Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 20,083, for Peter V Terwilliger, New York
Page 1

(3-1770)
SERVICE
New York
-
CONTENTS

Terwilliger, Peter V.
or Williger
Rachel
NUMBER
W. 20,083
Page 2

29021
New York
---
Peter V. Terwilliger
in the first of N. York
who was a Private in the Compy commanded
by Captain [illegible] of the Reg commanded
by Col. Paulding in the N. York
for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of N. York
at the rate of 80 Dollars - Cents per annum
commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 27 day of July
1833 and Suith P Mitchell
Shawangunk
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 19 $160
Semi-anl. allowance ending 40
 $200

Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
Clerk,
Recorded by P C Stiles
Book E Vol. 3 Page 80
Page 3

14
1959
New York City

Rachel Terwilliger
widow of Peter V. Terwilliger
who was a Private
in the N.Y. line
for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
80 Dollars
Cents per annum, to comme
the 4th day of March, 1843.
 
Certificate of Pension issued the
14th day of Sept 1843
and sent to
Pensioner
Bloomingburgh
N. York
Act of March 3, 1843.}
Recorded in Book
Vol.
Page 115
Page 4

State of New York
County of Ulster
On this 5th day of September 1832 personally appeared before me
John Janson one of the Judges of the Court of Common They in and for the
of Ulster aforesaid Peter H. Terwilliger a resident of the Town of Shawangunk in the County of Ulster and State aforesaid Aged 72 years 2 months
who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath, make
following declaration in order to attain the benefit of the Act of
Congress passed June 7th 1832. That he entered the service of the
United States under the following named officers and served as herein
That in the month of June 1776 as this deponent thinks he volunteered 
for 5 month as a private under Captain John Gilespy in the regiment
of Col Hardenburgh as a private that he volunteerd in shawengunk aforesaid and was marched to New York that he was in New York
at the time of the Battle of Brooklin, that he was sent out from
New York the before that General Washington's Army evacuated the
City he being sick at the time that he was sent home farm Kingsbridge
on parole being unfit for duty that he was home about and
month and again joined his company in New Burgh and was discharged at New Burgh after the term of service as aforesaid that I was in no engagement only commanding across the East river while in New York
That in the month of May 1777 he volunteered for 4 months under
Captain Matthew Janson in the Regiment commanded by Colonel
Paulding as a private and was marched from Shawangunk to Fort Montgomery
was there during said  term and was there discharged- That
then was during said term of service a Regiment and United States Troops
Lying at Fort Montgomery commanded by Colonel Dubois
Also a company of artillary men under the command of Captain Moses that he was
in no Engagements during said form

That Next on the 6th day of October 1777 the Regiment of Militia to which
I belonged lying in Shawangunk aforesaid commanded by Colonel Johannes Jansen was ordered to report to Fort Montgomery.  that he was in the Company of Captain Siah Robinson that they immediately marched and when at New Burgh
heard that the fort was taken that he was then marched to New Windsor
where some [illegible] were placed in the river that he continued at
New Windsor untill the British fleet went up the Hudson River and then
was ordered to Kingston that when at New Windsor a British
spy by the name of Taylor was taken and he was discovered to Swallow something
that medicine was administered to him and the ball of silver
that was swallowed was brought from him which contained a message from
the British General at New York to General Burgoyne of a contemplated meeting at Albany-- that the army of General Clinton was marched from New
Burgh to Kingston and that on the way there and when they arrived in sight
of Kingston they discovered that the same was on fire- that they was marched
[illegible] and while there Taylor the spy was hung on an apple tree
Page 5

