Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 10,872, Abraham Van Horne, New Jersey
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Service
New Jersey
Van Horne, Abraham
Anne
Number R. 10,872
Contents
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30,974
District of Columbia
Abraham Van Horne decd
of          in the state of 
who was a Forage in the [illegible] commanded by Captain    of the      commanded by     in the Revolution line for
Inscribed on the Roll of Washington at the rate of 600 dollars     cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831
Certificate of Pension issued the 1st day of May, 1832 and sent to S. Godwin
Arrears to the 4th day of  
Semi-anl. allowance ending
Revolutionary Claim
Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by R McRae
Book C Vol [illegible] Page 105
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Papers copied for Hon. J. Borce Feb 23.
See let. to Hon John Edwards Oct 27, 18-- 

Abraham Van HOrne
New York
in the company commanded [illegible] of the Regiment commanded in the New York [illegible}
30.974
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 40 dollars --- cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1834
Certificate of Pension issued the 31 day of June 1837 and sent Thomas Thimmons, Present
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1836 $220.00
Semi-anl allowance ending 4 Mar '37  20.00
$240.00
{Revolutionary Claim
Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by D.D. Addison Clerk,
Book E2 Vol. 4 Page 78
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13,546
It is impossible to allow Mr. Van Horne's claim as an officer, being a minor till Dec 1784, it is highly probably that his service in the white house was as a clerk &c.  Such is the tenor of all the testimony especially that of his mother who must have possessed better means of knowledge than of the other witnesses.  But he says he was enlisted as a private in March or April 1780, & taken immediately into the service under his father, & though there is no proof of his enrollment (save his own oath) yet for he was old enough to be able to serve with the militia every other month, or his employment (under his father) relieved him from so service in the militia. I think it equitable that he should be allowed for that service a [illegible] might have been required of him.  That is to say for every alternate month from April 1780 to April 1782 or twelve months, and if he can show that he was really enrolled in  April 1780 & take [illegible] of the company, for this service I think he might be allowed as a private for the whole time.  
R. F. Rutter
Jany 31, 1837
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The Declaration of the Rev.
Abraham Van Horne, for a pension under the act of 1832
State of New York
Montgomery County ss.}
On the sixteenth day of March in the year 1833, personally appeared in open court before the judges of the court of Common Pleas of the County of Montgomery, State of New York aforesaid, now sitting the Rev. Abraham Van Horne, a resident of the village of Caughnawaga, in the town of Johnstown in the county aforesaid, aged sixty nine years the 31st day of December, last, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed 7 June 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.  That he was born in the town of Readingtown, Hunterdon County & State of New Jersey on the 31st December 1763 as appears by the registry of family births in his father's bible & as he was always told by his parents.  That he resided in that place until the year 1778 when he was employed in the public service, by his father Abraham Van Horne, who was an assistant or deputy in the commissary and forage department, under Moore Forman, commissary general of the State of New Jersey & that he served under his father, in that department &  employ of the public establishment or stores called the "White House" in the town of Readingtown, Hunterdon County, and state aforesaid, until the month of March or April, in the year 1780 when he, your narrator or applicant, was enrolled & entered the humble service as a private in the militia company commanded by Captain Richard Stilwell in the regiment commanded by Colonel John Taylor & Major Thomas Stout, in General Dickerson's brigade, but was immediately therefrom continued & retained in the service in the commissary & forage department, aforesaid and at the station or stores at the "White House" aforesaid at Readingtown by
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and under his father as aforesaid, by the direction & requests of the commissary General Forman, beforementioned, and was thus constantly engaged in taking in, storing, preserving & forwarding forage provisions, ammunition &c for the armies until the news of the signature of the preliminaries or provisional articles of peace with Great Britain was received, & which he has no doubt was as late, at least as the month of November or December in the year 1782.  He states that his father was also occasionally assisted by Major Berkley of Bedford County, Maryland, Major Stout & Nehemiah Dunham.  That there was also a similar commissary & forage store established at Cordell's Ferry on the Delaware River and believes there were other like depots, stores or establishments, forming one or more lines of interior communication & conveyance by wagons or horses, for the use of the armies whilst the enemy possessed the harbors, ports & bays, which in New Jersey was during a great portion of the war.  That his father died about the year 1815 & received as he believes, but little for his services.  That at the close of the year 1782 or beginning of the year 1783 when there was full confidence of immediate peace, your applicant or narrator left the service (but received no written discharge) and commenced studies in the Seminary, formerly called Queen's College in New Brunswick, which was revived by the exertions of Doct Jaed R. Hardenbergh & General Fredrick Frylinghuisen & under the tuition of Mr. Kirk Patrick & Col. John Taylor, received the degree of Bachelor of Arts & pursued Theological studies & there also became a officiant & minister of the gospel.  
In the year 1790 he removed to Esopus in Kingston, Ulster County, New York preached there for 5 years, when he received a call from & removed to the village of Caughnawaga in the town of Johnstown, Montgomery County & state of N. York where he has ever since resided & now resides as a preacher of the gospel. that is for 38 years.  That he has appended an easy fortune in the raising a large family & in these officers of
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hospitality & charity to which his profession peculiarly exposes  & [illegible] & some little aid from his country would be gratefully received.

He claims a pension for one foregoing services as a private and engaged in the commissary & forage departments of militia as aforesaid, from the first day of April in the year 1780 to the first of November in the year 1782 having served at least two years & seven months as aforesaid.  And he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, & he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state.  And he further states that he has no documentary proof of his services.  That the books of his father concerning the operations of said establishment at the "White House" & concerning his office were delivered to commissary Genl. Forman aforesaid & your narrator does not know what has become of them.  That your narrator went to New Jersey about a year since & again last fall season for the purpose of obtaining proof of his services but could find no officer or person living who had been attached to the commissary & forage department, although he made diligent inquiries.   That in his present neighborhood he is personally known to Ralph Schenck & Abraham Aumack who were formerly from New Jersey & whose certificates are hereunto annexed.  
Abraham Van Horne
Subscribed & sworn in open court the day & year aforesaid
Geo. D. Ferguson Clerk
We Ralph Schenck residing in the town of Johnstown in the county of Montgomery State of New York and Abraham Aumack residing in the town of Glen in said county hereby certify that we are well acquainted with the Reverend Abraham Van Horne who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration.  That we believe him to be sixty nine
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years of age, that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion.  That by the word "soldier" aforesaid we mean that he was in service in the commissary & forage department of the militia of the state of New Jersey as in his declaration set forth.  And the said Abraham Aumack for himself says that he was born in Readingtown, Hunterdon County, New Jersey in the year 1757 April 12th & was well acquainted with Abraham Van Horne of that place & that he acted as deputy or assistant commissary & forage master at the "White House" in Readingtown aforesaid in the Revolutionary War; that he by order of said A. Van Horne was picked occasionally to forward materials for the army at Morristown from said White House & has after seen Abraham Van Horne the applicant who has given the foregoing petition or declaration employed & engaged in said store in the various wagon masters, teamsters &c as to delivering the same & acting & [illegible] and that it was generally inductor that he was in the employ of the  commissary & forage department at that station in the years 1780 & 1781, that he resided there during the war & immediately after removed to the county of Montgomery, state of New York aforesaid, where he has resided for about 43 years, &  has resided in the neighborhood of said applicant ever since, the residence of said in the said county.
Abraham Aumack
Ralph Schenck
Abraham Aumack appeared in open court & subscribed & swore to the foregoing affidavit on this day & year aforesaid.
Geo. D. Ferguson, Clerk
Ralph Schenck appeared before me at his dwelling house in Johnstown County of Montgomery & state of New York on the 28th day of March 1832 & subscribed & swore to the above affidavit in due form of law before me.  Abm Morrell First Judge of the county of Montgomery. 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 before named applicant, the Reverend Abraham Van Horne served as he states in the Revolutionary War in the commissary & forage department, and the court further certifies that it appears to them that Abraham Aumack who also signed the
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same is a resident of the town of Glen in said county and that he is a credible person, & that his statement is entitled to belief & credit.
State of New York
Montgomery County }ss.
I George D Ferguson, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Montgomery aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of the Rev. Abraham Van Horne for a pension.
In testimony whereof, have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said court this 25th day of March in the year 1833. 
Geo. D. Ferguson
State of New York
Montgomery County
Ralph Schenck residing in Johnstown County and state aforesaid further says on his oath of law that he was born in the township of Amwell, County of Hunterdon & State of New Jersey on the 23rd day of March 1755 and is now seventy eight years of age & upwards & that he is now laboring under the infirmities of age in body but has perfect possession of his mental faculties. that deponent cannot attend court from bodily infirmity, that deponent lived in the said town of Amwell till the spring of 1775 after which deponent moved to the town of Hillsborough County of Somerset & State of New Jersey, in which latter place deponent resided till the 1st day of April 1778 when deponent went back to the said town of Amwell in which deponent continued to reside till the 18th day of February 1786 from which last place deponent moved to the said town of Johnstown where deponent has continued to reside to this day of the date hereof & where deponent now resides, that deponent lived the whole time of the continental or revolutionary war in the said town of Amwell & Hillsborough as aforesaid, that he well remembers there was on the lines from the south to the north commissary horses, places of deposit and forage establishments there and believes one at
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Cordell's Ferry on the Delaware River and others about twenty-two miles on the Tambine north at the White house Readingtown, Hunterdon County New Jersey.  That deponent had teams in the actual employment of the United States in Capt. Higgins brigade till the close of the war, that his teams were in the actual employment of the United States under said Higgins as aforesaid from the spring of 1779 to the close of the war aforesaid, that he had teams in the actual employment of the United States under Capt Ollivet from the spring of the year 1778 to the spring of 1779 when his teams went into the said service under Capt Higgins & continued under him as aforesaid to the end of the said war, that said teams drew hay & grain on their way to Morristown at the forage establishment & at the White house aforesaid & on their return to the Delaware.  That deponent knows that the said Abraham Van Horne, the foregoing named applicant was with his father in the actual service of the United States at the White house aforesaid in commissary generals department for more than two years, that he, the said Abraham Van Horne & his father received their appointment under Moore Forman Commissary General, that they actively served under said commissary general in said war for more than two years as aforesaid in the commissary general & forage  department commencing sometime in the year 1778 & ending in the year 1782 or 1783 during which time the said Abraham Van Horne the said applicant was engaged in taking in, storing processing & forwarding forage, provisions, ammunition &c. for the Americans or continental forces & army against the common enemy.  The said Abraham Van Horne & his father [illegible] intending service [illegible] & were very faithful in said service.
Ralph Schenck
Subscribed & sworn to this 28th day of March 1833 before me Abr Morrell, First Judge of the County of Montgomery
I Abraham Morrell do further certify that the said Ralph Schenck who signed the above affidavit & made oath to the truth of them, resides in the town of Johnstown in the County of Montgomery & state of New York & has resided for more than twenty-five years to my knowledge, that the said Ralph Schenck is a highly respected citizen of said town & that he is a credible person & that his statement is entitled to credit, that the said Ralph Schenk is confined to his house by bodily infirmity and cannot from bodily infirmity attend the court.  
Given under my hand this 28th day of March 1833.
Abm. Morrell First Judge of the County of Montgomery.
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State of New York
Montgomery County
Clerks Office }ss.
I, George D. Ferguson, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Montgomery County, do hereby certify that Abraham Morrell before whom the annexed affidavit of Ralph Schenck purports to have been sworn, was on the date thereof, First Judge of the said County, and that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of the said Judge & verily believe that the name of the said Judge subscribed to the said affidavit & also to the annexed certificate of claim also of the said Ralph Schenck is genuine.  
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this first day of April 1833.
Geo. D. Ferguson
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30,974
D. of Co
Dist of Columbia
E.T. Schenck
March 22, 1858

Abraham Van Horne decd
of the state of    
who was a Forage Master in the             commanded by Captain            of the       commanded by     in the Revolution line for

Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 600 Dollars -- Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1831 & ending 5 January 1840
Certificate of pension issued the 1 day of  March 1852 and sent to S. Godwin present
Arrears to the 4th of    
Semi-annual allowance ending   
Incd from $480
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by R McRae, Clerk
Book C Vol. C2 Page 105
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6654
Anna Van Horne 
Abraham
N. Y.
Act  7 July 38
Hon. P. J. Wagner
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State of New York
Montgomery County}ss.
On the thirteenth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty personally appeared Anne Van Horne before me Jacob Graff one of the judges of the county court of the county of Montgomery being a court of record in said county a resident of the town of Mohawk in said county and state, aged seventy three 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 the seventh of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight entitled an act giving half pay and pensions to certain widows.
That she is the widow of Abraham Van Horne who was a soldier in the militia, served in the war of the revolution, that according to the best of her knowledge, information and belief, her said husband Abraham Van Horne was a private soldier in the militia in the war of the revolution, that he entered into said service somewhere in the State of New Jersey, but at what time or in what town or county, in whose company or regiment she, this declarant has not been informed, does not know and therefore cannot say, but for information in said premises your declarant begs leave to refer to the papers and affidavits now on file
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in the office of the war department in the application of the said Abraham Van Horne under the act of Congress passed 7th June 1832 and filed on or about the 31 day of January 1837 on which said application he, the said Abraham, was placed on the pension list at forty dollars per year commencing on the 4 March 1831 for and during his natural life, reference being had to the book of records in the pension office in said department will more fully and at large appear,  and this declarant further saith that she was married to the said Abraham Van Horne on the thirteenth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty five in the state of New Jersey as appears by the family record kept by the said Abraham and now in the possession of said declarant which said record this declarant avers to be true that there exists no other record of said marriage to the knowledge of said declarant, that her said husband, Abraham Van Horne, died on the fifth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty in the town, county & state aforesaid, that she was not married to him prior to his leaving said service but their marriage did take place previous to the first day of January seventeen hundred & ninety to wit al the above stated and this declarant further saith that she has not been married since the
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death of her said husband, that she is at this time the widow of the said Abraham Van Horne.
Anne Van Horne
Subscribed and sworn to this    day of February 1840 before me.
Jacob Graff one of the judges of the common plea court in the County of Montgomery

State of New York
Montgomery County }ss.
I Jacob Graff, one of the judges of the county courts of the county of Montgomery in the state aforesaid, said county court being a court of record in said county & state, do hereby certify that the above oath or affidavit was taken and subscribed before me by the abovenamed Anne Van Horne the 13th day of February A.D. 1840 at the town of Mohawk, county and state aforesaid and I further certify that I am well acquainted with the said Anne Van Horne & have been acquainted with her for more than twenty years last past, that I know to be the individual who made oath to the written affidavit or deposition that the said Anne Van Horne is a person of strict integrity and veracity and that the affidavit or statement upon oath as above made by her is entitled to full faith & credit and I do further certify that the said Anne Van Horne cannot from bodily infirmity attend said court.  
Jacob Graff, one of the judges of the Common Plea Court of the County of Montgomery
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State of New York
Montgomery County }ss.
Abraham A. Van Horne of the town of Mohawk in said county being sworn, saith that he is the oldest son of Abraham Van Horne, the husband of said Anne Van Horne, named in her petition hereunto annexed, that his father Abraham Van Horne was a reformed clergyman and was settled over a church of that denomination in the village of Caughnawaga in said county for a period as long as this deponent can remember, that this deponent is fifty years of age, that this deponent has resided in his said father's family & in the neighborhood thereof from his infancy up to the time of making this affidavit, that his said father kept a family record of his and my mother's age, the time of their marriage, the births and deaths of their children, that said record was kept in his family Bible in the handwriting of my said father, that said Bible & said record are now in the possession of my said mother & has been kept by my said father in his family as long as I can remember, a copy of said family record is hereto annexed, and the deponent further saith that his father the said Abraham, died on the fifth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & forty in the town of Mohawk in the county & state aforesaid and this deponent further saith that she, the said Anne, has not been married since the death of her said husband that she is now a widow.
Abraham Van Horne
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Subscribed & sworn before me this 13th day of February 1840
Jacob Graff one of the judges of the Common Plea Courts of the County of Montgomery.

State of New York
Montgomery County }ss.
I Jacob Graff one of the judges of the Common Plea Courts of the County of Montgomery in the state aforesaid, said county court being a court of record in said county & state do hereby certify and state that the above oath or affidavit was taken and subscribed before me by the above named Abraham Van Horne the thirteenth day of February A.D. 1840 at the town of Mohawk, county and state aforesaid and I further certify that I am well acquainted with the said Abraham A. Van Horne and have been acquainted with him for more than twenty years last past, that I know him to be the individual who made oath to the affidavit or deposition, that the said Abraham is a person of strict integrity and veracity and that the affidavit as written above made by him is entitled to full faith and credit.
Jacob Graff, one of the judges of the Common Plea Courts of the County of Montgomery.
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The Family Record of Abraham Van Horne
Abraham Van Horne was born December 31st, 1763
Married to Anne Covenhoven October 13th, 1785
Anne Covenhoven was born October 9th, 1767

The Birth of the Children
Cornelius C. Van Horne was born September 4th, 1788
Died December 9th, 1788
Abraham Van Horne was born January 27th, 1790
Maria Van Horne was born November 24th, 1791
Cornelius Covenhoven Van Horne was born April 13th, 1794
Gertrude Van Horne was born January 12th, 1797
Caty Covenhoven Van Horne was born January 29th, 1799
William Hendrick Van Horne was born March 31st, 1801
Anne Van Horne was born October 20th, 1803
Matthew Van Horne was born November 12th, 1806
Nelly Van Horne was born July 27th, 1809
Her daughter Jane Fonda was born May 8th,1826
My father Abraham Van Horne was born in March 1740.  My mother Gertrude Wyckoff was born July 19th, 1743
I certify this to be correct & true copy of the record from my father's family Bible by Me
Abraham A. Van Horne.
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State of New York
Montgomery County
Clerks Office ss.
I do certify that Jacob Graff, Esquire before whom the foregoing affidavits &c. were sworn was at the day of their respective dates, a judge of the Montgomery County Courts in said State and duly authorized by the laws of the said to administer oaths and that his signature subscribed to the same is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of my office this 13th day of February 1840
A.J. Connie Clerk
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State of New York
Montgomery County }ss.
Jacob Graff of the town of Mohawk, County & State aforesaid being sworn saith that he is one of the Judges of the Common Plea Courts in said county, that he has been acquainted with the said Abraham Van Horne mentioned in Anne Van Horne's petition hereto annexed as long as said deponent can remember, that said Abraham Van Horne was a settled minister for a great many years last past in this deponents neighborhood, that this deponent is ___  years of age, that said Abraham died on the fifth day of January eighteen hundred & forty leaving said Anne his widow, that she has not married since his death, that he has carefully preserved the family record noted by him the said Abraham now in the possession of said Anne, that he has compared the copy of said record attached to the affidavit of his son Abraham A. Van Horne hereto annexed, that the same is a true copy of the original record kept by said Abraham Van Horne in his the said Van Hornes family Bible. 
Jacob Graff

Subscribed & sworn this 13th day of February 1840 before me.
John Morrell
a Commissioner of Deeds
I certify that I am well acquainted with Jacob Graff, the person who subscribed the aforesaid and above affidavit & that he is a Judge of the Common Plea Courts of the County of Montgomery and he is a person of good character.  
John Morrell
Comm of Deeds &c.
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State of New York
Montgomery County
Clerks Office ss.
I certify that John Morrell whose name is subscribed to the jurat of the foregoing affidavit was on the day of the date thereof a Commissioner of Deeds in and for the said county and duly authorized by the laws of said state to administer oaths and that his signature subscribed to the same is genuine. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of my office the 13th day of February 1840
A. J. Connie, Clerk
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Abraham Van Horne was born December 31st, 1763
Married to Anne Covenhoven October 13th, 1785
Anne Covenhoven was born October 9th, 1767

The Birth of the Children
Cornelius C. Van Horne was born September 4th, 1788
Died December 9th, 1788
Abraham Van Horne was born January 27th, 1790
Maria Van Horne was born November 24th, 1791
Cornelius Covenhoven Van Horne was born April 13th, 1794
Gertrude Van Horne was born January 12th, 1797
Caty Covenhoven Van Horne was born January 29th, 1799
William Hendrick Van Horne was born March 31st, 1801
Anne Van Horne was born October 20th, 1803
Matthew Van Horne was born November 12th, 1806
Nelly Van Horne was born July 27th, 1809
Her daughter Jane Fonda was born May 8th,1826
My father Abraham Van Horne was born in March 1740.  My mother Gertrude Wyckoff was born July 19th, 1743
Page 24

My daughter Maria was married to John Grose the 11th day of December 1810
My son Abraham A. Van Horne was married to Jane Fonda, the 16th day of December 1810
My daughter Gertrude Van Horen was married to Cornelius V. Putman May 20th, 1812
My son Cornelius Covenhoven Van Horne was married to Elizabeth Veeder October 19th,1873
My daughter Caty was married to John Putnam August 23rd 1815
Ann Maria Putman was born October 23, 1816
John V. Putnam was born October 12th, 1795
Died December 30th 1816
My daughter Caty Van Horne, widow of John V Putman was married to Christopher Yates
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In the matter &c
of the Rev. Abm Van Horne
Surrogate's certificate
Febr 24 1847
No. 7
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State of New York,
County of Montgomery }ss.
I, Giles F. Van Vechten surrogate of said County, do hereby certify that at a Surrogate's Court held in and for said county, before me, the said Surrogate at Fultonville on the 24th day of February 1847 it was proved by the adduction of testimony satisfactory to the said Court, that the Rev. Abraham Van Horne, late of the town of Mohawk in said county, died on the fifth day of January in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty, that at the time of his death, he was a Pensioner of the United States, under the act of 7th June 1832; that he left a widow, and left the following named children, him surviving viz:  Anne Van Horne his widow, and his children Abraham A. Van Horne, Maria Gross, Anne Van Horne, and Eleanor Vedder (said Abraham & Anne being residents of Montgomery County, said Eleanor of Kingston County, N. Y. and said Maria of Fulton County, N.Y.) and Cornelius Van Horne and Matthew Van Horne, Gertrude Putman and Caty Yates who are residents of the state of Illinois, and further that said widow Anne departed this life on the fourteenth day of September, one thousand eight hundred forty, that said children are his only children him now surviving, and each of them is over twenty-one years of age.  And I further certify that Abraham A. Van Horne above named has been duly appointed Administrator of the estate of the said Abraham Van Horne deceased, and is legally authorized and qualified to act as such.  
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of the said Court, this 24th day of February1847 at Fultonville aforesaid.
Giles F. Van Vechten
Surrogate
N.B.  If the Pensioner left no widow, the balance due him at the time of his death may be drawn by his executor or administrator who must account to the children (if any) for their respective share.  In this case, it must be certified by the Court that the executor or administrator is duly appointed and qualified to act as such.
Page 27

it appears in the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim R. File No 10,872, that Abraham Van Horne was the son of Abraham Van Horne born in March 1740, and his wife Gerty Wyckoff born July 19, 1743.  He was born December 31, 1763 at Readington, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, and while residing there in 1778, was employed by his father who was an Assistant or Deputy of the Commissary and Forage Department under Moore Forman, Commissary General of the State of New Jersey, and that he served under him at Readington, New Jersey until March or April 1780, when he entered the public service as a Private in Captain Richard Stilwell's company, Colonel John Taylor's Regiment of New Jersey Militia, but was immediately continued and retained in the service in the Commissary and Forage Department under his father until about November of December 1782.
He was allowed pension on an application executed March 16, 1833, while a resident of the village of Caughnawaga, Johnstown, Montgomery County, New York.
He married October 13, 1785, in New Jersey, Anne Covenhoven born October 9, 1767, He died January 5, 1840, at Mohawk, Montgomery County, New York at which time he was pastor of the Reformed Dutch Church at Caughnawaga, New York.  She died September 14, 1840.
CHILDREN
Cornelius C born September 4, 1788 died Decr. 9, 1788.
Abraham born January 27, 1790.
Maria born November 24, 1791.
Cornelius Covenhoven born April 13, 1794
Gertrude born January 12, 1797.
Caty Covenhoven born January 29, 1799.
William Hendrick born March 31, 1801.
Anne born October 20, 1803.
Matthew born November 12, 1806.
Nelly born July 27, 1809.
Her daughter Jane Fonda was born May 8, 1826.
Page 28

Maria Van Horne married December 11, 1810, John Gross
Abraham A. Van Horne married December 16, 1810, Jane Fonda.
Gertrued Van Horne married May 20, 1812 Cornelius V. Putman.
Cornelius C. Van Horne married October 19, 1813, Elizabeth Veeder.
*Caty married August 23, 1815, John V. Putman born October 12, 1795, died December 30, 1815.
Ann Maria Putman born October 23, 1815.
*Caty Putman married January 6, 1819, Christopher Yates.
In 1842, it is stated that the following children survived the soldier and his widow, to whit, Abraham A. and Anna Van Horn of Fonda. New York; Cornelius C. Van Horne, Matthew Van Horne, Gertrude Putnam and Catherine Yates of Illinois; Maria, wife of John Gross of Fulton County, New York; Eleanor Vedder and William H. Van Horne of Steuben County, New York.  
Very truly yours
G. M. Saltzgaber
Commissioner

November 28, 1918
Honorable John B. Farr,
House of Representatives
In response to his letter dated the 21st inst.  (which was returned at his request), he was furnished the hist. of the only Rev. War soldiers named Abraham and Cornelius Van Horne, found on the records of this Bureau.  
Abraham Van Horne R. 10872
Abraham Van Horn S. 42,589
Cornelius Vanhorn S. 11,636
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(Form not completed)
Dates of enlistment or appointment
Length of service
Rank
Officers under whom service was rendered
Captain Colonel
State
Battles engaged in,
Residence of soldier at enlistment,
Date of application for pension,
Residence at date of application,
Age at date of applications,
Remarks
Very respectfully

