Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 25,672, for John Manhart, New York
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
Continental (New York)
Manhart, John
Rebecca

NUMBER
W. 25.672
B.L. Wt. 82004-160-55

CONTENTS
Page 2

Act March 3/55
290.327

May 18/58
-
Rebecca Manhart, wid. of
John Manhart, priv.

Capt J. Sanford
Col Wm. Malcolm } N.Y. Mil.
Paid Pensioner
Rev. War
[illegible]
Th'd Maxwell
Elmira, NY
Page 3

Sept. 20/59 Caveat filed---D.P.P.
original papers placed in the hands of
J.C. Spencer, M.T. Atty - N.Y. --D.P.P.
Jan'y 14/62 Warrant filed
James Van Ettern, convicted
Nov.4/62 - Sec. to Comm. of Gen. Land Office enclosing cancelled warrant - D.P.P.

Vol. M.-1, page 57
9
(See W.F. 25672, Rev. war.)
Page 4

16239
New York  R
John Manhart of
Dannsville in the State of N York
who was a Private in the regiment commanded
Colonel Spencer of the New Jersey
line, for the term of Three years
Inscribed on the roll of New York
at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence the 1 of May 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 26th of Nov. 18 [illegible] and sent to Henry Willis Esq.
Bath Steuben Co. N.York
Arrears to 4th of Sep 1819 - 129.00
Semi-anl. all'ce ending May 1820 - 48.06
[total] $177.06

6 mo. 4/30

{Revolutionary claim,
Act 18th March, 1818.}
Continued

Notify sent Nov. 8. 1820
Th'd Maxwell
Spencer N Y
Page 5

6.416
---
New York
Rebecca Manhart
widow of
John Manhart
who served in the Revolutionary war, 
as a private
of
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
96 dollars 00 cents per annum, to commence
on the 3d February, 1853.
-
Certificate of Pension issued
8th day of July 1858
and sent to
Thos Maxwell
Elmira, N.Y.
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners
page 22
-------------
1st April
see letters of ___ 1857 to ___
in Com Pro: Corneston
Prif. Cohns' also see papers
Apl 20 /59.
Papers returnd by U.S. Dist.
atty. & filed Mon. 8/60
Page 6

State of New York
Steuben County } ss:
On this first day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & eighteen before me the Subscribed First Judge of the Court of Common pleas of the County of Steuben in the State of New York, personally appears John Manhart aged fifty seven
years, resident in the Town of Dannsville
in the said County who being by me first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the late act of Congress, entitled "an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land & naval service of the
United States in the revolutionary war"
that the said John Manhart, on the 26th
day of April 1777. in the County of Orange
in the State of New York enlisted as a private soldier for the term of three years in the company commanded by Captain John Santford of the regiment commanded by Colonel William Malcom
Page 7

in Genl Conway's Brigade.
That he continued to serve in said corps untill
some time in the spring of 1777 when the said
Regiment was transfered to the Jersey
line and joined to the regiment commanded by Colonel Oliver Spencer - That he
continued in service as aforesaid untill the
20th day of May 1780 when he received a
written discharge signed by Lieut. Col
Smith of said last mentioned regiment,
which discharge is lost and out of his power
to produce. That he was discharged as
aforesaid near Elizabethtown in the
State of New Jersey. That he is in reduced circumstances and needs the assistance of his country for support - and that he has no other evidence now in his power of his said services-
Sworn to and declared before me the
day and year aforesaid
Thos. M. Burney
Page 8

I, Thomas M. Burney, First Judge of the Court of Common pleas of the County of Steuben in the State of New York do certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said John Manhart
did serve in the revolutionary war against the common Enemy as stated in the preceding declaration against the Common Enemy and I
now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me to the secretary for the department of War pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned act of Congress.
Dated 1st day of May A.D. 1818
[signed] Thos M. Burney

State of New York
Steuben County } ss:
I, John Metcalfe, Clerk of the County of Steuben, State of New York do certify that
Thomas M. Burney, whose signature appears to the
Page 9

preceding declaration and certificate is now the first Judge of the Court of Common pleas of the said County of Steuben and duly commissioned as such.
Given under my hand and the seal
of my office this first day of May
A.D. 1818 - John Metcalf

I, Thomas M. Burney, the Judge within mentioned do hereby further certify that I am satisfied that the said John Manhart did at the time of Swearing to the within declaration,
and ever since hath, and still does stand in need of his country's assistance for
support. Dated this 4th day of Nov. 1819
[signed] Thos. M. Burney

John Manhart

Steuben County
State of New York } ss:
I, Edward Howell, Clerk of said County, do certify that Thomas M. Burney whose signature appears to the above certificate was at
the date thereof first Judge of said County
duly commissioned & qualified as such.
Given under my hand and seal of office
this 4th day of Nov. 1819-
E Howell
Page 10

Copy of the Oath & Schedule
of
John Manhart
16.239
Sept 1820
Con
Thomas Maxwell
Spencer
Nov. 8. 1820
NYk
Page 11

At a Court of Common pleas held at Spencer in & for the County of Tioga in the State of New York commencing on the first Tuesday in September 1820, being a Court of Record constituted a Court of Record in & for the said County by the Laws of the State aforesaid, proceeding according to the course of the common law with a jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount, having the power of fine & imprisonment, and keeping a record of its proceedings:
Present:
Honble Gamaliel H. Barstow First Judge
Caleb Baker
Joshua Ferris  } Esqr Judges
Joseph Speed

(Copy)

