Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 10,902, James Van Vorst, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
New York
Van Vorst, James
R. 10,902
Wilmot
Williampe
CONTENTS

State of New York Schenectady County } ss
On this 21 st day of March 1881 appeared in open court, held before the undersigned county judge of said county.
Wilmot Van Vorst who being duly sworn according to law, declared on her oath and made the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of 1842 respecting pensions to officers and soldiers, who served in the Revolutionary War, and to the widows of those officers and soldiers.
That she is the widow of James Van Vorst deceased formerly of the city of Schenectady, that she was married June 2 nd 1788 by Rev. Richard Romaine since deceased, and that her maiden name before marriage was Wilmot Treadwell, that her said husband died at the town of Little Falls, Herk County State of New York on the 27 th day of January A.D. 1837 and that she has remained his widow ever since, and has never been married to any other person and is now a widow and eighty four years of age.
That she is informed & believes that her said husband was a Revolutionary soldier, as she has been informed by him and others, and that he was appointed Baggage Master sometime in the Spring of 1777 and contin- ued in that office till the Winter of 1780, that her said husband first entered the service in Colonel's Rensselaer's Regiment in Captain's Van Sice Company of the Militia and while in that service received the appointment of Baggage Master, and acted under the command of Henry Glen Commissary stationed at the city of Schenectady and received his orders from time to time from him, and that her husband had a number of teams and hands employed under him, engaged in said service during the time afore- said, that her husband as she is informed and believes was engaged in carrying baggage and military stores for the

Army up the Mohawk River, and for the Northern Army along and up the Mohawk North River and to Schoharie and to the different posts and stations where the Army was located, that she has possession of the family Bible and that she has always had the possession of it that the leaves hereto annexed, containing an account of her marriage and the decease of her husband were cut out of the family Bible, and that in the fire of 1819 in this place, the papers of her husband were destroyed, some of which were from his officers and in reference to the services from time to time performed by him, but the particular contents of said papers declarant can't say but as she has been informed by her said husband in his life time, related to business concerning the transportation of baggage and munitions of War, and that she has no other evidence or record of her marriage except the deposition hereto annexed. And further that she had no knowledge or belief that she was entitled to a pension on account of the services of her said husband in said War till very recently so informed, that all her children are above the age of twenty one years, that her name before marriage was Williampe Tmeas, which is the Dutch for Wilmaet, Tmeas in English.
And I the said Judge holding the said court do certify that satisfactory evidence has been adduced to the said court by the deposition of the declarant and of Philip A Tmeas James Van Vorst, John Burk all credible witnesses, that the said James Van Vorst did serve in the Revolutionary War, for the period therein mentioned, and in the capacity aforesaid, that the said James Van Vorst was married to said Wilmet Tmeas on the 2 d June 1788 and died on the 27 th of January 1837 leaving the said Wilmet him surviving, that she has remained a widow ever since. And further that it also appears satisfactory to this court that in the early part of the said War the said James served in Col. Memple's

Regiment, in Captain Van Dice's Company and while in such service he received the appointment of baggage master that all of her children are all above Twenty One years of age, that her name in such was William's Mass and is so entered in said Bible as by the leaves enclosed which were cut out of said family Bible attested & sworn to by declarant in my presence will appear, that she formerly wrote, but is now unable to do so from weakness of her hand.
Wilmer mark  X  Van Dice In Testimony Whereof the said Judge, holding a Surrogates Court as aforesaid hereunto subscribed my name, and affixed the seal of the Surrogate Court, the 21 st day of March A.D. 1851 S. W. Jones
County Judge of Schoharie County
The interlineation of the words "which were cut out of said family Bible attested and sworn to by declarant in my presence" was made by me before signing & sealing the above — S. W. Jones, County Judge

James Van Vorst Died January 27 1831
R.D.
MARRIAGES.
MARRIAGES.
James Vanvorst & for more William Pe Thaxton Married June the 2 nd 1829
Walter Clute & Sophia Van Vorst were Married on the 9 th of September 1820
James Miller & Nancy Vanvorst were Married on the 11 th of January 1818
Peter Van Vorst & Hannah Sherman were Married on the 19 th of October 1822
James J Vanvorst &
Robert H L Wendell & Caroline Van Vorst were Married May 26 1825
Anna Hicks were Married on the 12 th of April 1818
Jacob Clute Junr & Eliza Van Vorst were married Dec the 23 1824

