Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 16154, Abraham Hitchcock, Continental (New York)
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Continental New York.      Hitchcock, Abraham.         S.16154
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978
New York
Abraham Hitchcock of Mt Pleasant in the State of New York who was a Ferryman in the ~~~ Commanded by Captain ~~~ of the ~~~ commanded by Col Hewes/Hughes in the Continental line for 2 year and upwards.
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 80 Dollars ~~~ Cents per An. to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23d day of October 1832 ~~~ and sent to  M. Lockwood. 
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832. Semi=anl. allowance ending 4 Mar '33.
$120
40
----
$100
----
Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Geo. C. Stiles, Clerk.
Book D Vol. 5 Page 99

[crossed out] A Ray July 2, 1853
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State of New York
City County of Albany 

On this 23rd day of March 1853 before me Wm S. Paddock, a Commissioner of deeds in and for said County, personally appeared John Hitchcock who being first duly sworn according to law doth in his oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain an income of pension which he is informed and believes was due Abraham Hitchcock deceased under the Act of Congress passed June 7 1832.  That he is one of the children of Abraham Hitchcock deceased who was a pensioner of the United States for serving as ferryman in the War of Revolution. That the said Abraham Hitchcock died in the County of Manhattan and state aforesaid on the twenty sixth day of July in the Year one thousand eight hundred and forty six.  And at the time of his death he left no widow but left him surviving the following children viz. Rachel Delaney, Maria Demost, Smith Hitchcock, Daniel Hitchcock, and John Hitchcock (the declarant) That they are his only surviving children and each of them are over twenty one years of age----In support of which claim Declarant upon the 
pension Department to the evidence on file in that office and to such other proof as may be furnished by his Agent Mr Valentin of Albany NY or by his substitute at Washington City---
Subscribed & Sworn to before me
this 23rd day of March 1853}
Wm S Paddock} John Hitchcock
Com of Deeds}

I certify that I verily believe the said Declarant to be the identical person above [illegible] & described. And that I have no interest 
either directly or indirectly, in the matter aforesaid or in any money which may be [illegible] or derived thereupon.
Wm S Paddock
Com of Deeds
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State of New York,
City and County of Albany, Clerk's Office,
I, Robert Harper, Clerk of the said City and County, do hereby CERTIFY that William S Paddock, whose name is subscribed to the Certificate or Proof or Acknowledgment of the annexed instrument in writing, and endorsed thereupon, was, at the time of taking such Proof or Acknowledgment, a Commissioner of Deeds in and for the County aforesaid, dwelling in the said County, and duly authorized to take the same: And that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said William S Paddock and verily believe that the signature to the said Certificate of Proof or Acknowledgment is genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official seal, this 23rd day of March.
[signed] R Harper Clerk.
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Continental rolls
to be examined
Admitted
2 years
$80
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Brief in the case of Abraham Hitchcock of Mount Pleasant in the State of New York (Act 7 June, 1832)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? [handwritten] in open court Surrogate of the County of Westchester.
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? [handwritten] Sixty Seven years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period. | Duration of Service. Years, Months, Days | Rank. As a  | Names and Field Officers under whom he served. Gen. |
May [illeg] In 1780 interested as a soldier. Served as a Ferryman. | 1 month | Ferryman | Col. Hews [Hughes]
May [illeg] 1781 | 1 month | Ferryman | Same officer
May [illeg] 1782 interested and served as a Ferryman to the close of the War under Col Hews [Hughes]
5. In what battles was he engaged? [handwritten] None
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? [Handwritten] Not stated.
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? [Handwritten] living Witnesses, and the Report of the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions in Jan 7 1832 in favour of his claim to a pension.
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? [handwritten] the papers are correct in form and authentication.

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case 
Wm Gordon Examining Clerk.
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Abraham Hitchcock
Abraham Hitchcock
Petition
For a Pension--
Dec. 12 1831.
Ref. to the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions
_______
Jan'y 30 1832
Bill reported no. 193

3530
Abraham Hitchcock
Application for
a pension under
the act of June 7th
1832---
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Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832

State of New York
County of West Chester

On this twenty second day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared in open Court before the Surrogate of the Surrogate Court of the County of West Chester and State of New York, now sitting, Abraham Hitchcock, a resident of the town of Mount Pleasant in the said County and State aged sixty seven years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.