State of New York
Tioga County } ss:
On this 6th day of September 1820 personally
appeared in open Court before the Court of Common pleas in & for the County of Tioga in said State (being a Court of Record
Established by the Laws of said State) John Manhart aged 59 years & upwards resident in the town of Tioga in the County and State aforesaid, who being duly sworn doth on his oath declare that he served in the Revolutionary War as follows:
That on the 26th of April 1777 he enlisted in Captain John Sanford's company in Colonel William Malcom's additional Regiment 
of foot; that he served in the said company two years or upwards, & was then transferred to Colonel Oliver Spencer's regiment in the Jersey line, and shortly afterwards went in
the Western Campaign in the year 1779: that a considerable part of the time in that campaign, he was on half allowance and that he was discharged from the service in the year
1780 near Newark in the State of New Jersey, when he returned to the County of Orange. That he has received a Certificate from the Secretary at War dated the 26th day
of November 1819 No. 16,239. by which he is inscribed on the pension list roll of the New York agency at the rate of Eight Dollars per month to commence on the 1st day of 
May 1818 which he believes was the date of his original
Page 12

application; that he latterly resided at Danville in the County of Steuben, but now resides in the said County of Tioga.
And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818; and that I have not since that time by gift, sale or in any manner disposed
of my property or any part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress
entitled "an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land and naval services of the United States in the Revolutionary war"
passed on the 18th day of March 1818; and that I have not nor has any person for me in trust, any property or securities, contracts or
debts due me, nor have I any other income [other] than what is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed-
That I have no trade which I have ever followed: That I formerly followed farming as an occupation. That I have been lame in my right shoulder, for about twenty years, and have been lame in my knees since about the 26th of May last, & my eyesight very dim. The following are the ages of the family now
residing with me, and for which I have to provide. My wife, aged 37 years: my son Benjamin in his 9th year: John P. in his 7th year: Maria in her 4th year and Rebecca in her 2nd year.
(Signed) John Manhart

Schedule of Property.

4 chissels - 1 Wooden Clock. 1 Small Kettle -
2 old chests - 1 Flat iron - 1 hoe - 3 planes - 
1 pr. shovel & tongs - 1 Spider-- 1 shovel - 
1 pr. Small Steelyards - 1 Old Hammer - Square & Compasses - 1 Small Hand ax - 1 pr old andirons - 1 pan.  - 1 old Table - 1 chopping axe - 2 Iron Candlesticks- 1 Handsaw - 6 old Chairs - 2 Augers - 1 Grindstone-
[total in margin:  $23.62-1/2]
Debts due me, by the Estate of Isaac Cash, deceased -  $15.00
I am indebted to the Estate of John McVane dec'd $50 or upwards
(Signed) John Manhart
Sworn to and declared in open Court
before the Judges thereof on the
6th day of Sept 1820
(Signed) Gamaliel H. Barstow First Judge
Page 13

State of New York
Tioga County  }  ss:
I Thomas Maxwell Clerk of the Court of Common pleas above named do hereby certify that the oath & Schedule above are truly copied from the Records of the said Court: And that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the foregoing Schedule is Twenty three Dollars, sixty two and one-half cents.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court this 9th day of September 1820
Thos. Maxwell, Clerk
Page 14

C. S.H.   A

State of New York
County of Chemung } ss:

In Open Court Chemung County Court N.Y.
Present
Hon Theodore North - County Judge

Chemung County } ss:  On this 5th day of
May 1858 before the County Court of Chemung County, State of New York held at Elmira in & for the said County personally appeared Rebecca Manhart, a resident of the Town of Van Etten in said County aged 70 years, who being 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 on the 3d of February 1853, granting pensions to widows of soldiers who served during the Revolutionary war: that she is the widow of John Manhart, dec'd. who was a private in a company commanded
by Capt John Sanford in Col. William Malcolm's Regiment additional Regiment of foot in which he served two years or upwards & was
transferred to Col Oliver Spencer's Regiment New Jersey line, in the war of the Revolution - To the best of her information & belief her husband entered the service by enlistment for three years or during the war on or about the 26th of April 1777, (place not known) and continued in actual service in said war & in the
Regt of Col Malcolm & by transfer to Col Oliver Spencer, Regt N. Jersey line for three years & upwards and was discharged honorably at Newark N.J. in the year 1780; the precise date
she cannot give. That she has been informed & believes that he served in Sullivan's Indian Expedition in 1779-
That her said husband was a pensioner of the United States under the act of March 1818 on the roll of Steuben County N.Y. at the rate of ninety six dollars per year under Pension 
Certificate No 16,239 dated November 26 1819: which was paid to him at one of the Pension agents in the State of New York until his death.
She further states that she was married to the said John Manhart in the town of Cohocton, County of Steuben N.Y.
Page 15

on or about the 25th of December 1813 eighteen hundred & thirteen by one John Bigby a Justice of the peace of Steuben County N.Y. duly authorized to marry & that he has moved to the West, and if he ever kept a record, he probably took it with him & is long since dead.
That her name before her marriage to said Manhart was Rebecca Plimitt.  That her said Husband John Manhart died at Cayuta, County of Tioga, State of New York on or about
the 18th June 1835 Eighteen hundred & thirty five- that she was not married to him prior to the second of January eighteen hundred but at the time above stated: Decem 25. 1813.
That she does not know that there is any public record of her marriage, nor has she after diligent enquiry been able to learn that there is any such record, and she does not know any person now living who was present at her marriage. She refers to the papers annexed for proof of her marriage - she cannot furnish her husband's discharge which was probably filed with his application for a pension under the
act of March 1818 in the Pension Office at Washington. To the papers in his pension application, she refers for proof of his
service, discharge & being placed on the Pension Roll -
She further declares that she is now a widow. She hereby appoints Thomas Maxwell of Elmira N.Y. her true & lawful Attorney to prosecute this her claim for a pension, to receive the certificate when issued & to do all acts necessary & proper in the premises.
[signed] Rebecca Manhart (X) her mark
Witnesses:
Theodore North
James Van Etten
Sworn to & subscribed before me in open Court on the day & year first above mentioned. I hereby certify that I know the said deponent Rebecca Manhart & believe her to be as
is as above stated, and that she is of the age above stated and that I am not interested in this claim as her Attorney or otherwise.
Witness my hand and the Seal of the
Page 16

