Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 16918, Benjamin Coleman, New York
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[I am transcribing only the handwritten parts]
New York

Coleman, Benjamin
 ---------  Hannah

W 16918
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New York 2596
Hannah Coleman widow of Benjamin Coleman who died on the 5th August 1832 of Grange Co. in the State of N. York who was a Pri & Sergt. in the company commanded by Captain Balknap of the Regt. commanded by Col Clinton in the N. York line for 1 Mo & 23 days Pvt. 5.87
10 Mos. Sergt. 50.00
N.Y. $55.87

Inscribed on the Roll of Nw York at the rate of 55 Dollars and 87 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 20th day of Oct. 1838 and sent to H. Armstrong, Newburgh, N.Y.

Arrears to the 4th of Sep. '38 419.02
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Mar. '39 27.93
$446.95

{Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3}

Recorded by D. Brown Clerk
Book A, Vol. 2 Page 107
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3532
Hannah Coleman
Act 1836

Admitted Sergeant 10 Mo
Priate 1.23 days
11.23

H. Armstrong Esqr
New Burgh N.Y.
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State of New York
Orange County --}Ss On this eleventh day of June in the year one thousand eight hundred & thirty eight personally appeared before the undersigned a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of the county aforesaid Hannah Coleman a resident of the Town of Hamptonburgh in the County & State aforesaid aged seventy six years on the fifteenth day of November but who being first duly Sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the Provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4, 1836. That She is the widow of Benjamin Coleman late of said county deceased who was a Sergeant & private soldier in the war of the Revolution and as she has been informed & verily believes served as follows. That on or about the first of March in the year 1776 her said husband  enlisted into a Company of years men raised from the counties of Orange & Ulster in the State aforesaid. of which said Company John Belknap was the Captain Henry Paulding was the First & Zechariah Hasbrouch was the Second Lieutenant said Company belonged Colonel James Clinton's Regiment. That said Company enlisted for the term of one year. and immediately rendezvousd [sic] at New Windsor in said County & from thence were conveyed by water to Fort Montgomery on the Hudson river where said Company remained until in the winter of the year 1777 when it was disbanded by reason of the men belonging to the same enlisting into the regular service. that she has been informed &  believes that her said husband served in said Company until the first day of January in the year 1777. when he was discharged & returned home having served ten months under an enlistment for one year. That during all the
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aforesaid term her said husband was a Sergeant & performed the duty of a Sergeant until he was discharged.
That in the month of October in the year 1777 immediately after Fort Montgomery had been Captured by the British there was a general call for the Militia of the Counties of Orange & Ulster to guard the Shores of the Hudson river from the attacks of the british [sic] army as they passed up said river. That her said Husband rendezvousd [sic] at Murderer's Creek of said river & followed the british army up towards Kingston & then returned again to Murderers Creek aforesaid where he was discharged - that during said service which was one month her said husband was a private in Captain Sweezey's company & Colonel Allison's regiment and that she verily believes her said husband served in said company the full term of one month at the time & places last aforesaid as a private soldier.
That in the latter part of the month of July in the year 1779 immediately after the battle of Minisink with the Indians this deponents husband was called out to Peenpack & pursued the Indians for the term of eight days when he was discharged that this service was done as a private in Captain Sweezey's company Col. Tustens regiment.
That in the year 1781. her said husband was again called into service as a classman and went to Van Etten's Fort on the wester borders of Orange County and served as a private the term of fifteen days that during said service her said husband was under the command of Lieutenant Elvind Tryon. That by reason
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of old age & loss of memory she is unable to give a more definite statement of her said husbands services.
Sher further declares that she was married to the said Benjamin Coleman at Goshen in said County by the Rev Nathan Carr a minister of the Presbyterian Church at said place on the ninteenth [sic] day of January in the year 1781. That her husband the aforesaid Benjamin Coleman died on the fifth day of August in the year 1802 [ or 1812?] and that she has remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed - That she has no documentary evidence of her said husbands services. and that from debility & old age she is unable to attend the sitting of the Court of Common Pleas of said County 

[a marginal note referring apparently to the marriage of Hannah Coleman:] 19 Jan 1781

Hannah  her X mark  Coleman

Sworn & Subscribed on the }
day & year above written - }
signed by making her mark because
she cannot see to write
H W Elliott Judge
of Orange Com Pleas

