Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 16148, James Henderson, New York Vt.
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(3-1776)                             NUMBER 
SERVICE

New York   
Vt.
Henderson, James     S.16148

Carded
CONTENTS
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24192 New York
James Henderson
of Jefferson Co in the state of New York who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Warner of the Reg commanded by Col Vanschaik on the New York and Vt. line for 11 months. 
____________________________________________________
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 30 Dollars and 00 cents per annum. to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
__________________________________________________Certificate of Pension ifsued the 5 day of March 1834 and sent to (???) D Wardwell H.R. 
__________________________________________________
Arrears to the 4th of Mar '34 - $109.98
Leniant allowance ending 4 Sep '34 18.33
Leaton A.B. $128.31 
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by Jno Cromwell Clerk book & Vol. 4 Page 111.
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State of New York
Jefferson County ss.
On this 11th day of September in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred + thirty two personally appeared in open court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in + for the county of Jefferson aforesaid + State of New York aged seventy nine years last July, who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 1832 - That he entered the service of the United States under following named officers + served as herein stated, to wit: On or about the first of May 1775 he enlisted in the town of Salem, Washington County, as a private soldier; for the time of eight months, ['[illegible] revolutionary soldier enlisted the' crossed out] under Col Seth Warner who belonged in Vermont + Before Col. Warner had obtained a full company, he received a commission as Colonel + he was put under the command of Capt. [illegible], who commanded a company of Continental troops at Salem - The name of the Col. of the Regiment was Van Scaick, who resided at Albany + was never in active command to his knowledge - He joined the Regiment at Albany when Maj. Greenwood had command of the Regiment. He remained at Albany about two
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months + marched to the northward, as was sent to guard the frontier - The first stop that we made was at Fort Edward where we remained three or four days + from there we went to White Hall - where we staid about two days & marched to Ticonderoga & remained there + at Crown Point (some of the time at one place + the rest of the time at the other) about ten months - Which we were at the  two latter places, two large gun boats were built + some timber was collected + what was called [illegible] was built across Lake Champlain - he was engaged in this work - Genl. Schuyler had command of the forces until Genl. Montgomery arrived, which was  in August of the same year, according to his best recollection + belief - John Barnes was his first Lieut. + [illegible] under Lieut. John Stewart was first Sergeant. From Ticonderoga he went with the to Isle au aix, about one hundred miles, where he remained until about the middle of September following - Here the army was directed into several boats + that position of & that he belonged to + which was commanded by Capt. McCracken went down the River [illegible], through the woods - We crossed the River a little before fort Chambly + left one half of our men/one hundred to guard that Fort - The day following, we went on the River on the north side of it, in order to meet Col. Warner's Regiment, in pursuance of a primary arrangement - About three miles north of St. John's
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+ near when we expected to meet Col. Warner, we took the Baggage waggons(sic), carrying provisions, clothing + to the company - This was secured - It was just in the evening - The next morning forty seem of our members went on (leaving the remainder to guard the baggage waggons + property that we had taken) in order to meet Col. Warner - Instead of meeting him we met the enemy about 250 strong with two field officers- Our party was attacked +fired upon by the enemy + we fired in return, three or rounds + finding that our chance was an unequal one, Capt. McCracken gave orders for every man to take care of himself + were filed into the woods - We had some men wounded, some killed + two of the wounded taken prisoners - In about half an hour Col. Warner with his Regiment arrived & drove the enemy back into Fort St. Johns - The day before this one, our main army had laid siege to St. Johns, on the south - He was wounded in the shin, wrist, in the thigh - a flesh wound mainly - He remained in the woods one night + then next day mustered with the main army - + remained thereabout a week, when a Regiment was not around, on the opponent side of the Fort, to join Col. Warner. He went with them under the command of Col. Butler - Col. Warner's Regiment was ordered down to La Prairie, a few days afterwards, + he went with it under the command of Capt.