That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officer and served as herein stated: that is to say that he enlisted into the Continental service in the month of May 1780 and was attached to the quarter masters department under the command of Colonel Hews; that he was stationed at Kings ferry in the said County and was employed at that place as a ferryman — that he enlisted for the term of one year: that he enlisted as a soldier: that he received pay and drew rations and clothing as a soldier for said period of one year: that he faithfully served out said term of one year at said Kings ferry and was honorably discharged at that place some time in the month of May 1781 but has no written discharge —
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That he again entered the service of the United States on the Continental establishment in the quarter masters Department and was under the Command of Col [Colonel] Hews, that he enlisted at the said Kings ferry some time in the month of May 1781 for the term of one year; that he was stationed at said Kings ferry for the said second term of enlistment under the command of Col Hews as aforesaid. That he faithfully served out said period and was honorably discharged in the month of May 1782 at said Kings ferry: that he enlisted as a soldier for the said last mentioned period: that he received pay and drew rations and clothing as a soldier. 

That he again entered the service of the United States some time in the month of May 1782 and immediately after his said last mentioned discharge, by enlisting into the Continental establishment in the quarter master Department under the Command of said Col Hews, that he was from the said month of May 1782 stationed at said Kings ferry and served as a ferry man until the close of the war when he was discharged. 

That he was born in the said County of West Chester in the year 1765 that 

that he lived in the County of West Chester aforesaid when he entered the service as herein before set forth and now lives in the same place that he has no documentary or other evidence of his service than that hereunto annexed That the names of the persons to whom he is known in
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his present neighborhood and who can testify as to his character for veracity: And their belief of his service as a soldier of the revolution are Samuel Youngs and Albert Lockwood

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the Agency of [?]

Abraham Hitchcock

Sworn to and subscribed
this 22nd day of 1832 before me 
J Ward Surrogate

residing in the town of White Plains County aforesaid
He Samuel Youngs and Albert Lockwood

residing in the town of Mount Pleasant in the County of West Chester and State of New York do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Abraham Hitchcock who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be sixty seven years of age: that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood  where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution And that we concur in that opinion

Sam Youngs
Albert Lockwood

Sworn to & subscribed
This 22nd day of August 
1832 before me
J Ward Surrogate
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And the said Court does hereby declare this opinion after the investigation of the matter, and and [sic] after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department: that the above named Applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to him that 

who have signed the preceding certificate are residents of the town of Mount Pleasant in County of West Chester and State of New York and are credible persons: and that their statement is entitled to credit

In testimony whereof I Jonathan Ward 
Surrogate of the said Court
have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of the said Court this day of August 1832
Before me J Ward Surrogate

I Nathaniel Bayles Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of West Chester, do Certify that Jonathan Ward who has signed the preceding declaration’s Certificaties is Surrogate of the County of West Chester, in the State of New York, and that his Court is a Court of Record with a Seal, that there is no Clerk belonging to this Court, and that I am acquainted with the signature of the said Jonathan Ward, and that the signature to the foregoing declaration and Certificates are in his proper hand writing. 

In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of West Chester this 22nd day of August 1832
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State of New York
County of West Chester

Benjamin Acker of said County being duly sworn, on his oath saith that he is well acquainted with Abraham Hitchcock in the pension application to which this affidavit is concerned [?]; And that he was well acquainted with him during the revolutionan. And the Deponent further saith he this Deponent enlisted some time in the month of March 1780 in the County of West Chester; in the Quarter masters Department under the Command of Col Hews on the Continental establishment that he was stationed at Kings ferry in said County and served from the said time of his enlistment until the close of the war, as a ferryman — And the deponent further saith that the said Abraham Hitchcock Enlisted into the said service (and was under the command of said Col Hews,) some time in the month of May 1780 and that he was stationed at said Kings ferry with said Deponent from that March until the close of the revolutionary war and was discharged from said service; And the Deponent further saith that said ferry was established and kept up by the Continental Government for the purpose of conveying and reconvening the American Army across the Hudson River at that place — that being a military port; and there being a fort at that place — And the Deponent and said Hitchcock and other persons in the service at said Station were under the Command of of [sic] the
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— commanding officer of said fort and received pay and drew rations and clothing from government and belonged to the quarter master department and further the Deponent saith not 

Benjamin B Acker

Sworn to and subscribed this 24th day of August 1832 before me 

A. Graham Commissioner of Deeds

I Andrew Graham Commissioner as aforesaid hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the above named Benjamin Acker and that he is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit 

Dated Sing Sing August 24th 1832

A. Graham
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State of New York, 
County of West Chester

I, Nathaniel Bayles Clerk of the County of Westchester DO HEREBY CERTIFY, That, Andrew Graham Esq whose name is subscribed to the affidavits annexed hereto was, on the day of the date of the said affidavits Commissioner in and for the said County, residing in the said County, commissioned and sworn, and duly authorized to take the same. And further, that I am well acquainted with the hand-writing of the said Commissioner and verily believe that the signature to the said Affidavits is genuine. 

