Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 11613, Peter Van Buskirk, Continental Del. Md. New Jersey. New York And Penn. And War Of 1812
Page 1

Apontinental  Van Buskirk, Peter S. 11613
Del. Md. New Jersey B.L.Wt. 33751.160-55
New York and Penn
and War. 1812
This [illegible] is in 2 envelopes, see No. 2. 
[illegible] affidavits & [illegible] in [illegible]
Page 2

(# over  Card I | Continental

NAME Van Buskirk Peter
Soldier states that he volunteered Oct 1, 1779; as Private in Capt
Calender, Callender, Ghandler, or Ghallender's co. Md. and Del. 
troops under Baron De Kalb; stationed in camp at Harrington 
Bergen Co. N.J. ; discharged Nov. 10 1780 some miles south of camp.
Returned to camp aforesaid Nov, 10 1780 and served in the New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and other state troops as they were successively stationed in Camp, until June 1, 1781.
Appointed in the beginning of June 1781 assistant commissary of Forage under Col. Stewart and Col. Hampton and served until the close of the war in 1783.
Enlisted in New York City, Sept 1, 1813 as Teamster, N.Y. Militia; discharged Oct. 20. 1813 at Harlem See B.L. 33 751-160- 1855
ALLOWED FOR 18 Mos. Pri. Forage Master - SOLDIER June 3 1861 WIDOW None
(over) DATE AND PLACE OF BIRTH
Aug. 29, 1762: Harrington, N.J.
DATE AND PLACE OF DEATH
Dec. 18, 1891: Ontario Co. N.Y.
PLACES OF RESIDENCE
Raised in Harrington, Bergen Co. U.S. there until 1812; New York City
until 1815: New Prospect N. J. until Fall 1816, Hopewell, Ontario Co (over)
DATE AND PLACE OF MARRIAGE (over)
Summer 1784: Old Paramus Church, Sarah, only child. Jacher and [illegible] Van Buskirk
Polly Van Byper, widow, 73 years, resident Washington, formerly part of
Harrington N.Y. in 1861. Sec Card II   2. Thomas, 68 years, Seneca Falls in 1861;
3. (over) Abraham, soldier of 1812, 62 years in 1861, Bloomington Ills 1872(over) May 20.

 , N.Y. Militia; dis -
Charged Oct. 20. 1815 at Harlem See B.L. 33 751-160- 1855
ALLOWED N 18 Mos. P. Forage Master - 2 June 1861 widow None
Fover) DATE AND PLACE OF BIRTH
Aug. 29, 1762: Harrington, N.J.
DATE AND PLACE OF DEATH
1891: Ontario Co. N.Y.
Praised in Harrington, Bergen Co. U.S. there until 1812; New York City
●
Until 1815: New Prospect N. T. Until Fall 1816, Hopewell, Ontario Co Cour)
DATE AND PLACE OF MARRIAGE COVER)
Summer 1784: Old Bramus Church, Sarah, child Sacher and Mont Van Buskirk
Polly Van Byper, widow, 23 years, resident Washington, formerly part of
Harrington N.Y. in 1861. Sec Card I. Thomas, 68 years, Seneca Falls in 1861;
a soldier of 1812, 62 years in 1861, Bloomington Ills 1872
DATE OF SOLDIER’S APPLICATION
(*over) May 20. 1846.
DATE OF WIDOW’S APPLICATION
None.
WIFE’S WIDOWS [widows is crossed out] AGE AND PLACE of RESIDENCE
B. Apr. 7,  1767 d. about 1837.
CERTIFICATE #32.882.
ACT. June 7, 1832.
AGENCY District of Columbia
FILE NO.
S. 11, 613
Page 3

On file in case:  Two reports from the Comptrollers Office State of New York:  1st shows Quartermaster Generals account of forage purchased by one Peter Van Buskirk in which said Buskirk was paid for service as Forage Master from July 29,  1781 to Sept. 3, 1783.  2nd shows service under Col. Peter Yater not alleged by soldier.
*Upon the question of soldiers identity Stephen 
Westervelt stated on July 15, 1861 that he had heard of a Peter Van Buskirk who lived in the neighborhood of Hoboken and died many years previous, was about the age of soldier's father, Thomas Van Buskirk and married a sister of said Thomas.
#Son of Thomas and Mary or Maria Van Buskirk.  See Card II
Married by Rev. Benjamin Vander Linder.
Residences
NY 23 years; Phelps, same county ever since, there is 1846, and 1851; Washington, D.C. March 1856 whence he had recently removed with his son Abraham*.
Soldier and wife resided with their son Abraham from 1820.
Children of Abraham and Salome Van Buskirk:
1 Mariett, mar. Oct 1861 Henry G. Babcock of Chicago Ills in 1865; 2 Sarah b. April 7-.
Children
Mar. 1820 Salome, 59 years in 1861 daughter of Judge John Price.
4.  Son, H. May 17, 1905
Name not stated, d. 1819 at Hopewell, N.Y.
Continued on Card II
M.B.H.
May 16, 1905
Page 4

Card II
Van Buskirk, Peter                Confidential
Additional Family Data:
*Thomas Van Buskirk mar. Mary or Maria --
Children
I  Rachel b. Dec 23, 1752 d. July 14, 1825 M. David Baldwin; 
II  Mary or Maria d. prior to August 24, 1861 
Widow of Andrew Hopper:  III  Margaret b. Dec.24, 1756 d. Apr. 3, 1825 M. Garret Hopper
IV  Abraham J., Rev. Soldier, b. October. 10, 1758 d. Feb. 20, 1806 M. Nov 29, 1778 Jane Burdette and had 1. Thomas A. b. Sept. 11, 1780 whose daughter Catherine Mar. William Osborn and lived in the old mansion of *Thomas Van Buskirk in 1861; 2. Lucretia, b. Jan 3, 1785 M. --Hopper.  V.  Leah, mar John D. Ackerman.
VI. Peter b. Aug 29, 1762.
May 5, 1861 soldier stated that his cousin Abraham Van Buskirk, deceased, was present at his wedding; and in the case of Jane Van Deen, not on file, he stated "in Fall of 1778 she married Abraham Van Buskirk, a revolutionary soldier who died on furlough soon after."
Copy of Census Returns of 1860.
Polly Van Riper, Widow, Aged 89
Harman Van Riper, Laborer, Aged 60
Catherine Van Riper, Wife, Aged 58
All born in New Jersey and living in Washington Twnp. Bergen Co. N.J.
Jane (Burdette) widow of Abraham Van Buskirk Mar --Van Drum
S. F. 11,613
Page 5

M. A. H.
May 16, 1905
Page 6

No. 32882
District of Columbia
Peter Van Buskirk
Washington D.C.
Forage Master and private.  Inscribed on the Roll of Washington at the rate of 600 dollars per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.- former payouts at the rate of [] 60 per annum to be adjusted.
Certificate of Pension issued the 6th day of July 1860. and sent to S.A. Peugh, Esq. Present
Arrears  to the 4th of semi-annual allowence ending
Revolutionary Claim Act June 7 1832
Recorded by W.E. Gapen Clerk,
Book H Vol. Page 208
Page 7

37335 Aug.1, 1846 (48) Gearge Dearman affidavit in the claim of Peter Van Buskirk for Pension under the act of 1832-
Peter Van Buskirk June 7, 1832 (A [ ])
Report to George R. Parburt Commander Genera;, Ontario Co. [  ]

aug. 1,'46
Ezra Weaver [  ] No1.
Page 8

Copy this [illegible]
to [illegible]
[illegible]
State of New York
Ontario County SS.
 On this 20th day of May AD
1846 personally appeared in Open Court before the Judges
of the Court of Common Pleas held in & for said County
of Ontario, said Court being a Court of Record as
said County and now in session. Peter Van Buskirk
a resident of the town of Phelps in said County
aged Eighty 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
provisions of the act of Congress passed June 7th
1832. That he entered the service of the United States
in the War of the Revolution, under the following
named officers, and served as hereinafter stated,
that at the time he entered the said service aforesaid
he resided in the town of Harrington in the County
of Bergon, as it was then called in the State of New Jersey
that he volunteered about the first day of October
in the year 1779. to service as a soldier in a Company
my commanded by Capt. Calender and in whose
Company was one Lieut Wright the Col. name he
does not now remember, but the army to which
he was attached was commanded by Baron De Kalb.
that he served in said Company from the first day
of October 1779. aforesaid until the 10th day of Nov.
1780 that he done as a soldier in Camp at
Harrington aforesaid standing guard, cooking &
doing other duties as a soldier for the term of
thirteen months, as aforesaid that he was mustered
with the rest of his company Every morning and 
night during said term, his name being called
and he answering with the rest, that the duties afore
said was performed & Done at the Camp ground at
Page 9

2/
Harrington aforesaid, which was occupied by the
Soldiers & of the army during most of the Revolutionary
War, that the army to which he belonged belonged
to the South & was called the Maryland & Deleware
Troops, that late in the spring of 1780. thinks the
latter part of the month of May the said army
divided and a part went with Baron De Kalb
to the South, that a part of the said Army remained
at the said Camp which was in the vicinity of
West Point until about the 10th day of Nov. 1780.
that deponent remained with that post which
remained at Camp that he then was under the
Command of one Lieut Wright, that he could not
State what the Col. name was that on or about
the 10th of Nov. 1780. the rest of the army to which he
belonged left the said Camp ground & vicinity and
went south-- that deponent accompanied his
Company some miles South and was discharged
by the said Lieut Wright & Deponent returned to
Harrington aforesaid in which town his said
deponents father Resided, that during the summer
of 1780. the Company to which he belonged learned
of the death of their Commander Baron De Kalb
at the Battle of Camden, that during the winter
of 1779. when the said Army lay at the said Camp
at Harrington near West Point they suffered greatly
for the want of provisions &. that deponent all
the while served as a soldier taking care of the
sick, Standing entry and mustering every
morning & night. that after his company moved
South in Nov. 1780, other troops arrived at the said
Camp, that at every [successive] of Troops arrived
at said Camp, he volunteered and done duty as
Page 10

3}
a soldier and served from the middle of Nov. 1780 until the first of June next Year 1781. Some of which troops to New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania and other states, & was Commanded alternately by General Lee, Wayne & other Genls whose nameshe does not now remember. that in each successive army a body of troops, that arrived at said camp ground, 
 he deponent volunteered
& done the duty of a soldier,  answer to roll
call, Standing guard with his Musket. that
during the time of his service last aforesaid date
detachments of the army to which he successively belong
was dispatched on service at different points on
the North River - that he was retained in Camp
to guard camp, take care of sick of which there
were many; during other duties also. that he will
Remember the attack on Col Baylor's Company of
Horse in the fall of 1779. which was at the town of
Harrington aforesaid and was a short time before
the Troops which he volunteered with arrived at said
Camp at Harrington -  deponent further says that
he was regularly enrolled & that at all times
when Roll was called & enter made he answer 
to his name until he was finally discharged - 
That he resided in the County of Bergen aforesaid
until about Thirty years ago, since which
time he has resided in the town of Hopewell Ontario
County about twenty three years & for the last seven years.
I have resided in the town of Phelps Ontario County aforesaid, 
My present Residence - That he hereby relinquishes
any claim whatever to a pension or annuity except
the present, and declares that his name is not
in the Pension Roll of the agency of any State. that 
he does not know of any documentary evidence of his
Page 11

service aforesaid. But that George Dearman of the town of Groton Tompkins County N.Y. an old man who was in the service with me at the time, can testify to my service aforesaid. The said Dearman lived near me in my boyhood & was  brought up in the same town with me.
Peter Van Buskirk

Subscribed and sworn in Open Court the day and year aforesaid before me.
Peter Mitchell a Judge of Ontario County Court

We Lyman Crane & Ephraim Archer Residents
of the County of Ontario in the State of New York do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Peter Van Buskirk who has subscribed his name to, & sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be Eighty years of age, that he is reputed to have been and it is believed that he was a soldier of the Revolution in the neighborhood where
he resides, and that we concur in that opinion.
Subscribed and sworn this 20th day of May 1846 in open Court before me.
Lyman Crane
Ephraim Archer
Peter Mitchell a Judge of Ontario County Court

And in said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the
above named applicant was a Revolutionary
soldier and served as he states. And the said
Page 12

5
Court do further certify that it appears to them that Lyman Crane of Manchester & Ephraim Archer of ?? who signed the preceding certificate are residents of the town as aforesaid in the said County of Ontario, and neighbours of the said Peter Van Buskirk and that they are men of good moral character & standing and that their Statements are entitled to credit.
E. Fitch Smith First Judge
Chester Loomis
Peter Mitchell
Harry Smith
Judges

State of New York, Ontario County SS. 
I, Alexander H Howell Clerk of the said County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Court of Common Pleas of the said County, now in session in the matter of the application of Peter Van Buskirk for a Pension.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 20th day of May A D, 1846
Alex. H Howell, Clerk of Ontario County & Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in said County.
Page 13

The following are the questions propounded by the said Court, and this the within named applicant answers to said questions.

1st Where and what year were you born?
Answer. I was born in the town of Harrington in the County of Bergen in the State of New Jersey on the 29th day of August 1762.

2nd Have you any record of your age? if so
where is it?
Answer. I have no record of my age. My age is
Recorded in the old family record of my father which is in the hands of my sister in New Jersey, unless it is lost or destroyed.

3rd Where were you living when you volunteered in the service? Were you drafted or did you served as a volunteer, or was you a substitute and if a substitute for whom?
Answer. In town of Harrington Bergen County New Jersey. I volunteered in the service by my father's consent.  I did not serve as a substitute for anyone.

4th Where have you lived since the Revolutionary War and where do you now live?
Answer I lived in the town of Harrington aforesaid until about thirty years ago. I was about fifty years of age when I left Harrington. Since I left there I resided in Hopewell Ontario County N. York, about 29 years, and about seven years in the town of Phelps where I now
reside.
Page 14

5th 
State the names of the officers who were
with the troops when you served, such
Continental and Militia Regiments as you
can recollect and the general circumstances
of your service.


Answer
Baron De Kalb an officer was with the troops
one James & one Grief
were non commission officers - also Capt Callender
or Chandler - Lieut. Wright was among some
of the officers with the army in N. Y. first time
of service & the Last aforesaid & described service
in my Declaration. there was Genl Wayne
Genl Lee & other officers I do not now
remember. the general circumstances of my said
Services are detailed in my Declaration aforesaid
& which is all I can now state.


6th 
Did you ever receive a discharge from
the service? and if so by whom was it
given. And if in writing what has
become of it?
Answer
I Received a verbal discharge only
and that was given by Lieut Wright
described more particularly in my declaration
hereunto annexed 
My last discharge from
my second time of service was verbal and I
have forgotten the name of the Commanding officer
who gave it -
Page 15

And the said Court do further certify that after
propounding the interrogatories above written
with his answers thereto annexed, we do
declare it our opinion that the [written or witness]
named Peter Van Buskirk applicant for a
pension was a soldier of the Revolution
and entitled to a Pension for said service.
E. Fitch Smith First Judge
Chester Loomis
Peter Mitchell
Judges


State of New York
Ontario County SS. 
I Alexander H Howell Clerk
of said County, and Clerk of the Court of Common
Pleas held in & for said County this 20th day
of May A D 1846 do herby Certify that the
foregoing contains the original proceedings
of the said Court in the matter of the application
of Peter Van Buskirk for a Pension
In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and seal
of Office at Canandarque in
said County this 20th day
May 
Alexdr. H. Howell
Clerk of
Ontario County Court


stop here
Page 16

State of New York
Tompkins County SS. 
On this 11th day of June A D 1846
personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the
peace in & for the said County, George Dearman a resident
of the town of Groton in the said County, aged Eighty two
years, who being first duly sworn deposes and say that
He is well acquainted with Peter Vanbuskirk an old
man now residing in the town of Phelps Ontario County
& State aforesaid.  that he was acquainted with him when
a child. Deponent and the said Peter Vanbuskirk were
born and brought up in the same town, to wit in the
town of Harrington in the County of Bergen in the State of
New Jersey - deponent says he well recollects the events
of the Revolution which took place in or near the said
town of Harrington. in the said town of Harrington
& near the Residence of deponents fathers, there was
Located & kept most of the time of the Revolution a
Camp Ground, at which Camp ground there did
occasionally appear large bodies of the soldiers and
Officers of the different Corps of the Revolutionary
Annies-- that in the fall of the year 1779 Baron
DeKalb an Officer in the Revolution arrived at the
said Camp at Harrington aforesaid with a large
body of American Troops, and continued in Camp
for a considerable time. that about the first day
of October in the said year 1779 the said Peter Van
Buskirk Volunteered to serve in the troops of Baron
De Kalb aforesaid. that he served from that time
until the first of Nov. 1780 in the Capacity of a
private. that he saw him almost every day on duty
sometimes with his Musket, and at other times
in the Barracks and place when the cooking for the
soldiers was done & also in the place where the sick
was quartered - that the said Vanbuskirk was
Page 17

regularly enrolled. saw him muster every night
& morning when Roll was called. that the Capt
name was Chandler or Calender, Deponent cannot
particularly state.  & also in which company was one
Lieut Wright, the said troops to which said Vanbuskirk attached
himself under the said Baron De Kalb were
called the Maryland & Delaware troops & Deponent
thinks among them were some Virginia Troops.
that the Latter part of the month of May 1780. the army
to which he was attached as aforesaid, divided and
a large portion Removed south with Baron De Kalb
& the Remainder of said army or troops remained
in Camp at Harrington aforesaid. that said Peter
Vanbuskirk remained with those that Remained
in Camp, and continued to do duty as a
soldier until the forepart of the month of November
1780, when the said Remainder left said Camp and
went South, & was commanded by Officers which deponent
 has forgotten, but that Lieut Wright Remained
with & was an active officer in that part of the
Army which remained in Camp after Baron DeKalb
Removed south. that after the said tools Removed
in whole from the Camp of Harrington aforesaid in
Nov. 1780, other troops or armies arrived there and
continued successively to arrive & Depart. & that the
said succession arrival of troops were commanded
by Genls Wayne,  Lee & other Genl offices which
he is not able to recall their names. that said
Van Buskirk continued to serve as a volunteer in
the said Camp attending to the duties of a soldier
from the time Dekalb army finally all left in
Nov. 1780 until the first of June 1781, when the
whole was principally broke up. deponent knows
that the said Vanbuskirk was a good soldier
Page 18

that he saw him almost every day during the time
herein stated by deponent saw him in the Ranks where
parade was ordered. Saw him standing guard with
his musket on sentry,  saw him in Mess Room
cooking-- saw him attending on the sick, saw
him on duty at different times, when detachment
was sent away to the North River & down the same,
keeping watch of the Enemy. protecting any stores, &c.
Deponent further says that he saw said
Van buskirk discharged from the service by Lieut.
Wright in Nov. 1780, a few miles from Camp
while the said troops were moving off south.
that deponent well remembers all these facts. Deponent
says that he was in the same service in the same County
and for the same time. Deponent and the said Van
Buskirk were sons of Farmers who resided in the same
town when the camp aforesaid was situated.
deponent say that he resided in Harrington aforesaid
until about fifty seven years ago, since which time
he has resided in his present place of Residence


George Dearman his mark


Subscribed and and sworn
this 11th day of Jun
1846 before me
S. D. Carr Justice of the peace of the town of Groton
in the said County
Christopher Nottingham Witness-
Page 19

State  of New York
Tompkins County ss


I S.J. Carr a Justice
of the peace in & for said County do hereby certify that
I am well acquainted with George Dearman who
took & Subscribed his name to the foregoing affidavit
that he is a man of good moral character and
that his statements therein contained are entitled
to credit.  And I do further certify that the reason 
the said George Dearman did not write his name
is because unable to do so through the infirmities
of age.
Stated [illegible] June 11th 1846
S. D. Carr J. P.
Christopher Nottingham Witness




State  of New York
Tompkins County ss
I Ezra Weaver deputy Clerk of the County of the
aforesaid do hereby verify that Samuel D Carr before whom
the above affidavit was subscribed and sworn and whose name
is subscribed to the date thereto and to the certificate thereunder
written was at the date of the same an acting Justice of the peace in &
for said County commissioned and Sworn and duly authorized to
take the same, and further that I am well acquainted with his
hand writing and verily believe his signature thereto is genuine.
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed
the Seal of said County at then the twelfth day of June
in the year one thousand eight hundred & forty six.
Ezra Weaver Dept  Clerk
Page 20

City of Washington District of Columbia
July 24th 1862
I Certify that I was acquainted with
Peter Van Buskirk of Ontario
County State of New York while living
and that the said Peter Van Buskirk
died on the 18th day of December 1861 in
said County as above stated
Samuel M. Hildreth
Sworn to and subscribed before
me this 24th day of July A.D. 1862
W. S. Clary J.P. (seal)
Page 21

31
Affidavit of
Ab'rm A. Ackerman
&
Copies of inscriptions
on tombstones,
of Thos. Van
Buskirk's children
Page 22

Extracts taken from the Family Bible
of in the possession of Wm Osburn who
married Catharine Van Buskirk daughter
 of Thomas Van Buskirk grand daughter
 of Abraham Van Buskirk the
brother of Peter.
" Abraham Van Buskirk born October
10th 1758
" Abraham Van Buskirk was married
to Jane Burdette November 29th 1778
" Thomas A Van Buskirk born September
11th 1780
" Lucretia Van Buskirk born January
3rd 1785
Abraham Van Buskirk died February
20th 1806
I hereby certify that I have taken
the above extracts from the Family Bible
as above stated and I further certify
that there does not appear any record
of an earlier date than the birth of
said Abraham relating to the Van Buskirk
family nor does these appear any record
of any of the brother or sisters of said
Abraham in said Bible nor do I know
of any such record anywhere else
Subscribed and
sworn to this
31st day of July 1861
A J Ackerman
Page 23

[NOTE - This page and the next are translated transcriptions from the original Dutch, which can be found on pp. 218-219 in this file.] 

