Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29046, Jonathan Burrall, Conn.
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(3─1776)

SERVICE
Conn

Burrall, Jonathan

NUMBER
S. 29046

CONTENTS
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3664 City
Increase
New York
Jonathan Burrall dec.
of N.Y. City in the State of New York
who was an ap Paymaster Genl in the (blank) commanded by Captain (blank) of the (blank) commanded by (blank) in the Conn line for (blank)

Inscribed on the roll of New York at the rate of 600 Dollars 00 cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831 & end 18 November 1834, when he died.

Certificate of pension issued the 27 day of Mar. 1850 and sent to Francs a Dickins, present increased from $320.0/100
Semi-annual allowance ending
Payable to Murray Hoffman, Esq
Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by J.P. Chase Clerk, 
Book 82 Vol 4 Page 8
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State of New York
City and county of New York
On the fourteenth day of November in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight hundred & thirty two personally appeared in open Court before the Justices of the Court of General Sessions of the Peace of the said city and county now sitting Jonathan Burrall a resident of said city who being sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed & enacted 1832. That he was born in Norwalk in Connecticut on the 17th May 1753 and was seventy nine years old last May. That he joined on the Regiments, sent to reinforce the army in Canada, commanded by Col. Charles Burrall, as a cadet, in March or April 1776 and joined the retreating army from Quebec, at the mouth of River Sorel. That he continued with the army at Ticonderoga (several employments having been assigned to him) until the month of June or beginning July 1777. When he was appointed Assistant Paymaster General by Jonathan Trumbull Paymaster Gen in the northern department under the authority given him by a Declaration of Congress of January 9th 1776. That he continued as an assistant to Gen Trumbull until the Northern army joined the main army under General Washington in the summer of 1778, when he came into the office of William Palfrey Paymaster General and was then styled Deputy Paymaster General. That he had charge of the Paymaster Generals office which had been ordered to be kept in Philadelphia all the winter of 1779-80, Col Palfrey having obtained leave of absence to visit his family in Boston. That he resigned the office of Paymaster on the 18th June 1780, in consequence of having been elected by Congress a Commissioner of a Chamber of Accounts.
  That his claim to a pension is founded on his service in the Paymaster Generals department, not having been previously engaged in service, recognized in the Act of Congress except perhaps about three months in the winter 1776, when the duties of commissary at Mount Independence were
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were assigned to him by Gen. Wayne Commanding at Ticonderoga, or by the Deputy Commissary general at Albany, he have forgot which. He cannot assertain the precise date of his appointment as Assistant Paymaster, but the accounts of the office, settled at sundry times in the Treasury office will show it, for his pay was receipted for and charged in those accounts.
That he never made any claim whatever for a pension, except the present, for no act of Congress had passed, to his knowledge allowing pensions to the Staff of the army.
That the three letters, here exhibited to the Court, addressed to him as Deputy Paymaster general, are in the handwriting of William Palfrey then Paymaster General and were addressed to him at their respective dates when he had charge of the office in Philadelphia and will be sent with this deposition to the Secretary of War.
Sworn in open Court this 14th Nov. 1832 Before me
Jon Burrall
Richard Hatfield, Clk
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant was the paymaster Generals department & served as he states.
R Riker, Recorder of the [illegible] of New York
Peter Sharpe, Ald. 2 ward
Wm. Mandeville, Alderman 3rd Ward
I Richard Hatfield Clerk of the Court of General Sessions of the peace of the City & County of New York do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter
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of the application of Jonathan Burrall for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office this fourteenth day of November in the Year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred thirty two.
Richard Hatfield
Clerk
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I Jonathan Burrall do make and publish this my last Will and Testament. I give, devise and bequeath unto each of my grand children Wickham Hoffman, Murray Hoffman, Julia Hoffman, Frances Hoffman, Frances B. Hone, Ogden Hoffman and Charles B. Hoffman, upon their respectively arriving at the age of twenty one years, one equal seventh part of all my Estate, real and personal, whereof I shall die seized or possessed. To have, and To hold the same unto my said Grandchildren respectively, upon their attaining the said age of twenty one years, and their Heirs for ever. In case any one
of my said Grandchildren should die before arriving at the said age of twenty one years, I give, devise and bequeath his, her or their shares unto the survivors upon their attaining the said age, to be equally divided among them. I hereby authorize and empower my Executors hereinafter named, to pay and apply the interest or income of one seventh part of my estate hereby given to each of my said Grandchildren, towards the Education or maintenance of each of my said Grandchildren, or of any one or more of them before they arrive at age, if my said Executors in their discretion, shall think it fit and proper so to do. I also authorize and empower my said Executors and the survivor of them, in their discretion, to sell and convey the real Estate whereof I shall die seized, and to invest the proceeds of the same. I hereby nominate, constitute and appoint my Sons in law Murray Hoffman and Ogden Hoffman, Executors of this my last Will and Testament.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty seventh day of March, one thousand eight hundred and thirty four. . . . . Jon Burrall: L.S.
Signed, sealed, published and declared, as for his last Will and Testament by the testator in our presence of each other, have subscribed our names as Witnesses.
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If the Pensioner died before 19th June 1840, the case comes within the decision made by the Secy. of the Interior in case of Elizabeth Thorn, and any arrears of Pension are payable to the Administration.
J.G.C.
Jonathan Burrall, New York
W. Allin [illegible] Act 7th June 1832
application for an increase of pension.
Vespasian Ellis 
F.A. Dockins (Dickins) Atty.
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An. Co. Jonathan Burrall's Will
Fees $1.24
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THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW-YORK
To all to whom these Presents shall Come, or may Concern,
SEND GREETING:
Know Ye, That we having inspected the records of our Surrogate's court, in and for the County of New York, do find that on the twenty sixth day of February in the year One Thousand Eight Hundred and thirty five by said Court, Letters Testamentary on the estate of Jonathan Burrall late of the City of New York, were granted and committed unto Murray Hoffman, one of the Executors named in the last will and Testament of said deceased, that it appears from an affidavit of Murray Hoffman, dated the 2nd day of December, 1834, in the matter of proving said Last Will on file in this office that said deceased died on the eighteenth day of November, [illegible] last part, 
and that it does not appear by said Records , that said Letters have been revoked,
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, we have caused the Seal of Office of our said Surrogate to be hereunto affixed.
Witness, A.W. Bradford, Surrogate of our said County, at the City of New York, the nineteenth day of March, in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and fifty.
A.W. Bradford, SURROGATE.
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29046
Revy
INVALID
File No. 29046
Jonathan Burrall
Asst Paymaster General Rev. War
Act : June 7th 32
Index: __Vol. 2, Page 59
[Arrangement of 1870]
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BURRALL, JONATHAN
(CONN.)
S-29046