In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said County, the twenty fourth day of August 1832

N Bayles
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22nd CONGRESS,
1st Session.

[Rep. No. 111.]

Ho. OF REPS.

ABRAHAM HITCHCOCK

JANUARY 3, 1832.

Mr. HUBBARD, from the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, made the following
REPORT:

The Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, to whom was referred the petition of Abraham Hitchcock, report:

That it appears from the affidavit of the petitioner, that he enlisted into the continental service in the spring of 1780, and was attached to the quartermaster's department, under the command of Col. Hews; that he was stationed at King's Ferry, in the State of New York, and was employed at that place as a ferryman, until the close of the war, when he obtained an honorable discharge from said service; which facts are fully proved by the testimony of Cornelius Lambert, who testified that he was acquainted with the petitioner during the war of the revolution, and that he hath been acquainted with him ever since; and that he recollects that the petitioner did belong to the continental service, as set forth in his petition.
It also appears that the petitioner is 67 years of age, and that he is in indigent circumstances, and stands in need of the assistance of his country for support.
The committee are of opinion that the petitioner is entitled to a pension, and therefore report a bill,
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To the Senate and house of Representatives of the United States in Congress assembled

The Petition of Abraham Hitchcock of Mount Pleasant in the County of West Chester and State of New York

Respectfully shewith 

That in the Spring of the year 1780 he enlisted into the Continental service in the Quarter Master’s department under the command of Col Hews and was stationed at Kings Ferry as a ferryman in said State of New York from that time until the close of the war, when your Petitioner obtained his honorable discharge from said service.

And your Petitioner further shewith that he is now sixty seven years of age that he is in poor circumstances and needs the assistance of his country for his support and therefore he prays that his name may be inscribed on the pension list roll in moderation of his public service and your petitioner will ever pray 

Abraham Hitchcock

West Chester County [] Abraham Hitchcock being duly sworn on his oath saith that the facts set forth in the above petition are true and further this deponent saith not

Abraham Hitchcock

Sworn & Subscribed to this 28 Day of November 1831

Charles Yoe Justice of the Peace
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West Chester County [] Cornelius Lambert of the town of Mount Pleasant in the County of West West [sic] Chester being duly sworn on his oath saith that he was acquainted with Abraham Hitchcock during the war of the revolution and hath ever since been acquainted with him and the deponent well [?] that said Abraham was stationed at Verplanks point as a ferry man in the Continental service as set forth in his Petition for and during all the time that this deponent was at said point which [?] year and when this deponent obtained his discharge he left said Abraham at said Point in said service and the deponent always understood & believes that said Abraham continued in said service until the [?] the war

Cornelius Lambert

Sworn this 28th day /
28 of Nov. 1831
Before me 
Charles Yoe Justice of the Peace

I certify that I am acquainted with Cornelius Lambert & believe him to be entitled to [?]

Dec. 1831 
A. Ward

I certify that Abraham Hitchcock is now alive that he is a man of veracity and entitled to full credit & belief, that I am also acquainted with Charles Yoe the Justice above named & know that his named hereto subscribed is subscribed in his own hand writing. July 18th 1832 that it has always been [?] that said Hitchcock was a soldier in the war of the Revolution.

Aaron Ward
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Westchester County
Clerks Office

I Nathaniel Bayles Clerk of the County of West Chester do hereby certify that Charles Yoe Esq whose name is subscribed to the [?] affidavit was on the day of the date thereof a Justice of the Peace in & for sd [said] County residing in said County duly appointed [?] authorised by the Laws of this State to take affidavits &c. And further that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of the said Justice & verily believe the signature to the annexed affidavit [?]

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the Seal of the said County the 22nd August 1832

N Bayles
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July 14, 1967.

Mrs. G. F. Holden
82 Linden Avenue
Ossining, New York.

our
BA-J/ILL
Abraham Hitchcock
S. 16154

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of Captain Hames Kronkhite and Abraham Hitchcock, both of Westchester County, New York.

There is no claim for pension or bounty land on file based upon service in the Revolutionary War of a James Kronkhite, under any spelling of that surname. The record of Abraham Hitchcock is given herein as found in the papers on file in his claim for pension, S. 16154, based upon his service in that war. 

Abraham Hitchcock was born in the year 1765, in Westchester County, New York, the exact day of his birth, and the names of his parents are not shown.