George Achenbach was born A.D. 1739
the 23d of January
His wife Antye was born A.D. 1749
the 27th of February
In the year 1763, the 24th day of
March, they contracted marriage.


Children:
my daughter Elisabet was born
A.D. 1764, the 3d of June
 
my daughter Eva, was born A.D.
1765, the 26th of December

My son Rynhart was born A.D.
1767 the 27th of October

my daughter Januitye was born A.D.
1769, the 25th of July

my daughter Catarina was born A.D.
1771, the 14th day of May

my son Lourens was born A.D. 1773
the 12th day of March

my daughter Margritye was born A.D.
1775 the 7th day of February,

my son Johannis was born A.D.
1777, the 12th day of June
Page 24

my daughter Marya was born A.D. 1779,
the 24th day of March


my son Thomas was born A.D. 1781,
on the 9th day of April


my daughter Antye was born A.D
1783, the 20th of February


My daughter Rachel was born A.D.
1785 the 8th of March


These died:
Marya February A.D. 1793
Johannis, February 28, A.D. 1793
Margritye May 3, A.D. 1793
Catarina, February 15 A.D. 1797.


My dear wife Antye, the mother
of all died February 11 1801. her age 
was 53 years 11 months and 16 days


Anna Cole died July 21 1856.
Jane Achenbach died April 11 1860
Page 25

[handwriting superimposed diagonally across the following is mostly illegible, so not transcribed]


July 23 
Peter Van Buskirk
Peter Van Buskirk
Private


Pay or Quar Master Rowgen
Enter 1st Sept 1813
Dis’c 20 Oct 1813
W.Y.M


[note that War 1812 is crossed out and replaced by Rev. War, but the dates seem to indicate War of 1812 is actually correct] 
Rev. War 


[illegible] to N.Y.
 June 32 - 32882


[no: 160 ac]
July 9/56
Boynton
2
J. G. Austin
Present
Page 26

193264
BOUNTY LAND ACT, 1855
Claims of a Soldier who has never
received Bounty land.
Peter V. Bukick
N. Y.
Teamster in the War of
1812. During fall of 1813
at New York City to
Harlem. Paid by a
Paymaster by name of
Rowgen. Dis'd verbally.
Never Rec'd Bo Land
or made any other
application

FILED BY
James G Austin
Washington
D. C.
Page 27

For Soldier
who has never received Bounty Land.


STATE OF New York
County of Ontario


On this 17th day of April A. D. 1855 personally appeared before me, a
Justice of the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid, duly authorized by law to administer oaths, Peter Buskin aged 94 years, a resident of Phelp, Ontario
County in the State of New York who being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is
the identical Peter Van Buskirk who was a Teamster in the Militia of New York
in the war with Great Britain
declared by the United States in June 1812 in carting
Military stores from New York City to the comp. at [Harlem]
and other places from the Dock &
–that he entered the service at New York City on or about the first
day of Sept 1813 and continued in actual service in said war for the term of fourteen days
and upwards, and was honorably discharged at Harlem
on or about the 20th day of October 1818,  
that he was paid off by the Paymaster A Quartermaster by the name of Rowgen and only
received a verbal discharge.
He makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which he may be entitled under the
act approved March 3d, 1855. He also declares that he has not received a warrant for bounty land, under
this or any other act of Congress, nor made any other application therefor.
James G Austin of Washington D.C
is hereby authorized to prosecute this my claim and to receive any warrant that may be issued hereon.
Peter Van Buskirk (SEAL.)
AFFIDAVIT OF TWO WITNESSES.
We Lyman D Wilber and William H Nelson, residents of the
County of Ontario State of Mr Jack upon our oaths, declare that the foregoing
declaration was signed and acknowledged by the above Peter Van Buskirk
in our presence, and that we believe from the appearance and statements of the applicant, that he is the identical person he represents himself to be, and that we have no interest in this claim.
Lyman T. Miller (seal)
William H Nelson (seal)


MAGISTRATE'S CERTIFICATE.
The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year
above written; and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons; that I believe the claimant is the
person he represents himself to be, and that I have no interest in this claim.
Hy C Swift J.P.
COUNTY CLERK' S CERTIFICATE.
State of New York
COUNTY OF Ontario
I hereby certify that Henry Swift, Esq.
before whom the foregoing declaration and affidavit were made, is and was at the time of taking the same, and
acting Justice of the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid, duly commissioned and qualified,
and that the signature above is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed
the seal of my office, this 18 day of April 1855
John J Lyon Clerk


*Note here state in what manner he was discharged -- if in writing state what has become of it.
Page 28

In the name of God Amen,
I, Peter Van Buskirk, [now]
now of the City of Washington in the District of Columbia
but late of Bergen County in the State of New Jersey, being
weak in body but of sound and disposing mind and memory,
mindful of the instability of human life, and desiring
to leave my family as little trouble, after my death, as
possible; do make publish and declare this my last will
and Testament; hereby revoking all former wills by me
at any time heretofore made and declaring the same
to be null and void.
Imprimis; I give my body to the Earth from whence it came
and my soul to the keeping of the Eternal Father
who created it.
Secondly: After all my just debts and other proper claims
against me are paid and satisfied, I give and
bequeath all my estate, both real, personal and
mixed, of whatsoever nature and kind the same
may be, and wheresoever the same may be, unto
my beloved Grand daughter, Mary Ett Van Buskirk, 
daughter of my son Abram Van Buskirk, now of
Washington City in the District of Columbia, to her
and her heirs forever.
Lastly; I constitute nominate and appoint my son
Abram Van Buskirk, Executor of this my last will
and Testament and I direct that he act as such
Page 29

without being required or called upon to give any bond
with surety for the faithful performance of his duties.
Given under my hand and seal, this sixteenth day of March
A. D. 1857. One Thousand eight hundred and fifty seven.
Signed, sealed, published and declared Peter Van Buskirk  ‘s
by the above named Testator Peter Van Buskirk to
as and be his last Will and Testament who
In our presence executed the same, and me,
whose names are hereunto subscribed, did, on
the 16th day of March A.D. 1857 at the request of
the said Peter Van Buskirk, and in his presence
and in the presence of each other, sign our names
as witnesses thereto.
Thos JI Williams
Ann Van Buskirk




Last Will & Testament
of
Peter Van Buskirk
Copy)
Page 30

[this form is very dark; the words transcribed are partly from obsevation and partly from reference in subsequent affadavits]


Received of Peter Van Buskirk Commmisary of Forage 58 bushels of oats, for which [illegible] 

Chas Fox, Teamster
Page 31


[page is damaged] 
157

32.882 
Peter Van Buskirk
Dis. Col
Hon. G. W. Jones
Dec 28/58

Returned to Senate papers
Dec 30 1858 [illegible] 

[ad] June [missing]
Page 32

[image is too dark to read or extract]
Page 33

Benj. Westevelt
lives at 137 West
21st [?]  betwn 7 &8 Avs.
Has a sister living
with him-- he saya
he was 90 last
April - STat Stephen
is the next youngest
& is about 88 yrs
of age - This is the 
understanding of th e
family-
Thomas
Sampson
Maryland office
[Chamber ]
Page 34

some of the family of Westervelt in
New York are in possession of a
Bible in which is recorded the
birth of Stephen Westervelt on the
10th Oct. 1771.
Stephen Westervelt lives in 
Harrington township N.J. & told me
that Maria Westervelt who
he thought lived in Christopher
street could refer to the person
who had the bible-- I want
to see it and get a certified
extract from it showing the
birth of Stephen
123 Hammond-W
28 Commerce - W
Page 35

Rev, &c War 1812
 33.751

S.
[illegilbe]
Page 36

Copy of a [discharge] found among the papers
of Peter Van Buskirk

This is to Certify that the Bearer Hugh
Dwenie a Soldier having served in the
fourth Regiment of Pennsylvania during the
of his enlistment, is now discharged.
the service of the United States of America
at [Tenntown] this 18. day of Jany - 1781
Anty Wayne, 
B. G.
Page 37

8 -- 595.
O. W. AND N. DIVISION.
Bepartment of the Interior,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.

Searched by A.F.
Claim No.
Certificate No.
Claimant Hughy Dwenie or
Soldier Hugh Deveney
Service 4 Pa Volo
Rev. War
Additional service.
Remarkes No [cmder] or [M'd]
No bounty Land
May 15, 1905

Chief of Divison

6091b10m11-02
Page 38

18[96] Mar 3rd
[ordered said] affidavit 
That H R Rep [House Representatives? ] 
give information concerning
Thomas Van Buskirk
F. ?.

Certificate
No 32.882
File No 14.613
Peter Van Buskirk
Revolutionary
Act June 7, 1832
Inscribed on Washington, D.C.
Agency at $600 pr annum
Commencing March 4. 1831
deducting payments at $60.00
pr annum
Certificate issued July 6. 1861
and sent to S. A. Pugh
Present
Recorded in Book H
page 208
Page 39

[page is damaged] 
32[?] District Columbia
New York

Peter Van Buskirk
in the State of N. Y. 123
Was a private in the —- command[ed by]
Captain —---- of the —-- [commanded by]
[illegible]
For [# illegible] mos.

Subscribed on the Roll of Albany
the rate of $60 dollars —- Cents
[to] commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
[Certifi]cate of Pension issued the 3 day of 
[March?} 1841 and sent to A. Van Buskirk
P. Phelps Present Mch 22/61
S. A. Peugh 21/61
Sec. Interior Mch 27/61
[handwritten words are cut off at end of page]


[remainder of form is not filled in, but partially shows the following printed words]

4th of
allowance ending
Revolutionary
Page 40

P. Phelps Mch 22/61
S. A. Peugh Mch 22/61
Secy Int. Mch 24/61
S. A.Peugh Apl 3/61
W. Hickey Apl 4/61
(See copies of affidavits
of this claimant [ ]
in the case of George
Dearmon - on file in
H. of Reps and in
case
of Jane Van
Deen, on file in
Senate.)

193-2-64
Page 41

[Page is damaged on left side]

[Peter Van Buskirk]
[missing] Pri. in the [blank] commanded
[...in] of the [blank] commanded
in the [blank]

[Sus]cribed on the Roll of Washington
[at the] rate of 600 Dollars ---- Cents
[per] annum, to commence on the 4th day of
March 1831, former payment at the rate
[of]  $60 per an. to be deducted 

[Certific]ate of Pension issued the 6 day of
[July or January] 1861 and sent to
S.A. Peugh Esq.
Present

see mutilated brief inside
G.C.W.

Revolutionary Claim
Act June 7, 1832.

Recorded by W.E. Gapen Clerk,
Book H Vol. [blank] Page 208
Page 42

[Header is cut off. It would include Congress #, Sessions # and Report #]

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES.
MARCH 13, 1860. -- Ordered to be printed.

Mr. GRIMES submitted the following

REPORT.
(To accompany bill S. 277.
The Committee on Pensions, to whom was referred the petition of Peter
Van Buskirk, praying to be allowed a pension for his service as 
assistant commissary in the revolutionary war, having had the same
under consideration, beg leave to report:
That it appears he has been allowed a pension of $60 per annum for
eighteen months service as a private; that when he made his original
declaration, he was not aware that the different grades, or length of
service, made any difference in the amount of pension due, and therefore
did not claim his services as assistant commissary.
Stephen Lutkins, aged ninety-five years, testifies that he was well
acquainted with petitioner during the revolutionary war, and that he
knows he acted as assistant commissary.
Stephen Westervelt, aged ninety - one years, and Elizabeth Hopper,
aged eighty-seven years, corroborate the above witness. All these
witnesses are certified to be credible.
Two papers are furnished, purporting to be receipts for forage received
from petitioner as an assistant commissary.
In view of the above facts of the petitioner's revolutionary services
and of his advanced age, being about ninety-eight years old -- the committee
report a bill, and recommend its passage.
Page 43


35th CONGRESS 1st Session
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
REPORT No. 101.

MARYETT VAN BUSKIRK.
(To accompany bill H. R. No. 276.)
FEBRUARY 9, 1858.
Mr. GEORGE TAYLOR, from the Committee on Revolutionary Claims,
made the following
REPORT.
The Committee on Revolutionary Claims to whom were referred the
petition and papers of Maryett Van Buskirk, heir of Thomas Van
Buckirk, respectfully report:
That they have examined this case with great care, and they
unanimously concur that the facts set forth by the petitioner are fully
sustained by the evidence.
It appears that the petitioner, Maryett Van Buskirk, is the lineal
descendant of Thomas Van Buskirk, who was in his lifetime a citizen
of Bergen County, New Jersey. That during the period of our revolutionary
struggle he was a wealthy farmer and grazier, and a man
of great influence. The evidence before your committee shows, that
he was one of the most ardent whigs of the revolution, and in a community
where a large part of the population was hostile to the
American cause. It further appears from the evidence and certificates
on file, that the American troops at different times, under the
command of Generals Wayne, Greene, and other officers, during the
period ranging between the years 1777 and 1780, encamped at Harrington,
(or Peramus, as sometimes called,) in said county and State.
in the latter years, the winter of 1779-80, General Washington with
the main army were encamped at Morristown, near by. When your
committee state that, as early as the year 1777, dates the poverty and
extreme wants of the army, and the prostration of the credit of the
government, they state facts known to all men. It abundantly appears
by the evidence, that from this time, while our army was in winter
quarters at Valley Forge, until the year 1780, the said Thomas Van
Buskirk was frequently applied to by the several officers commanding
the American troops for supplies of cattle, horses, forage, grain, and
other necessary articles, all of which he furnished; and he frequently
purchased articles from others with his own money, to enable him to
supply the army. The difficult task of obtaining supplies at this
time, and in a part of the State notoriously disaffected; the resort to
force by our officers to obtain them under the command of a resolution
of Congress, are facts known in history. The evidence establishes
Page 44

2
MARYETT VAN BUSKIRK.
the fact that it was during this time that the ancestor of the
petitioner, Thomas Van Buskirk, furnished these supplies, as the
evidence shows, with cheerfulness and alacrity. It is also proven that
when the British had possession of Philadelphia in 1778, and Colonel
Lee had been sent into New Jersey to carry off and destroy all that
otherwise might fall into the hands of the enemy, in order to cut off
their supplies; among those that suffered in this expedition was the
said Thomas Van Buskirk, who cheerfully gave up what he had.
It appears that was seldom paid in money for his property, but
instead received certificates, executed by the several officers in command,
 as proven by the depositions of parties who saw the officers
sign many of the same. One of the witnesses examined on the 1st day of
December, 1854, says that he was then ninety-six years of age, and that
he saw Col. Lee, subscribe certificates Nos. 3 and 5, and that he saw
the property described in the certificates Nos. 1, 2 and 7 delivered to
Major Tilgham. The following are copies of two of said certificates:

BERGEN, NEW JERSEY, February 19, 1778.
Thomas Van Buskirk, esq., of Paris, has contributed voluntarily
cattle, horses, grain, flour, forage and cloth for the public service
to the value of two thousand three hundred and seventeen dollars,
for which this is his claim upon Congress, with interest, to be paid in
hard money.
ANTHONY WAYNE.
Brig. Gen. U.S.A.

PARAMUS, NEW JERSEY, December,
(Date uncertain being defaced, 1777 or 1779.)
I certify that Thomas Van Buskirk has supplied the American
army with beeves, three horses, forage flour, and other articles, to the
sum of twelve hundred and fifty dollars, for which the Congress of
the United States is chargeable in specie currency, and interest payable
in like manner.
THOMAS MIFFLIN.
Quartermaster Gen. U.S.A.

It is satisfactorily proven that the amount of supplies of every kind
thus furnished by Thomas Van Buskirk to the American army, with
those destroyed by Col. Lee, amounted to the sum of twenty thousand
three hundred and sixty seven dollars, which is covered by the said
certificates of the American officers and still remain unpaid.
The said Thomas Van Buskirk died in March, 1811, while the
country was yet poor, without having presented his claim for payment.
On several occasions, when requested to do so by his friends, he declined,
assigning as his reason that his country had not recovered from the
embarrassments occasioned by the struggle for independence, and that
Page 45

MARYETT VAN BUSKIRK.


it required the money more than [he did.], at the same time he expressed
his conviction that the debt would [some] future day be paid to his heirs. 
Your committee have no doubt [that the] facts set forth in the petition,
and which are fully established [with] said certificates, and the depositions
on file. They state the amounts due, and promise payment with
interest, and it is abundantly proven that up to the death of the said
Thomas Van Buskirk he retained these memorials with a fondness
and tenacity known only to the patriots who lived in the day that
tried men's souls. It is proven by several witnesses who were
around his death bed, that the last evidences of his consciousness was
his request to see these proofs of the services to his country.


The petitioner, the lineal descendant of said Thomas Van Buskirk,
and his heir-at-law, now presents this demand for payment, and your
committee, fully recognizing the obligation of the government to pay
claims so just in their character, and so satisfactorily established, have
unanimously come to the conclusion that the gross amount of said
certificates above specified, ought to be paid, and your committee therefore
 report the accompanying bill.
Your committee having come to the conclusion that the foregoing
sum is due the petitioner, in right of her ancestor, are led to enquire
whether the claimant is entitled to interest. In the investigation of
this case your committee have come to the conclusion that it presents
one not only of unusual merit, commending itself to the equity and
patriotism of Congress, but one of technical legal obligation by which
the government is bound to pay interest upon the sum due. By reference
to the resolution of Congress passed the third day of June, A. D.
1784, enacts " That an interest of six per cent. per annum shall be
allowed to all creditors of the United States for supplies furnished, or
services done, from the time that the payment became due." This
language is explicit and without a doubt, and a voluntary national
obligation assumed by the government, by which it contracted to pay
an additional sum by way of compensation, or for damages, for the
non-payment of a debt due. The resolution was, no doubt, passed in
the spirit of justice, and that the citizen should be placed upon the same
footing with the government in such contracts that the law
placed him with his fellow citizen. Thomas Van Buskirk having
furnished these supplies, which have not been paid for, and for which
payment was due at the time furnished, he is clearly entitled to
interest under this resolution alone, which constitutes interest a legal
right and a claim against the government. But this is not all. The
certificates themselves expressly promise interest, and show the character
of the contract at the time it was made. At that time such a
debt was in the nature of an open account, not bearing interest, and
hence it may reasonably be supposed why it was made a part of the contract.
It is difficult to imagine upon what basis an argument can be
built to show why this interest should not be paid. The only one
that can be urged is that of the tyrant, the argument of might.
The intelligence of advancing civilization, enforced by modern
writers, reject the old notion that governments are so elevated above
the subject that it can withhold the payment of a debt or not, as it
may choose, and yet not violate a rule of equity. On the contrary, the
Page 46

4
MARYETT VAN BUSKIRK.

opposite rule obtains, as based upon the simple principle that the 
strong shall itself set the example of doing right and justice, that it
may the better enforce the obligation upon the weak to do the same.
The proposition that government  may withhold the payment of
interest upon a debt due the citizen yet enforce its payment from
the citizen, when due the government need only to be stated to show
its absurdity. Congress itself has virtually so considered it, for it
has, according to document No. 40, printed by authority of Congress
at the —--- session of the —---- Congress, paid interest on more than
seventeen hundred cases, many of them identical with the one now
under consideration.
Your committee would illustrate, by a few instances, the practice
of government in dealing with its debtors. In prosecuting the payment
of the money due by the French government for spoliations,
interest was not only demanded, but, because payment was delayed, the
history of the times show that reprisals were threatened, and the
calamities of war might have been incurred to enforce the claim to
interest.


In the settlement of claims due by the Mexican government to the
citizens of the United States, under the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo,
the only thing considered by the board appointed to adjust the claims,
under the direction of our goverment, was the amount of the losses
sustained by our citizens. From the date this was ascertained to be
due and liquidated, interest commenced to run upon the claim, and
it was paid on all of them. If it was just to compel the Mexican
government to pay interest to American creditors, by the same rule
would it have been equally just for the American government to pay
to Mexican creditors, were the relationship of the two governments
reversed? If this be so, then, by what rule of ethics or law can the
government of the United States refuse to pay interest upon the just
claims of its own citizens.

Your committee might go on and multiply illustrations, all leading
irresistably to the same conclusion. A just government, such as we
are and ought to be, should not refuse the payment of interest upon
any debt where it could be demanded by one citizen from another;
and it cannot refuse to pay, without the sacrifice of integrity, when
the same is an express contract entered into with its own citizens.
In the able opinion of Judge Gilchrist, of the Court of Claims, in
the case of Thomas H. Baird, administrator, he states truly, that "the
United States are either bound by principles of law applicable to them,
or they are not so bound. If they are not bound, then there is an end
of the discussion; for then all reasoning is fruitless. If they are
bound by the principles of law, it is impossible to regard the payment,
(of the debt due,) without interest, as a satisfaction of the claim, and
unless at defiance every principle of law, we cannot hold that
one party to a contract, without the assent of the other, can discharge
his debt by the payment of a smaller sum than the amount due." A
majority of your committee, present at the meeting at which this
case was taken up, therefore, report in favor of the allowance of the
interest on said principal sum, and, as the dates of some of the certificates
are worn off, or indistinct, they fix the time for the interest to
commence on the 1st day of January, in the year 1780.
Page 47

35TH CONGRESS, 2d Session.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
REPORT No. 10.
MARYETT VAN BUSKIRK.
(To accompany bill H.R.No. 751.)