Rebecca Manhart widow
of John Manhart dec'd
Revo Pensioner of the U.S.
placed on the Roll of N. Y. Under
act March 1818 by certificate
No. 16,239. Nov. 26. 1819 at $96.
pr year
Claim for Pension under act
of Feb 3, 1853
Thos Maxwell, Atty.
Elmira, N.Y.
Page 17

said County Court of the County of Chemung
affixed hereto by my order as the presiding
officer of said Court -
Theodore North
Chemung County Judge

State of New York 
Chemung County } ss:
On this 5th day of May 1858 personally
appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the peace of said County James Van Etten
of Van Etten in the County of Chemung N.Y.
aged 60 years and Catherine W., his wife of the said County aged 48 years who being by me duly sworn depose & say that they are each well acquainted with Mrs Rebecca Manhart,
the above applicant for a pension: that they have known her for thirty seven years last past. That they were acquainted with John Manhart her late husband and were acquainted with him for many years before his death.
That they resided together as husband & wife & were reputed so to be & they never heard their marriage disputed or questioned. That the said John Manhart died at the
residence of the deponent James Van Etten in Cayuta aforesaid on or about the 18th June 1835 & the said Rebecca has been since
that day & is still reputed to be his widow which deponents believe to be the fact. That she has never married since the death of the said John Manhart to their knowledge and
the said Manhart was the identical person mentioned as a pensioner in her declaration above & they both saw him dead as above.
[ signed] James Van Etten
[signed] Catharine W Van Etten

Sworn before me 5 May 1858
the affiants being to me well
known & I have no interest in this claim
Geo Davis
Justice of the Peace
Page 18

State of New York Chemung County } Ss:
Cornelius Westbrook aged 65 years and Jacob Swartwood, aged 52 years, both of Van Etten in said County being duly sworn depose
& say that they were well acquainted with John Manhart formerly of said County (then Tioga County), who died in Cayuta (now Van Etten)
in the then County of Tioga N.Y. in the year 1835, that he was a revolutionary pensioner of the United States: that they were acquainted with said Manhart for more than 14 years before his death: that he resided with the above named applicant Rebecca Manhart as his wife, that were so reputed as husband and wife in the neighborhood of his residence, and they have frequently heard him acknowledge her to be his wife and that she still remains his widow & they both saw said Manhart after his death & at his funeral at or about the time above mentioned.
[signed] Jacob Swartwood (X) his mark
[signed] Cornelius Westbrook (X) his mark
Sworn & Subscribed before me
the 7th day of May 1858, the said Cornelius Westbrook & Jacob Swartwood being to me well known as reputable witnesses & I have no
interest in this claim
Charles  Patchin, J.P. Chemung Co., N.Y.
James Van Etten, Witness

State of New York Chemung
County Clerk's Office } ss:
I, Richard Baker Clerk of said County do certify that the foregoing are the original proceedings of the County Court of said County in the matter of the application of Rebecca Manhart
for a pension, signed by the County Judge Theodore North, Esq. under the Seal of said Court that the above named Geo. Davis Esq
before whom the affidavits of James Van Etten & Catharine W. Van Etten were made & Charles Patchin Esq before whom the affidavits of Jacob Swartwood and Cornelius Westbrook were made were when they severally bear date
Justices of the peace of said County of Chemung duly
Page 19

qualified & that their several signatures subscribed to said affidavits are genuine, as is that of Theodore North Esq., the County Judge
of said County, subscribed to the affidavit of Rebecca Manhart taken in open Court before him. Witness my hand & official Seal
the 10th day of May 1858.
U. S. Lowe Dt. Clk
Chemung Co., N.Y.
Page 20

[circular stamp: PENSION OFFICE MAR 31 1860]

290.327
Rebecca Manhart, widow of
John Manhart. a Rev'y pensioner
under act March 1818 at $96.
Cert. No 16.239 Nov. 26, 1819
application for Land Warrant
under the act of May 14, 1856
Thos Maxwell Atty.
Elmira, N.Y.
Page 21

C.S.H.    C.
State of New York, Chemung County } ss :
On this 10th day of May one thousand eight hundred and fifty eight personally appeared
before me, a Justice of the peace, within & for the County & State aforesaid, Rebecca Manhart aged Seventy years, a resident of the Town of Van Etten in said County, who being duly sworn according to law, declares, that
she is the widow of John Manhart deceased, who was a private in a company commanded by Capt John Sanford, in Col. William
Malcolm's Regiment (additional Regiment of foot), of the New York State line, in the war of the Revolution, in which he served two
years or upwards, & was transferred to Col. Oliver Spencer's Regiment in the New Jersey line. To the best of her knowledge & belief her
husband entered the service, by enlistment, for three years or during the war, on or about the 26th of April 1777 (place of enlistment
not known) and continued in actual service in said war in the Regiment of Col Wm Malcolm & by transfer to Col Oliver Spencer's Regiment, New Jersey line, for three years and upwards & was honorably discharged at Newark, N.J. in the year 1780, the precise date she cannot give. That she has been informed & believes that he served in Genl Sullivan's expedition, against the New York Indians in 1779. That her said husband was a revolutionary pensioner of the United States under the act of March 1818 & that his name is inscribed on the Roll of Pensioners, under that act, in Steuben County N.Y. at the rate of ninety six dollars per
annum, under pension certificate No 16.239 dated November 26th 1819 which was paid to him at one of the Pension agencies
of the State of New York and the arrears of pension due him from his last semi annual payment, to the period of his death was
paid to this deponent as his widow, on the surrender of his pension certificate.
She further states that she was married to the said John Manhart in the town of Cohocton in the County of Steuben, State of New York
on the twenty fifth day of December 1813 eighteen hundred & thirteen.   That the marriage ceremony was performed by John Bigly Esq
Page 22

