Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W, 5767, John Ball, New York

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(3-1776)

SERVICE   NUMBER

New York  Ball, John  W.5767

Anna B.L. Wt. 1197-200

Contents

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John Ball 
Copy

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State of New York
County of SARATOGA, 
SS.

ON this twenty fifth day of August, 182_ personally appeared in Court, in the Court of Common Pleas of the said County, the same being Court of Record for said County, proceeding according to the course of the common law with a jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount, having a record of its proceedings and having the power of fine and imprisonment, John Ball aged Sixty Five years, resident in the said County, in the State aforesaid, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, declare that he served in the Revolutionary war as follows:

"that on the 2d day of March 1776, he was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant in Col. Cornelius Wynkoop's Regt, New York line that he served in that regt till October following when he rec'd a commission of 1st Lieutenant in Col. Gansevoort's Regt. of the same line and served in the same regiment till July 1778, when by a reorganization he was arranged out of service."

That his original declaration was made on or about the fifth day of April, 1818 and that his Pension Certificate is numbered 106.

And I solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818; and that I have not since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress, entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary war," passed on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts or debts, due to me; nor have I any income other that what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed. 

Sworn to and declared on the twenty fifth day of August 1821, before me in open Court.

John Ball

Thomas Palmer, Clerk

I, Thomas Palmer, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Saratoga do hereby certify that the foregoing Oath and the schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of the said Court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule, is fifty one dollars and sixty five cents.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said court, on the twenty fifth day of August, 1821.

Thomas Palmer
Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Saratoga

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An inventory of schedule of the property of the within named John Ball:

2 old tables $3, 1 chest $1.50, candle stand 50 ct $5.00
9 old chairs 3/a piece, 1 small cooking __ 4.62
2 small oven pots $1.50 1 old tea kettle .50ea 2.25
5 old pewter plates $1.50 9 earthen plates .5ea 2.25
2 sugar bowls 30 ct  5 earthen cups & saucers 50ct 0.80
7 tea cups and saucers 30cts 11 old knives & forks 1 ___ 2.30
7 table pewter spoons 21cts 1 shovel __ 2 cider casks $2 3.21
1 cider barrel 50 cts, 2 old ___ 5 cts 2 earthen ___ 30ct 1.50
2 old meat barrels 15cts 2 white pitchers 30cts 1 decanter 30ct 1.30
2 tumblers 16ct, 3 small stone __ 45ct 3 small __ __ _ 0.99
2 earthen cream cups 18ct ? ron candlesticks 25ct 2 bowls $6ea 0.74
2 wooden pails 50ct 2 small tin pails .50ct 1 __ 5 cts 1.70
1 pair of andirons 5cts 1 ___ 2yea old $12.00 2 spring ___ 4 16.75
1 small hog $3 1 small sow & pigs $5 8.00
$51.65
I live on a small place which I have lived for one year My family exists of myself and wife aged 44 years 1 daughter aged 11 years. 1 son 5 years of age & one daughter aged 3 ys.  I have __ for many years I have been subject to bodily infirmities which I think originated from my privations and sufferings in the war of the revolution. I am not able to labour and would not ask from my Country what I now do, did not hard necessity compel me, the gratitude of my country for services which I cheerfully rendered is the only resource and consolation in worldly concerns, to which I took for the remnants of my life:
John Ball

Sworn to in open Court
Thomas Palmer Clerk

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Warrant No 1197 - issued to John Ball supernumerary Lieut of the New York Line for 2.00 acres of Land
December 22d 1826
and delivered to John W. Taylor

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State of New York
County of Saratoga

I John Ball of Ballston County & State aforesaid aged seventy years do upon oath declare that in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy-six I was appointed a first Lieut in Aaron Aorson's Company in the third New York Regiment Commanded by Peter Gansevoort, Esquire raised to serve during the Revolutionary War and that I did serve as first Lieut. in said regiment until in the year one thousand seven Hundred and seventy eight by an act of Congress I was discharged as one of the supernumerary Officers of the Army.