(Our humble service)
Jon Burrall Esqr.
Philadelphia
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Philadelphia June 10th [illegible].
Sir
Congress have been please to elect you a Commissioner of the Extrachambers of Accounts.
A copy of the appointment I have the pleasure herewith to transmit.
I am with Esteem & Respect
Your very humble Servant
Sam. Huntington President
[illegible] Burrall.
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Public Service
Jonathan Burrall Esq
Dy Paymaster General
Philadelphia
[illegible] Palfrey
BURRALL, JONATHAN
(CONN)
S-29046
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Boston 8 April 1780
My dear friend,
Yours of the 21st [illegible] is just come to hand and as I purpose to set out the next day after tomorrow & many things to do. I shall defer what I have to say till I have the pleasure of seeing you  -- I hope you will be able to supply Mr. Torry with the money I sent for but if you should not, the disappointment will not be very great as I have borrowed sufficient to answer my present purposes of a Gentleman who goes with me to Phil. but as I shall want to pay him on my arrival.. hope you will pick Keane & Nichols for payment of the Bill on them.
A vessel is now coming up in which Jack Audebert is expected.
I am your,
Wm Palfrey
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Boston Dec.15, 1779
Dear Sir
The distress'd Situation of my family and the hurry I was in on my first arrival prevented my writing you by the last Post. I was a fortnight on my journey, three days of which I was detained on the Road by bad weather, which bliged me to part with my Sulkey, to the great mortification of swayback Horses. My dear daughter is [illegible] recovery, tho she is yet confined to her Chamber very weak & low. My youngest Child, a fine Boy of 5 years old is now dangerously ill with the same disorder, and I must fear will never recover.
Inclosed I send you Mr. White/Escort/ receipt for 300 dollars which you will please to receive from Mr. Carlton and Credit me for the same. I should be glad you would examine the Books and see what time Brigade Major Thomas Henley was paid to, or his Father wants to receive what is due to him.
If any application should be made for a Paymaster to go to Peekskill, I would have you apply to the Treasury Board for an order for Mr. Reed to go there, he may as well be at Peekskill  as doing nothing at Albany. I hope the money has been forwarded to Mr. Clay of Pierce. I had the pleasure of seeing the latter as I pass'd thru the Jerseys.
Remember me to Mr. Audebert and desire him to do the same to his family. Mrs. Palfrey is almost worn out with the fatigue of body & mind she has undergone. Let Audebert know Mr. Hutchinson drew two Bills on me after my departure which I hope he has paid. Desire him not to pay Richard Holland's prize money 'till he hears further from me, and to let Mr. Long the Pilot know that Cap't Nicholson allows him one deserving share and no more. He will also have one share of the Prize money here James & Robert Thompson have both sold their prize money to Col Doane here - - desire him immediately to find me
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an exact amount of what he has paid since my departure and to send pay no more till he hears further from me.
The enclosed letter for Mr. Levinius Clarkson you will please to deliver into Matthew Clarkson Esq's own hands as it contains Loan office Certificate & French Bills _ _ Let me hear from you by every opportunity and  find the Papers & my letters under Cover to Mrs. Hartings.
Remember me likewise to Carlton & all Friends [illegible]
Sincerely yours
Wm Palfrey
Desire Mr Aud.: to send me the name of those seamen who were going to Maryland. Let me know whether he order'd them payment they have all fold their shares.
Jon Burrall
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December 15th [illegible]
Col Palfrey
Jonathan Burrall
Deputy paymaster
Philadelphia
From Philadelphia post: the old [illegible]: 
[illegible] beg your pardon yours & indirect of [illegible] are come to [illegible]
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Jonathan Burrall Esq
Deputy Paymaster General
Philadelphia
port
[illegible]
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Col Palfrey
Feb 28th 1780

