Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 23,986, Jaques Van Benschoten, New York

SERVICE
New York
NUMBER _____
Van Benschoten, Jacques " Bentschoten - Ignatius
S. 23,986
CONTENTS

1st. Self July 22 '36 - Tristram 2nd. " Aug 25 '36 3rd. to Albany for 4 Sept 4th - Sept 3: 1836. 5th. J. J. DeGraff Sept 5: 1838
March 1. 1833 New York
Jacques Van Benschoten
1st. Co. in the State of New York 2nd. Sent to the Camp commanded by Wilson - of the Regt. commanded by Graham - in the New York 3rd. Mo. 19 days Sent? 2. 13. Private
Granted on the Roll of New York at the rate of 90 Dollars (00) Cents per annum, in arrears on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 4 day of Feby. and to the S.S. Keffer and Pleasant Valley
Amount to the 4th of Sep. 33 $240 Amount. allowance ending Apr. 24 48 $288
192 148.00 240
Revolutionary Claim Not June 7, 1832. Issued by Geo. A. [unclear] Clerk E. Vol. 4. Page 85

State of New York Dutchess County ss
3
3
on this last Friday of October in the year of our Lord one Thousand Eight hundred & thirty three personally appeared in open court before Judge of the court of common Pleas in and for said Dutchess county now sitting James Van Bensch who a resident of the town of Pleasant Valley in the said county of Dutchess and State of New York aforesaid aged seventy nine years on the second day of January last past, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declarations in order to obtain the benefit of the act of course - up, dated here 7/2/1832.
That he entered the service of the United States some time in the month of December in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy six as a Drafted Man in the company of Captain Wilson of the Regiment of Col. Graham. was ordered into the town of Rhinebeck, in said county of Dutch- ess, and from thence was marched from place to place southward until they arrived at Fort Independence which was situate near Kings Bridge, the fort being then in the possession of the British. The Regiment of Colonel Graham was chiefly employed during the time they remained there in scanning & alert, and not in any engagement. During the campaign ex- -cept a skirmish with a party of the British who sallied out of the fort and attacked the Americans but were but were soon repulsed and driven back into the fort again. This skirmish happened on a very cold night and during a violent snow storm, being men- -tioned from the fact that it was the very night on which General Washington fought the great battle of Trenton and took the British & Hessian

prisoners. Soon afterwards the company was dis- charged & this department returned home, having been on duty for six weeks. —
That he entered the service again in the month of June or July 1777. He was then ordered out with the militia in general and was placed in the company of Captain Rodcliff. in Col. Grahams Regiment. They were again mustered at Rhinebeck. They marched through the county of Dutchess to the Highlands. the British forces then being at Red- Bank, a distance of some fifteen or twenty miles south of the regiment of Col. Grahams. They remained encamped until the British left Redbank and marched to New York, having been on duty for three weeks. the company was discharged and returned home —
That in the month of May or June 1778. he received the appointment of Second Lieutenant in Capt. Rapp's company as by reference to the commission in lists annexed will appear. That in the same December he was again entered the service in what was then called the forty days service. He was placed in the company of Capt. Swartout as Second Lieu- tenant in the place of Lieutenant Schriver of the town of Rhinebeck in said Dutchess county, & from thence the company marched to the town of Red Bank and from thence they marched on the very day that the battle of Monmouth was fought to Matt Point on the west side of the Hudson River, soon after which he was sent as commanding officer of a party detached from the forces to take and trans- port a number of boats and battery to Matt Point for the purpose of bombarding the army along the Hudson. Having done that business, he again re- turned to Matt Point and remained there until the