I further declare that I have never received a warrant for the bounty Land promised to me on the part of the United States nor have I ever assigned or transferred any claim in any manner whatsoever. Therefore know all men by these presents that John Ball of Ballston aforesaid do hereby constitute and appoint Joseph Taylor of the City of Washington to be my true and lawful attorney for me and in my name to demand and receive from the Secretary of War of the United Sates a warrant for the Quantity of Land due to me as aforesaid any any said Attorney is hereby fully authorized and empowered to constitute and appoint one [illegible] substitute or Attorneys under him for the special purpose above expressed

John Ball

Attest
A Goodrich

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I Joshua L Pell, aged thirty eight years and upwards, do upon oath testify and declare that I have been long acquainted with John Ball who has subscribed the above declaration in my presence and well know that he is the identical person he therein represents himself to be and further I know or do believe that he did perform the military services therein stated- J L Pell 
attest A. Goodrich

Before me-  Alpheus Goodrich Justice __ personally appeared the above named John Ball ascribes to the foregoing [declaration] and in my presence acknowledged the power of attorney hereto subjoined to be his free act and deed, and likewise personally appeared Joshua L. Pell who hath subscribed the above certificate of identity both to me well known to be men of [respectability] and truth and made solemn oath to the truth of the depositions by them respectively subscribed this seventh day of December 1826.

A. Goodrich Justice

Saratoga County, NY:
In testimony that the above written Alpheus Goodrich was a magistrate authorized to administer oaths and take acknowledgments &c. in the State of New York at the above date and that his name there subscribed appears to me to be his actual signature. I have here unto affixed the County Seal and subscribed my name and quality at Ballston Spa this 7 December 1826.

Thomas Palmer Clerk
Saratoga County

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173
New York
John Ball
of Saratoga Co. in the State of N. York who was a Lieutenant in the company commanded by Captain Van Vechter of the Regiment commanded by Colonel Gansevoort in the New York line, for the term of two years from March 1776 to July 1778

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

Certificate of Pension issued the 4 of August 1832 and sent to Pension Schuylerville, NY

Arrears to 4th of March 1832    $320.--
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4 Sep    $160--
                                                   $480.--

Revolutionary Claim Acts 7 June 1832
Rec: Book D.
Vol: 5, fol: 146

Written sideways on other side:
Letter to pensioner Feb 7 1835
Let to Hon. John [illegible] 18 January 1836

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State of New York
Saratoga County

John Ball a resident of the town & county of Saratoga a state of New York aged Seventy Six years, on this twenty seventh day of July in the year Eighteen hundred & thirty two personally appeared before me Stephan H. Dillingham one of the Justice of the Peace in {illegible] the County of Saratoga and being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832. 

That on the fourth day of March 1776 he was appointed & commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in a company commanded by Capt. Samuel Van Vechten in the 4th New York Regiment commanded by Col. Cornelius Wynkoop of whereof Philip Van Cortlandt was Lieut. Colonel- That he served in the Northern Department  in the State of New York during that campaign and sometime in the month of October of that year he was appointed as First Lieut. in a company commanded by Aaron Austin in the third New York Regiment commanded by Peter Gansevoort [illegible] whereof Marinus

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Willet Esq. was Lieut. Colonel and Robert Cochran was Major of which Regiment was placed on the continental establishment during the war that in 1777 he served with that  Regiment at Fort Stanwix-- That said fort in the months of July & August was besieged by the British & Indians under the command of General Baron St. Ledger which lasted for the term of twenty one days. That during said siege Col. Willet was ordered out with a detachment of two hundred were to make a sortie upon the Enemy. 

That after two Captains had refused to go out as Col. Willet's aid he Lieut. Ball volunteered his services to Col. Willet who cheerfully accepted him remarking that he was about to tender station to him. That at about nine O clock A.M. the detachment marched out  against the Besiegers. That as they entered a grove of wood on the Mohawk River about half a mile from the Fort, they were attacked by the Enemy commanded by Col Sir John Johnson with his Regiment and four companies of Tories commanded by Col Butler and as he was informed after the action and believes there were not less than three hundred Indians also opposed to the small detachment. That from three different engagements with the Enemy, the detachment drove them across the Mohawk River--plundered and destroyed Col. Butlers' Encampment and also and Indian encampment on the south side of the River  about one mile from the Fort. That on their return laden with the spoils of the Enemy and as they emerged from the woods into an open

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field in sight of the Fort, they were attacked by Sir John Johnson with a reinforcement of four Companies of Regulars from St Ledger's (Leger's) encampment and the Detachment received from the Fort are in forcement of fifty men under the command he thinks of Capt Johnson of the third N.Y. Regiment.