January 4, 1859

Mr. Cox, from the Committee on Revolutionary Claims, made the
following 
REPORT

The Committee on Revolutionary Claims to whom were referred the
petition and papers of Maryett Van Buskirk heir of Thomas Van
Buskirk, respectfully report:
That they have examined this case with great care, and they
unanimously concur that the facts set forth by the petitioner are fully
sustained by the evidence.
It appears that the petitioner, Maryett Van Buskirk, is the lineal
descendant of Thomas Van Buskirk, who was in his lifetime a citizen
of Bergen County, New Jersey. That during the period of our revolutionary
struggle he was a wealthy farmer and grazier, and a man
of great influence. The evidence before your committee shows, that
he was one of the most ardent whigs of the revolution, and in a community
where a large part of the population was hostile to the
American cause. It further appears from the evidence and certificates
on file, that the American troops at different times, under the
command of Generals Wayne, Greene, and other officers, during the
period ranging between the years 1777 and 1780, encamped at Harrington
(or Peramus, as sometimes called,) in said county and State.
In the latter years, the winter of 1779-80, General Washington with
the main army were encamped at Morristown, near by. When your
committee state that, as early as the year 1777, dates the poverty and
extreme wants of the army, and the prostration of the credit of the
government, they state facts known to all men. It abundantly appears
by the evidence that from this time, while our army was in winter
quarters at Valley Forge, until the year 1780, the said Thomas Van
Buskirk was frequently applied to by the several officers commanding
the American troops for supplies of cattle, horses, forage, grain, and
other necessary articles, all of which he furnished; and he frequently
purchased articles from others with his own money, to enable him to
supply the army. The difficult task of obtaining supplies at this
time, and in a part of the State notoriously disaffected; the resort to
Page 48

MARYETT VAN BUSKIRK.

force by our officers to obtain to under the command of a resolution
of Congress, are facts known history. The evidence establishes
the fact that it was during the time that the ancestor of the petitioner.
Thomas Van Buskirk, furnished these supplies, as the evidence shows,
with cheerfulness and alacrity. It is also proven that when the
British had possession of Philadelphia in 1778, and Colonel Lee had been
sent into New Jersey to carry off and destroy all that otherwise
might fall into the hands of the enemy, in order to cut off their supplies,
among those that suffered in this expedition was the said
Thomas Van Buskirk, who cheerfully gave up what he had.
It appears that he seldom was paid in money for his property, but
instead received certificates, executed by the several officers in command,
as proven by the depositions of parties who saw the officers
sign many of the same. One of the witnesses examined on the 1st
day of December, 1854, says that he was then ninety-six years of age,
and that he saw Col. Lee, subscribe certificates Nos. 3 and 5, and
that he saw the property described in the certificates Nos. 1, 2, and 7
delivered to Major Tilgham. The following are copies of two of said
certificates:

BERGEN, NEW JERSEY, February 19, 1778.
Thomas Van Buskirk, esq., of Paramus, has contributed voluntarily
cattle, horses, grain, flour, forage, and cloth for the public service
to the value of two thousand three hundred and seventeen dollars,
for which this is his claim upon Congress, with interest, to be paid in
hard money.
ANTHONY WAYNE,
Brig. Gen. U. S. A.


PARAMUS, NEW JERSEY, December,
(Date uncertain being defaced, 1777 or 1779.)
I certify that Thomas Van Buskirk has supplied the American
army with beeves, three horses, forage, flour, and other articles, to the
sum of twelve hundred and fifty dollars, for which the Congress of
the United States is chargeable in specie currency, and interest payable
in like manner.
THOMAS MIFFLIN,
Quartermaster Gen. U.S.A.

It is satisfactorily proven that the amount of supplies of every kind
thus furnished by Thomas Van Buskirk to the American army, with
those destroyed by Col. Lee, amounted to the sum of twenty thousand
three hundred and sixty seven dollars, which is covered by the said
certificates of the American officers and still remain unpaid.
The said Thomas Van Buskirk died in March, 1811, while the
Page 49

MARYETT VAN BUSKIRK.

country was yet poor, without having presented his claim for payment.
On several occasions, when requested to do so by his friends, he declined,
 assigning as his reason that his country had not recovered from
the embarrassments occasioned by the struggle for independence, and
that it required the money more than he did, at the same time he expressed
his conviction that the debt would at a future day be paid to
his heirs.
Your committee have no doubt of the facts set forth in the petition,
and which are fully established by the said certificates, and the depositions
on file. They state the amounts due, and promise payment
with interest, and it is abundantly proven that up to the death of the
said Thomas Van Buskirk he retained these memorials with a fondness
and tenacity known only to the patriots who lived in the day that
tried men's souls. It is proven by several witnesses who were around
his death-bed, that the last evidence of his consciousness was his request
to see these proofs of his services to his country,
The petitioner, the lineal descendant of said Thomas Van Buskirk
and his heir-at-law, now presents this demand for payment; and your
committee, fully recognizing the obligation of the government to pay
claims so just in their character, and so satisfactorily established, have
unanimously come to the conclusion that the gross amount of said
certificates above specified, ought to be paid, and your committee
therefore report the accompanying bill.
Page 50

36th CONGRESS 1st Session.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
REPORT No. 25.

MARYETT VAN BUSKIRK.
(To accompany Bill H. R. No. 245.]
MARCH 2, 1860.
Mr. BRIGGS, from the Committee on Revolutionary Claims, made the
following
REPORT.
The Committee on Revolutionary Claims to whom were referred the
petition and papers of Maryett Van Buskirk heir of Thomas Van
Buskirk, respectfully report:
That they have examined this case with great care, and they unanimously
concur that the facts set forth by the petitioner are fully sustained
by the evidence.
It appears that the petitioner, Maryett Van Buskirk, is the lineal
descendant of Thomas Van Buskirk, who was in his lifetime a citizen
of Bergen County, New Jersey. That during the period of our 
revolutionary struggle he was a wealthy farmer and grazier, and a man of
great influence. The evidence before your committee shows that he
was one of the most ardent whigs of the revolution, and in a community
where a large part of the population was hostile to the American
cause. It further appears from the evidence, and certificates on file,
that the American troops at different times, under the command of
Generals Wayne, Greene, and other officers, during the period ranging
between the years 1777 and 1780, encamped at Harrington, 
(or Peramus as sometimes called,) in said county and State. In the latter
years, the winter of 1779-80, General Washington with the main
army were encamped at Morristown, near by. When your committee
state that as early as the year 1777 dates the poverty and extreme
wants of the army, and the prostration of the credit of the government,
they state facts known to all men. It abundantly appears by
the evidence that from this time, while our army was in winter quarters
at Valley Forge, until the year 1780, the said Thomas Van
Buskirk was frequently applied to by the several officers commanding
the American troops for supplies of cattle, horses, forage, grain, and
other necessary articles, all of which he furnished; and he frequently
purchased articles from others with his own money to enable him to
supply the army. The difficult task of obtaining supplies at this time,
and in a part of the State notoriously disaffected; the resort to force
Page 51

2
MARYETT VAN BUSKIRK.
by our officers to obtain them under the command of a resolution of
Congress, are facts known in history. The evidence establishes the
fact that it was during this time that the ancestor of the petitioner,
Thomas Van Buskirk, furnished these supplies, as the evidence shows,
with cheerfulness and alacrity. It is also proven that when the
British had possession of Philadelphia in 1778, and Colonel Lee had been
sent into New Jersey to carry off and destroy all that otherwise
might fall into the hands of the enemy, in order to cut off their supplies, 
among those that suffered in this expedition was the said Thomas
Van Buskirk, who cheerfully gave up what he had
It appears that he seldom was paid in money for his property, but
instead received certificates, executed by the several officers in command,
as proven by the depositions of parties who saw the officers
sign many of the same. One of the witnesses examined on the first
day of December, 1854, says that he was then ninety-six years of age,
and that he saw Colonel Lee, subscribe two of the certificates, and that
he saw the property described in three of the others delivered to Major
Tilgham.
It is satisfactorily proven that the amount of supplies of every kind
thus furnished by Thomas Van Buskirk to the American army, with
those destroyed by Colonel Lee, amounted to the sum of twenty thousand
three hundred and sixty-seven dollars, which is covered by the said
certificates of the American officers, and still remain unpaid.
The said Thomas Van Buskirk died in March, 1811, while the
country was yet poor, without having presented his claim for payment.
On several occasions, when requested to do so by his friends, he declined,
 assigning as his reason that his country had not recovered from
the embarrassments occasioned by the struggle for independence, and
that it required the money more than he did, at the same time he expressed
his conviction that the debt would at a future day be paid to
his heirs.
Your committee have no doubt of the facts set forth in the petition,
and which are fully established by the said certificates, and the depositions
on file. They state the amounts due, and promise payment
with interest, and it is abundantly proven that up to the death of the
said Thomas Van Buskirk he retained these memorials with a fondness
and tenacity known only to the patriots who lived in the day that
tried men's souls. It is proven by several witnesses who were around
his death-bed, that the last evidence of his consciousness was his request
to see these proofs of his services to his country,
The petitioner, the lineal descendant of said Thomas Van Buskirk
and his heir-at-law, now presents this demand for payment; and your
committee, fully recognizing the obligation of the government to pay
claims so just in their character, and so satisfactorily established, have
unanimously come to the conclusion that the gross amount of said
certificates above specified, ought to be paid, and your committee
therefore report the accompanying bill.
Page 52

121
Copy of the affidavit
of Stephen Lutkins
Original on file
in Senate U.S.

[cicular stamp]
PENSION OFFICE
JAN 31 1861
Page 53

State of New Jersey
Bergen County SS
On this 22nd day of July 1859
personally appeared before me the Subscribed a Justice of the
Peace Stephen Lutkins of Bergen County, who being duly sworn
on his oath saith that he has always resided in Bergen
County State of New Jersey that he is now aged about
ninety five years; That he is well acquainted with
Peter Van Buskirk in the time of the Revolutionary War, who
resided in Harrington Bergen County, and I was a near
neighbour to him. That the encampment was in Harrington
n said County, not far from the house of the
said Peter Van Buskirk. That the said Peter Van
Buskirk entered the army under General De Kalb and
Capt Callender, the reason I distinctly recollect the
names of those officers that one of them ordered a dog
belonging to my Father to be shot when passing by
our house. The regiment was called the Maryland
and Delaware Troops. That sometime in the Spring of
the year 1780 sometime in the month of May or June as
near as I can recollect, said army divided, a part
went with Baron De Kalb to the South, and the other
part of said Army remained at said Camp which
was in the vicinity of West Point until November 1780.
That the said Peter Van Buskirk remained with the
Northern part of said army in Harrington under the
command of Lieut Wright, doing duty as a soldier
and was under soldiers obligations, about the forepart
Page 54

of June 1781, the rest of the army to which he belonged
went south that the said Peter Van Buskirk accompanied
said army south some miles where he was discharged
and returned home, after the above mentioned Army
went south other troops arrived from time to time at the
Camp, it being a regular Camp ground during near the
remainder of the War, That the said Peter after his return
Volunteered his services under General Wayne, Gen, Lee,
and other Officers as an assistant Commissary for
supplying the army with Forage, until as near as
I can recollect in November 1783, The names of other
Officers I do not now recollect, I saw the Troops often.
The said Peter Van Buskirk was known to be regularly
enrolled and in the service, that he saw the said Peter
Van Buskirk, in the Army frequently at the Camp
ground. I recollect of soldiers laying at Paramus,
I also well recollect the burning of Hoppertown, I
saw the flames. The said Peter Van Buskirk was
not employed in any other capacity to my knowledge
afterwards but as above stated, and that he recollects
of his collecting Stores for the Army.
Sworn and subscribed before me this 22nd day of
July 1859 Abrm JI. Ackerman Justice of the Peace.
Stephen Lutkins
State of New Jersey
Bergen County SS 
 I Abm J. Ackman a Justice of the
Peace in and for the said County do hereby certify that
I am well acquainted with Stephen Lutkins who took
and subscribed his name to the foregoing that he is
Page 55

a credible person and his statements to the
foregoing are entitled to full credit and belief.
Abr'm J. Ackerman Justice of the Peace
in and for the County of Bergen
-
State of New Jersey
Bergen County SS
I Garret G. Ackerson Clerk of the
County of Bergen and Clerk of the Court of Common
Pleas in and for said county do certify that Abraham
J. Ackerman before whom the foregoing deposition
of Stephen Lutkins was taken and to which he has
subscribed his name, was at the time of the
doing thereof a Justice of the Peace in and for said
County, duly commissioned and sworn and
fully authorized to take the same, and further
that I am well acquainted with the handwriting
of said Justice and verily believe that his
signature to the same is genuine. Witness
my hand and seal of said County and
Court this twenty fifth day of August A.D.
1859.
Seal
G. G. Ackerson Clerk
Page 56

46

July 22. 1859.
Affidavit of
Stephen Lutkins
(B3)
No. 14
Page 57

State of New Jersey
Bergen County 
 On this 22nd day of
July 1859 personally appeared before me
the Subscriber a Justice of the peace
Stephen Lutkins of Bergen County
who being duly sworn on his oath
saith that he has always resided
in Bergen County State of New Jersey
that he is now aged about ninety five
years. That he was well acquainted with
Peter Van Buskirk in the time of
the Revolutionary war who resided in
Harrington Bergen County, and I
was a near neighbour to him. That the
encampment was in Harrington
in said County, not far from the
house of the said Peter Van Buskirk,
That the said Peter Van Buskirk
entered the army under General
DeKalb and Capt Callender.
(the reason I distinctly recollect the
names of those officers that one of them
ordered a dog belonging to my Father
to be shot when passing by our house)
The regiment was called the Maryland
and Delaware Troops. That sometime
in the Spring of the year 1781. Sometime in
Page 58

in the month of May or June as near as I can
recollect said Army, divided a part
went with Baron DeKalb to the South
and the other part of said Army remains
at said Camp which was in the vicinity
of West Point until November 1781.
That the said Peter Van Buskirk remained
with the Northern part of said Army in
Harrington under the command of Lieut
Wright doing duty as a soldier and was
under soldier obligation about the forepart
of June 1781. the rest of the army to which
he belonged went south that the said Peter
Van Buskirk accompaine said Army South
some miles, where he was discharge and
returned home after the above mentioned
army went South other Troops arrived from
time to time at the Camp it being
a regular Camp ground during near the
remainder of the war. That the said Peter
after his return volunteered his services
under General Wayne Gen. Lee and other
officers as an Assistant Commissary for
supplying the army with forage he until
as near as I can recollect in November 1783
The names of other officers I do not
now recollect. I saw the Troops often. 
the said Peter Van Buskirk was known to be
regularly enrolled and in the service,
Page 59

That he saw the said Peter Van
Buskirk in the Army frequently 
and that he recollects of his
Collecting stores for the army-
I was frequently at the Camp
ground. I recollect of Soldiers laying
at Paramus. I also well
recollect the burning of Hoppertown;
I saw the flames. Peter Van
Buskirk was not employed in any other Capacity
to my knowledge afterwards but as above stated.


Sworn to and Subscribed before me this 22 day
May 1859 Abr'm J Ackerman Justice of the peace
Stephen Lutkins

State of New Jersey
Bergen County 
 I Abrm J Ackerman a Justice
of the peace in and for said
County do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with
Stephen Lutkins who took and subscribed
his name to the foregoing that he is a credible
Person and his statements to the foregoing
are entitled to full credit and belief
Abrm J Ackerman Justice of the Peace
in and for the County of Bergen
Page 60

State of New Jersey
Bergen County ss.
I Garret G Ackerson Clerk of the
County of Bergen and Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas
in and for said County do certify that Abraham J Ackerson
before whom the foregoing deposition of Stephen
Lutkins was taken and to which he has subscribed his
name was of the time of the doing thereof a Justice of 
the peace in and for said County duly commissioned
and sworn and fully authorised to take the same
and further that I am acquainted with
the handwriting of said Justice and verily believe
that his signature to the same is genuine.
Witness my hand and seal of said
County and court this twenty fifth
day of August AD 1859
G. G. Ackerson Clerk
Page 61

33
Copy
of Affidavit of
Elizabeth Hopper
Original on file in
Senate U S.
No 7

[circular stamp]
PENSION OFFICE
JAN 31 1861
Page 62

State of New Jersey
County of Passaic ss
On this seventh day of December
1859, personally appeared before me the subscriber a
Judge of and in & for the County aforesaid, duly
appointed to administer oaths, according to law.
Elizabeth Hopper aged 89 years, deposes & says that she
was well acquainted with Peter Van Buskirk of Harrington
Bergen County New Jersey, in the time of the Revolutionary War; & with all the family & as she lived in the same
neighbourhood, she was well known to the said
Peter Van Buskirk's service in the U.S. Army, that
was quartered, (more or less), all the time during said
War at Harrington, by officers such as Barron De Kalb, 
Gen. Wayne, Lee & others, & that the said Peter Van Buskirk
acted in the capacity of an Officer under Gen Wayne
& other Officers to collect forage & supplying the army
from some time in the spring of 1781 until late in the
fall of 1783, until the Army disbanded. The Army
to which the said Peter Van Buskirk belonged were
sometimes in the vicinity of West Point & along the
Hudson River, Cove, Paramus, Hackensack, &c. then
again returned to the Camp ground formerly 
occupied by them & the said Peter Van Bushick as
I saw & understood, acting in the same capacity to
the close of the War, in collecting Forage, & supplying
Page 63

the U.S. Army as Forage Master or Commissary as it
was called at that time, & furthermore that I have
no interest in the above matter,

her
Elizabeth Hopper
mark

Sworn and subscribed before
me the this seventh day of Dec 1857.
B. W. Cleveland

State of New Jersey
County of Passaic, ss

I Bengn W Cleveland a Judge
of and in & for the County aforesaid do hereby certify
that I am well acquainted with Elizabeth Hopper
who took & subscribed her mark to the foregoing
affidavit, that I have known her for over 37 years
last past that she is a credible person & her statements
in the foregoing are entitled to full credit & belief, &
further more that I have no interest in the above
Claim, & am not concerned in its prosecution.
B W Cleveland,
Page 64

State of New Jersey
Passaic County ss.
I Silas P. Canfield Clerk of
said County do hereby certify that Benjamin W. Cleveland
Esq before whom the foregoing affidavit was made
and who has signed the annexed statement was at
the time of taking such affidavit a Judge of the Inferior
Court of Common Pleas of the County of Passaic duly
Commissioned sworn and qualified to take such
affidavit that I am acquainted with the handwriting 
of said Judge and believe his signiture
to said affidavit and statement to be genuine.

Seal
In witness whereof I have hereunto set
my Hand and the seal of said County
at Paterson this 7 day of December, AD.
1857
S.D. Canfield, Clerk.
Page 65

64



Copy of the Affidavit
of Stephen Westervelt
Original on file
in Senate U.S.


Duplicate of No 15.
not [come]

[circular stamp]
PENSION OFFICE 
JAN 31 1861
Page 66

State of New Jersey
Bergen County
On this 19th day of August 1859
before me the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in & for
said County, personally appeared Stephen Westervelt of
Bergen County who being duly sworn on his oath saith
That he has always resided in Bergen County, State of
New Jersey, that he is now aged ninety one years
and upwards, that he was acquainted with Peter Van
Buskirk of Harrington in the time of the Revolutionary War,
that he resided near his residence which was
in Harrington, Bergen County, near the encampment
at that place, That the said Peter Van Buskirk
acted as Commissary or some such name, He
collected forage & stores for the army, which was
encamped at Harrington, in the vicinity of West Point.
The Officers I recollect were Gen. Wayne, Gen Lee, and
Lieut. Wright, he supplied the Army and acted in
that capacity for about two years as near as I can
recollect from sometime in the spring of the year
1781 until 1783; I was frequently at the Camp ground
and saw the said Peter Van Buskirk, thereafter I
was then about thirteen years of age, and lived in
sight of the residence of Peter Van Buskirk's Father, was
often at his house. I have often visited the Camp ground
since the war in company, with my then associates,
and often talked over the matter, There is only one of
them living that I know of, and that is Stephen Luthkins,
who resides in the lower part of Bergen County.
Page 67

Sworn and Subscribed before me
this 19th day of August 1859,
Abrm J. Ackerman, Justice of the Peace.

Stephen Westervelt. his mark [seal]

State of New Jersey
Bergen County ss

I Abrm J. Ackerman a Justice of the Peace
in and for the County of Bergen do hereby certify that
I am well acquainted with Stephen Westervelt who took
and subscribed his name to the foregoing, that he
credible person, and his statements are entitled
credit and belief.

Mr J. Ackerman Justice of
the Peace in and for the County of Bergen

State of New Jersey
Bergen County ss 
I Garret G. Ackerson Clerk of the County
of Bergen, and Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and
for said County do certify that Ab'm J. Ackerman before
whom the foregoing deposition of Stephen Westervelt was
taken and to which he has subscribed his name, was at the
time of the doing thereof a Justice of the Peace in and for
said County duly commissioned and sworn, and fully
authorized to take the same, and further that I am well
acquainted with the handwriting of said Justice, and verily
believe that his signature to the same is genuine.
Page 68


Witness my hand and seal of said County
and Court this twenty fifth
day of August A.D. 1859
G. G. Ackerson Clerk

seal
Page 69

58

Dec. 7. 1859
Affidavit of
Elizabeth Hopper
[P a} of
(B4)
No. 18.
[circular seal]
PENSION OFFICE
JAN 27 18[60?]
Page 70

State of New Jersey
County of Passaic
On this seventh day of December 1859,
personally appeared before me the subscriber a Judge of
And in & for the County aforesaid, duly appointed
to administer oaths, according to law. Elizabeth Hopper
aged 87 years, deposes & says that she was well acquainted with Peter Van Buskirk of Harrington, Bergen
County New Jersey, in the time of the Revolutionary War
& with all the family & as she lived in the same
neighbourhood, she was well known, to the said
Peter Van Buskirk's Service in the U.S. Army that
was quartered, (more or less) all the time during
said War at Harrington, by Officers such as Baron De
Kalb, Gen Wayne, Lee & others, & that the said Peter Van
Buskirk acted in the capacity of an Officer under Gen
Wayne & other officers to collect forage & supplying
the army from some time in the spring of 1781 until
late in the fall of 1783, until the Army disbanded.
The army to which the said Peter Van Bushick belonged
 were some times in the vicinity of West Point &
along the Hudson River, Cove, Paramus, Hackensack, &
then again returned to the Camp ground formerly
occupied by them & the said Peter Van Buskirk as I saw &
understood acted in the same capacity to the close
of the war, in collecting forage & supplying the U.S.
Page 71

Army as Forage Master or Commissary as it was
called at that time, & furthermore that I have
no interest in the above matter.