then a Justice of the peace, of the said County of Steuben, duly authorized by law, to perform the marriage ceremony. That there is no public record of her marriage, to her knowledge, after diligent enquiry, nor can she ascertain that the said Justice, kept a record of Marriages, & she has ascertained, by enquiry among the early settlers of that region, that it was not
customary for magistrates at that time to keep such records, and that the law requiring such records to be kept is of recent enactment in this State; and that said Justice removed to the West many years since & is now dead: neither can she learn, nor does she know of any person now living, who was present at her marriage.
She refers to the proofs annexed, on that subject, and to the proofs in the Pension Office, for the evidence of her husband's
services, filed therein when his pension was granted.  She further states that her name before her marriage to said Manhart was Rebecca Plimet-
That her said husband died at Cayuta then Tioga County (now Chemung ) on or about the 18th June 1835 and that she is now a widow. She makes this declaration, in order to obtain the bounty land to which she may be entitled under the act of 3d March 1855 & the supplementary act of May 14 1856, and declares that she has not applied for bounty land under any other application than the present; nor did her husband in his life time receive bounty land for his services
to her knowledge nor has she received any since his death -
[signed] Rebecca Manhart (X) her mark

We James Van Etten and Catherine W. Van Etten, residents of the Town of Van Etten in said County upon our oaths declare
that the foregoing declaration was signed & acknowledged by Rebecca Manhart above named in our presence and that we believe from the appearance & statements of the
applicant that she is the identical person she represents herself
Page 23

to be and that she is still a widow.
[signed] James Van Etten
[signed] Catharine W. Van Etten
We James Van Etten aged 60 years and Catherine Van Etten aged 48 years being duly sworn do severally depose, that we were well acquainted with John Manhart the revolutionary pensioner above named in his lifetime; that we knew him for more than twenty years before his death. That he died in the town of Cayuta (now Van Etten) in the then County of Tioga, now Chemung, on or about the 18th June 1835, that we saw him after his death; that he was the same John Manhart
who lived with the above named applicant, Rebecca Manhart as his reputed wife: that they resided together as husband & wife, and were so reputed in the neighborhood, and they have frequently heard him acknowledge her
to be his wife and speak of her as such. That they have been acquainted with the said Rebecca for more than thirty years & she still remains the widow of said John Manhart - and they both reside in the said Town of Van Etten-
[signed] James Van Etten
[signed] Catharine W. Van Etten
The foregoing declaration & affidavits were sworn to & subscribed before me on the day and year above written - I certify that
I know the affiants to be credible persons, that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be, and that I have no interest in this claim.
Charles Patchin
Justice of the peace of
Chemung Co. N.Y.
Page 24

State of  New York
Chemung County Clerk's Office } ss:
I, Richard Baker Clerk of said County of Chemung do certify that Charles Patchin Esq before whom the foregoing declaration & affidavits were made, was when the same bear date a Justice of the peace of said County duly qualified & that his signature above subscribed is genuine-
Witness my hand & official Seal
May 13 1858
U. S. Lowe, Dt. Clk
Chemung Co.
Page 25

Record Division.
February 3, 1911.

Mr. E. W. Burt,
R. F. D. #3,
Haddam, Kansas.

Sir:
In reply to your letter dated the 25th and received the 28th ultimo, you are advised that a careful search of the records fails to show that claims for Revolutionary War pension were ever filed on account of the services of Captain John Drake and Henry Lyons described by you, hence this Bureau has no data as to them.
[handwritten note: "see negatives"]
In the claim of John Manhart, Wid. File No. 25,672, Rev. War, it is not stated that he married Martha Lyons. One Rebecca Manhart was allowed pension as widow of John Manhart on an application executed May 5, 1858, in Chemung County, New York, in which the alleged that her name before her
marriage to said soldier was Rebecca Plimett and that she was married to him December 25, 1813, in Cohocton, Steuben County, New York, by a Justice of the Peace, but that she had no record of said marriage, and there was
no living witness to the same.
On July 14, 1859 she surrendered her pension, stating that she was the wife of Henry R. French to whom she had been married since April 14, 1840.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Page 26

Pension Office
July 2d /58

Sir: 
Be pleased to certify the time to which the within named pensioner was paid or the
date of his death.
Very Respectfully

Whit Cobb
Acting Commissioner

R.J. Atkinson, Esqr
Third Auditor
Masing,

3rd Auditors Office
July 3, 1838

Sir:
John Manhart, N.Y. Act 1818, died June 10. 1835, & his pension has been paid in
full to that date.
Very Respy
[illegible]

Auditor
Geo. C. Whiting Esq.
Commr of Pensions
Page 27

U.S. of A vs. Van Etten
Exhibit B.
Supplementary proof
Exhibit H.
Letter accompanying same
Exhibit G.
Envelope, No 2,
Page 28