That from there he marched to [illegible] and was placed them to and
that place for about 2 weeks from thence he was marched to New Burgh
and was then discharged after having served for the full term of one and one
half Month-----
That in the month of November 1778 he was drafted from the Regiment lying in Shawangunk to serve for 2 months at Ramapo in New Jersey. that he was
Marched from Shawangunk aforesaid as a private under the command of Lieutenant
Commendant John [illegible] in the Regiment of Colonel Paulding that he served
the said term of time at Ramaspo as a Guard, that then was the no regular United
States troops lying at that place that he was in a Battle at that time
that there was two men by the house of Capt Cord Janson and Captain Goeggen then raising or enlisting troops for three years and during the war
That in March 1778 previous to the last engagement he was he was ordered out
from the Regiment Lying in Shawangunk aforesaid to go to West Point
and he dont remember under what Captain he was placed but was in the
of Colonel Weisman & major Strong that he was while thre employed in building fortifications
and served there for 2 months as a private and was discharged
That in the month of April 1779 he volunteered in Shawangunk under Captain
Levi Dewitt for 8 month to serve on the frontier of the West Side of Shawangunk mountain
in Col Pauldings Regiment that the said Regiment was
placed along the Frontier in different places to guard the inhabitant from the
Indians this during said service he was at different places - Mamakeeting, warwasing, Louiskill Napinoch &
 that during said term he
was engaged in no battles only a few Skirmishes and small pursuits
that he served the said 8 months as a private and was discharged at Napierich
That next in the month of March 1790, he again volunteered for Eight months under Capt Levi Dewitt as a private in the Regiment of Colonel
Paulding, that during the said term of service he was placed on the said
frontier aforesaid and served for the said full time of Eight months
and was discharged at Naperock in November following that the
was neither engagements nor skirmishes during said term of service
That next, he was in addition to all the services above
set forth he was ordered out from and with the Regiment lying in
Shawangunk aforesaid under the command of Colonel Johnny Jansen
or alarms to the full number of 12 times that he was absent
from home for from 8 to 24 Days at each times depending
upon the occasion for which he was ordered out that he has no
doubt but that each time upon an average would make
12 Days Service
That he served as aforesaid for the full term of two years & 5 1/2 months
set forth aforesaid Exclusive of the Alarms last set forth this being a
would make 4 ½ north or
Page 6

That to the Interrogatories prescribed by the war Department
and put by the said Judge he answers to the
First   That he was born in Shawangunk aforesaid in the year 1760 in the 3rd
day of July
second   That his age is recorded in the family Bible and in showing the
that he was baptized by the Revered Mr Morache
third That he has always lived his in Shawangunk aforesaid and lives there still
fourth    That he was Drafted twice or 3 times and was a volunteer as follow as a private in the Militia 1st for 5 mo volunteer 2nd for 4 mo volunteer 3rd for 1 m drafted 4th for 2 m drafted 5th 2 months drafted 6th for 7 mo drafted 7th for 8 months volunteer 8th ordered out by Colonel Alsim all as aforesaid 
fifth   That when at New York & in the 1st to engagement he was stationed with
the army of General Washington [illegible] 
That the 4th Engagement at Ramapo was no Regular Troops & Capt Moody Artillery Company that

Regiment of Militia was there that General Clinton was then
that in the 4th Engagement at Ramapoa he was no regular
east two Captain Enlisting troops for I Give & During the war
that in the reminder Engagement he was not paid in the vicinity of any
Regular or United States Troop but he engaged as a guard to the
against the Indians as aforesaid

6th   That he never received a discharge in writing

7th   That he is well known to many citizens of the Town of Shawangunk aforesaid
who can testify to his good Character and to the Clergyman of Shawangunk
Church of which he is a member - That Evert Alffman John McCord
and James N. Mitchell
David Winfield Benjamin T. Terwilliger and Jane Scott can testify to
my services, that Benj T Terwilliger and Ian Scott  and James [illegible]   
are produced before the Judge but that the [illegible] not attend
that he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension
or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the Agency of any State

Peter V Terwilliger

Sworn and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid
 Before John Jansen one of the Judge as aforesaid
Page 7

I John A Bevier a Clergyman residing in the County of the
residence of the within named Peter V. Terwilliger who has subscribed and sworn to the
declaration that I have witnessed the examination of the above interrogatories
That I believe him to be 72 years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary Soldier that I concur in
this opinion that he is a man of good character is a member
full communion in the Church of which I am the Clergyman and is
much respected--

John A Bevier

Sworn to and subscribed the day and aforesaid
Before John Jenson one of the Judges aforesaid