FAMILY RECORD.
BIRTHS.
James Van Vorst - Born Feb. the 31 st 1766
William Van Vorst Born Feb. the 16 th 1767
Abell Van Vorst was Born Oct 8 th 1789
Peter Van Vorst was Born Feb 1 st 1792
James Van Vorst was Born Sep 15 th 1795
Mary Van Vorst was Born Dec 9 th 1797
Elizabeth Van Vorst was Born Nov the 6 th 1805
Sophia Van Vorst was Born Feb the 16 th 1808
BIRTHS.
Catharina Van Vorst was Born April 17 th 1813
Catharine Miller was Born Dec 13 1818
William T. Van Vorst was Born Feb 25 th 1819
Peter H. Miller - was Born 22 nd 1820 January
Sarah Van Vorst was Born Nov 3 rd 1820
Ann Elizabeth Clute was Born May 26 th 1821
James Andrew Miller Born July 30 th 1821
Anna Van Vorst was Born June 10 th 1823

State of New York, Scheneectady County, ss. } On this 15 th day of March A.D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty one (1851) personally appeared, before the undersigned a commissioner of deeds, in then and for the said County & State, John Bunke of the Town of Niskayuna in said County who being duly sworn, according to law, deposes & says that he is eighty eight years of age, that he has always resided in the County of Scheneectady, and during the Revolutionary War, resided in the City of Scheneectady that he was a Soldier in said War, in Colonel's Rensselaer Regiment, - and for his services in said War he now draws a Pension, that before and during said War, James Van Vorst was a resident of said City, that this deponent was well acquaint- ed with him, both before, during, and after the War and until his death, that the said James Van Vorst was a Baggage Master in said War, that he was appointed in the Spring of 1777 and continued as such Baggage Master in the Army from the time aforesaid till the Winter of 1780 but whether he continued longer as such Baggage Master this deponent can not say of his own knowledge, that as such Baggage Master he was engaged in transporting baggage, provisions and military stores from Albany to Scheneectady and from Scheneectady up the Mohawk River for the Army and to the different military Posts contiguous thereto as far as Fort Stanwix, and also for the Army at the North of Scheneectady and at Schoharie under the direction and command of Henry Glen Commissary, stationed at the said City of Scheneectady where was there was a depot for baggage and military stores, that the said Van Vorst had employed under him a number of hands and teams in the said service, that this deponent during the time of the said service was

intimately acquainted, and had constant intercourse and communication with him, that while this deponent was out with the Militia up the Mohawk River, said Van Vorst and the Teams in his employ, were engaged in transporting for the Army, baggage, provisions, & military stores, for the support of the Army, and when not thus employed in conveying baggage up the Mohawk and North River, said Van Vorst was engaged in teaming baggage and provisions and munitions of war from Albany to Schenectady, that said Van Vorst shortly after the War married Wilmot-Fraser, and lived with her till the time of his death, and that she is now his Widow, and unmarried, residing in the City of Schenectady known and reputed as the Widow of said Van Vorst
John his + Burke mark
Sworn to the 15 th day of March
A D 1851 before me. And
I certify, that the deponent John Burke is unable to write by reason of bodily infirmity & age. That he affixed his mark to his name subscribed to the above deposition
I also certify that the deponent is a respectable man, and a credible witness
Nathaniel Palmer
Commissioner of Deeds