U.S. of A. Van Etten
Exhibit A
Original Pension Claim
Exhibit D.
Letter accompanying same
Exhibit E
Envelope No 1
Page 29

3 -- 871.
Hot
RECORD DIVISION.
Department of the Interior,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Briefed by A. MacD. 13 /1' /11
Claim No.
Certificate No.
Claimant
Soldier John Manhart
Service N. Y.
Additional Service Rev.
No. claim, State records.
No claim, combination records
REMARKS:
No Wid. any service, except
Wid F. 25,672  (N.Y., N.J.)
No Rej  atall
No Rev. War Sur     aw

C-1944
Chief Division
Page 30

Dec'd 1835
4 ref & Co:
5 und: & [illegible]
Chemung Co. N.Y.
Page 31

290.327

Original claim of widow of Rev. Pensioner under Act of May 14,1856 for Bounty Land

50

[circular stamp:  ELMIRA N.Y. MAY 14 1858]

Exhibit J
Comr. of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

FREE
Page 32

n. 7030
Rebecca Manhart wid. of John
N.Y.

Th. Maxwell May 24, 1858

Act of /53
Page 33

290,327 Act 1855
Rebecca Manhart wid. of John Manhart, Pri.
N.Y. line
Rev. War
Admitted 16 Aug
---
Warrant No 82 DO4
Issued July 8/58
and sent to
Thos. Maxwell
Elmira
N.Y
Page 34

Sept. 20/59. Correct please - D.P.D.
Original papers with Bayernton 
for Prosecution - Fraud
D.P.D.
Page 35

WIDOW, &c.
File No. 25,672,
Rebecca Manhart
Wid. of
John Manhart
Pri Rev War

Act Feb 3rd
Index: Vol. M, Page 12

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Sec. B.L. 84004-160-55
Page 36

May 27, 1905
Mrs. E.G. Rose - Canisteo, N.Y.
1911 Jany 17 Hist to
E. W. Burt  V.L.M.
Letter sent to Record
Div. to answer civil War inquiry
1911 Feby 3 - E.W. Burt
as to Soldier's widow, see letter this date
1911 Feb 16.  E.W. Burt
again inq'd that it is not stated that
Soldier mar. Martha Lyons (see letter
attached to negative clip of Henry Lyons.)

Hist to Canisteo N.Y.
Page 37

Com'r. of Pensions
Elmira, N.Y. May 11. 1858

Exhibit D   C.S.H.

Sir:
I enclose the claim of Rebecca Manhart, the widow of John Manhart dec'd a revo. pensioner. His name is found in the list of Pensioners for the State of New York under act of March 1818, in Steuben County, where he resided when placed on the roll; His certificate was No 16239 Nov 26. 1819. His proceedings
under act of 1820 requiring Inventory & took place in Tioga Co. I was clerk of the Court then. In the printed list which I have, the name is printed "Manheart."  "Manhart" is the true spelling.
Respectfully,
Yrs. &c.
Thos. Maxwell
Page 38

O. W.&h.
Canisteo, New York

Commissioner of Pensions,
Pension Bureau,
Washington, D.C.

Will you kindly send me the record on file
in your department of John Manheart (Manhart) a pensioner of the American Revolution; pension granted in 1819 as
a resident of Steuben County, New York for service as a private in New Jersey Militia.
Respectfully,
Ella K. Rose
Mrs. E.G. Rose
Canisteo, Steuben Co. New York
Page 39

Maxwell impressed me when here as a fair man. 
However get the case & let me see it.
G.C.W.
Mch 4, 1859

M. Slade
290327 - [illegible]
82004 - 160 [illegible]
Page 40

[note: handwriting is extremely light and difficult to read]

Vanettenville  Aug 5th 1854

Mr. Geo C. Whiting as it has been three weeks 
since Mr. Baynton was here and I had heard nothing from him and I am previusly cursing and blessing because the scoundrels aint
taken care of and I am watch very close if you was to get 1/2 mile from home it would make
quite a stir.  Mr. Baynton told me that the Marshall would call on me and I durst not
leave to be gone a single day and I should like to hear from you soon.
There is another old widow that draws a
pension that is just as much right to it as
the man in the moon but I withhold
names till I see you or hear from you. write
by return mail if you pleas.
Josich [illegible] to Geo C. Whiting Com of pensions
Page 41

John Manhart
Private
77 to 80
Malcolm N. York
Spencer N. Jersey
Regt's.

Admitted
Page 42

State of New York
Ontario County } ss:
On the 22d day of October 1819 before me Stephen Phelps a Judge of Ontario Common Pleas Personally appeared John Dillon and Phebe Dillon to me well known to be credible witnesses and being duly Sworn deposeth and saith that they are personally acquainted with John Manhart whose application for a Pension is herewith transmitted and that they are 62 & 58 years of age and that they formerly Resided in Goshen in Orange County in the State of New York and that they well Recollect 
that the said John Manhart who was then a
Neighbour to Deponents enlisted in the year 1777 in to the three years service on the Continental Establishment and that said Manhart was absent until his Term of Enlistment expired and that they saw him in his uniform dress after his Return from Service and by general Report and what they truly believe to be true, he Served the aforesaid term as a faithful soldier and that they never knew no other person of the name of John Manhart and that deponents have no Interest directly or indirectly in the event of his application, and further saith not.
[signed] John Dillon
[signed] Phebe Dillon (X) her mark
Sworn & Subscribed the day &
year aforesaid before me
Stephen Phelps a
Judge of Ont. Com. pleas
Page 43

State of New York
Ontario County
Clerk's office } ss:

I certify that Stephen Phelps whose name
is affixed to the foregoing certificate of proof of an instrument in writing and which I know to be his proper hand writing is a Judge in and for the County of Ontario duly commissioned and sworn-- Witness my name and the
County seal this 22 day of October 1819-
Herman Norton Dep. Clk
Page 44

Rebecca Manhart wid. of
John Revo. pensioner

Supplementary proofs 
under act of 3 Feb 1853
Tho. Maxwell Atty
Elmira, N.Y.
Page 45

Rebecca Manhart
wid of John Revo. pensioner
Supplementary proofs
under act of 3 Feb 1853
Tho. Maxwell Atty
Elmira, N.Y.
Page 46

C.S.H.
[Exhibit] B.
Pension Office
May 24 1858.