I Benjamin F. Terwilliger a resident in the Town of Shawangunk the
County of Ulster and State of New York after being duly sworn according to
Law do depose and say that I am well and personally acquainted with
Peter V. Terwilliger who has sworn and subscribed to the former declaration
That I have witnessed the Investigation of the same and concur in the opinion
that he has served as he has set forth of which I have no doubt that I have
to him in the said first service of 5 month in the 2nd Service of the
in the 3d & 4th Service at Ramapo for & 2 months and when at a
Manakeeting for 7 months and along with the regiment that I have
at the time of the said first Service heard that he was engaged for 5 month
and that he served the same - the some of the 4 month and of the Engage
at Ramapo for 2 month It being there at the same time
I have heard that he served the said month at Manakeeting
that he is a man of impeachable character 

Benjamin Terwilliger

Sworn and Subscribed the day and
year aforesaid Before me
John Janson of the Judge as aforesaid


---
We Jacob Clarewater & James Scott residents of Shawangunk in the county of the residence of Peter V Terwilliger do certify that on
Investigation of the claims of the above named Peter
of the Judge and enter in the opinion that the
petition to set forth that we have to him the
on the we have no doubt but he served as [illegible] or them to faith
that he is a reputable this entitled to credit

Sworn to & Subscribed the day and
first above and
John Janson one of the Judges


James Scott
Jacob Clarwater
Page 8

I James N. Mitchell Commissioner to and for Ulster county
do certify that about the first of July I was called upon by Erret Decker a resident of Shawangunk in Ulster County to make out his application for
pension under the late Law that while doing so he stated to me when
rendering an account of his services and the persons living by whom he could
prove the service - that [illegible] Peter H. Terwilliger who has
subscribed and sworn to the aforesaid declaration was mentioned by him and

Erit Draker set forth that the said Peter H. Terwilliger was
Regiment for 5 months as first set forth and that he saw the said Peter
Terwilliger at Fort Montgomery at West Point at Ramapo as set forth twice particularly
and at Mamakating and said they were much together in the service
and wished he could get the evidence of Peter V Terwilliger in support of his claim
which I conceived was already sufficiently proven ( the same bring forward to
the War Department) that the said Erit Decker has since that time deceased
in addition to the above Statement by Erit Decker Deceased 
I was called upon by Cor T. Terwilliger for the same purpose that I took
minutes of his service to draft his declaration by sometime in July that by
refering to the same I find that he set forth the same engagement for 5 month
as first set forth by Peter H. Terwilliger the above declarant that they were together in
the same company and Regiment- and that I remember (his Con I Terwilliger telling me in the presence of the above named Peter H Terwilliger in the said service for 
 7 months in the
year 1779 at Mamakeeting and in the year 1780 - 81 which he could not remain
on for 8 months and that he Co. I Terwilliger Harm that the said Peter V Terwilliger
did the said service also he set forth he is and was with the
said Peter W. Terwilliger on several Alarms as Many as 10 or 12 with
the Shawangunk Regiment of Militia which is also unto my
that since the said Memorandum was made for the above named persons   Peter V Terwilliger 
above named has deceased, that he deceased a few days after writing and
rendering the aforesaid relation that I attended with the Judge John Jansen
aforenamed to take the declaration of Cort I Terwilliger whose witness I have
forth as proof for Peter V. Terwilliger on the day in 2 before he died but that we
declined owing to his illness that the said Declarant Peter V. Terwilliger
is a respectable man and that Errit Dick and Cor S Terwilliger
two deceased person where relative I have detailed are entitled
to implicit belief-
Amos S. Mitchell
Sworn & subscribed the day
Day and year aforesaid
Before me
the of the Judges of the Court of Common
pleas in the County aforesaid
Page 9

I Evert Hoffman a resident Citizen of the Town of Shawangunk
do upon oath depose and say that I am well and personally acquainted with
Peter V Terwilliger who has subscribed and sworn to the aforesaid declaration That I knew him in the Revolutionary war that I have seen him in the service
4 month at Fort Montgomery and when at Ramapo in the two said engagements as set forth that I have no doubt he served as stated fully for the three
said terms having myself on the same that I am well persuaded from the
General reputation of
his revolutionary service that performed the full service
as set forth that I have seen him several times on alarms and believe the same
Everte Hoffman