Jonathan Burral Esq
Deputy Paymaster General
Philadelphia
[illegible]
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Public Service --80
Jonathan Burral Esq
Deputy Paymaster General
Philadelphia
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but I hope the approaching Season will be of some Service to her should she grow worse I shall be under the necessity of deferring my Journey or quitting the Service entirely.
Should any Prizes arrive that were captur'd by the Boston, the Deans, or the Pilgrim you & Mr.
Audebert will take care of them till you can advise me, which if it is anything of importance may be done by Express. Mr. Taylor (if in Phila) will lend you any assistance in his power of procuring Stores or otherwise.
As I have nothing in particular to Mr. A. must beg you will remember me to him  & his family & believe me to be
Sincerely Yours
Wm Palfrey
Jon Burral Esq.
BURRALL, JONATHAN
(MASS.)
S- 29046
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Boston Feb 28th 1780
Dear Sir
This day's Post brought your & Mr. Audebert's favor of the 1st Inst. and yours of the 8th the latter advising acceptance of the Bill on Keene Nichols & Co. of which I am very glad. In Mr. Audebert letter I find he has paid Prize Money to one Butterworth no such man was on the ships list, or if he was originally there he must have deserted. I wonder Mr. Audebert should pay him after he had received my directions not to pay anymore but hope he will be able to find him & recover the money.
As I am collecting a few articles to send round to Philadelphia, I don't know but I shall be under the necessity of drawing on you for 40 or 50,000 dollars and to enable you to discharge. This endeavor to procure another Bill on Keene Nichols & Co. It is the universal opinion here that another regulation will be destructive of trade, and give the Coup de Gras to the Paper Currency. Past experience I think is sufficient to convince every rational Person of the truth of this observation.
Our Harbor is now open and several Vessels have
arrived from the West Indies & Europe.  Tho' no News of importance is brought by any of them. Mr. Adams & Mr. Dana after a fine passage of 18 days are safe arrived at Corunna in Spain. A Report has prevail'd of an insurrection in Ireland headed by the Earl of Shannon, but it is not so authenticated as to  be relied on.
If nothing happens between this & the middle of April I purpose to begin my Journey to Philadelphia. Mrs Rever since the death of her little Boy has been in a poor State of health but
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3664 New York

Jonathan Burrall of N.Y. City in the State of New York who was a paymaster in the            commanded by captain         of the         commanded by          in the        line for

Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 320 Dollars per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 29 day of December 1832 and sent claimant New York City.

Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832    $480.00
Semi=anl. allowance ending 4 Mar '33  160.00
                                          -----------------------
                                                $640.00

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832}

Recorded by John Cromwell Clerk
Book D  Vol. 5  Page 156
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3664
Jonathan Burrell, decd
New York

received from $320 to $600 per annum as asst paymaster Genl.
From 4 March 1831 to 18th Nov 1834 when he died.

payable to Murray Hoffman, Executor
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Jonathan Burrall
Paymaster
$320 per ann
N York Roll
Land cut: to him at New York

Joseph Nourse Esq
Dec 13 1832
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Matthew Burrall, N.Y. act 1832
admitted,
David Trumbull, Conn. act 1832 admitted,
Mr Coombs for Conn- July 5, 1854
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Jonathan Burrill 32 NY
artificer of Regt
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J:L: Edwards Esq

City of Washington
12th December 1832

Dear Sir:

Upon the return to me of the papers of Jonathan Burrall erg, I lost no time in my research of the Records of the Treasury Department to ascertain the character he sustained and the time he served as assistant paymaster general and I have now the pleasure of inclosing the certificate of the 3d Auditor of the Treasury that by the Books of his Office, it appears that he "was paid his pay as such from the 11 June 1777 to the 16 June 1780"- at fifty dollars per month. I also inclose a letter from Mr Burrall myself dated the 5 december 1832.

I am respectfully dear Sir your obed serv

Joseph Nourse
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J Burrall
(H.A.)

J.L. Edwards Esq
Washington
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Jonathan Burrall ag'
New York
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Nian George Tenn 1 December 1832

My dear Sir!

Upon my receiving your papers on last Thursday morning from Mr Edwards, for the purpose of obtaining the additional evidence from the Treasury Department; I had permission to examine the Books of the Northern Department; and from my not finding your name specifically stated, I concluded that the commissioner constituting the Board of Accounts, when they closed their office, included the monies paid by yourself with other sums amounting to upwards of $8000- I sent you a copy of the Record- My Brother who is the first Clerk in the Offices of the Register of the Treasury examined the Ledger and the Journal kept by those commissioners, comprehending a period of five years- we then had record to the Books of the Treasury of the revolutionary Government, and sent you a copy of the only account we can find- I shall be in the City on Monday morning next, when another examination of the Books of the Northern Department, and of the Treasury Books of the revolution period (particularly as to William Palfrey's Accounts) to ascertain what monies was paid to you by him on his settlement- The proof wanting is evidence of again services from the Books of the Treasury- to aid us in the examination, I wish that you could recollect the names of the persons from whom you received money; and, the time at which you received payment; and, accounts whether
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on settled accounts for services from the commencement of your entering the pay Office to the various periods of settlements accounted for- I have since this claim has been on my mind endeavored to recollect every circumstance connected with that pleas and period from the commencement of our acquaintance in 1779- until we were separated by the removal of Congress.

