Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 11,943, John P Yordan, New York

SERVICE
New York.
Yordan, John P.
NUMBER
R. 11,943
CONTENTS
alive in 1845-

STATE OF NEW-YORK, } ss. Montgomery County Clerk's Office. }
I, Chester S. Brumley, Clerk of said County, do hereby certify that Solomon Wernhyman whose name is subscribed to the annexed two Deeds to Affidavit & Certificate was at the time of the execution thereof a Justice of the Peace of said county; and further that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of such Justice and verily believe that the signature to the said Deeds & Certificate is genuine.
testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the county, the 2 nd day of March 1844
Chester S. Brumley Clerk.

State of New York Montgomery county ss.
On this first day of February, in the year of our Lord, One Thousand Eight hundred and forty four, personally appeared before one of Phineas Randall a Judge of the court of Common Pleas of the said county John P. Jordan, a resident of the town of Canajoharie, in the said county of Montgomery and State of New York, aged Seventy eight years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
In the latter part of the month of April, in the year One Thousand seven hundred and seventy eight (cannot recollect the precise day) declarant commenced the said service as a Volunteer in a company of Infantry in a company of which Adam Life was captain, in a Regiment commanded by Colonel Blyde. During that season, until some time in November he was engaged at building a Fort, called Fort Blyde in the town of Canajoharie, in the then county of Tryon [now Montgomery county] under the charge and direction of John Peter Quattle a sergeant in the said Adam Life's company, in all at least six months.
During the winter following the work at the Fort was suspended, and in the month of April seventeen hundred & seventy nine it was resumed at which time he again engaged in the work in gathering materials, and digging trenches for parapets to setting Pickets, and such other work as the said Sergeant Quattle directed, until late in the fall as near as he can recollect about the first day of November when the Fort & Pickets were completed, having served in the year 1779, also at least six months.
During the seasons of Seventeen hundred & eighty, and seven hundred & eighty one he continued his service as a Volunteer, and was directed by Sergeant Quattle to remain at the said Fort Blyde to guard the same, with several others of whom George K. Kellig was one, which orders he obeyed, and stood as guard regularly through three two seasons from same time in the month of April in each year to about the first of November, during all of which three seasons he followed no other business, nor was he absent from the Fort except by order of his commander on business pertaining to the service - with the exception that in each of these seasons at the request of his friends and by per

mission of said Serjeant Puntell he was absent a number of days to assist his friends to gather their crops, and to secure some of the necessaries of life. he is not certain as to the precise number of days in each season devoted to this object his best recollection however is that it was about ten or twelve days & not to exceed twelve - and with this further exception that in 1781 he served as a substitute (in the United States service) for one Joseph Tuttle who resided some where near Schenectady Creek in the said county of Tryon - some days
In the year one thousand seven hundred & eighty two he continued in the service, but not as a volunteer, having then arrived at the age when by law he was bound to do military duty he was regularly enrolled in the company of the said capt. Adam Lipe. Served a part of that season under the immediate charge and command of the said Captain and the remaining part of the season by his directions he was at the said garrison to guard it. From his first commencement in the service in the Spring of seventeen hundred & seventy eight, while continuing at the garrison he was regularly armed & equipped as required by law to defend the work & to engage in the service at any other point or in any other way as he might be commanded - He cannot more distinctly state the time of the commencement of actual service in each season or the time of discontinuance, than he has stated, having no data by which he can fix the day of either the commencement or close of actual service in each or either of these seasons - The last year of service mentioned, one thousand seven hundred & eighty two commenced also some time in April of that year & season closed about the first of November making five months also in this year doing actual service under military command. What part or proportion of the last season of 1782 he spent at the Fort & what part away from the Fort he cannot say with any certainty, on this point his recollection is very undistinct, recollects of being away from the Fort several times as a Scout, went twice as such toward Cherry Valley at one time in company with one George Retts, at another time with fourteen others one of whose names he can now recollect. Recollects also of being away from the Fort fifteen days at one other time with capt. Lipe, and the remaining members of his company cannot recollect what the particular service was at the time, nor at what place or places all the data he has for fixing upon these fifteen days is that he was paid by his Captain