I the undersigned judge before whom the foregoing declaration was made do certify that I am acquainted with Hannah Coleman who made the same that I believe her to be a woman of truth & veracity. & her statements entitled to full Credit and that I am fully satisfied of the truth of the Same and from personal inspection believe her unable to attend the sitting of the Court of Common Pleas of said County and I further certify that the words "of the county" also the words "& sergeant were interlined on the first page
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& The word Husband on second Page interlined before signing 
H W Elliott
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[I will transcribe only the parts that are handwritten]
Horace W. Elliott
affidavits
Judge of the Court of Common Pleas
Judge
Affidavits & Certificates
12th June
1838
Lebbeus L. Vail Clerk
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State of New York}
Orange County --} Ss Joel Colman of the Town of Wallkill in the said county being duly sworn deposeth that he was Seventy nine years old on the 13th day of May last - that he was a soldier in the war of the revolution and that he belonged to a company of Militia of which David Swezy was Captain Elind Tryon Lieutenant and Benjamin Moore - he further deposeth and saith immediately after Fort Montgomery was taken a general alarm was made and all the militia was called into service and that Capt Swezys company was rendevouzed [sic] at murdners creek under the[crossed out] Captain Swezy Lieutenant Elind Tryon and Ensign Moore that they then followed the British up the river as far as new Hurley then returned back and followed the British down as far as murdner Creek [the internet tells me that there is a Murderers Creek in New York that flows into the Hudson, which is referenced in a subsequent image (Image 54), but this spelling is clearly Murdners Creek, in at least two instances] when he thinks they were discharged
He further saith that he well recollects that his brother Benjamin Colman was in this said service during the above term of one month and under the same officers and the Regiment commanded by Col Allison or Elison
He further saith that in July 1779 the Goshen Regiment under Col Tusten was called out on alarm to Peenpack on the west side of the Shawangunk Mountain and on the western frontiers of the Counties of Orange and Ulster to drive the Indians from the frontiers who had then com [sic] down and burnt Minisink 
that Captain Swezys company was out on the said alarm under the said Swezy Lieutenant Elind Tryon and Ensign Moore and that they were out about eight days that he was in the said company and knows that his brother Benjamin Colman was out the said term of eight days in the aforesaid company
He further saith that on the 25 day of January 1781 his brother Benjamin Colman was Married to
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Hannah Finch at Goshen in Orange County New York by the Rev Nathen Kerr pastor of the Presbeterian [sic] Church in Goshen
He further deposeth and saith that in the month of June 1781 he the said deponent was called out in the service as a classman in a company the Captain he has forgot and under Lieutenant Tryon they when called out in class were not allways [sic] under the same officers so that it is difficult to recollect who they did serve under at times they were called out to Van Ettens Fort or Block house on the Western frontier of the County of Orange and in the valley of the Neversink River near its Junction with the Delaware  He further saith that his brother Benjamin Colman was in service in the same company as a private soldier and that they served fifteen days it being the term that they were called out for
He further saith that they were out upon alarms and short tours of duty times and again that he cannot particularly state but is satisfied that his brother Benjamin Colman was out at least two years during the said war The service last above mentioned was done under Col Newkirk 
the words "of one Month" interlined before 
signing - the words "and under" interlined before signing 
Joel Coleman
Sworn and Subscribed this 
thirtieth day of April 1838
before me William W Reeve Justice of the Peace

I certify that I am well acquainted with Joel Colman and with the neighborhood in which he lives and know him to be a man highly esteemed amongst his neighbours [sic] as a man of truth and veracity and I am fully satisfied that his statements herein made are entitled to full credit and belief
William W Reeve
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Benjamin Colman was out at least two years during the said war The service last above mentioned was done under Col Newkirk 
the words "of one Month" interlined before 
signing - the words "and under" interlined before signing 
Joel Coleman
[note that the previous section is an exact copy of a portion of Image 49. The next section is mostly print, and I will transcribe only the handwritten parts:]
William C. Reeve
affidavit
Justice of the Peace
Justice
Affidavit & Certificate
18th June
1838
Lebbeus L. Vail Clerk

[note that the next section is an exact copy of a portion of the text in Image 50:]
He further saith that on the 25 day of January 1781 his brother Benjamin Colman was Married to
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[I will only transcribe the parts that are handwritten]
Benjamin Coleman
[in the phrase "his (or his widow's), the "his (or" is struck out]
W. F 16918.

Mch.1, 1776|to Jan.1,1777| Sergt.|John Belknap.| James Clinton| N. Y.
Oct. 1777| 1 mo. | Pri | David Swazy.| Allison |
July.1779| 8 days | Pri | David Swazy. | [Chk mark] |
---- 1781|15 days | Pri |Lieut. Tryon | Newkirk |
[a check mark after "Battles engaged in"]
Orange Co., N. Y.
June 11, 1838. Her ce was al.
Hamptonburgh, Orange Co. N. Y.
B. Nov. 15, 1761.
Soldier mar. at Goshen, Orange Co. N. Y. Jan. 19 1781, Hannah Finch; he died Aug. 5, 1802
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[On the left side of the image]
Rev WIDOW, &c.
____________________
File No. 16918
Hannah Coleman
Wid. of 
Benjamin Coleman
Serg't - Rev. war
_________________
Act: July 4. 1836
Index: --Vol. A, Page 149

[On the right side of the image]
1914, Feb. 3. History to 
Mrs. E. D. Phillips.  Fw.
________________________________
1924. Nov. 14, Hist. to Mrs. Edward
D. Phillips, Her let, in 
Cl, S. 23051, Godfrey
Vought .   u w
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Rev. & 1812 Wars Section.
November 14, 1924.
Mrs. E.D. Phillips,
43 Terrace St., 
Wilkes-Barre, PA.
Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in Revolutionary War pension claim, W. 16918, it appears that Benjamin Coleman, while residing in Orange County, Nw York, served in the New York Troops as follows:
From March 1, 1776 for 10 months as Sergeant in Captain John Belknap's Company, Colonel James Clinton's Regiment.
From October 1777 for 1 month as private in Captain David Swazy's Company, Colonel Allison's Regiment.
From July 1779 for 8 days as private in Captain Swazy's Company, Colonel Tuston's Regiment.
From June 1781 for 15 days as private under Lieutenant Tryon and Colonel Newkirk.
Soldier married at Goshen, Orange County, New York January 19,1781, Hannah Finch who was born November 15, 1761. He died August 5, 1832, and the widow, Hannah, was allowed pension on her application executed June 11, 1838, while a
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resident of Hamptonburgh, Orange county, Nw York.
It is not stated whether they had any chidlren.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

Widow's death not on A-B.
Would not have sent this only it is 10 yrs. since she got in before. um
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43 Terrace Street
Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
January 29, '14
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
Can you send me official proof that Godfrey Vought and Benjamin Coleman fought in the Revolutionary War?
Godfrey Vought, son of Joseph Christian Vought, served, I believe, under Col. Hughes and Col.
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DuBois, probably in New York or New Jersey.
Benjamin Coleman was a private in the Orange County Militia, 3rd Regiment, New York.
If it is possible to send me these proofs, I will be very grateful.
Respectfully yours,
(Mrs. E.D.) Mabel C. Phillips
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3532
Hannah Coleman, N.Y.
See let to Hon. N. Jones, June 26, 1838
to same July 6, 1838
H. Armstrong 23 July '38
To same 28 Augt. 1838
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Hon. J. L. Edwards
Commission of Pensions

[illegible] July 5
N.Y.