I am my dear Sir respectfully yours

Joseph Nourse

You may recollect that I was paymaster to the Board of War, Secretary of Ordnance. I have a copy of all my payments, which I particularly examined (in hopes of finding your name) from my Appointment in Feb 1778 until my resignation in Sept following. I entered the Treasury May 1779, I recollect the circumstances of our endeavoring, with only, affd; to proving the forms in Walnut Treaty and the Widows of the 3 [unk] of Judge Welians House
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War Department
Pension Office
27 November 1832

Sir,

The papers in the case of Jonathan Burrall have been examined and they are herewith returned, the evidence not being sufficient. In order to establish his claim for two years service, I would respectfully suggest the propriety of obtaining proof from the Register's Office, in the Treasury Department, if it can be had there.

I am very respectfully your obt servt

J. L. Edwards
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Jonathan Burrall Esq
Dear Sir,

I duly received our Letter, with the several documents referred to, in said Letter, and immediately applied at the War Office, under an expedition that often having had a reference to the Books of the Treasury and the Books of the Northern Department, we could establish evidence that would afford a full pension as an assistant Paymaster General; but upon calling this maning on Mr Edwards additional proof is called for by the Pension Office of your having served a period that would entitle you to a pension.

Annexed is a copy of Mr Edward's Letter to me on this subject, and I this morning in consequence of that Letter obtained from the Register's Office, certified copies of two Records, one from the Books of the Treasury of the United States under the Revolutionary Government and the other from the Books of the Northern Department by the Commissioner of Accounts, for a period of five years at Albany NY. My brother, Col M Nourse
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M Nourse, and myself searched with great care both the Journal and Ledger in expectation of finding your name in the Ledger for monies received for pay, but without finding anything more than a gross sum charged for various objects connected with the Commissioners Office of Accounts kept at Albany. I have examined the Ledger of the Revolutionary Government in which the settlement of the Accounts of Jonathan Trumbull appear. This examination was made expecting to find the monies paid to yourself stated therein, but all that and be found is annexed to the statement herewith signed by the Register of the Treasury. Perhaps my father testimony may add something in the case, it would be this- to obtain from yourself, the time when we first became acquainted with each other. I resigned my Office as Paymaster to the Board of War in the Fall of 1778- and went on a visit to Virginia that Fall- in May 1779 I was appointed Assistant [unk] General, and I think we commenced house keeping
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that fall and gave up the same in the fall of 1780.

I am my dear Sir very truly your obt servt

Joseph Nourse
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Joseph Nourse Esq
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New York Novr 14th 1832.
Joseph Nourse Esqr
Dear Sir
  I enclose herewith a letter to the Secretary
of war ^with  declaration conformably to the regulations
issued from the War office, together with two or three from
Col Palfrey  P.M.G. addressed to me when I had charge
of the Office in his abscence during the whole of the winter
of 1779 -80.  They relate mostly be his private concerns, which
is the cause of their not being filed in office, as all official
letters were.  I also send a letter from the President of Congress
notifying me of my election as Commissioner of Accounts, to
share the time when I left the Pay office, together with some
extracts from the Journals showing the authority for appointing
Assistants and the pay allowed.
If the evidence now presented is not satisfactory, an
examination of the accounts of the Pay office do settled
once or twice with the Board of Commissioner at Albany
in 1777, and those of Col Palfrey in 1778-79 & we
show the exact time of my service for my pay was
receipted for and charged in them. You well know better
than any man where to find ^ them if you are more allowed
access to the accounts in the Treasury, and if an examination is deemed necessary, I beg you will give me all
the aids you can. I am unquestionably entitled to a
per
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pension under the act, and it would be very mortifying
to focil for want of such evidence as the technical  forms
of office may require, for it would ^add  much to my comfort
for the short remainder of my life to get it, as my means
are small.
The deposition which you sent me is incorrect as to
dates - I never resided in Phila untill the Paymst General's
office was removed there, and the [illegible] of Congress, directing the removal is dated May 29th 1779-You state your
acquaintance with me as begun 1778. The Office was
in Walnut 
St - near third St on the first floor of the house
where the Board of war kept their, and in no other place
while I was in it. You will remember the attack
by some Militias on Judge Wilson's ^house near by ,where some
lives were lost+ you and I were lookers on, endeavouring
in vain, to prevent their firing into the upper windows,
where some Continental officers and others, had collected
to defend the house.
I am somewhat disappointed in not finding John Pierce's
name and mine in the journals of Congress up to the time
of my leaving the office. I suspected from recollection, that
our appointments came from the head of the office, but
as we had both been frequently stationed a distance from
the principal office and had large sums of money passed
through our hands, some of which could not, I think, have
been first sent to the head of the[word "office" crossed out] department, I did expect that

on
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on some occasion we had been designated by name as well
as by official state.
When I wrote my letter to the Secretary of war I intended
to send it by mail, and should have addressed it to
Wm.~ Edwards if I had known what official title he
has and that Letters to him went free of postage, but I
afterwards concluded to send it open to you, that you
may see the evidence adduced, and understand how
its defects, if the be any, may be remided= be so good
as to seal and deliver them.  I shall pay the postage.
I am with sincere regard
Yours  truly-
J. Burrall [signature]
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New York Dec 17th 1832

Sir,

A letter from my friend Mr Verplanck of the 13th instant informs me that Mr Nourse had found accounts in the Treasury Office which satisfactorily proved my having served three years as Assistant Paymstr Genl as stated in my declaration, and a letter from Mr Nourse informs me that my pension will be only 26 8/3 Dollars a month, which was the pay of a Regimental Paymastr having no commission in the Regt as appears by a resolution of July 1776.