Sworn and subscribed this 5th day of September 1837 before me
 Janus Mitchell [illegible]
Page 10

State of New-York,
ULSTER COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE
I, Jacob Snyder, Clerk of the County of Ulster,
and Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Ulster County, Do hereby certify
That James N. Mitchell Esq, was on the day of the
of the Certificate to the annexed Affidavit, a Commissioner of
Deeds
in and for the said County of Ulster
authorized to take affidavits, and further that I am acquainted with
the hand writing of the said Commissioner
and verily being
signature "James N. Mitchell
to the Certificate
of the said annexed affidavit to be genuine.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my name and appeared the Seal of the
and County, this Eleventh day of September
1832
Jacob Snyder
Page 11

and I John Jansen the said Judge do hereby declare my opinion after the investigation of the matter and after the
putting the interrogatories of the war Dept
named applicant was a writing in and
as he state of which I have no such and I further certify that
John H. Bevin a Clergyman residing as set forth and I further certify that I am personally acquainted with Benjamin Terwilliger,
James N. Mitchell Jacob Clearwater and James [illegible] who have testified as aforesaid to the services of the above named declarant as men of good character and their [illegible] conceive entitled to full credit - I further certify that I am well acquainted with
Terwilliger who has subscribed the above declaration before
and that it is reputed in the neighborhood that he has been a Revolutionary soldier and that he is a good moral respectable man
and I further certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the above named Peter V Terwilliger is unable from bodily infirmity unable to attend court -
John Jansen
One of the Judges of the
Court of Common pleas in
and for the County of Ulster
aforesaid
Page 12

Ulster County
Clerks Office
ss. I. Jacob Snyder Clerk of the County of Ulster and
Clerk of the Court of Common pleas of Ulster County do
hereby certify that John Jansen was on the date of the
annexed proceedings in the matter of the application
of Peter V. Terwilliger for a pension a Judge of the Court
of Common pleas in and for the County of Ulster and
further that I am well acquainted with the hand
writing of said Judge and verily believe the signature
John Jansen subscribed to the annexed certificate of
said Judge to be genuine.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand
and seal of office this eleventh day of September
A.D. 1832.
Jacob Snyder
Page 13

State of New York
Sullivan County

on this 10th day of February
1843 personally appeared before me the under
signed one of the Judges of the Court of Common
please in and for said County Rachel
Terwilligar a resident of the County near
and adjacent to Sullivan County age
76 years who being first duly sworn
according to Law doeth on her oath make
the following declaration in order to obtain
the benefit of the provision made by the
Act of Congress passed July of the
entitled an act granting half pay
and Pensions to certain widows
that she is the widow of Peter V Terwilliger
Decd a late resident of Ulster County who
was a soldier of the Revolution and drew a
pension for his services and was a pensioner
of the United States at the time of of his death
she further declares that she was married to
the said Peter V Terwilliger on or about the
fifteenth of August in the year of Seventeen
hundred and Eighty four by the Reverent
Vanness a pastor of the Reformed Dutch
Church of Newherby Ulster County
that her husband the aforesaid Peter V
Terwilliger died on the twenty second
day of March in the year of Eighteen hundred and thirty Nine
and that she was not married to him
prior to his leaving the service but the
Marriage took place previous to the first ┃
of January 1794 viz at the time above
Stated

Rachel her x mark Terwilliger
sworn & subscribed by making her mark
before me this 10th day of February 1843

Samuel G. Dimmick Judge of Sullivan Com Pleas
Page 14

The above named applicant is unable to attend
Court on account of old age & infirmities
Samuel G. Dunn Judge
Page 15