(Handwritten note over blank form)
Served in the foraging div.
Write Letter
Page 30

11596
INVALID
Rev War
Owned by 10872
File No. 11596
Abraham Van Horne
Forage Div.
Rev. War
Act Jun 7th 1832
Index: -- Vol. A, Page 388
[Arrangement of 1870}
Page 31

3097
Abraham Van Horne Dec.
New York (Albany)
increased from $40 to $480 per annum as Forage Master from 4 March 1831 to 5 January 1840.
Deducted what has been paid Anna Van Horne. Abraham A. Van Horne, Maria Gross & Eleanor Vedder & Cornelius Van Horne, Matthew Van Horne, Gertrude Putman & Caty Yates, payable to Abraham A. Van Horne, Administrator for sole use and benefit of children.
Thoms. H. Putnam
N.R.
Page 32

Increase
Abraham Van Horne dec.
N.Y.
Act 7 June 1832
Adv?
2 yrs Forage Master $600 per annum to 5 Jany. 1840 when he died.
Deduct former paymts at the rate of $480 per ann.
Payable as before,
Page 33

To Hon J. Wentworth
Jany 27 47
G. F. Yates June 2nd 47
same August 26 47
Ditto November 3 47
Let to Hon W. B. Maclay
Oct 28th 48
Page 34

New York
Anna Van Horne
Let to Hon P. J. Wagner 21 Feb 1860
Rejected
Let to J. Sanford Feby 7, 43
same Feby 25 ' 43
10872
Act 7 July 1838
Page 35

Caughnawaga March 6th 1833
Dear Sir, I have no supposition to intrude upon your arrangements or to offer a favour or inference above others, I wish only to say that I intend with the permission of providence to go on a journey of [illegible] 12 hundred miles into the State of Illinois, where four of my children with their families have lately [illegible].  Will you be so good as to give me the results of my application as early as possible. 
With esteem your friend & humble svnt
Abraham Van Horne 

Hon James L. Edwards
Page 36

3-871
Record Division
Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Briefed by L. D. L.
Claim No.............
Certification No. ............
Claimaint ...............................
Soldier Abram Van Horne
Service .................
Additional Service Rev. War
No .....claim, State records ........., 190...
No claim, combination records ........, 190....
REMARKS:
No claim except Rej #10872
& Abraham Van Horne
S. 42,589 (Pa.)

D-8 Chief Division
Page 37

In the matter of Abm Van Horne
No. 6
of recd February 1780
Page 38

An account of Recd
in forage for February 1780
Page 39

A return of Recd as forrage for the month of February 1780 by me, Abraham Vanhorn F.M at the  White house.
Date 
From whom recd
Brand
Oats
Chopped Grain
Total Bushels
Tom
Cuts
[illegible]
lbs
hay
on Hand Last Month  483 bushels, 3 Ton 11 Cuts  0 2 lbs
31  Michael Kenney 23 Oats  23 Bushels
31 Peter Shirts  11 Oats  11 Bushels
31 Peter Yager 6 Oats  6 Bushels
31 Thomson Reading  C.F.  1 Tom 8 Cuts
31 Henry Traphagen  C. F.  2 Tom 8 Cuts
29 Nicholas A. Smith    3h 3/h Chopped grain  3h 3/h Bushels
29 Nehema Dunham  5 Brand 5 Bushels
Total Recd  5 Brand, 3h 3/h chopped grain  575 7/h Total Bushels 7 Tom  7 cuts 0 2 lbs
Total Issued   581 3/h Total bushels, 2 Tom, 16 cuts 0 19 lbs
  10 cuts  3  11 lbs
Page 40

G. F. Yates Esqr
[illegible]
In reply to yours of the 1st Decr last I can say that I was very intimately acquainted with the late Rev. Abm Van Horne and if you will allow a little garrulity I will say that my first wife was the daughter of Beckman Livingston who was the brother of the late John F. Livingston D.D. of New Jersey and with whom the said Van Horne studied divinity.  I thus, while quite young, became acquainted with Mr. Van Horne & he married me to the said wife Livingston.  Simon Hosack D.D. was the pastor of the Presbyterian Church in this village for a great number of years and he, the said Rev. Van Horne frequently exchanged preaching to the other congregation.  At such times, the said Van Horne almost invariably stayed at my house.  I have very frequently heard said Van Horne speak of the Revolutionary War and of his participating in its scenes. Little did I then think that I should ever be called upon to state my conversations of his in relation to the said war or its scenes; but I distinctly recollect of said Van Horne being in the Revolutionary Army in the State of New Jersey as he stated, where he then lived; that he was busy & active with the army in supplying provisions or forage (and which I cannot say) to our army, that the business was laborious & harassing as he was very frequently employed not only all day but very frequently much of the night. 
I am [illegible] your & very respectfully
John W. Cady
Johnstown, 
Feby 11th 1847
Page 41

N.B.  Should you be in the City of Washington and have occasion to call upon the Hon J. L. Edwards Esq, Commissioner [illegible] please present him my most respectful compliments, and tell him that I hold him in most grateful recollection.
Page 42

Hon. John Sanford
Feby 7 1873
Page 43

114
Pen Off
Feby 7th 43
Sir,
I have the honor to return you the letter of Mr.  Van Horne respecting the case of Anna Van Horn decd & to inform you that since the claim was rejected as not provided for, the joint resolution of [illegible] last which embraces such cases has been passed.  The date of the marriage should be established by forwarding the original family register of which a copy was furnished.  The copy of a private paper is not admissible evidence while the original is attainable.  The certificate of the Surrogate showing the day of claimant's death & the names of her surviving children has been recd from John Gross Esqr during last month. 
Hon. John Sanford H.R.
Page 44

Pen Off.
Aug 26, 47
Sir
In reply to your enclosing add'l evidences in the case of Abraham Van Horne Decd, you are informed that his claim as Forage Master was urged in his lifetime with great zeal & rejected by this office with the approval of the Dept.  He swore that he was born 31st Dec 1763 & of course was in his 15 year in 78 when he alleges that he commanded service as Forage Master under his father who belonged to a state organization, by districts for purchasing, storing & forwarding supplies to the army on the Hudson.  That whole organization was a civil one & was not subjected under the law districting the state for obtaining supplies to the law martial.  No one not subject to military obligations & penalties is entitled to the pension of a soldier, but if this organization was military, his age (not 15
Page 45

years old) is conclusive, that his employment by his father was not that of a military officer & Mr. Butler as Secy of War so determined in January 38.  Indeed, it is perfectly clear from his age, that any claim to the pension of a soldier, much less of an officer has not the merit of a colorable foundation - it is rejected again.
Page 46

In the matter &c.
of Abm. Van Horne
Decd  Act of 7 June '32
Forage Master

Giles F. Yates Esq.
Washington D.C.
Page 47

Giles F. Yates, Esqr
I have been advised & believe that the claim of my Father Abraham Van Horne under the act of 7th June 1832 as a Forage Master in the war of the revolution which was settled & computed at $480 per annum for 2 years services should be computed at $600 per annum for the same period of service.  The heirs are therefore entitled to increase of pay & I desire you to do me the favor to represent the case before the proper department & prosecute for the full amount due.  Abm A. Van Horne, Administrator &c. of Abraham Van Horne Deceased.  
Dated Fonda March 6th 1852
Montgomery Co. New York
I hereby constitute Col. Shimuel Godwin Esq of Washinton D.C. my substitute attorney to prosecute the above claim. April 9th 1852  G. F. Yates
Page 48

Col. James L. Edwards
Comm. of Pensions
Sir,
I am requested to ask a re-examination of the papers filed in the case of Abraham Van Horne under the act of 7 June 1832.
This case was disallowed for the reason that the service was performed under Moore Forman who it was alleged was a civil officer appointed by the State of New Jersey & not by the United States.
The objection has been lately met in the case of Esther Leonard under the act of 4th July 1836 to whom a pension has been granted.
I respectfully present this claim & beg you will give it your early consideration.  
With great respect
Your obt servt
W. B. Maclay
New York
Oct 19 / 48
Page 49

Mohawk April 16, 1833
James L. Edwards Esqr
D. Sir
I enclose to you the application of the Rev. Abm Van Horne formerly of this state now of New York.  You will  [illegible] that his service in the Commissary dept is fully established.  He is a worthy & venerable clergyman & if you could look into his papers at an early day, it would confer a great favor on him.  Please send to him at Caughnawaga, New York.  
Yours very respectfully
[illegible]
Page 50

REJECTED
10,872
P.O. Abm. Van Horne
Service:
Enlisted:
Discharged
Application filed:
Alleges: The printed list of 1852 gives cause of objection as follows: "not a widow at the date of the act: 
Re-enlisted:
Attorney:
P.O.
Recognized.
Con.
Cert. of Dis.
Searched for
1908 Aug 17 Hist of Helen L. Allen
1908 Oct 2  Helen L Allen that Ref. File 10872 Abram Van Horne is the only one found on record
1918 Nov 26 Hist to Hon John B Farr
Page 51

Hon. P. J. Wagner
21 Feb 1840

O.C.
Page 52

War Department
Pension Office
21 Feb 1840
Sir
The papers of Mrs. Anne Van Horn widow of Abraham Van Horn an applicant for a pension under the act of July 7, 1838 have been examined and filed.  The claimant it appears was not a widow at the time the act was passed, her claim is therefore not thereby provided for and is consequently rejected.  

Hon. P. J. Wagner
House Rep.
N.Y.
Page 53

New York Dec 12 1842
Sir
The objection to the allowance of the claim of Mrs. Anna Van Horn, widow of the late Rev. Abraham Van Horn under the act of 7th July 1838 (to with that she was not a widow when the law passed) having been removed by a recent decision applicable to such cases, I have to request that this claim may be re-examined.
I am very respectfully 
Your obt. Servt
G. F. Yates

J. L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 54

G. F. Yates
June 2nd, 47
Page 55

Pen Off
June 2nd 47
Sir
The add'l evidence in the case of Abraham Van Horne dec'd has been examined & filed.  My letter to Hon. J. Wentworth of 27 Jany last, a copy of which is enclosed will apprize you of the decision of this office. 


G. F. Yates Esq.
Albany N.Y.
Page 56

Fonda, Montgomery Co. N.Y.
March 15, 1858
My Dear Sir:
I have been informed that sometime in the years 1850 & 1852 a pension was allowed by the United States to the children of Abraham Van Horne for services rendered by him in the Revolution, as a Commissary or Assistant Commissary & that the same was drawn & received by his administrator.  That the aggregate amount was about $5000, drawn at two or more several times.  Having an interest in that matter, you would very much oblige me, by informing me at
Page 57

your earliest convenience, whether any such pension was allowed, & when & the amount & to whom & when the same was paid, & where the same was paid, that is to say, at what paying office. 
Your attention to my request will greatly oblige.
Very Truly,
Your Humble Serv't
E. T. Schenck

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
Page 58

P.G. Address E. T. Schenck,
Fonda, Montgomery Co. N.Y.
Page 59

Washington January 21, 1837
Dear Sir
Please forward through the P. Office to me the papers of the Reverend Abraham Van Horne left with you sometime since. 
I am yours with esteem
Matthias, J. Bovee

B. F. Butler, Secy of War
Page 60

State of New York
County of Herkimer }ss.
I, John P. Spinner of the village of Herkimer in said county, aged seventy nine years & upwards being duly sworn do depose and say that I am a native of Germany and came to reside here forty six years ago and have been for forty six years past, the pastor of the Reformed Dutch Church of Herkimer and German Flatts.  In 1807, or when I first came to reside here, I became acquainted with the Rev. Abraham Van Horne, Pastor of the Reformed Dutch Church of Caughnawaga and continued association with him in the same ecclesiastical judicature ever since until the day of his death.  I have in my possession letters on ecclesiastical business from said Van Horne and was well & familiarly acquainted with his handwriting, and entertain not the least doubt, indeed am certain that the letter prefixed to the affidavit accompanying this my deposition taken by my friend the Rev. Dorn Van Olinda & which letter is dated Dec 29, 1779 is in the own proper handwriting of him, the said Abraham Van Horne, as I believe the whole body of said letter to be.    
John P. Spinner, D.M.
Name propria
Page 61

On this 4th day of September, 1847 personally appeared before me, the undersigned, the Rev. John P. Spinner to me well known & he made oath that the facts set forth by him in the within written deposition by him signed are true & correct & I certify, that said deponent bears the reputation in the community in which he lives, of a gentleman of intelligence, integrity, truth and veracity, and that his statements are entitled to full credit.  
Nicholas Smith Justice

State of New York
Herkimer County, }ss.
I certify that Nicholas Smith, whose name is subscribed to the affidavits of the foregoing deposition was, on the day of the date of said certificate a Justice of the Peace in and for said county duly elected and qualified.  And that I am well acquainted with his hand-writing and verily believe his signature to said genuine.
Witness my hand and official seal this 6th day of Sept. 1847.
Stemelich Benn Clerk
by John H. Wooster Deputy
Page 62