Company to which he was attached was discharged having been on duty for four weeks.
His next term of service was in the same number of seven hundred and seventy-eight, when he again returned to and took the command of Capt Kipps Company, the said Kipps then being under arrest. He then took held the same office of second lieutenant but ranked captain. The company marched at Rhinebeck aforesaid and was attached to the regiment of Col. Grahams and the regiment was marched from Thence again to Rhinebeck aforesaid where they remained for two weeks on duty when they were discharged and and home.
His next term of service was at the time Burgoyne was taken, which when he went in the company of picked wagons so called with the army to the North. He served in that capacity for three weeks and returned with the army after the taking of Burgoyne as far as Esopus in the County of Ulster and was then discharged and returned home to Rhine- beck aforesaid.
His next term of service was in the year seventeen hundred and seventy-nine, when he acted what was then called the three months as second lieutenant as aforesaid in Captain Van Klief's com- pany, who refused to go and was deprived of his office. The command of the company devolved on this defendant. They were a part of Col. Grahams regiment and associated with two other companies commanded by Captains Brown & Hall, and the whole command of the three companies was under Col. Mayn. They were marched southward through the county of Dutchess to the Plank Point South of the Highlands on the Hudson river where they

remained in camp for three weeks. From whence they were marched back to Sing-Sing where they remained in camp until the whole force under Major Hove were discharged, having been on duty for three weeks etc. —————
His next and last term of service was as in the city of New York. Lieutenant aforesaid and had command of a party of soldiers with orders to search & prevent the Dory Robbers, who were in the habit of annoying the inhabitants by their depredations. The party under his command marched in different directions to scourge the country of Pestlewick and Columbia. They were on duty for two months & were then discharged
This deponent further says, that from old age and the cause given loss of memory he cannot distinctly recollect as to the precise length of his services but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the period above particular- ly set forth and in the grades above mentioned. That is to say for six months and three weeks he served as a Second Lieutenant. For three months he served as a common soldier of the Militia. and after that he served as a  Third Lieutenant of the —————
That he has no documentary evidence and Number A below of the town of Ulster in New York is the only person he can now prove to testify to his services where other affidavit is here- annexed. —————
That he was born in the town of Esopus in the said county of Ulster in the state of New York on the second day of January sometimes hundred and fifty four as appears by a record of his age in his Father's family Bible
That he has since the revolutionary War lived and that he now lives in the county of Dutchess

That he has no recollection to have ever received a written discharge from the service but thinks he was verbally discharged at the expiration of each respective term of his service by his commanding officer
That he is known in his neighborhood by Frederick Truckenmuller and Nathan Peterson who can generally testify to his character and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution
That he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present and declares that his name is not on the roll of the agency of any State
Subscribed & sworn to George P. ... This first day of October
1833 before me Henry Bracer Clerk
We Frederick Truckenmuller a clergyman residing in Mount Valley in the County of Dutchess and Nathan Peterson of La Grange in said County do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with George P. Bruscholm who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be of the age of seventy seven years. That he is respected and beloved in the neighborhood in which he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Subscribed & sworn to before me Frederick Truckenmuller Nathan Peterson Henry Bracer Clerk
And this said George P. Bruscholm do hereby declare this opinion after the investigation of the matter and after hearing the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department. That the above named officer

was a member of the church and held the office of deacon as he stated.
And the church from this unity that it appears to them that Frederick Tuckerman who has desired the foregoing certificate is a deacon residing in the town of Housatonic Valley in said Berkshire County and that Nathan Tuckerman who has desired the same is a resident of the town of Lee Grange in the said County and that he is a member of the church and that their statements are entitled to credence.
I, Henry J. Tuckerman clerk of the said church of Connecticut Housatonic Valley in the County of Berkshire do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said church in the matter of I guess Tom Bannister for a deacon.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this first day of October 1833.
Henry James Tuckerman

State of New York Dutchess County ss:
[Three large, stylized, wavy signatures or initials]
Reuben Nelson of the said county, being duly sworn doth depon and say that he is personally acquainted with Ingersoll Van Benschoten the applicant for a pension in the annexed declaration. That he well recalls that said Van Benschoten was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. That he knows the fact of his having been in what was then called the Three months service, from the circumstance that this document was in the same drawer with said applicant and attached to the company of which he had the command, holding then the office of second lieutenant as this document understood at the time of its being to be true. That he well remembers the circumstances of said applicant taking the place of Capt Van Klief at the time referred to as is stated in said applicant's declaration. The company marched from the town of Poughkeepsie to New Paltz and shortly after was returned to Poughkeepsie and at the expiration of the said three months was discharged having been on duty the whole time. That the company under said applicant was attached to the Regiment of Col. Grohman, with two other companies commanded by Captains Brown & Hall. This company was according to the list of detachments re-enlisted in the year 1779. This deponent further says that he was of the age of twenty years at the time of the day of February last past.
Sworn to and subscribed to. Reuben Nelson in open court this first day of October 1833 to the said court as hereby certify that said Reuben Nelson is a person of integrity & his statements are entitled to credit.
[Signature: Henry Fraser Clerk]

Revolution
21986 INVALID.
Act 26 '98 W H Van Benschoten West Park N.Y. Feb 2 12 1890
21986
Jacques L. L. L. Lieut Genl
Act: June 7 th 88
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 438
[Arrangement of 1870.]