 State of Newyork
Sullivan County
personally appeared before
me the undersigned one of the judges of said
County Zackariah Terwilliger a resident of
Ulster County aged fifty six years & made
oath in due form of Law & states that he
is a son of Peter H Terwilliger deceast a late
Resident of Ulster County of Rachel Terwilligar now
of Ulster County & that his father died on
twenty second day of March in the year of Eighteen
hundred and thirty Nine & that his Mother Rachel
has not married since but remains the widow
of the said Peter H Terwilliger and that he
was a pensioner of the United States under the
act of 1832 at the time of his death and
Eighty dollars per year
Sworn
Zacharich his x mark Terwilliger
Sworn & 
subscribed by making his
before me this 10th day of Feby 1843
G. Dimmick Judge
of Sullivan Com Pleas

I hereby certify that the above named Zachariah
Terwilliger is entitled to full credit & belief
Samuel G. Dimmick Judge
Page 16

 
State of New York
Sullivan County
Clerks Office
Henry W. Howell Clerk of
of the court of Common Pleas of the said county
do certify that Samuel G. Dimmock
is a Judge
as within and that the foregoing
signature purporting to be his is genuine. In
testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed
my seal of Office, and subscribed my
name this 25th day of February in the year
one thousand Eight hundred and forty three ┃
Henry W. Howell Clark
Page 17

State of New York
Ulster County personally appeared
me the undersigned a Justice of the peace
in and for the County of Ulster [illegible]
William Demarest a resident of Ulster County
aged twenty nine years the 22 day of last
August who being by me duly sworn depose
and States that he is the present Pastor of
the Reformed Dutch Church of New Hurly
in the said County and that he has the
records of the said Church in his possession
and that he has made diligent search
for the marriage of Peter V Terwilliger with
Rachel his wife and that no such
marriage entry appears on said record this
deponant further states that he finds record
in the record of baptism of the said Church
that it Petrus Vas Terwilliger Jun and Rachel
Decker his wife, had a child baptized on the
twenty Sixth day of August one thousand
Seven Hundred and Eighty seven and named
Zachriah and it further appears from Said
Record that the said Zachariah was born
on the Sixth day of August one thousand
Seven Hundred and Eighty seven and that the
following is a true copy of the entry of
said baptism and birth as it appears on said
-
Record, Petrus Vas Terwilliger
Rachel Decker
Zacheria
6 Augt 1787
Page 18

Baptized August 26 1787
Wm Demerest

subscribed and sworn before me the 17th day of February 1843.
William Jennings
Justice of the peace
and for the County of Ulster

Ulster County on the 17th day of February one
thousand Eight Hundred and
forty three before me came the
above named William Demarest
with whom I am personally
acquainted and known to me
the the pastor of the
reformed Dutch Church at
erty and that he is a gentile
of the first respectability and standing-
-
William L Benning
Justice of the peace
County Clerks office I George A Day Clerk of the
Court of Common Pleas of the County of Ulster Certify that William
L. Jennings is a magistrate as above and that the foregoing
signal purporting to be his is genuine In testimony
have hereunto affixed my seal of offer and
subscribed my name this twentieth day of
February in the year 1843
Gay Clerk of the Court
Common Pleas Ulster County
Page 19

15.976
Peter V. Terwilliger
Ulster N York
...
admd
James Mitchell
Shawangunk N.Y.
Page 20


WAR DEPARTMENT.
Pension Office.
183

Sir,
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has
been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of
your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and
the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed,
before a pension can be allowed. the notes and the regulations will shew what is
necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed,
you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: ⎬
You will when
you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and
you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your
claim.

A Statement showing the service of Peter V Terwilliger

[chart]  Period When the service was rendered / Duration of the claimant's service. years-months-days / Rank of the Claimant / Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served / Names and Rank of the General and Field Officers / Battles in which the applicant was engaged / Country through which he marched. / Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period / Evidence by which the declaration is supported.

June 1776 / - 3 - / Private / Capt Gilespy / Col Hardenburgh / / New York / 78 Years Shawangunk N York / By living witness Clergyman

May 1777 / - 4 - / " / / Capt Jansen / Col Paulding

6 Octr 1777 / - 1, 15 / " / / Cap Robinson / Cap Janson

Nov 1778 / - 2 - / " / / Bruger / Col Paulding Col Weisman Elija Strong

March 1778 / - 2 - / " /

April 1779 / - 8 - / " / / Capt Dewitt / Col Paulding

March 1779 / - 8 - / " / Capt Dewitt / Col Paulding

I am, respectfully,
your obedient servant,
J.L. Edwards,
Commissioner of Pensions.