 Elizabeth Hopper her mark

Sworn and subscribed before
me this Seventh day of Dec 1857
B W Cleveland
State of New Jersey,
County of Passaic

I Benjn W Cleveland a Judge
of [and the] in & for the County aforesaid do hereby certify
that I am well acquainted with Elizabeth Hopper who
took & subscribed her mark to the foregoing affidavit,
that I have known her for over 37 years last past,
that she is a credible person & her statements in
the foregoing are entitled to full credit & belief, &
furthermore that I have no interest in the above
Claim & am not concerned in its prosecution.
B W Cleveland
Page 72

State of New Jersey
Passaic County ss
I Silas D Canfield Clerk of said County do hereby certify that Benjamin W. Cleveland
Esq before whom the foregoing affidavit was made
and who has signed the annexed statement
was at the time of taking such affidavit Judge
of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas of the County
of Passaic duly commissioned Sworn and 
qualifiled to take such affidavit. that I am acquainted with
the hand writing of said Judge and believe
his signature to said affidavit and statement to
be genuine.
[seal]
In Witness whereof I have hereunto
set my Hand and the seal od said
County at Patterson this 7th day of
December AD 1859
S. D. Canfield Clerk
Page 73

56

Copy
of letter of
G. W. Spangle
Original on file
in Senate U. S.

Duplicate of No. 17.
not copied

[circular seal]
Pension Office
Jan 31 1861
Page 74

New York. Dec 13, 1859
Mr. Van Buskirk
Washington D.C.

Dear Sir
you write to me for information
in regard to your Fathers service in the War of
the Revolution I have known Peter Van Buskirk.
twenty years & upwards & have often in conversation
with him heard him relate over to me
others his service in that war: that he served
the latter portion in the capacity of Commissary
in collecting forage for the American Army in the
time of the Revolution in New Jersey under
Gen Wayne the Officers as Commissary till
the army was disbanded at the close of the
War and that the belief was general in the
neighbourhood have never heard it doubted
to my knowledge, but that he so served
Yours &c
G. W. Spangle
Page 75


Washington D.C.
Dec. 18, 1857.
Mr Van Buskirk, Sir,
I have been intimately acquainted with Geo. W. Spangle for many years, and know
that he possessed advantages of becoming acquainted with
your fathers history, by being a near friend of
the family.
I have myself heard frequently the same
facts herein mentioned from others in the 
neighborhood, but not to my recollection from the lips
of your father
Geo. W. Spangle is a gentleman of ability,
and his statements may be relied upon implicitly.
Yours &c.
J.N. Granger
Page 76

State of New Jersey
Bergen County
Personally appeared
before me the Subscriber
a Justice of the peace in and for said
County Andrew H. Hopper
aged 74 years and upwards who on his oath
saith that he is and always has been
resident of Bergen County has held
the office of sheriff and Judge of the 
Court Common Pleas for a number
of years that he is well acquainted with
Peter Van Buskirk of Washington D.C.
who formerly resided in Harrington
Township Bergen County that he was
also acquainted with Thomas Van
Burkick (the Father of the said Peter)
who was reported to be a man of great
wealth. that this deponent is and
has been thoroughly 
acquainted through
the whole of the County of Bergen for fifty years
and has never known or heard of any
other Peter Van Buskirk than the
above referred to the son of Thomas.
Andrew H. Hopper


Sworn and Subscribed
before me this 10th day
of May 1861
A J Ackerman
Justice of the peace
Page 77

J I Abram Ackerman a Justice of the peace
in and for the County of Bergen do hereby
certify that I have been acquainted with
Genl Andrew H. Hopper for forty years he
being one of the most prominent citizens
of Bergen County and the statements
contained in the within affidavit are
entitled to the fullest confidence & belief.
Abram J Ackerman Justice of the Peace

State of New Jersey
Bergen County
I. Cornelius S. Blauvelt Clerk
of the County of Bergen and Clerk of the Circuit Court
and Court of Common Pleas in and for said County do
certify that Abraham J Ackerman was the person
before whom the foregoing deposition was taken and
whose name is subscribed thereto, was at the time
of the doing thereof a Justice of the peace of said
County duly sworn and authorized by law to
take the same. And further that I am well
acquainted with the handwriting of the said Justice
and verily believe his signature thereto to be genuine. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand and affixed the seal of said
County and Court this Tenth day of
May A.D. eighteen hundred and Sixty one
C. L. Blauvelt Clerk

No. 23
Page 78

[Hopewell Co] N. Y. 
August 2 1871.

Hon Mr Baker
Commissioner of
Pensions

Sir
My Father Peter Van
Buskirk was placed on the
Pension of the District of Columbia
as a Revolutionary Pensioner
in the year 1860. After he
had been pensioned the case
was suspended and part of
the money only was paid.
I am the Son and administrator
of my late Father
and hope you will remove
the Suspension placed on
the case as I finished satisfactory
evidence to remove the
difficulty but the case remains
the same. I hope
Page 79

Sir you will please order
the payment of the
remaining sum due &
oblige me.
Yours very truly
A Van Buskirk
Page 80

from Census Return of 1860
Harman Van Riper, Labourer, aged 60
Catherine Van Riper, Wife 58.
Polly Van Riper, Widow " 89.

All born in New Jersey, and living
in Washington Township, Bergen Co.
New Jersey

M. Seaton
Aug 31. 1861

1861
89
1772
What does Mr Peugh say
her birth day  was - Was 
she not a daughter of old
Mrs. Van Buskirk?
Page 81

300 F Street
Washington, D. C.
Nov. 14 1862
Hon Caleb B. Smith
Secretary of the Interior
Sir
Some 4 months
ago, I took the liberty of enclosing
to you a copy of the Will of
Peter Van Buskirk, & stated that
I claimed the Arrears of Pension
due him from the Government,
as a part of his bequest to my wife. 
Since then the Judge of the court 
of Probate of this District, before
whom the question was argued has
decided that in case your decision
be favorable to the allowance of the
claim, the amount allowed will be
assets in the hands of the

CH Whiting
Page 82

executors & pass by the will.
This decision was based upon
the opinion of Attorney General
Nelson, in the similar case
of Commodore Porter, Aug. 18th
1843, I believe, Vol. 4th ) to
which your attention has doubtless
been directed. That opinion is
clear, able, & directly to the point &
according to it, my right to this
claim, if allowed, is clear beyond
a doubt.
In conclusion, I beg your
Excellency most earnestly, to decide
the case, one way on the other
& that without further delay.
If the claim is a meritorious
one, as I firmly believe, we
have a right to the money.
If it is not, I do not want
it. But do not keep us longer
in suspense & expense; in
doubt & anxiety; wasting time
Page 83

and many on home deferred
that maketh the heart sick.
We have a right to our
inst & legal dues; whether this
claim be one of them, it is for
you to decide, the which I
hope & pray you will do right
speedily, thereby giving us either
happiness or despair, but at least
putting an end to the perpetually
gnawing aggravation of uncertainty.

Very respectfully
Your obedient Servant
Henry Babcock
Page 84

Canandaigua N.Y
July 28 1863
My Dear Sir,
I have taken the
liberty this once to address
a few lines to your Honor
a matter of inquiry in relation
to my Father's Suspended
Pension Cas,e now I believe before
you, in as much as I have not
had any definite information
from my friends in Washington
in regard to the case of late
I would simply ask your Honor
how the matter now stands &c
I most humbly & sincerely
trust that you will look upon
the case favourably. Judge,
my prayer is that the Lord will
ever bless you & all your family Entire.
Please answer these few
interrogatorys as soon as convenient
Page 85

& I Shall be much obliged
Yours very respectfully.
A Van Buskirk


Hon
Judge Usher
Secretary of the interior
Washington City
D. C.

address me at Canandaigue
Ont. Co. N.Y
Page 86

To Hon Caleb B. Smith
Secretary of the Interior
Sir
In October last, I married
in this City Miss Mary E Van Buskirk
daughter of Abram & Granddaughter of
Peter Van Buskirk.
Peter the
grandfather, in 1857, made his will
by which he bequeathed all his real
& personal Estate to his granddaughter
 Mary [Ett] , my wife.

About a year since, a claim of
Peter Van Buskirk for arrears of
pension, to the amount of over
$16,000, was allowed in your Department.
They gave his receipt
for the whole amount, but in
fact, not more than half of it
was paid, payment of the residue
being suspended by your order,
for further proof. That
Page 87

residue is, I am told now
about to be paid.
It is no longer in the form
of arrears of pension.
and
I am advised that the receipt
given by Peter the grand father
was such an appropriation of
the money as to make it his,
and to put it in a shape to pass
by his will. I send herewith,
a copy of the Will.
Abraham Vankskirk the
father has qualified as Executor
of the will of his father
Peter, & I am one of the same
[sureties] in his hand. He is now
under citation before the Probate
Court of this City, to show cause
why his bond should not be
increased or another Executor
appointed.
I claim this money as a 
part of the bequest to my wife
Page 88

and I now write this to ask that
you will order it paid to the
duly
qualified Executor of the will ┃
Peter Van Buskirk
I am Sir
Very respectfully
H. G. Babcock
Page 89

THIS is to certify that the Bearer Hugh Dwinie soldier having
served in the fourth Regiment of Pennsylvania during the Term of his Enlistment, is now discharged the service of the United States of America. Given at [Pennsylvania] this [illegible] Day of [illegible] 1784.
Anthony Wayne [illegilble]
Page 90

68
36 Cong.
1 Sess.
Petition of
Peter Van Buskirk
praying to be allowed
a pension as Commissary 
during the war of the Rev.

1860, Jany. 24. Referred to the
Com. on Pensions
" Mar 13 Bill S. 277 report

No 3
M. Thomson

[circular seal]
PENSION OFFICE 
[illegible month]
27 
1860
Page 91

The Petition of Peter Van Buskirk formely of the
State of New Jersey but now of the District of
Columbia
To the Honorable the Senate &
House of Representatives in Congress assembled
Your Petitioner respectfully represents that
he is about 98 years of age, that he was both a
soldier & Comissary during the war of the Revolution, 
that his service as Soldier was performed
in the early part of the War & that of assistant
Commissary of Forage was during the latter part of
the War, that he is in the receipt of a small
Pension for part of his service as a soldier, but
never has received the proper pension due him
for his Commissary service; that he respectfully
prays that Congress will allow him the proper
pension due for his said Commissary service
& refers to the accompanying proof to substantiate
his claim and in duty bound will ever pray.
Page 92

57
Copy
Letter of J. N. Granger.
Original on file
w [Senate] U. S.
Duplicate of No. 16
not [illegible] 

[circular stamp]
PENSION OFFICE JAN 31 1861
Page 93

(Copy)
Washington D.C. 2Oct 21, 58
Hon Geo. C. Whiting
Comm of Pensions
Sir
Peter Van Buskirk was formely
a resident of Ontario Co. N York for many years: inded
from a period as early as I can remember until some
four or five years ago. I knew him well residing as I
did in the same County & in the adjoining Town. He
was always regarded as a man of probity, and his
family held a high social position in the neighbourhood.
It was understood and believed that
he served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War
until its close, and was so recognized at the
4th of July celebrations in that vicinity. I have
no doubt that his statements respecting such
service can be relied on implicitly.
Yours Very Truly.
J.N. Granger

Hon. Geo. C. Whiting
Page 94


Washington D C. July 24
Abraham Van Buskirk

Being duly sworn says
that he is the son of Peter Van Buskirk formerly of
Ontario Co N York, who was an applicant for a
pension for services rendered the Government, and
that the said Peter Van Buskirk died in Ontario Co
New York on the 18th day of December 1861.
Abraham Van Buskirk
Sworn to and subscribed before
me this 24th day of July A.D. 1862
W. S. Clary J P.[seal]
Page 95

Washington July 24 1862
Juliys N Granger being sworn deposeth and saith that
he knew Peter Van Buskirk formerly of Ontario Co. New York
and an applicant for a pension for services rendered
the Government, and that the said Van Buskirk died
some time about the month of December 1861 as deponent
verily believes.  J N Granger


Sworn to and subscribed before
me this 24th day of July, A.D. 1862.
W. S. Clary J.P. [seal]
Page 96

POWER OF ATTORNEY.

Know all Men by these Presents, That I, Abraham Van Buskirk
of Bloomington in the State of Illinois
have made, constituted and appointed, and
S.S. Henkle of Washington City D. Cand
by these presents do make, constitute and appoint S.S. Hankle of Washington, D.C. and R.G. Corwin, of  Dayton, Ohio
my true and lawful Attorney irrevocable, for me and
in my name, place and stead, hereby annulling for revoking all former Power of Attorney or
authorizations whatever in the premises, to prosecute a claim for
Increase of Pension due my late Father
Peter Van Buskirk deceased

and to, from time to time, furnish any further evidence necessary or that may be demanded,
giving and granting to my said Attorney full power and authority to do and perform all and
every act and thing whatsoever requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises,
as fully to all intents and purposes as I might or could do if personally present at the doing
thereof, with full power of substitution and revocation, and to receipt and sign all vouchers, hereby
ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney or his substitute may or shall lawfully
do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
In witness whereof, I hereunto set my hand and seal, this ninth day
of November-, eighteen hundred and seventy two.

Abraham Van Buskirk
TWO WITNESSES WHO CAN WRITE
Edw.F. Brown
Wm H. Smith
Page 97

District OF Columbia,
COUNTY OF Washington,
Be it Known, That on this ninth day of November
in the year eighteen hundred and seventy-two, before me, the undersigned, a Notary
Public - in and for said County and State, personally appeared Abraham
Van Buskirk - to me well known to be the identical person who executed
the foregoing Letter of Attorney, and the same having been first read over to him and the contents
thereof explained, acknowledged the same to be his act and deed, and that I have no interest
present or prospective in the claim.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of
office, the day and year last above written.
Edw. P. Brown
Notary Public 

If not acknowledged before an officer having an official sea, his official character must be attested by the certificate of the 
Clerk of a Court of Record of the proper county, under his seal of office, which certificate must be so attached as that the imprint of the seal may appear on this paper.

POWER OF ATTORNEY.
NO.
Claim of 
for
FILED BY

Provided and sold by W.H. Monroe, 511 11th st., Washington, D.C.
Page 98


67
Affidavit of
A. Van Buskirk showing
loss of old receipt
April 10. 1861.

1846
-50
1786

1781
-1766
15

No 10.
Page 99

Washington, D.C
& District of Columbia 

On this 10th Day of April 1861 personally
appeared before me a Justice of the Peace in &
for the County & District of Columbia duly
authorized by law to administer Oaths Abraham
Van Buskirk aged Sixty two years, deposes
and says, that amongst the papers filed in
his Fathers Claim were the original papers
found amongst his Fathers old papers, one a
Recept to Peter Van Buskirk Forage Master in
1781 & in July, another of the same nature dated
(in January he thinks) in 1782, in which he was
called Forage Master & a discharge from
Gen. Wayne of a Soldier the 2d of which do not
now appear on file.
Abraham Van Buskirk

Sworn to and subscribed before
this 11th day of April A.D. 1861
W. S. Clary J.P. [seal]
Page 100


[35]
Affidavit
of Abraham Van
Buskirk
16th May 1861.
No 11.
Page 101

Washington City
District of Columbia
on this 16th day of May 1861.
before me the Subscriber a
in & for the County & district of Columbia
aforesaid personally appeared A. Van
Buskirk who being by me duly sworn according
 to law deposes & says that he is in his 63rd
year of his age, & that he is a son of Peter
Van Buskirk, now resident of Washington D.C,
that his Father has resided with me since
he was married which is about 40 years, & that
I always have understood from him & others
in Harrington Bergen County N. J., when I was
yet but boy that his latter service in the
Revolutionary war was in the Capacity of Commissary,
 & that at the close of the war he was about
twenty years of age, & was married soon
after the close. & that we had a transcript Copy
of his Father & Mother ages from the old family
Bible into an English Bible, & I distinctly recollected
of it being there recorded 1762 which Bible was
lost in moving to New York City & from there
to the Western part of the State of New York.
Page 102

that my Father related in detail to the said
James G. Austin all his Revolutionary Service
at the time he made his first declaration in
Ontario County N.Y. but he was advised by the
said Austin after [teaching] in New Jersey
that it would be useless to try for a Pension
as an officer unless he had Record proof, 
that the Department would not allow it. &
that he had better apply for a Pension on
account of his first service as a private in said
war & that the said Austin asked if he had a
Record of his age & that then told him that the
Record was lost or was yet among [some
some] of his friends in N.Y.,  but that he was born
in 1762, & that the said Austin took a synopsis
of his first service & Subsequently prepared his
declaration & in reading it over to my Father
he told Mr Austin in my presence that he
had made a mistake in his age, &
that Austin said it would make no
difference as Something to that Effect, & that [some]
Subsequently affidavits from him were drawn
in accordance with the first, but that the
Said Austin did finally correct it in
some affidavits made subsequently
& further deponent sayeth not.
Abraham Van Buskirk
Subscribed & sworn to
before me this 16th Day of May 1861.
John F Cullan
Notary Public
Page 103

City & County of Washington
District of Columbia
On this 6th day of March 1861 before me the subscriber
a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid
personally appeared Abraham Van Buskirk of said City 
formerly of New York & New Jersey and made oath that he is
Now 62 years of age - that he is son of Peter Van
Buskirk a Revolutionary Pensioner of this City but formerly
a resident of New York & New Jersey.  that he has
always heard [less such fortune stole] in speaking of his
Revolutionary services. that he was first a private in
the war and was afterwards in the year 1781 he was 
appointed an assistant Commissary & served as such to
the end of the war. that in his conversations on the same
he frequently made these statements to the
old soldiers of the Revolution. & that his statements
have been uniform on the subject. that from personal
knowledge he can know nothing but these statements
having been made so repeatedly & under [several]
other circumstances that he did so seem. he has no
doubt of the same & under no tradition of the family
is more deeply impressed on his mind & on the mind of
the family that he did serve as herein stated & this
service was rendered in Bergen County & in New York.
that the grandfather of this deponent lived at
Page 104

Harrington in Bergen County, New Jersey and
was named “Thomas Van Buskirk”, & that he does not know or believe that
there was any other person by the name of “Peter
Van Buskirk” in said neighborhood than the
said Peter Van Buskirk & his said father did
serve as herein stated and asks the allowance of the
said Claim.
Abraham Van Buskirk
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 6th day of
March  1861
W. S. Clary J.P.

March 6, 1861
Affidavit of
Abraham Van Buskirk
(B 5)
No. 7
Page 105

Additional
Evidence in support
of the claim of Peter
Van Buskirk, for
increase of Pension
May 10. 1861

Nos. 24 & 25
Page 106

County of Bergen
State of New Jersey
On this 10th day of May 1861
before me the subscriber a Justice of the peace
for the County aforesaid personally appeared Stephen
Westervelt a resident of Harrington in said
County who being by me duly sworn deposes
and says that he is about 94 years of age, and
has always resided in said County, that
he well recollected Thomas Van Bruskirk of
said Harrington and all his family, 
that during the war of the Revolution he
lived in the family of said Thomas. He
was a large farmer and landholder and the
large stone house in which he lived during
the war still stands & is occupied by the
descendants of Abraham, one of the sons
of said Thomas. That said Thomas has
two sons Abraham & Peter, both of whom
were in the War of the Revolution. and the
said Abraham was married during the
War to a Miss Bourdett, that he has frequently
seen the old family record of said Thomas, 
and knows from his own age in connection
with said family record that said Peter Van
Buskirk is in his 99th or 100th year of age. He
recollect his own to be 94 and there was 5 years
Page 107

difference in their ages, that he knows &
knew all the Van Buskirk family in
said County & never knew or heard of any the
Peter Van Buskirk except the son of said
Thomas Van Buskirk, that said Thomas had
also a daughter whose name Rachel, who was
[seven or several] years older than said Abraham.
& Peter & who married David Baldwin [both] 
of who are buried in the old family graveyard, 
on the [old farm] of said Thomas and
said Thomas is also buried there. that the
said Peter was an officer engaged, buying
Forage, grain, &c for the army, during the war
and was in the war until its close. that said 
Peter shortly after the close of the war, married
A Miss Sally Van Buskirk,  an only child of Jacobus
Van Buskirk, and lived many years in said
Harrington & then moved to New York and
is informed that he lives in Washington City.
Stephen Westervelt

Sworn and subscribed
before on me this 10th
day of May 1861
Abrm J Ackerman Justice of the Peace
Page 108

I Abrm J Ackeman a Justice of the peace
in and for the County of Bergen do
hereby certify that I am personally acquainted
with Stephen Westervelt who has
sworn and subscribed to the foregoing affidavit
 and that his statement therein
contained is entitled to full credit
and belief
Abrm J Ackerman G. P.

