavits,
and acknowledgment, Commissioner of Deeds
in and for said County, duly authorized to take the same; that
I am well acquainted with his hand-writing, and believe the
signatures to the Jurats to such affidavits and acknowledgment
are genuine.
mony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County, at
Rochester this 8th
day of June A. D. 1889.
Charles J. Powers Clerk
Page 81

Department of the Interior
Sir,
Washington, July 15. 1842.
a resolution of the House of Representations
of the 12th instant has referred to this Department
the application of Eliza Purchase widow of
Robert Purchase deceased, a soldier of the
Revolution for adjustment and allowance, the
case being provided for by existing law and
two years service being shown"
Recedence of service for the time alleged is not as
satisfactory as could be desired but I think it
established beyond a reasonable doubt the fact
that Robert Purchase did render service in the
Mary the Revolution
only doth
which can be reasonably raised is as to the length
of the said
The elaborate report of the Committee on Revolutionary Claims, with its approval by the
Hensely representatives, is sufficient in my
judgment to overcome any doubts which
might cut and to warrant the allowance of
the claim
Page 82

The papers received from the State of Representation
an herewith enclosed and the claim of Eliza
Purchase, as the widow of Robert Purchase will
therefore be allowed by two years service
Jamie
Son
Very respectfully
Your spent
Caleb Smith
Secretary of the Interior
Joseph H. Barnett
Commissioner of Pensions,
.
Page 83

Hense
Reps
July 12, 1862,
Referring the papers
in the case of Eliza
Purchase Widow of
Robert Purchase
claiming a Revolutionary pension
for allowance and
Adjustment
Page 84

Thirty-seventh
Second
Session.
Congress
CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES
In the House of Representatives
July 12th, 1862
On motion of Mr. Grider
Resolved, That the Committee on Revolutionary Claims be
discharged from the further consideration of the claim of
Eliza Purchase, and that the papers with the accompanying
report be referred to the Secretary of the Interior for adjust.
ment and allowance, the case being provided for by
existing law, and two years service being shown
Attest
---
E. Etheridge
Clerk
Page 85

Mr. S. H. Zimmerman
374 Main Street
Battle Creek, Michigan
Dear Sir:
April 8, 1940
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Stephen Dunwell, S. 2188
Robert Purchase, W. 10936
William Zimmerman, R. 11990
BA-J/MIE
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary
War records of Jonathan Birch, Burch or Burtch, born 1740
in Vermont; Stephen Dunwell, born 1762 at Preston or Stonington,
Connecticut, married Deborah Witter in 1780, and died at Solon, Ohio,
in 1840; Jeremiah Lawrence, born in 1760 in Canaan, Connecticut, son
of Captain Nehemiah Lawrence, whose record, also, you desire; Thomas
Purchase, born in England in 1742, and of his son, Robert Purchase,
born in 1761 in New York, both of whom died at Phelps, New York
Thomas in 1820 and Robert in 1862; William Wire, Jr., born 1750-55,
near German Valley, New Jersey, married Elizabeth Schuyler about 1771
and served in the New Jersey troops; William Zimmerman, born
December 24, 1754, in the Mohawk Valley near German Flatts, served in
Colonel Klock's regiment, under General Herkimer, was at the battle of
Oriskany and died April 24, 1830, at Snell's Bush on the Mohawk
also the War of 1812 records of George De Forest or Devore, who served
as an officer in the U. S. Army, and died near West Point, New York;
Reuben Lewis, born 1760-65, served under General Hill in Michigan with
his son, Silas Lewis who was born about 1795-97, both being in the
battle River Raisin which they survived, Reuben dying in Kentucky and
Silas being killed by the falling of a tree at Monroe, Michigan, in 1853;
Jacob W. Zimmerman, born August 6, 1782, near Saint Johnsville on the
Mohawk, supposed to have served in a New York regiment and died near
Buffalo, New York, August 28, 1826, and Stephen Dunwell, Jr., born in
Connecticut and said to have served in Swift's regiment as lieutenant,
in New York State.
A careful search of the Revolutionary War records of this office
fails to show a claim for pension on file based upon service of any
Jonathan Birch or Burch, Jeremiah Lawrence, Nehemiah Lawrence, Thomas
Purchase or William Wire.
Page 86