X a mistake probably
Page 21

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army,
and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia" and "volunteers, all
persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who
were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to
Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are
also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged
in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming
the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first in
stance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of
Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is
considered a Court of Record.
of
On this
DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
City of
County
of
day of
A.B. a resident (b) of
personally appeared (a) before
in the county of
and State, Territory or District
years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the
following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provion made by the act of Congress, passed
June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)
served in the
(e) regiment of the
with
and
line, under the following named officers:
Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served
under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the
town or county and State in which he resided when he enered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged,
and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons
who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he
declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of
the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A.
And then will follow the certificate of the Court.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary
soldier, and served as he states.
of the Court of
do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of
the application of
for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this
day of
& c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be
found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia,
except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and
subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with
and C. D. residing in (the same)
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be
who has
years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier
of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid,
And then will follow the certificate of the Court
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after
putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary
Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B.
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the
and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Clerk of the Court of
do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the applicacation of
for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal
of office, this
Sc.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission
; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if
possible, the testimony of at least one credible 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.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will
also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful
in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
Page 22

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal
means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted
; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected.
All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there
subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account
of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State
troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
1. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war
, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute?
And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such
Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it giv-
6.
en and what has become of it?
Office you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify
as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are
requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court,
without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be
the nearest clergyman, if 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.
one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character
and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct
proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the
enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before
required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the
proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to
perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record,
or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper
Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a
Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is
his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before
the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the
declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure
, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period
of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the
opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will
low the rule laid down for his guidance.
The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not
conformies in the re-
The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
The declarant must mention the person or persons of the war when he served.
Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the
Every man must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so
nite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the
of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason
of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his
he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: --For---year----months, and
served as and for such service I claim a pension."
ment to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law
directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months,
is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years
in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is
in must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement;
the particular place or place where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent unthority
; that he was either in the hold or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil
print.
The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
┃ The opnion of the Court is always required.
The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
The Clerk must his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no pubseal
of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the
purs
Mode of authenticating papers.
in every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains
the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must
pass under the seal of other of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
in a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, ┃
who are required to set forth in their merits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well
is the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witthe
certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
shall equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in
This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Page 23

admd
24 mo pri
80 $
Page 24

State of New York
County of Ulster
Peter V. Terwilliger a resident of Shawangunk
in Ulster County aforesaid in order to amend a declaration
by me made to obtain a pension under the act of 7th June 1832
bearing date the 15th day of September 1832 and numbered
.
15976 - And after being duly sworn according to Law do depose
and say that I served for two years 6 months Months 15 Days as set
forth in the following Tabular for in the Militia of the Revolution as a private. to Wit
Statement showing the service of Peter V. Terwilliger
my
June
May
dered
1776 ┃
1777
Oct 1777
┃ Novr 1778
┃ March 1778
┃ April 1779
┃ April 1780
Betton
1776
and
┃ 1782
7
5 ┃
the
Rooks
of the
Claim
to
┃ Militia
.
┃ Printer
┃ 4
2
8
8
┃ 4
7
15 ┃
Militia
at ┃
Milton
Private
Militia ┃
South
Milition
it
point
┃ 13 ┃
Samuel Langan
rank of hand of the Battle
Seal & in which
Field
┃ Thomas
Officers
Capt John
Col Hender
Gily
No Date
┃ Capt-
┃ M. Jan
┃ R
with ┃
. Com

┃ Bough
Paulding W Battle
Pen Clinton
Col Pould
"
Thos
as
place of a
Country through the her
which he
ing and
Marched
age at the
┃ Period ┃
Capt Drink
Bath
Capt Jane
-
Col Paulding
┃ age & let ┃
---
No Barth
Bath
from Hawang N.
Sharan
York through ┃
Chester Pitraton & Hanger
State
this Mortgomery
to
D.
┃ Stanton
Boughton
& Saughter &
-
from Shawangunk
the
Point
April
Thomson to
Porter long theof