for this service twenty Shillings, and it was said to be one shilling and four pence per day at the time. During the year 1782, as in the preceding three years he was absent about twelve days in the same way to assist his friends in securing the necessaries of life. From the year 1778, when he first entered upon the service, and to the termination of the war & up to the present time he was a resident of the town of Canajoharie in the county of Tryon (now Montgomery) in the State of New York. He has no documentary evidence to offer in establishing this claim, which is for two and a half years service in all as a private. 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 the agency of any State.
Sworn to and Subscribed the day 3 and year aforesaid. Before me R. Randall, J. of P. Judge of the Montgomery County Courts.
John R. Jordan mark
Witness: S. Cadyman
We George H. Kellis, a farmer residing in the town of Canajoharie and Laurence Kosles, residing in the same place hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John R. Jordan who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy eight years of age; that he is respected and beloved, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution; and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day 3 year aforesaid before me R. Randall J. of P. The Montgomery County Courts.
George H. Kellis Laurence Kosles
State of New York Montgomery County ss: I hereby certify that the said declarant John R. Jordan is a person known to me to be that by reason of bodily infirmity he is unable to attend Court to make his declaration in open Court. That he made his mark, to his declaration - for the

reason, that he cannot write his name that the interlineation, above the 4 th line from the bottom of the first page - & the interline- ation above the 11 th line from the bottom of the 2 nd page were made. before the signing & swearing to said declaration. I also certify that I am well acquainted with the above- named George H. Willis & Andrew Hester and that they are persons of truth & veracity in whose statements full credit is due - and that there is no Clergyman in the vicinity of the said declarant who is able to make the requisite certificate in relation to the services in the Revolutionary war of the said Declarant - And I the said Judge do hereby declare my opinion. after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories presented by the War department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. & I further certify that it appears from that George H. Willis & Andrew Hester who have signed the preceding certificate are credible persons, as above stated. & both resident in Cayuga County aforesaid - Dated 1 Feb. 1844.
D. Randall J d Judge of the Montgomery Co. County Courts -
State of New York Montgomery County I Charles S. Brannan Clerk of said County do hereby certify that the foregoing appear to contain the original proceedings before Phineas Randall all the first page of Montgomery County Courts in the matter of the application.

State of New York Montgomery County ss.
1 John P. Gordon, a person known to me, being duly sworn by me, gives the following answers to the several interrogations, required to be put to him, that is to say - "I was born when now reside in Canajoharie County of Montgomery on the first day of January 1766 -"
2 - "I had a record of my age in the old Book which is now torn out & lost -"
3 - "I was living when called into service when I now live & have lived there ever since -"
4 - "I volunteered into the service, except as to the last year, when I was ordered out with the rest of the company to which I belonged -"
5 - "Besides the officers named in his declaration for a pension - he recollects the names of Col. Wetzel who served in this region also Col. Ganservort -"
6 - "Never received any regular discharge his service ended with the war - He served all the time as a private & never received a commission -"
7 - "He can name in his present neighborhood the following persons who can testify to his character for veracity & their belief of his service as a soldier in the Revolution - to wit - Genl. George H. Miller - Judson Hester - Jonas DeForest Esq. - Judson Grafton & others -"
Sworn & subscribed before me this 17th day of July 1844 - before me P. Randall Esq. Judge of the Montgomery County Courts -
This John P. Gordon mark
Witness & County Clerk

State of New York Montgomery County Clerk's Office.
I Chester G. Brumley Clerk of the said County do hereby certify that the foregoing appears to contain the Original proceedings before Phineas Randall Esq. first Judge of the Montgomery County Court in the matter of the application of John P. Girdam for a Review.
And I further certify that the said Phineas Randall who signed the foregoing three several certificates was at the time of the date thereof first Judge of Montgomery County Court, and that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of such Judge, and verily believe that the signature to the three foregoing certificates are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said County at Mohawk in said County the 2 nd day of March 1844.
Chester G. Brumley Clerk of Montgomery County, & Clerk of Court of Common Pleas of said County.