Record Division.
October 2, 1908
Miss Helen L. Allen,
Room #36 Franklin Building
Springfield, Ills.
Madam:
In reply to your letter dated the 22nd and received the 24th ultimo you are advised that this Bureau is unable to furnish the history of a soldier unless a claim has been filed on account of his services, and the Revolutionary War pension records fail to show that a claim for pension was ever filed for any Abraham Van Horne other than Reg. File No. 10,872, whose record was furnished you on August 17, 1908.
Very respectfully,
Acting Commissioner
Page 63

Hon. J. Wentworth
Jany 29, 47
Page 64

Pen Off
Jany  7th 47
Sir
In reply to Mr. Van Horne's letter respecting a supposed claim of increase in the case of Abraham Van Horne dec'd, I have the honor to inform you that this claim for employment or appointment at the age of 15 in the civil organization for obtaining supplies in N. J. under his father has been heretofore disallowed.  The service is now known to have been a civil not a military service.  As to agents asserting they have witnessed that he was an Asst Commissary at 15 years of age must be wholly unfounded.  He was allowed a pension (known now to have been improperly allowed) for the time he may have been employed under his father in collecting & forwarding provision & forage.  The archives at Trenton will no doubt show all the material facts of the commissary arrangement & of those engaged in them, and satisfy his son that it is entirely useless to take any further steps in this matter.  
Hon. J. Wentworth
H.R.
Page 65

Good sir:
I seldom ask favors although it affords me great pleasure to grant them, and I never fail to do so, and I will never consent to ask favors of ordinary person, you are in an exalted position.  I am humbly situated, and yet in the course of 9 months, I may be close on your heels, and if I should overtake you, be satisfied I will not hurt you, therefore take up the case of Abraham Van Horne, N.Y. for increase under act.  It will not be out of turn.  I shall loose the case only if you do take it up.  
Yours truly,
S. Goodwin

Hon. F.F. Triplett
Present
Page 66

Enclosed you have the report of the Secretary of War.  I have urged your claims and he [illegible] [illegible] possible & it has been done by the Rev. J. F. Schermerhorn.
I am your friend,
Matthias J. Bovee

Rev. A. Van Horne
Page 67

Washington City
April 12th, 1852
Sir,
I am requested by Abrm Van Horne, son & admin of Abraham Van Horne decd, who was a Forage Master in the war of the revolution and who was pensioned as such, at $480 per annum under of 32 to ask an increase of said pension to $600, that amount having paid to others of the same grade.  Please make the increase payable at Washington to the Admin. A. Van Horne for the benefit of sundry children &c.  I would remark that this application certainly must be considered in turn.  
Very respectfully, 
S, Godwin
Page 68

In the matter &c.
of
Abraham Van Horne, dec'd
Letter of G. F. Yates July 25, 1847, in reply to letter of Comm.  June 2nd.
Page 69

Albany N.Y.  July 25th, 1847
Sir,
In replay to my letter covering additional evidence in the case of Abraham Van Horne, dec'd, you say under date of the 2nd ultimo, that it has been examined and filed, and that your letter to the Hon. John Wentworth of the 27th of January last, will apprise me of the decision of your office.  A copy of your letter to Mr. Wentworth accompanied yours of the 2nd ultimo to me. 
As the letter to Mr. Wentworth was written several months before you received my additional evidence or knew what it was, and was founded on erroneous information, it certainly cannot be intended that any decision heretofore made is applicable to the case as it now stands with its new and additional proofs never before addressed.   
The claim is not for employment as "Assistant Commissary" in any "civil organization for obtaining supplies in New Jersey." The archives at Trenton are very, very meager (in their present state) quoad any point connected with the military operations in that state during the revolution; and besides, the services claimed to have been rendered by Mr. Van Horne, were not under the cognizance of the State government of New Jersey, any more than the F. M service in any
Page 70

other state was under the legislative jurisdiction of such other state.
Mr. Van Horne was a Forage Master, an office unknown in any such organization as is above referred to.  In the document forming part of the "additional evidence" I forwarded as aforesaid, Mr. Van Horne is recognized as a Forage Master under Moore Forman, Commissary General of Forage. This document is only part of the evidence I am able to furnish in this case, but an important part.  If your department has the least doubt as to the genuineness of that document, I desire that it may be returned to me as early as possible, and I will procure the highest and most satisfactory evidence that it was found among the revolutionary papers of Comm. Genl. Forman, from one of whose descendants I received it.   I have also another document in the handwriting of Mr. Van Horne himself (as I will show it to be) & which is signed by said Van Horne as Forage Master.  This last named doc't I obtained from the same source as the document first named, & I purpose before sending it to your dept to establish its authenticity & its applicability to the case before us unexceptionable proof.  If you would prefer to have the doc't now on file in your office fortified by the like proof, favor me by returning it, that I may with the same trouble and expense at the same time obtain the proof required.  If however you are satisfied that the paper in question which
Page 71

you now have, proves the claimant to have been a F. M. at the date of that paper, you of course need not return it. 
I am with respect
Your most Obt. Servt
G. F. Yates

Hon. J. E. Edwards
Comm of Pensions
Page 72

Office of Secy of State
Trenton Sept 20, 1847

Sir,
In answer to your letter of the 9th inst. you will receive a certificate that Forage Master was not appointed by State authority in New Jersey.  Moore Forman was appointed Deputy Qr Master of New Jersey by General Nathl Green, Quarter Master General of the United States in April 1778 and acted under him till he resigned in 1780.  The Dep. Qr. M. Genl's department acted independent of the State authority having a separate organization and reported all its actions to the Quarter Master General of the United States.  Return of purchases for the army were made every three months by the Asst. Qr. Master & Forage Master in New Jersey to Moore Forman, Dep. Qr. M. Genl and he to the Qr. Mr. Genl of the United States and not to the State of New Jersey.
Contractors for furnishing supplies for the army were appointed by the legislature in Joint. Acting for the several counties of this State, they were Civil officers, acted for limited times, and special purposes.  Their pay was specified.  On extraordinary occasions Congress would make acquisitions on the legislature of this State for corn and flour specifying the number
Page 73

of bushels and barrels, the whole was apportioned among the several counties and procured by the county contractors who delivered the same to the Continental agent.  They were first appointed by an act of the legislature passed Dec 25, 1779 and repealed in 1781.   Some of the intermediate acts relating to the contractors were limited to six months according to the requisition of congress.
Very respectfully
Your Obt. Servt
Charles G. McChesney
Page 74

House of Rep
January 30th 1843

J. L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions

Will you have the good will to furnish me with the information asked for in reference to a pension for Ann Van Horne by the evidence letter & much obliged.
Respectfully
Your obt sevt
J. Sanford
Page 75

Albany Pension Agency
October 1, 1853
L. P. Waldo Esq
Comm of Pensions
Sir,
Your letter of the 28th ult. is received, and in compliance with your request, I herewith return the notification in the case of Abraham Van Horne dec'd.  We have made no payments in that case, service the receipt of the notification, and have not received any notice of the transfer to the agency at Washington.
Very respectfully
Your obt. servt
Thomas W. Olcott
Pen Agent
Page 76

War Department
Pension Office
Aug 24th, 1836
Sirs,
The papers of the Rev. A. Van Horne whose claim to pension under the act of June 7th, 1832 is referred to in your letter of this 9th, instant has again been examined.  Mr. Van Horne states that he served under his father who was an Assistant or Deputy assistant in the Forage or Commissary Department under Moore Forman.  To sustain his claim to a pension for service in the Forage or Commissary Department it is necessary to show that he was duly commissioned as an assistant by competent authority.  From ought that appears in this case, the employment of this claimant was that of a clerk or form keeper, the services of neither of which are provided for by the law of 1832.  If Mr. Van Horne can show a commission or any written authority for acting as an assistant
Page 77

in the Commissary or Forage Department it will materially assist in the investigation of his claim.
I have the honor to be
Respectfully
Your obt servt
J. E. Edwards

Hon. M. J. Bovee
Amsterdam
N.Y.
Page 78

War Department
January 12th, 1837
Sir
I have the honor to inform you that I have carefully examined the papers in the case of the Revd. Mr. Van Horne left by you at this department a few days since, but without discovering sufficient grounds for reversing the decision of the Commissioner of Pensions upon the subject. 
Very respectfully,
Your obt. serv
B. F. Butler
Secretary of War, ad interim

Hon. M. J. Bovee
House of Rep.
Page 79

Rev. Abraham Van Horne
Fonda N.Y.

John F. Schermerhorn for
Abr Van Horne
papers in the room of the Com of the senate
[illegible]
[illegible] Sec Edwards
Page 80

Washington D.C. March 27th, 1837
Rec'd & Dear Sir,
I owe you an apology for not writing you before, but although I have not written, I have done all that could be done in your case.  Mr. Sarnons has informed you all the difficulty of your case in the Pension office, which arose for the fact that there was no evidence that either you or your father had ever been appointed or held a commission as a Quarter or Forage Master.  I do not believe that properly they could do anything in the case more than they have done at the war office.  
The papers were afterward handed to Mr. Tomlinson
Page 81

of the U. States senate.  The case was stated to him fully and he told me after examining the case that he believed all had been done for you that could be done in the allowance that had been made.  The papers were left in the committee room carefully preserved if you wish to prosecute this case up further.  I am however of opinion that it will be impossible to get any addition.
Before I arrived here, Mr. Bovee had brought the case before the Pension Office and the decision was against you.  If this had not been done, perhaps we might have done better, but I think it doubtful from what Mr. Tomlinson has since told me.  I believe there was a disposition to favor you as far as possible consistent with their duty by all concerned.
Page 82

I hope to be able to leave here about the middle of April when I will endeavor to see you on my return.  I feel unable to leave this part of the country until the ice is out of the North River & I can travel with some degree of comfort.  
That & I see by the papers this morn Mr. Sa?? [illegible] Gov Yates too has [illegible] of all the earth.  [illegible] we are in constant reference to this great charge.  
Give my respects to Mrs. Van Horne & all my old friends.
I remain your friend and brother in the Lord,
J. F. Schermerhorn

Rev'd A. Van Horne
Page 83

Hon. W. B. Maclay
Oct 28, 48
Page 84

Pension Office
October 28, 1848
Agreeably to the request contained in your letter of the 19th inst. I have the honor to inform you that the application for increase in the case of Abraham Van Horn, dec'd has been again examined and I am constrained to adhere to the opinion contained in my letter to G. F. Yates, Esqr dated 3 Nov 1847, a copy of which you will find herewith enclosed.  
The papers now filed furnish no evidence either of the appointment, character or duration of the service of Van Horne in the Commissary Department.  The decision in the case of Esther Leonard which refers to the serving of time engaged under Moore Forman [illegible] to be your communication can therefore have no bearing upon this claim.  
Hon. W. B. Maclay
New York
Page 85

Payments to be made
at Albany N.Y,
by Presdt Mich & Favnd / Oasek
Agent for paying pensioners in the agency of New York
Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book C2 Vol H Page 78 by D.D. Addison Clerk
Page 86

War Department
Revolutionary Claim
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832 Abraham Van Horne of the State of New York who was a private in the War of the Revolution is entitled to receive Forty dollars and ___ cents per annum during his natural life, commencing on the 4th day of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September, in [illegible]
Given at the War Office of the United States, this 31st day of January one thousand eight hundred and thirty-seven.  
B. F. Butler
Secretary of War, ad interim

Examined and Countersigned}
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 87

Edgar S Scott, President
J.O. Humphrey, Vice President
B. R. Hieronymus, Treasurer
Geo B. Stadden,  V.P. & Supt Agts
L. M. Cathles, FFA, Actuary
Dr H. B Buck, Medical Director
Dr. O.F. Maxon, Asst. Med Director
Henry Abels, Secretary
Will Taylor, Asst. Secy
Edgar S. Barnes, Asst. Treas.

HOME OFFICE
THE FRANKLIN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY,
Springfield, Illinois

September 22, 1908
Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:-

Under date of August 17, 1908, you furnished me with the military record of Abraham Van Horne, born Dec. 31, 1763, died Jan. 5, 1840.  "Record Division: V.L.M (or U) Ry 10872, Rev. War."
You state that said Abraham Van Horne served under his father Abraham Van Horne, born March 1740, Assistant or Deputy in Commissary and Forage Dept.
Will you kindly furnish me the military record of this last names Abraham Van Horne, born March 1740.  His wife's name was Gertrude Wyckoff, and she was born July 19, 1743.  I should very much like all the dates in connection with the history that your books may show, as date of marriage, etc.  In this connection I wish to thank you for the full record sent me on the 13th ultimo and I assure you I shall appreciate your further courtesy in responding to my request of this date.  
Very truly yours,
(Miss) Helen L. Allen
Room 35 Franklin Building,
Springfield, Illinois

Postmarked US Pension Office Sep 24 1908
Page 88

Edgar S Scott, President
J.O. Humphrey, Vice President
B. R. Hieronymus, Treasurer
Geo B. Stadden,  V.P. & Supt Agts
L. M. Cathles, FFA, Actuary
Dr H. B Buck, Medical Director
Dr. O.F. Maxon, Asst. Med Director
Henry Abels, Secretary
Will Taylor, Asst. Secy
Edgar S. Barnes, Asst. Treas.

