Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 5384, John Forgerson, New York

Page 1

(3 -- 1776) 

Service
New York
Forgerson, John
or Ferguson

Number S. 5384.

Contents

Carded

Page 2

31801
Pennsylvania

John Ferguson
of Luzerne in the State of Penn@ [PENNSYLVANIA]
was a private in the Compy [COMPANY] commanded
by Captain Westface of the rgt [REGIMENT] commanded
by Col. [COLONEL] Pawling in the N. York [NEW YORK]
line for 7 months, 28 days.
John Fergerson. Apr. 30, 1904,
Recorde corrected.

Inscribed on the Roll of Philadelphia
at the rate of 26 Dollars 43 Cents per annual
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 20th day of Octr [OCTOBER]
1840, & sent to H. B. & H.
Wright, Wilkes barre, Pennsylvania

Arrears to the 4th of Mar [MARCH] 1841 $264.33
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 September 1841 13.22
$277.55
{Revolutionary Claim
Aot June 7, 1832}
Recorded by D. M. Curdy Clerk,
Book E2 Vol. [VOLUME] 5. Page 20.

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Declaration in order to obtain the benefits after a os of Congress after 7.  9 June 1832
State of Pennsylvania
Luzerne county 
On this 5th day of January 1839. Personally
appeared before the Judges of the Court of Common pleas
of said County John Furgerson a resident of
Northumberland in said County aged Seventy
five years of age, who being duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. That he enlisted of Goshen in the State of New York in Captain Westfalls Company of United States troops for eight or nine months and which he does not now recollect in March or April 1781. That he marched to Ulster County in said state and joined a regiment commanded by Colonel Spaulding Major [illegible] has attached
to said Regiment. His first lieutenants name
was John English. That he received generally
at a fort in Ulster County during the while time of his enlistment. During the said term
he was not in any engagement. That at the
time of the expiration of his enlistment he has
discharged and returned home. His discharge was in writing, which discharge he has
since lost. He states that he was born on the
18 of March 1763 at Wall Kill in Ulster County
in the State of New York of which he has
family record now in his possession and to the
Court shown, after the time of his son he
remained in Orange County State last mentioned till about the year 1821 when he

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removed into Ruthland, Luzerne County
and State of Pennsylvania his present place of
residence, near Bowmay Creek, as the Evidence of his service he refers to Benjamin Broke of Tioga County State of New York and Jacob Becker of Chemung County Same State
who both [erased] him to have been in the
service as he has stated-
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a
pension or annuity except the present and
declares that his name is not on the pension
roll of any agency in any State
Sworn to and scribed
the day and year of and 
in open Court Jany 5, 1839
John Ferguson
[illegible] [illegible]
Martin Myers aged fifty five years and upon
being duly sworn in open court depose and says
that he has known Benjamin Drake whose affidavit
is hereto attached for [illegible] of thirty years and till the last seven years he laid within two miles of the said Drake and that he is a person
of truth and veracity and entitled to full Credits, and that he knows the said Ferguson to be the same man alluded to in the deposition of the said Drake and that he knows John Ferguson the above applicant for

Page 5

about thirty years and that he is a man of truth and veracity he has full confidence in his
Statement- and that he has generally been reported in his neighborhood to have been a solder of the revolution. He further states that the said Broke now resides in the town of 
 Boston, in Luzerne County in the State of New York
sworn and subscribed in open Court this 5th day of January 1839
Martin Miers
[illegible]

And the said court [county?]
in do hereby declare the opinion
after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogators prescribed by the war department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, And served as he states - And the County further certifies that Martin Miers who has subscribed the same is a creditable person and that his statement is entitled to credit-
Luzerne County
I John Smith [illegible] of the Court of Common pleas of said County do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Furgerson for a pension In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office at Wilkes Bond this fifth day of January 1839-
John Smith Prothonotary
By Amos Smith

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Copy of letter

Pension Office 
May 32 1848

Sir:
In reply to your letter of the 30 inev.? respecting a copy of the papers on file  in relation to the claim for a pension by "John Ferguson" I have the honor to inform you that John Ferguson of Luzerne Co [COUNTY] Pa. [PENNSYLVANIA] was placed on the pension roll under the act of 7 June 1832 on the 2nd October 1840 at the rate of $26.43 per annum: These appear to be the only papers on file in this office relating to John Ferguson of Pennsylvania. should this not be the one referred to you will please inform me?