September 7, 1932
BA-J/AWF John P. Yordan R.11943
Dr. Henry D. Watson 151 Front Street Binghamton, New York
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to Johannes Petrus (John Peter) Jordan, a soldier of the War of the Revolution.
The data furnished herein were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, R. 11943, based upon the Revolutionary War service of John P. Jordan, the name does not appear as Jordan, Jorden or Jordon.
He was born January 1, 1766 in Cananjoharie, Tryon (later Montgomery) County, New York.
He applied for pension, February 1, 1844, then a resident of Cananjoharie, New York.
He alleged that while residing in said Cananjoharie, he served in the years 1778 and 1779, six months each year as a private in Captain Adam Lipe's company in Colonel Clyde's New York regiment and assisted in building Fort Clyde, which work was under the direction of Sergeant John Peter Dunkle; and served in 1780, 1781 and 1782 as a guard at Fort Clyde under Sergeant Dunkle
The claim was not allowed, as proof of six months service as required by the pension law, was not furnished.
There are no data in this claim relative to his family.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator

11.943
P. O.
John P. Jordan Service: John P. Jordan
Enlisted: _____, 18
RECORDED
Discharged: _____, 18
Asst. Sept. 20, 1906
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: A printed list of 1852 gives cause of suspension as: Re-enlisted: He did not serve six months
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Con
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 1

1925-Mar. 7. N. B. Alter - wife of cost of copies rec'd 1925-Mar. 34. copies mailed to N. B. Alter see receipt aw for payment in Maria wid. Wm Snyder. 1812. W. of 437 th 1932-Sept. 7- list to Dr. Henry D. Watson awf

John P. Jordan act 7 June '32 New York
See letter July 22. 1844 to Hon. C. S. Benton Mohawk N.Y. Rejected - Hepr. Licklin & Winder March 20-1847.
119113

Request for Photostating (To be prepared in duplicate)
M 6
Ex. ad
OFFICE OF CHIEF CLERK
Job No. 1847 Date Mar 21 25-
Subject John P. Jordan - Rev. R 11943
1 copies of 1 pieces consisting of 5  of declaration pages to be (No.) (No.) (No.) forwarded when completed to the Rev 1812 Wars Sect Division.
Remarks: See receipt for payment in Maria Jordan Mrs Snyder, Wash 1812, wid cy 4375 Approved:
W.E. Wilson Chief Div Sect.
Chief Clerk.

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section. and
March 7, 1925.
N. Barton Alter, Welliston, N. Y.
Sir:
In response to your two letters of the 18" ultimo, I have to advise you, that the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau fail to show claims for pension on file on account of the services of Casper, Gasper, Casper L. Gasper L., George and Peter Jordan, described by you, under any spelling of that surname.
Owing to the fact that the surplus seventy cents sent by you, for payment for photostats of papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 10829, of John F. Empie, has been forwarded to the proper authority to be returned to you, it cannot now be obtained for use in connection with future payment for photostats.
If you desire photostat copies of papers in the following named pension claims, the same will be furnished you at the rate of fifteen cents a page, with twenty-five cents extra for certification in each claim, if certification is wished.

The proper amount for the exact payment for such copies should be forwarded to this Bureau by money order, drawn to the order of the Secretary of the Interior.
The number of pages to be copied in the War of 1812 pension claim, Widow Ctf. 4375, of Maria widow of William Snyder, N. Y. Militia, is four.
The number of pages to be copied in the Revolutionary War pension claim, Rejected File 11343, of John P. Yordan. is five.
The number of pages to be copied in the Revolutionary War pension claim, Rejected File 5771, of Adam Jordan is five.
The number of pages to be copied in the Revolutionary War pension claim, Survivor File 36371, of Nicholas Yorden is six.
Please return this letter with your reply.
Respectfully,
Acting Commissioner.

