Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 18378, John De Groat, Continental (New York)

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[handwritten on printed card]

SERVICE
Continental (New York)
DeGroat, John
NUMBER
S.18378
Carded

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For the purpose of obtaining the benefit of An act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the Army of the Revolution approved on the fifteenth of May 1828. I John DeGroat now of Madrid in the County of St Lawrence in the State of New York do hereby declare that I enlisted in the Continental Line of the Army of the Revolution for and during the war and continued in its service until its termination at which period  was a musician in Captain Gayon's Company ^[insert] of Artillery in the New York Line, the number of the Regiment I do not recollect, but it was commanded by Col. Stevens - And that at the termination of the war I received a certificate for the reward of Eighty Dollars to which I was entitled under a resolve of Congress passed the 15th May 1778 -
And I further declare that I was not on the fifteenth day of March 1828 on the Pension List of the United States -
John DeGroat [signature]
(over)

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[handwritten]

Before me George Redington a Justice of the Peace duly empowered to administer oaths in the County of St Lawrence in the State of New York personally appeared this day Peter Browse and Peter Goodman now of the said County who did severally make oath that John DeGroat by whom the foregoing declaration was subscribed is generally reputed and believed to have been a musician in the Army of the Revolution in manner as therein stated - Witness my hand this 29th day of September 1828 -
Peter Browse [signature]
Peter his X mark Goodman ['x' between first and last name]
Sworn before me this 29th day of Sept 1828}
Geo Redington Justice Peace}

I James G. Hopkins Clerk of the Court of the County of St Lawrence in the State of New York do certify that George Redington before whom the foregoing Affidavits were sworn was at the time a Justice of the Peace in the town of Madrid in the County and State aforesaid and duly empowered to administer oaths - In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the said Court this first day of October in the year 1828 -
J. G. Hopkins Clk

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[handwritten]

Recd 30 July 1833

State of New York
St Lawrence County ss On this Twenty Eighth day of June in the Year of our Lord One thousand Eight hundred and thirty three personally appeared before the Subscriber & Justice of the Peace in and for said County, John DeGroat, who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that by reason of his great age and infirmities and the consequent loss of memory he is unable to state Parts and Dates with precision and certainty, but that according to the best of his recollection and belief it was in the month of November in the year Seventeen hundred and Eighty. He enlisted as a Drummer in the Artillery troops in the Continental line of the Army of the Revolution. That he enlisted at the village of New Windsor about three miles below the Village of Newburgh on the North River in the State of New York. Deponent resided at this time near New Windsor and there was a Recruiting  Rendezvous in the Village. He cannot recollect the name of the Recruiting Officer but he well recollects the names of the Sergeant who enlisted him which was Cochran - During the following winter the troops were in Barracks about a mile above New Windsor Village - but Deponent did not join them until the next Spring being detained by the Captain as his servant - In the Spring of Seventeen Hundred and Eighty One Deponent joined the army at their Quarters and was attached to Captain Guions Company in Colonel Stevens Regiment of Artillery. Major Doty is the only Field Officer named and Lieut Thompson attached to Capt Guions Company the only Company Officer names he now recollects during the following season The Troops were ordered to [?] and this Deponent marched under the above Officers through White Plains and other places to Trenton in New Jersey where ^[insert] they took shipping and landed a short distance below Philadelphia, they encamped here a few days and were then marched to Elk River where they again took shipping and sailed for James River where they joined the main Army and immediately commenced digging trenches and throwing up Batteries, Deponent was at the Battle of York Town and surrender of Cornwallis, a short time after this Battle his Regiment was ordered to the North, and they pro-

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[handwritten]

