Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 11,606, Evert Van Vranken, New York

SERVICE
SERVICE New York.
Van Franken Covert
NUMBER _____
D. 11.606
carded
CONTENTS

New York 1788
Guert Van Frankin
of Saratoga in the State of New York who was a Private in the Comp. y commanded by Captain Fisher of the Reg. t commanded by Col Schoonmaker in the N.Y. line for one year
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of forty Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 27 th day of April 1833 and sent to Giles T. Yates Sheriff Albany N.Y. Arrears to the 14th of March 1833 . . 80.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 10 th Sept 1833 . 20 $100.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by George Taylor Clerk, Book 6. Vol. 4 — Page 34
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6. April 1838 from 4 March 1837 to 4 Sept 1837. Age notified 7. Nov 1838.
Paid as above from 4 Sept 1838 to 4 Sept 1839. Agents Notified 15 July 1840
over to Henry from 10,1839

12. 6. 53 Montoga Co. Court
In the matter of the application of Evert Van Vranken for a Pension -
Proceedings -
1.
To the care of Giles F. Yates Schenectady N. Y.

State of New York County of Saratoga } ss.
On this sixth day of September in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty- two, personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County, now sitting Evert Van Vranken , a resident of the town of Clifton-park in said County, aged seventy-six years and upwards, 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 th 1832.
That he was born in the town of Niskayuna in the then County of Albany in said State on the sixth day of August 1756. He has at present no record of his age.
When called into service he was living in said town of Niskayuna - has lived there since the revolutionary war, and now lives in the town of Clifton-Park aforesaid, which was formerly a part of said town of Niskay- una.
He entered the service of the United States under the following named officers & served as herein stated.

In the year 1775, he was enrolled as a private in Captain Manning Fisher's Company of militia in the Regiment of Colonel James Van Schoonhoven. His other Company and Field officers were Nicholas P. Van Vranken Lieutenants—Gordon Lieutenant Colonel & John Taylor & Mitchell Majors.
He served under different engagements every year of the war—but the most of his services were rendered during the three first years of the war. It is entirely out of his power to specify the particular periods, and the names of all the different officers under whom he served besides those of the Company to which he belonged. The most prominent expeditions in which he engaged, were as near as he can recollect them, as follows.
He did military duty for about a month with the American troops encamped at Lake George in the year 1776; on which occasion Governor Clinton was there. He was also this year in service at New Lebanon and at Johnstown, after the surrender of Sir John Johnson. In the beginning of the year 1777, he was at Ticonderoga, & at Forts Ann & Edward. He was at each of these places for a period little less than one month, but cannot tell precisely how long. In the fall of the year 1777, he was at the Surrender of Burgoyne—also previous thereto he was in service with the American forces at and below Stillwater. He was nearly a month at Cherry Valley he thinks in the year 1778 previous to

its destruction by the Indians and Tories - In the fall of the year 1778 , one third of the militia of this State being ordered out, he was among those that were stationed at Fort Paris in Stone Arabia.
As the settlements in the neighborhood where he resided were constantly exposed to sudden attacks of the enemy, military posts were maintained along those settlements. He was day after day and night after night almost every month on duty with small parties of militia (who took turns at this service) to guard these posts. He was at Ballstown when it  about the time  when  Genl  Gardin  was taken prisoner by the enemy in the year 1780, & was then under the command of Major Mitchell. He was often out as a scout, and — with small reconnoitring parties to places infested with tories. When he went as scout to Gessup's patent, he remembers he was under the command of Captain Jesse Dole — but cannot distinctly recollect the names of the other officers who had command of the other expeditions in which he engaged. Except on one occasion when he procured a substitute for a short time under Captain John Van Der Bergh, he performed his military duties whenever called upon, & honestly thinks, that his different terms of service when added together will exceed a period of One year .
In addition to the officers whose

names are herein before given, he recollects Lieutenant Bontis, Colonel Marinus Willett General Gen Brock & General Schuyler un- der whom he served.
He never to his knowledge received any written discharge from the service.
The following are the names of persons to whom he is known in his present neighbor- hood, and who can testify as to his character for veracity, and their belief of his services as a soldier in the army of the revolution; to wit William Shephard Matthews, Swain - a Clergyman -
He has no documentary evidence, but can produce the testimony of his Lieutenant Nicholas P. Van Franken, and of John Mackintosh one of the corporals of his company.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity ex- cept the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
Subscribed & Sworn to the day & year first aforesaid in open Court
Thomas Palmer Clerk
Evert Jan Franken

We Matthew Swaim a clergyman residing in the town of Maltas in said County of Saratoga and William Shepherd a resident of the town of Clifton Park also of said County, do hereby Certify, that we are well acquainted with Ernst Van Voorhies who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy six years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution; and that we concur in that opinion. Subscribed & Sworn to the } Matthew Swaim day & year aforesaid } William Shepherd in open Court Thomas Palmer Clerk
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the inter- rogatories prescribed by the war Department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states - and the Court further certifies that Matthew Swaim — who signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the town of Maltas in the County of Saratoga State of New York and further that William Shepherd who also signed said certificate, is a resident of

of the town of Clifton Park aforesaid, and that they are both credible persons, and that their statements are entitled to credit.
I Thomas Palmer Clerk of said Court, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Evert Van Vranken for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office This sixth day of September One thousand eight hundred and thirty-two.
Thomas Palmer Clerk