The Office of Assistant was estimated in the army, at the time, as of much greater trust and respectability, and far more labouring than that of a Regimental Paymstr.

It is true that for seven months I was paid only 23 2/3 Dollars, but on the 13th January, a resolve was passed "that seventy dollars a months and two rations a day be hereafter allowed to each of the Assistants in the Office of the Paymaster and Deputy paymastr general."

I will suppose a case under this last: Had I received the appointment after that date, say Jany 18th 1778, which would have made the time of my service exactly two years and five months, how would the value of this 70 Dollars, at that date be ascertained? On the 28th June 1780 Congress ordered a seal of depreciation to be prepared for valuing the Loan Office certificates at their respective dates  for
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fixing the value at certain periods, six months apart viz. on the 1st of Spet 1777 at par- the 1st March 1778 at 1 3/4 for one [unk] dollar- the 1 March 1778 at four for one &c, the intermediate time to be calculated daily in geometrical proportion. This seale was used in setting the army accounts, for depreciation of their pay, and all other accounts of the Revolutionary War. I have not got the Table; but I believe that 70 Dollars on the 13th Jany 1778 must be about 50 for the 1st of March it was 1 3/4 for one which would make, precisely 40, and the progress downwards was slow at the begining of the seale. On application for a pension under the case I have dated, I should think this seale would be adopted for determining the value of my pay at the time I took the Office; and it was certainly, in point of fact, without regard to the seale, worth 40 Dollars.

My having served 7 months before at 26 2/3, the pay allowed by a resolution of Jan 7 1776. when the pay of all officers attached to the Staff was very low, and was generally raised before any depreciation took place ought not to place my claim in a worse position than if I had begun in January 1778.

Allow me to intreat your attention to this view of the subject. I have great hopes that it may induce you to revise your decision, and allow my pension to be 40 Ds. a month. I have fully believed that it would not be lower, and still think it would be within a fair valuation of my pay.
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If, therefore the certificate should be sent before I am favored with an answer to this letter I will not use it until I can learn your determination.

I am, very respectfully, Sir, your obt servt

Jon Burrall
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Peter Hagner Esq
3d Auditor of the Treasury
Treasury Department
City of Washington
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11 Dec
1832, J Nourse begs leave to ask the aid of Mr. Hagner on behalf of his old friend Johnathan Burrall  cocning.

Mr. Mounchau the honor yesterday in receiving Sam Verplank's communication with certain Papers in relation to the claim of Jonathan Burrall under the recent Pension Act of 6 June 1832

Mr. Mouncmion did he have waited this morning on Wm. Verplank at the Capital ; but his indisposition and the state of the weather obliged him to defer his Visit until Thursday morning when he hopes to have the pleasure of a conference with him on Mr. Burrals' claim, which its is presumed requires only a more minutes accommodation of the public records to establish the facts, that Mr. Burrall is decidedly entitled hereby under the aforementioned Act of Congress.
I had concluded that I should have been able to have elaborated his claim for a full pension ; but upon a more minute recollection of circumstances, and recurrence to my papers. I find that my acquaintance with Mr. Burrals' did not commence until about 1 January 1780, when he formed one of the four public officers, who took a house in Philadelphia and lived together for one year.
On the 18th June 1780 Mr. Burrall was appointed by Congress a Commissioner of Accounts ; during the Period of my acquaintance he was deputy paymaster General under William Palfrey, Paymaster General from 1 Jany 1780 to 18 June 1780.
The research to which attention is now required is to establish Mr. Burralls' claim as Deputy paymaster general under William Palfrey, and of Jonathan Burrall  deputy paymaster general Northern Depart. Our research has been made without appeals, but it has occurred to m that the 3d Auditor of the Treasury Peter Hagner, may from an examination of the Records of his Office been able to gain evidence that the Pension Office will accept of Mr. Jonathan Burrall's having acted as deputy under William Palfrey, Paymaster General and Johnathan Trumbull deputy paymaster general Northern Department.
J Nounce will have the pleasure waiting on Mr. Hagner on Thursday morning.
Near GeorgeTown
11 Dec 1832
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Free G. C. Verplanch

Joseph Nourse Esq
Georgetown
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Mr Verplanch has the [unk] to answer to Mr Nourse a letter from Mr Burrall & will be happy to aid Mr Nourse in serving Mr Burrall in any way Mr Nourse will suggest.

Washington Dec 7th, [unk]
Page 48

Treasury Dept
3 AUd Office
Dec 13, 1832

It appears from the Books in this Office that Jonathan Burrall assistant Paymaster Genl in the Revolutionary War was paid his pay &c as such from the 11th June 1777 to 16th June 1780, at fifty dollars per month.

Peter Hagner Aud.
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Registers Officer Philadelphia June 17, 1782

Sundries in old [unk].........
To Jonathan Burrall late assistant pay master General (in OE)
For nine hundred and fifty two thousand seven hundred and seventy seven dollars eighty two nintieth of a dollar which with thirty two thousand six hundred and six dollars seventy eight ninetieths heretofore credited make the amount of said Jonathan Burrall payments from the 26 February 1779 to the 5th July following *the time he acted as assistant pay master General as settled by James Milligan & William Govell Esqs Commr of accounts the 17 September 1779.


