Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 43274, Hercules Wessels, Continental New York

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Continental New York
Mr. Wells, Hercules
S 413274.
CONTENTS

C. H. Mitchell July 24/58
Rate of death not on list
Notice of continuance sent the 25 th May 1802 to George Wilson, Esq. No 69 Murray St. N. York.
3080.
New York Roll
Hercules Mepels, W Capt Lockwood Private New York Line
In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War.
Inscribed on the Roll of New York — at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 2 nd of April 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 th of Sept. 1818 and sent to Richard Riker Esq New York
  Arrears to 4th of Sept 1818  40.80    Semi-ann. all'ce ending 4 th Mar 1819  48.00  
Arrears 5 Mo. 3/30 $88.80
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
7 Years
Continued
New York

State of New-York.
CITY AND COUNTY OF NEW-YORK, ss.
I, BENJAMIN FERRIS , Clerk of the City and County of New-York and Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, in and for the said City and County,
Do hereby certify, That Richard Riker, Esq.
before whom the annexed affidavits were made, and who hath subscribed his name to the Certificate also hereto annexed, was on the day when the said Affidavits were made, and the said Certificate signed, Recorder of the City of New-York, and a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, called the Mayor's Court of the City of New-York, and duly commissioned and sworn. And further that the said Court is a Court of Record of the State of New-York ; and that the signature of R. RIKER subscribed to the said Certificate is the proper hand writing of the said Richard Riker.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court, this fourteenth day of April 181 8
Benj. Ferris Clerk

Hercules Wessels Soldier
Correct under the Law.
Found correct - on Lamb's Roles.
(New York rolls.)

State of New-York, ss.
To the Hon.
Richard Peck
Recorder of the City of New-York, and one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, called the Mayor's Court of the City of New-York, which is a Court of Record of the State of New-York.
The Declaration under Oath of Hercules Wepsels formerly a Private Soldier engaged in the Service of the United States during the Revolutionary War, now a Citizen of the United States and resident of the City and County of New-York, respectfully sheweth,
THAT the said Hercules Wepsels enlisted sometime in the
year 1776, the month not remembered, in the Regt. commanded by Col. John Lamb, in compy. commanded by Capt. Wm Stevens of New York continental. Deponant joined said Regt. at West Point. State of New York. Deponant was stationed at said place part of the time. Deponant also saith that he was at the Battles White Plains, Brandywine Bridge, & Yorktown. Deponant remained with said Regt. until he was honorably discharged from under Col. John Lamb, in the said Regt. at the close of the war in the year 1783, which discharge Deponant says he has lost some years since
And the declaration further sheweth, that the said Hercules Wepsels is now a citizen of the United States, resides in the city of New-York, and is, by reason of his reduced circumstances in life, in need of assistance from his country for support
Therefore the said Hercules Wepsels conceives himself entitled to the benefit of the Act of the Congress of the United States, entitled, "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land and Naval Service of the United States in the Revolutionary War," approved 18th March, 1818, and requests your Honor will examine into the truth of the matter aforesaid, certify and transmit

the testimony in the case, and the proceedings had thereon, to the Honorable the Secretary of the Department of War, to the end that such relief may be had in the premises, as is by law in such case made and provided. And in support of the facts above set forth, the said Hercules Wepels refers to his
testimony in the above case
Hercules Wepels
City and County of New-York, ss.
Hercules Wepels
of the City and County of New-York, being duly sworn, saith, that the matters by him set forth in the foregoing Declaration, are in all respects just and true.
Sworn before me this Second day of April 1818, }
J Pike
Hercules Wepels
Recorded of the City of New York
City and County of New-York, ss.
William Leaycraft - late Lieutenant in Col Lamb's Regt. Citizen of New York being sworn, saith, that he is well acquainted with Hercules Wepels and knows him to be the same person described in the within Instrument
Wm Leaycraft
Sworn before me this Second day of April 1818 }
P Pike
Rec. 2

City and State of New-York, ss.
BE IT REMEMBERED , That on this Second day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighteen before me Richard Mikes Recorder of the City of New-York, and one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, called the Mayor's Court of the City of New-York, which is a Court of Record, personally appeared the aforesaid Hercules Wepels
who being by me duly sworn by the truth of the facts stated in the foregoing Declaration and I having further evidence of the said facts by the deposition of Capt. William Leaycraft, late Lieut. in said Regiment  W. Leacraft was known to me to be the person described in and who executed the foregoing Declaration
WHEREUPON I being satisfied that the said Hercules Wepels did serve in the Army of the United States as a private soldier in the Revolutionary War, against the common enemy, for the term of nine months and longer, to wit: for the term and the manner stated in the Declaration of the said applicant; and that the said applicant is fairly and justly entitled to the benefit of the Act aforesaid. THEREFORE I DO HEREBY CERTIFY and transmit the testimony in the case, and the proceedings had thereon, as before set forth, to the Honorable the Secretary of the Department of War.
GIVEN under my Hand and Seal of the said Court, in the City of NEW-YORK, this Second day of April in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighteen
R. Mikes