Hon. [HONORARY] M. Hampton 
H. of R.

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34.810
John Ferguson
Pennsylvania
_______

admitted
_______

Pr: 7 mo. [months] 28 days. $26.43
[illegible] Westfall [illegible]
Pawling, N.Y.

Act of June 1832

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Benj. [BENJAMIN] Drake 
Affidavit
[underlined]

Page 9

State of New York }
Tioga County }

Benjamin Drake of the Town of Barton County and State aforesaid being duly Sworn deposeth and Saith that in the Year 1779 and 1780 I lived in the Town of Minerin Orange County State of New York; that I then knew John Forgerson, that on or about the Year 1779 or 1780 the Said John Forgerson listed in the Continental Service with Captain Abram Westfall and Served nine months under Said Westfall. I lived in the Same Township with Said Forgerson until I was at least forty years; John Forgerson then moved into the Town  of Northmoreland Luzerne County Pennsylvania. Where I have since seen him. Said Forgerson is now present before me, and I know him to be the same man who performed the Said Nine Month Service. that on or about the Month of November 1838. I made affidavit to the above facts, with the exception that Said Forgerson was not present at that time; he is now present and the above fact & [and] Statement are correct according to my best knowledge and belief.
Sworn and Subscribed this }
24th day of August 1840 } Benjamin Drake
Before Me }
Washington Smith P.
I hereby certify that I have been acquainted for years with Mr. Drake the Maker of the above Affidavit and that he is a man of truth and Varacity [Veracity].
Washington Smith
We fully coraborate [corroborate] the above Certificate of Washington Smith
Inman Walling
Gilbart [Gilbert] Smith
Martin Miers
Joh [Sch?] Manning

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State of New York    }
Tioga County Clerks Office }

I and David Wallis Clerk of the Said County DO Certify That Washington Smith Esq Before Whom the Within Affiant was [illegible] was on the day of making the same an acting Justice of the Peace in and for our Said County of Tioga duly qualified and Sworn and Authorized to Act as Such I am well acquainted with the handwriting of Such Justice and do Truly Believe the Signature of Washington Smith within is Genuine

In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto put my name and Affixed the Seal of the Said County of Tioga at [illegible Olorga?] August 24th 1840
David Wallis Clk [clerk]

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The member and amount of certificate if and by the Treasurer of the State of New York for [illegible] and Militia services 
Continued from Book No 1. 2. 3. 88
[table column 1]
1781 Decr 18
1778 August 12
1780 August 9
1779 June 10
[table column 2]
1,149 John Forgerson
14,550 John Forgerson
16,458 John Forgerson
42, 571 John Forgerson
[table column 3]
7.26 [crossed out]
7.28
[blank]
[blank]
[table column 4]
21 3. 1
" 5. 4
1. 10. 1
" 18 3

State of New York
Comptrollers Office
Albany March 17. 1840
I hereby certify the above to be true extracts from Book No 2. 3. 4. 9 now remaining in this office and also that it appears from the same books that the said John Furgurson served the first term above named under or with Capt Abraham Westfall the 2nd under Capt Dick Miller the 3d under Capt Henry Turner and the 4th under Capt Nathiel Scribner and it appears that Abe Brinkerhoff was a call on the 11 June
1778 and also John Williams April 25 of the same year it also appears that on the 25th of Decr 1779 & the 26 Decr 1781 that Albert Pawling was a Col Command and that on the 28th July 1780 Thomas Thomas was a Colonel
W. W. Tredway
Dep Comptroller

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Jan 9 1839
John Furgeson
7 June 1832

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Hon Joel R. Poinsett
Secretary of War
Washington
D.C.

Pension Papers

Written on left side:
Jan. 9.1839
pa
John Furgeseson
7 June 1832

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Hon.  J.R Poinsett
Sec. of War

Sir

Enclosed All the papers in support of the claim of John Fergeson on Revolutionary Soldiers The result of the application will be communicated to me if you please

 Wilkes Bone
Lyme County PA
very respectfully I have the honor
to b yours [ ]
H.B.  Wright