This is to certify that the within Named John Van Brunt and ten Gentlemen took the Oath of Allegiance and Office as present by Saml. Rofare me.
Duluthes County June 28. 1870.
Arthur Hoffman Clerk
Lieut. Ignatius Brunsen

Jacques van Benschoten
Washington Comptroller of Customs New York
Mr. [unclear]
May 25

Mechanics Bank New York 27 th Augt 1836
Sir
Jacques Van Benschoten a Lieutenant &c at $96 pr Annum under the act of 7 th June 1832, mentioned in your Letter of the 25 th Inst, was last paid to the 1 st of September 1835, on the 15 th of the same month,
I am very Respectfully Your Obedt Servt J. M c Kimming Presd t of the ag t .
James L Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions

J L Edwards Esq

Isidorus Esq
De Sir Please be so kind as to make an answer as I ought to make to the enclosed letter of L A Coneyby I have delayed it too long.
I am Your most Respectful John Desraff
House of Rep 4 June 1898
Doctor Brump made a report on the case of Mrs Graham. Will he be so kind as to let me know who promised her a share to his other son to her. I have no recollection of the date.

Ignus Van Amstroom N.Y.
Adm as follows
1. Months 19. days Lieut 2 " 3 " privates
5 12 13
19 \frac{1333}{11.114}
13 6
32 0 160 80 9
8.66 11 677
89 685 95.88
L.S. Hoffman Pheasant Valley Dutchy N.Y.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Agnes van Renschoten further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?
yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?
yes
V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? No  The length and grades of service require to be more specific
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1892?
yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?
yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?
yes
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?
yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? Citizens XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? No XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? No XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? XVI. † Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
†QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

The Example of the State of Rich. York.
By the Grace of God FREE and INDEPENDENT.
Oh! I have a wonderful greeting.
WE reposing special Trust and Confidence, as well in your Patriotism, Con- duct and Loyalty, as in your Valour and Readiness to do a good and faithfull Service. Have Appointed and constitute, and by these Presents, Do Appoint and Constitute you the only true General Second Lieutenant of the Company of Militia of the City of Albany in the Province of New York, in the Regiment of New York Militia, to be by us called the Albany Militia, and to be by you into your charge and care as Second Lieutenant thereof. and Soldiers of that Company in true and faithful service, who are hereby commanded to obey you as their are also to Chieve and follow such Orders and Directions as you shall from time to time Commander in chief of the Militia of our said State, or any other your Superior Officer, during War, in pursuance of the Trust reposed in you, and for so doing this shall be Your our good pleasure, to be signified by our Council of appointments. In Testimony whereof, our Military Commissions to be hereunto Affixed. Witness our Trusty and well our Governor of our State of New York, General and Commander in Admiral of the Navy of the same, by and with the Advice and Consent of our said the Twenty second day of March in the Second in the year of our Lord one Thousand seven Hundred and seventy eight
By His Excellency's Command.
John Fish Secretary,
St. Peter's

V. 67
Jacques de la Fontaine
N. York To Albany

Applications for a transfer
State of New York Saratoga County ss 3.
On this nineteenth day of August 1836. before me the subscri- ber a Commissioner of deeds in and for the County of Saratoga personally appeared Jacobus Van Benschoten who on his oath declared that he is the same person who was formerly a lieutenant and had the command of a company in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Graham whose Christian name he has forgotten in the service of the United States - That his name was placed on the pension roll of the State of New York residing in the town of Pleasant Valley in the County of Dutchess at the rate of ninety six dollars per annum - That his pension has been paid at the agency in the City of New York previous to the 4 th day of September 1836. - That he has lately removed from the town of Pleasant Valley in the County of Dut- chess to the town of Saratoga Springs in the County of Saratoga and wish- es his pension to be payable in future at Albany in the said State instead of the City of New York. The pur- pose of removing and removing the resi- dence of the said Jacobus Van Benschoten from the County of Dutchess to the County of Sar- atoga - That he is old and infirm and has a son residing in the said