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McCracken - He remained there with the Regiment about three weeks + was ordered nine miles down the River St. Lawrence to a place called Long Gate - Here we remained until after the taking of St. John's & until the main army arrived at La Prairie - While we were at Long Gate, the enemy, about several members, attempted to cross the River in boats. + we prevented them from landing + killed a number of them. We were ordered to remain there, until we received orders to cross the River, in order to take Montreal - We received our orders + went across the River + found the enemy had gone & evacuated the city - We remained at Montreal + then crossed the one week + started for home by permission of our officers on the 19th or 20th of November - He remained at home, at Salem on the 11th or 12th of December making a little [illegible] of seven months after his enlistment - Before I went to Albany to join the Regiment, he started from Salem, under the command of Capt. Bowers, to go to take Ticonderoga + Crown Point of Capt. Point + went to White Hall, + then learning that the Forts had been taken, we returned back - About the middle of Jany. 1776 he again enlisted in a volunteer force commanded by Capt. McCracken + the same officers before wounded, at Salem, to go to Johnston to take the Fort. There that the enemy was in possession of - started in a few days, thereafter I went to Albany + there remained until the army was collected together
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He remained at Albany about two weeks + started for Johnstown, under the command of Genl. Schuyler. After travelling about one day, we made a stop and stand about three days + months to Johnstown with the main army - The next day after we arrived at Johnstown, the enemy surrendered, without any engagement - He then had permission to go home + when he arrived at home he had been absent one month. About the last of July, in the year 1777 he volunteer'd at the town of Halifax, State of Vermont, then his place of residence in the Company of Capt. Caleb Owen+ in the regiment of Col. William Williams. - The regiment rendezvous at the Col's house in Wilmington Vt. + from thence they proceeded to Bennington Vt. where they met the regiment of Col. Smitts from Mass. - from thence they proceeded to Hoosick falls about 3 miles from the North River in the town of Schalicoke (Schaghticoke?) where a large detachment of them was stationed - They staid(sic) there about a month during which time a battle was fought [illegible] the army under Genl Gates, & Genl. Burgoyne at the Stillwater about 5 miles from their stations. - From thence, they [inserted: a part of the detachment at Schalicoke] marched about 15 miles North to a place called Tifton Mills, where they staid about 3 weeks + thence marched to the banks of the N. River just opposite to Saratoga - where they staid a few days, when they engaged in opposing the retreat of Burgoyne by fighting
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They were so engaged one day + one night when Burgoyne gave up his attempt to retreat - during the night, the British army burnt Genl. Schuyler 's buildings which were about 3/4 of a mile from the regiment where he was stationed - In about 1 week after Burgoyne surrendered after which he staid(sic) about a week when he was discharged + returned home about the last of October, having been in the service as near as he can remember + as he has always calculated three months, in this last time. He never had any written discharge or written evidence of his services, nor does he know of any person living who can testify to his services - He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity [illegible] the present + declares that his name is not on this pension roll of the agency of any state - 
/s/James Henderson

