Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 14463, for Robert Simpkins, New York
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
New York
Simpkins, Robert
NUMBER
S.14463
Carded
CONTENTS
Soldier's widow Prudence Simpkins
was pensioned as former widow of
George Thomas, New York, W. 19,035
Page 2

New York 14737.
====================
Robert Simpkins of Westerlo in the State of N.Y. who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Lane the Regt commanded Col Luddington in the Militia N.Y. une for
13 No 7 days N.Y.
======================
Inscribed on the Roll of N.Y. at the rate of 44 Dollars 10 cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
=========================
Certificate of Pension issued the 12 day of June 1833 and sent to
J. B. Moore, Rensselassville, N.Y.
Albany Co
========================
Arrears to the 4th of March 33
88.20
Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept "
22.05 
======
$ 110.25.
=======
Revolutionary Claim,}
Act June 7, 1832.}
by H. Franciosi Clerk,
Book E Vol. 4 Page 78.
Page 3

3699
Robert Simpkins
13 mo. 7 days pri
Direct all communication relating to this claim to J. B. Moore Rensselaerville
Albany County New York
J. B. Moore
Page 4

State of New York
Albany County SS On this 8th day of August 1832 personally appeared before Joseph B. Moore, a Judge of the County Courts of the County of Albany and State aforesaid Robert Simpkins a resident of the town of
Westerlo in the County of Albany and
State of New York aged 83 years and upwards 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 the following named officers, and served as herein stated He resided at the commencement of the Revolutionary War, in the town of Frederickstown in the County of Dutchess and State of New York, and continued to reside there untill about six months before the final termination of the war when he removed to New Marlborough which as he believes was in the State of Massachusetts. In the fall of the year 1775 or in the spring in of the year 1776. He was called into the said
service and belonged to Capt George Lane's Company and Colonel Luddingtons regiment of Militia, and went on the lines along the Hudson
river, but does not know how long he was out at this time, before he returned home- during the year 1776 he was frequently called out in the
said company and regiment, and went to Fishkill, Peekskill and other places along the lines, and was out on Scouts a number of times, but cannot possibly tell the number of times nor all the places he went to, this year, he was so frequently called into the service  In the spring of the year 1777 he was called into the said service  
and regiment to go to Danbury, and marched towards that place, and when on his way there, the company was stopped, and was told that
Page 5

the British had burnt Danbury and had
returned to the shipping. He was at one time (and he thinks this same year) drafted for one month at Frederickstown, aforesaid and was put under the command of a Lieut
who was a continental officer, but does not know his name, that he was placed on centinel duty and kept guard during the whole of this month. He was also called out on alarms during this year. He was also called
out during the next year and in every year untill the close of the war. He was after times classed and had to go into the service for his class and was frequently drafted and held to service to go as a Minute Man from year to year untill the close of the said War. He recollects that he was stationed
at Peekskill at the time one Edward Palmer was being as a spy at Odles Hill in WestChester County as he believes, at the time Major Andre was hung he was also in the said service but does not distinct recollect the place, that he was frequently with and
saw a number of the continental officers, and was near the Continental Army at one time at Peekskill, and at other places, He frequent saw Genl. Putman & knew him, and once saw
Genl. Washington. We reccollects that one time the British Light Horse come up to a place called Crumpond and burnt a meeting House near that place. During the last years of the
said war he was out night after night
watching cowboys, and on scouts, and when at home at night was obliged to sleep with his gun at his bed side. He was frequently our after a cowboy  by the name of Montrop, who was hung  shortly after, and at one time raised his gun to shoot him. That he was continually held to service during almost the whole of
the Revolutionary War, and was in the said service as a private soldier, more or less
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in every year, in the Highlands, along the lines, near West Point, Stoney Point, and all the principal places along the Hudsons River. He was at one time sent by his officers to Stoney Point, after a continental Soldier who it was supposed had deserted. He was out after cowboys at one time under an officer by the name of Major Andrew Hill in the Highlands - He is now very old infirm and diseased, and has lost much of his recollection and cannot possibly enumerate all and every time he was out in the said service and every place he went to. But he is positive
that he was in actual service as a private Soldier, more than one year during the continuance of the said war that living near the lines, he was continually held to service and when he was not out in actual service, he
was employed at home watching 
cowboys, Tories and was continually harrassed and in fear of  them, untill the close of the War. He never received a written a discharge nor has he any documentary evidence, nor
does he know of any person he can procure  to testify to his service - that he resides 27 miles from the city of Albany where the Courts of record for the County of Albany are held, that he is wholly unable to go that distance from his home to attend the Court by reason of bodily infirmity-
He hereby relinquishes every claim
whatever to a pension or annuity except the  present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.
Robert Simpkins
Sworn to & subscribed the day
and year aforesaid before me 
A. B. Moore Judge
of Albany County Courts
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West sent a person and Joseph
Martin a Justice of the peace for
of the late of Westerly in the County of
Albany of New York hereby certify
part are well acquainted with Robert Simpkins has subscribed and sworn to the
the declaration, that we believe him to
83 years of age that he is reputed and
believed in the the neighbourhood where he
then heir soldier of the revolution
and that an concur in that opinion

sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me J.B. Moore Judge of Albany county courts

Robt Burritt
Moore Judge
all my County Court
Rbt Burritt

any act of the subjects a Judge
the Counties of the County of Albany
and State of New York do hereby and his
declare my opinion after the event of
the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the within
named applicant was a revolutionary soldier
where he states. And I do further certify
that I well know Red Bond and Joseph
who have signed the presing
, then the said [illegible]
the said Joseph Martin Judie of the
that they both reside in the
town of Weston and his
and that the state is entitled to full
she further on the
applicant not attend the
of bodily infirmity

J.B. Moore

State of New York
Albany County I Conrad A Teneyck
Clerk of the City and County of Albany
State aforesaid do hereby certify that Joseph
B. Moore before whom the within declaration
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Clerk of the City and County of Albany and
State aforesaid do hereby certify that Joseph
B. Moore before whom the within Declaration
and foregoing certificate were t[illegible] and
who has made the above certificate, is a
Judge of the County Courts of the County
of Albany and State of New York, and
that the signature J. B. Moore to the
said declaration and certificate is his
genuine signature. In testimony whereof
I have hereunto set my hand and affixed
the seal of the said County this 9th
day of August 1832
C. Ten Eyck

[illegible]

In the Spring of the year 1776
He was called into the said service having been
drafted and joined Capt George Lane's Company
and Colo Luddingtons regiment of Militia and
was immediately along the lines and to White place
and was there stationed and kept guard and served
as a private soldier for the time of one month
and was then dismissed and returned home
He again entered the said
service in the fall of the year 1776 having been
called out on an alarm and joined Capt Lane
company in Col Luddington's regiment of Militia
and was immediately marched to White Plains 
and was there, during the engagement 
at that place in the month of October or November
as near as he can recollect, and served at the 
time as a private soldier for the term of one month
Page 9

State of New York
Albany County SS
On this 5th day of April
1833 personally appeared before me Joseph B. Moore a Judge of the County Courts of the County of Albany in the State of New York
Robert Simpkins a resident of the town of Westerlo in the County of Albany and State aforesaid aged 84 years the last day of March 1833. who being duly sworn according to law 
doth on his oath make the following further and supplemental 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 the following named officers and served as he has stated in his original declaration hereto annexed and as is herein stated.