town of Saratoga Springs who intend him the said Jacques to dispose of his farm in the said County of Dutchess and purchase one in the County of Sa- ratoga in the neighborhood of his said son who might assist defendant in the management of said farm.
Eger.
Jacques Benjhoton
Subscribed and sworn this 19 th day of August 1836. before me. The word "for removing" being first interlined.
J. H. Gove, Commissioner of deeds.
State of New York Saratoga County ss 3
On this 19 th day of August 1836, before me the sub- scribed Commissioner of deeds in and for the County of Saratoga personally appeared Alfred Van Benschoten who upon his oath declares that he is acquainted with Jacques Van Benschoten the per- son described in and who has made oath to the foregoing affidavit and that he is the identical person described therein that the said

Jacques formerly resided in the town of Pleasant Valley in the coun- ty of Dutchess and removed therefrom to the town of Parnatoge Springs in the county of Parnatoge sometime in the month of April last where he now resides - that he was a revolu- tionary pensioner of the United States at the rate of Ninety six dol- lars per year, payable herebefore at the Agency in the city of New York And that the said Jacques Van Benschoten who has subscribed and taken the above affidavit is the identical person described therein.
Alfred Van Benschoten
Subscribed and sworn this 19 th day of August 1886 before me
J. A. Govey, Commissioner of Courts
I certify that Alfred Van Benschoten the individual who has sub- scribed and sworn to the foregoing affidavit is a person of truth and veracity.
J. A. Govey Court of Courts

State of New York Saratoga County, ss 3
I, Alpheus Goodrich Clerk of the County of Saratoga and State of New York, do hereby cer- tify that John A. Lacey is a Com- missioner of Deeds in and for the Coun- ty of Saratoga duly commissioned and qualified and duly authorized to administer oaths, take affidavits and acknowledgments of deeds and powers of attorney. That his Commission is dated on the Eleventh day of No- vember 1833, and will expire on the tenth day of November 1837, and that his signature to the foregoing affidavits of Jacques Van Benschoten therein the remainder written and also to the affidavit of Alfred Van Benschoten shall be entitled to the same.
Given under my hand and the seal of the said County this 19 th day of August A.D. 1836. A. Goodrich Clerk

Jacques Van Rensselaer
No 274. Treasury Department July 16 1836 Respectfully referred to the Secretary of War
N.Y.R. to Albany.
July 16. 1836 Pension office
W. P. Cumming Q.M. 1st
to the Secretary of the Treasury Washington D.C. Respectfully Ebenezer D. Bass

Saratoga Springs, N.Y. July 11. 1836
Dear Sir, I was at times in the month of April last I removed from my former place of residence in the County of Dutchess to Saratoga Springs in the County of Saratoga. I had not received my pension due on the 4 th of March previous. My papers were made out for the purpose of drawing at the agency in Albany. Saratoga County being included in the order making pensions payable at the Albany agency. On presenting it I found it necessary that my name should be transferred from Saratoga to Albany, and have thereupon taken the liberty of making application to the department for an order to that effect or for such other directions as the department may think proper to give. (Over) Jacques Vanderschoten

I wish the order to include the pay- ment due March 4, 1836, as well as those becoming due hereafter
Jalgees Van Buscholt.
Yrs to the Dept
11

Treasury Department Aug 23, 1876 Respectfully referred to the Secretary of War
Precedentiary Claims.
Free
To the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States Washington City D.C.
Mr. Brewster Pension Office. July 1876
6297. Aug 23
79.0

Partridge Springs. } August 19. 1856 }
Dear Sir,
Enclosed I send you my papers for a transfer, prepared as nearly like the instructions or requirements of the department as the circumstances of the case will admit. I hope the transfer will be made so that I can draw immediately after the 4 th proximo. My half yearly payment due in March last has not been paid.
Yours & Jacques Van Benschoten By J. T. Carey.
Referred to your