Sworn + subscribed the day + year aforesaid - 
/s/P. Burchard Clerk

Mr. Holland Weeks residing in the town of Henderson aforesaid + Amasa Hungerford residing in the same town hereby certify that we are well acquainted with James Henderson who has sworn to + subscribed the above declarations that we believe him to be seventy nine years of age + that he is reputed + believed in the neighborhood where we live to have been a soldier of the revolution, that we concur in that opinion + that his declaration is entitled to full credit. 
/s/H. Weeks
[margin note: James Henderson]
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No 12024
James Henderson
Obj. 17.16
proof reqd.

['T. C. Chittenden' crossed out]
['Adams' crossed out]
['Jefferson' crossed out] Aug
NYork
Hon. D. Wardwell
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no. 12024

BRIEF in the case of James Henderson of Henderson County of Jefferson in the State of New York
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Before a Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How is he? Seventy nine years, 79
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
_______
[column headings: Period.|Duration of Service.(Years,|Months,|Days.)|Rank.(As a)|Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.(Gen.)|]
Enlisted on or about 1st May In 1775|({a little [illegible]| 7|[blank])| private|Capt. Warner & Capt Jos'h McCracken|
about middle Jany 1774|( - | 1 | - )| -"-|Col. Van Schaick, Major Gansvoort, Cpt. McCracken's |
comp'y|
about last July, 1777/volunteered ['until' crossed out] last of October 1777 |( - | 3 | - )| -"-|Col. Wm Williams' regt. Capt Caleb Owen|

5. In what battles was he engaged? not any
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? At Salem Washington County, State not named & Halifax, Vermont
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? By traditionary evidence.
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? no

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.

/s/Chas. Goritson Examining Clerk.
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Rev.&1812 Wars Section.
ADY

November 12, 1930.
[annotated initials: ow]

Mrs. C. A. Day,
416 North 30th Street,
Billings, Montana

Dear Madam:

You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, s. 16148, that James Henderson was born July 23, 1753 in Lunenburgh, Massachusetts.
While a resident of Salem, Washington County, he enlisted about May 1, 1775, served as a private under Captain Seth Warner of Vermont and in Captain Joseph McCracken's Company, Colonel Van Schaick's New York Regiment, was in the expedition to Canada and while in a skirmish received a flesh wound in his thigh, length of service over seven months.
He enlisted about the middle of January 1776 and served one month in Captain Joseph McCracken's New York Company.
While a resident of Halifax,, Vermont he enlisted about the last of July 1777, served three months in Captain Caleb Owen's Company, Colonel William Williams' Vermont Regiment.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 11, 1832 while a resident of Henderson, Jefferson County, New York.
There are no family data.

Very truly yours, 
E. W. MORGAN, 
Acting Commissioner
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16148
[annotated: P]

INVALID.
____
File No. 16,148
James Henderson
Pri. Rev. War
____
Act: June 7" 32
Index: - Vol. 1, Page 171
[Arrangement of 1870.]

1906 Dec. 13. History to Mrs. W. B. Masden letter in S. File 35 116 Thomas Whipple
1930 Nov. 12. Hist. to Mrs. C. A. Day.A.D.Y.
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New York Revo.
______
J. Henderson
Suspended 
let. T. C. Chittenden
30 July '33

adm'd
Act. 7 June '32
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 - J. CALHOUN, Fancy Job Printer, Watertown, N. Y. - 
STATE OF NEW YORK,
Jefferson County Clerk's Office, } ss.
[county seal]
I, PELEG BURCHARD, Clerk of said County, do hereby Certify, that Thos. J. Angel Esquire before whom the annexed affidavit purports to have been sworn, was at the date of the same a Justice of the Peace in and for the 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 name subscribed to the same, to be his proper hand writing and signature. 
Witness my hand and Seal of said County, this Twenty fifth day of January in the year 1834.
/s/Peleg Burchard Clerk By P. E. Tuttle Deputy Clerk.
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James Henderson's Pension Papers
____
Salem N. York
no evidence
11 mo
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State of New York
Jefferson County}ss. 
On this 10th day of April 1833, personally appeared before me the undersigned a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in + for the County of Jefferson, James Henderson of the town of Henderson known to me to be the applicant in the annexed papers named, who being duly sworn deposeth + saith that he was born at Lunenburgh, in the State of Massachusetts, on the 23rd day of July 1753, as he has been informed by his parents + verily believes to be true - That he has a record of his age in his Bible & that said record is in the words + figures following towit: "James Henderson born July 23d 1753" - + that he [illegible] the record of his age from an old record contained in his Father's family record, many years ago - He further states that by reason of old age, bodily infirmity + consequent loss of memory he cannot state ['definitively' crossed out] with any more precision or accuracy than he has done, in his declaration hereunto annexed, the names of the regular officers who were with the troops when he served, or the general circumstances in relation to his service - The scenes of the revolution appear to him more like a dream than reality - The whole time that he was in service as a soldier in the revolution, according to his best recollection and belief was Eleven months + some five days over - 
/s/James Henderson
Sworn + subscribed this 10th day of April 1833. Before me} 
/s/Benjamin Wright one of the Judges of Jeff'n Co Courts Com'n Pleas
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I Peleg Burchard Clerk of the County of Jefferson do hereby certify that Benjamin Wright Esquire whose name is subscribed to the annexed affidavit, was on the day of the date of the same a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in said County of Jefferson and duly authorized, by law to take affidavits, and I do further certify that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said Judge and verily believe the signature to the said affidavit, to be the proper hand writing of the said Benjamin Wright Judge &c.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name, and affixed the seal of the said County this 15 day of April 1833.
[county seal affixed]
/s/P. Burchard Clerk
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of James Henderson which require further proof or explanation. 