That a close and severe contest ensued in which the little band of Americans stood opposed to not less than seven or eight hundred of the enemy as the Prisoners and Deserters who entered the Fort afterwards acknowledged. As was ascertained by the watches of the American officers who viewed the battle from the walls of the Fort, the combat lasted for eleven minutes when the Enemy ceased to fire and retreated. The detachment then gave three cheers, huzzaed for America and protected by an overruling Providence marched triumphant to the garrison laden with the tropics of victory without the loss of a man or even the receipt of a scratch or wound and  bringing with them as Prisoners Lieut. Singleton and three soldiers of the British Army. The day following General St Ledger (Leger) sent in to the fort a flag borne by Col Ancrain acting Adjutant Genl. of the British Army demanding an immediate surrender of the Garrison and the American forces as Prison of war stating that in case of refusal Genl. St Ledger (Leger)  would not be enabled longer to restrain the savages from going down the Mohawk River and massacring the women & children with the tomahawk & knife as they were greatly engaged with the loss of two of their chiefs and

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a number of their warriors who had fallen in
the battle the day before Col. Ancrain represented the Enemies loss at twenty seven killed and many wounded.  The year following there was a derangement by order of Congress to reduce the number of
Officers and it was the misfortune of Ball
(he being the oldest Lieut. in the Regiment) to have his further services dispensed with. That a commendation of his conduct at fort Stanwix and an estimate of his worth as an officer may be seen in the Department of War under the signature of Col Willet.  That he has since 1818 continued to receive up to the present time his pension under the act of Congress of that year and he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity except the present and he declares that his
name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency
except on that of the State of New York under the aforesaid.

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me
John Ball

S.H. Dillingham [illegible]

I do certify that the above named S.H. Dillingham is a Justice of the peace in and for the County of Saratoga in State of New York

Cyrus Cherland
Commissioner of deeds

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State of New York
City & County Schenectady

On the Second day March 1853 [illegible] Stephen H Johnson [illegible] Schenectady County [illegible] County personally appear Anna Ball who being first sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the pension made by the Act of Congress passed February 1853. That the is the widow of John Ball late a resident of Columbia and Saratoga Counties, NY [illegible] a pensioner of the United States at the rate of three hundred & twenty dollars per annum.  That her husband [illegible] John Ball due in the County of Saratoga & State of NY in the seventh day of November in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight that he was in to the said John Ball [illegible] of the
Reformed Dutch church at a [illegible] Schuylerville County of Saratoga in State aforesaid on the thirty first day of March in the
year one thousand eight hundred and eight [illegible] bore the name Anna Swart and that she is now a widow not having married since the death of her husband.

Subscribed & Sworn to before me this day of March 1853
for Anna Ball

Stephen H Johnson

County Judge of [illegible]

I certify that Anna Ball the above Declarant & now confirm  [illegible] from keep & is therefore made to appear in open court [illegible] certify that I have no interest in the subject matter of the [illegible] either directly or indirectly or in any man which may be expect [illegible]

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Anna Ball widow of John Ball Act of Feby 3 1853


From Wm Valentine Albany NY

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(Extract)

March thirty first one thousand eight hundred and eight John Ball to Anna Swart

State of New York
County of Saratoga SS

Samuel T Searle of Schuylerville in the County and State aforementioned being first duly sworn according to law, deposeth that he is the present Pastor of the Reformed Dutch Church of Saratoga. That he officiates in the Church at Schuylerville aforesaid and has in his possession the original record marriages as recorded by the Rev. Philip Dwyer.  That the foregoing appears on said record under the running hear of marriage and is a true extract therefrom except the date which is written thereon in fair legible figures as following.  March 30 1808

Samuel T Searle

Subscribed & Sworn to before me the Eighth day March 1853
Gilbert Purdy Justice of the peace

I certify that I am personally acquainted with the Rev Samuel S. Searle who executed the foregoing and that he is the identical person above named & described. I further certify that I have no interest either direct or indirectly in the matter nor in any money which may be expected or derived therefrom

Gilbert Purdy Justice of the peace

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State of New York,
Saratoga County Clerk's Office

I, JAMES W. HORTON, clerk of the said County, do hereby certify, That Gilbert Purdy whose name is subscribed to the annexed affidavit, was, at the date of said affidavit, a Justice of the Peace of the County of Saratoga, dwelling in said County; duly qualified; and that I am well acquainted with the hand-writing of the said Gilbert Purdy, and verily believe that his signature to the annexed instrument is genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my name, and affixed the Seal of said County, thi 23 day of March in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty three.