State of New Jersey
Bergen County 
I Cornelius L. Blauvelt Clerk
of the County of Bergen and Clerk of the Circuit
Court and Court of Common Pleas in and for said
County do certify that Abraham J Ackerman Esq the
person before whom the foregoing deposition was taken
and whose name is subscribed thereto was at the time
of the doing thereof a Justice of the Peace of said
County duly sworn and authorized by law to take
the same and further that I am well acquainted with
the handwriting of said Justice and verily believe
the signature thereto is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand and affixed the seal of said
County and Court this Tenth day of
May A.D. eighteen hundred and Sixty one
C. L. Blauvelt Clerk
Page 109

New Jersey
Bergen County  On this tenth day of May
1861 before me the subscriber a Justice of the
Peace and for said County personally appeared
Polly Van Ryper a resident of Washington &
part of Harrington in the County
aforesaid and made oath before me in due form of
Law that she is about seventy three years
of age, and is daughter of Peter Van Buskirk
of Washington District of Columbia a Revolutionary
Pensioner of the United States and granddaughter
of Thomas Van Buskirk, late of Harrington,  that she
has resided all her life time in Harrington, now
Washington Township, that her mothers maiden name
was Sarah Van Buskirk daughter of Jacobus
Van Buskirk that from the old family Bible
in her possession she (her mother) was born on
the 7th day of April 1767 and that she always
understood from her parents that then was about
five years difference in the ages and from the
family records which she has frequently seen
that her Father was born in 1762 and also
that she never knew or heard of any other
Peter Van Buskirk in said Township
of Harrington in said County other than her
said Father and further saith not
Polly Van Ryper her mark


Sworn and subscribed
before me this 10th day of May 
Abrm J Ackerman
Justice of the Peace
Page 110

This is to Certify that I am well
acquainted with Polly Van Ryper
who has sworn and subscribed to
the within affidavit that she have
always resided in Washington formerly
Harrington Township and that her
testimony is entitled to the fullest
Credit and belief
Abrm J
Ackerman
Justice of Peace

I Abrm J Ackerman a Justice of the peace in and
for the County of Bergen aged 52 years do hereby
certify that I am well acquainted with Peter Van
Buskirk of Washington D.C. that he formerly resided
(when I was a boy) in Harrington Township and
afterwards in Franklin Township, all in the County
of Bergen and that I never heard of any other
Peter Van Buskirk in the said County of Bergen.
At the age of 15 to 18 I was Clerk at Hackensack
the County seat. I knew almost all the
Van Buskirks in the County, I have been Judge
of the Inferior Court of Com. Pleas for said
County 10 years.  My mother’s maiden name was Van
Buskirk who died at the age of 80 years
and have frequently heard her speak of the
Van Buskirk family and have heard her
Page 111

mention of the above Peter Van Buskirk being
in the Army,  that the encampment was
near the house of the said Peter Van Buskirk, 
that she was about 10 years of age at the
to time of the war, and further that from all
the conversations I have had with aged
people I have never heard of any other
Peter Van Buskirk in the County and that the
said Peter Van Buskirk now residing
in Washington is the Identical person
who resided in Harrington, that I knew
him when I was a boy and have frequently
seen him since, when on a visit to his aged sister
who resided in my immediate neighborhood, 
and that the said Peter Van Buskirk is
a son of Thomas Van Buskirk, who resided
in Harrington in the old stone house of Revolutionary
 memory, which is still standing and
in sight of my own residence. I have also
travelled through the entire County of Bergen several times
having been a member of the [board] of Freeholders
and have never heard of any other than the said
Peter Van Buskirk’s name mentioned in
connection with the army or in any other way.
I always understood from my parents and others that the
said Thomas Van Buskirk was a person of large
wealth and that his house was a great resort for
the army during the war. 
Abrm J Ackerman

Subscribed and Sworn before
C. L. Blauvelt Clerk
Page 112

State of New Jersey
Bergen County 
 I Cornelius L Blauvelt
Clerk of the County of Bergen and Clerk of the
Circuit Court and Court of Common Pleas in and
for said County do certify that Abraham J Ackerman
Esq the person before whom the foregoing depostion
was taken and whose name is subscribed thereto
was at the time of the doing thereof, a Justice of
the Peace of the said County duly sworn and
authorized by law to take the same. And further
that I am well acquainted with the hand writing
of said Justice and verily believe the signature
thereto to be genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed the seal of
said County and Courts this tenth
day of May A.D. eighteen hundred
and sixty one
C. L. Blauvelt Clerk
Page 113

142
Peter Van Buskirk

McRae

Requests return of old certificate



J. E. Weems
Present.
Page 114

APPLICATION FOR A TRANSFER.
District of Columbia
County of Washington SS.
On this Fourth day of March 1856, before
me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for the said County aforesaid
personally appeared Peter Van Buskirk who, on his oath, declares that
he is the same person who formerly belonged to the Company commanded by Captain
[blank] in the Regiment commanded by Colonel [blank]
in the Revolutionary War, 
in the service of the United States; that his name was placed on the pension roll of the
State of New York, whence he has lately removed; that he now resides
in the District of Columbia City of Washington where he intends to
remain, and wishes his pension to be there payable, in future. The following are his
reasons for removing from Ontario County N.Y to the City of
Washington D.C. - that he has for many years past
resided with his son Abraham Van Buskirk,
town of Phelps Ontario County State of New York, and
that his said son has removed to the City of Washington
aforesaid & that he has also removed with him.
Peter Van Buskirk


Sworn and subscribed to before me,
the day and year aforesaid
E. H. Bates P.M.


The oath to be taken before a duly qualified Magistrate, whose official character and signature must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. The County Clerk, Secretary of State, or some other officer, must certify, under his seal of office, that the officer who administered the oath is a Justice of the Peace, Judge, Mayor, Alderman, or Notary Public, as the case may be, and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine.
The oath must be supported by the testimony of some respectable person as to the pensioner's identity. He must swear that the person who has taken the above oath is the person described in the affidavit.  The Magistrate must certify that the witness is a person
of veracity, and the affidavit must also be authenticated in the manner above directed.


In every case where the Clerk of Court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, 
the certificate of a member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should be sent with the papers.


Mode of authenticating papers - In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or a small ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Page 115

District of Columbia
City and County of Washington D.C
Abraham Van Buskirk being duly sworn deposes
and says that he formerly resided in Phelps County
of Ontario & State of New York. that he has lately
removed therefore to this city & now resides with
his family here, that the witness named
Peter Van Buskirk is his father & now resides
with him in this City, having removed with
and is a member of his deponents family, that
his said father to a Revolutionary Pensioner of the
United States & his name is in the Albany
N.Y. Agency & the witness Declaratin or affidavit
was made by his said father for the purpose
of having the payment of his pension transfered
Albany N.Y. to this City of Washington D. C.
A.V. Buskirk
Subscribed and
Sworn before me
this fourth day of
March 1856
E.H. Bates [J.N.]
Page 116

54
Copy
Supplemental declaration
and a [petition] of Peter Van Buskirk
Praying increase of
pension for services
rendered during the
war of the revolution
February 23, 1860
Referred to the Committee
on Rev Pensions
Mr. Potter


[circular stamp]
PENSION OFFICE
JAN 31 1861
Page 117

County of Washington
District of Columbia,  SS.
On this fifth day of September
A.D. 1859, before me the subscriber a Justice of the peace in
& for the County aforesaid, personally appeared Peter Van
Buskirk, who being by me duly sworn, deposes & says, that he
is about 97 years of age, that he is a Revolutionary Pensioner
at the rate of 60 dollars per annum, that about the year 1846
he first made application to the Pension office for a Revolutionary
Pension, & in making his application therefore he was not aware that the
different grades, nor the length of service made any difference in
the amount of Pension due, that in making said application
be set forth only a portion of the service rendered by him during the
Revolutionary War; omitting altogether the latter portion of the same.
He now makes an additional declaration setting forth
more fully the length of said service & declares that in addition to
the service claimed in his former declaration he was in the year
1781, about the beginning of June duly appointed & received his
Commission of assistant Commissary of Forage for & in the American
Army, & served as such from the date of his appointment until
the close of the War in 1783, when the army was disbanded, that his
service was in that portion of the Army under Gen. Wayne & Col Hanton,
that his service as Commissary was rendered at Harrington, in
Bergen County, & Morristown New Jersey, & in the neighborhood
of Compton, Parsippany, Hackensack, & along the banks of the
Hudson River, & in the State of New York, in the vicinity of
West Point, Courtland Manor, Peekskill, Cove, & Paramus, &
that he was constantly engaged after his commission as
Page 118

Commissary in purchasing forage for the American Army from
the time of his appointment until the army was disbanded
in 1783. He cannot now distinctly recollect the names of the
different officers under whom he served, excepting Gen. Wayne
under whose division he was appointed that after the Army
went south he remained in the vicinity of the place named,
constantly doing duty in the capacity of Commissary of Forage
until that portion of the Northern Army which went South
returned; that at the close of the war he was honorably discharged,
which discharge, & his commission accounts, & papers were considered
useless, upon moving to western New York were destroyed
many years ago, excepting a few scraps only; & can rely only
upon the testamony of those who knew him at that time, that
he makes this declaration to obtain his just pension under the
acts of Congress, as in his case is made & provided, that he remember
the date of appointment as Commissary from the fact
that it was about the time that Gen. Wayne with a portion
of the American army went South; & that he was born in
the year 1762, in Bergen County New Jersey, and further he
saith not.
Peter Van Buskirk (seal)
Sworn and Subscribed
this 5th day of September 1859,
Thomas J Williams
Justice of the Peace
for the County of Washington D.C.
Page 119

37
Affidavit
of Peter Van Buskert
(A)
May 5th 1861
No. 5.
Page 120

County of Washington
District of Columbia
On this 5th day of May of
1861 before me the subscribed Jos J Callan, Notary
in and for the County aforesaid personally
appeared Peter Van Buskirk who being by me
duly sworn deposes & says that he is in his 99th
year of age & is a pensioner in said District, 
that he was born in the Town of Harrington
Bergen Co. N. Jersey of Thos, Van Buskirk, and
Mary (or Marie) in August 1762 as he has
always understood + believed.  that he was married
to Sarah Van Buskick, daughter of Jacobus
and Vrontie Van Buskirk, in the summer
after the declaration of peace, at the old Paramus
church, about 3 miles from his father’s
residence, by the Reverend Benjamin Vander Linder
(since deceased), that there was a considerable
number of persons there at the time, amongst whom
was Abraham Van Buskirk a cousin of his
(who is also deceased).  that his said wife, Sarah
was always believed by him to have been 4 or 5
years younger than himself and that Stephen
Westervelt was living at his father's house at the
time of his marriage, that he recollects distinctly
Page 121

he time of his marriage from the fact
that he had come home from his
Military service & that it was
Shortly after he became 21 years of age. that his
memory is feeble but these facts he feels
very sure of and further saith not.
Peter Van Buskirk


Subscribed and sworn before me the
day and year first hereinbefore written
John F. Callan
Notary Public
Page 122

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
WASHINGTON COUNTY, to wit:
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
TO ALL PERSONS TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, GREETING:
KNOW YE, That the last Will and Testament of Peter Van
Buskirk late of Washington County aforesaid, 
deceased, hath in due form of law, been exhibited, proved and recorded in the
office of the Register of Wills for Washington County aforesaid, a copy of
which is to these presents annexed; and that administration of all the goods,
chattels, and credits of the said Peter Van Buskirk
deceased, is hereby granted and committed unto Abram Van
Buskirk of the County and District aforesaid 




WITNESS, William F. Purcell Esquire
Judge of the Orphans' Court of Washington county, District
of Columbia, this fourth day of February
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
sixty two and of the Independence of the United
State the eighty sixth.


Teste,
Moses Kelly
Register of Wills.
Page 123

I DO SWEAR, that I
will well and truly administer
the goods, chattels, and personal estate of Peter Van Buskirk late of
Washington County aforesaid deceased, to the best of my knowledge,
according to law, and will give a just account of my administration when
thereto I shall be lawfully called. SO HELP ME GOD.
A. Van Buskirk
Subscribed and sworn to in
open Court this
fourth day
of February 1862 -
Test
Moses Kelly
Register of Wills
Page 124

40
Extract
from the ‘Passaic
Guardian’ published 
at Patterson N.J.
Page 125

“Peter Van Buskirk of Washington , is 
ninety-nine years old. He was on the 
Revolutionary pension, but as a private. As such
He had received $6 a month. But he claimed to
have been assistant forage master, and he recently
found evidence to establish his claim. He is therefore
awarded arrearages to the amount of $16,200.”
The above, from a New York paper refers
to Mr. Peter Van Buskirk of Bergen County,
where some of his children, more grandchildren,
 and numerous great grandchildren and
great great grandchildren still reside, principally
in the neighborhood of Saddle River.
With the exception of a seige of fever and
ague since living in Washington, Mr. Van
Buskirk has never had any sickness worth
mentioning, and his eyesight is still unimpaired, 
rendering the use of glasses unnecessary.
He has always avoided the use of tobacco, 
ardent spirits and even tea and coffee,
and to his temperate habits may, in a great
measure be attributed his good health and remarkable
longevity. As a somewhat curious
fact  it may be stated that a couple years ago
he told our informant that for the last seven
years he had partaken of no drink whatever
not even so much as a glass of water.
In politics Mr. Van Buskirk is a Republican,
and his vote has always been given for
these principles of Liberty and Union for
which he labored in his youth, during the
soul-trying period of the Revolution.


from the Passaic Guardian
Page 126

107
Peter Van Buskirk
Copy
Affidavit in relation
to the Revolutionary
service of his brother
Abraham Van
Buskirk
Jany. 9. 1852.
No 22.
Page 127

Copy
State of New York,
County of Ontario ss.
Peter Van Buskirk, aged eighty
seven years and upwards, a resident of
the town of Phelps in the County of Ontario
and State of New York being duly sworn
according to law, deposeth and says: that
he is a revolutionary pensioner of the United States,
 that during the period of the
Revolutionary war he resided in Harrington,
Bergen County, N. Jersey, that he is a
brother of Abraham Van Buskirk, who also
during the period of the Revolution resided
in said town of Harrington, Bergen County
in the State of New Jersey, that his said
brother Abraham Van Buskirk was pressed
into service of the United States in said
revolutionary war some time and during the
year 1776, 1777 & 1778, by Brig. Genl.
Wayne, and continued in actual service
in Genl Waynes brigade or under General
DeKalb and other officers for and during the
period of two years and nine months,
was part of the time in the hospital and
finally came home on parol designing to
return, but was prevented from returning
by reason of the determination of the war
before said Abraham had recovered from his
Page 128

sickness; that said Abraham was in
the battle of Trenton, Jany 1777, and
was pressed into service in 1776, about
the time the Block House near Weehawken
on the river Hudson, N.J. was attacked.
That said Abraham was also in the
battle of Princeton, and at the taking of
the Hessians in said battle, and actually
served as aforesaid under Genl Wayne and
other officers for the said period of two years
and nine months, as deponent distinctly
remembers.
That deponent cannot distinctly remember 
the names of the inferior
officers under whom his said brother
Abraham served, but that his said brother
Abraham before the termination of his
said service, according to deponents best
recollection, in the month of November 1778,
married at the County of Bergen N.J. aforesaid
Jane Bourdette as his lawful wife
and had two children only by her. And
further that his said brother Abraham Van
Buskirk died at the town of Harrington
aforesaid on or about the 20th day of Feby 1806,
leaving a widow the said Jane him surviving, and
his two said children, one of whom Thomas Van
Buskirk now lives in Harrington aforesaid being
Page 129

Abraham.
Peter Van Buskirk
Subscribed and sworn
before me this 9th day
of January, 1832,
Lysander Redfield,
Justice of the Peace in and for
said County of Ontario, N.Y.
(Duly certified)
Page 130

[NOTE that a laarge X is superimposd on this title page]

59
State Dept.
Record of 
Mifflin
Page 131

Dr. Thomas Mifflin as Quarter Master General
To Martin Withington


To pay & Subsistance for the month of
February 1779 @ 125 Dollars 46.17.6
To pay & Subsistance from March 1st
79 to Jany 1s 1780 is 10 month @ 240 D’s  is  900.
[pound sign] 946.17.6 [total in pounds]


1779 [SM Jua           GC]
June 25th By Cash 200 Dollars 75.0
Balance due [pound sign] 871.17.6


Department of State
Washington March 13th 1861
hereby certify that the above
account is a true copy from the files
of this Department
W. Hunter
Chief Clerk
Page 132

State of New York,
COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE.
Albany, March 18th 1861.


I Hereby Certify, That on searching the Records in this office for the Registry of Certificates
issued in pursuance of a law, passed April 27, 1784, entitled ""An Act for the settlement of the pay of Levies and Militia for their services in the
late war, and for other purposes therein “mentioned,” I find the following, viz:
NAMES. Peter Van Buskirk Sergt.
No. of BOOK 5
NO. OF CERTIFICATE. 24395
DATE. Oct’r 24th 1779
[pound sign] 1
[shilling] 16
[D-penny] 2
RANK AND NAME OF COMPANY OFFICER - Capt. Jacob Yates
RANK AND NAME OF FIELD OFFICER - Col. Peter Yates




I have examined the Rolls for the items above set forth,
and find them to be correct.
Augustus Denniston Clerk


Philip S. Phelps Comptroller
Page 133


69
Account of Amount
of purchases made by
P. Van Buskirk F. M.

(B)

Thomas Mifflin
Q.M.G.

No 12, duplicate

[circular stamp]
PENSION OFFICE
JAN 31 1861
Page 134

State of New York,
COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE.
Albany, May 14th 1862.


I Hereby Certify, That on searching the Records in this office for the Registry of Certificates
issued in pursuance of a law, passed April 27, 1784, entitled ""An Act for the settlement of the pay of Levies and Militia for their services in the
late war, and for other purposes therein “mentioned,” I find the following, viz:
NAMES |  No. of BOOK |  NO. OF CERTIFICATE | DATE | [pound sign] | S | D |
RANK AND NAME OF COMPANY OFFICER | RANK AND NAME OF FIELD OFFICER
Peter Van Buskirk private | 5 | [23056 or 23956] | Aug. 24th 1780 | 1 | 1 | 8 | Cornelius W Van Deburgh Capt. | Colonel Peter Yates
Peter Van Buskirk Sergt. | 5 | 24395 | Oct. 21st 1779 | 1 | 16 | 2 | Captain Jacob Yates| Colonel Peter Yates
Peter Van Buskirk Sergt. | 5 | 23723 | June 1st 1780 | 1 | 0 | 2 | Captain [Gerrit Tuniss Bratt]  | Colonel Peter Yates


I have examined the Rolls for the items above set forth,
and find them to be correct.
Augustus Denniston Clerk


Philip S. Phelps Comptroller
Page 135

Q.M.Genl: Account of Forage purchased by Peter Van Buskirk, [?]
at Harington and other places
[pound sign]   S.[shillings]  D. [pennies]


1783 Sept 3rd 
To Cash at sundry times from 29th of July 1781 to date for forage F. M.  1760.6.10
To his wages as a F.M. 25 mon. and 6 days at $50 per mo. Specie 503.4.0
[Total] 2263.10.10 [pounds, shillings, pence]


By his account as received for purchases of Forage 1800.4.6
By Balance 463.6.4
[Total] 2763.10.10 [pounds, shillings, pence]
Balance due  Peter Van Buskirk A.F.M. 543.1.8  [pounds, shillings, pence]




State of New York
Comptrollers Office
of said
original




I certify that I have compared
the preceding copy of a paper with the original on file in this Office
and that the same is a correct transcript therefrom and of the whole
of said original.
In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed
my name and caused the Seal of my Office
to be affixed this 16th day of January 1861


Phillip Phelps Dep Compt


Fees $1.00 paid
Page 136

Harrington and other places


1983, Sept 3
To Cash at sundry times from 29th July
1781 to date for Forage, F. M.       1760.6.10 [pounds, shillings, pence]


To his wages as a F.M. 25 mon       503.4.0 [pounds, shillings, pence]
and 6 days at $50 per mo Specia
					2263.10.10 [total pounds, shillings, pence, left side of page]




By his account as received for     1800.4.6  [pounds, shillings, pence]
purchases of Forage
By balance                                          463.6.4 [pounds, shillings, pence]


                                                            2763.10.10  [total pounds, shillings, pence, right side of page]


Balance Due Peter Van
Buskirk A.F.M.                                        543.1.8  [pounds, shillings, pence]


State of New York
Comptrollers Office I certify that I have compared the 
preceding copy of a paper, with the original on file in this office, and
that the same is a correct transcript therefrom, and of
the whole of said original; And further that the said
paper, with the annexed certificate, contains all the evidence
remaining in this office, in relation to the services of the
Van Buskirk, in the Revolutionary war. Witness
Whereof I have hereunto subscribed
my name, and caused the seal of my
office to be affixed this 18th day of
March 1861.
Philip Phelps, Dept. Compt’r
Page 137

23
Copy of letter to the
Comptrollers Office
asking for evidence
Page 138

Washington D.C
Nov. 13th 1860
Mr. Augustus Denniston
Dear Sir
You will most probably recollect that I was in your office
at Albany about the 30th of last month to find
if possible the name & service of Shubert Armitage.
& among other names you will recollect we found
the name of Peter Van Buskirk accidentally. I now
write you for a thorough examination in reference
to his service in the revolutionary War. he served
as a private in 1780. after that time & the latter
part of his service was rendered in the Capacity of
assistant Commissary under various & different
officers in New York & New Jersey until the army
was disbanded. his name I did not find at Trenton
N.J. I think it must be in your office it is his latter
Service as Commissary that I wish to procure a Certificate
of if found & not his former service a private in
1780. Please make a thorough examination among
all your Records & papers. I enclose two Dollars for
the required search & let me hear from you soon.
& oblige yours &c.
A. Van Buskirk
The above is a true Copy of a letter sent by me to Mr. Augustus
Denniston Clerk in the Comptroller's office at Albany N.Y. as per date.
A. Van Buskirk
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 15 of April 1861 J.H. Johnson (seal)
Page 139

3
Stephen Westervelt
affidavit
July 15th 1861
Taken by Mr.
Whiting

For Mr Franco
This paper should for
filed with the case of
Peter Van Busk, Private
I think Act 7th June 1832.
Washington, D.C. Nov 22, [?]
Boynton