Treasury Department
Registers Office Nov 29, 1832

The above is a true extract from the Books of the Revolutionary Government- B letter No 2 paged 46

T L Smith Regr



*This phrasiology seems to imply that it was the whole time, let it be observed that the entry was made when the Register knew I had been two years a Commissioner of Accounts.

JB
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Albany May 1780

September 1- Contingencies
To cash [unk] by the Commissioners of Accounts at Albany- For Clerk, rent of Office Lodgings, and the necessary expenditures from the establishment of their office in August 1776 to Septemr 13th 1780, going five years L3.346.1.3---------------------8.365.8.3

(He has no relation to my claim JB)

Treasury Department
Registers Office Nov 29, 1832

The above is a true extract from the Books of the Revolutionary Government Journal page 66.

T L Smith

In the settlement of Jonathan Trumbulls account he is credited with 686 2/99 for the [unk] of John Winslow his assistant & for his expenses from 4 Oct 1775 to 31 Jany 1777- & with 452 6/33 for the forces & expenses of John Pierce from 1 Feby 1776 to 31 Jany 1777.
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The Honbl the Secretary of War 
New York Nov 14th 1832

Sir

I have the honor to enclose to you herewith my declaration conformably to the regulations issued from the war office, for the purpose of obtaining a pension under the act of Congress of the 7th June 1832, for services in the Paymaster generals department.

I also enclose three letters addressed to me by Mr Willm Palfrey Paymaster genl when he was at Boston on leave of absence and left me in charge of the Office, then kept at the seat of Government and a letter from the President of Congress notifying me of my election as a Commissioner of accounts, to show the exact time when I left the Pay Office, and the reasons for it.

I have also made some extracts from the Journals of Congress to facilitate any examination which the Offices charged with this duty may think proper to make.

I am sure that full and complete evidence of the time of my service exists in the accounts of the Paymstr general Office settled and lodged in the Treasury Office, for my pay was receipted for and charged in the accounts from time to time as they were settled.

As to the grade of pension to which I am entitled, I find that the resolution of Jany 9th 1776 allowed Assistants then appointed only 26 2/3 dollars a month. This was long before my appointment, and on the 13th January 1778, it was raised to seventy dollars a month and two rations a day; This was equal to the pay and allowance of a Lieut Colonel of Infantry; and a reason in equity for a liberal construction in my case is that I was paid in depreciated paper until some time in 1779 and never had any allowance of certificate for depreciation, [unk] to the last settlement in which my pay was charged. This
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This, however, I respectfully submit to your Judgement. I am pretty confident that the Pay of the Assistant paymaster genl was higher than 26 2/3 dolls, when I was appointed about June 1777; but I cannot find any resolution of Congress relating to it before Jany 13th 1778.

I am, with great respect, your obt servant

Jon Burrall

P.S. I have Genl Washingtons certificate of being a member of the Society of Cincinnati, which is as conclusive evidence of longer service as an officer in the War of the Revolution, than the law requires as any documents which could be produced; but it is in a roll of parchment very inconvenient  to be sent by mail. I forgot to refer to it when i was before the Court. On admitance into the Society a months pay was required to form a fund to aid widows &c, and I happened to have evidence that sixty dollars was paid by me.
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War Deprtment
Pension Office
27 Nov 1832

Sir,

The papers in the case of Jonathan Burrall have been examined, and they are herewith returned, the evidence not being sufficient; In order to establish his claim for two years service, I would respectfully suggest the propriety of obtaining proof from the Registers Office, in the Treasury Department, of it can be had there.

I am,
signed J L Edwards

Joseph Nourse Esq.

Registers Office, Philadelphia
June 17, 1782

Sundries in old Emmissions, Dr to Jonathan Burrall late assistant pay master general (in OE)

For nine hundred and fifty two, thousand seven hundred and fourty seven dollars eighty two ninetieth of a dollar which with thirty two thousand six hundred and sex dollars seventy eight ninetieth heretofore credited make the amount of said Burralls payment, from the 26 Feby 1779 to the 5 July following the time he acted as assistant pay master General, as filled by James Milligan & William Govell Esqs commrs of accounts the 17 September 1779.

Treasury Department
Registers Office Nov 29, 1832

The above is a true extract from the Books of the Revolutionary Goverment, Blotter no 2 page 46.

Signed T L Smith Reg

Albany May 1780- September 1st Contingencies-Dr to cash expended by the Commissioner of accounts at Albany, for Clerk wages, rent of office, lodgings and other necessary expenditures from the establishment of their office in Augt 1776 to Sep 13 1780 going five years L3.346.1.3 $8.65 1/8.3

Treasury Deparment
Registers Office Nov 29, 1832

The above is a true extract from the Books of the Revolutionary Government Journal page 66.

signed TL Smith Reg

In the settlement of Jonathan Trumbulls account he is credited with 686 2/90 for the services of John Winslow his assistant & for expenses from 4 Oct 1775 to 31 Jany 1777 & with 452 6/90 for the service & expenses of John Pierce from 1 Feby 1776, to 31 Jany 1777.
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Jonathan Burrall Esq