[pro]ceeded that Fall as far a Burlington in New Jersey where they went into Barracks - The Regiment remained at Burlington until some time the next Summer or Fall when they marched to New Winsor and remained here but left a short time when they went down to West Point - at West Point Capt Guions Company was detached and entered Albany to relieve a Company stationed there - They remained at Albany during the following Winter and until the next June when they proceeded to West Point where they were discharged. 
Deponent received a written or printed discharge but being then unable to read or write He cannot say by whom it was signed at the time of his discharge he received three and a half months pay - which if he recollects right was an order on Capt Guions Store at all event Capt Guion had established a store and being in want of clothes He took the amount of his pay out of the store - the above at the same time received his Drum which was given to him by the Officers - Deponent has received no other bounty except Fifty Dollars and a Guinea which was paid him at the time of his Enlistment
John DeGroat [signature]
Sworn & subscribed before me the 28th day of June 1833
Willm Ogden Justice Peace [signature]

State of New York
St Lawrence County} ss I Alvin C Low Clerk of the said County do hereby certify that William Ogden Esq before whom the foregoing affidavits purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same a Justice of the Peace in & for said County duly elected & sworn and that I a well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice of the Peace and verily believe that his name subscribed

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[handwritten]

Act 1828
Settled at
Treasury
Consd with 
Invalid file
#18,378

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[handwritten and printed]

1171
No. of [illegible] 751 [underline]
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIMS.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
7 Nov 1828.

John De Groat of Madrid in the County of St Lawrence in the State of New York has applied to the Secretary of the Treasury for the benefits of the act, entitled "An Act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the Revolution," approved the 15th of May, 1828. He states that he enlisted in the Continental line of the army of the Revolution, for and during the war, and continued until its termination, at which period he was a Private - in captain Gayon - 's company, in the Artillery regiment of the New York line; and that he received a certificate for the reward of eighty dollars, provided by the resolve of the 15th of May, 1778; and further, that he was not on the 15th day of May, 1828, on the pension list of the United States, and that he has received as a pensioner since the 3d of March, 1826, nothing.
The Third Auditor is requested to report how far the several statements are corroborated by the records in his office.
By order of the Secretary F A Dickins.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
THIRD AUDITOR'S OFFICE, 
10th November 1828
It appears by the records in this office, that a certificate for the reward of eighty dollars has been issued to John Degrote [sic] in ['the' lined out] Lamb's Artillery (N. York)
It further appears that John Degrote [sic] is ^[insert] not now on the pension list of ['the' lined out] any ----agency, and has ^[insert] not been so since the 3d March 1826 ["at the rate of" lined out] ["dollars per month" lined out]
Peter Hagner [?] [signature]
63,526

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[typewritten]

RA-J/MCS
John DeGroat, S.18378

Mrs. George S. Mawhinney
22 Villa Road
Larchmont, New York

Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you state that you do not know the full name of your DeGroat ancestor and would like all possible assistance in locating his Revolutionary War record. 
The record is furnished you herein, of a John DeGroat who served with the New York troops in the Revolutionary War, which may aid you somewhat.
The data which follow were taken from papers on file in pension claim, S. 18378, based on the military service of John DeGroat.
The date and place of birth of John DeGroat and the names of his parents are not shown. 
While living near New Windsor, New York, John DeGroat enlisted in November, 1780, in Captain Guion's Company in Colonel John Lamb's Regiment of Continental Artillery, served as drummer with rank of private, was at the battle of Yorktown and the surrender of Cornwallis there and was discharged in June, 1783. 
John DeGroat was allowed pension on his application executed September 29, 1828, at which time he gave his residence as Madrid, St. Lawrence County, New York, age not shown. His residence in 1832 was Madrid, New York.
In 1839, it was stated that he was a resident of Williamsburg, "Upper Canada."
There are no data relative to the family of John DeGroat.