James W Horton Clerk

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668

New York Albany 

Anna Ball widow of John Ball NY who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Lieutenant. 

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 320 Dollars 00 Cents per annum to commence on [crossed out: 4th day of March 1848.] 3rd February 1853

Certificate of the Pension issued the 11th day of June 1853 and sent to 

Wm. Valentine
Albany N.Y.

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under of [crossed out: July 29, 1848], Page 69 Vol. A

She d. May 10 1853
1832

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Rev. and 1812
Wars Section 
AWF/EEL

August 30, 1929

Mrs. C.W. Smith
72 Wyndmere Avenue
Ridgewood, New Jersey 

Dear Madam:

I advise you from the papers on the Revolutionary War pension claim, W.5767, it appears that John Ball was born July 27, 1756, place not stated. 

He was appointed March 2 or 4 , 1776 as Second Lieutenant in Captain Samuel Van Veghten's Company, Colonel Cornelius Wynkoop's New York Regiment. In October of the same year he was appointed First Lieutenant in Captain Aaron Aorson's Company, Colonel Peter Gansevoort's New York Regiment. In 1777, he volunteered and went with Lieutenant Colonel Marinus Willet to the relief of Fort Stanwix and was discharged in July, 1778. 

He was allowed pension on his application executed March 21, 1818 at which time he was living in Balleston, Saratoga County, New York. 

He died November 7, 1838, in Saratoga County, New York.

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The soldier married March 31, 1808, in Saratoga County, New York, Anna Swart. 

She was allowed pension on her application executed March 2, 1853, at which time she was living in Schenectady County, New York, aged about seventy-seven years. She died May 10, 1853. 

The children referred to in 1820 were two daughters aged eleven and three years and a son  five years of age. No names are stated. 

The above noted is the history of the only soldier named John Ball, of New York, on account of whose service in the War of the Revolution pension was ever claimed. 

Very truly yours, 
E.W. Morgan 
Acting Commissioner.

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1893 Feb 18
Hist to Hiram Carleton, Montpelier, VT. [illegible]
1917, Jan. 11 History to Frederic H. Ball [illegible]
-----------
1929 July 5 Hist to Hon. Randolph Perkins [illegible]
1929 Aug 30 Hist to Mrs C W Smith [illegible]

-------
Revy WIDOW, &c.
File No. 5767
Anna Ball
Widow
John Ball
Lieut. Rev War
Act:  1832
Index:--Vol. A, Page 30
[Arrangement of 1870]

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See letter to Hon. J.W. Taylor H.R. Feb 7 1831 do 22 March 1832. Do to Ball 21 July 1832

---------
(106)
New York
John Ball 
New York

Lieutenant, Army U.S.
March 1776
July 1778

At $20 per mo: com 5th April 1818.
Certified 7th April, 1818.
sent to Honorable Mr Taylor, House of Representatives U. States

[illegible] to 11th Sept 1818. 5 months $100.

Rev. J. Claim,
18th March, 1818.
Col Gansevoort
Continued
Ballston Saratoga

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State of New York, County of Schenectady, Clerk's Office, SS.

I, Marvin Strong, Clerk of the County of Schenectady, Do Hereby Certify, that S. H. Johnson Esq. whose name is subscribed to the CERTIFICATE of the proof of acknowledgment of the annexed instrument and thereon written, was at the time of taking such proof or acknowledgment a Judge & [illegible] for the City and County of Schenectady, dwelling in the said City, commissioned and sworn, and duly authorized to take the same.  And farther, That I am well acquainted with the hand writing of such Judge, and verily believe that the signature to the said Certificate of proof or acknowledgment is genuine, and that said instrument is executed and acknowledged according to the laws of this State.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said County, the  day of   185 .

Marvin Strong Clerk

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Mrs. Ball

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State of New York
County of Schenectady

Cornelia A Morton of Schenectady NY being duly sworn according to law deposeth that Anna Ball who executes the annexed Declaration is the identical widow of John Ball [illegible] who was a pensioner of the United States at the rate of three hundred and twenty dollars and died in Saratoga County NY on the seventh day of November in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight and left Anna Ball aforesaid a widow and that she still remains a widow.