HOME OFFICE
THE FRANKLIN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY,
Springfield, Illinois

August 5, 1908
Department of the Interior,
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:-
I am desirous of obtaining information regarding a couple of my ancestors, serving in the American Revolution, by the name of Van Horne.
My records show that Abram Van Horen was born at White House, N.J. in 1740, married Gertrude Wycoff in 1761, and was a Commissary in Washington's Army.  One paper says he resigned as Commissary in 1783 and his son, Abram Van Horne was appointed in his place. 
This latter Abram Van Horne was born December 31, 1763, married October 13, 1785 to Annie Covenhoven of Summerset County, N.J. and died in 1840.  He was a minister of the Dutch Reformed Church, preaching for 38 years at Fonda, Montgomery County, New York.
Kindly give me the benefit of any information your records may contain regarding these two men or advise me where I may learn of their service.
Thanking you for your courtesy in this matter, I am
Respectfully,
(Miss) Helen L. Allen
Room 35, Franklin Building,
Springfield, Illinois.  

Postmarked US Pension Office August 7, 1908
Page 89

In the matter &c.
of 
Abm Van Horne
deceased
Claim Pending
Letter of G. F. Yates Sol.
with proofs accompany
Sept 30 ,1847 ??
Page 90

Albany N.Y. Oct 1st, 1847
Sir,
In the matter of the application of Abraham Van Horne deceased for a pension on account of his services as a Forage Master, I acknowledge the weight of your communication of the 26th of August last.
Although it is doubtful a matter of little consequence to notice the subject at all, I will however take occasion to say that I am not the agent who asserted that he had "evidence that Van Horne was an Assistant Commissary at 15 years of age."
In reply to the several points mooted in that communication and to the objections stated therein, I would respectfully observe,
1st  That if the claim of Van Horne "as Forage Master was urged in his lifetime with great zeal, and rejected by your office with the approval of the Department", such urging must have been "with zeal without knowledge" and if rejected, as I know it was, such rejection was proper, because not a particle of evidence was adduced to prove the claim. 
2nd.  If it has been stated that he served "under his father who belonged to the state organization" &c, by Mr. Sammons or any other person, such statement was made in ignorance of the facts of the case, and not in accordance with those facts.
3rd  Mr. Van Horne swore that he was born on the 31st December 1763 and the record evidences
Page 91

of the time of his birth, is not on file with the papers in the matter of the application of his widow, Anne Van Horne for a pension on the same sheet which gives the date of her marriage.  His allegation as to the time of his commencing service is given in his declaration in the following terms "When he arrived at the age of 16 to wit in the commencement of the year 1780, he was enrolled in the company of militia commanded by Capt. Richard Stillwell" &c. "Previous to his enrollment in said company he received the appointment of Assistant Commissary General under Moore Forman Commissary General, and served as an assistant to the close of the war."  The 16th anniversary of Van Horne's birthday therefore, as stated by the Rev. Mr. Van Olinda in his affidavit sent herewith (see doc't marked No. 2.) took place on the 31st day of December 1779.  In all the year 1779 accordingly, he was in his 16th year and during that year or just previous to the commencement of the year 1780, he received the appointment to assistant to Moore Forman, meaning his appointment of Forage Master.  The allegation then is that in his 16th year, to wit in the year 1779 he commenced such service.  His statement is not so definite as to day & month as I would have caused him to make it when I drew his declaration had I deemed it of consequence with my views of the matter then erroneously entertained.  He says generally, that the commencement of his service under Forman was "previous to the commencement of the year 1780" and continued over two years.   The document
Page 92

showing service of Van Horne as Forage Master, previously sent is dated Febry 1780, when Van Horne was in his 17th year,
4th.  Van Horned was a student in Queens Collect at Jersey in 1779.  The college was then closed and the services of many of the students, his own among the rest, were demanded by his country, and his father's influence no doubt procured him the appointment of Forage Master, and this was all his father had to do with his employment.  The exigency of the times rendered the employment of young men as well as old men (exempts) necessary in some dept of the army - a state of things having no parallel at the present day, but which was unavoidable then. (Note the affidavit of the Rev. James Murphy D.D. paper No 3, also the affidavit of the Rev. Mr. Van Olinda aforesaid No 2.)  After the war, Mr. Van Horned resumed his collegiate studies, and if I remember right what he once told me, he graduated in the same class with Col. Van Cortland and others within two or three years after the war.  
5th.  You have now two documents fortifying the allegation of this service in 1779 & 1780.  The one now sent accompanies the affidavits of the Rev. Mr. Van Olinda & of the Rev. Mr. Spinner (No. 4.)
6th  As to traditionary testimony & proof of identity, you have that 1st of the Hon Mr. Cady, 2nd Hon. John I. DeGraff 3rd Judge Graff's; 4th my own, 5th Rev. Mr. Van Olinda's & 6th Rev. Dr. Murphy's  
7th & most material.  To show that the organization under
Page 93

which Van Horne served was not a state or civil organization, and that the decision of Mr. Secretary Butler does not touch the gest of this case, I adduce Documents No. 5 and 6 from the Hon., the Secretary of State of New Jersey, which I think will be deemed conclusive. 
I am very respectfully,
Your Obt. Servt
G. F. Yates

To. Col. J.L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Page 94

G. F. Yates
Nov 3, 47
Page 95

Pension Office
Novem 3rd, 1847

Sir,
The papers lately received from you in the case of Abraham Van Horn furnishes no additional evidence of his appointment of his services as a Forage Master, and of course all the objections heretofore urged against an augmentation of his stipend remain in full force.  If heaven was now afire and Van Horne should comply in all respects with regulations, as regards his appointment, service and compensation, this office could not now entertain the question in opposition to the decision of the Secretary of War.  In January 1838 Mr. Butler, Acting Secretary of War, upon an appeal in this case said "It is impossible to allow Mr. Van Horne's claim "as an officer being a minor till 1784"
It would appear therefore to be altogether useless to attempt to prosecute thy claim for an increase further.  

Giles F. Yates, Esq.
Albany N.Y.
Page 96

Hon. John Sanford
Feb 25, 1843
Page 97

485
Pen Off
Feby 25 , 43

Sir,
In the case of Anna Van Horne, dec'd, the fact of her dying before the joint resolution of 16 Aug last was passed, was overlooked when my letter to you 7-7 inst was drafted.  As she had no claim under existing laws in her lifetime, there is nothing due to her children and the said joint resolution embraces the claims of those ones who were alive at the passage.  

Hon. John Sanford
 H. R.
Page 98

Brief in the case of Abraham Van Horne dec'd
County and State of N. York
Act 7 June 1832
Claim, ("original," or "for increase,")

Proof exhibited
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls?  If either, state the substance.
This claim has been allowed at the rate of $480 per annum for 2 years service as Forage master.  On application of the Adm. I increase it to $600 under Secy Ewings decision.  
(If for increase,)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim?  If so, what?

Name and residence of Agent
S. Godwin, Present
Kirby
Examining Clerk
Page 99

Increase 30974.  A.
New York
Abraham Van Horne, dec'd of Montogomery in the State of New York who was a Forage Master in the Commissary commanded by Captain       of the        commanded by              in the line for

Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of $480 Dollars 00 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831 & end 5 January 1840, when he died
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 day of March  1850 and sent to Hon. H Putnam, H.R.
Arrears to the 4th of     
Semi-annual allowance ending
Increased from $40.00
Payable to Abraham A. Van Horne Adm for surviving child
see back of this file
{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832 }
Recorded by J.P. Chase, Clerk
Book E2 Vol. 4 Page 79
Reported
Surviving Children
Anna Van Horne
Abraham A. Van Horne
Maria Gross
Eleanor Vedder
Cornelius Van Horne
Matthew Van Horne
Gertrude Putnam
Caty Yates
Page 100

Fonda, Dec 26, 1842
To J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions
Sir
My friend Giles F Yates of Schenectady made application a short time since for an allowance of the pension of my mother, Anna Van Horn Widow of Abraham Van Horn under the act of 7th July 1838.  He informs me, that in consequence of my mother's decease, it will be necessary for me to show that I am authorized to act as Administrator of her estate, and also to produce a certificate from the Surrogate's Court as to the time of her decease &c.  I accordingly furnish such certificate (enclosed) and have to request that the warrant to be issued in the case should you see fit to allow it may be forwarded to me or my brother in-law Abraham A. Van Horne Esq. Fonda Montgomery Co. N.Y.
I am very respectfully
Your obt. servt
John Gross
Page 101

To Publick Service
Moore Furman Esq
at Trenton
Page 102

Mr. Furman
This is to acquaint you that I have rec'd in a quantity of hay & grain for the supply of this past.  I beg the favour that you will send me ten or twelve thousand dollars if you can or acquaint me where I can have it.  Please to help me to the money as soon as you can.  Whereas they apply for the money you will oblige me very much.  Please to let me know where I shall make my monthly return.
I remain your friend
Abraham Van Horn
To White House
Decem 29th 1779
Page 103

Abraham Van Horne 
Dec 29th 1779
NB 18th Jany 1780
Page 104

State of New York
County of Montgomery }
I Donw Van O Linda of the town of Mohawk in said county Pastor of the Reformed Dutch Church of Caughnawaga in said town do hereby certify and attest that when on a previous occasion I testified to the traditionary record of the services of the late Rev. Abraham Van Horne in the war of the Revolution as a Forage Master, the document hereunto annexed was not exhibited to me.  I have now examined the same carefully and it confirmed me in my opinion heretofore expressed that said Abraham Van Horne did serve as said Forage Master, and that he commenced such services in early life when only sixteen years of age as I also understand and believe to be the fact. This fact is born out by the date of the annexed documents the 29th Dec. 1779 while the sixteenth anniversary of his birthday took place on the 31st December 1779 as appears from the record in the family Bible.
I was associated with the Rev. Abraham Van Horne in the same ecclesiastical judicature for several years previous to his death and have frequently seen him write on various occasions and have in my custody the records of the church for forty years in his own handwriting.  The annexed letter exhibits the peculiar character of hand, especially in his signature, that his handwriting has always manifested and especially of his writing in the earlier part of his ministry.  I recollect of hearing him say that he left Queens College some time before he graduated to engage in the defense of his country.  I am satisfied that the letter annexed is in the handwriting of the aforesaid Abraham Van Horne. 
Donw Van O Linda
Page 105

On this first day of September 1847 personally appeared before me the undersigned, the Rev. Donw Van Olinda the deponent within named and he made oath, that the facts set forth in this within written deposition by him written * signed are true and correct.  And I certify that I am well acquainted with said deponent & that his statements are entitled to full credit.  
Jacob Graff, Justice of the Peace
State of New York
Montgomery County Clerk's Office }ss.
I, Chester S. Brumley, Clerk of said County, do hereby certify that Jacob Graff Esq whose name is subscribed to the annexed jurat to affidavit was at the time the said bears date, a Justice of the Peace of said county; and further that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of such Justice and verily believe that the signature to the said Jurat to affidavit is genuine:
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said county, ninth day of September 1847.  
C.S. Brumley Clerk.
Page 106

No. 1  Collateral as to handwriting

Letter from Abm A. Van Horne

Henry V. Fonda's
Death
23 April 1799

Mother died 2 Feb 1804
Page 107

Caughnawaga April 23rd, 1799

Dear Sir, By the request of Mrs. Fonda, I send you this, in which you will find, that Mr. Henry V. Fonda departed this life about four o'clock this afternoon.  She desires you to make immediate conveyance of this to her son David Fonda in Albany.  You will readily conclude that this briefing requires all the expedition possible.  I am your friend & humble servant,
Abm. Van Horne


Mr. John Yates

N.B.  To Mr. Dow Fonda will make the proper arrangements respecting his funeral and will no doubt inform you expecting the same
Page 108

Washington
Dec. 1, 1848
Sir
In the case of Abraham Van Horne deceased late of New York whose claim as Forage Master was disallowed, under your letter of Aug 26, 47 directed to G. F. Yates Esq who has p[laced the claim in my hands and being now up for consideration beg to present my views thereon.
I have read with attention your reasons for rejecting the claim, and however right it may then have been, may not hold good now.  
As to his being too young at the time he held the appointment of Forage Master to perform the service is not a question that I now presume to argue.  The person who conferred the appointment in 1779 was as must be presumed, competent to decide the question and whether he was sixteen or one hundred and sixteen is wholly immaterial.  My purpose is to show he had an appointment and performed the duty as Forage Master.
The old questions of "State Organization" "Civil Service" "Law Martial" "not subject to military obligations" &c. which has so disturbed the adjustment of certain claims for New Jersey service for some time past has been of late fully satisfactorily and favorably established in the mind of the department. 
First is the evidence adducted in the case of Ester Leonard.  Second, is the case of Mary Yard of New Jersey.   Third is the case of Elizabeth Finley of New Jersey. 
Now, these cases were rejected on the grounds taken in the case of Ab. Van Horne.  But when the department became satisfied by evidence that the staff officers under Moore Furman Dep. Qr. M. Genl were entitled to pensions, the heretofore unsettled question was conceded and the three cases named above were allowed.
Page 109