State of New York City & County of Schenectady
On this 11th day of March 1851 personally appeared before me James D. Van Vorst who upon his oath deposes and says, that he has always lived in the County of Schenectady, that he is a Revolutionary Pensioner, that he is Eighty Nine years of age and upwards, that he was well acquainted with James Van Vorst in his life time, that this deponent and said Van Vorst were cousins, that said Van Vorst served in the Revolutionary War as Baggage Master subsequent to a short service in the Continental Army in Colonel Temple's Regiment, that the particular duty in which said Van Vorst was engaged, was in conveying the baggage up the Mohawk, and to the different military stations along that River, and also was engaged in conveying baggage & military stores up the North River, to wit, from Schenectady to Fort Plain, Fort Plank, Oriskany, Stone Arabia and and at Fort Stanwix then called Fort Schuyler 17 Langmaivraiger on the Mohawk, and Stillwater and Saratoga on the North River, and also at Schoharie that said James Van Vorst belonged to Colonel Temple's Regiment as above stated, previous to the Spring of 21 1777, but was appointed according to this deponent's recollection, sometime in the Month of May or June in the year last aforesaid, but certainly as early as June to serve in the capacity of a baggage master, that in said capacity he employed under him  him and kept employed a number of hands and teams till sometime in the fall of 1779, that the said Van Vorst's services amounted to two years and one half and upwards that this deponent being not only a resident of the said City of Schenectady, but in the service of the army, and engaged as hostler at the Leigref Stables in the said City, during the time aforesaid, had constant

intercourse with said Van Vorst, when not absent from the city, and knows him to be employed as above under the orders of Henry Glen a commissary, stationed at Schenectady. That he was well acquainted with Wilmot Treadwell, previous to her marriage to said Van Vorst, that this deponent and said Van Vorst married sisters, that the said Wilmot Treadwell and James Van Vorst were married in the fore part of the summer of the year Seventeen hundred and eighty eight (1888), that they lived together as man and wife, had children, and so continued to live together until the time of his death, which took place some time in the month of January One thousand eight hundred and thirty Seven that said Wilmot Van Vorst survived her said husband and has continued a Widow ever since, without ever being married again, and is now living a Widow and has no children under age.
And this deponent further says that he had frequent conversations with said Van Vorst in his life time, and advised him to apply for a pension, but said Van Vorst always refused to apply, stating that he had property enough to support him as long as he lived, and although he said he was entitled to a pension, he would not on that account apply for it.
Before sworn to a line interlined over the 10th line of page 1 was appointed a writer over an Envelope office 2nd line and at 3rd line of page 1 was called for Schuyler's Interline over the 2nd line of page 1. Sworn to before me the 11th day of March 1851.
I his James Van Vorst mark
Before me, I do hereby certify that James Van Vorst the deponent by reason of bodily debility, infirmity and the loss of his sight is unable to write his name. He affixed his mark to his name hereto. And that the deponent is a credible witness. THOMAS PALMER Commissioner of Deeds.

State of New York Schenectady County 31
On this 19th day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty One, personally appeared before the undersigned, a commissioner of deeds within and for the said County of Schenectady and State of New York, Philip A. Truax of the Town of Niskayuna in said County, who being duly sworn according to law deposes and says, that he resided in the City of Schenectady during the Revolutionary War, that he was well acquainted with the said James Van Vorst, who was also a resident of the said City, before during and after the said War, that the said James Van Vorst in the spring of 1777 was a Baggage Master and engaged in conveying baggage and military stores and provisions for the Army up the Mohawk River North River and Schoharie, from Albany to Schenectady, and from Schenectady to the above mentioned places, under the direction of Henry Glen a commissary at Schenectady. And this deponent further says that he continued in the said service as such Baggage Master, in transporting baggage for the said Army, to their respective stations up the Mohawk River, North River and Schoharie from the said Spring of 1777 to the Winter of 1780, that after the said War while others were getting pensions, this deponent asked him, why he did not apply for a pension, when said Van

Vorst replied: that he had property enough to support him as long as he lived, and that on that account he said he would not apply.
And this deponent further says that the said Van Vorst married Wilmet Thomas and lived with her till he died & that she has remained a Widow ever since.
Sworn & subscribed to the 19 th day of March 1851
Philip Vorst
And I certify that the deponent is a credible witness
Thomas Palmer
Commissioner of deeds

State of New York Scheneady County
On this 21 st day of March A.D. 1887 personally appeared before me the undersigned, a commissioner in and for said County, Samuel A. Lawrence who being duly sworn deposes and says, that in a recent conversation with Mrs Sophia Glute about the Revolutionary War said Sophia mentioned something about the services of her father, as she was informed by him that he had performed during the War. And also in an other certain recent conversation with Mrs Caroline Wendell, she stated or spoke concerning the services of her father, so that it induced this deponent to make inquiries concerning his (James Van Vorst) claim to a pension that after having made such inquiries, this deponent became satisfied that said Van Vorst was entitled to a pension, that this deponent asked said Mrs Van Vorst why she had not applied before for a pension, and she answered that she did not know she was entitled to a pension on account of the services of her said husband
S. A. Lawrence
Sworn to before me the date above written and I certify that I know the deponent and that he is a credible witness
Thomas Palmer
Commissioner of Deeds