Cornelia A. Morton

Subscribed & Sworn to before me this 2d day
March 1853

[illegible] "Cornelia A. Morton" before execution
[illegible]
County Judge
Schenectady County

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John Ball's Application for a Pension

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John Ball
21st
John Taylor one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Saratoga

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To the Secretary at War of the United States


[illegible]


and further that by reason of his present reduced circumstances in life he is in need of assistance from his county. 
Given and my hand at Charlton the 21 day of March 1818

John Taylor 

I certify that John Taylor is a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Saratoga in the State of New York & that the above & the within are his signatures. Dated April 5, 1818
John W. Taylor

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State of New York 
Saratoga County 

I John Ball of Ballston do certify and declare that in the month of March in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy-six, I was appointed a second Lieut. in Capt. Samuel Van Vechten's Company in the fourth New York Regiment Commanded by Col. Cornelius Wynkoop and sent as such in said regiment until October of the same year when I was appointed a first Lieut. in Col. Peter Gansevoort's regiment which was the third regiment in the New York line raised to serve during the War and that I continued to serve in said regiment until the year one thousand seven Hundred and seventy eight when by an act of Congress I was discharged as one of the supernumerary Officers that when I received my appointment I also received instruction to promise each [illegible] one Hundred Acres of Land as a bounty from the United States that during my [illegible] I inherited in the whole about thirty men into said regiment during the War and some few three years that in the year 1777 I was in Fort Stanwix during the siege by the British under the Command Barry St. Ledger Esquire that when the sortie was made by 200 troops from the Garrison under the Command of Lieut. Col.

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Marinus Willet it not being my tour of duty
to go out to the troops to attack the Enemy I
volunteered my services to Coll. Willet who was pleased to appoint me as his aid in which capacity I served [illegible] Capt. of our regiment had refused to go out on so hazardous an expedition--

By what means my name is not to be found as one of the supernumerary officers of New York
in the Office of the Secretary of War I know not but when my services are proved it would seem hard that any regulations in the War Office should cut me off from a just claim

John Ball
Saratoga County

Personally appeared before me Alpheus Goodrich a justice of the peace--
John Ball late a [illegible]in the Revolutionary Army and made solemn Oath to the above 
declarations

A Goodrich Justice

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Ho. Rep. Dec. 18. 1820

Sir

You receive enclosed herewith sundry papers in relation to the claims of John Ball for Military Bounty Lands.

He is a man of high character, but humble
fortune. Col. Willet is inferior to no man in the city of new york in point respectability.

Yours &c
John W. Taylor

P. S.  Please answer the letters which I send you on business separately

William M. Stewart Esq

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Schuyler Ville 28 July 1832

Sir,

On the 24 in hand receiv'd your favour of the
21st for which I thank you  I am now old and
infirm and subject to faint fells in which I frequently fall sudden to the floor or ground and remain for half an hour quite insensible that I am afraid to go to Ballston before the Court as it is upwards of 20 miles from my residence that I trust the deposition herewith enclosed will be satisfactory testimony of my being entitled to an addition to my pension under the provisions
of the late Act
  There is in the War Office a certificate of my services in the Revolutionary Army [illegible] to my character as an officer signed by Coll Marinus Willet and counter signed by Capt Leonard Bleecker of New York with whom I served

with all due respect I am Sir your Obedient Humble Servt.
John Ball

J L Edwards Esqr

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Capt. Bleecker of New York can attest to the truth of my Deposition he was with us during the siege and in the sorty (sortie) mentioned he was a brave and meritorious officer we were [illegible]and both volunteered our services in the aforesaid sorty (sortie)

it would be gratifying to me as well as my friend if I could be favored with a copy of the Certificate within mentioned old men have [illegible] for youthful acclaim

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Payable on the 4th of March & 4th Sept in each year by the Agent at the Branch Bank in New York

John Ball
Recorded

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I CERTIFY, That in conformity with the Law of the UNITED STATES, of the 18th of March 1818, John Ball, late a Lieutenant in the Army of the Revolution, is inscribed on the Pension List, Roll of New York Agency, at the rate of Twenty dollars per month, to commence on the 5th day of April one thousand eight hundred and eighteen.

GIVEN at the WAR OFFICE of the UNITED STATES, this 7th day of April one thousand eight hundred and eighteen.

