Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 8903, for John Myer, New York

Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
New York
CONTENTS
Widow Elizabeth
Myer
John
NUMBER
S. 8903
Carded.

Page 2

11.871
Maryland
John Myer of Baltimore in the State of Maryland who was an Ensign & Commissary in the company commanded by Captain Richmaugh of the [blank] commanded by [blank] in the N. Y line for 2 years. . 

died 17 October 1832

Inscribed on the Roll of Maryland at the rate of 240 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831

Certificate of Pension issued the 28 day of June
1833 and Sent to John Robb. Acts. Secy of War

Arrears to the 4th of Mar [?] 
Semi-anl. allowance ending [blank] 

amount due from 4 March 1831 to 17 October 1832 the day of his death  $388.66

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk,
Book E Vol. 5 Page 112

Certificate issued in favor of  Elizabeth Myer } 

Let to A Yearley Aug 25, 1840. 
Same Oct 5. 1840

Page 3

State of Maryland
City of
Baltimore
Court

On the Sixth
day of February in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and thirty three. Before the Baltimore
City Court

Personally appeared

Elizabeth Myer, Widow of John Myer late of the City of Baltimore (deceased )
aged sixty five years or thereabouts who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Provision made by the Act of Congress passed in
June 7th 1832 - That she has understood from her said Husband, and Verily believes he was a soldier and an officer in the Army of the United States, in the Revolutionary War, that at the time he entered in the Army he resided in the City of New York, that some time after the War, he settled in the City of Baltimore where he died the 17th day of October last past
and that his name was not, nor is her own name on the the Pension Roll of any
Agency or state-    Elizabeth Allen

at the same time personally appeared before the said Judges, Cornelia Howland aged sixty four years or thereabouts who being duly sworn according to Law, doth on her oath say that the above named John Myer, was her
Father, that he was born in the City of New York in the year 1741 and
resided there at the Commencement 
of the Revolutionary War. about which time
he entered into the army in a company called the Rangers.  Commanded by a
Captain Allen, that he afterwards joined a company called the Fuseliers under the
Command by Captain Richmaugh in which Company she understood and
Verily believes he held a commission of Ensign, that he was afterwards appointed
Issuing Commissary the duties of which he performed upwards of two
years, and was during the time stationed at Carills [Coryell's] Ferry and at White Plains

Page 4

in the State of New York. She does not recollect the time the said John Myer
entered into the Army, but recollects that he had entered and was in the army previous to and at the time the British armed Ship called the Asia fired into the City of
New York, and went with the Company he then belonged to, to Kings Bridge to protect the Cannon that had been carried there by the Citizens from New York,
she also recollects that as the British were marching before the Battle at Trenton, they
Passed through Bound Brook in Jersey where the said John Myer then was with
his family on furlow, and was sick, when the British made him prisoner and sent him to New York, or the neighbourhood, that he was shortly afterwards released when he again joined the American Army, that he continued in the army from the time he first entered until after the year 1780, when he was
obliged on account of ill health to resign - to the best of her recollection he was
altogether upwards of five years in the service-
Cornelia Howland [Hanland?]

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid W Stephen Williams a Clergyman residing in the City of Baltimore aforesaid and Isaac Causten residing in the same City hereby certify that we were acquainted with John Myer, late of the City of Baltimore, (now deceased) whose Widow Elizabeth Myer, has subscribed to the foregoing deposition, that we believe he was about ninety years old when he died in October last past, that he was reputed and beloved in the neighbourhood where he resided to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion, and I the said Isaac Causten for myself do further certify that I am now 74 years old that I knew and was acquainted with the above named John Myer from my earliest recollection to the time of his death in October last past, that said Myer was a Lieutenant, either 1st or 2nd In a Volunteer Company of Infantry in the City of New York at the commencement of the Revolution, that the night of a great
alarm occasioned by the firing of a British armed ship into the City of

Page 5

New York, I saw said Myers performing Military duty, that he was then in uniform with an Epulet on his shoulder and had his sword drawn that said Myers and the other members of said Company went with the Common
and munitions of war which were removed from New York at the time of the
alarm before mentioned) to Kings Bridge where they remained as a
Guard a considerable time, that afterwards to the year 1778 I frequently saw said Myer in Uniform as an officer, and was informed by him he was serving in the Army. that in the year 1778. I recollect the said Myer was stationed at a Military Post on the North River in New York  as issuing Commissary of Provisions, how long he remained there I cannot say but a part of the time I received provision from him myself. 
[signature:] Stephen Williams
Isaac Causten his X mark
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid and the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation
of the matter, that the above named John Myer was a soldier of the Revolution, and served as above stated and the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Stephen Williams who has signed the preceeding
certificate is a Clergyman resident in the City of Baltimore and that Isaac Causten who has also signed the same is a resident in the said City and is a creditable person and that their statement is entitled to credit
Sworn to in open Court on the day and year
first above written W M Medcalfe
William M Medes Clerk of the Baltimore City Court do Hereby Certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the
said Court in the matter of the application of said Elizabeth Myer for a pension