The War of 1812 pension records of this office have been searched
and no claim for pension found based upon service in that war of a
Jacob Zimmerman as described; George De Forest or De Voro, Reuben or
Silas Lewis, or Stephen Dunwell. All spellings of the various surnames
were used in the search of both Revolutionary War and War of 1812 records
such claims are the source of data furnished by the Veterans Administration
in regard to soldiers of both wars.
It is suggested that information relative to the military records
of the soldiers in whom you are interested might be obtained from
The Adjutant General, War Department, this city.
The Revolutionary War records of Stephen Dunwell, Robert Purchase
this service.
and William Zimmerman are furnished you herewith. No charge is made for
---
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 87

Dear Madam:
November 7, 1935
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/McS
Robert Purchase, W. 10936
Mrs. H. A. Thompson
3031 Collingwood Avenue
Detroit, Michigan
Reference is made to your letter of October 29, 1935, request
ing information relative to Robert Purchase.
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the
pension claim, W. 10936, based upon the Revolutionary War service of
Robert Purchase. The War of 1812 records of this office fail to afford
any information relative to pension having been claimed on account of
service of Robert Purchase in that war.
While living in Bergen County, New Jersey, Robert Purchase
enlisted in July or August, 1776, and served at various times until
the close of the Revolution, amounting to at least two years in all,
as private and musician with the New Jersey troops under Captain
Callender or Kallendar and Colonel Day and was in the battle of Long
Island, the second battle of Stillwater and at the capture of Burgoyne.
our
He applied for pension January 12, 1858, while living in Phelps,
Ontario County, New York, and he then stated that he was " aged one
hundred and nine years and upwards"". The claim was allowed.
He died July 22, 1859.
While living in Phelps, New York, Robert Purchase married September
22, 1842, Miss Eliza Waterman who was born May 25, 1804, in Albany, New York
,
Page 88

time in Phelps, New York. The claim was allowed.
In 1869 she was living in Newark, New York.
She stated that her only child was Leman H. Purchase who was
living in Ontario County, New York, in 1862.
In 1858 one John Waterman was living in Phelps, New York, aged
seventy-seven years but it was not shown that he was related to the
She applied for pension June 21, 1862, as the widow of Robert
Purchase and she was then living in Rochester, New York. It was
stated that she lived a part of the time in Rochester and part of the
widow.
the soldier's family,
The papers in this claim contain no further data relative to
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
Page 89

National Surety United States Daughters of 1812
Veterans Administration,
Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen:--
General Alexander Marsh Chapter
to
Oct 25
W
October 29, 1935.
We are very anxious to prove a military record in the War of 1812
for one Robert Purchase. Newspaper obituary notices and family genealogies
say that he was a commissioned officer, but we cannot find his
name so listed in any of the reference books at our command.
The Revolutionary record of his father, Thomas Purchase, is given.
Robert Purchase was born in 1758. Death and marriage dates not given.
The 1790 census places him at Halfmoon, Albany county, New York.
He lived in Herkimer at some later date.
He afterwards moved to Newark, New York, where he died, I think.
Perhaps it was Phelps instead of Newark, it is difficult to tell from
the faded and incomplete newspaper clipping.
Children by first wife: Elizabeth, Nancy, Samuel
By second wife, Betsey Wilson, Oliver, William Eurastus, Polly and
Sally.
A newspaper obituary notice of one Leman H. Purchase cites Robert
Purchase as his father, with mother Eliza. This may have been a third
wife. This data has all been gathered by older branches of the family
who should be sufficiently familiar with names to know that it is all
the same Robert Purchase.
The descendant wishing data believes he received a pension.
An early reply would be very much appreciated.
Mrs. H. A. Thompson,
3031 Collingwood Ave.,
Detroit, Michigan.
Very truly,
Janie A. Thompson
Registrar.
Page 90

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51-
12 - 5 - 41
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
┃ Purchase William Private
WARRANT 11505
Number 17
CREAGE
Division of Veterans' Administration Archives
Maryland
┃ February 7, 1790
to not shown-
The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of ""Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800"" which are
registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent
dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800.
Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.