J.C. Calhoun
Secretary of War

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James L. Edwards Esq
Pension Office
Dept of War

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Washington July 17, 1832

Sir

The enclosed has reached me the moment I am leaving Washington. Please direct your answer to Col John Ball Schuylerville, Saratoga Co N.Y.

Yours respectfully,
John W. Taylor

J.L. Edwards Esq

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John Ball
Act 1818

Free

J.L. Edwards Esq. War Department pension Office
Washington

Schuylerville NY
Jan 22,

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Schuylerville 22d January 1835

Dear Sir,

If you will have the goodness to send me a copy of Col. Marinus Willet's certificate which is filed in your office you will confer a renewed obligation on me, as I am contemplating to petition our Legislature for a small Lot of Land, a certified copy from you may aid my petition--

Sir I am with due respect your Humble Servant
John Ball

J.L. Edwards Esq.

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L P Waldo
Comm of Pensions

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Albany, NY Apl 4th 1833

Sir

Enclosed are the papers in the application of Anna Ball widow of John Ball [illegible] under the Act of February 3 1853

I am Yours very respectfully,
Wm Valentine

L.P. Waldo Esq
Comm of Pensions
Washington

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Brief in the case of Anna Ball, widow of John Ball, Schenectady County and State of New York act 3rd February 1853

-----
Claim, ("original,")

Proof exhibited, (if original.)

Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls?  If either, state the substance.
Husband of claimant was a pensioner as Lieutenant, under Act June 7 1832

Marriage proved by duly authenticated copy of Church Records, sustained by hard proof

(If for increase.)
  Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim?  If so, what?

Wm. Valentine Esq
Albany, NY
Name and residence of Agent

E Eddes
Examining Clerk

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Pension Office,
June 6, 1853

Sir,

Please certify the time to which John Ball, a revolutions pensioner was paid.  He was inscribed in the New York Rolls, as a Lieutenant, and allowed $320 per annum payable at the Albany Agency.

Very respectfully
Your obt. Servant,
S Cole
For the Commissioner

Died 5 Nov 1838, Paid to his death
F. Burt
Auditor

Francis Burt Esq
Third Auditor
Treasury Department

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State of Vermont
District of Washington 
Hiram Carleton
Probate Office
Montpelier, Vermont
January 18th 1893
Dear Sir:
At the suggestion of the Chief of the Record and Pension Office was [illegible] I send to you for information as to his [history] service in the war of the Revolution of Lieut. John Ball who was in the 3rd Regt of New York Line.
Peter Gansevoort Col. and of the 5th Company. He is described in the published records of N.Y. as follows: “Ball John 1st Lieut Nov. 21 1776; soon to resign and [illegible] May’78 M.R.” At the time of his enlistment he was a resident of Ballston N.Y.(probably) is what is now Saratoga Co. He was a Revolutionary pensioner so I understand and is in the list of Rev. pensioners published by U.S. in 1820 as follows: Lieutenant John Ball New York Line” I think his application on file for pension would recite his Military Service and I would like this[illegible] ask giving his residence at the time of such application to make more of his identity He was often made known as Co. Ball. I wish this information for genealogical purposes 
Over

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I am informed that there is a [illegible]
To make and the information will greatly oblige me
I’m respectfully yours
Hiram Carleton

Hon. Green B. Raune
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.

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Hiram Carleton, Judge
Montpelier, Vermont
November 29Th 1892
Hon. Green B. Raune 
Commissioner of pensions
Dear sir:
I write to learn some facts concerning John Ball, A revolutionary pensioner Whose name appears among the list of pensions of the revolution published by authority of Congress in 1820. His name is among the pensioners from New York.
Ball, John Lieutenant New York Line
What I wish to learn are the following facts:
1st In what town did the person reside
2 nd In what county and regiment did he serve
3 What military service did he perform 
I shall feel greatly obliged for any information you can give me
I’m respectfully yours 
Hiram Carleton

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rec. Aug. 3. 1832
J.L. Edwards Esq.
$320 [ illegible] him t& Act 7 June 1832
37
Pension Office 
Washington

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Lieut. John Ball of
The New York Arm.
[Mt.ipd ]No. 1197