Sir:
The claim of Rebecca Manhart, for a
pension under the act of Feb 3d 1853 will be favorably considered when proof is filed that she is the widow of the identical John Manhart, who was pensioned under the act of 18 March 1818, and continued under the act of 1st May 1820, at the rate of $96 per annum from Dannsville, New York.

I am
Very respectfully
Your Obt Servant
Geo. C. Whiting
Commissioner.

Thomas Maxwell, Esq.
Elmira, New York
Page 47

State of New York Chemung County} ss. 
The undersigned residents of the Town of Van Etten in said County, being duly sworn, depose and say, that we are well acquainted with Rebecca Manhart widow of the late John Manhart dec'd formerly of Steuben County N.Y. & referred to in the foregoing letter, and have been acquainted with her for many years before & since the death of said Manhart which took place in said Town (then Cayuta) in the year 1835-
That the said Manhart was the identical "John Manhart" who was pensioned under the act of 18 March 1818 & continued under the act of 1st May 1820 at the rate of $96 per year, from
Danville, New York. & she is still a widow --
Jacob Swartwood aged 52 years
John Swartwood aged 58 years
James Harris aged 73 years
Hugh Hill aged 64 years
Peter Westbrook aged 61 years
Sworn & subscribed by the above named affiants who are all to me well known and in my opinion credible and
Page 48

disinterested witnesses, whose statements are entitled to full faith credit & I have no interest in this claim - June 9th 1858
Charles Patchin
J.P. Chemung Co. N.Y.

State of New York, Chemung
Clerk's Office} ss:  
I, Richard Baker Clerk of said County do
hereby certify that Charles Patchin, Esq., whose
name is above subscribed & before whom the
above affidavits of Jacob Swartwood, John Swartwood, James Harris, Hugh Hill & Peter Westbrook were taken was at the date thereof a Justice of the peace of said County duly qualified & that his signature above
subscribed is genuine. Witness my hand & official seal the 10th day of June 1858 -
U. S. Lowe. Dep. Clk.
Chemung Co. N.Y.
Page 49

Exhibit A.   C.S.H.   Elmira NY June 10 1858

Sir:
I enclose supplementary proofs in the case of Rebecca Manhart widow of John Manhart dec'd., a Revo. Pensioner under act of 18th
March 1818. His declaration when he was continued on the roll under act of 1 May 1820 was made in the Court of Com Pleas of Tioga County N.Y. of which I was clerk at the
time and the arrears of pay due him at the time of his death was paid to her as his widow. 
If the recent construction given by Congress to the act of Feb 3d 1853 directing these pensions to commence 4 March 1848 has become a law I suppose her certificate
will issue accordingly - such has always been my own construction of the act & I have obtained several Judgt.'s in the Court of Claims, on that construction -- in the cases
of Sarah Green, Naomi Wryne & others.
Respectfully
Yr. Ob. Serv't.
Thos Maxwell

Com Pensions.
There is also an application for a land Warrant in her favour No 290.327-

82004-160-55
Page 50

C.H.R.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
WIDOW'S PENSION.
I certify that in conformity with the 2d section of the act of February 3, 1853 Rebecca
Manhart, widow of John Manhart, who was a
Private in the revolutionary war, is inscribed on the Pension List, at the rate of Ninety Six
dollars and ___cents per annum, commencing on the 3d of February, 1853, 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 Eighth, day of July one thousand eight hundred and fifty eight.
J. Thompson
Secretary of the Interior

Examined and countersigned
Geo. Whiting
Commissioner of Pensions.
(No. 6.416.)
Page 51

Rebecca Manhart H 48

Payment to be made at Albany by
Isaac Vanderport, Esq.
Agent for paying Pensioners, in the
Agency of New York
Payable on the 4th September and 4th March

Recorded in the Pension Office on the
Roll of Pensioners under act February 3d, 1853,
Page 22 Vol. N
G. T. Getty Clerk
Page 52

Spencer, July 14th, 1859

I hereby surrender to the United States the within Certificate of Pension.  This surrender is my voluntary act and deed.  I also state that I am now the wife of Henry R. French with whom I live and with whom I have lived since the 14th of April 1840, the day on which we were married at
Jeffern Phelp, in Chemung Co. N.Y.
[signed] Rebecca (X) French

[signed] S. C. Boyton
Page 53

Van Etten since 1856 previous Steuben Co., N.Y.
makes mark from physical disability

[circular postmark  PENSION OFFICE MAR 4 1860]
Page 54

United States Attorney's Office,
Northern District of New York,
Ogdensburgh, March 1st 1860

Hon. Geo. C. Whiting
Commr of Pensions:

Dear Sir:
I enclose the papers relating to the case of
James Van Etten charged with a fraud
on the Pension Department.
Yours Truly
J. C. Spencer
U.S. Atty
Page 55