While a resident of Westchester County, New York, he enlisted in May 1780, as a ferryman under Colonel Hughes in the Quartermaster's Department, was stationed at King's Ferry, engaged in [illegible] the ferry [illegible] Verplanck's Point to the opposite side of the Hudson River and continued until the end of the war.

He was allowed pension on his application executed August 22, 1832, at which time he resided in the town of Pleasant, Westchester County, New York. The soldier died July 26, 1846 in Mount Pleasant, New York.

Abraham Hitchcock married, but the date of his marriage and name of his wife are not shown. In 1833, the names of the children who survived the soldier were given as follows: John Hitchcock, who
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made affidavit in Albany, New York, Rachel Delancy, Maria Demont, Smith Hitchock, and Daniel Hitchcock: all of said children were then more than twenty-one years of age. There are no further data regarding the soldier's family.

Very truly yours,

A.D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator.
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Washington
Apr 5 / 53

Hon. L.P. Waldo
Com of Pensions
Sir
In the case of Abraham Hitchcock dec. late a pensioner as "Ferryman" on the Albany Roll at the rate of $80 pr anm. The applicant in his original declaration claimed to have served as Ferryman for upward of two years under Col. Hughes, tho there was no documentary proof offered in support of his service. Still his case was supported by ample parole testimony for the allowance made.
The children now assert a claim to a higher rate of pension in nigh of their father as Ferryman. On a [illegible] that the rolls of Col. Hugh Hughes for a year 1781 shown Abraham Hitchcock was paid one dollar a day for his service as Ferryman. The claim is based too upon increases or allowances made to [illegible] men. The name appear on said roll. The class of pension recd as [illegible] pr mo:
The same principle has been extended and [illegible] for other military services on like showing the Teamster of Connecticut for instance.
I respectfully submit [illegible] questions, which or not Abraham Hitchcock as a Ferry-man, and paid $1 per day is not entitled also an increase of the pension amount.
The original roll of Col Hughes is in my possession + will be
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presented, when required
I remain Sir
Your most
Obt Ser
Alex Ray
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Washington 4
Ap 14 1853
Hon L.P. Waldo
Com' of Pensions
Sir
On the 5th inst. I filed an application in the case of Abraham Hitchcock decd late a pensioner under AN32. at$80 pr anm, Albany Agency, claiming an increase of the allowance made to him.
I have respectfully the request that, when the application comes up for examination, you will let me know as I wish to [illegible] to certain evidence in your office. to show the estimate made for his pay while in service.
I remain very
respectfully
Your Obt Ser
Alex Ray
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sion on file in this Bureau. Abraham Hitchcock S.G. 16154
[table, as follows:]
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. | LENGTH OF SERVICE. | RANK. | OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. | STATE.
 | | | CAPTAIN. | COLONEL. | 
May 1780 | served as a Ferryman at Kings Ferry, Westchester Co. NY under Col. Hughes in quartermasters Dept. to close of war

Battles engaged in, 1
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Westchester Co. N.Y.
Date of application for pension, Aug 22, 1832, this cl. was al.
Residence at date of application, Mount Pleasant, Westchester, N.Y.
Age at date of application, born in 1765 in Westchester Co. N.Y.
died in Westchester Co. N.Y. July 26, 1846
Remarks: He left no widow. Only surviving children Rachel Delancy; Maria Demont; Smith; Daniel and John, all over 21 years of age in 1853.
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A. Ray.
July 2/53
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8
Pension Office
July 2 1853
Sir
Abraham Hitchcock of NY was pensioned for services as a Ferryman under Col Hughes, at $80 per annum, I do not know of any law or decision of this office which would entitle him to a larger amount of pension than that allowed a private. Pensions are allowed in accordance with the pension laws in force and not according to the amount of pay received by them for certain services.

A Ray Esq
Present
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16,154
INVALID.
File No. 16,154
Abraham Hitchcock
Ferryman Rev War
Act: June 7 32
Index: - Vol. 1, Page 174
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Ex by [illegible]
Tarrytowm NY Feb 4 18
Feb 16/53 [illegible] Hist. by Edw. G. Hitchcock, 53 Washington Ave, Albany, N.Y. M. El
1908 Jany 15 Hist. to Mrs. Z. S. Sampson V.L.M.
1920 Feby 23 Hist. to Mrs. W.A. Thompson
1937 July 14 Hist. to Mrs. G.T. Holden, JLC
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at
Albany Jan 23rd, 1895.