County of Schenectady
Stephen A Daggett Esq of the City of Schenectady being duly sworn, doth depose and say that deponent was engaged in the years 1832 & 1833 in conducting various applications for pensions of Revolutionary soldiers, and that deponent became acquainted in the course of such business with most of the Revolutionary patriots of the County of Schenectady. And deponent further says that it was stated to deponent by some of the Revolutionary Pensioners, that James Van Vorst of the City of Schenectady was entitled to a pension for services in the Revolutionary War, that deponent being well acquainted with the said James Van Vorst called on him for the purpose of ascertaining whether said Van Vorst desired to procure a pension, that said Van Vorst stated to deponent that he ought to have a pension or words to that effect, but so many were applying that he thought he would not apply for a pension, this was the substance of what took place as near as this deponent can recollect
Stephen A Daggett
Sworn to before me the 22 d day of March 1858
date above
And I certify that the deponent is a credible witness
James D Palmer
Commissioner of Pleadings

State of New York Schenectady County
I Daniel P Forest clerk of said county, do certify that Samuel W Jones whose name is subscribed to the Jurat of the Declaration & certificate of Wilmot Van Vorst hereto annexed, was at the date thereof County Judge of the County Court of the County of Schenectady, and as such Judge Surrogate of said County and that the seal annexed to his certificate is the Surrogate's Seal of said County.
And I further certify that Thomas Palmer whose name is subscribed to the Jurats of the affidavits of John Burke, James I. Van Vorst, Philip A. Tineax, Samuel A. Laurence and Stephen A. Daggett, was at the date thereof a commissioner of deeds in and for said County duly authorized by law to take the same, and that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said Judge & commissioner, and that their names Respectfully subscribed to the Jurats of the said affidavits & certificates are genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of my said Office the 24 th day of March 1857
D. P. Forest Clerk

No. 14-357
Wilmut Van Vleet mir g. Lams
N. Y.
Act 7 July 1938-
J. A. Lawrence

State of New York Albany County
On this 27 th day of March 1887 personally appeared before me Isaac P. Tineas of said City, aged Seventy Nine, and Caroline Wendell aged forty Seven of the same place, who being duly sworn doth depose and say, that they formerly resided in the City of Schenectady, that they were well acquainted with James Van Vorst in his life time and till his death, that said Van Vorst married Wilhampe Tineas which in English is called Milnot, and that she is now the Widow of said Van Vorst, and that he is and was reputed & believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary Soldier and to have served in Colonel Schuyler's Regiment & also in the capacity of a baggage master under Henry Glen's Company.
And the said Tineas doth depose and say that he is a Brother of said Milnot Van Vorst, that and that he has always known said James Van Vorst & Milnot Tineas to live together as man and wife, that during their life they never parted or lived separate from each other, that they were known in the neighborhood as man & wife, acknowledged by them as such, and that the record of their marriage herein enclosed, is genuine.
And the said Caroline Wendell on her part doth depose and say that she believes that if the papers of her Father were in existence, that they would show the said services of her father as sworn to in the declaration of said Milnot Van Vorst.

that she is informed and believes that knows that the record of marriage and birth & death enclosed is the record of her (Milmot Inmeas) marriage, are genuine & cut from the family Bible to said Van Vorst. And this deponent further says that she has repeatedly heard her father say that he was well enough off and did not want a pension, though entitled to it. And this deponent further saith not
Sworn to this 27th day of March 1851 before me. And I certify that said deponents Isaac P. Dumas and Caroline Wendell are personally known to me and that they are credible witnesses.
Isaac P. Dumas Caroline Wendell
In line 1 st  above the word "is" is informed & believes that "was" & the word "are" genuine & cut from the family Bible" introduced before execution & before making of above deposition & on 2 nd line first page the word "P" introduced M c Clurg Commissary City of Albany