In the Spring of the year 1776
he was called into the said service having been drafted and joined Capt George Lane's Company and Colo Leddingtons regiment of Militia and
was immediately along the lines and to White Plains and was there stationed and kept guard and served 
as a private soldier for the term of one month and was then dismissed and returned home.
He again entered the said  service in the fall of the year 1776 having been
called out on an alarm and joined Capt Lane's company in Col Luddington's regiment of Militia
and was immediately marched to White Plains  and was there during the engagement  at that place in the month of October or November
1776 as near as he can recollect, and served at this time as a private soldier for the term of one month
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In the month of March 1777 he was again called into the said service having been drafted and joined Capt Lane's Company and Colo Luddingtons regiment and was immediately marched  to a place called Fredericksburgh near the
Highlands and was there stationed and Stood Sentry and kept guard and served as a private Soldier for the term of one month,- was then dismissed  and returned home. Immediately after his time was out at Fredericksburgh and about the last of April 1777 He was again called into the said service on an alarm to go to Danbury, and belonged to the same company and regiment as above stated and was marched  towards that place and was stopped, as he has stated in his declaration hereto annexed. He served at this time as a private soldier two weeks- He was again called into the said service
in the month of June 1777 having been drafted and joined Capt Lanes Company and Colo Leddington regiment of militia and was marched to Fishkill Barracks on the Hudson river near the Highlands and was there stationed and kept guard and assisted at the Barracks and served as a private Soldier for the term of two months and was then dismissed and he returned home. In the month of September 1777 He again entered the said service having been classed and he had to go for his Class and joined the same company and regiment as above stated, and was immediately marched to a place call Seruh Plain in the County of Westchester not far from Peekskill and was there stationed and stood sentry kept guard and was out on Scouts and served as a private soldier for the term of
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two months and was then dismissed and  returned home-
In the fall & winter of the year 1778 he again entered the said service having been drafted and joined Capt Drake's Company and Col Luddington's regiment and was immediately marched to a place called North Castle in the lower part of Westchester County near Croton river, and was there stationed and kept guard and stood senty, and served as a private soldier for the term of two months & was then dismissed and returned home- He again entered the said service in the spring of the year 1779 the militia having been called for, and joined Capt Drake's company
and Colo Luddington's regiment of Militia, and was marched to Fishkill Barracks, where he staid a short time and from there to Peekskill, and was
the stationed and kept guard and served as a Private soldier for the term of one month, and was then dismissed and he returned home-
He again entered the said service
the last of July or first of August 1779 and immediately after Stoney Point was taken, the militia having been called out, and he joined Capt Drake
company and was immediately marched to Fishkill Barrack and from there to Soruh plain where he was stationed and kept guard and served as a private soldier for the term of one
month and was then dismissed -
He again entered the said service
in the month of September or about the first of October 1780 at the time Genl. Arnold was about to give up
West Court, having been drafted and joined Capt Drake Company aforesaid was marched down into the Highlands
and but under the command of Major Hill and was out on scouts and in persuit of cowboys and
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served as a private soldier at this time one month and one week [7 weeks written at side] as near as he can possibly reccollect.
In the year 1781 he was called out on an alarm to go after Convoys and was
in actual service as a private soldier in Capt Drakes Company in the Highlands in pursuit of Convoys two weeks in the spring of that year He was frequently called into the said service at various and other times, except those above enumerated for those tours of one week, three days, and two days but can not possibly enumerate each and every time he was out in the said service nor all the places he went to as he was more or less in the said service from the commencement to the termination of the said War -
He positively knows that he was in the actual service of the United States bodied corps during the Revolutionary War and served as a private soldier one year, one month & one week -  and for such service he claims a pension- He is old and infirm and cannot possibly recollect distinctly all the service he performed so as to specify each and every time and
tour of service which if he could 
would enable him to claim a pension for a much longer term-
He has been verry unwell for the ninty
part and has lost his wife, and has been confined to his house and could not make a specification of services, any sooner than the date hereof and is now very feeble and infirm and cannot possibly travel to Court to make  this supplementary declaration- He resided at the time
he entered the said service at Fredericks Town Dutchess County now Phillipstown Putman county and continued to reside there untill the close of the war when he removed
Page 13