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his doing so? [blank]
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes
V. Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? Yes
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes
VIII. has the Court given their opinion? Yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes
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2

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? Yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? [blank]
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? Yes
XIV. +If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? [blank]
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? [blank]
XVI. ++Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No Vide(?)  June 16
['Yes' crossed out]
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 1 2 + 5 [illegible] affidavit

EXPLANATORY NOTES.
+QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: " Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For ____year ____months and ____days. I served as a ____. For ____months and ____days, I served as a ____; and for such service I claim a pension."
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3

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying are objectionable. 
+QUERE XIV. Proof of Service. 
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under the seal of office. 
++QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end 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.
These papers are authenticated according to directions + by careful examination & will be found that there can be, no objection to them on that ground. They are so connected that is impossible for any paper to have been added after the seal was affixed.
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12024
12
James Henderson
Pension papers

adm'd
11 mo. pre
____
$36.66.
Page 22

Sworn + subscribed the day + year aforesaid} 
/s/P. Burchard Clerk
Amasa Hungerford
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after investigating the matter + after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier + served as he states.
And the Court further certify that it appears to them that Holland Weeks who has signed the preceding certificated is a Clergyman resident of Henderson aforesaid + that Amasa Hungerford who has also signed the same is a resident of the same town + is a credible person + that their statement is entitled to credit.
I Peleg Burchard Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in + for the County of Jefferson aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of James Henderson for a pension.
[county seal affixed]
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand + seal of my Office this 11th day of September Eighteen hundred thirty two.
/s/P. Burchard clerk
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State of New York
Jefferson County ss.
James Henderson of the town of Henderson in the county of Jefferson being duly sworn says that before he applied for a Pension under the act of June 7th 1832 he made diligent inquiry in order to find some person by whom he could [illegible] some proof of his service as a soldier in the war of the Revolution, but without affect - That he made said inquiry because he was informed that it was necessary to obtain proof if in his favor - This deponent further says that he has seen a great number of the old soldiers + taken pains to ascertain from them the name or place of residence of some person by whom he could make the necessary proof, both before his new application + since, + that he has been wholly unable to obtain any proof whatever; and he further deposes + says that if proof shall be required of him by the war department, as a condition of his obtaining a Pension, he verily believes that it will amount to a denial of such decision, as he is satisfied that it is entirely out of his power to secure such proof - This deponent further says that he is now in his eighty first year - that he now resides about 200 miles from the place of his enlistment - that he is feeble + infirm + almost entirely destitute of property + dependent upon his friends for support + subsistence, + he is therefore wholly unable to travel in order to find proof of his services, + if he was able + had the means of travelling, he should not know what measure to resort to, as he has not been able by reasons of all of the pains he has taken + the inquiries he has made, to find the
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place of residence of any person, by whom he could make any proof whatever in relation to his services - 
/s/James Henderson
Sworn + subscribed this 22d day of Jany. 1834 - Before me
/s/Thos. J. Angel J. Peace