D.C. Rev. Act 32
No. 32882

No 20
In Sec. room
Page 140

State of New Jersey
Bergen County
Personally appeared before me this
15th day of July A.D. 1861. Stephen
Westervelt of the township of Harrington, State of New Jersey
and after having been by me duly sworn, make the following
statement, viz: that he will be ninety years of
age on the 10th day of October next. that the date of his
birth was recorded in the family bible of his parents and
that the said bible is, he thinks, in the possession of some of
his family connexions in the City of New York.
that he well
knew Thomas Van Buskirk, now deceased, formerly of this
town, and also his sons, Abraham and Peter and also his
daughters. that some time after peace was declared and
before he himself was married, which was some sixty years ago, 
he went from English neighborhood, where he was born to live in
the family of said Thomas Van Buskirk and lived thereof
about two years. [“until he was married” is crossed out, but referenced in the certification by the Justice of the Peace] that Abraham and Peter then lived with their father, 
the former having been married some years. that he [“knew Peter Van Buskirk som of Thomas, before he went to his father’s to live, and from his early boyhood”” is crossed out, but referenced in the certification by the Justice of the Peace] became acquainted with 
Peter Van Buskirk, which living at his fathers, but had known Abraham before.
and did then and has ever since supposed that he was about two or three years
older than himself but not more than that
he never knew nor did he ever heard it stated that either Abraham of
Peter Van Buskirk served in the war of the Revolution and
does not believe either of them did. that Peter must
have been too young. and further that he has never
stated to any one that he did know of either of them
being in that war - that Abraham was much older
that his brother Peter there being several daughters
between them.  He further states that he does not
Page 141

remember to have known any other person of the name of
Peter Van Buskirk, but that he has heard of an old man
of the name of Peter Van Buskirk, who he supposes was
about the age of Thomas, the father of Abraham & Peter,
who lived somewhere in the neighborhood of Hoboken, and
who died many years ago.  is not certain, but thinks
he married a sister of said Thomas Van Buskirk. After
having heard read the affidavit subscribed and sworn
to by him before Abm J. Ackerman J.P. dated the 10th of May
1861, he further states, that he did sign that affidavit notwithstanding
he made his mark to a former one.  that in the main
it is true and in accordance with his statement verbally made
at the time to Abraham Van Buskirk, Mr Ackerman the Justice
of the Peace and the other gentleman present who he understood was
from Washington, but that wherein it states his age to be 94
ninety four - it is untrue and that he never stated his age to
be otherwise than ninety in October. next that he never stated
to said gentlemen or other persons that he lived in the family of
Thomas Van Buskirk during the war of the Revolution. that he
never stated that Abraham and Peter Van Buskirk, or either of
them, were in the war of the Revolution, as he never knew or heard
such to be the fact. that he never stated that Peter Van Buskisis
in his ninety ninth of one hundreth year of age, because
he does not believe such to be the fact. that he never stated
that he ever knew or heard that Peter Van Buskirk was an
officer engaged, buying forage, grain &c for the army during the
War of the Revolution, or that he was in the year until its close, 
as he is made to testify in the said affidavit of May 10, 1861
and that each and every statement in said affidavit which is
inconsistent with this statement is false so far as his knowledge extends.
Page 142

The meaning of this last statement is, that he made the same
Statements to Abraham Van Buskirk, Mr Ackerman
and the other gentleman, to him unknown, as to his own age
and that of Peter Van Buskirk and in reference to Peter Van
Buskirk and others that he now makes. Having also 
heard read the affidavit of his dated 19th of August 1859 and
taken before said Ackerman, he swears that he never made the
statements therein contained respecting the alleged services of Peter
Van Buskirk in the war of the Revolution. says that he was [never]
on the camp ground alluded to during the war, nor saw it,
and does not now remember where it was or whether he had
ever been upon it at any time. Has no recollection of ever
having seen Genl Wayne, Genl Lee of the Lieut Wright.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 15th day of July 1861 and
I also certify that the erasures of the earth “until he was married” in the
16th line, and the erasure of the words commencing knew “Peter Van
Buskirk in the 19th line and ending with the words "boyhood” , in the 20th
line and the interlineation of the words commencing “became acquainted”
 and ending with the words "Abraham before”, were gone before signing and
that this affidavit and the two others herein referred to [were?] fully [read?]
to Mr Westervelt, in the presence of Mr Peter Willis and William Dicker [&}
others before signing -
Stephen Westervelt


Stephen Burdan Justice of the Peace
Page 143

10
Affidavits
of Benjm Westervelt &
John Carlough
Nos. 26. & 27
Page 144

State of New Jersey
Bergen County ss
On this 14th day of August 1861 before
me the Subscriber a Justice of the peace
in and for said County personally appeared
Benjamin Westervelt, who being duly sworn
on his oath saith that he is the oldest
son of Stephen Westervelt of
Bergen County who formerly resided as
was then called Harrington Township
now Washington - That there is no family
record of the age of my father Stephen
Westervelt in existence to my knowledge.
but it was always understood and it
was a common family talk that my
mother Eva, whose maiden name was
Achenbach was two years older than
my father. I have no record of the
age of my mother but it is in the
Achenbach family about 12 miles from
this place. I have frequently heard
them state their ages and always have
heard them say that the difference was
about 2 years, my mother would frequently
tell my father to do this or that bring
her some water &c &c,  because you are
two years younger than I am. I recollect
this distinctly. 
Benjamin Westervelt


Sworn & Subscribed
before me this 14th day of August 1861
 Abrm J Ackennan Justice of the Peace


I hereby certify that I have been acquainted with
Benjamin Westervelt for a number of years and
his statement in the above affidavit is entitled
to full credit and belief.
 Abrm J Ackerman J. P.
Page 145

State of New Jersey
Bergen County
Personally appeared
before me the Subscriber a Justice of the
Peace in and for said County on this
14th day of August 1861 John Carlough
of Bergen County who being by me duly
sworn on his oath saith that he is a
son in Law of Stephen Westervelt of
Bergen County, who formerly resided
in Harrington Township now Washington.
That he married a daughter of the
Said Stephen Westereth named Sally
(now deceased) that he is now 57 years
of age. that he never has seen or
heard of any record of his father in law's
age, but always understood and it
was a common family talk that
my mother in Law, the wife of the said
Stephen, whose name was Eva Achenbach was
two years older than the said Stephen.
I recollect it very well from these circumstances, my mother in law would frequently
tell the said Stephen to bring her
a pail of water or carry out the slop
pail. when he would grumble she,
the said Eva, would tell him you.
in two years younger than I am
I recollect this distinctly. My mothers
Page 146

I recollect it very well from these circumstances, my mother in law would frequently
tell the said Stephen to bring her
a pail of water or carry out the slop
pail. when he would grumble she,
the said Eva, would tell him you.
in two years younger than I am
I recollect this distinctly. My mothers
age can be obtained at Mr Achenbach's
at Saddle River in possesion of
John or Thomas Achenbach
in Bergen County in an old
dutch Bible, and I think
it is recorded in dutch.
John Carlough his mark
 
Sworn and subscribed 
before me this 14th day of 
August 1861
Abrm J Ackeman
Justice of the Peace

I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with
John Carlough, and have been for
a number of years and that the statement
in the above affidavit is entitled to full
Credit and belief 
Abrm J Ackeman J. P.
Aug 14, 1861
Page 147

State of New Jersey
Begon County SS.
I Cornelius L Blauvelt
Clerk of the County of Bergen
and Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and
for said County do Certify that Abraham
Ackerman before whom the foregoing depositions
of Benjamin Westervelt and John Carlough
taken and to which he has subscribed
his name was at the time of the doing
thereof a Justice of the peace in and for said
County duly Commissioned and sworn and
fully authorized to take the same and further
that I am well acquainted with the handwriting
of said Justice and verily believe that his
signatures to the same are genuine.

Witness my hand and seal of 
said County and Court this fifteenth
day of August AD 1861
C L Blauvelt Clerk
Page 148

Aug 19, 1859
Affidavit of
Stephen Westervelt
(B2)

No. 16


[following written upside down]
49
Affidavit of
Stephen Westervelt
Page 149

State of New Jersey
Bergen County SS
On this 19th day
of August 1859
before me the Subscriber a Justice of the
Peace in and for said County personally
appeared Stephen Westervelt of Bergen
County who being duly sworn on his
oath saith that he has always
resided in Bergen County State of New Jersey.
that he is now aged ninety
one years and upwards. That he
was acquainted with Peter Van
Buskirk of Harrington in the time
of the Revolutionary War. that he
resided near his residence which
was in Harrington Bergen County
near the encampment at that
place. That the said Peter Van
Buskirk acted as Commissary
or some such name, he collected
forage, & stores for the army for
at which was encamped at
Harrington in the vicinity of
West Point. The officers I recollect
were Genl Wayne Genl Lee and
Lieut Wright. he supplied the
army and acted in that capacity
for about two years as near as I
can recollect from sometime in the
spring of the year 1781 until 1783.
I was frequently at the camp ground
and saw the said Peter Van Buskirk
there. after I was then about thirty
years of age and lived in sight
Page 150

of the residence of Peter Van Buskirk's
Father, was often at his house. I have
often visited the camp ground since
the War in company with my then
associates, and often talked over the
matter. there is only one of them living
that I know of, and that is Stephen
Lutkins who resides in the lower part of
Bergen County.


Sworn and Subscribed before me
this 19th day of August 1889
Ackerman Justice of the peace


Stephen Westervelt his Mark


State of New Jersey
Bergen County ss
I Abm J Ackerman
a Justice of the peace in and for the County
of Bergen do hereby certify that I am
well acquainted with Stephen Westervelt
who took and subscribed his name
to the foregoing that he is a credible
person and his statements are entitled
to full credit and belief
Abrm J Ackerman Justice
of the peace in and for the County
of Bergen   and no interest


State of New Jersey
Bergen County ss
 I Garret G. Ackerson Clerk
of the County of Bergen and Clerk of the
Court of Common Pleas in and for said County
Page 151

do certify that Abraham J Ackerman before whom
the foregoing deposition of Stephen Weservelt was
taken and to which he has subscribed his name
was at the time of the doing thereof a Justice of
the peace in and for said County witness my duly
Commissioned and sworn and fully authorized
to take the same and further that I
am well acquainted with the handwriting
of said Justice and verily believe that his
signature to the same is genuine.
Witness my hand and seal of
Said County and Court this twenty
fifth day of August AD 1859
G G Ackerson Clerk
Page 152

20
Affidavit
Of George Deer
of Ontario Co
N. Y.
Page 153

State of New York
Ontario County ss:
On this ninth day of November A.D. 1861 personally
appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for the
County of Ontario George Deer a resident of the town of Hopewell in
said county aged seventy years and upwards who being by me duly
sworn according to law deposes and says: That he is now and has been
last forty years well acquainted with Peter Van Buskirk. That he well
recollects that the said Peter and some of his family moved from the east into
Ontario County in 1816 in the the town of Gorham,  which town was afterwards
by a division of the county named Hopewell, and that the said Peter
and family took rooms of one Zachariah Spangle and resided in Hopewell,
as deponent believes, at least twenty one or twenty two years, & deponent believes
more, and then moved to the adjoining town of Phelps. That deponent has
often heard him and old Mr. Spangle in conversation together relate their
revolutionary service. That the said service of said Van Buskirk as related
by him at that time and in the presence of deponent was in Bergen County
New Jersey and in the vicinity of West Point. and deponent remembers distinctly
of his saying at that time that he served in two capacities in that war &
that he served as Commissary to the close of the war and until the army was
disbanded. That the names of the officers he then mentioned under whom
he served, this deponent has forgotten. That in conversation with them at
various times as to their ages it was allowed by them and others that the said
Spangle was considered about four years older than the said Peter Van
Buskirk and that the said Spangle died in 1825 being at that time sixty
seven years of age, as is inscribed upon his tombstone erected after his death.


George Deer


Subscribed and sworn this ninth day of November 1861 before me
[Alex.] H. Howell
Justice of the Peace of Ontario County
Page 154

Canandaigua
Ontario County N.Y.
I Alexander H. Howell a Justice of the same in
and for said County do hereby certify that I am acquainted with the within
named George Dear and have been acquainted with him for a number
of years and that I believe him a credible witness and that full confidence
can be placed in his statements. 
November 9th 1861
Alxdr H. Howell


State of New-York.ss.
ONTARIO COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE,
I, ELNATHAN W. SIMMONS, Clerk of said County, and also Clerk of all Courts of
Record thereof DO HEREBY CERTIFY, that Alxdr H Howell whose
name issued the certificate of the proof or acknowledgment of the annexed Instrument, was
at date of said Justice of the Peace
in and for said County, and duly authorized to take the same; that I am well acquainted with his
handwriting, and verily believe the signature to the said proof or acknowledgment to be
genuine; and I further certify that said Instrument is executed and proved, or acknowledged according to the laws of this State.
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County and said Courts this 9th day of November A.D. 1861
EW Simmons Clerk
Page 155

12
affidant of
Ben Westervelt

No. 28
Page 156

State of New York City
& County of New York ss
Benjamin Westervelt of said city and County and State
being duly sworn doth depose and say
that he resided Number 187 West 21st street
in the city of New York; that he does not
recollect his age exactly. that there was a
record of his age but that the same has
been lost, that he does however recollect
distinctly that he was about two years
older than his brother Stephen
and that he and Stephen's wife Effie
were about of one age, as deponent and
said Effie often talked over their ages when
they were together at Stephen's house.
And further deponent saith not
Benjamin Westervelt

Sworn to before me this 30th day of May 1862.
George Defandorf
Notary Public
Resident in city of New York
State of New York
Page 157

State of New York,
City and County of New York,
I, HENRY W. GENET, CLERK of the City and County of New York, and also Clerk of the
Supreme Court for the said City and County, being a Court of Record, DO HEREBY CERTIFY,
That George Delandorf
before whom the annexed deposition was taken, was, at the time of taking the same, a Notary
Public in and for the State of New-York, dwelling in said City and County, duly appointed and
sworn, and authorized to administer oaths to be used in any Court in said State, and for general
purposes; and that his signature thereto
is genuine, as I verily believe.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of the
said Court and County, the
30 day of May 1862.
HW Genet
Clerk.
Page 158

131
Pettion of
Maryett Van Buskirk
Page 159

To the Honorable
Caleb B Smith
Secretary of the Interior
The undersigned
respectfully represents that she has an unsettled 
claim against the United States which she
begs to have examined and adjusted by the
Hon Secretary of the Interior. The facts of
said case are presented in three several
Reports made to Congress of the Committee
on revolutionary Claims, which said reports
are hereunto annexed & made part of
this petition together with the affidavits
taken &c in other cases.
Maryette Van Buskirk
by her atty
Geo Taylor
June 5, 1863
Page 160

12
Affidavit
of Ephram Archer
of Ontario Co N.Y.
Page 161

State of New York
County of Ontario ss


Ephraim Archer of
said County being duly sworn doth depone
and say, that he is a resident of the town of
Gorham in said County of the age of
forty eight years and upwards. That he now
is, and for many years has been acquainted with
Peter Van Buskirk now a resident of
the town of Hopewell in said County, that said
Peter Van Buskirk made application in open
Court in Canandaigua as said deponent believe
in the year one thousand eight hundred and
forty six to obtain a pension for his services
in the Revolutionary War, that he deponent
signed his papers after the interrogations
the Court for the said Peter Van Buskirk
together with Lyman Crain a resident of
the town of Manchester in said County .and
in conversation with the said Van Buskirk and
James G Austin with whom said deponent is
well acquainted, the said Van Buskirk told Said
Austin in deponents presence that there was a
mistake made in giving his Van Buskirk's age
to the said Court, that he should have told said
Court, that he was born on the 29th day of
August A.D. 1762, and that the said Austin
said in reply that inasmuch as it was 
[unintened?]. so he thought it could make no difference
as to his procuring his pension - The conversation
deponent distinctly recollects was had near
the Clerks desk in the Courtroom. Deponent
further says that he has known said Van Buskirk
at last twenty five years, and that he has
Page 162

often heard him relate his services in the
revolutionary war and further deponent
saith not.
Ephraim Archer

Subscribed and sworn
before me this 14th day
of November 1841
A.A. Brown
Justice of the Peace

Ontario County ss
I hereby certify that
I am personally acquainted with
Ephraim Archer the deponent  in the 
foregoing affidavit and take pleasure in 
assuring all whom it may concern of his
certain reliability. Nov. 14,1841
A. A. Brown
Justice of the Peace

State of New York
ONTARIO COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE. 
I ELNATHAN W. SIMMONS [ ELNATHAN's name is preprinted, the following name is inserted and handwritten] by Edwd C. Griffith Deputy Clerk of said County, and also Clerk of all Courts of Record thereof, DO HEREBY CERTIFY, that A A Brown whose
name is subscribed to the certifiate of the proof or acknowledement of the annexed Instrument was
at the date of said certificate a Justice of the peace
in and for said County, and duly authorized to take the same; that I am well acquainted with his
handwriting, and very believe the signature to the said certifcate of proof or acknowledgment to be
genuine; and I further certify that said Instrument is executed and proved, or acknowledged according
to the laws of this State.
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County and said Court
Fourteenth day of November A. D. 1861.
Edwd C. Griffith Dep Clerk
Page 163

29
Affidavit
of John Spangle
of Ontario Co N.Y.
Page 164

State of New York
County of Ontario ss. On this 4th day of November
A D 1861 personally appeared before me the Subscriber
a Justice of the Peace of said County, John Spangle, to
me well known, who being by me first duly sworn
deposes and says; that he is of the age of Sixty three
years and upwards: that he was and is well acquainted with
Peter Van Buskirk, who moved into Ontario
County, New York in the Town of Gorham, Now Hopewell, 
in the year 1816, in the month of November
of that year. and moved into his fathers house. I
recollect the time districtly from the fact that my
father purchased a tract of land the same year
from one of our neighbors and the son of Peter Van
Buskirk. That his father and said Peter Van Buskirk,
 in the course of the ensuing winter talked
over all the incidents relating to the War of the
Revolution, inasmuch as both had been in the
Military service in that war. The said Peter
Van Buskirk, spoke of his service as that of
Forage Master and Private in said war, and also
spoke of serving to the end of the said war in New Jersey.
 and I have never heard it doubted in the
neighborhood that he served in said war as he
Alleged.  I have heard my father Zachariah
Spangle, & said Peter Van Buskirk speak of their
ages, and they agreed that my father was about
three years older than said Van Buskirk. My father
died in the year 1825, thirty seven years since,
and was at his death sixty seven years of age.
And further deponent says not, as appears
from the record of his death and age on the tombstone
over his grave. And further deponent
says not.
John Spangle


Sworn and Subscribed
Page 165

before me the year and day above written by the
above said John Spangler and I further certify
that the I believe the said John Spangler to be
a credible witness.
Isaac R. Parcell Justice
of the Peace in and for Ontario County

State of New York,
ONTARIO COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE,
I, ELNATHAN W. SIMMONS, Clerk of said County, and also Clerk of all Courts of
Record thereof, DO HEREBY CERTIFY, that Isaac R Parcell whose
name is subscribed to the certificate of the proof or acknowledgment of the annexed Instrument was
at the date of said certificate a Justice of the Peace in
and for said County, and duly authorized to take the same; that I am well acquainted with his
handwriting, and verily believe the signature to the said certificate of proof or [acknowledgement grossed out] to be
genuine; [following phrase also crossed out - and I further certify that said Instrument is executed and proved or acknowledged accord
to the Laws of this State.]

In Witness Whereof,  I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County and said Court
11th day of November A. D. 1861
E W Simmons
Page 166

County of Washington
District of Columbia
Personally appeared before
me the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace, on this 5th
Day of April 1861. Abraham Van Buskirk who
doth on his solemn oath swears that he is a son
of Peter Van Buskirk a Revolutionary Pensioner
in the City of Washington, that in the Autumn of
last year, 1860, as he was returning from western
New York by way of Albany he stopped for an
Examination of the Records of the Comptrollers
office for one Armitage, and while the Clerk was
Examining the reference book for said service
he accidentally said the name of Peter Van Buskirk, 
but being much hurried to come home he told
the Clerk then that his Father Peter Van Buskirk
had served as a Commissary during the latter
part of the Revolutionary War, and asked him
to make an Examination for him for any service
as Commissary, that he might find and report
the same to him, which the office did & he sent
him the required fee, that he never had been
in the Comptroller’s office before said occasion,
nor has he ever been in said office since & had
never heard anyone say that they had ever seen
the name of Peter Van Buskirk on said records.
& was wholly ignorant of the fact, that of the Existence
of any such evidence as has been produced, until


over
Page 167

the same was sent to him by the Comptroller’s
office at Albany & further deponent says not.
Abraham Van Buskirk
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 5th day of April
A.D. 1861
W. L. Clary J.P. (seal)


I have lived in the neighborhood of Abraham Van Buskirk
for many years, while he was a resident of Ontario Co N.Y.
and was well acquainted with him. He was reported
as a man of truth & veracity, and held a may respectable
position in society.
JN Granger


I have known Mr Van Buskirk around
five or six years, and have always regarded
him as a respectable man. I should
not have the slightest reason to doubt
his veracity
J J Coombs


[following is at end of page written vertically]
66 
Abrm Van Buskirk
Affd.