and cannot possibly travel to Court to make this supplementary declaration
He resided at the time he entered the said service at  Fredericks Town Dutchess County now Phillipstown Putnam county and continued to reside there untill the close of the war when he removed to the State of Massachusetts and lived there six
months and then removed to a place called the Oblong in the State of New York where he and about 3 years, and then removed to the Town of Westerlo where he now resides and
where he has lived ever since-
He was born at Phillitown aforesaid the last day of March 1769, and has a record of his age in his family Bible
which is now in the hands of his children
He saw and knew Gen Washington, Genl Putman, Col Sheldon, Colo. Fill
and others who were with the troops where he [illegible] but he does not particularly recollect what
Continental or militia regiments he served with He never received a written discharge nor has he any documentary evidence relating to his services, nor can he procure any witnesses who can testify to his services, although he has made diligent enquiry, and used every
exertion in his power to obtain witnesses
He was in no particular battles
He is known to Revd Reed Burrit, Josh
Martin Esq. Jehiel Lamb Simon Lobdell Benjamin Reclam Jacob Ingalls, Janges Bishop Jared Reynolds Esqr Enoch Ingalls, John Cowell
Josiah Hinkley Truman Ingalls, James Ingalls Benjamin Avery Soloman Mayby, Ezekiel Ramsdale who reside in his present neighbourhood and who can testify to his character for truth ┃
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and veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity
other than the one under the act of June 7, 1832
Robert Simpkins
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid Before me
B. Moore Judge of Albany County Courts
State of New York
 Albany County SS. I the Subscriber a Judge of the ring
Courts of the County of Albany do hereby certify
declare my opinion after the investigation of the matter
the putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war
ment that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary
soldier and served as he states. And I do further certify that the
said applicant cannot attend the Court by reason
of bodily infirmity-- Witness my hand the day and year
aforesaid
J.B. Moore
State of New York ⎬
Albany County ⎬ SS.  Conrad A. Ten Eyck Clerk of the City and
County of Albany do hereby certify that Joseph B. Moore before
whom the foregoing declaration was sworn and who has me
the above certificate is a Judge of the County Courts of the County
of Albany, and that the signature J. B. Moore to the said
declaration & certificate is his genuine signature. In Testimony
whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal
of the said County this 10 day of April 1833
C.A. Ten Eyck
Page 15

November 17, 1930
XXXX
---
Jennie Crandall Martin
215 Hillegas Avenue
Berkeley, California
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the record
of Robert Simpkins, a Revolutionary War soldier of New York.
You are furnished herein the record of the only Robert Simpkins
found in the Revolutionary War records of this office. The record has
George Thomas, W. 19085
been found of a George Thomas which will be of interest to you in your
Robert Simpkins, S. 1545
BA-J/ALS
research. His record, also, is furnished herein.
ROBERT SILKINS
S. 10505
The data which follow in regard to Robert Simpkins were obtained
from the papers in pension claim, S.4403, based upon his service in
the Revolutionary War.
Robert Simpkins was born March 31, 1749, in Phillipstown, Putnam
County, New York. The names of his parents are not shown.
While residing in Frederickstown, Dutchess County, New York, he
enlisted in the fall of 1775 or the spring of 1776 and served at
various times until the close of the Revolution, amounting in all to
one year one month one week, as private under Captains George Lane
and Drake, Major Andrew Hill and Colonel Luddington in the New York
troops. During his service he was in the battle of White Plains.
About six months before the end of the war he moved to New Marlborough,
Massachusetts, where he lived six months, then moved to Oblong, New York
, remained there three years, thence to Westerlo, Albany County,
New York, and while living there was allowed pension on his application
executed August 8, 1832. He died June 12, 1835.
In 1833, while residing in Westerlo, New York, Robert Simpkins
stated that he had lost his wife. He referred, also, to children but
Page 16