Hon. Nathl. Jones HR
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House of Reps.
July 4, 1838
Hon J.L. Edwards
Coms of Pensions
Sir,
I am requested, respectfully ask a re-examination of the case of Hannah Colman. Enclosed you are favored with the certificate of Secy. of State of N.Y. as to the appointment of Captain Belknap which as I trust will now obviate the objections stated in your recent report. Please examine this and the other case Joel Coleman referred to in my late letter early as may be convenient.
Very truly & Respectfully Your Servt.
Nathl. Jones
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July 31
N.Y.
addl [illegible]
Hannah Coleman

J.L. Edwards Esqr.
Com. of Pensions
Washington
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J.L. Edwards Esqr
Dr Sir
I have received your last letter in relation to the claim of Hannah Coleman widow of Benjamin Coleman who was a sergeant in Capt. John Belknap's Company Col. J. Clintons regiment. In your last letter it is objected that the claimant alleges that her husband served ten months in the year 1776 in said company at Fort Montgomery, but that there is no evidence in your department of any such service in that year having been rendered by that Captain and that Capt. Belkanp in his own claim for a pension claims to have received his appointment from the provincial Congress of 1775 when it appears from the certificate of the Secretary of the State of N. York by me enclosed to you that he was appointed in the year 1776. I think you must have mistook the tour of that certificate of any recollection as not greatly at fault as I think I am distinct in my recollection that the certificate gave the date of his appointment in the year 1775 under the authority of the provincial Congress, but that difficulty is put to rest by the enclosed certificate
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which shows conclusively that his commission was issued to him by the continental Congress on the 25th Oct 1775. This must reconcile the alleged varience between the first certificate & his own statement for his pension by Capt Belkamp's own letter to the Committee of Safety dated at Fort Montgomery on the 21st of April 1776. It appears that he was then in service at said Fort with his company and that a months pay besides billeting money was there due to his company. By his letter of the 30th of March 1776 it thus appears that he was in service at the same place & had command of the 5th Company in Col  Clintons regiment and that his company was filled up on the 7th of March in that year & was in actual service on the 10th of that month by Col Clintons letter of the 11th of Dec 1776 which was forwarded to the Provincial Congress by Capt Belknap. He still appears to be in service and by another letter of the 4th of January 1777 written to the convention of the state of N.Y. It appears that Capt Belknap's company was in service on that day except 13 men 9 of which had been discharged by the Col. himself. From the same letter it appears that Hasbrook & Pawling were his Lieutenants which are the same officers which the widow & her witness Samuel Weed both allege the service was done. [illegible] I think there must be some mistake may in your former letter to me in which it is alleged that one of these Lieutenants was at that time engaged in a different service
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By this certified letter &c enclosed it is clearly established that John Belknap was regularly commissioned by the Provincial Congress on the 25th Oct. 1775. That on the 10th of March 1776 his company was in actual service at Fort Montgomery & remained in service on the 4th of Jany 1777 which I think clearly explains the claim & show that the widow is entitled to be allowed for 10 months service done in said company as a sergeant which service is proved by the affidavit of Samuel Weed who was a private in said company & served with him until the 25th of Dec. 1776.
I trust the department will be satisfied with this explanation and give the claim a speedy decision from the requirements of proof it this case much expense has been incurred in procuring certificates & evidence of service as large charges are made for certified copies of the records. 
The other services claimed by the claimant are I presume not objected to as the services claimed are those well established in your department which in all make about 13 months 10 of which is claimed as sergeant. Your favourable decision on this case I trust will not be delayed.
Yours Respectfully
H. Armstrong

Newburgh
July 28th 1838
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Newburgh NY July 19