5 April 1861
No. 9
Page 168

42
Affidavit of
A.
Van Buskirk
April 3d 1861.
No. 8
Page 169

County of Washington
District of Columbia
On this 3d day of April 1861 before me the
subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the County
aforesaid personally appeared Abraham Van Buskirk
a resident of said County (formerly of Ontario County
New York) who being by me duly sworn deposes
and says that he is about 62 years of age and is
son of “Peter Van Buskirk”, formerly of said Ontario
County, and a Revolutionary Pensioner on the Roll
of the District of Columbia at the rate of $60 per
annum, and that his said father is as he verily believes,
in the 99th year of his age, that his said father
has lived with him nearly all the life of this deponent
and entirely since his Marriage, that the history
of his said father’s service both as a private and Forge
Master, is one of the traditions of his entire family
so deeply engraven on their minds as the fact
that he or they had a father, that at the time of
the making his said father’s first declaration, he had no
knowledge of the peculiar provisions of the Pension laws
and though he detailed all of his service to the Agent
(Mr. Austin who died in this City some three years ago) as
he had no record proof of his service as an officer, his
said agent who prepared his papers said it had better be
omitted as the Pension office would not grant a
Pension for his Forage Master's service without the
record proof of the same, and also stated that if
at any time hereafter any record evidence should be
Page 170

discovered, that his said father could then make
an amended declaration claiming the same. that
frequently since the application had been made the
said Agent asked this deponent if he had
found any record evidence saying that whenever
he (deponent) should find any that he (Mr Austin)
would prepare the necessary papers. that he deponent
searched both in Trenton N. Jersey and in “Harrisburg
Pennsylvania”, without success, he then sought the
parol proof he could find intending (as he did)
with the little documents they had preserved to lay
the claim before thinking Congress, that body would not
require the same rigid compliance with technical
rules as the Pension Office did, but upon finding
the record proof in New York the Committees of
Congress send the case to the Department for its
action under the law, and further deponent saith not.
A. Van Buskirk
Subscribed and sworn to before me the
Day & year first hereinbefore written
W. S. Clary J. P. (seal)
Page 171

16
Affidavit of 
A Van Buskirk


No 32.
Page 172

County of Washington
District of Columbia
On this 19th day of November, 1861. before me the subscribed
in and for the County aforesaid personally appeared
Abraham Van Buskirk who being by me duly sworn deposes and
says that he is about 63 years of age & is son of Peter Van
Buskirk, a Revolutionary Pensioner - that his said father in the
year 1812, sold his farm in Harrington, New Jersey to one
Garrett A. Ackerman, and moved to the City of New York
in the year the War commenced, as he & his said father
were both in the War 1813 from that city, that in the
year 1816, they moved to Hopewell in Ontario County, in
said State and in said Town, some 23 years & then they
moved to Phelps in said County, until they came to the
City of Washington, in 1855. & they now reside in said
City, & further deponent saith not.
Abraham Van Buskirk


Sworn to and subscribed before
this nineteenth day of November
A.D. 1861
W. S. Clary, J.P. (seal)
Page 173

City of Washington 
District & Columbia
Personally appeared
before me a justice of the Peace. A Van
Buskirk, who being duly sworn deposes
& says; that he prepared the application
for a pension for his late father Peter Van
Buskirk, that said application was
filed in the pension office, and afterwards
withdrawn from said office, and referred to the
Committee in Congress, that after said
Petition had been deferred to the Committee
it was discovered, in conversation with said
Peter Vanbuskirk that the names of Cols
Stewart & Hampton under whom he
served had been omitted, that with the
permission of the Chairman of said
Committee said petition was withdrawn
and amended. by the insertion of said name
and one or two verbal alterations, and
the said petition was then sworn to
but this deponent does not recollect
whether the justice altered the date of
the [part] or not, as the amendments
were not considered important. that
after said alterations the paper was
returned to the Committee. This deponent
says, that there are the facts so far
Page 174

as he recollects that he believes
the same to be thus.
Subscribed & Sworn
to before me this
16 day of July 1862
A. Van Buskirk

Sworn to and subscribed before
me this 16th day of July, A.D. 1862
W. A. Clary J.P.(seal)
Page 175

Copy
State of New York,
Ontario County, ss.


On this 19th day of
June, A.D. 1874, before me the subscriber
a Justice of the Peace in and for said County,
personally appeared Peter Van Buskirk a resident
of the town of Phelps in said County, aged eighty
years who being duly sworn, depose and says,
that he is well acquainted with George Dearman, 
an old man now residing in the town of Groton
in the County of Tompkins, and State aforesaid, 
that he was acquainted with him when a child, 
deponent and the said George Dearman were
born and brought up together in the same town,
to wit, in the town of Harrington in the County of
Bergen in the State of New Jersey. Deponent says
he well remembers the events of the revolution
which took place in and near the said town of
Harrington. In the said town of Harrington, and
near the residence of deponent’s father, there was
located and kept most of the time of the revolution
a camp ground, at which camp ground there did
occasionally appear large bodies of the soldiers and
officers of the different corps of the revolutionary army.
That in the fall of the year 1779, Baron De Kalb,
an officer in the revolution, arrived at the said
camp at Harrington aforesaid, with a large body
of American troops and continued in camp for a
 


[following written vertically on left side of page]
Copy
Peter Van Buskirk
[19? ?? 1816]


A No.2
Copy
Page 176

considerable time. That about the first day
of October in the year 1779, the said George Dearman
volunteered to serve in the troops of Baron De
Kalb aforesaid. That he served from that time
until the 1st of November, 1780, in the capacity of a
private - that he saw him almost every day on
duty, sometimes with his musket, and at other times
in the barracks and places where the cooking was
done for the officers and soldiers, and also in the
places where the sick was quartered. That the said
Dearman was regularly enrolled - saw him muster every
night and morning when roll was called - that the
captain's name was Callender or Challender or
Chandler,  deponent cannot particularly state and
also in which company was one Lieut Wright.
The said troops to which the said Dearman
attached himself to under Baron De Kalb, were
called the Maryland and Delaware troops, and
deponent thinks among them were some Virginia
troops.
That the latter part of the month of May
1780, the army to which he was attached as aforesaid
divided and a large portion removed south with
Baron DeKalb, and the remainder of said Army or
troops remained in camp at Harrington aforesaid.
That the said George Dearman remained with those
that remained in camp, and continued to do duty as a
soldier in camp until the forepart of the month
of November, 1780 when the remainder left said
Page 177

Camp and went south and was commanded by
officers which deponent has forgotten, but that
Lieut. Wright aforesaid remained and was an active
officer in that part of the army or troops which 
remained in camp after Baron Dekalb removed
South. That after the said troops removed in the 
whole from the said camp in Nov 1780, other troops
or armies arrived there and continued successively
to arrive and depart and that the said successively
 arrival of troops were commanded by Genl
Lee, Wayne and other Genl. Officers which he is
not now able to name. That said George Dearman
continued to serve as a soldier and a volunteer from
the time De Kalb's army finally all left in Nov.
1780, until the 1st of June 1781, when the army
or troops went off & was quartered in other places.
Deponent says that he knows that said George
Dearman did serve as above stated. that he was a
good soldier. that he saw him almost every
day during the time herein stated. saw him in the
ranks when parade was ordered, saw him standing
guard with his musket on sentry, saw him in the
mess room cooking-- saw him attending on the sick
soldiers and officers saw him on duty a great
many times in camp when some detachment were
sent from the camp to the North River and other
places, watching the enemy; protecting any
stores, & deponent further says that he saw
Page 178

said George Dearman discharged from the
said service - it was given by Lieut. Wright
verbally in Novr 1780, a few miles from Camp.
while the said troops were departing for the
South the said Dearman was told that he
did not want him to go south from his home.
Deponent well remembers all these facts. Deponent
further says that he was in the same service
& in the same camp and for the same time. Deponent
and the said George Dearman were sons of
farmers who resided in the same town where
the camp aforesaid was situated. Deponent
further says that he resided in Harrington
aforesaid until about thirty years ago, since
which time he has resided in the town of
Hopewell about twenty three years, and for 
seven years past he has resided at his
present place of residence.
Peter Van Buskirk

Subscribed and sworn to
this 19th day of June,
A.D. 1846 before me,
James G. Austin
Justice of the Peace
J. B. Parshall
Witness
Page 179

114
Peter Van Buskirk
power of attorney
& affidavit
Page 180

Know all men by these presents that I Peter Van
Buskirk of the town of Phelps Ontario County State of
New York, have made, nominated and appointed and
by these presents do make nominate & appoint
Abraham Van Buskirk of the town of Phelps County
of Ontario aforesaid, my true & Lawful attorney
for me & in my name to attend to and prosecute
my claim to a pension for services in the Revolution, 
and to do & receive of and from the Commission
of Pensions in Relation thereto & in all respect
to do & receive, whatever I might or could
do in Relation thereto as if I were personally
present, hereby Ratifying [inserted ‘confirming’?] all & any thing
my said attorney shall do or cause to be
done in the premises [processes?].
Peter Van Buskirk


In Witness Whereof I have here
unto set my hand & seal this 5th day of May 1851.
In Presence of D. Stephenson


State of New York
County of Ontario SS  Peter Van Burkirk being duly sworn says
that he is the person named in the foregoing power of
attorney & that he has filed a claim in Pennin
office for a pension for services in the Revolution & is
directly interested in such claim & that the foregoing
Power of Attorney is intended to Empower the attorney
therein named to prosecute my said claim before
the Pension [proper?] Department of Government-
Peter Van Buskirk


Subscribed & Sworn before me
This 9th day of May 1857
D. Stephenson Justice of the Peace of said County
Page 181

State of New York
Ontario County Clerk's Office

I, Reuben Murray, Clerk of said County, Do Hereby Certify, That 
Dolphin Stephenson, Esq, before whom
the said instrument was subscribed and sworn, was at the time the same purposts to have been so subscribed and sworn,
a Justice
in and for said County, duly elected, sworn and authorized to act as such. And further 
that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of such Justice, 
and verily believe his signature subscribed to the [Jurat] of said affidavit, to be genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name, and affixed the Seal of the said County, this 6th day of May1851.

Reuben Murray Clerk
Page 182

1
May 1st 1851
Peter Van Buskirk
Supplemental
Declaration
for a Pension
(A3)

No. 19
not copied
Page 183

Copy this
State of New York
County of Ontario ss. Peter Van Buskirk a resident of the
town of Phelps County and State aforesaid, aged
Eighty four years & upwards who being duly sworn
according to Law, deposes and says that he some
time since made an application to the Pension office
for a Pension under the law of 7th June 1832 and
filed his declaration in the Pension Office aforesaid.
And his said application was rejected by the
Commissioner upon the following grounds viz that
there was not sufficient evidence produced to sustain
his said application, and further that there was no
Law definitely applicable to such service for which
he claimed a pension. 
Deponent in addition to his former statements in his said 
declaration, further
says that there was at the same time he volunteered
in the same service a number of men, after whose terms
of service expired again volunteered into the same
Army with Deponent & Received their Bounty. that the
deponent at the time & times in said application mentioned
and the same as other soldiers, that he was regularly
mustered into said service, and performed the duties
of a soldier & was under a soldier’s obligation at all
lines, the same as as others of his fellow soldiers in
said Army until he was Discharged and that at the
close of his said service was Honorably Discharged. That
he served his county faithfully as he alleged &
Claims a pension therefore.
Peter Van Buskirk


Subscribed and sworn 
this  1st  day of May 1851
Before me
D Stephenson Justice of the Peace of said County
Justice of the Peace in & for said County
Page 184

State of New York
County of Ontario ss. I Dolphin Stephenson a Justice of the
Peace in & for said County do hereby certify that I am
well acquainted with Peter Van Buskirk who subscribed
his name to and who made the foregoing affidavit.
that he is a man of good moral character &
his statements therein contained are entitled to the
fullest credit-
[Dated Phelps?] May 1st, 1851
D. Stephenson J. P.


We the undersigned Residents of the town of Phelps
& of the County of Ontario & State of New York do
hereby certify that we are acquainted with Peter
Van Buskirk who is an old man, and whose
affidavit in relation to his application for a pension
is hereto annexed, that he is a reputable man
and his statements in relation to his services in
Revolution are entitled to the fullest credit
Ontario County N.Y. May [1st or 9th?] 1851
John J. Lyon
Geo W Bemis
JN Granger
Peter M Dox
John Dox
Page 185

State of New York
County of Ontario,

I, Reuben Murray, Clerk of the County Court, in and for the County
and State above mentioned, do hereby certify, Dolphin Stephenson
whose genuine signature appears above, is, and was at the time of signing the same a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, that all his official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit; and that the aforesaid County Court is a Court of Record, having general jurisdiction.
Given under my hand and Seal of Office, at Canandaigua, this 6th day of May
1851
Reuben Murray Sr
Page 186

4th Sept. 1836
Peter Van Buskirk's
Affidavit in relation
to the Revolutionary 
services of his brother 
Abraham Van Buskirk -

Additional

4th Sept. 1836
Page 187

Copy

District of Columbia
Washington County, ss.
Peter Van Buskirk, now
a resident of the County aforesaid, but
formerly of Phelps, Ontario County, State of
New York, aged about ninety one
years, being duly sworn according to law
deposes and says in addition to his former 
affidavits relating to the claim of Jane Van
Deen, that his memory in relation to the
services &c. of Abraham Van Buskirk in the
revolution is clear, and now relates some
facts and circumstances respecting his
knowledge of said service. That the said
Abraham Van Buskirk was engaged to be
married to the said Jane before he entered
the service - that in the fall of 1778, he
returned home from the army sick, and while
at home he was married to the said Jane
that while he was at home and after the
manage, a certain horse that had been
purchased by Genl Wayne or some other
officer of the U.S. Army from the deponent's
father, came home, having, as deponent supposed,
broke away and left the Camp at some place
where the Army lay. Deponent took the
said horse, and returned to the camp with the 
horse, and remained in Camp as a soldier
Page 188

until his health required him to again
return home, which he did in a furlough,
and lingered under his disease until he died.
and further that his knowledge and recollection of the facts, & it was about the same time
that a mutiny & insubordination took place
in the Army. That some time in December
in 1778, the United States Army was encamped
at or near a place called Middle Brook in
New Jersey, and this was the place where 
the said horse was taken by the said
Abraham Van Buskirk. that deponent
was born and raised in the same place with
the said Abraham Van Buskirk and was
intimately acquainted with the said Van Buskirk
and is sure that the said Van Buskirk served
as he has heretofore related, and that he
was married while he was at home on his
furlough as aforesaid - that I have no
interest whatever in this claim.
---
Peter Van Buskirk
Sworn and subscribed
before me this 4th Septr
1836, and I certify that the said affi
is a credible person, and that I have
no interest whatever in this claim
Thos J. Williams, J.P.
Page 189



State of New York. - - -
County of Ontario. SS, Peter Van Buskirk
a resident of the town of Phelps County &
State aforesaid,  aged eighty six years &
upwards being duly Sworn according to
Law deposes & says in addition to what
I have already said in the application of
Thomas Van Buskirk in war to obtain the
amount of Pension due his mother Jane Van
Deen at her death. former widow of Abraham
Van Buskirk her former & first husband on account
of his service in the Revolutionary War.
& that the said Abraham returned home on
Parole, some time after the Battle of Princeton
sick. & was to return to the Camp when his health
would permit him to perform duty in
the service of his country. but he did not sufficiently
 recover from his sickness to return.
& was shortly after married & was in a feeble
State of health at the time he was married
which took place in Seventeen Hundred & Seven
by Eight & was not able to person manual
Labor before after his marriage,  to my knowledge to
any amount up to the time of his death
which took place in the town of Harrington, 
County & State aforesaid in 1806.
Disease consumption. as I, the said Peter Van
Buakisk, resided in the aforesaid town of
Harrington County & State aforesaid & was
well known to the service & sickness and
death of the said Abraham San Burkisk aforesaid,
 & his parole Permission shewed me on
his return from the Camp. the officer from
[home or whom?] he received the Parole I do not
Page 190



by reason of old age & consequent loss of
memory now distinctly recollect,  but think
it was from General Wayne. the Parole Paper
was lost or destroyed together with other
Papers after his death & that I am disinterested
in the matter.
Peter Van Buskirk


Subscribed & Sworn
Before me
this first day of December 1853
Lysander Redfield
Justice of the peace in and for the said
County aforesaid & that I have no interest in
the [Claim] & am not concerned in its [Resolution],


Interlineation of words "before or" done before, insertion [believe this note refers to prior page]


State of New York
County of Ontario, SS. I, Lysander Redfield a Justice
of the Peace in & for said County do hereby
Certify that I am well acquainted with
the said Peter Van Buskirk who subscribed
his name to & who made the foregoing affidavit
that he is a man of good moral character
& his statements therein are entitled to
full credit & belief. Dated Phelps December
1st 1853.
Lysander Redfield, Justice of the Peace,
of Phelps, in and for Ontario County


State of New York,
County of Ontario.
SS.
I, John J. Lyon, Clerk of the County Court, in and for the County
and State above mentioned do hereby certify, that Lysander Redfield
whose genuine signature appears above, is, and was at the time of signing the same, a
Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, duly commissioned and
that all his official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit; and that the
aforesaid County Court is a Court of Record, having general jurisdiction.
Given under my hand and Seal of Office, at Carandaigua, this 17th
day of December 1853
John J Lyon Clerk
Page 191

In the name of God Amen,
I, Peter Van Buskirk, now of the City of Washington in the District of Columbia
but late of Bergen County in the State of New Jersey, being
weak in body but of sound and disposing mind and memory,
mindful of the instability of human life, and desiring
to leave my family as little trouble, after my death, as
possible; do make publish and declare this my last will
and Testament; hereby revoking all former wills by me
at any time heretofore made and declaring the same
to be null and void.
Imprimis; I give my body to the Earth from whence it came
and my soul to the keeping of the Eternal Father
who created it.
Secondly: After all my just debts and other proper claims
against me are paid and satisfied, I give and
bequeath all my estate, both real, personal and
mixed, of whatsoever nature and kind the same
may be, and wheresoever the same may be, unto
my beloved Grand-daughter, Mary Ett Van Buskirk, 
daughter of my son Abram Van Buskirk, now of
Washington City in the District of Columbia, to her
and her heirs forever.
Lastly; I constitute nominate and appoint my son
Abram Van Buskirk, Executor of this my last will
and Testament and I direct that he act as
such without being required or called upon to give
any Bond with Surety for the faithful performance
of his duties.
Given under my hand and
Page 192

seal this Sixteenth day of March A.D. 1857 one
Thousand eight hundred and fifty seven
(Signed) Peter Van Buskirk


Signed, sealed, published and
declared by the above named
Testator Peter Van Buskirk
as and to be his last Will and
Testament, who in our presence
executed the same and we whose
names are hereunto subscribed did
on the 16th day of March A.D. 1857
at the request of the said Peter
Van Buskirk & in his presence
and in the presence of each other 
signed our names as witnesses thereto
Thos J Williams
Ann Van Buskirk
J H Peters




District of Columbia, Orphan Court
Washington County, to wit: February 4, 1842.
This day appeared Ann Van Buskirk, one of the subscribed
witnesses to the aforegoing last will and testament of
Peter Van Buskirk, late of Washington County aforesaid
deceased, and made oath on the Holy Evangels of
Almighty God, that she did see the testator therein
named, sign and seal this will, that he published, pronounced
and declared the same to be his last will
and testament, and that at the time of so doing he was
to the best of her apprehension of sound and
disposing mind memory and understanding
and that she together with Thos J. Williams and
J. H. Peters the other subscribing witnesses
Page 193

severally subscribed their names as
witnesses thereto in the presence and at
the request of the testator and in the
presence of each other


Test,
Moses Kelly
Register of Wills.


District of Columbia
Washington County, to wit:
I hereby certify that the aforegoing
is a true copy from the original will
of Peter Van Buskirk, filed and
recorded in the office of the Register
of Wills for Washington County aforesaid.


Witness my hand
and seal of office
this fourth day of
February 1862


Moses Kelly
Register of Wills
Page 194

47
Sept. 5th 1859
Supplimental
declaration of Peter
Van Buskirk
[B1]
No. 2
Page 195

County of Washington
District of Columbia,  SS.
On this fifth day of September A.D.
1859. before me the Subscriber a Justice of the peace
in & for the County aforesaid, personally appeared
Peter Van Buskirk, who being by me duly sworn
deposes & says, that he is about 97 years of age, that
he is a Revolutionary Pensioner at the rate of
60 dollars per annum, that about the year 1846.
he first made application to the Pension office
for a Revolutionary Pension, in making his application
therefore he was not aware that the different grades, 
nor the length of service made
any difference in the amount of Pension due,
that in making said application he set forth
only a portion of the service rendered by him during
the Revolutionary war; omitting altogether
the latter portion of the same. He now makes an
additional declaration setting forth more fully
the length of said service & declares that in
addition to the service claimed in his former
declaration he was in the year 1781. about
the beginning of June duly appointed & received
his commission of assistant Commissary of
Forage for & in the American Army & served
as such from the date of his appointment 
until the close of the war in 1783, when under
Page 196

Col Stuart, Hampton, Wayne, and other officers the
Army was disbanded, that his service was in
that portion of the Army under General Wayne &
Col. Hamton,  that his service as Commissary was
rendered at Harrington in Bergen County, &
Morristown, New Jersey, & in the neighbourhood of
Pompton, Perciponey [Parsippany],  Hackensack and along the banks
of the Hudson River, & in the State of New York, in
the vicinity of West Point, Courtland Manor
Peekskill, Love & Paramus, & that he was constantly
engaged after his commission as Commissary
in purchasing forage for the American
Army from the time of his appointment until
the Army was disbanded in 1783. He cannot
now distinctly recollect the names of the different
Officers under whom he served, excepting. Gen
Wayne, Stuart whose division he was appointed.
that after the army went south he remained
in the vicinity of the places named, constantly
doing duty in the capacity of Commissary of
Forage until that portion of the Northern army which
went south returned, that at the close of the
war he was honorably discharged, which discharge
& his commission accounts & papers were considered
useless upon moving to western
New York were destroyed many years ago
excepting a few scraps only, and can rely duly
upon the testimony of those who knew him
Page 197

well through the Revolution & at Harrington
at that time & that he makes this declaration
to obtain his just pension under the acts of
Congress, as in his case is made & provided,
that he remember the date of appointment as Commissary
from the fact that it was about the time that Gen
Wayne, with a portion of the American army went South;
& that he was born in the year 1762, in Bergen County New Jersey,
and further he saith not.
 Peter Van Buskirk


Sworn and Subscribed
this 5th day of September 1859
Thomas J Williams
Justice of the Peace
For the County of Washington, D. C.
Page 198

68
Copy
of Supplimental
declaration of
Peter Van Buskirk
Page 199

County of Washington
District of Columbia  ss
On this fifth day of September
A.D. 1859, before me the subscriber, a Justice of
the peace, in & for the County aforesaid,
personally appeared Peter Van Buskirk, who
being by me duly sworn, deposes & says
that he is about 97 years of age, that he is a
Revolutionary Pensioner, at the rate
of $60 dollars per annum, that about the
year 1846, he first made application
to the Pension office, for a Revolutionary
Pension & in making his application
therefor, he was not aware that the different
grades, nor the length of service,
made any difference in the amount
of Pension due; that in making said
application he set forth only a portion
of the service rendered by him during the
Revolutionary War; omitting altogether
the latter portion of the same.