Janu 5 1839

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Tioga County  
Benjamin Drake being duly deposed and saith that he to as sixty nine years of age the 21st day of July last, knows that in about the year one thousand seven hundred and eight one John Furgerson with whom he was then well acquainted enlisted in the Continental Service; for nine months under Captain Abram Westfall and that he actually
served that length of time in the County of Ulster in the state of New York, that the was acquainted with said John Furgerson he lived on the same farm in Orange County State of New York with the saith for several years: until he (Furgerson) moved into the State of Pennsylvania County of Luzerne which was about sixteen years ago as near as he can recollect that he is the said Benjamin Drake was born in the town of Minisink Orange Co. New York and lived  there until the year One Thousand Eight Hundred (illegible- Sixty?) then he moved into the Town of Chemung, then Tioga and State of New York and the following year moved into the Town of Barton County of Tioga  and the State of New York where he now resides and further saith was 
sworn and subscribed before me the 12th day of November 1838.
Washington Smith J.P.
Benjamin Drake- Signature

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State of New York
Tioga County Clks Office
I and Wallis Clerk  of the said county of Tioga certify that Washington Smith Esq Before whom the certain affidavit was taken was on the day of taking the same on Acting Justice of the Peace in and for over said County duly qualified to act as such.
I am well qualified with the (illegible) writing of such Justice and
verify believe the signature of Washington Smith is his own proper hand writing.
In Testimony Where of I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court of Corum or Pleas of the said County
Nov.13th 1838.
David Wallis Clerk

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36. 810
John Furgeson
Pennsylvania


scribbled on the bottom

allson for (seven ?)
1781-   7.28

Page 18

State of New York
Chemung County Jacob Decker being duly sworn deposition and saith.  That he was eighty two years of age on the 17th day of august last that in or about the year one thousand seven hundred eighty one he knew that John Furgerson was enlisted in the Continental  Service for nine months and that he did serve that length of time in the county of Ulster in the state of New York, and that he know the said John Furgerson from his infantry, that at the time the said John Furgerson enlisted in the service in the he lived in the town of Minisink in Orange County N.Y. and that he resides there till he moved into Pennsylvania. Town of Northmoreland, County of Luzerne near Brown and Creek- Which was about sixteen years ago according to the best of his recollection where he still resides.
That the said John Furgerson enlisted under Captain Abraham Westfall first Lieutenant John English, the Second Lieutenant he does not recollect. the colonels name was Wagenvelt does not recollect the name of the Lieutenant Col. The majors name was Thomas Dewitt- and there was another Major named Benscoter- That he the said Jacob Decker was in the service the year before the said John Furgerson enlisted and served under the said Captain that he was born and lived in the County of Orange State of New York till about the year Seventeen Hundred and ninety when he moved into the Town of Chemung (Then) County of Tioga and State of New York where he still resides-and for the saith not.
Jacob  X Decker (Mark)

Sworn and subscribed
before me the 4th day of 
September 1838
N J Wynkoop

Page 19

Chemung County
Clerks Office  SS
I David Herron Deputy Clerk of the said county certify that at the date of the Respective Certificate of Deposition to which this is subjoins the said N T Wynkoop was a Justice of the Peace
in and for the said county duly elected authorizes and appointed to act as such Justice of the peace.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Plea of said County the 5th day of September 1838.

David Herron Deputy Clerk
the Clerk being absent from this office.

Page 20

Chemung County  Alonzo J Wynkoop and Ellsworth Drake being duly sworn depose and say that they have been acquainted with Jacob Decker who hath attested to the within affidavit a term of twenty years and upwards and know him to be a man of Good Character and standing in the city, as well as of unquestionable truth and veracity.

Alonzo J Wynkoop
Ellsworth Drake

Sworn subscription before
me September 5th 1838

Page 21

State of New York
Chemung County

(Illegible word) 84 years
Jacob Decker of the town of Chemung County and State aforesaid being duly sworn-deposed and forth that in year 1779 and 1780,
I lived in the town of Minisink, Orange County State of New York: that I then knew John Furgerson that on or about the year 1779 or 1780 the said John Furgerson listed in the Continental Service under Captain
Abram Westfall and served nine months under said Westfall. I lived in the same township said Furgeson until I was at least forty years old.
John Furgerson than moved into the town of Hothmereland, Luzerne Pennsylvania where I have seen him said Furgerson is now present before me and I know him to be the same man who performed the said nine months service that on or about the the first of September 1838. I made an affidavit to the  above facts with the said Furgerson is now present and above facts are correct. According to my knowledge and belief Jacob Decker on reflecting (illegible)  said Furgerson was in the service at another time I saw him in service at two different times once he was out 4 months once he was out 9 months.