J L Edwards Esqr
Com. of Pensions
Washington

Mrs Coleman
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J L Edwards Esqr
Dr Sir
Enclosed I send you the affidavit of William Buchanan in relation to the Claim of Hannah Coleman widow of Benjamin Coleman who was a Sergeant in Capt John Belknap's Company Col Clinton's regiment
It is objected by your letter of the 6th of July inst that there is no evidence in the department of the Service of Such a Company for ten months during the year 1776. It is evident that Capt Belknaps Company was engaged in what was called the year's service in 1776 & were discharged on the 1st day of January 1777. the affidavit elclosed [sic - I assume he means enclosed] shows that his company was at said Fort on the last day of December 1776. Although the affidavit does not state at what time the company of Capt Jackson rendezvousd yet by affidavits in your department in the case of John Booser & of Charity Eisenberg it is fully shown that Capt Jackson's Company rendezvousd at Fort Contstitution on the 1st of March 1776 & the witness shows that Capt John Belknap's Company rendezvousd at the same time
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proofs well established is know to have been engaged in what is called the years Service in 1776.
I had written a letter this day & dispatched it by this mornings mail making an explanation of this Service which I presume will arrive at the same time with this 
I should not have troubled you with a second letter had not the enclosed affidavit come to hand since writing the first letter as the affidavit does not state for what claimant it is made Care must be taken or it will be placed on file with papers to which it does not belong.
Yours Respectfully
H. Armstrong
Neuburgh
July 16 1838
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[written vertically, bottom to top, on the left side of the address:]
In ab Oct 2
NY
[written horizontally]
J. L. Edwards Esqr
Commr of Pensions
Washington
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J L Edward Esqr
Yours of the 27th inst has been received, stating that from the records of the department it does not appear that Stasha Garret the widow of John Garret is entitled to receive a pension but for eleven months services done by her said husband. Mrs Garret is now an infirm old lady & is unable from old age to give a history of her husbands services. She however alleges that he was a prisoner for some time previous to her marriage with him and had just been discharged before her marriage to him. that he was take from West Chester County & Confined in New York.. She has refered [sic] me to a person who may have had a knowledge of his services but infirmity has rendered  him unable to give any relation of them at present. I therefore accept a pension for eleven months as per your letter
I have heard nothing from the Claim of Mrs Dickerson Widow of Nathaniel Dickerson which was forward before that of Mrs Garrets
The claim of Hannah Coleman widow of Benjamin Coleman for a Pension under the law of 1836 has been for some time past unanswered although additional proof required has been forwarded by me to your Department
Yours Respectfully
H Armstrong
Sept 20th 1838.
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State of New York}
Orange County --}Ss Richard Wood of the Town of Minisink being Duly sworn deponth [sic] & saith that he was born in the town of Goshen in the said county that he was well acquainted with Benjamin Coleman of the said county and Hannah Finch of the same place & that the said Benjamin Coleman was married to the above named Hannah Finch at the house of Richard Wood who was the father of this deponent in the town of Goshen on the nineteenth day of January Seventeen Hundred and Eighty one by the Rev Nathen Kerr Pastor of the Presbeterian  [sic] church in Goshen This Deponent further saith that the facts herin [sic] contained is true according to the best of his recollection & belief and further he saith not 
Richard Wood
Sworn and Subscribed the }
2nd day of June 1838 before me}
Roswell Mead, Com. of Deeds

I certify that I am well acquainted with Richard Wood, the above deponent and believe him to be a man of veracity and entitled to full credit and belief
Roswell Mead
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[I will transcribe only the handwritten parts of the document]
Roswell Mead
affidavit
Commissioner of Deeds
Commissioner
affidavit & Certificate
12h June 1838
Lebbeus L. Vail Clerk
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State of New York}
Orange County ---} Ss Thomas V Weber of the Town of Minisink being duly sworn deposeth & saith that he in the Eighty Sixth year of his age 
that he was a Soldier in the war of the revolution
that he was well acquainted with Benjamin Coleman & with Hannah Finch who was afterwards the wife of Benjamin Coleman before the revolutionary war & that he served from time to time with the said Benjamin Coleman in the militia during the War that about the first of November 1777 he was called out in the Militia to Tappan on the Hudson River  under Capt Little and was there two week under Col Allison that he well recollects Benjamin Coleman being at that place as a militia  man and that he served at least two week under Captain Swezy & Elind Tryon Lieutenant and under Col Allison & that they were discharged at that place at the end of the said two weeks
He further saith that in July 1779 an alarm was made by the Indians on the western frontiers of the counties of Orange & Ulster and the Regiment under Col Tusten was called out to Minisink or Peenpack & that this deponent was one that belonged to the said regiment and that Benjamin Coleman was a private in the company of Captain Swezy & Lieutenant Tryon and served in the said company for eight days in Col Tustens regiment
He further saith that in June 1781 this deponent was again called out as a classman to Van Ettens Fort on the Western frontier of the county of orange for the term of fifteen days and that Benjamin Coleman belonged to the same Class and served the full term of fifteen days under Col New Kirk and Lieutenant Tryon

[Down the left margin--I think somebody added up the days served, coming up with 1.07 months of service in those three years:]
--14
--  8
--15
_____
1.07
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And further this deponent saith not
Thomas V Wood 
Sworn and subscribed this }
first day of June 1838 -----}
before me Simeon M Stoddard Commissioner of Deeds

I do hereby Certify that I am well acquainted with Thomas V. Wood who made and subscribed the foregoing affidavit and believe him to be a man of Truth & veracity and whose statements under oath is entitled to full credit& belief
Simeon M. Stoddard

[in the upper left margin:]
1.07
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State of New York, Orange County, SS.
I, Lebbeus L. Vail, Clerk of the Court of Common Please for the County of Orange, Do Hereby Certify, That Simeon M. Stoddard before whom the foregoing affidavit was subscribed and sworn, was at the time of taking the same, a Commssioner of Deeds in, and for said county; and further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Commissioner and verily believe that the signature to the said affidavit & certificate is genuine.
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my Hand, and affixed the Seal of the said county, the 12th day of June 1838.
Lebbeus L. Vail Clerk
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State of New York, Orange County ss
Samuel Weed of Newburgh in said county being duly sworn says that he was a soldier in the army of the Revolution, and on the second day of March in the year 1776 this deponent enlisted into a company of volunteers of said State of which John Belknap was Captain Henry Paulding first & Zechariah Hasbrouck the second Lieutenant that said company rendevoused at the house of said Captain Belknap in the town of Neuburgh in the county aforesaid & from thence march to Newburgh & were conveyed in a sloop to Fort Mongomery on the Hudson river and remained at said Fort until the first day of January in the year 1777 when this deponent enlisted into the three years service under Captain Lee and that this deponent during all the aforesaid time was well acquainted with Benjamin Coleman of said county who was a sergeant in Captain Belknaps company and served there in at Fort Montgomery aforesaid as a sergeant for the term of ten months and that said Colement left said service about the first or second day of January in the year 1777. That said company was about that time dispended by reason of the men composing said company enlisting into the regular service that Captain Belknap's company during the aforesaid service belonged to Col James Clinton's regiment. That this deponent is positive that said Coleman served the term of ten months in said company & was a sergeant in said
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company during said term of ten months that said company was enlisted for the term of one year but was disbanded soon afer the first of January 1777 on account of the greater part of the men having enlisted into the regular service.
Samuel Weed