State of New York County of Schenectady } ss
I Nicholas P. Van Vranken, of the Town of Niskayuna in said County, late a Lieutenant in the army of the revolution, do hereby certify, that I am well acquainted with Evert Van Vranken of the Town of Clifton Park in the County of Saratoga, an applicant for a pension under the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832. that I was well acquainted with said Evert Van Vranken in the time of the revolutionary war, and know that he was a private in my Company tho' with , in the Company of Militia under the Command of Captain Manning Fisher in the Regiment of Colonel James Van Schoonhoven. that he was enrolled a member of said Company in the Spring of the year One thousand seven hundred and seventy five, and faithfully served as a member of said Company, discharging his military duties whenever called upon, during the whole of said war.
Subscribed & sworn this 3 rd day of September, 1832, before me —
his Nich s P. + P. Van Vranken mark
James D. Ryley Judge Schenectady county courts

I, James V. S. Ryley before whom the preceding deposition of Nicholas P. Van Vran- ken has been sworn, do certify, that I am well acquainted with said Nicholas P. Van Vranken, & know him to be a man of cred- ibility, & that his statement is entitled to credit. Witness my hand this third day of September 1832. James V S Ryley Judge

State of New York } County of Schenectady } ss.
John Mackintosh of the town of Glenville in said County, being duly sworn and examined, doth depose and say, that he is well acquainted with Evert Van Vranken of the town of Clifton Park of the County of Saratoga, an applicant for a pension under the act of 7 th June 1832 - that he this Deponent knew said Evert Van Vranken in the time of the revolutionary war, and has personal knowledge of the services of said Evert Van Vranken from the commencement of the said war until the end thereof - this Deponent except for the term of four months in the year 1780, & for the term of nine months in the year 1781, when he served in the State Troops, was a member of Manning Fitches Company of Militia in the Regiment whereof Jacobus Van Schoonhoven was the Colonel; and knows that said Evert Van Vranken was a private in said Company and served therein whenever called upon from the year One thousand seven hundred & seventy-five, until the termination of said war - this Deponent remembers to have seen said Evert Van the Vranken perform military duty in said Company on sundry occasions, and at sundry military posts among the rest, at Fort Edward Stillwater, Fort George & Cherry Valley - said Deponent was a Corporal in said Company, & remembers particularly from the circumstance of his warning said Evert Van Vranken whenever he was required to go with detachments of militia on different expeditions, that said

Evert Van Kranten did actually serve as aforesaid - and this deponent further saith that said Evert Van Kranten served faithful- ly during the whole of the period he was in said Company of Militia & further saith not.
Subscribed & Sworn this } 3 rd day of 4 th day of September } 1832 before me John McVickie
L D Boyd first judge County of Schenectady
I David Boyd before whom the preceding deposition has been taken, do certify that I am well acquainted with Alexander Mackintosh who has subscribed & sworn to the same, & know him to be a man of credibil- ity, & that his statement is entitled to credit.
L D Boyd
first judge County of Schenectady
State of New York } County of Schenectady } ss.
I, John C. Vrooman Clerk of said County, do hereby certi- fy; that David Boyd before whom the preceding affidavit of John Mackintosh purports to have been sworn, was at the date of the same first Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in & for said County, & that I am acquainted with his hand writing, and verily believe his name subscribed to said affidavit, to be his proper hand.

writing and signature - and I further certify that James V. S. Ryley before whom the preceding affidavit of Nicholas P. Van Kranen purports to have been sworn, was at the date of the same, one of the Judges of the County Courts in and for said County; and that I am acquainted with his hand-writing, and verily believe his name subscribed to said affidavit of Nicholas P. Van Kranen to be his proper handwriting and signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this fourth day of September One thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
John H. Vrooman
(L.S.)

No 12453
Evert Van Vranken
G. F. Yates Schenectady N.Y.

BRIEF in the case of Evert Van Vranken  County of Saratoga  in the State of N.Y.  (Act 7th June, 1882.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 76  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     Enrolled In 1775 for during the war As a Gen. Col. Schoonhoven, Capt. Fisher   "76 — — 1 — drafted   "77 little up 1 — N.B. from 1775 to the end of the war he served in various calls, one year.  
 5. In what battles was he engaged?  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Niskayuna  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Depositions & tradition  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
Regular
X  Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Levin Bell  Examining Clerk.

Chas. Hunt
Reuben
11.606 ✓ INVALID.
File No. 11.606
Expt. Van Franken
Orig. Rev. Rai.
Act: June 7 1832
Index:—Vol. A, Page 388
[Arrangement of 1870.]

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
July 11 th 1840.
Sir :
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," Evert Jan Brokken, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Albany M y . Agency, at the rate of Sixty Dollars and _____ Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of Sept. 1838, to the 4 th Sept. 1839.
Respectfully yours,
William B. Patridge Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Present.

Merch. & Farmers Bank Albany Pension Agency June 6 th 1837.
James L. Edwards Esq r , Commissaire of Pensions,
Sir, Court Van Kliefen, a Pen- sion under the act of June 7. 1832, claims pay from 4. Sept. 1835 to 4 March 1837, upon the enrolment & receiving -
Be pleased to instruct us in the case -
Very Respectfully
Your ob t Serv t
Thos. W. Dett r Pro t Pension Ag t

Treasury Department,
Second Comptroller's Office,
Nov. 2. 1838.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," Evert Van Dusen a Pensioner on the Roll of the Albany N.Y. Agency, at the rate of Forty Dollars and Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832 has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of March 1837 to the 4 th Sept. 1837.
Respectfully, yours,
William E. Parrish Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Present.

N o 12453
Guert Van Vranken
G. F. Yates
Schenectady,
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 Evert Van Vranken which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes 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? yes 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, 1832? 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? yes XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? yes 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? 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? yes 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? yes Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yes 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? yes 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? yes
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.