I herewith present a similar paper in the case now pending, being a rec't signed by Abraham Van Horne F. M. dated at Pitts Town, August 13, 1779 where Moore Furman D.Q.M.Gen. has his military [illegible] in 1779, 80 & 81.
the evidence being of a character so authentic that it was deemed the more satisfactory in the three cases just referred to. And I might add too, in the case of Mrs. [illegible] Stits of Connecticut, and the case of Mrs. Ebzr Weigell of Penn. whose husbands were assistant commissaries of issues.  
In the case of Abraham Van Horne, now under consideration, I submit his [illegible] additional evidence and claim an allowance of his pension at the rate of $480 per annum according to the time of service on file and now submitted.  
I remain with dear respect
Your obt. serv.
Alex Ray

J. L. Edwards Esq.
Comm of Pensions
Page 110

The deposition of George Voorhees of the town of Mohawk in the County of Montgomery in the State of New York, aged seventy three years, who testifies and says, that during the war of the revolution, he this deponent resided in the township of Bedminster in the County of Somerset in the State of New Jersey, and continued to reside there until about the year 1789, or until about six years after the conclusion of said war.  During said war, for more than three years thereof, this deponent was privy to & knew that fact that Abraham Van Horne, who was then a resident of the town of Readington in the County of Hunterdon in said State of New Jersey (which said town of Readington was immediately adjoining said township of Bedminster) had charge of the forage department, the headquarters of which department were at Reading aforesaid.  That he, this deponent, was year after year until the conclusion of said ware, several times every week informed, and believed the fact so to be, and on many occasions himself say that the wagons under the charge of said Van Horne passed and repassed through said township of Bedminster, from said town of Readington or Readingtown to Morristown, Pluckamin, or Bondbrook & other posts and places where General Washington's army was stationed, & this deponent remembers often to have heard it said "there goes Van Horne's Brigade" meaning the wagons under his charge, or which he had the superintendence and direction of - a brigade being understood to consist of twenty-four four horse wagons in the service of the United States of America.
Page 111

he, this deponent has resided in said town of Mohawk (formerly town of Johnstown) in said County of Montgomery for a period exceeding forty-seven years.  That said Van Horne now the Reverend Abraham Van Horne came to reside in said town (formerly called Caughnawaga) more than forty years ago.  During said forty years, this deponent said Van Horne often conversed together relative to said service of said Van Horne, and this deponent testifies & says that said Abraham Van Horne now a resident of said town of Mohawk (formerly Caughnawaga) and a pensioner of the United States under the act of 7th June 1832, is the identical individual who served during said war as Forage Master as aforesaid. 
George Voorhees

On this third day of June 1837, personally appeared before me the undersigned, the before named George Voorhees, who signed the foregoing deposition in my presence & made oath that the facts set forth therein are true & correct recording to the best of the knowledge recollection & believe of him, the said deponent; that I am well acquainted with said George Voorhees, & that he is a credible witness.  Note that the word "wagons" in the foregoing affidavit was erased before execution.
Jacob Graff, Justice of the Peace
Page 112

State of New York
Montgomery County
Clerks office  ss.
I, George D. Ferguson, Clerk of the County of Montgomery do hereby certify that Jacob Graff, before whom the annexed affidavit of George Voorhees purports to have been sworn, and on the date of the same, a Justice of the Peace in & for said county.  And that I am well acquainted with his handwriting & verily believe that his name subscribed to said affidavit & the annexed certificate of character of said deponent is the proper handwriting of said Justice.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of my office this 21st day of June 1837.
Geo. D. Ferguson
Page 113

To B. F. Butler, Acting Secretary at War
Sir,
The Rev. Abraham Van Horne of Caughnawaga has made application for a pension and states to me, that Mr. Abraham Aumack of this town (Glen) has made an affidavit detailing his knowledge of Mr. Van Horne's services which has been construed by the war department as evidence of his only having been a Clerk in the commissary department. Now Mr. Aumack informs me that he supposed the Mr. Van Horne was a quarter master or had some office either in that or the commissary business, he Aumack not knowing any distinction in the offices at that time.  If necessary to amend his affidavit in regards to that matter he will do it.  I have long and from by much early remembrance known Aumack.  His character for truth and honesty has always been of the very best kind.  
As for the Rev. Abm Van Horne, I can say that no man in our vicinity can number a greater [illegible] of friend.   And the prevailing opinion is that he is justly entitled to the bounty of the government.  
I am most truly yours &c.
Elijah Wilcox

Fultonville
Page 114

In the matter &c of
Abraham Van Horne
desceased
Aff't of Rev. D. Van Olinda
No. 4
Page 115

I, Donw Van O'Linda of the Town of Mohawk and County of Montgomery and State of New York do I hereby certify that I was familiarly acquainted with the Reverend Abraham Van Horne, late Pastor of the Ref. Dutch Church of Caughnawaga of which I am now the Pastor or minister.  That for a period of eight years from 1825 I frequently stayed at his house and associated with him on many occasions.  That I frequently conversed with him on many topics and especially his previous services and occurrences during the period of the war of the revolution.  That I have repeatedly heard him state circumstances respecting his services in the war, especially respecting many scenes connected with his obtaining forage for the army.  The difficulties to be encountered in procuring the necessary supplies and the various expediencies they had to resort to, to obtain the supplies needed by the army.  How long he served in the Army, I cannot recollect that I have heard him say, but I inferred from his conversation it was to the close of the war or for a number of years.  I also recollect to have heard him speak of holding a commission in the army and seemed to a sense of pride in the fact that he had assisted in obtaining the freedom of his country.
Donw. Van O'Linda
Pastor of the Reformed Dutch Church of Caughnawaga, Montgomery Co. State of New York.

I certify that on the 25th day of February, 1847 personally appeared before me the undersigned the Rev. Donw. Van O'Linda who has signed the above certificate and he made oath that the facts set forth in said certificate by him signed are true according to the best of his knowledge & belief.  That I am well acquainted with said Donw. Van O'Linda & know him to be the minister of the Reformed Dutch Church of Caughnawaga as stated in said certificate, and the professions of the aforesaid Rev. Abraham Van Horne and the statements made by him are entitled to the fullest credit.  
Jacob Graff,  Justice of the Peace
Page 116

State of New York
Montgomery County Clerk's Office }ss.
I, Chester S. Brumley, Clerk of said County, do hereby certify that Jacob Graff Esquire, whose name is subscribed to the annexed Jurat of Certificate was at the time the same bear date a Justice of the Peace of said county; and further that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of such Justice and verily believe that the signature to the said Jurat of Certificate is genuine:
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said county, the 25th day of February, 1847.
C. S. Brumley, Clerk
Page 117

Surrogate
Page 118

The People of State of New York by the grace of God free and independent. To all to whom these presents shall come or may concern.  
I [illegible]  that at a surrogate court held in and for the county of Montgomery in said state at the Town of Fonda at the 20th day of December, 42 he made satisfactory evidence and adduced to prove that Anna Van Horne, widow of the deceased Abraham Van Horne who was a pensioner of the United States, departed this life on the fourteenth day of September, one thousand eight hundred & forty, she having been his widow since the day of his death to wit the fifth day of January 1840.  That she left her surviving, the following named children who are all of full age to wit.  
Abraham A. Van Horne who resides in Fonda aforesaid
Maria Gross wife of John Gross who resides in Fulton County
Cornelius Van Horne in the state of Illinois
Matthew Van Horne of the state of Illinois
Gertrude Putman & Catherine Yates of said state of Illinois.  
Anna Van Horne of Fonda, there deceased
Eleanor Vedder of {illegible} county in the State of New York.
William H. Van Horne of Fulton County aforesaid
All aforesaid is hereby certified, and it is further certified that John Gross, the husband of the said Maria Gross has been appointed and is now said Administrator of the estate of said Anna Van Horne deceased the widow of said Abraham Van Horne.  In testimony whereof, I have annexed we have caused the seal of office of the foresaid surrogate to be hereunto affixed.  Witness Richard H. Cushney, Surrogate of said county at Fonda aforesaid the day and year first above written.

Richard H. Cushney, Surrogate
Page 119

In the matter &c. of 
Abm Van Horne
deceased
Aff't of Judge Jacob Graff
No. 3:
Page 120

Town of Mohawk, Village of Fonda, Montgomery County N.Y.
Febr 22nd, 1847
I do hereby certify that I was born & brought up in this town & have always resided therein up to the present time, and I am now in the fifty seventh year of my life.  As long as I can recollect, I well remember having had sundry & repeated conversations with the late Rev. Abraham Van Horne relative to his services in the war of the revolution.  Said Van Horne was a pensioner of the United States as I understand under the act of 1832 since which date until the day of his death he enjoyed a pension of $40 per annum.  He was the settled clergyman of the Reformed Dutch Church in this town for a period exceeding forty years.  He came from the State of New Jersey in which state he alleged that he rendered his services in the revolution.  He frequently stated to me and long before any pension laws had been enacted, that besides serving in occasional towns in the militia during invasions of the enemy, he served as he expressed it for several years in the Commissary Department.  What particular rank or office he held I cannot distinctly recollect to have heard him declare but he stated the character of his services which was to procure & supply the American troops with forage for their horses.  I never charged my mind distinctly with the details of his duty in this department but I remember among many other anecdotes for similar character hearing him say that his duties were laborious & unintermittingly  obli-
Page 121

-ging him to be often up at night.  On one occasion when the grand army under General Washington was about to cross the Delaware, he had to put in requisition a large number of teams to carry forage and provisions to said army.  
Jacob Graff

On this twenty-fifth day of February 1847 personally appeared before me the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, Jacob Graff Esq.  above named, to me well known & he made oath that the facts set forth in the foregoing certificate or statement. by him signed, are true & correct. And I certify that said Jacob Graff is esteemed in the community in which he lives as a gentleman of truth & veracity; that he has for many years held the office of Judge of the County Courts in & for said county and that his statements are entitled to the fullest credit.
John Hand, Justice of the Peace of the County of Montgomery
Page 122

State of New York
Montgomery County Clerk's Office }ss.
I, Chester S. Brumley, Clerk of said County, do hereby certify that John Hand Esquire, whose name is subscribed to the annexed Jurat of Certificate was at the time the same bears date a Justice of the Peace of said county; and further that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of such Justice and verily believe that the signature to the said Jurat of Certificate is genuine:
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said county, the 25th day of February, 1847.
C. S. Brumley, Clerk
Page 123

Hon. J. Sanford
H.R.
Page 124

Fonda, February 18th, 1843
Hon. John Sanford,
House of Representation
Sir, I received the letter through your hands from the Hon. John L. Edwards, Commissioner of Pensions, stating what proof was to procure my mother, Anne Van Horne's pension. Tho I have procured the necessary proof according to her statement, I did suppose that when my mother received the back pay of my father, she had produced the necessary evidence of her marriage.  I have taken the family register from my father's Bible & [illegible] to you with the necessary affidavit thereto annexed.  
Will you be pleased to forward the same to the pension offices as soon as possible & have my certificate paid out & forwarded on to me.  