Vanettenville
Feb the 20 1859
friend Miller as we belong to the great Democrat family and dont believe in stealing
from the Government in the way of pension.
last summer James Venetten with the
assistance of Thomas Maxwell drew a pension for a pretened widow of Capt John Manhart and there is no such widow, nor never was - they tell me she lived with him as housekeeper
and is the lawfull wife of Harry French and is
young enough to draw pension 20 or 30 years to come and I have spent a little time
to find out the truth that dout [doubt] of it
and this done under the full knowledge of
the post master
Page 56

there is enough that would inform the Government if they durst, but it is a bad web 
to disturb and I want my name to be kept secret
and you will pleas inform the pension office.

from your friend J. van
to J.T. Miller esq

keep my name secret
Page 57

Josiah J. Miller
Seneca Falls N. Y.
Feby 26. 1859

Enclose a letter from Josiah
Van Valkenburg calling
attention to certain fraud
upon the Pension Office.
Private-
Respectfully referred to the
Commissioner of Pensions
Dept of Int.
March 3 '59

W. W. Lester
Acting ch. clk

Rec'd 2 Mch '59
Mr. Rhett
Page 58

Post Office
Seneca Falls, Seneca Co. NY
February 26,  1859.

Hon. Jacob Thompson
Sec. of Interior

Sir:
I enclose you a letter received from
an old friend Josiah Van Valkenburgh
a plain uneducated Mechanic - but a very honest man alleging a fraud upon the department committed at Van Ettenville, TiogaCo., New York. Of course I have no personal knowledge of the
Page 59

matters alleged - Tioga County being remote from here, and Van Valkenburgh writing to me
simply because he formerly resided here
& knew me well. 
He may be mistaken about the matter, but it seems to me it may be worth while to investigate the alleged fraud.
My informant being a poor man is evidently anxious not to have his wealthy neighbor know
that he is complainant -
With great respect
I am yours, etc.
J.T. Miller
pm
Page 60

April the 8 1854  Van Ettenville        private

to the pensions affair, I read your letter this
morning and are not prepared to give you its full particulars as yet - french was in my shop
last week, the conversation was about the
first summer he was married and he has
had no wife, only the one he now has got.  I asked him if his wife was not older than he was
he said nineteen years the eldest. since writing
my last I have questioned Geo. Hill
the man who took James and Catherine van etten to Elmira where she, Mrs. Vanetten was
Sworn, I asked him if she was the only
wittness, he said she swore for the whole.
I am acquainted [with] James Harris he is aged 77 years, also with peter westbrook, he is about 60 years old and with Hugh Hill, he must be hard on 70. James Vanetten is a man that is feared by the community on account of his knavery and on the whole [a] bad man.
in two weeks time I will give you the names of persons that Know all about marriage.
and I have discovered another case, that of the widow Brink that I have from her own lips she [has a] husband living by name of Thomson, she told me the haved to leave 
I asked her how she
Page 61

could draw a pension and have living
husband, she said because she had children
to bring up, she said she had to divide with the children that was of age to keep them leaving too
the Brink's are a pretty hard set of inhabitants as best I can learn
the last herein stated is from the Widow Brink or more properly, Mrs.Thomson.
this conversation happened in my own house.
J. Van Valkenburgh
your obedient servant

to the pension office
Page 62

Vanettenville April 10/59  4 o'clock pm

Dear Sir I have to day finished my investigation
I have just returned from peter Westbrooks'
he says he never was a wittness he signed
A paper that [he] knew John manhart as that is all he did do - he says Mrs. french
never was married to John Manhart, he
says that manhart had three wives
before he lived with this Rebecca French,
and the third wife is now living or heard so.
he thinks so, he sayes french was married
at the house of Phillips on Johnson's
settlement, this statement you may rely
on as being correct.  Mr. Peter Westbrook is a
man that you depend on.  mrs. westbrook
tell[s] the same story you, can depend on her
both as wittness. mr Westbrook age 62.
I called yesterday on Elizabeth Harris she
is a maid of 40 so, she sayes her father was
not sworn a witness - that James vanetten came to their house on sunday and got him
to sign a paper that he knew John Manhart.
I have not called on John Swartwood nor wife,
it would be of no use for she is a sister to
Catherine vanetten.  as for James and Catherine van etten, nobody will believe them unless they know it is so.
and now I will give you the names of 
Witnesses
Page 63

Witness
Peter westbrook
Fanny Westbrook
Geo K. Hall
Daniel swartwood, a son of Isaiah swartwood
Gen Booth
Daniel Swartwood a ane eye it man
Samuel English
Jonah Osborn
Isaiah Swartwood
Hugh Hill
these are reliable Witnesses and the first
settlers and old men
I hope you will forgive me for doing this
on sunday but circumstances others' cases 
I have not slept 4 hours since last thursday night.
your friend, J. Van Valkenburgh

to the pension Office
Page 64

I have also investigated the Margaret Brinks Case, her right name is Margaret Tomkins,
her last husband was alive yesterday.
her step son took time with me yesterday
asked him questions for an hour and
find it is a fraud of the blackest kind.
I leave this till [I] get further orders as
she lives 5 miles from here.
From your obedient Servant
J. Vanvalkenburg

to pension Office

[handwritten notes, different handwriting, at bottom of page]-

Jefferson Phelps near High White - Curry. Meth. clergyman or carpenter
Wm Cooper owns the Old Phelps farm -
14 Apl. 1840
Jefferson Phelps and Jonathan Phelps were
present--at vetern
Page 65

Brief in the case of Rebecca Manhart, widow of John
Cheming County and State of New York
act 3d Feb. 1853
Claim, (original,)
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls?  If either, state the substance.
Husband was pensioner under the act of 18 March 1818, at the rate of $96. per annum & was continued under acts of 1st May 1820 & 1st March 1823.
Marriage proven by four witnesses who testify
to General reputation of Marriage & that the parties lived & cohabited together as man & wife for many years.
Soldier died June 10 1835
as appears from parol proof & report of Third Auditor.
Widowhood & identity is established by five credible affiants.