Chief Officer "Pension Department"
Dear Sir,
I am desirous of information pertaining to Abraham Hitchcock a resident of Westchester Co State of New York. He served as a barge man during the war of the Revolution on the ferry which ran between Verplancks Point and Stony Point on the Hudson River. He was on the boat when Andrea the spy [illegible] his pass from Genl Arnold crossed the river between these points. He afterwards became a pensioner of the government and died in July 1846 at Sing Sing N.Y. Westchester Co. If it is not imposing too great a task nor an intrusion on
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your time I wish if possible from the records of the department you could give me whatever information you may have of him and oblige one of his descendants.
Yours respectfully
Edward G. Hitchcock
53 Washington Ave
Albany N.Y.
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Albany March 25th 1895
Wm Lochren Commissioner,

Dr Sir:

The money returned received, likewise your communication of March 19th 1895 - As my request for copies of the pension paper etc of Abraham Hitchcock a revolutionary solider of 1780 is refused the granting of which is prohibited by the rules of the Bureau. If its possible and not inconsistent with the rule will you with your former courtesy please give me answer to the following questions all of which is needed for family history? 

Please give me the date in May (day not stated) in 1780 when the said Abraham Hitchcock enlisted?

What was his place of residence not stated in Westchester county when he enlisted?

His age at time of enlistment? 

Where he was born and the data if you have it?

His parentage, if recorded? Not needed

His previous occupation, if possible? 

For what reason was he granted a pension? 

Did he serve as Ferryman at Kings Bride, or at Kings Ferry — K Ferry 

This last important question is asked because at about 1780 until the evacuation of New York Dec 25th 1783 Manhattan island and the lower portion of Westchester Co, is supposed to have been
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held by the British — Kings Bridge connecting the island and mainland, therefore, I have thought it must have been at Kings ferry on the Hudson, which at that time was in command of the American forces, and over which “Andre” the spy crossed in 1780 on his way back to join the British forces then in New York.

You will plainly see why I am anxious in the matter and I hope you will not deem me too persistent or an annoying intruder and trust this may not interfere with the work of your Bureau. There is no other way by which these facts can be ascertained. Trusting for reply with my many thanks for your former [?] remain

Yours respectfully 

Hitchcock

53 Washington Ave, Albany, N.Y.
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January 5 1908

[coat of armor]

MANSION HOUSE
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS
J C VAN CLEAF

Mrs. Z. Sidney Sampson would be obliged if the Pension Bureau would inform her if Abraham Hitchcock was a revolutionary pensioner. Mr. Hitchcock died at Ossining (or Sing Sing it was then) July 23rd 1846, age 83.
Mrs Sampson understands
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Mr Hitchcock was a pensioner as she wishes to be sure + so she may join the D.A.R. she [illegible] for information any fee will be summarily paid.
Mansion House
Brooklyn
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[stamp reading:] PHILADELPHIA PA FEB 9 1920 11 AM
[stamp reading:] PENN. SQUARE STATION

THIS SIDE OF CARD IS FOR ADDRESS

Pension Office
Washington,
D.C.
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Long Island Society
Daughters of the Revolution

Record
BROOKLYN, N.Y. Feb 7 1920

Kindly send pension record of Abraham Hitchcock Ossining (Sing Sing) placed upon pension Oct 23, 1832
Mrs. W. A. Thompson, Jr.
282 East 17 A
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82 Linden Avenue,
Ossinging, N,Y,
June 26, 1937

Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sirs:
Can you tell me if there is any record of pension given to A L Abraham Hitchcock of Westchester Co. bargeman of ferry between Stoney and Verplanck's Point during the Revolutionary War?  He died in July 1846.
Also that of Capt. James Kronkhite, Westchester Co.
If you have this and I may have a copy of same, please let me know the fee and I will
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send it immediately.
Thanking you in advance,
yours very truly,
(Mrs. G.F.) Marguerite H. Holden
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File
Inv
16154
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O. W. & H. Div.
F.S.
M.E.C.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
WASHINGTON, D.C. 
March 19, 1895
[written across] File in case Inv 16154

Sir:-
In returning herewith your communication of March 13th, you are advised that the rules of this Bureau prohibit the furnishing of copies of the pension papers of Revolutionary soldiers. As a courtesy short statements of the services of one or two such soldiers are often furnished to applicants who desire the same to complete family history or to use as evidence of eligibility to membership in any of the Revolutionary societies, but to furnish copies of the papers would seriously interfere with the regular work of the Bureau and it has been found necessary therefore, to establish a rule declining to do so.
The statement of your ancestor's services is herewith returned, as requested.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Edward G. Hitchcock, Esq.
53 Washington Ave., 
Albany, N.Y.