DR. HENRY D. WATSON 151 FRONT STREET BINGHAMTON, N. Y.
August 29, 1932
Veterans Administration Washington D. C.
Gentlemen:
Re: BA-J/AWF
Replying to your letter of July the 26th in regard to information about Johannes Petrus (John Peter) Jordan. We omitted to say in our communication to you that the name was originally spelled Yordan (Yourdan, Yerdon) but was changed to Jordan when the family came to this country. Would you be so kind as to look up the other spellings?
In a book in our Public Library "New York in the Revolution", he is listed as having served in the Tryon County Militia, (Land Bounty Rights) 1st Regiment. His wife's name was Anna Hufnagel. Therefore some record of his service should be in Washington.
If, after further search, under the different spellings, you cannot give us this information, will you please give me references for further investigation? It is extremely important that I get all that is possible concerning this man.
Very truly yours,
HDW/P
Henry D. Watson

State of New York Montgomery County
ss.
George H. Nellis of the town of Canajoharie in the said county being duly sworn, deposes and says that he resides in the town of Canajoharie in the said county of Montgomery and State of New York, that he is now in the seventy seventh year of his age, since June last, that he had been acquainted with John P. Jordan who resides in the town, county and state aforesaid, from his youth. Sometime in the month of April, in the year of our Lord, One Thousand seven hundred and seventy eight, Fort Blyde, in the county of Tryon (now Montgomery county) was commenced to be built, from which time the work at the said Fort was continued until late in the fall of the year One thousand seven hundred & seventy nine, thinking it was as late as about the middle of the month of November when the Fort together with an enclosure of pickets, was completed - during which two seasons commencing some time in April and ending about the middle of November the said John P. Jordan was at work at the said Fort. Each of these two seasons according to deponent's best recollection the work was commenced & discontinued at about the same time in the seasons respectively - deponent cannot fix in his recollection the day of either the time of the commencement or closing up of the work in either of those seasons, no nearer than as above stated.
The neighborhood was weak as to population, and individuals were drawn into the service of the country when quite young, to build a Garrison and to protect the inhabitants. But five or six families were engaged in the construction of the said Fort, a great proportion of the work was therefore done by persons less than sixteen years of age. The whole work was under the immediate charge of John P. Crankell, a sergeant belonging to a company of infantry, of which Adam Life was captain, which company was attached to a regiment under the command of Col. Blyde, who himself also frequently called to see the work while in progress. It was always understood at the Fort while being built that the said John P. Jordan's services were those of a volunteer - During these two seasons, the said John P. Jordan was absent a short time, in each season assisting his friends in gathering their harvest, cannot recollect distinctly how long, but thinks as nearly as he can fix the time, that it was about a half month in each