Yours very respectfully
Abm. A. Van Horne
N.B. We had our town meeting last Tuesday. The County [illegible] Dep. Demaratus & [illegible].  
  If you will attend to have the papers forwarded, [illegible] well confer a pension.
Your Friend,
A. A. V. H.
Page 125

State of New York
City of Schenectady } ss.
I, John I DeGraff of said city, do certify and declare, that I was familiarly acquainted with the Rev. Abraham Van Horne the settled clergyman of the Reformed Dutch Church of Caughnawaga N.Y.  That said Van Horne hailed from the state of New Jersey where he was born & reared & lived during the period of the revolution.  The said Van Horne made occasional visits to my father, Isaac DeGraff, who was a Commissary of Issues during the revolutionary war.  During those visits the conversation between my father and said Van Horne sometimes turned to revolutionary matters & they recounted to each other their services in the revolution.  I well recollect hearing said Van Horne say that he served in a similar capacity with my father, but was particularly connected with the Forage Department, and that he did serve as a Forage Master & made regular returns of his doings as such of the hay, oats & other forage he furnished the troops belonging to the regular army, but I did not  charge my mind with the full particulars of his service as to the length thereof, but I well recollect that he insisted upon saying or representing he served as such Forage Master for more than two years, and that he was entitled to a full pension as such Forage Master.  
John I. DeGraff

I hereby certify that on this 14th day of May, 1847 personally appeared before me the undersigned, the Hon. John I. DeGraff who has signed the foregoing affidavit and he made oath that the facts set forth therein are true according to the
Page 126

best of his knowledge and belief and I further certify that I am well acquainted with said John I. DeGraff & that his statements are entitled to the fullest credit. 
S. W. Jones, First Judge of Schenectady County

In the matter of Abm Van Horne, deceased
Aff't of John I DeGraff
No. 5

State of New York
County of Schenectady }ss.
Clerks office
I, Silas H. Marsh, Clerk of the County of Schenectady, do hereby certify, that Samuel W. Jones Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavit was subscribed and sworn, was, at the time of taking the same, a First Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified as such; and that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of the said Samuel W. Jones and verily believe that the signature to said Affidavit and Certificate is genuine.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said County, this fourteenth day of May 1847.
S. H. March Clerk
Page 127

of 
Abraham Van Horne
deceased - appr for increase of pension under act of 7 June '32
Letter of G. F. Yates 
solicitor in the case
Aug 7, 1848

To Col. J. L. Edwards
Comm of Pensions
Page 128

Albany Aug 7th 1848
Sir:
In the matter of the application of Abm Van Horne deceased for an increase of his pension under the act of 7th June 1832 an objection was made that Moore Furman, under whom Van Horne, as I proved by Documentary evidence, served as a Forage Master, acted under state authority & that consequently his service was civil not military. 
I now reassert this claim for the reason that the widow of Nathaniel Leonard, who was also a Forage (& Wagon) Master under the said Moore Furman, & against whose claim under the act of 4th July 1836, the same objection was heretofore made, has had her claim allowed recently, on the grounds that Moore Furman's service is embraced by the law of granting pensions.  Indeed, in the case of Van Horne I showed that Moore Furnam's service for the time claimed (till Nov. 1780) was served
in the continental establishment by the certificate of the Secretary of State of New Jersey & other proofs; & moreover there were no officers of the rank of "Forage Master" appointed by the state authorities of New Jersey.
I respectfully request a re-examination of this claim.  
Giles F. Yates, Solicitor

To Col J. L. Edwards
Comm. of Pensions
Page 129

State of New Jersey
I, Charles G. McChesney, Secretary of State of the State of New Jersey do hereby certify that I have carefully examined the records of the appointments made by the Joint Meeting and Legislature of New Jersey during the war of the revolution and do not find therein the name of Abraham Van Horne as Forage Master or in any other capacity*; but that the said records do contain the names of the State Superintendent of purchases, County Contractors for Supplies, State Clothier and other civil appointments.  And I further certify that the appointment of Assistant Quarter Master and Forage Masters belonged to the Quarter Master General Department of the United States and not to the State of New Jersey.  
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office at Trenton this eighteenth day of September A.D. one thousand eight hundred and forty-seven.
Charles G. McChesney
Secy of State

*unless his name may have been returned on certificates issued by the 2nd Master General's Department, and received in payment for land in this state.
Charles G. McChesney
Secy of State
Page 130

Feb 24, 1843
N.Y.
Abm Van Horne

Hon. J. Sanford
H.R.

Hon J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Page 131

House of Rep   Feb 23rd 1843
Sir
Enclosed I forward by request Mr. Abm. Van Horne some additional evidence in the case of Anne Van Horne.
Respectfully
your obt sevt
John Sanford
Page 132

Caughnawaga  December 29, 1836
Dear Sir, I received the letter you sent me, by which it appears that Col. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions refuses to allow my claim.  All the evidence I was able to obtain are before the commissioner of pensions, which I believe proves that I was by this evidence recognized as acting deputy Commissary or Forage master.  If you think proper to appeal to the Secretary of War is fitting on it, that the services were done by said Van Horne as Deputy Commissary, if the Secretary will not allow it, then in my name I authorize you and the Rev. John F. Schermerhorn to put in a petition in Congress in my name, to get official law for me as they may think proper in equity and justice for my service.  
Abm. Van Horne

Hon. M. J. Bovee

PS.  I saw Genl Wilcox yesterday.  He told me he would write the Hon Mr. Crambeling, member of Congress, a friend of him, upon the subject of my application for a pension.  Will you be so good as to call upon him and consult upon the subject or please to use every effort in your bower to have my business brought to a close.  A. V. Horne

I shall write you again in a few days.  Mr. Crambeling is an old member and has great influence in the House of Congress.

Please write me and inform me whether Mr. Schermerhorn is at Washington, and whether he has received the letter I sent him.
Page 133

State of New York
Montgomery County ss.

George Young of Charleston in said County, being duly sworn, says that he was personally acquainted with the Rev. Abraham Van Horne in the years 1776 & 1777 in the county of Hunterdon & State of New Jersey.  That he & this deponent both resided there.  That in the latter year this deponent was nearly constantly employed as a Teamster to the United States.  That the said Abraham, during that time was acting as a public Commissary or Forage Master in giving out provender for the teams & in furnishing them with requisitions for & on behalf of the United States upon the orders and directions of the United States Officers. 
And this deponent further saith that the said Abraham in the Revolutionary War, but the time this deponent cannot state, but recollects it was a few days before Springfield battles in that State, hired my father George Young as a substitute in the militia for one month & paid him for it & that during that month that battle took place & my father as such substitute was in that battle.  That his officers, I now cannot state except Colonel John Taylor commanding the Regiment.   
X His mark
George Young

Subscribed & sworn to this 30 day of November in the year 1836.  The words 'of forage master' interlined in it before me and the said George Young made his mark to said deposition & I wrote his name by his request, the said Young being unable to write his name.
Abraham Morrell, First Judge of Montgomery County Courts.

State of New York
Montgomery County ss.
I certify that the abovenamed George Young appeared before me, Abraham Morrell, First Judge of Montgomery County Courts at Johnstown in said
Page 134

county on the thirteenth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty six and subscribed and sworn oath that the above affidavit and the matters and things therein stated are true, that at his request I signed his name thereto since he is unable to write his name; and I further certify that I am personally acquainted with the said George Young and have been acquainted with him for several years last past, that he is known of good and moral character and is a person of truth & veracity and integrity, is a credible person and that his statement above as the aforesaid is creditable to full account and that I believe said statement or affidavit is true. 
Abm Morrell
First Judge of Montgomery County Courts
Page 135

Names.  Abraham Van Horne dec'd
Rank.  Forage Master
Act.  & June 1832
Annual Amount.  $600.
Commencement of Pensions.  4 March 1831
Continuation of Pensions.  To 5 January 1840

Deduct from payment at $480 per annum
Amount due payable to Abraham A. Vane Horne, Admin for the benefit of Anna Van Horne, Abraham A. Van Horne, Maria Gross, Eleanor Vedder, Cornelius Van Horn, Matthew Van Horne, Gertrude Putman, & Caty Yates, only surviving children of Abraham Van Horne dec'd.
Entd in ledger D. Act of June 1832 Page 139


Pension Office  Mar 4 1852
NB Be pleased to inscribe on your roll under the act below mentioned the following names and pay the pensions as directed opposite the names.
Respectfully,
J. C Heath
Commissioner of Pensions
 To:  T.W. Olcott, Esq
Albany
Page 136

In the matter &c
Abm Van Horne Dec'd
aff't of G. F. Yates
No. 1.
Page 137

State of New York
County of Schenectady} ss.
I, Giles F. Yates do hereby declare & testify that in the year 1832, shortly after the passing of the law of Congress granting pensions for revolutionary services passed 7th June, 1832, I was applied to by the Rev. Abm Van Horne, Pastor of the Reformed Dutch Church of Caughnawaga to prepare these papers, I presume are the same that are now on file in the Pension Office.  After having prepared said papers & probably forwarding them to Washington, my agency in the matter ceased, and the Hon. Mr. Sammons, M.C. eventually obtained the pension on the decision, or rather by the favor of the Hon. Lewis Cass, then Secretary of War.  (I mean that Gov. Cass was Secretary of War when the claim was allowed.)  At the time I prepared these papers I was not well versed in the laws & requisitions of the War Department having reference to pension claims, and I remember that I was then under the impression that for  any service in the Civil Department of the army, no claim could be asserted, or rather I had my doubts whether it could be.  Therefore in preparing Mr. Van Horne's papers, my efforts were directed to elicit from the applicant & set forth in his declaration, all the service he had rendered in the field & garrison under arms.  I could not obtain a sufficient specification of his services thus rendered, to make out the smallest period of service for which pensions are granted under said ref.  His service I imagine was such only as "exempts" were required to perform on those sudden emergencies which so frequently occurred in certain portions of our Country during the war of the Revolution.
Page 138

By [illegible] of perseverance, Mr. Sammons obtained by way of compromise from Gov. Cass an allowance of $40 per annum for Mr. Van Horne.
In justice to the claimant, I am bound to declare that he represented to me, at the time that I drew his papers, that the service he rendered was during the whole of the war & for which he claimed or thought he ought to have a pension, was as an officer in the department under the charge of Moore Furman of New Jersey who was I believe a Commissary General.  This he continually insisted upon, while I, laboring under the impression aforesaid, did not make such account of as I should have done in justice to the claimant.  The following is an extract from a copy of his declaration which I have preserved.
"In the commencement of the year 1780 he was enrolled in the company of militia commanded by Capt Richd Stillwell in the regiment whereof John Taylor was Colonel.  His then company and field officers whom he recollects were Major Godfry Rhinehart, Thomas Stout & ___Frazier.  General Dickerson had the command of the Brigade to which said regiment was attached.  Previous to his enrollment in said company of militia, he had received the appointment of assistant Commissary General under Moore Furman, Commissary General & he served as such assistant to the close of the war; to wit for more than three years.  But notwithstanding the duties devoted upon him as such assistant Commissary, he did not forego those of a militia man in the garrison and in the field."
I did wrong in calling him an assistant Commissary General.  My mistake was from his saying that he received a commission as an assistant to Moore Furman, or that he held a station under him in which he assisted him in the discharge of his duties.  And I distinctly recollect that when I asked him what those particular duties were which he performed, He replied that he dealt out
Page 139

hay, oats & other forage to the American troops.  Had I been better informed in matters of that kind at that time, I would have called him a Forage Master, or a Commissary of Forage.  He further stated to me that he had a regular commission & wore a uniform of blue cloth with red fringes.  
G. F. Yates

On this fourteenth day of May 1847 personally appeared before me the undersigned, Giles F. Yates the abovenamed deponent, to me well known and he made oath that by him signed are true and correct.  And I further certify that the said Giles F. Yates is a person of credibility and his statements entitled to believe. 
S. W. Jones, First Judge of Schenectady County.

State of New York
County of Schenectady
Clerks Office }ss.
I, Silas H Marsh, Clerk of the County of Schenectady, do hereby certify that Samuel W. Jones, Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavit was subscribed and sworn, was at the time of taking the same, First Judge of the County of Common Pleas in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified as such; and that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Samuel W. Jones and verily believe that the signature to said Affidavit and Certificate is genuine.  
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said County this fourteenth day of May, 1847
S. H. Marsh, Clerk
Page 140

in the matter &c. of
Rev. Abm Van Horne
Aff't of Rev Jas Murphy D.D.
sept 6, 1847
No. 3
Page 141

State of New York
County of Herkimer }ss.
I, James Murphy of the village of Herkimer in said County, aged fifty years & upwards, being duly sworn say that I am the Pastor of the Reformed Dutch Church of Rochester in the County of Ulster in said state from 1814 to 1825 or for eleven years. That while such Pastor of the Rochester Church I had occasion constantly to examine the records and documents of said church.  That such records & documents were kept from the year 1790 to 1795 of for five years by the Reverend Abraham Van Horne who was the Pastor of said church of Rochester for the five years aforesaid & the said Abraham Van Horne transferred his labor from said Church of Rochester to the Reformed Dutch Church of Caughnawaga in which church last named he continue to officiate till near the day of this death.  That in consequence of so frequently examining said records and documents, I became familiarly acquainted with the handwriting of said Abraham Van Horne as it appears during the said five years from 1790 to 1795.  I became acquainted personally with said Abraham Van Horne about the year 1814 & since that time often visited him at his home in Caughnawaga aforesaid and many letter passed between us.  By reason of which correspondence, I became more familiarly acquainted with the sign manual & handwriting of said Abraham Van Horne.  The letter annexed to the affidavit of the Rev. Donw Van O'Linda dated 29th Dec 1779 has just been exhibited to me, and without or before I saw the signature, I pronounced it at once to be the handwriting of said Van Horne.  Although it has the appearance of having been written by a youth, it bears strongly & indisputably the peculiar character of the handwriting of said Van Horne, in his more adult years, particularly as regards his sign manual or signature, and I unhesitatingly give it as my opinion that the said letter was written by the said Abraham Van Horne.
I further testify and say that I was on intimate terms with the said Rev. Abraham Van Horne and he often conversed with me respecting the incidents of his early life & during the period of the war of the Revolution.  He informed me among other things many years ago and without reference to any pension or compensation for his services, that he was during the said period a member of Queen's College in New Jersey.  That owing to the British troops being in the neighborhood of the college, its operations were suspended & not resumed till after the war of the Revolution.  That said Van Horne returned to said college after the said war, and was in one of the first class that graduated
Page 142

in said college.  That when he left college, the services of young men of education being in requisition, he was through his father's influence, appointed to an office in the Commissary General Department, but the particulars of his services, I cannot specify.  I never charged my mind with the particulars of his said services if he ever related them to me.  I remember one incident that he on one occasion had to get up very early in the morning to attend to the procuration of provisions for the Grand army and further I cannot say.   
Jas Murphey
On this sixth day of September 1847 personally appeared before me the undersigned the Rev. Dr. James Murphy to me well known and he made oath by assertion that the facts set forth by him in the foregoing deposition by him signed, are true & correct and I certify that said Rev. Dr. James Murphy is the pastor the Reformed Dutch Church in the said village of Herkimer as he states & that his statement are entitled to full credit.  
Chas Gray
Justice [illegible] Court
Page 143