State of New York Albany County 3
I Robert S Gay Clerk of said County do certify that William C McIlvaine whose name is subscribed to the Jurat of the Affidavit of Caroline Wendell and Isaac P. Incease, is a commissioner of Deeds in and for said State & County, and at the date thereof duly authorized to take the same, that I am acquainted with the hand writing of said commissioner, and that his name subscribed thereto is genuine
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of my said office this 27 th day of March A.D. 1854
R. S. Gay Clerk

10,902 P. O. William H. Van Voorst Service: wid. of James
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: REJECTED _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____ _____
Re-enlisted: _____ _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____ _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

No 14.357
Melrose Van Dorn widow of James.
N.Y.
Act of July 7 th 1890
S. ch. Lawrence. June 20 th
10902

To all to whom these Presents May come,
Know Ye That I S. Lawrence, there this day constituted & appointed, A. W. C. Lawrence, of the City of Washington D. C. My true & lawful attorney in the law, to prosecute, examine, & to do all the Pension papers of Wilmot Van Vorst, relict of James Van Vorst, now on file in the pension office at Washington, in which said pension claim, S. A. Lawrence is the acting Atty
Given under my hand & Seal this 24 th day of March 1852
Witness Jos H. Clarke S. A. Lawrence

James E. Heath Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.

Harry March 27 th 1881 Commissioner of Pensions Sir
Enclosed and accompanying, I send you the papers of Mrs Wilmot Van Forst's application for a pension,
Please acknowledge receipt and very much oblige
Yours Truly
E. A. Lawrence
Y
b. f. P.

Wilmot-Varnum for insures N Y - Feb 1 July 5 1857
Yrs. of the day Yours of Mr. Lakin Washington
J. Groom Present

Albany July 8 th 1887
Miss F. Bates Day
Sir, Some time since I forwarded on to the pension Agent Mr Heath, the papers of Widow Van Nest, wherein I have proved that her husband served as Baggage master as stated in the affidavits for the space of three year or thereabouts, I am informed that they were called Baggage Master by the soldiers, while there properly they perhaps they should have been called teamsters or captains of teamsters, their pay I believe was equal to Captains pay in the regular Army
But
to come to the gist of what I want to say to you, I will commence by saying that if you will take this case in hand and push it through with all due haste I will give you $600, on the following terms $300, if the pay of a common soldier is allowed and $600 if you obtain the pay of a Captain, I am satisfied that when you have made an examination of the papers that you will not only be convinced that the claim is a just one, but that the pay allowed (if any) should be that of a Captain, I have received a batch of objections to my papers, which said objections are all met in the affidavits produced. The papers prove, The time he served, what year and month his service commenced, when terminated that in a certain fire, his papers that would prove his service were destroyed, the reason why

application was not made before, under what Colonel he served, that he was detailed to perform this particular service, and so did perform as stated and set forth, under the command of Henry Glen Commissary, In my search in Comptroller's office I find the name of J. Van Vorst, overcharged $40 this is all they can find out in reference to the service of James Van Vorst, If you think you can succeed, you may send me (printed) power of Attorney if you have one and I will have it duly authenticated so that you can make an examination of the papers, I have made you I think a liberal offer for your services, and hope to hear from you or partner soon, I now give you copy of a letter received from the Pension office (copy)
Pension Office June 20 1857
Sir,
The declaration of Milmot Van Vorst has been received and filed,
Before we can act understandingly in the case we must beg to be shown the statute under which Baggage Masters were appointed to the Militia in 1777, what their duties were and what their compen- sation, for it is a grade of Office hitherto unknown to us If this be done, the Commission under which James Van Vorst acted must be produced, or some other documentary or record evidence showing that he held

such commission, without which it can not be admitted that he was Baggage Master. After these difficulties shall be removed, the length of each tour performed by him, with its commencement and termination can be established, and a satisfactory reason adduced why he, who lived till 1837, never asserted a claim for himself.
S A Lawrence Esq Albany N.Y.
Yrs ott serv F. S. Evans for Com.
I think you will say that these objections are all met, in as plain english as can be spoken. The papers are made out in a very legible hand and it will not take much time for you to thoroughly understand them. I hope to hear from you soon.
I am with consideration Yours Truly
G. F. Yates Esq
S A Lawrence