He now makes an additional declaration
setting forth more fully the
length of said service & declares that
in addition to the service claimed
in his former declaration, he was in
the year 1781, about the beginning of
June duly appointed & received his
Commission of assistant Commissary
of Forage for & in the American Army, &
Page 200

served as such from the date of his
appointment until the close of the
War in 1783, when under Col. Stuart, [Hampton],
Wayne, and other officers, the Army
was disbanded. That his service was in
that portion of the Army under General
Wayne & Col. [Hamton, that his service as
Commissary was rendered at Harrington
in Bergen, County & Morristown New Jersey
& in the neighbourhood of Pompton, Parsippany, 
Hackensack & along the Banks of the Hudson
River, & in the State of New York, in the
vicinity of West Point, Courtland Manor, 
Peekskill, Cove, & Paramus, & that he was
constantly engaged after his commission
as Commissary, in purchasing forage for
the American Army from the time of
his appointment until the army was
disbanded in 1783.
He cannot now distinctly recollect the
names of the different officers under who
come he served, excepting Gen. Wayne & Col Stuart
under whose division he was appointed. that
after the army went south he remained
in the vicinity of the place named, constantly
doing duty in the capacity of Commissary of
 Forage until that portion of
the Northern Army which went south
returned; that at the close of their
he was honorably discharged, which
Page 201


discharge & his commission, accounts, & papers
were considered useless, upon moving
to western New York were destroyed many
years ago excepting a few scraps only. I can
rely only upon the testamony of those who
knew him well through the Revolution, + 
at Harrington, at that time, & that he makes
 this declaration to obtain his just
pension under the acts of Congress, as in
his case is made & provided. That he remembers
 the date of his appointment as
Commissary from the fact that it was about
the time that Gen. Wayne with a portion of
the American Army went South & that he was
born in the year 1762, in Bergen County, New Jersey
& further he saith not.
Peter Van Buskirk
Sworn & subscribed this
5th day of September 1859.
Thomas J. Williams
Justice of the Peace for
& in the County of Washington D.C.
Page 202

41

Affidavitt
Peter Van Buskirk
April 3d 1861
No 4
Page 203

City & County of Washington
District of Columbia
On this 3d day of April 1861 before me the subscribed 
Justice of the Peace
in and for the County aforesaid personally appeared
Peter Van Buskirk a Revolutionary Pensioner
of the United States who being by me duly sworn
deposes & says that he is in the 79th year of his
age and draws a pension of $60 per annum
that he is the same Peter Van Buskirk who
is now applying for an increase of his stipend
for his service as Commissary of Forage. that
when he made his first declaration
in 1846, he stated to the Agent (Mr. Austin)
who prepared his papers his whole service
both as a "private” and "Forage Master” in
the War of the Revolution at Harrington
Bergen County, New Jersey, where his
Father,  Thomas Van Buskirk, then lived.
but his said Agent told him if he had
no record evidence of his service that it would
be useless to claim in his declaration,
 as the office would not grant a pension
for his latter service without record evidence
of the same and that it would only encumber
 his statement, but if he should hereafter
find any Record evidence he could then
make an additional statement or declaration
Page 204

setting forth fact and which he could do
at any time hereafter if any such evidence
should be discovered, that he know nothing
of the nature of preparing papers for a pension
or of the various provisions of the Pension law
and further deponent saith not.
Peter Van Buskirk
Subscribed and sworn to before me the
day & year first hereinbefore written
W. T. Clary J.P. [seal]
Page 205

21

Certificate
of Surrogate of
Bergen Co. N. J.

No 31.
Page 206

Item, I give and bequeath unto my grandson
Thomas A. Van Buskirk and to my five children
to wit Peter, Rachel, Margaret, Leah and Mary
such one equal undivided sixths.
State of New Jersey
Bergen County 
I Richard R Paulison surrogate of the County of Bergen aforesaid
do certify the forgoing to be a true
copy from the Records of wills and
Proofs in my office. and custody
of a clause in the record of the
Will of Thomas Van Buskirk late of said county
[illegible] and which Will bears date the third day
Of March in eighteen hundred and [nine]. and
was admitted to probate the twenty sixth day of March
Eight hundred Eleven.
and I do further certify that the above named
Rachel is in said will named as the wife
Of David Baldwin, Leah as the wife of John
J. Ackerman, Mary as the widow of Andrew
Hopper deceased, and Margaret as the wife
of Garret Hopper.
has not
And I do further certify that
find in any office the record of any inventory of
the personal Estate of said Thomas Van Buskirk
Deceased.


Witness my hand and seal of office this thirty
first day of July AD. eighteen hundred and sixty one. (1861)


R. R. Paulison
Page 207

17

Affidavits of
Henry Esler + 
Wm. P. Ramsey
Page 208

State of New Jersey
Bergen County On this 31st day of July
1861 before me Abraham J Ackerman
Justice of the peace in and for said
County personally appeared before me
Henry Esler P. M. at Saddle River
Bergen County N.J. Township of Hohokus
who being duly sworn on his oath saith that
he is well acquainted with Stephen Westervelt
Bergen County. that he the said Stephen
married a sister of deponents mother, her name was Eva.
My mothers name is Rachel that I have
always understood that the said Stephen was
between 2 and 3 years younger than my aunt
Eva. That we have a family record in which
the age of the wife of Stephen Westervelt
named Eva appears as follows in dutch


“Myn togter Eva is ge Boren in het
Jaar Anno 1765 den 26 Dag December”


translated:
My daughter Eva is born in the
year A.D. 1765 the 26th day of December


This deponent further says that the said
Stephen and his wife always resided in Bergen
County and frequently visited at my father’s
house. they resided about two miles from
my fathers house in Hohokus Township Bergen
County opposite and adjoining Harrington
in said County and further deponent
saith not.
Henry Esler P. M.
Sworn and subscribed
Before me this 31st day of July 1861
Abrm J Ackerman Justice of [Peace]
Page 209

State of New Jersey
Bergen County SS
On this 31st day of July
before me the subscriber a Justice of 
the peace in and for the County of Bergen
Aforesaid,  Personally appeared William
Ramsey a resident of Hohokus
Township County of Bergen aforesaid
who being by me duly sworn deposes and
says that he is rising 88 years that he was
born in Hoboken in said County and has
lived in said County all his life,  that he was
well acquainted with Peter Van Buskirk
and his family when they lived at New Prospect
in said County and kept a tavern there. this
deponent then kept a turning mill within
half a mile of said Peter Van Buskirks some
[thirty] five years ago.  the said Peter formerly
lived in Harrington, that he often saw him and
conversed with him,  knew his family well and
frequently conversed with the said Peter as to
their comparative ages. that he always understood
from these conversations that there was about 10 or
11 years difference between them and that if
Peter Van Buskirk was now living he must be about
100 years of age. that he also knew Thomas Van Buskirk
father of the said Peter who lived in Harrington.
and that he Thomas, had also a son Abraham
and four daughters.  Rachel who married David
Baldwin,  Maria who married Andrew Hopper,
Margaret who married Garret Hopper and
Leah who married John Ackerman. that he
does not know where Maria died but the last
he knew of her she lived in Hoboken as he frequently
paid her money that was due her that she
became very poor and lived in obscurity.
William P. Ramsey his mark
Sworn and subscribed before me this 31st July 1841
Abrm Ackerman Justice of the Peace
Page 210

This is to Certify that I read and explained
the within deposition to William P Ramsey
the within named deponent fully, and
distinctly, and that having been acquainted with
him for a number of years his statement
 with regard to the same is entitled
to the fullest confidence and belief.
And that he recited the same to me without
any questions being asked except what he
knew of the Van Buskirk family.
Abm J Ackerman Justice of the Peace


STATE OF New Jersey
Bergen County
I Cornelius L Blauvelt Clerk of the County of Bergen at Hackensack in
 the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify, that Abraham
J Ackerman before whom the
foregoing proceedings were had, was at the time of execution, a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, duly commissioned
and qualified; and that the foregoing signatures, purporting to be his, are genuine.


IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF I have hereunto affixed my seal of Office,
of and subscribed my name this 31
day of July in the year 1861.
C. L. Blauvelt Clerk
By Henry J. Haring Deputy
Page 211

The following is a true extract taken from
the tomb stones in the graveyard at
the Lutheran Church Saddle River formerly
Harrington Township.


“In memory of Margaret wife of Garret
Hopper who died April 3rd 1825
aged 68 years 3 months and 10 days.”




I  hereby certify under oath that the
above is a true extract.
Abrm J Ackerman
J. P.


Sworn and subscribed
before me this 31st day of July
1861 at Bergen County NJ
Manning Mc Knapp
Master in Chancery
of New Jersey


State of New Jersey 
Bergen County ss  I Cornelius L Blauvelt Clerk of the
County of Begen in the State aforesaid do hereby certify
that Manning M Knapp in before whom the proceedings
foregoing were had was at the time of the execution
one of the Masters of the Court of Chancery of the State of
New Jersey duly commissioned and that the foregoing
signatures purporting to be his are genuine.
In witness whereof I have hereto affixed my hand
and set the seal of the County of Bergen the 31st day
of July in the year 1861.
C.L. Blauvelt Clerk
by Henry J. Haring Deputy
Page 212

State of New Jersey
Berger County ss
July 1861 before me
the subscriber a Master in Chancery
duly authorized to administer oaths personally
 appeared Abraham J Ackerman
of Bergen County who being duly sworn
deposes and says that he is well acquainted
 with Stephen Westervelt, has known him
for a number of years ,that he has
several times taken affidavitd from him.
And in his several statements, according to
the best of my recollection, represented
himself to be about 93 or 94 years of
age. I do not distinctly recollect which
That said affidavits were taken at the
Instance of Abram Van Buskirk and
Mr Peugh of Washington D.C. in behalf
of the claim of Peter Van Buskirk, 
father of Abram Van Buskirk.
The said affidavits were by me read
and explained unto him in presence
of said parties and from my knowledge
of his character I think they are entitled
to full credit and belief.
Abrm J Ackerman

Sworn and Subscribed
before me at Newbarbadoes [a former name of what is now Hackensack in 2025]
in the County of Bergen
the 31st day of July AD
1861
Manning McKnapp
Master in Chancery N J
Page 213

Extracts from the Tomb Stones in the grave
yard of Thomas Van Buskirk Harrington
Bergen County

"In memory of Rachel Wife of David
Baldwin who departed this life July 14th
1825 aged 72 years 7 months and 8 days"

"In memory of Abraham Van Buskirk
who departed this life Feb 20th 1806
aged 47 years 4 months & 10 days"

I certify the above to be true extract
from the Tomb Stones from the yard as
above stated and that no other stones
could be found with regard to any of
Thomas Van Buskirk children in said yard.
Abr'm J Ackerman Justice of the Peace

Subscribed and sworn to before me
this 31st day of July 1861
At Begen County N Jewersey
Manning McKnapp
Master in Chancery
of New Jersey
Page 214

17
Thomas W Buskirk
Affidavit
No. 29.
Page 215

State of New York 
Ontario County, SS
On this 8th day of November AD 1861
personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of
Peace in for said County of Ontario Thomas Van Buskirk
resident of the Town of Seneca Falls Seneca County State of
New York aged about sixty eight years who being
by me duly sworn according to law deposes and says
that as nigh as he can recollect from circumstances connected with
the death of his Brother in Hopewell in Dec. 1819 and
other circumstances, and of my moving into Hopewell in
1814, that it was in 1813 that my Father moved from
New York City to New Prospect in the State of New Jersey
and in the fall of 1816 he moved into the Town of
Hopewell Ontario County State of New York. My Father
moved from the Town of Harrington Bergen County NJ
to New York City at the time he sold his farm in Harrington
in the year 1812, and lived in New York City until the war was over and
then moved to the Western part of the State of New York, 
as above stated. As I was employed on Governors Island
by the Government in the year 1815, and my Father
was residing with his family in the City,  and that I
boarded with them there. Furthermore I distinctly
recollect of hearing my Father and Mother talk of their
ages and that there was 5 years difference in their
ages, my father being the oldest.
Thomas Van Buskirk


Subscribed and sworn before
me this 8th day of November 1841.
James L Cone


I hereby certify to the credibility of the above
deponent and that his statement is entitled to
full belief.
James L Cone
Page 216



State of New York,
ONTARIO COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE,


I ELNATHAN W. SIMMONS, Clerk of said County, and also Clerk of all Courts of
Record thereof, DO HEREBY CERTIFY, that James L Cone whose
name is subscribed to the certificate of the proof or acknowledgment of the annexed Instrument was at the date of said certificate, a Justice of the Peace
in and for said County, and duly authorized to take the same; that I am well acquainted with his
handwriting, and verily believe the signature to the said certificate of proof or acknowledgment to be genuine; and I further certify that said Instrument is executed and proved, or acknowledged according
to the laws of this State.
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County and said Court, this 9th day of November A. D. 1861.
E. W. Simmons Clerk
Page 217

To Mr. John Cole
No 33 Washington Street
New York
From G T H
Page 218

[NOTE: See Documnets #23-24 for English translation]
George Achenbach is ge Bohren in het Paar anno 1739
den 23 Januarie
[Lyn keys] frow Antgye is ge Bohren in het Paar
Anno. 1748 den 27 Februarie


In at par anno 1763 Den 24 Dag Marth in Den
Egton Staat getredon


Kenderonderdom
Myn togter Elisabet is ge Behren in het Jaar 
Anno 1764 Den 3 Dag June
Myn togter Eva is ge Bohen in het Paar anno 1765
den 26 Dag December
 Myn Sohn Rynhart is ge Behren in het Jaar 
Anno. 1767 den 27 Dag October 
Myn togter Januitye is ge Behren in het Jaar 
Anno. 1769 Den 25 Dag July
Myn togter Catarina is ge Behren in het Jaar 
Anno 1771 den 14 Dag Mey
Myn Sohn Lourens is ge Behren in het Jaar 
Anno, 1773 Den 12 Dag Marth
Myn  togter Margritye is ge Behren in het Jaar 
Anno. 1775 Den 7 Dag Februarie
Myn Sohn Johannis is ge Behren in het Jaar 
Anno 1777 Den 12 Dag Junie
Myn  togter  Marya is ge Behren in het Jaar 
Anno 1979 Den 24 Dag Marth
Page 219

Myn Sohn Thomas is ge Bohrn in het Jaar 
Anno. 1781 Den 9 Dag April
Myn togter Antye is ge Bohren in het Jaar 
Anno. 1783 Den 20 Februarie
Myn togter Rachel is ge Bohren in het Jaar 
Anno 1785 Den 8 Dag Marth

Dese Turn in Den Her ont Slaapen

Marya Den 2 Dag Februarie Anno 1793
Johannis Den 28 Dag Februarie Anno 1793
Margritye Den 3 Dag May anno 1793
Catarina Den 15 Dag Februarie Anno 1797


Myne Liebe frow Antye moeter van alles [  ] 
in den her out Slaapen Den 11 Dag Februarie
anno 1801 Has outerdona is 53 Pars 11 Maande
en 16 Days


Anna Cole died July the 21st 1856
Jane Achenbach Died April 11th 1860
Page 220

Affadavit of
Salome Van Buskirk




District of Columbia,
Washington County 
On this 8th day of August, 1861, before the
subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the County
aforesaid, personally appeared Mrs. Salome Van
Buskirk, who being by me duly sworn, deposes and
says, that she is about fifty nine years of age,
and is the daughter of the late Judge John
Price of Canandaigua, Ontario County, New York.
That she was married to Abraham
Van Buskirk, son of Peter Van Buskirk in
the year 1820, and is now his wife. That when
she married the said Abraham he lived
with his said father, and his mother, Sarah
Van Buskirk, and since their marriage, his
said father and mother have always
lived with them, as members of the same
family until the death of his mother
which occurred about 24 years ago.
And the said Peter Van Buskirk, his father
has lived with them ever since. That said
Sarah Van Buskirk, her husband's mother
was bed-ridden for about fourteen years previous
to her death, during the whole of
which time this deponent attended upon
her. That she always understand from
the said Sarah, during her lifetime, as well as
from the said Peter, that the
was between four and five years difference
in their age, she being the younger.
Page 221

that they once had a Dutch Bible, in which the
birth of said Peter Van Buskirk, and of each
member of his family was written down,
except Abraham, (her husband) whose name
was accidentally omitted by a Mr. Martin,
a school teacher in the neighborhood, and
she distinctly recollects, from having seen said
record hundred of times, that the birth of said
Peter Van Buskirk was written down in said
Bible, as having occurred in the year 1762,
but the month and day she does not recollect.
She recollects that said Sarah Van Buskirk was
born, according to said record on the 7th of April,
1767.  And this date is more distinctly impressed
upon her mind from the fact that her daughter
 Sarah was also born on the same day
of April, her Grandmother's birth day, and
was named after her. At the same time
that said Schoolmaster wrote down said
ages in the Bible, he marked some silver
spoons for such deponent which she still
has, with the letters [cut] upon them. The
Bible in which said births were written as
aforesaid, was the one that said Peter Van
Buskirt always read, and when he visited
his friends in New Jersey and the City of
New York (as he frequently did,) he was in the habit
of taking said Bible with him, and that
some 20 years ago it was lost during one of
said visits, as she believes - and she
Page 222

does not know what became of it.
she further states that she has frequently heard
the said Peter Van Buskirk speak of his Revolutionary
services, ever since she first lived in
the same family with him, and she 
always understood from him that he first
served as a private, and afterward, as an
officer engaged in purchasing grain, &c for
the Army, in the neighborhood where he lived,
in New Jersey, and has heard him relate many
incidents connected with his said service in the
revolutionary war. Among other things she 
recollects the circumstance of his having been directed by
Gen. Washington, with one [illegible], to arrest a deserting
 and that they found him in a negro hut,
and had to break down the door to get in, and
that they took him to the camp, where he was
punished by death for desertion. That the act
occurred when said Peter was serving as a private,
as she understand from him, during the hard
winter, and when he was in the 17th or 19th year
of his age, and which she does not recollect,
but it was an odd number. This circumstance
he has often related in his family, and always
said he was in service to the end of the
War. Said Peter Van Buskirk had but
one brother, whose name was Abraham
and four sisters, whose names were Rachel,
Mary or Maria, Margaret & Leah. These, with
the said Peter, were all the children that
Page 223

said Peter's father and mother ever had, as
she always understood from him, and said
Peter was the youngest child. She has
seen them all except Abraham, who died
before she knew the family.
Salome Van Buskirk [seal]


Sworn to and subscribed before me
this eighth day of August A.D. 1861
W. S. Clary, J. P. [seal]


District of Columbia 
Washington County SS.
The said Salome Van Buskirk further saith
upon her oath, that she often heard the said
Sarah Van Buskirk say during her lifetime, that
she was seventeen years of age when she was
married to the said Peter Van Buskirk and
the said Peter Van Buskirk always represented
that he was over twenty one years of age when
he was married. she always understood
from both of them, that they were married
several years before their first child was born.
Salome Van Buskirk


Sworn to and subscribed
before me this 17th day of August A.D. 1861 W. S. Clary


This is to certify that I, Oliver Phelps Jr. of Canandaigua Ontario County New York
am well acquainted with Salome Van Buskirk, now of Washington City &
District of Columbia & formerly of Ontario County New York, also her Father
John Price, a former Judge of Ontario County at Canandaigua, in
the State of New York where we lived as neighbors since I can remember. 
That her statements in the foregoing affidavit are entitled to full credit and belief.
Oliver Phelps, Jr.
Page 224

431
Affidavit of
A. Van Buskirk
made in March 1860
No 6.
Page 225

County of Washington
District of Columbia
On this 19th day of March
1860 before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace
in and for the County aforesaid personally
appeared Abram Van Buskirk who being by me 
duly sworn deposes and says, that he is in
the 64th year of his age and is a son of Peter
Van Buskirk, a Revolutionary soldier and
Officer and this his said father has always
live with him since he (deponent) was
married & previously thereto he lived with
his said father. That from the earliest of
his recollection and all through life and to
the present time his said father would relate
the incidents of his Revolutionary life and that
he always [aposted] his service in the Commissary
Department as an assistant Commissary
in the Forage Department, from 1781 in June
until late in the fall of 1783.  That in the
many conversations he has heard with those
who were his fellow soldiers and officers in
New Jusey (as they continued to live after
the war, in the neighborhood where the
great portion of his service was performed)
he always spoke of his Commissary service
as a portion of his service in the war.
That this deponent is as firmly in the belief
that his said father did so serve as if he
had actually seen him render the service.
Page 226

as herein stated, that he has also heard others
who lived in the neighborhood, in New Jersey
speak of his service as assistant Commissary
of Forage, that after the death of Thomas
Van Buskirk, (Grand father of this deponent)
the old papers relating the revolution were
nearly all burned they being deemed of no
value. That he has had & now has the case of his said
father who is now in his 98 year of age,
and further deponent saith not
A. Van Buskirk
Subscribed and sworn to before me this
19th day of March 1860
Jno. J. Johnson [seal]

I know Mr Abram Van Buskirk
the above deponent, and believe
him to be a man of truth & veracity
& one whose statement may be relied
upon.
March 20th 1860
E. B. [Potts or Pottle]
26 Dist N.Y.
Page 227

18

Affidavit
of
Lucretia or Lucy
Hopper

No. 30