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I have once before made an affidavit of the above facts I did not state that Furgerson was only out sooner but I now state he was out twice and the above facts and statements or correct according to my best knowledge and belief.
Mary Decker a wife of Jacob Decker being duly sworn deposed and ( illegible) she is now about eighty years of age says she will recollect said Furgerson was in the Contential Service two different times says her brother James.

Page 23

Chemung August 27th 1840
I certify that I have been acquainted with Jacob
Decker for some years and his wife the makers of this affidavit and that he and she are persons of truth and veracity.
Wm Guthrie

I certify that I have been acquainted with the individuals who made this affidavit for twenty years and believe their to be people of truth and veracity.
Chemung August 27, 1840 Daniel Van Couper

State of New York
Chemung County SS
I Isaac Baldwin Clerk of the said county to certify that William Guthrie before whom the within affidavit was taken was on the day of taking the same justice of the Peace in and for our said County of Chemung duly qualified and sworn and authorized to act as such I am well acquainted with the hand writing of such Justice and do verily believe the Signature of William Guthrie within is genuine. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and affixed the rest of the said County Chemung at Elmira.
August 27. 1840
Jno D. Baldwin Dep Clerk

Page 24

House of Re

Page 25

B. H. Wright Esq.
Wilkes-Barre
Penn

Page 26

Service
New York
Forgerson, John
Ferguson
Number
S.5384
Carded
Contents

Page 27

Comptroller Office
Albany  March 2 1840

W.B.H. Wright

Willkesbarre Penns.

Sir
Enclosed you have a certificate of service of John Furgerson a revolutionary soldier, to farm as he can be gathered from the ranks in the office, as requested in your letter of the 22nd July last.

Very Respectfully
Your Obedient Servant
W.W. Tredway
Dep. Comptroller

Page 28

Furgerson served the first term (illegible) under Capt. Abraham Westfall the second under Jacob Svnder then third under Capt. Henry Turner the fourth under Capt. Nathan Scribner that on the 30th June 1779. John Field (illegible)  Colonel. on the 9th of Aug 1780. A. Hawk (illegible) Colonel,
on the 11 June 1778. Abrm. Brinckerhoff Colonel on the 28th Dec. 1781.
Albert Pawling (illegible) Colonel
Bates Cooke
Comptroller
Fees $1.00

Page 29

(3-1776)
Service
New York
Forgerson, John
Ferguson
Number
S.5384
CONTENTS
Carded

Page 30

J L Edwards 
Sir 
We enclose you the additional testimony required by the Department in your letter to the Hon Jno Galbraith of 2d May 1840 on Jno Forgersons application for a pension. 
We are anxious for prompt action on his claim for we believe the proof to be now perfectly satisfactory: at least so far as it may be so made on these old matters, and from our personal knowledge we have no doubt of his having performed the service specified; and we know him to be a most worthy old man left destitute in his old age. In his words "old & sick & lame.” He begs a speedy hearing of his case.
Most Respectfully Yours &c
H. B. Wright 
Wilkes Barre
Sept 28. 1840

Page 31

Comptroller Office
Albany March 1840

Sir
Yours of the 14th Last in at hand requesting a certificate of service of john Furgerson a revolutionary Soldier, which certificate is here with enclosed.

I am Respectfully your Obedient Servant
W.W. Tredway
Dept Comptroller

Page 32

Hon J.L. Edwards
Commission of Pension
Washington  D.C.

Page 33

Wilkes Barr Luzerne County Pa. March 24 

Hon J. L. Edwards 
Dr Sir
Since I was at your office during the last week, I have received from the Comptrollers office a certificate which will throw some light on the subject of the application of John Forgerson. As this subject has been for a long period time pending before your department I should be very happy if you would take up the case immediately & dispose of it. I suppose all objections are now removed, as the evidence is beyond question. May I look for an early action on his use as he is an object of charity!
Very Respectfully Yr obt.
 H. B. Wright

Page 34

Write to the Comptroller at Albany for proof of John Ferguson's service
[illegible] [illegible]
Mr Allison

Page 35

The pen
of S. Carolina will
Office. The papers left
office,

Page 36

John Furgerson
Pennsylvania

Suspended

Ret 8 July 1839
H.B .Wright
Ret 14 March 1849 to
Comptroller of New York
at Albany
Ret 2 May 1840 Hon
J. Galbraith