Shaw in
Many thi in W &
pay Counties
Note D. D. D.
Battle
Do Do Do
D
Dr
D
Do
Q.
D.
D
To
D
D
Evidence ┃
by which the
declament is support
by Benjamin
Same N. Mich
Cout Hitman & Ben
in I invilla
by East Hoffman
Bain
James N. Mitchell
& Cert Hoffman
by James N. Mitchell
Tradition
by James N. Mitchell
Tradition
by
Big Town
N. Mitchell
But Wiffen
Bunhan
I Temillin
James N. Mitchell
Tradition
That I am concious and know that my two services as aforesaid set forth of
Eight months each in the year 1779 and 1780 under Capt Levi Dewitt was
for the said full term of Eight months each that the witnesses must have
been mistaken that Capt Dewitt was Engaged for three succeeding ┃
sons Commanding Volenteer Militia under Col Paulding on the Front
and that I was under him for 2 Engagements as set forth that my said ┃
Services was all as set forth as a private in the Militia and for the
Page 25

 
said full term of time. I do further depose and say that in the [torn]
to amend my said former declaration refering to a marked
in the printed letter of Instructions, which therefore to continental troops only. That I see was in the Regular service that he
service in the Revolution as set forth was always as a private soldier
in the Militia of the Revolution and that during all my said
service I was engaged as a soldier in the Camp But & Field and
further this Deponent saith not.
Peter V Terwilliger
Sworn and subscribed
this 31th Day May 1833
Before me Allard Anthony, Justice of the peace
Ulster County ss
Clerks office
J. Jacob Snyder Clerk of the County of Ulster and Clerk of the Court of Common pleas of Ulster County do hereby certify that Allard Anthony was on
the day of the date of the foregoing affidavit a Justice of the peace in and for
said County duly authorised to take affidavits &c and that I am well
acquainted with the hand writing of said Justice and verily believe his
signature to the certificate of said affidavit to be genuine-
Witness my hand and seal of office this fourth day of June
1833.
Jacob Snyder
Page 26

Rachel Terwilliger
Declaration

Joseph Ellis
agiant
Bloomingburgh
Sullivan County
Page 27

Ulster County Clerks Office ss. I George A Gay Clerk of the
Court of Common Pleas of the County of Ulster, certify that
Jansen Bruyn is a Magistrate as above, or annexed Instrument
in writing, and that the signatures to the several Affidavits
purporting to be his, is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed
my Seal of Office, and subscribed my name this
twentieth day of June 1843
by
Geo. A. Gay Clark
Richd Keator Dep. Clerk
Page 28

State of New York
Ulster County
personally appeared before me the
undersigned one of the Justices of the peace in
and for the County of Ulster in said State
Joseph Ellis resident of Sullivan
County aged 57 years
made oath in due form of law depose and
states that he was personally acquainted with
Peter V Terwilliger decd a late resident of Ulster
County and his wife who is now his widow
and now present and that the applyed for and
Received a pension under the Act of 1838 at the
rate
of Eighty Dollars per Annum and that he has
and the Aforesaid Peter V Terwilliger was a
pensioner of the United States of the time of his
death and that she still continues the widdow of said Peter V. Terwilliger

Joseph Ellis

Subscribed & Sworn before me
the 8th day of June 1843
Jansen Bruyn
Justice of the Peace

I certify
that the Name Racheal
Terwilliger interlined & the word rate was
wrote on the margin before the above
affidavit was subsisted Jansen Bruyn
I the undersigned Justice do hereby Certy that I
am acquainted with the above named Joseph Ellis
and that he is entitled to full credit & belief
Janson Bruyn
Justice of the peace
Page 29