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[typewritten]

Because of his Revolutionary War service, John DeGroat received Warrant #7073 for 100 acres of bounty land from the United States and this warrant was issued August 20, 1790, to William Cummings, assignee. For information relative to the location of this land, it is suggested that you address the Commissioner of the General Land Office, Interior Department, this city, giving the warrant number, the acreage and the date the warrant was issued.
Because of his service in the Revolutionary War, John 
DeGroat received 600 acres of bounty land from the state of New York. For information relative to this land, it is suggested that you consult the archives at Albany, New York.
John DeGroat died January 23, 1852.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator

See agency Book [handwritten with a line drawn to the last sentence]

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[handwritten]

"Revolutionary Claims" [underlined]
Waddington, N.Y.
8 Sept
Free
De Groate
Hon. Louis McLane
Secretary N. Y. Treasury
City of Washington

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[printed and handwritten]

Re'd 18 Sept 1832
680.
Revolutionary Claims.
Under the act, entitled "An act for the relief of certain surviving Officers and 
Soldiers of the Army of the Revolution," approved 15th May, 1828.

Before me, James L Thayer - a Justice of the Peace for the County of St Lawrence in the State of New York - personally appeared this day, John DeGroat now of Madrid - in the County of St Lawrence in the State of New York - , who exhibited to me a certificate issued by the Secretary of the Treasury, numbered - 794 - and date the third day of August 1829, setting forth that he is entitled to pay, under the above=mentioned act, as a surviving Matross -- in the New York - line of the Army of the Revolution; and the said John DeGroat - then and there made oath that he is the person named in the said certificate, and in testimony thereof, signed his name to this affidavit. And that I know the said John DeGroat - to be the person whom he represents himself to be.
Witness my hand, this fourth - day of September in the year 1832. 
Sworn to & subscribed this 4th day of September 1832. before me -}
J L Thayer J. Peace}
John DeGroat [signature]

Note.- The nearest Branch Bank of the U. S. is at Utica, New York
The most convenient post=office is at Waddington, St Lawrence Co N.Y.

I, Alvin C Low - Clerk of the Court of the County of St Lawrence in the State of New York do hereby certify that James L Thayer before whom the foregoing affidavit was sworn, was, at the time, a Justice of the Peace for the said County, and duly empowered to administer oaths. And I believe his signature to be genuine.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court, this [blank] day of [blank] in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty=two.

The magistrate is the same before whom the last declaration was made for March 3d last - & the clk thru mistake has put the certificate upon the back -

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638
State of New York}
St Lawrence County} ss I Alvin C Low Clerk of the County of St Lawrence in the State of New York do hereby certify that James L Thayer before whom the within affidavit purports to have been made was at the time of taking said affidavit a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly elected and sworn and that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice of the Peace and and [duplicate] verily believe that the signature to the said affidavit purports to be his is genuine
In testimony whereof I have here unto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County this 5th day of September 1832
A C Low Clk

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[handwritten]

Re'd [received]18 Sept 1832
4984
Waddington Sept 4th 1832
Hon Louis McLane
Secretary US Treasury
Dr Sir
Enclosed I send the form duly filled up to entitle me to my half yearly payt [payment] due upon my pension Sept 3rd 1832 -
I have never yet re'd [received] the payt [payment] due me on the 3rd March last & am particularly desirus [sic] of asurtaining [sic] the reason why a payt [payment] was never sent & if sent what is the cause of its not arriving here - the forms forwarded by the Department were duly filled up & returned. but no answer was ever rec'd [received] from them - I have written once since to asurtain [sic] the course of not receiving it. but rec'd [received] no answer -
By granting the above information you will much oblige
[?] &c
John DeGroat [signature]
ps. I should be glad to receive a draft for the whole together as I suppose this form answers for both payts [payments] & the records show that I have never rc'd [received] it. -

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[handwritten]

completed with his declaration - it shows he rec'd the land -
Mr. Isaac Plumb
Ogdensburgh
N.Y.