Sworn before me this 28th day of February 1838
H. Armstrong, Justice of the Peace

I the undersigned Justice of the Peace before whom the foregoing affidavit of Samuel Weed was made & subscribed do certify that the words "twenty fifth day of December in the year" were erased the word "Company" interlined & the word "Jackson's" erased & "Belknap's" written over such erasure all before the execution hereof and also that I am well acquainted with the said Samuel Weed & the neighbourhood where he resides & that he is a man of truth & veracity & his statements under oath entitled to full credit & that in the neighbourhood where he resides he is reputed to have been a soldier of the Revolution & is now a pensioner of the United States.
H. Armstrong, Justice of the Peace
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said Samuel Weed & the neighbourhood where he resides & that he is a man of truth & veracity & his statements under oath entitled to full credit & that in the neighbourhood where he resides he is reputed to have been a soldier

State of New York, Orange County, SS.
I, Lebbeus L. Vail, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, in and for the County of Orange, Do Hereby Certify, That Horace Armstrong before whom the foregoing affidavit was subscribed and sworn, was, at the time of taking the same, a Justice of the Pease in, and for said county: and further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice and verily believe that the signature to the said affidavit & certificate is genuine.
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said County, the 12th day of June 1838.
Lebbeus L. Vail, Clk
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State of New York, Orange County ss
Benjamin C Colman of the town of Gorham in the said county deposeth and saith that he was well acquainted with Benjamin Colman of the town county & state aforesaid and that he was present when the said Benjamin Colman died which was on the fifth day of August one thousand eight hundred and thirty two and he knew the said Benjamin Coleman to live with Hannah Coleman as her husband and knows the said Hannah Coleman to be the same who now applies for a pension from government.
Benjamin C. Coleman

Subscribed & sworn before me this 11 day of June 1838
H.W. Elliott, Judge of Orange Com Pleas
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I certify that I am well acquainted with Benjamin C. Coleman who made and subscribed the within affidavit and know him to be a man of truth & veracity and his statements herein made are entitled to full credit & belief.
H.W. Elliott, Judge of Orange Com Pleas
Page 40

State of New York, Orange County ss
William Buchannan of the town of Cornwall in the said county being duly sworn deposeth & saith tht he was eighty years old in March last and that he wa a soldier in the war of the revolution and that he enlisted into a company of soldiers of which William Jackson was Captain Isreal Smith was first & Peter Ellsworth second Lieutenant and Isaac Rose was ensign Col Clintons Regiment. And he further saith that he enlisted in the said company in February 1776 as a year man that he rendezousen at New Windsor from thence we went to Fort Constitution where we remained untill in the fall when we went to Fort Montgomery. And he further deposeth and saith that he was well acquainted with John Belknap who was a captain in Col Clinton's Regiment and who joined the regiment at the same time that Captain Jackson did and he futher saith that Capt Bellknaps company was stationed at Fort Montgomery during the summer and fall and he further saith that he well recollects that John Bellknaps Company was at Fort Montgomery on the last days of December 1776 in the service of the United States and further he saith not.
William Buchannan

Subscribed & sworn before me July 13th 1838
Robert Denniston, Judge of Orange County Courts

I certify that I am well acquainted with William Buchannan who made and subscribed the above affidavit and believe him to be a man of truth and veracity and that his statements above made are entitled to full credit & belief.
Robert Denniston Judge of Orange County Courts
July 13th 1838
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State of New York, Orange County, ss
I, Lebbeus L. Vail, Clerk, of the Court of Common Pleas, in and for the County of Orange do hereby certify, that Robert Denniston before whom the foregoing affidavit was subscribed and sworn, was, at the time of taking the same, a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in, and for said county: and further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Judge and verily believe that the signature to the said affidavit & certificate is genuine.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said county, the 16th day of July 1838
Lebbeus L. Vail, Clerk
Page 42

J.L. Edwards Esqr
Com of Pensions
Washington

M at July 19
N.Y.
Page 43

J L Edwards Esqr.
Dr Sir
In answer to your letter of the 6th inst addressed to the Hon. N. Jones in relation to the claim of Hannah Coleman widow of Benjamin Coleman in which it is alleged that there is no evidence in your department of the service of Capt John Belkmap's Company in Col Clinton's regiment at Fort Montgomery in the year 1776 and that such service cannot be allowed to the claimant unless satisfactorily explained.
In explanation I would refer you to the certificate of the Secretary of State of the State of New York by which it appears that John Belknap was regularly appointed capt in Col Clinton's regiment in the year 1775. And that it appeared also that on the 20th day of March 1776  he had command of the 8th Company in Col Clinton's regiment. It is proved by the affidavit of Samuel Weed the witness that the company was raised on the first of March 1776 and served until about the 1st of January 1777 when it was disbanded by reason of the men composing said company enlisting into the regular service.
I am led to believe that it is known to the department that in the spring of the year 1776, a regiment of what was called year men under the authority of the Provincial Congress was reused and stationed at Fort Montgomery & Fort Constitution on the Hudson River under Col. Clinton. That two of those companies were raised from the then counties of Orange & Ulster one of which was under command of Capt William Jackson stationed at Fort Constituion. The other under command of Capt. John Belknap & stationed at
Page 44