Dr Sir,

I duly received your letter with the several documents referred to in said letter and immediately applied at the War Department under an expectation that after having had a response to the Books of the Treasury & the books of the Northern Department we could establish evidence that would afford a full pension, as an assistant pay master general, but upon calling the money on Mr Edwards additional proof is called for, by the pension office of your having served a period that would entitle you to a pension- annexed is a copy of Mr Edwards letter to me on this subject, & I this morning in consequence of that letter, obtained from the Registers Officer certified copies of two Records one from the Books of the Treasury of the United States under the Revolutionary Government and the other from the Books of the Northern Department kept by the Commissioner of accounts for a period of five years at Albany NY. My brother Col M Nourse, and myself searched with great care both the Journal  and Ledger for monies recorded for pay but without finding any they made than a [unk] from charged for various objects connected with the Commissioner of the accounts kept at Albany. I have also examined the ledger of the Revolutionary government in which the fulfillment of the accounts of Jonathan Trumbull appears. This examination was made expecting to find the names paid to yourself stated therein but all that could be found is annexed to the statement herewith signed bu the Register of the Treasury, perhaps my father testimony may add some thing in the case it would be this- to obtain from yourself the time, when we first became acquainted with each other. I resigned my office as pay mastr with Bd of War in the fall of 1778, & went on a visit to Virginia that fall in May 1779 I was appointed assistant auditor genl & I think we commenced house keeping that fall and gave up the [uk] in the fall of 1780

I am &c &C
Joseph Nourse
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Extracts from the Journals of Congress, with some remarks
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References to the Journal of Congress relating to the Paymaster Generals department of the revolutionary war.
Jany 9th 1776 Resolved that the Dy paymaster general in the Northern department have liberty to appoint two assistants.
That all the officers and soldiers in the Northern Dept be paid in person by the Dy Paymaster or his assistant.
Remarks-This impracticable regulation did not last long for on the 16th July following Regisneuted paymaster were appointed.
1778 January 13th Resolved that seventy dollars a month an two rations a day be hereafter allowed to each Assistant on the office of the Paymaster or Dy Paymaster general.
1779 May 29th Resolved that the Paymaster general keep his office in the place where Congress may have time to time hold their sessions.
1779 Nov 15th Resolved that William Palfrey, Paymaster general have leave of absence to visit his family.
Remarks, I shall send herewith several letters addressed to me as Deputy paymaster genl showing that I was appointed to take charge of Office, and that he did not return untill April 1780.
1778 April 20th Resolved that a warrant issued on the Treasury in favor of J Nourse [unk] of the Board of War for 250,000 dollars, to be by him transmitted to Peckskill and delivered to Jon Trumbull Genl Paymaster or in his absence to his Deputy there: the said Trumbull to be accountable.
Remarks, this resolution shows that Congress seems to have forgot any distinction between an assistant and a deputy. Peckskill was then my station, and Col Trumbull had no other assistant except John Pierce who was, I believe, then at Westpoint. I think my receipt will appear for this money in the account of the Paymaster of the Board of War.
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Joseph Nourse Esq
Washington
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Joseph Nourse Esqr
New York Dec 5th 1832

I have received your favor of the [illegible] with one from Mr. Edwards saying that the evidence which I sent on was insufficient to establish my claim for two years services as Ass to Paymaster Genl.
I did believe that documents would be readily found in the Treasury Office to show that I had been in that office, and received pay as such from June 1777 to Jun 1780, but I did not expect they would be found in the Books of the Register of the Treasury.  

For the appointment of the Assistants of Col. Trumbull Depy PMG in the Northern dept and of Wm Palfrey P M Genl. were made by themselves, conformably to resolutions of Congress, authorising them to do so, yet my impression was that all money sent either immediately to them, or to an assistant stationed separately from them, were all charged to the Principal, which would be the regular courses, and no doubt was done: and that all our payments were first examined in his office, and rendered to the proper officer for settlement as a part of his account, but by your researches it appears that one account of mine including my payments from Feby 26th to July 5th 1779, amounting to nearly a Million of Dollars, was settled by M[illegible] Milligan [illegible] Garrett Comrs the 17th Sep 1779 in my name and so entered in the Books.  This must have been when I was sent from Head Quarters in New Jersey to pay Troops on the Hudson river which I well recollect, but have no recollection through what channel the money was received.

I want especially the amounts and vouchers of Jona Trumbull Dept P. M. Genl from the time he first rendered any, which by the [illegible] you have sent me appears to be to Jany 31 1777, wherein the Pay of John Winslow and John Pierce his assistants are charged to that date.  Winslow resigned, I believe, in June 1777, and I succeeded him, and
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and about six months from the date of that settlement, say August 1777, I prepared Trumbulls accounts for another settlement, which were started in a half bound Book of several quires, the payments and warrants of the Commander of the dept entered in the order of dates.  The vouchers were the abstract of the pay of each Regiment, made from the Company payrolls which we compared with the Muster rolls and corrected if erroneous and took the Regimental Paymaster receipt on it, having first wrote a warrant for the Commander in the dept to sign I made two Books of this kind one for the Comr and another to be retained, on which the Comdsr gave a Certificate stating the amount of money recd, and the amount of payments this was signed by Edward Chinn E.  Wales and John Carter, the latter in fact, John B. Church who had married Gen Schuesters daughter under the name of Carter.  This account certainly shows when Winstons pay ceased, and mine commenced, and I think the Comrs books without the vouchers would shew it.  When the next settlement was made I do not recollect nor where, but probably at the same office, for Trumbull did not resign until the spring of 1778, when a great part of the Northern army went down the river and Joined Gen Washington, M Pierce and myself then became assistants to Col Palfrey P.M. Genl. but Trumbulls accounts to the time of his resignation undoubtedly contains a charge for my pay to that time.  I was ordered by Col. Palfrey to Phila  in July or Augt 1779, and unless my pay was charged in my account abovementioned from Feby to July 1779, I doubt whether any charge was made in the Paymr Genl accounts for my pay.