State of New York
Jefferson County ss.
T. C. Chittenden of Adams in the county of Jefferson being duly sworn says that he has been well acquainted with the above named James Henderson + lived in the town adjoining him for more than twenty years past - That his reputation for truth + veracity is good + that he this deponent has often heard him known of as a soldier of the revolution - This deponent further says that it has been his [illegible] under the present [illegible], whenever applied to for the function of assisting in obtaining a Pension, to inform the applicant of the importance + necessity of sending proof of his services, if in his power - That he verily believes that he gave such information to said Henderson, although he has no distinct recollection of the fact - That he is acquainted fact that said Henderson, has made inquiry + [illegible] to find proof of his services + he believes that it is out of his power to procure such proof - that he believes said Henderson to be poor + wholly deponent upon his friends for support - 
/s/T. C. Chittenden
Sworn + subscribed this 23d day of Jany. 1834 Before me}
/s/Thos J. Angel J. Peace
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[receipt stamp: RECEIVED OCT 11 1930 [illegible]/22 MAIL ROOM [illegible]]

Billings, Montana
Sept 26, 1930.

Bureau of Pension.
Washington D.C. 

Gentlemen:
Please send me the record of James Henderson a Revolutionary War private who drew pension until June 1836. This is to be used in clearing records for D. A. R. papers. 
Yours truly
/s/Mrs. C. A. Day
416 N. 30th. St.
Billings, Montana

[receipt stamp: U.S. PENSION OFFICE B OCT.23 1930]
[receipt stamp: US PENSION OFFICE B SEP 30 1930
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IN REPLY REFER TO 
Rev. and 1812
Wars Section ADY

3-2562
VETERANS ADMINISTRATION.
UNITED STATES BUREAU OF PENSIONS
[illegible heading crossed out]
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
WASHINGTON

October 15, 1930.

Mrs. C. A. Day,
416 North 30" Street.
Billings, Montana.

Dear Madam:

I advise you that the date furnished by you are not sufficient to enable this bureau to make intelligent reply to the queries contained in your letter.
Please fill out such of the blank spaces below, as the information in your possession will permit, and return to this bureau.
First name of widow Mehitable
Full name of soldier James Henderson
Residence of soldier at enlistment [blank]
Residence of soldier after service Henderson N.Y.
Name of state from which he enlisted New York
Approximate date of birth July 23 1753.
Approximate date of death between June + Sept 1836
Kindly return attached letter with your reply.
Respectfully, 
/s/E. W. Morgan
E. W. MORGAN, Acting Commissioner.
[receipt stamp: US PENSION OFFICE B OCT 23 1930]
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[annotated: 17-29]
O. W. and N. Division. 
3-525.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C., 

[annotated: JSG Gen. file 16148 Rev. War.]

In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of James Henderson, a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
[column headings: DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.|LENGTH OF SERVICE.|RANK.|OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED (CAPTAIN.|COLONEL.)|STATE.|
Salem, Washington Co. May 1, 75| over 7 mos-|Pvt.|({Seth Warner|[blank])|[blank]|
[blank]|[blank]|[blank]|{Jos. McCracken|VAn Schaick)|N.Y.|
Jany 76 Halifax Vt.| 1 mo.|[blank]| ( " | - )| " |
July 77| 3 mos.|[blank]|(Caleb Owen|Wm. Williams)| Vt.|
['Battles engaged in,' crossed out] Ex. to Canada sust. flesh wd. of thigh in skirmish - 
Residence of soldier at enlistment, [check mark]
Date of application of pension, Sept. 11, 1832 -   Allowed
Residence at date of application, Henderson, Jefferson Co., N.Y.
['Age at date of application,' crossed out] B. July 23, 1753 at Lunenburgh, Mass.
Remarks: [blank]

Very respectfully, 
Commissioner.

20581b3m11-05