Fort Montgomery. In the letter the husband of the claimant it is alleged served from the 1st of March 1776 until the 1st of January 1777 as a sergeant. I will be found by the records in your department that the regiment under Col Clinton served until the 1st of Jany 1777 when by the new arrangement then time of service expired as the were only enlisted for the year 1776. Used after that time the Five New York regiments were organized. I may have been guilty of a misnomer in calling the troops under Col Clinton in the year 1776 militia, but being unacquainted with the name given such troops in your department, I called them militia as they were not ceertainly belonged at that time to the Five Regiments which are here commanally called the State troops. Nor were they men who enlisted for three years or during the war which I have been accustomed to call the Continental troops, but I presume no objection will be urged to the claim merely of account of a misnomer of the troops in which the claimants husband served. It is also stated that that it appears from evidence in the department that one of the Lieutenants alleged to have been in service under Capt Belknap in 1776 was at that time [illegible] in a different place. It is true the witness may be mistaken in the name of one of the Lieutenants, but I would suggest that because it appears from the certificate of the appointment of Capt. Belknap that neither of the persons alleged to have served under him in the year 1776 were appointed in the year 1775 in his company as lieutenants should not be urged as an objection to the claim as the company was entirely composed of volunteers & it may well have been that neither of his lieutenants chose to enlist for that year & consequently his Lieutenants
Page 45

procured from other company's as I think it will appear from proof in your department that one of the Lieutenants appointed under Capt Belknap in 1775 was engaged in the Five months service in 1776 under a different Captain and I believe the practice was general in 1776 in reusing volunteer companys to officer said companys with such officers as had volunteered for that service & who enlisted the men for the service.
It is as much a matter of history about Newburgh that John Belknap had a company of men under his command at Fort Montgomery from the spring of the year 1776 until the 1st of Jany 1777 as it is known that Genl Washington discharged his army at this place, in 1783. Capt Belknap lived & died in this town & was a pensioner and received pay as a captain under the law of 1818 or 1828. I am not certain which by reference to his papers the service will perhaps be more fully explained.
Yours Respectfully
H. Armstrong
Newburgh July 16th 1838

[illegible] will you do me the favour to enclose to me a copy of the law of Congress passed the last session extending the pension to widows who may have been married since the close of the Revolutionary war.
H.A.
Page 46

State of New York, Orang County ss
David G. Drake of the town of Goshen in the said county being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he was 78 years old in December last. That he was a soldier in the war of the revolution and that in the year 1776 he belonged to a company of militia of which John Jackson captain and in the regiment commanded by Col Allison. That in the month of September 1779 he the said deponent was called out in the service as a classman under Captain John Jackson and under Lieutenant Eluid Tryon ensign name he does not recolect that they [illegible] at Goshen and went to Dewitts fort on the west side of the Shawangauk Mountain and on the western frontiers of the counties of Orange & Ulster and in the valley of the Neversink and that they remained at the said fort during the term of fifteen days when they were dismissed and went home. This he well recollects and cannot be mistaken in, this service was done under Col. Newkirk.
David G. Drake

Sworn and subscribed this 14th day of June 1838 before me.
Hezekiah Smith
Commissioner of Deeds, &c.

I do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with David G. Drake who made and subscribed the foregoing affidaffit and know him to be a man of truth and veracity and with his statements above made I am fully satisfied and believe that they ought to be entitled to full credit and belief.

Sworn and subscribed before me this fourteenth day of June 1838
Hezekiah Smith
Commissioner of Deeds &c.
Page 47

David G. Drake

Sworn and subscribed this 14th day of June 1838 before me.
Hezekiah Smith
Commissioner of Deeds, &c.

I do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with David G. Drake who made and subscribed the foregoing affidaffit and know him to be a man of truth and veracity and with his statements above made I am fully satisfied and believe that they ought to be entitled to full credit and belief.

State of New York, Orange County, SS.
I, Lebbeus L. Vail, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, in and for the County of Orange, Do Hereby Certify, That Hezekiah Smith before whom the foregoing affidavit was subscribed and sworn, was at the time of taking the same, a Commission of Deeds in, and for said county: and further, that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Commission and verily believe that the signature to the said Affidavit & Certificate is genuine.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my Hand, and affixed the Seal of the said county, the 19th day of June 1838
Lebbeus L. Vail, Clerk
Page 48

House Rep's
June 25, 1838.
Hon. J. L. Edwards, Com. of Pensions.
Sir,
I enlcose herewith two affidavitts made by David G. Drake and one do, made by Lawrence Kortright, referring to claims as I presume, of Benjamin Colman & Joel Colman.
These affidavits I have recd. per mail with a request that I would hand them to H. Armstrong Esq. Mr. A. has, doubtless returned home, as I have not seen him since 22d Inst. I deem it proper therefore, in justice to the claimants, whoever they may be, to lay them before you with the respectful request that the same may be considered.
Very Respetfully Your Obt. Servt.
Nathl Johnes
Page 49

State of New York, Secretary of Office
Copies of letters and extracts from the minutes of the provincial Congress of New York.
[Vol. 15. "Original Letters 1776" page 233.]
{Fort Montgomery 21. April 1776
Gentlemen,
By the bearer hereof Ensign Hunter I send you the Muster Roll of My company taken by Col. Thomas Palmer. Agreeable to your order the muster Roll will show nine men short of my number which I have actually enlisted but are since deserted and strolling out of the way. I expect soon to collect them when I shall make out my return to you completed. My billeting also comes per bearer you will please to furnish the bearer with every necessary for my company allowed by the warrant except blankets which I have procured. The ballance of Billeting money I shall expect and one months pay for my men, I shall be glad to receive as many of them have families who are under such necessaries circumstances that obliges me to advance to them from time to time. I remain gentlemen with esteem your most obliged humble servant
John Belknap Capt.