did not state the name of his wife or of his children.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension and name
and address of the person paid in the case of Robert Simpkins, you
should write to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office,
Records Division, this city, and cite the following data: Robert
Simpkins, certificate Alver, issued June 12, 1833, rate $44.10 per
annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, New York Agency.
State
GEORGE THOMAS
W. 19035
You are furnished herein the record of George Thomas as found in
the claims for pension under File W. 19035, based upon his service in
the Revolutionary War.
The date and place of birth of George Thomas and names of his
parents were not given.
George Thomas enlisted in the fall of 1778 or 1779 in Dutchess
County, New York, served as private in Captain Johnson's company,
Colonel Lewis Durey New York regiment, and was discharged at West
Point after having served three years for which he enlisted.
The soldier was allowed pension on his application executed
May 4, 1818, at which time he was a resident of Westerlo, Albany County,
New York.
In 1820, George Thomas was still living in Westerlo, New York.
He died August 27, 1822 in Ballston, Saratoga County, New York.
George Thomas married in the fall of 1776, near Cold Spring in
Dutchess County, New York, Prudence Wood, a resident of Nine Partners,
same county and where she remained during her husband's service in the
Revolution.
Prudence Thomas, widow of George, married October 10, 1833, in
Westerlo, Albany County, New York, Robert Simpkins, also a soldier
and pensioner of the Revolutionary War, and who died June 12, 1836.
Prudence Simpkins, widow of Robert Simpkins, was allowed pension
on account of the Revolutionary War service of her former husband,
George Thomas, on her application executed April 28, 1843, at which
time she was aged eighty-three years and a resident of Albany, Albany
County, New York.
Page 17

The following names of children of George Thomas and his wife,
Prudence, are shown in the claims:
Phebe, first child, who later married Briggs Sherman
Cornell, second, who died prior to 1845
Elizabeth, third  born September 11, 1782, married Henry Lonus or Lohnes born Jan 1, 1776; datedurman water Sailing West and in 1845 was living
Elisabeth, third Born 27 1922 Friedens of Lohnes
=
Mary, tenth child, born October 2, 1801; living in Albany, N. Y., in 1845,
when she signed Mary Thomas.
The following names of children of Henry Lonis or Lohnes and his
wife, Elizabeth (daughter of George Thomas), appear in the claims, also:
Fancy Lonus,
24, 1800
born June
-
Henry Lonus or Lohnes, " November 13, 1909
Eliza
8
October 15, 1811
Isaac
●
" October 3, 1818
Lonnie or Lohnes and his wife, Elizabeth, but their relationship was
The following data, also are shown in the family record of Henry
not designated:
Alban
Harriet
Olonso Davis,
born January 8, 1820
March
15, 1822
April 20, 1824
Prudence Simpkins, former widow of George Thomas, had a younger
sister, Mary, who was born July 24, 1751, married in January, 1779,
one Dowell, and in 1843 was living in Saratoga Springs, Saratoga
County, New York
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name
and address of the person paid and possibly the date of death of
Prudence Simpkins, you should write to the Comptroller General, General
Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following
data: Prudence Simpkins, former widow of George Thomas, certificate
No. 3912, issued August 22, 1845, rate $80 per annum, commenced
Page 18

March 4, 1831, Act of July 4, 1836, New York Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 19

Berkeley, Calif. Oct. 28 - 1939
Rev. War Section, Records Division
Department of the Interior,
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:-
Will you please send me a coppy of
Robert Simpkins Rev. W. Record.
Robert Simpkins, N.Y. in Rev. Page 152
State Treasurer's pay books d 1834
I am so anxious to get my ancestors
Rev. War Records
Thanking you so much for your help-
Sincerely Jennie Crandall Martin
2715 Hillegass Ave.
Berkeley, Calif.
 
[stamp] RECEIVED NOV 4 1939
MAIL SUB-DIV Reader No. 20 ADM
Page 20

1939 Nov 16- Hist to Jane
Crandel Martin
INVAL
---
. No. 14, 463
Robert Simple
Orie Kee was
---
Act: June 7th 1832
Index: - Vol. 1, Page 32
Arrangement of 1870.}
Page 21

Rensselaerville
New York
April 5. 1833
J.L. Edwards Esq
Sir.
Herewith I return the papers of Mr Robert Simpkins an applicant for a Pension under the act of June 7, 1833, with a Supplementary declaration, as required by your letter of the 21 Nov. 1832. This old man is very old and infirm and has been confined all winter, and was unable
to make a further statement untill this 
time. I think his amended declaration
will be satisfactory - there is not the
shadow of a question, but what he served for more them the time specified, but he is content to take what he can specify for a certainty and leave the remainder -
Please send certificate and all 
communications relating to this claim to me at Rensselaerville New York & oblige yoursse
J. B. Moore
Page 22

J.L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City