season. Dependent best recollection is that the services rendered by the said Indian under military command the two seasons mentioned, after deducting absences amounted to not less than Six months in each year,
after the Fort was completed, during the years, Seventeen hundred and eighty, Seventeen hundred & eighty one, & Seventeen hundred and eighty two. The said John P. Jordan remained at the said Fort with others to guard the Fort against the Indians and Tories. During these said last three years of the war until its termination in Seventeen hundred and eighty three he was continually at the Fort and took his regular turn in standing as guard, except as in the preceding two years he was absent in harvest time in each of these years, cannot say precisely how many days but judges from his best recollection about half a month in each year. Thinks it could not have been longer than that time with this further exception also that during a part of the season of the year Seventeen hundred and eighty two he was absent a part of the time over & above the time employed in harvesting crops, but how much of the time, this deponent cannot tell with any degree of certainty or in what business.
The said John P. Jordan's said services in the last three years mentioned were commenced as some  as soon as the winter snow had disappeared in each of these seasons when it became necessary to keep the Fort garrison continually - and these services were continued until the winter snow and cold again interrupted the operations of the Indians, which rendered the guarding of the said garrison less important - the said Fort being still under the immediate command of the said Sergeant John P. Dunkell, according to dependent best recollection. In the years 1780 & 1781, he performed actual service under military command after deducting the said absences, in harvest, not less than Six months in each season, thirty more than that time. In 1782, deponent can not tell very accurately how much he was absent from the Fort, but can safely say that he was not absent half of the time, & that he was in the service at the Fort not less than three months in 1782. According to deponent's best recollection the last three years mentioned his actual service did in neither of these seasons begin later than some time in the month of April nor was it discontinued earlier in any of these years than some time in the month of November.

From the first commencement of building the Fort and all the time it was being built embracing two seasons, as well as the three years following to the close of the war the said John P. Jordan was armed and equipped and under military command, at all times, though his service was regular & unbroken only during the warmer seasons or parts of the year as before stated from some time in April in each year until some time in November of each year. The said John P. Jordan when he first entered the said service and ever since has resided in the town of Canajoharie in the county of Montgomery (formerly Tryon) in the State of New York. As to all the said services above mentioned & deponent is generally clear in his recollection but as to days or particular dates he is not - and has no written reference to refresh his recollection. He accounts for his recollection as to the services, by the fact that he deponent himself was himself at the Fort during the time of its being built and subsequently until the termination of the war was one of the individuals who was placed there to guard it together with the said Jordan and others. During all which time from the commencement of building the Fort in the year 1778 to the termination of the war in 1783, the said John P. Jordan followed no other business but such as above mentioned - to deponent's certain knowledge: unless he may have been engaged at some other business during the time of some short absence in 1782 as above stated, deponent not having any knowledge of his business when absent - if he had ever, it has escaped his recollection.
George H. Patten
Subscribed and sworn before me the 14 th day of February 1844.
Solomon Countryman Justice of the peace of the said county of Montgomery
Attest.
The words "and," & "Nellis," & "snow," & "himself," were erased & the words, "as," & "he," & "some," & "deducting," were interlined before the deponent, George H. Patten, was sworn to the above affidavit.
Solomon Countryman Justice of the peace

Sir
432 Genl. of March 20. 48
In reply to your enquiry you are informed that John J. Gordon made a declaration in 1844 for service as a volunteer in Col. Clydes Regt. principally under Sergt. Dunkle of Capt. Lipe's Com- pany in fatigue duty in fortifying the settlement from during the season of 78 79. 80. & 81 & being 16 years old in 1782 was enrolled & served in that company during that year — Since my letter of 22 July '44 to Hon. C. S. Benton requesting proof from the records at Albany the rolls of that company under Capt. W for 78 & under Capt. Lipe for 79. 80. 81. & 82 have been deposited in this office and his name is not borne on the rolls of that company until 1782 when he is credited with 10 days service — These rolls cover the whole time from 27 May '78 to the 20 July 82

There could be no volunteers - & may not be questioned They shew that what he described as service under a unit of militia company was the duty of patrol & vigilance which de- volves upon Frontier settlers - and that his only military service was 10 days in 1782 for which he was paid 17/9 upon a settlement with that company after the war for the service of each officer & private
Winder & Macklin March 20. 1847
Messrs Winder & Macklin Present

Hon CS Benton
July 22, 44

255 Pension Office July 22 d 1844
Sir,
The papers in the cases of George H. Nellis and John P. Yordan have been examined and filed. The evidence is not sufficient. Unless they can prove their service by the records in the office of the Comptroller at Albany, no pension can be granted to either of the applicants.
The papers were sent to you by Mr. S. Countryman, of Fort Plain, N.Y. I have the honor
35735 Nellis 35736 Yordan act 1832 N.York copies
Hon. C. S. Benton, Mohawk, N.York.