To the President of the Committee of safety now convened in New York

[Vol. 13. "Original Letters 1776" apge 127]

Fort Montgomery 30 April 1776
Gentleman,
This morning my Lieutenant arrived from New York by which I am informed that I am in Col. Clintons Regiment with which I am well satisfied. But by a list of the arrnagement in his Regiment it appears that I am the
Page 50

5th Captain in rank and Capt. William Jackson the fourth. Therefore in rank before me. You may remember gentlemen that I waited on your immediately on filling up my company which was the 9th of March. Capt. Jackson had not then waited on you neither was his company filled at that time my company by the 10th of March was in actual service. You will please to remember at the same time that I mentioned that in particular and then insisted that no one ought to rank before me that had not filled their company and made report to you before that date except the companies of last year, upon which I had the promise of your Honorable house that no one should, and that you were determined to make that a rule. I humbly conceive that this your hurry of business it has happened by mistake. I therefore beg and insist that may be altered & I placed in my proper rank, which I make not the least doubt at present will be done. But should that not be the case I cannot accept a commission in rank behind Capt. Jackson, but nowithstanding will serve my country in the rank I now stand placed by virtue of my warrant. I am gentlemen with due respect your most humble servt.
John Belknap Capt
Filed May 1. 1776.

Vol. 55 "Minutes of the Provincial Congress Committee of Safety and Convention 1776" page 474
May 1. 1776
"A letter from Capt. John Belknap dated at Fort Montgomery yesterday was read & filed. He therein complains that by the list of arrangement which he has seen of Col. Clinton's Regiment he is placed below Capt. Wm Jackson. That he is willing to service his country, but cannot serve his country in that rank."
Page 51

Vol. 17 "Original Letters 1776" page 309
Extract
"Fort Montgomery Decr. 11. 1776
Gentlemen, 
"I have but a Small Garrison here at present, consisting of five companies of my Regt. (except the artillery) and many of them without shoes and other necessary cloathes [sic] -- they have received no pay Since the first of August last, and if they had money there is no Cloathing nor shoes to be purchased here -- the chief of Capt Swartwonts [not sure about the spelling] company insists that their times were out on the first of this instant and their officers acknowledges it to be So -- five of his company went off this morning without leave almost bare footed. I have sent a party after them, but if they are taken, they will be of no Service here, and many more of them without Shoes and Some other necessaries which if they were provided with I believe they would Serve a while longer contentedly -- if not in my opinion it would be better to discharge them. I wish there could be Some Shoes and Stockings Sent here for the men -- the value of them Should be stopped out of their wages."
(Signed) James Clinton P. Genl."

"To the Honorable }
Pierre Van Cortlandt Prest.}
of the Provincial Congress}
State of New York-Fishkill}
Per Capt Belknap"

Vol. 20. "Original Letters 1777" page 501
Extract
"Gentlemen --- Fort Montgomery 4 January 1777
The Resolves of your house of the 25th Decr. last came Safe to hand, the first of them was desiring me
Page 52

to retain as many of the men at the forts as I could possibly Engage to the first of April next and Suffer all those that are enlisted on the new Establishment to repair to their place of rendesvous [sic] in order to their being Cloathed [sic] &c
In regard to the first resolve I have complied with it as far as laid in my power, but I am sorry to say I could not engage one man out of Capt Swartwonts compy. or Capt. Rosekrans. They are all gone officers as well as soldiers. There is thirteen of Capt. Belknap's Company gone off - nine of them I discharged, as Lieut Hasbrook and Lieut Pawling who enlisted them declared their times were out. Lieut Lee (in Capt Rosekrans absence) produced a list shewing that their companys times were out the first of January. Capt. Jacksons & Childs Stays yet but I cant Say Contentedly." &c &c (long letter)
Signed James Clinton B. Genl.
To the Honorable Contion}
State New York at Fishkill}

Examined & Compared with the Letters & minutes 
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the Seal of this Office this 27th day of July A. D. 1838
Archd. Campbell
Dep. Secretary

It appears by a list among the papers of the provincial Congress of New York giving the "State of the four Regiments raised in the Colony of New York for the Continental Service and the order[perhaps] of their rank" in the year 1775 that James Clinton was Colonel of the 3. of the Said Regiments with rank from June 30. 1775.
Archd. Campbell
Dep. Secretary
Page 53

Dept10.
N.Y.  3532
Addl p'ff[as near as I can tell]
Hannah Coleman,

[off to the right is a scrap of writing visible:]
claims
this

[written vertically downward is the addressee:]
J L Edwards Esq
Comr. of Pensions
Washington