B546
Hon. J. L. Edwards
War Department, Pension Office
Washington City
Page 144

Caughnawaga  Feby 22d 1834
Dear Sir, In May last I sent you an application for a pension.  The answer was that it was inadmissible and therefore rejected but that it was filed in your offices.  I am not acquainted with your business nor the manner in which it is done.  My impression was that when an application is made and rejected, it is sent back, but when filed, it is open for correction and explanation.  If so, permit me to mention that there was a commissary store established at the White house, Readingtown, Hunterdon County, New Jersey at the commencement of the Continental war. When I say a commissary store, I mean to be understood, that rations, were not dealt out there in small portions, as in the army, but that provisions of all kind were there received, stored, and sent into the camp when called for.  It may with propriety be called a place of deposits.  It is well known that Washington's army had their winter quarters, for those seasons, in the State of New Jersey, two at Morristown and one at Pluckemin Mountains, sometimes Bond Brook, Sommerset County.  This establishment was nearest to the lines of the enemy than any other of the routes for conveying provisions to the army.  There was also a forage store established at this place, where hay and grain was provided for the horses in the actual service of the United States, 60 weight of hay and 1/2 bushel of grain for a four horse team to Morristown, the same on their return to Cordell's Ferry on the Delaware where there was a similar establishment.  These stores my father & I superintended under the care of Moore Furman, the Commissary Genl of this and other such stores.  We were not contractors, nor occasionally employed, we were in the actual service of the United States.  We did not contract or purchase in our own names.  We received the money of Mr. Furman and so purchased the hay and grain.  The provisions &c. sent here were stored and forwarded to the army when called for and for this we were obliged to make monthly returns. And they might have been seen had it not been for that unlucky affair which took place at Washington City in the year 1813 when the papers were burnt by the British army.  I have been told that after the settlements of the States, all the papers were put in the archives of the United States Depository and in the care of the Commissary Genl of the U.S.  It is true we had no commission.  We were not so particular in those days.  Formality was not the question, but duty.  We acted upon the principle of good consumer, the freedom of our country, the integrity of our nation, no expectation of ever receiving any gratuity from our government or else the
Page 145

the benefits would have come upon a more regular form.  Mrs. Ralf Schenk and Mr. Abraham Aumick have received a compensation, so they say.  They were my neighbors during the war in the State of New Jersey and have been so for 38 years in the state of New York.  They well know and remember the particulars I have stated.  Mr. Schenck had teams in the actual services of the United States.  Mr. Aumick was occasionally employed in taking provisions from the store into the camp.  If my application should be considered wholly inadmissible and not come within the limits of the provisions of the law, make for the purpose of granting pensions, I should be glad to know it.  Should I be unsuccessful, I shall still have the gratification of reflecting that I have done something in my youthful days, to promote the cause of freedom, and the independence of our county.
With esteem your friend,
Abraham Van Horne

Hon. J. E. Edwards

PS.:  I should have written you before, but I have been on a tour in the western states to gratify my curiosity and see my children.
Page 146

Albany May 17, 1847
In the matter of the application of Abraham V an Horne's children for an increase of his pension

Sirs .
The Rev Abm Van Horne received a pension of $40 per annum until the day of his death under the act of 7th June 1832.  In his declaration he alleged that he had rendered service in the Civil Department of the army under Moore Furman who was a Commissary General or a Quarter Master General in the State of New Jersey.  This service Van Horne particularly specified in his declaration but was unable to adduce any documentary evidence thereof (such evidence I have only very recently found.)
Of his service in the militia he could not give a specification.  Your department was therefore justified in refusing him a pension for his services.  It was on the application of the of the Hon. Mr. Sammons M.C. to the Secretary of War (Gov. Cass) that pension was awarded by way of compromise or gratuity as above stated. 
His service under Furman was in the role of a Forage Master in which capacity he served over two years.  
In explanation and confirmation of this claim, I present statements and affidavits and traditionary accounts of his service as a Forage Master showing that previous to the passage of the Pension law under which he could have asserted any claim, he related such service. Also documents showing that he was in active service in 1780. 
1st. My own affidavit which seemed to be necessary in as much as I drew the original papers in this case and particularly examined the claimant as to his revolutionary services. 
2nd. A statement of the Hon. John W. Cady who was particularly intimate with Mr. Van Horne & heard him (before 1832) relate his services under Furman.
Page 147

3rd.  Aff't of Judge Graff who testifies to the same facts contained in Cady's statements that he supplied the troops with forage, & that long before any pension laws were enacted, he related his service in the Forage Department as an officer therein.  
4th.  Aff't of the Rev. Mr. Van Olinda, who was intimate with Mr. Van Horne (they were brother clergymen) from 1825 to 1832 & heard him during that period give accounts of his services as F.M. in the revolution.  That he served for a number of years and had a commission.  
5th.  Aff't of the Hon. John I DeGraff of Scheny of a similar purport with the affidavit of Judge Graff & Rev. Van Olinda
6th.  A document found among the papers of Moore Furman, showing distinctly that the grade of Van Horne was that of a Forage Master.  It is an original return made by him in Feby 1780, doubtless a few months previous to his enrollment in the militia (as stated in his declaration.)
7th.  Certificate of Court showing that Van Horne died on the 5th January 1840, leaving a widow who survived him only a few months (she died 14th Sept 1840), and nine children who still survive, and that Abm A. Van Horne is the Administrator of the estate of said Abm Van Horne deceased.
As the children are many in number & reside in different & distant parts of the United States, it is requested that the pension certificate, if & when granted, be issued in the name of, or rather be made payable to the Administrator.
This claim is instituted to recover the arrears of pension money under the increased allowance from the 4th March 1831 to the 5th January 1840, the day of Van Horne's decease.
Very respectfully
Your Obt Servt
G. F. Yates

To Hon. J. L. Edwards
Comm of Pensions
Page 148

B546
Hon J. L. Edwards

May
Hon  M. J. Bovee H.R.
Page 149

Caughnawaga  Feby 18th 1834
Dear Sir, In May last I sent you an application for a pension.  The answer was that it was inadmissible and therefore rejected but that it was filed in your offices.  I am not acquainted with the mode of your doing your business, but my impression is that when an application is made and rejected, it is sent back, but when filed, it is open for corrections and explanation.  If so, permit me to mention, that there was a commissary store established at the White House, Readingtown, Hunterdon County, New Jersey at the commencement of the Continental War.  When I say a commissary store, I do not mean that be understood that rations were dealt out in small portions as in the army, but that provisions such as flour & pork &c. were there reserved and stored and sent into the camp when called for.  It may therefore be called a place of deposit.  It is well known that Washington's army had their winter quarter for three seasons in the State of New Jersey.  2 at Morristown and the other at Pluckemin Mountains, or at Bond Brook, Sommerset County.  This establishment was nearest to the lines of the enemy of any of the lines carrying provisions to the army.  There was also a forage store established at this place where hay and grain was provided for the teams in the actual service of the United States, 60 weight of hay & 1/2 bushel of grain for a four horse team to Morristown, the same on their return to Cordell's Ferry on the Delaware, where there was a similar establishment.  The teams in the actual employment of the U.S. where generally kept. 12 four horse wagons was called a brigade and a wagon master appointed to superintend them.  They drew, and none but them.  The stores my father and I superintended under the care of Moore Furman, the head of the department.  We were not contractors, occasionally employed.  We were in the actual employment of the U.S.  We did not contract or purchase in our own names.  We got the money of Mr. Furman and purchased hay & grain and sourced in there the provisions &c, sent in, and [illegible] to the camps. And to this we were obliged to make monthly return; and they might hope to be seen had it not been for that unlucky affair which took place in Washington City in 1813 when the offices and papers were consumed with fire by the British, for I have been told, that after the settlement of the States, all the papers were put in the archives of the United Depository.  It is true we had no commission.  We were not so particular in those days, or so formal.  We worked by faith and good confidence, no expectation of gratuity from our government or else this company would  have come up in a more regular form.  I find am told by Mr. Boucox, Schenck & Mr. Abm Aumack that they have been allowed a pension.  They have
Page 150

my neighbors during the war in the State of New Jersey and here to for 38 years in the State of New York where I now live.  They will know and remember the particulars I have stated.  If my application should be considered wholly inadmissible and not come within the limits of the provisions of the law made for the purpose of granting pensions, I should be glad to know it.  If not, it will still afford me a gratification that I have done something in my youthful days to promote the cause of freedom and the independency of our country.  The recollection of my former services will afford me a gratification, that I have done...
I shall have the gratification of a [illegible] time, that I have done something in my youthful days, 
Abraham V
Caughnawaga
Abraham Van Horne

PS. I should have written you before but I have been out on a tour in the western states to gratify my curiosity and see my children and I have been greatly highly gratified.
May
Hon M. J. Bovee H.R.

Hon. J. L Edwards
B546
Page 151

State of New York
Montgomery County }ss.
Abraham A. Van Horne of the town of Mohawk in said county being duly sworn says that the annexed paper was taken by him from the Bible kept and owned by Abraham Van Horne late of said town deceased, in which bible the said Abraham Van Horne kept his original family register.  That deponent is the son of said deceased and now is fifty three years of age and upwards and that the said register has been kept and known in his father's family as such register ever since his recollection.

Abm A. Van Horne
Subscribed & sworn to before me this 18th day of February 1843
Adam E. Veeder, Justice 

State of New York
Montgomery County }ss.
Richard H. Cushney of said town of Mohawk being duly sworn says that he saw the annexed original family register when the same was in a Bible on one of the blank leaves thereof, which Bible was then in the possession of Abraham A. Van Horne.  And that he was said annexed register removed from said Bible and annexed hereto.  That he, deponent, was well acquainted with the handwriting of Abraham Van Horne deceased and has no doubt but that said register down to and including the record of the birth of Nelly Van Horne is in the proper handwriting of the said Abraham Van Horne deceased.
R.H. Cushney
Subscribed & sworn to before me this 18th day of February 1843
Adam E. Veeder, Justice

Montgomery County
Clerk's Office} ss.
I, Henry Cook, Clerk of the said county do hereby certify that Adam E. Veeder whose name is subscribed to the above Jurat of Affidavit was at the date of said affidavit, a Justice of the Peace in and for the county of Montgomery, duly elected, authorized and qualified to act as said Justice and
Page 152

and that the signatures to said Jurat are his genuine handwriting.  
Given under my hand and seal of office the 18th day of February, 1843
H. Cook, Clerk
Page 153

State of New Jersey
Somerset County }ss.
Be it remembered that on this twenty fifth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty six, personally appeared before the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Somerset, Cornelius W. Van Horne aged sixty five years who being duly sworn on his oath saith that during the time the American army lay at Morristown & in that neighborhood in the time of the Revolutionary war, there was a forage store & place of deposit for flour and all kinds of provisions established at the White House, Hunterdon County in said state.  That it was the business of the forage store to purchase hay and grain and all kinds of provision, to deal them out in small portions to the teams in the actual service of the United States and to forward the same to the camps.  That deponent's father Abraham Van Horne had the charge of the forage store & place of deposit under the direction & authority of Moore Forman, the Commissary General to whom they made monthly returns of what was stored & purchased.  That deponent's brother, Abraham acted not only as a clerk but took a full share in the labors attending the said store.  And deponent further saith that his father died in the year of our Lord 1817 and received no benefit of any pension or other
Page 154

gratuity from the government of the United States.  That the said stores were continued at that place certainly two years & perhaps much longer.  That deponent resided at the White House at that time and had continued to reside there ever since.
Sworn & subscribed the day & year above written in open court.
Cornelius W. Van Horne
W. B. Gaston

State of New Jersey
Somerset County }ss.
I, John M. Mann, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said county do hereby certify that Willam A. Gaston whose proper signature is subscribed to the above affidavit was at the time of the date here preceding, Judge of such court, duly commissioned and sworn.  In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of the office this twenty fifth day of November, Eighteen hundred and thirty six.
J.M. Mann