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed the seal
of said Court this sixth day of February
in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and thirty three [signature:] W M Medcalfe Clk 
Ba __ [illegible]

Page 6

[note: this page has been X'd out] 

said Court in the matter of the application of Elizabeth Myer for the pension due her Husband John Myer deceased - 
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office this [blank] day of February in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and thirty three -

Page 7

Rev John Robb Washington City D C

Page 8

Baltimore June 18th 1833 
My dear friend  This letter is in behalf of the widdow- one poor, and needy it is the pension of an old Soldier, who fought and suffered in freedoms cause and who by so doing contributed his aid in gaining this goodly heritage, and caused the Star Spangled banner to wave in triumph over these happy lands - their is no doubt - their can be no doubt, but that the applicant was either five or six years in the regular servise of his country- that during this time he was taken prisoner by the Enemy, and had two houses burnt which helped to make him poor- for eight years I have known the parties- and have during that period, when their was no thought about a pension for old Soldiers, buried him and his old friend Mr Lawrence set and talk over their services and sufferings, and they gave to often and revise for it, to each other, so that I then had no doubt, nor have I any more, but that they were soldiers of the revolution, and such too as the late case kindly offers a pension to- Sir if Mrs Cornelia Howland whose character and standing is second to no lady upon earth, was as well known to the committee to whom is committed this weighty concern as this is to you and me, and thousands in this city, ["it was" is crossed out] her testimony

Page 9

would carry a mountain weight in evidence- I do not know the requirements of the Acts, nor the evidence necessary, in order to obtain the pension- I conclude however that the whole design is to guard against imposition - and that, a little informality could be dispensed with, if the case was a clear one - if so I think the present case is one that can meet the sanction of the proper authorities- Towards the close of life, he became somewhat [illegible] in mind- 
was supported chiefly by his friends- and about the ninety fourth year of his age slept in death- all that can be claimed for him is a small sum, but small as it is, it would go far to aid his widdow in her declining years - Yours in the best of Lands [signature:] Joseph Frye

Page 10

Baltimore 22d Aug 1840 
Alex. Yearley 
rev 24 
Aud 2 of __ [the next several lines are faded, illegible] 
Mr Randall 
[illegible] application should have [illegible] 
to no 8 mos  
The Records of this officer

Page 11

do not show the service of Mr Myer- 
FREE 
Peter Hagner Esq. Third Auditor Treasury Dept Washington 
Jno. Myer May [illegible], 1832

Page 12

Baltimore Augt. 22 1840 
Peter Hagner Esq Third Auditor. T. Dt. 
Sir Your favor of the 20th inst giving the requested information respecting the payment of the Pension of John Myer from 4 March 1831 to the 7th October 1832 ($388.38) to his widow Elizabeth Myer July 1. 1833 was received. Will you be so good as further to inform us What were the Military Services of said John Myer in the War of the Revolution? What office did he hold? How long did he serve? 
Mrs Myers, his widow is aged and infirm and in very necessitous circumstances and wants the information now requested, in order to see if She can apply for a Pension on account of his services. Your Compliance will oblige Your Obt Servt [signature:] Alex Yearley

Page 13

FREE 
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions, Washington 
Oct 3. 1846 
[illegible circular stamp:] 
Jno Myer Myrdl. [??]

Page 14

Baltimore October 2. 1840 
J. L. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions 
Sir Mrs Elizabeth Myer (or Mr Myer) of this City the widow of John Myer, decd (who was an officer in the U. S. Service in the War of the Revolution) received July 1. 1833 the Sum of $388.38 being the amount of her said Husbands pension from 4 March 1831 to 17 October 1832 the day of his death. The old lady has repeatedly called on me to try to get her a pension. I have always told her that inasmuch as she was not married to Myer until 15 January 1795 She cannot claim a pension as his widow under the act of July 7. 1838. But, that, If his military services were such as to entitle him to the benefits of the Act of 15 May 1828, (which he did not receive), then she may be entitled to his pension from 3 March 1820 to the 4 March 1831. And, in order to know whether or not, he was so entitled, I wrote to Mr. Hagner Aug. 22, 1840; and received your answer dated Augt. 25. 1840, declaring to give the requisite information. Now it seems to me that she is entitled to know the Record of her husbands case. And, as you have in another case (Mrs. Haupt,) furnished me with a certified copy of the proofs on file of like

Page 15

character, I most respectfully request you to send me for Mrs Myers a certified copy of the proofs of her husbands Services under which she received his pension in 1833. 
With great Respect, I am your obt Servt [signature:] Alex Yearley