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[handwritten]

Secretary's Office
Albany Oct. 14. 1839.
Sir,
Your letter of the 8th in relation to John DeGroat, enclosing one dollar was rec'd this day.
In answer I have to inform you that on Examining the records I find that Lot No. 15 in the Township of Romulus in the Military Tract (now in the county of Seneca) containing 600 acres was granted to John DeGroat a Drummer in Col. John Lambs Regiment of artillery and at the case of the war belonging to Capt. Doughtys Company, by Letters patent dated July 9 1790. the patent ~ was delivered to William Cummings by the Secretary of State -
It appears that the said lot was awarded by the Onondaga Commissioners to Robert Troup on the 27th of February 1802 - This award I presume settles the title and it will be in vain for the heirs of DeGroat to look after the land now 
I have no doubt Mr. Troup had good title to it.
Your respectfully
Arch.d [Archibald] Campbell
Dep. Secretary
Mr. Isaac Plumb

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[handwritten]

Hon'ble Sir
I [?] have to inform you the John DeGroat a Drummer in Colonel John Lambs Regiment of Artillery in the New York Line of the Revolution was placed on the Pension list under the Act of May 1828 and Rec'd his pension up to March 1832. That for some reasons unanswered to him he has Rec'd none since the latter period which leaves him in a suffering state

Now Hon [?] Sir
As the said DeGroat is almost an unlettered man and having also in that state of debility incident to his years he has duly commissioned me to act for him. Therefore in his name and in the name of Charity I implore you to lift the affair and see where the Error lies. I have sent herewith the enclosed papers as a further proof of the justice of his claim which papers will be reputed together with an answer at your earliest opportunity by Hon'ble Sir
your much obliged and obedient servant
Isac Plumb [signature]

Hon'ble the Secretary at War ---
Ogdensburgh
NY 29th Oct. 1839

Ps. It is possible the error lies in his place of Residence being stated Madrid in the County St Lawrence instead of Williamsburgh upper Canada

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[handwritten]

OGDENSBURGH OCT 20 NY [postal ink stamp]
Nov 4
Jno DeGroat
act 1828 [?]
Vol. 20 No 5714
[?] No 6092 [lined out]
draft from [lined out]
Revolutionary Claim
Hon'ble Jacob R Pointset
Secretary at War
War office Washington

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[handwritten]

In the matter of John DeGroat a Pension

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[handwritten]

to the said affidavits to be his proper hand writing and signature - In testimony whereof I I [duplicate] have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County this 20th day of July 1832
A C Low clk

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"Revolutionary Claims"
Waddington N.Y.
Free
Hon. Louis McLane
Secretary U. S. Treasury
City of Washington

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[handwritten]

Rec'd 7 June 1832
Waddington St Lawrence Co. State of New York -
May 28th 1832

Hon Louis McLane
Secretary US Treasury.
Dr Sir
at the request of Benja Runions & John DeGroat US. Pensions under the act of May 15. 1828. I write asking some information relative to the cause of them not receiving drafts for their half yearly payment due 3 March last - the necessary papers to enable them to draw were duly presented about the 4th March & sure which they have heard nothing from them-
Your reply to the above directed to either of them or to me will confer a favor as there asking the information.
Yours Respectfully
Geo Redington

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[handwritten]

Isaac Plumb
Nov 11. 1839
G.C.

Record 7119 Page 41

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[handwritten]

War Dept
Pen: off
Nov. 11.39

Sir
The pension Certificate of Jno. D. Groat under the act of 15 May 28 is herewith returned - The pension agent at Albany has been instructed to resume the payment of his pension as the certifi ^[insert] cate [certificate] of the DgSecy of New York shows that the ^[insert] patent of land awarded to the soldier of his name in Lamb's Regiment was obtained by Wm Cumming to whom he alleges in his original declaration, he delivered his discharge -

Isaac Plumb esqr
Ogdensburg
NY.