Page 48

I the subscriber do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with John Ball of Ballston in the County of Saratoga and State of New York that he was a first Lieutenant in Aaron Aorson's Company in the regiment commanded by Col. Peter Gansevoort of the New York line on the continental establishment raised to serve during the Revolutionary war of which Regiment I was Lieut Col and that the said John Ball served in the said Regiment as first Lieut from the time the same was first raised in the fall of the year 1776 until some time in June 1778 when by an act of Congress the number of the officers of the army were reduced and the said John Ball was deranged as one of the supernumerary officers -- 

That at the time Fort Stanwix was besieged by the British in the sortie made by the troops under my command the

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said John Ball volunteered his services and served as my aid by my appointment and that the said John Ball served in that capacity to my entire satisfaction as a brave and meritorious officer--
Marinus Willett
New York July 19th 1826

Personally knew Mr. John Ball as a brother officer in the Regiment above mentioned and believe every circumstance stated by Coll Marinus Willett to be true

New York 20th July 1825

Leon Bleecker, Captain in the third New York Reg. until it was disbanded

Page 50

State of New York
Saratoga County
SS

I Joshua L Pell of Ballston and County aforesaid under oath do testify and declare that on the nineteenth day of July last past at the request of John Ball of Ballston I presented a certificate drawn by the said John Ball to Col. Marinus Willett of New York requesting his signature to prove the services of the said John Ball in the army of the Revolution after reading the said certificate Col Willett said that it was all true but said he wished to give one more extensive of said John Ball's services and directed me in his own house to take pen ink and paper and write a certificate according to his direction I then by his direction wrote the aforegoing certificate the said Col. Willett gave strong expressions of his respect for the said John Ball as a worthy and meritorious officer and in my presence signed the said certificate----
J L Pell

Sworn to the seventh day of Dec 1826 at Ballston Spa -- before me ---
A Goodrich Justice

Page 51

State of New York Saratoga County 
In testimony that the witness named Alpheus Goodrich was a magistrate authorized to witness oaths in the county of Saratoga & State of New York, all are within duty and that his name there subscribed is his signature.
I have hereunto affixed the county seal & subscribed my name and [ quality] this 7th December 1826
Thomas Palmer
Clerk Saratoga County

Page 52

The Honr-ble John W. Taylor Esquire 
In Congress or in his absence from Washington 
To the Honr.ble the Secretary of War
[crossed out]

Page 53

Schuylerville 13 July 1832

Dear Sir.

Last evening I received your favour of the the Secretary’s  instructions For revolutionary pensioner I consulted Mr. Levingston, he is of the opinion I can obtain a pension warrant Under the Supplementary Act  by forwarding my old warrant to you. If you will Have The goodness to call at the secretary’s office, I suppose My former vouchers May be sufficient to substantiate Under the new Act.

I was first appointed a second Lieut. in Capt. Samuel Van Vechten's Comp. the 4th of March 1776 in Col. Cornelius Wynkoop’s Regiment, Being the 4th regiment of the New York line and sometime in October of that year was appointed a first Lt. in Aaron Aorson’s company in the 3rd New York regiment commanded by Coll. Peter Gansevoort and serv’d in said regiment until the latter part of July 1778 when by an act of Congress the number of officers were relieved from the army and was my fortune to be drawn out.

As to my service in the Revolutionary Army you have seen a certificate honorable to my character as an officer in the Army signed by Coll. Marius Willet and also by Capt. Leonard Bleeker with whom I served in the Army and in the field of battle which certificate must now be in the War office at Washington.

Last Sunday there was one case of Asiatic Cholera about 2 miles from this village, it proved fatal in about 12 hours. He was an inhabitant, a middle aged man. The next morning after his [illegible] there were 7 Doctors call’d in consultation, they dissected the body and unanimously agreed his case was Asiatic Cholera.

I am dear Sir your sincere friend 
John Ball
The Honorable John W. Taylor, Esq.

Page 54

Ridgewood N. J.
U.S. Pension bureau.
Washington DC
Dear Sir:
My ancestor, John Ball, 1st Lieut. 3rd Regiment From New York served in the war from Nov. 21 1776- April 30th 1778.
Can you tell me if any Pension was ever paid to the family? I am tracing genealogy and would like to find his next of kin. Any information you may give me,

Page 55

Would be greatly appreciated
Yours very truly
Ethel Ball Smith
(Mrs. C. W. Smith.)
June 5, 1929