Act 7 June 1832

Page 37

Marked A

Page 38

State of Pennsylvania
County of Luzerne  Ss
Be it remembered that before me a justice of the peace in and for said County. personally came John Furgerson a revolutionary soldier and on 
his solemn oath saith that after the passage of the law granting pensions to such as had served in the army was known to him, many persons urged him to apply for a pension [illegible]that he had been in the army but that he was then able to obtain a livelihood by manual labor -and that his children at the time resided with him & contributed to his support but that they are now married and are unable to support him; that his health is such as to hinder him- and has been for a long time past- from gaining his living by work; that its been his intention to apply for a pension for some time past but that he was too far to travel into the State of New York to obtain the necessary proof- and that he is now indebted to friends who have taken pity on him-for the testimony of the Deckers and Drake. He was desirous of getting along without asking any pension from Government; but he is now old lame & sick and his necessities compell him to ask what would he not if his health had not

Page 39

failed him.
This department further saith that he was by kindness of his friends taken to the state of New York and was present when the enclosed and accompanying affidavits of Benjamin Drake- Jacob Decker and Mary Decker, were sworn subscribed that he is 
(illegible) same John Furgerson these spoken of that upon reflection and consideration with the persons whose affidavits
are (illegible) he doth now rectify upon his oath believe has served two tours in the army instead of one tour spoken of his fewer affidavits to the as- sitting forth setting forth that he served 9 months- this department now a further term of 4 months- and that's was a very young man when he went into the service in about sixteen years of age.
This deposed  now resides alone with a young child of his aged
three and his means of subsistence  are uncertain (illegible)
This deposed saith that Benjamin Drake informed him, (and he (illegible)him to be that he was aged one

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State of Pennsylvania
County of Luzerne
I Stephen Vaugh Protandry  of the Court of Luzerne now Justice of the Peace of Luzerne County by special appointment of the Court. As certify that Eleazar Carey before whom the foregoing affidavit was taken was on the day of taking the same an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said Luzerne County duly qualifies from (Lauththorj -spelling) to act as such-   that I am well acquainted with his handwriting and that I do really believe the signature of the said Eleazar Carey-- is genuine.  
In testimony where of I have (believed set) my have affixed the seal of the said County of Wilksbarre this twenty eight day of September AD 1840

Stephen Vaugh
Protandry P.J.
by appointment of the Courts

Page 41

*  OFFICE OF   *   AUDITOR FOR INTERIOR DEPARTMENT

TREASURY DEPARTMENT
Washington, January 30th 1908.
The Commissioner of Pensions.
Sir: In reply to your letter of 25th inst, in case of John Ferguson, Rev War Act 1832
Certificate 31.801, 
Philadelphia Agency,     Roll, you are informed that, according to the latest account rendered by the U. S. Pension Agent, the records of this office show last payment to have been made at 
    __43
26       per 12 months to 4 March 1844, in April 1844, The date of death is unknown.  The pensioner resides in Northmoreland, Wyoming Co. Penn for twenty five years and previously in Minisent Township, Orange Co, NY
Letter herewith returned. 
W. Respectfully, Robert S Person Auditor.
By J H Helt Debuty Autidor
Form 3577, - Feb. 16-07 - 1,000

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3-397
(old No. 3-399.)
[illegible] on desk.
Record Division.      AW., Ex'r.
Inv. File No 5384  Department of the Interior,
John Ferguson   BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
Rev. War.         
Washington, D. C., Jan 25, 1908

Sir:

Fort the use in the above-entitled claim for pension, you are requested to furnish this Bureau with a report in the case of John Ferguson
pensioned under the Act of June 7, 1832 by certificate No. 31801 issued Oct 2, 1840 at the Pennsylvania Agency, showing date of death of soldier, date of last payment of his pension and to whom paid.

Very respectfully,
[illegible] 44     2-44
[illegible] D. [illegible] 472
H Warner
Commissioner
THE AUDITOR FOR THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT
Treasury Department
Office of Auditor for Interior Dept
JAN 28 1908
Pension Division

Page 43

[left hand corner, written sideways]
Rev War

5384
INVALID.
File No. 5384
John Ferguson
Pri Rev. War
Act: June 14 32
Index:- Vol. M, Page 122

[Arrangement of 1870.]
John Forgerson.
Records corrected,
Apr. 30, 1904

[right hand side]
Jany 25, 1908 Tombstone
data to Q.M. Genl USA
1908 Jan. 25. [illegible]
for state of death and