State of New York
Ulster County
 
On this 8th day of June 1843
personally appeared before me the undersigned
one of the Justices of the peace in and for
the County of Ulster Rachel Terwilliger a
resident of said County Aged 77 years or
there abouts who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following
declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the
provision made by the Act of Congress passed
March 3rd 1843 entitled an Act granting
one years pensions to certain widows of persons
who served during the Revolutionary War, that
she is the widow of Peter V Terwilliger who served
during the War of the Revolution and was a penstioner of the United States of the time of his death
and drew a Pension at the rate of Eighty dolls
per Annum under the Act of 1832, and that she
applyed for and receved a five years pension
under the Act of Congress passed July 7th 1838
at the Rate of Eighty Dollars per Annum
and was paid of the New York City Agency
and that she has not intermarried but still
Continues a widow
---
Sworn and subscribed the day
and date above mentioned
by making her mark before me
Jansen Burgh Justice of the Peace

Rachel her x mark Terwilliger
Page 30

No 8662
Rachel Terwilliger
NY.
Act 7 July 38
m42 d38.
admd
2 years pri
80 $

Joseph Ellis
Bloomingbrurgh
N.Y.
Page 31

Sir
House of Reps. 1843
Enclosed I forward you the papers of
Mr Rachel Terwilliger applying for a
pension
I also enclose you a letter of Mr Mackay
making an enquiry & request which you
will oblige me by attending to
I likewise send you a letter of Mr Beaty
 seeking for information which I
hope you give
-
Very Respectully
Jas. V. Clinton
Col J L Edwards
Com of Pensions
Page 32

Joseph Ellis
Agent
Bloominghugh
Sullivan for
New York
Page 33

In pursuance of a law passed the 27th of April, 1784, entitled ""An act for the settlement of the pay of the
Levies and Militia, for their services in the late War, and for other purposes therein mentioned," the following certificates
have been issued, bearing interest at five per cent per annum, viz:
12th May 1779  Peter V Terwilliger Private L - 15 -2
10th June 1780  "  - 18-3
1780 " 18 - 8 -0 
1781 " 20 - 16 - 0
 
STATE OF NEW-YORK,
COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE, Albany, March
1843.
I hereby certify the above to be true extracts from Book No. 2.
now remaining in this office, and
that the service for which the certificates above named were issued, were performed under the following officers, viz:
First-under Capt. John Gillespy
Second, ""
in Col. John Hashouck
William Cross
Regt.
Do
Third, " " Levi Dewitt
" " Albert Pawling
Fourth, " " John Burnet "
Do
Fifth,
Sixth,
Seventh,
Eighth,
Ninth,
Tenth,

Philip Phelps
Dep comptroler
Page 34

Free

Bloomingth E

Blooingburgh
official

Rachel Terwilliger
Apl 11 18??
Hon J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Page 35

Bloomingburgh NYork, April 8, 1843
Dear Sir
the enclosed is additional
proof to support the claim of Rachael
Terwilliger widow of Peter V Terwilliger to
a Pension
Yours very Respectfully
Joseph Ellis
Jas
Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 36

Revy
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 20083
Rachel Terwilliger
Wid of
Peter V. Terwillinger
Pri Rev War
Act: March 30
48
Index: - Vol. M, Page 268
[Arrangement of 1870]
Page 37

2087
June 22 1843
ny
Mar 3d 1843
Rachel Terwilliger
$80 per an
 
to Pensioner at
 Bloomingburgh
N York
Page 38

Rachel Terwilleger
NY
let to Hon. J G. Clinton March 2 '43

Act 7 July 1838
Page 39

New York-7261-
Rachel Terwilliger
widow of Peter V. Terwilliger
who was a pensioner under the act of 7 June '32
and who died on the 22d March 1839
of Ulster Co. in the State of New York
who was a private in the compy
commanded by Captain Gillespie of the
Regt: - commanded by Col. Pawling-- in
the New - York line for 2 years
May 13
Inscribed on the Roll of New York
at the rate of
80 Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day
of March, 1836.
-
Certificate of Pension issued the 13th. day of
May 1843 and sent to Joseph Ellis
Bloomingburgh N Yk
Arrears to the 4th of
Semiannual allowance ending
I
400.00-
Act July 7, 1838.)
Recorded by U M Muart Clerk
Book A Vol 9 Page 107.