(If for increase.)  Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim?  If so, what?

Thomas Maxwell, Esqr
Almira
Name and residence of Agent
New York,

J. C. Baynton,
Examining Clerk.
Page 66

Elmira N.Y. July 8, 1858

Com'r Pensions

Sir:
On the 9th June I forwarded the supplementary proofs in the case of Rebecca Manhart. As the papers were originally forwarded on the 11th May, & having rec'd your action on them about the last of the month, I had expected to hear from the case before this. A recent letter from you informs me that all the cases in which I am agent, have been suspended to give me the opportunity of appeal; but as there is no question of
Mileage involved in this case, I cannot suppose it to be included in the general suspension. The old lady is very anxious in the matter, & from the promptitude of action in the outset, is disappointed, in not hearing from the Pension
Office. I should not have written now, did I not suppose that there is but little business in the Pension line, before you & that the supplementary papers may have been
overlooked in the crowd of other papers necessarily reaching you.
Yours Respectfully
Thos Maxwell
Page 67

RFD#2, Haddam, Kansas Jan. 25, 1911.
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir: --
Kindly furnish me the following information which is desired for Genealogical purposes and to be used in joining Daughters of the American Revolution.
-
Henry Lyons came to America from France in an early day settling in Orange County, New York, where he married Martha Drake who was
a direct decendant of Captain John Drake. They had one son Justus. [handwritten note: "negative" under Lyons' and Drake's names]
---
Henry Lyons served in the Revolutionary war as a private in Bruen's company of Baldwins regiment of Artificers, Continental troops. He
enlisted 7th July 1777; "Term 3 years." He died three weeks after his discharge, July 1780, of Smallpox which he contracted during the
war. After his death Martha Lyons the widow married John Manhart a resident of Orange County, New York. John Manhart was a
Revolutionary War soldier serving as a private under Captain John Sandford and Colonels William Malcom and Oliver Spencer.
He was in Gen. Sullivan's Indian Expedition. Enlisted April 26, 1777, served to May 20, 1780. He applied for pension May 1, 1818,
he resided at Dansville, Steuben County, New York. He married a second time prior to year 1810. His second wife was 37 years
of age in 1820 and John Manhart was 57 years of age in 1820. John Manhart died at Cayuta, Tioga County New York, June 10, 1835.
Now what I desire to know is: --
1st: Date of marriage of Henry Lyons and Martha Drake?
2nd. Age of Henry Lyons?
3rd. Age of Martha Lyons?
4th. Age of Justus Lyons son of Henry Lyons?
5th Date of Marriage of Martha Lyons and John Manhart?
6th: Date of death of Martha Manhart?
7th Given and maiden name of John Manhart's second wife?
8th: Date of John Manhart's second marriage?
9th: Age of the Captain John Drake referred to above?
10th: Name and age of his wife and names of their children?
IIth: Date of marriage of Captain John Drake?
Captain John Drake resided in Orange County, N. Y. or Morris County, N. J.
Yours truly,
EWB
E. W. BURT.
RFD 2,
Haddam,
Kansas.
P.S. Think John Drake was a Revolutionary war soldier.
EWB
Page 68

Rebecca Manhart 
wid.
John
N. Y.

Admit for $96 per an: from
3. Feb. 1853, under act of
Feb: 1853-

Cat: Th: Maxwell,
Almira [Elmira]
N.Y.
Page 69

information as contained or will appear in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.  John Manhart W.F. 25672

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
Apr. 26. 1777
LENGTH OF SERVICE. May 20, 1780
RANK. Pvt.
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN. John Sandford
COLONEL.   William Malcom, Oliver Spencer
STATE.  Continental
Battles engaged in, was in Gen. Sullivan's Indian expedition in 1779
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Enlisted in Orange Co NY
Date of application for pension, May 1, 1818. His cl. was al. [his claim was allowed]
Residence at date of application, Dansville, Steuben Co., N.Y.
Age at date of application, 57 yrs., died at Cayuta, Tioga Co. N.Y. June 10, 1835
Remarks:  In1820 his wife was 37 yrs. old and children: Benjamin, in 9th yr., John P. in 7th yr., Maria. 4th yr., Rebecca, 2nd yr.

as widow? applied for pension May 5. 1858 and afterwards relinquished it because she was not a widow but wife of Harry R. French,
whom she married Apr. 14, 1840. her declaration has not been considered in the above as her claim was fraudulent. cw

Very respectfully,
Commissioner

31793b5m 10-97
Page 70

General Land Office,
Oct. 18, 1862.

Hon J. H. Barrett
Comm'r  of Pensions

Sir:
The locator of B. L. Wt. Act of 55,
No. 82004, for 160 Acres, Wm E. Dean of Atchison, Kan., applies for his patent. Said warrant was issued in the name of Rebecca, widow of Jno. Manhart, and in consequence of a caveat received from your Office in September 1859, was enclosed to you on the 2d of October, 1861.
Please determine, and inform me, whether there are valid objections in this case to the issue of a patent.
Very Respectfully,
Your Obed Servt.
J.W. Edwards
Comm'r