[off to the right is another scrap of writing:]
ment [or meet]
Page 54

JL Edwards Esqr
Dr Sir 
Enclosed I send you the affidavits of John Mc Michael & Genl. Isaac Belknap in support of the Claim of Hannah Coleman Widow of Benjamin Coleman who claims a pension under the act of 1836.
In your last letter in relation to this claim it is alleged that from the evidence furnished in support thereof it appears that there must have been two captains of the name of John Belknap in Col. McClaughry's regiment & Genl Clinton's brigage[sic]. And that this is evident from the return of Col McClaughry dated the 20th of March 1776. That return I would suggest was not made by Capt. John Belknap but by his Colonel. & it is probable that it was founded on the returns of the Captains in his regiment prior to the first of March in that year & should not therefore prejudice the claim
The evidence of John McMicheal & Isaac Belknap both identify John Belknap in the years since in the year 1776, and as the only Captain in that name in Col McCloughry regiment which should be conclusive as to the Service of Benjamin Coleman under Capt John Belknap in the year 1776. Yours Respectfully
H. Armstrong
Newburgh
Sept 6 1838
Page 55

State of New York}
Orange County } Ss. John McMichael of Newburgh in said County being duly Sworn Says that he was aged Seventy Seven year on the sixteenth day of November last. That before & after & at the time of the Revolutionary war this deponent was a resident of the Town of New Windsor in Said County. and that he was acquainted with Captain John Belknap late of Newburgh aforesaid from the time of his earliest recollection until the time of the death of said John Belknap That this deponent knows that said John Belknap was a Captain of a company of Militia of said State from the fall of the year 1775 until the spring of the year 1776. Which Company belonged to the regiment of which James McClaughry was Lieutenant Colonel. That this deponent well recollects that in the winter of the year 1776 the deponent heard that Said John Belknap had received a Captain's Commission and was about raising a company of what was then called years men for the year 1776. that in the month of February or March in the year 1776 this deponent was present at the mustering of Capt Telford's Company of Militia of the aforesaid regiment. and that said Capt John Belknap was there present & saw him there enlisting men from said Company for the years service aforesaid. And that this deponent knows that said Johhn Belknap's Company of years men were Stationed at Fort Montgomery. and belonged to Genl. Clintons Brigade. And that this deponent always understood & believed that said John Belknap entered into the Service of the United States in the Month of March 1776 with his company of years men & Served
Page 56

at fort Montgomery aforesaid the term of their enlistment that this deponent also knew Lieutenant Rawling [or Pawling] & Hasbrouck who were Lieutenants in Capt John Belknap's Company of years men. &  knows that they both resided in the present County of Ulster & out of the bounds of Col McClaughrys regiment. and this deponent also knows that Captain John Belknap who was Capt of a Company of years men in the year 1776 at Fort Montgomery under Genl. Clinton was the Same man that resided within the bounds of Col McClaughry's regiment & had the Command of a Company of Militia of said State belonging to Said regiment in the first part of the year 1776. That the Said John Belknap after the expiration of the years Service aforesaid went into the Commissary department & was purchasing Commissary  for the Army. That this deponent was also acquainted with the Captains in the regiment Commanded by Col McClaughry. & afterwards by Col Newkirk. And that there was no other Captain belonging to said regiment by the name of John Belknap except the one herein referred to and that the aforesaid John Belknap died in the Town of Newburgh aforesaid as this deponent verily believes in the year 1826.
John McMichael
Sworn before me this }
1st day of September 1838.}
the word "called" written over an erasure}
also the words"or March." & the word }
Company erased & the word "regiment"}
interlined before signing}
H Armstrong}
Justice of the Peace}
Page 57

I the undersigned Justice of the Peace before whom the foregoing affidavit of John McMichael was made do certify that I am well acquainted with him & know him to be a man of unblemished reputation & of Sound mental faculties and that his statements under oath are entitled to full credit & belief
H. Armstrong
Justice of the Peace

State of New York}
Orange County} Ss Isaac Belknap of Newburgh in Said County being duly Sworn says that he is aged Seventy Seven  years. that he was well acquainted with Captain John Belknap of Newburgh in said County, and that the Said John Belknap was Captain of a Company of years men Stationed at Fort Montgomery & Constitution in the year 1776 that said Company belonged to Genl Clintons brigade that the Said John Belknap before at & after the revolutionary war resided in the town of Newburgh aforesaid until the time of his death. And this deponent knew the officers of the regiment under the Command of Col McClaughry & after under the Command of Co. Newkirk. & knows that during the revolutionary war there was no other Captain of the name of John Belknap within the bounds of Said regiment except the one here in refered [sic] to. and that said John Belknap was a cousin of the father of this deponent and that he cannot be mistaken in the fact of there
Page 58

any other captain of the name of John Belknap residing within the bounds of Said regiment or brigade except the Said John Belknap who resided in the Town of Newburgh aforesaid & further says not
Isaac Belknap
sworn before me this }
4th day of September 1838. }
the word "said" erased before the }
signing hereof. also }
the words "& Constitution"}
H Armstrong
Justice of the Peace

I certify that I am well acquainted with Genl Isaac Belknap who made the foregoing affidavit & know him to be a man of truth & veracity & entitled to full credit & belief
H Armstrong
Justice of the Peace.

State of New York
Orange County Ss} I Albert S Benton Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the county of Orange aforesaid, do hereby certify that Horace Armstrong, whose name is subscribed to the foregoing affidavits of John McMichael & Isaac Belknap & the Certificates following Said affidavits, was at the several dates therein mentioned a Justice of the Peace in and for Said County; and further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of Said Justice, and verily believe that the Signature to the Said affidavits and Certificates is genuine -- In witness whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and affixed the Seal of the Said County the 5th day of September 1838
A.S. Benton - Clerk