Page 16

s TEAM 
John A Robb Esquire War Office Washington City

Page 17

Baltimore June 26. 1833 - 
Dr Sir I some time since forwarded to the Department of War the Documents now enclosed to you, relating to the Application of Mrs Myer for the pension of her Husband to the time of his death under the law of the 7. June 1832. they have been returned to me for want of sufficient proof. [blacked out word] & not having been able to obtain any additional I had determined to a bander the case but this old lady being needy, and in all respects a deserving woman I have at her earnest solicitation determined to trouble you with them should you upon Examination think any thing can be done with them I  know you will do what you can to serve her bear in mind they have been once rejected - and that no better proof can be produced - - A Mr. Ellis Thomas who claims to be acquainted with you has also desired me to place under cover to you his papers for a pension under the same Law - they were prepared 
annapolis as you will perceive should his application be granted he [crossed out word] wishes to receive his [["Bac" is crossed out] pay at the office here as he lives in this Neighbourhood - [signature:] Saml. Farnandis

Page 18

[this page appears to be arithmetic calculations:] 

[addition:] 
240 
140 
8.66 
$388.66 

[multiplication:] 
20 
7
140 

[division, per cent: 20 / 30 x 100 = ] 
30/20 
66 2/3 

[multiplication:] 
13 
4 
152 

8.66

Page 19

8903 
Rev War 
INVALID. 
File No. 8903 
John Myer Ensign Rev War 
Act: June 7th. 32 
Index:-Vol. A [??] , Page 271 
[Arrangement of 1870. ]

Page 20

Let a pension be allowed as an Ensign, & 4 mos pay for two years service 
[signature:] John Robb Secy of War June 28. 1833  
$240 per ann 
J Robb Esq

Page 21

United States of America State of Maryland } to wit 
I. Samuel Farnandis Notary Public by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the State of Maryland, Commissioned and duly qualified residing in the City of Baltimore in the State aforesaid So Hereby Certify Attest and Make Known, that on the day of the date Hereof before me personally appeared, Richard Lawrence ["of" is crossed out] aged Eighty years or thereabouts, who being by me first duly sworn according to Law, doth on his Oath, declare and say that he became acquainted with Mr. John Myer late of City of Baltimore aforesaid (deceased) about the year 1800. and from then to the time of his death (in the month of October 1832.) was very intimate with him passing much of his time in the House ["of" is scribbled over] and in the Company of the said Myer, That having been himself a soldier of the Revolutionary war, he frequently conversed with said Myer about the Events of said War, That said Myer informed him he had served in the same War that he first entered into the service in a Company in New York, called the Rangers that he afterwards joined and served in a Company called the Fusaliers, commanded by Captain Richmaugh, and Spoke of occurrences in the last mentioned company (of which he deponent was a member) as satisfied him that said Myer was a Soldier in the said War, and had served in said Company, that said Myer also informed him that during the War he was transferred to the

Page 22

the Commissary department ["of" is scribbled out] in which he said he served Several years in the State of New York, that said Myer informed him (deponent) that after the War he went to New York to obtain the amount due him for his Revolutionary Services, & was there told the documents relating to his Claim were in Philadelphia, where he must go to get a settlement, that upon his Arrival in Philadelphia, he was directed to go back to New York and that he ultimately abandoned his claim altogether and never did obtain a Settlement - 
[signature:] Richard Lawrence 

of which act being of me requested I have granted these presents to serve & avail as need and occasion may require, the said Richard Lawrence being confined to his Bed, sick, and unable to appear in open Court - 
In Testimony Whereof the said deponent hath hereunto Subscribed his name and I Notary have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal Notarial this Seventeenth day of January in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and thirty three - 
[signature:] Saml. Farnandis Noty Pub

Page 23

District of Columbia City of Washington, to wit: 
I, James H. Causten Notary Public, yb lawful authority duly commissioned and sworn, residing in the City of Washington, in the District of Columbia, do hereby Certify attest and make known, That I have been personally acquainted with John Myerlate of the city of Baltimore, deceased, (the person mentioned in the papers annexed hereto) for upwards of thirty five years and up to the time of his decease, which occurred in the year one thousand eight hundred  and thirty two, that he was always reputed to be a man of respectability and strict veracity; that he  professed to have been an officer in the Revolutionary war, and was during the whole period regarded as such in his neighbourhood- the fact was never doubted to my knowledge; That I have very often heard my father, Isaac Causten (one of the subscribing witnesses) 
say, that he had personal knowledge that said Myer was an officer in the army of the Revolution, and that he knew him intimately throughout the whole of said Revolution:- And I further certify that said Causten is lame in his right hand from Rheumatism, and for that reason is unable to write his name. I further certify that I have a personal acquaintance with Cornelia Howland and Richard Lawrence (who have also subscribed said papers) for upwards of thirty five years - and that I have long known Stephen Williams

Page 24

Williams the subscribing Clergyman,) all of whom are persons of high respectability and exemplary deportment, and I knew that such is their general character respectively in the Community where they reside. In testimony whereof I have hereto Subscribed my name and affixed my Notarial Seal, on the eleventh day of February one thousand eight hundred and thirty three. [signature:] James H. Causten Notary Public