The money had depreciated to a fifth or sixth of its nominal value, perhaps more, and I could not have lived in Phila in seventh Dollars a month.

Money was probably advanced to me and charged on the P.M. Genl Books for future settlements.  I
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I recollect receiving a sum, part in new emission bills and part in [illegible], on a warrant from R Morris Superintendent of Finance, after the Bank was established, probably the beginning of 1782.  I suspect the account for which this was paid included a part of my pay as Asst PMG charging me with the Continental money at its value when received, and also a balance of pay as Comdr of accounts.  I should think this account may be found.

Still there is a period from about June 1778 to Feby 1779 which ought to appear in Col. Palfrey's accounts or in the Books be found?

As to the kind of testimony which is received in some Militia cases, I believe Gov Morgan Lewis would say he knew me in 1777 and part 1778 to be an Assistant to Genl Trumbull in Albany, but I have not spoken to him as I dislike having recourse to this sort of testimony if it can be avoided.  Govr Lewis was Depy Quarter there, and we had frequent intercourse for nearly a year.

This letter with the extracts [illegible] wills be enclosed unsealed by Ogden Hoffman, my son in law, to Mr. Verplanck, who will hand it to you, and look at the documents, in your possession.  I want him  to understand what difficulties has prevented  my procuring satisfactory evidence.  All my official letters and papers, as I have before informed you were left on file in the PM Genl Office.

Upwards of half a Century is expected to obliterate parole testimony  almost entirely, but I did supply that half a Cartload of Books and vouchers for the expenditure of millions of public money, many of them in my hand writing, would have left traces in the public offices sufficient to shew that my declaration, on oath, before the Court, was true.

I am very respectfully
Yours J M. Burrall
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Know all men by these presents,
That I Murray Hoffman, of the City and State of New York, Executor of the estate of Jonathan Burrall,
deceased, do hereby authorize, constitute and affidavit, Vespasian Ellis, of the said City and State and F. A. Dickins, of the City of Washington and District of Columbia, jointly or severally, to be my true and lawful Attornies, for me and in my name to collect and receive from the Government of the United States of America all increase and arrears of pension due to the said Jonathan Burrall at the time of his decease, to receipt for the same, and to do all lawful acts requisite for affecting the premises, hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attornies or either of these shall lawfully do therein by virtue hereof & Hereby revoking and annulling all other letters and powers heretofore [illegible] for this purpose heretofore [illegible] for this purpose to any person or persons whatsoever.

In witness whereof, I have hereinto set my hand and seal this Nineteenth day of March in the year Eighteen hundred and fifty.

Murray Hoffman

Sealed and delivered
in presence of 
Andrew Cassidy
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United States of America
State of New York} ss.

Be it known that on this the 19th day of March in the year 1850, before me John W Pirsson, a Public Notary and commissioner to talk acknowledgement of deeds in said City, in and for the State of New York, duly commissioned and sworn, residing in the City of New York, personally came and appeared Murray Hoffman, and acknowledged the above Letter of Attorney to be his act and deed, for the purpose therein mentioned.

In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal of Office the day and year last above written.

John W Pirsson 
Notary Public
Commr of Deeds
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United States of America
State of New York} ss

Murray Hoffman of the City and State of New York, herein duly sworn said, that he was appointed and duly qualified as Executor under the Will, a copy of which is hereto annexed, of Jonathan Burrall, Deceased, and that the said Jonathan Burrell was an officer in the army of the Revolution, and at the time of his death was a Revolutionary Pensioner, and that he left no widow.

Murray Hoffman

Sworn before me this 19 day of March 1850

John W. Pirsson
Com of [illegible]
& Notary Public

17 [illegible]
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State & County of New-York
Surrogate's Office, } ss.

I, ALEXANDER W. BRADFORD, Surrogate of said County, and acting as Clerk of the Surrogate's Court, do hereby certify that I have compared the foregoing copy of the last will and testament of Jonathan Burrall, deceased, with the original record thereof now remaining in this Office, and have found the same to be a correct transcript therefrom, and of the whole of such original record.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed my Seal of Office, this nineteenth day of March, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty, and of our Independence, the Seventy fourth.

AW Bradford
Surrogate


State & County of New-York
Surrogate's Court } ss.

I, ALEXANDER W. BRADFORD, Surrogate of said County, and presiding Magistrate of the Surrogate's Court, do hereby certify that the foregoing exemplification of the last will and testament of Jonathan Burrall, deceased, is authenticated in due form.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the Surrogate's Court, this nineteenth day of March, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty, and of our Independence, the Seventy-fourth.

AW Bradford
Surrogate
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THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
FORM VAM-51
12-5-41

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

Division of Veterans'' Administration Archives

NAME Burrance, Robert
GRADE Private
LINE New York

WARRANT NUMBER 6785
ACREAGE 100
ISSUED Feb. 14, 1791
to James Hamilton, assignee

*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of  "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.