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[handwritten]

De Groat
suspended

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[handwritten]

Rec'd 26 April 1832
4483
Odgensburgh April 17.1832
Dear Sir,
I have made some inquiries concerning the pension papers which you refund to me & regret to find that there is reason to doubt the correctness of at least three of the cases. I shall when the grounds are settled, see the Hon Jason Fenton, & learn deffinately [sic] about all the cases you mention. From Mr Henry Church a merchant of Madrid I learn the following particulars, which are supported in many points by information derived from Hon D C Ledson John DeGroat - Supposed above been a tory - does now & has for many years (more than 20) constantly resided in Canada - All his witnesses reside, & always have in Canada. Mr C has [?]money for him but does not think he ought to have a pension
Walter Barringer & Benjamin Runions
The same -

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[handwritten]

Mr. C. says Redington, the Justice, is reported to have charged, (he thinks) Barringer $70 for obtaining his pension for him.
Luke Bowmon, he does not know, but, I learn from Michael Daniels, a man of veracity, that he does now, & has for more than 20 years, & probably all his life, reside in Canada. 
Ellis, I should think might be entitled to a pension, & I presume lives in Madrid - His witness Elisha Denison, I have never heard impeached, though his age may have rendered him subject to imposition - Minor, the Justice, who certifies in his behalf is a fair man -
I will write fully when I have seen Judge Fenton -
Yours truly
R H Gillet
Hon. C. Dayan
Mr. R. H. Gillet is Post Master at Ogendensburgh St Lawrence Co N.Y. and a gentleman of standing & reputation
C Dayan

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[handwritten]

John DeGroat
See let. to T. W. Olcott &
Isaac Plumb, Nov. 11. 1839
John DeGroat,
N.Y. roll (Albany)
Act May 15. 1828.

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[typewritten on letterhead]

VETERANS ADMINISTRATION
WASHINGTON August 17, 1939
[illegible crossed out with 'x']
IN REPLY REFER TO:
BA-J/MMHF:MLB

Mrs. George S. Mawhinney
22 Villa Road
Larchmont, New York

Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request a list of the Revolutionary War pensioners of New Jersey with surname De Groat or De Groot. 
Because of the great demand for Revolutionary War data and the limited trained clerical force available for furnishing such information, it has not been possible to prepare list of Revolutionary War pensioners for one person or organization. 
If you can ascertain the full name of your ancestor with the surname DeGroat, a search of the records will be made in your behalf and a report furnished.
Very truly yours
A D Hiller [signature]
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator

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[handwritten on letterhead]

Mrs. George S. Mawhinney
22 Villa Road
Larchmont, New York

[ink stamped] Received Aug 25 1939 Mail Suc Div Reader No. 29 
Vets Adm

Mr Hiller
Dear Sir -
I do not know the name of my ancestor and thought you would help me locate the family.
So far spelled the name with an A.
That I think if you have a record of a soldier or some

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[handwritten]

person with other services spelling the name De Groat I might be able to locate the family and then find just which one was my ancestor. 
Will you please give me any names spelled with an A either in N.Y. or N J.
I will greatly appreciate it for them

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I can go on with my search. All I know of the DeGroat family is that my grandmother was Eliza DeGroat.
I am the youngest of a big family all the older ones have passed on and I never was told where they lived.
Very truly yours.
Alice Mawhinney
(Mrs G)
I don't believe you will have many with that spelling

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[handwritten on printed form]

P 18378
INVALID.
Cert 794.
File No. 18,378 $100 per an.
John DeGroat
Drummer Rev War
N Y Arty line
No 751
Act: May 15th 28
on N Y roll
Index: - Vol. 1, Page [illegible]
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Continental
1940 Jan 22 hist to Mrs. Geo. S. Mawhinney N Y

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[handwritten on printed form]

ACT OF JULY 14, 1862. [lined out]
REJECTED [ink stamp]
John DeGroat
Pri Cpt Cochran's Co.
U. S. Arty
War 1776
Discharged [blank], 186
consolidated with O. W. Inv. File 18,378
670 1/2
Received [blank], 187