Page 56

Rev. War Sect
Lands bought and sold
Fifteen years experience in this section We have all the best bargains 
F.H.Ball & Company 
High class real estate 
City and Suburban Lots
 Large and small farms
Inland and on water
Williamsburg, Virginia 
January 8, 1917
Commissioner of Pensions,
U.S. Pension Department 
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
I am looking up the war record of my great-grandfather, John Ball, who was a Colonel, or a First Lieutenant, in the war office at the Revolution. He was either in the Continental Army or in the division front New York State. At any rate he was in General Willet’s army under General Benedict Arnold, and was with the regiments that went to the relief of Fort Stannix, and also at the Battle of Saratoga. His wife, Ann Ball (full name Mary Collin’s Ann Swart Ball) drew a pension after his death in 1839.
If, from the above, you can find conveniently the following facts, I would appreciate the favor.
Regiment and company in which said John Ball served, and as much as possible of his war record.
Name of John Ball’s birthplace.
Date of his marriage.
Date of his wife, Ann Ball’s birth and death.
Any, or all, of the above asked for information will be very gratefully received by
Yours very truly,
Frederic Hooker Ball
Williamsburg, Virginia

Page 57

Randolph Perkins
chairman
House of Representatives U.S.
Committee on Coinage, Weights and Measures 
Washington D.C.
July 2, 1929

Hon. Earl D. Church
Commissioner of Pensions 
Department of the Interior 
Washington D.C.
My dear Mr. Church:
I have been asked to ascertain if you have on your pension rolls, the name of John Ball ( or Bael), who was 1 st Lieut. 3rd Regt. New York, enlisted November 21, 1776, resigned April 30, 1778.
If you can furnish me with this information, I shall appreciate the courtesy very much.
Sincerely yours,
Randolph Perkins
July 5 1929

Page 58

In reply to your request of , received 
For a statement of the military history of
John Ball. A soldier of the Revolutionary War, you will find below the desired information as contained in his and his widow’s application for pension on file in this Bureau. 
hid. File 5767.

Dates of enlistment Or appointment Mch 4/2, 1776 to July 1778
Rank 2nd Lieut. Capt. Samuel Van Veghten,
 Colonel Cornelius Wynkoop NY
[illegible] 1st Lieut. Capt. Aaron Aorson,
Colonel Peter Gansevoort N.Y.
He went with Lieut. Colonel Marinus Willet to the relief of Fort Stanwix in ‘77

Battles engaged in, see above, it is not stated Was in any battle in the arena at Ft. Stanwix.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, not stated
Date of application for pension Mch 21, 1818
His cc.[illegible.]
Residence at date of application, Ballston, S Saratoga county, NY born July 27, 1756 place of birth, not stated
Age at date of application, 63 years, Saratoga County N.Y.
Remarks: he married Mar 31, 1808 in Saratoga County, New York to Dima Levart. He died Nov 7, 1838 in Saratoga County. NY and she was at the time [eligible] Mch. 2, 1853 while a resident of Schenectady County, aged about 77 years birthplace not stated. Children Referenced to in 1820, two daughters age 11 and 3 years, and a son 5 years of age, no names stated.
Respectfully
Commissioner.

Page 59

July 5, 1929.
Hon. Randolph Perkins
House of Representatives
Washington DC
My dear Mr. Perkins:
In response to your letter of the 2nd instant, I have the honor to advise you from the papers in the revolutionary war Pension claim, W.
5767, It appears that John Ball Was born July 27, 1756, place not stated.
He was appointed March 2 or 4, 1776 as second lieutenant In Captain Samuel VanVeghten’s Company, Colonel Cornelius
Wynkoop’s New York regiment. In October of the same year he was appointed first Lieutenant in captain Aaron Aorson’s Company, Colonel Peter Gansevoort’s New York Regiment. In 1777 he volunteered and went with lieutenant colonel Marinus Willett To the relief of Fort Stanwix and was discharged in July 1778.
He was allowed pension on his application executed March 21, 1818, at which time he was living in Ballston, Saratoga County, New York.
He died November 7, 1838 in Saratoga county, New York

Page 60

The soldier married March 31, 1808, in Saratoga County, New York, Anna Swart.

She was allowed pension on her application executed March 2, 1853, at which time she was living in Schenectady County, New York, aged seventy-seven years.  She died May 10, 1853.

The children referred to in 1820 were two daughters aged eleven and three years and a son five years of age.  No names are stated. 

Copy of this letter enclosed for your convenience.

Very truly yours,

KARL D. CHURCH,
Commissioner.