John P. 35736 P. 35736 Passim Papers
35736
John P. 35736 N.Y.
Act 7. June '32-

Fort Plain June 12. 1844.
Hon. E. Burlin.
Sir Some time during the last month of May last, I mailed a letter at this place directed to you asking a favor of you concerning some pension papers, which letter may possibly not have reached its destination. Though not personally acquainted with you, the papers which I have recd. from you through the Post Office have laid me under obligations to you these papers have been recd. & read with pleasure & it is hoped in some measure appreciated, and have been sent afloat to do their appropriate work. It seems necessary that I place myself still more under obligations to you. The facts are these - On the 18 th April last I mailed two pension applications to the War department - one was an application by John P. Jordan, and the other George H. Kelley - I have I have had no return - I should be glad to learn whether they had been recd. or not at the department, & if so whether action had been had, & if not at what time they would be likely to receive attention - And further if you can obtain & forward to me a public document containing all the instructions & forms of proceedings in Pension matters - I will make it a point when you return to see you said - I shall in addition feel myself obliged -
Your Ob. Servt.
J. Countryman

C. S. Benton Mohawk N.Y.
Geo P. Yoder Geo H. Kelly N.Y.
H. C. S. Benton N.Y.

Fort Plain June 12 1844.
Hen. C. Benton.
Sir Some time during the last month of May last, I mailed a letter at this place directed to you asking a favor of you concerning some pension papers, which letter may possibly not have reached its destination. Though not personally acquainted with you, the papers which I have recd. from you through the Post Office have laid me under obligations to you These papers have been recd. & read with pleasure & it is hoped in some measure appreciated, and have been sent afloat to do their appropriate work. It seems necessary that I place myself still more under obligations to you. The facts are these — In the 18 th April last I mailed two pension applications to the War department — one was an application by John P. Jordan, and the other George H. Kelley — I have I have had no return — I should be glad to learn whether they had been recd. or not at the department, & if so whether action had been had, & if not at what time they would be likely to receive attention — And further If you can obtain & forward to me a public document containing all the instructions & forms of proceedings in Pension matters I will make it a point when you return to see you paid — & shall in addition feel myself obliged —
Your Ob. Servt.
S. Countryman

Hon. T. Benton Washington City D. C.
p

John P. Forden 35736 Peace in Europe
35736
John P. Forden N.Y.
Act 7. June '32.

State of New York } Montgomery County } ss.
John Smith of the town of Minden in the said county, being duly sworn deposes and says that he resides in the town of Minden in the said county of Montgomery, that he is in the seventy fifth year of his age (since April last.) Has been acquainted with John P. Jordan who resides in the town of Canajoharie in the said county, from his youth. During the last three years of the Revolutionary War, deponent with his parents remained mostly at Fort Glyde in the said town of Canajoharie for personal safety. Deponent recollects distinctly that John P. Jordan was one of those who, during those seasons, of 1780, 1781 & 1782 guarded the said Fort. Recollects also that the said Fort was under the command of Captain John P. Dunkill, who was a sergeant in Captain Adam Lipe's company of Infantry. The said Fort was nearly contiguous on three sides to woods, rendering the approach of the Indians comparatively easy. Recollects further that on five different occasions the Indians & Tories killed individuals or took prisoners near the said Fort.
Subscribed & sworn before me this 14 th day of February 1844. Solomon Countryman Justice of the peace of the said county -
John his Smith mark
Attest - David Wiles
State of New York, Montgomery County ss. I certify that I am personally acquainted with George H. Kelley & John Smith, the individuals who subscribed & were sworn to the foregoing Affidavits respectively, and that they are persons of good moral character, & entitled to full credit.
Filed at Minden in said County, February 14. 1844. Solomon Countryman Justice of the peace of Montgomery County. N. York