N o 442 697
Rec d 18 Mar: 1822.
In the matter of Hercules Wipels a Revolutionary Soldier
Cont.
Geo: Wilson Esqr. no. 67, Murray St. New York.

New York Marine Court
In the Marine Court of the city of New York held at the City Hall of the city of New York in and for said City before the justices of the same Court on the day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty two
Present The Honorable Robert Swanton one of the Justices of the said Court -
Be it remembered that on the 7 th day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty two personally appeared in the Marine Court of the city of New York in open Court the said Court being a Court of record for the city of New York according to the laws of the State of New York Hercules Vepels aged sixty six years resident in the city of New York in the State of New York who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath declare that he served in the Revolutionary war as follows that he enlisted on the fifteenth day of February one thousand seven hundred and seventy seven for the term of the War Only (as his discharge states) in the State of New York in the company commanded by Samuel Lockwood in the regiment commanded by Colonel Lamb in the line of the State of New York on the New York Cont- inental establishment - That he continued to serve in the said corps until the next day

of June 1783 when he was honorably discharged at West Point in the State of New York by his Excellency George Washington which discharge was countersigned by J Trumbull Trumbull Joint Secretary and Registered in the Books of the Regiment by James Bradford Adjutant - that shortly after he enlisted he was promoted to the office of a corporal and about two years after he enlisted Captain William Stevens took command of his corps under whom he served until he was discharged that he was in the battle of White Plains Cumps Flatbush - hill and at the taking of Lord Cornwallis and that his original declaration is dated the second day of April one thousand eight hundred and eighteen and that his pension certificate Numbered 3080
Hercules vessels And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18 th day of March 1818 and that I have not since that time by gift sale or in any manner disposed of my property or any part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress entitled an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary war passed on the 18 th day of March one thousand eight hundred and eighteen and that I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property or securities contracts or debts due to me nor have I any income other than is than what is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed to wit

Real Estate None
Personal Estate (necessary bedding and clothing for self and family excepted)
1 tub — $0 11 50 One table (very old) $0 11 25 1 Pail — 0 11 25 Tea kettle leaks had it 30 years 0 11 25 6 Knives & forks — 0 11 25 6 chairs (old) — 1 00 00 6 Tea cups & saucers 0 11 12 2 Spoons — 0 11 12 1 / 2 Tea pot 1 & 4 plates 1 00 50 2 Sashes — 0 11 12 1 / 2 2 Towels 1 00 25 1 chest (old) — 0 11 50 4 Bowls — 0 11 12 Shovel & tongs & two horns — 2 00 00 1 Pot & kettle — 1 00 00 One Saw — 5 00 00 1 Griddle — 0 11 12 1 / 2 $ 2 11 93 $ 9 11 25 2 11 93
The whole value of declarant's estate is $ 12 11 18
Declarant is a chair maker by trade but is unable to do any thing at his trade except mending he has a wife Elizabeth Nefels aged sixty eight years, who is through age and its concomitant infirmities able to do but little he has a grand daughter residing with him named Catherine Givney aged about thirteen years who assists declarant's wife at her house work the principal part of which she does and is unable to do any thing else he has a boy residing with him named Abraham Vanroddel aged about thirteen years who is about going to a trade declarant expects he will leave him early in the spring. Declarant saith that he can get but very little work to do at which even if he could get enough to do he could earn but little being unable to work all his time in consequence of being afflicted very

much with Rheumatic pains he saith he is through age and infirmity and the scarcity of work in such moligent circumstances as to be totally unable to support himself without the assistance of his country that is to say without the aid of the General Government except by private or public charity. Hercules Besely
Swoon in open Court } the 7 th day of February 1822 }
Fred Jenkins Clerk Marine Court
I Robert Swanton one of the Justices of the Marine Court of the City of New York do hereby certify that it is the opinion of the said Court that the whole value of the within applicants property does not in the whole amount exceed twelve dollars and eighteen cents necessary bedding & clothing for himself & family excepted Feb y 7 th 1822
R Swanton one of the Justices of the Marine Court of the City of New York
I, Frederick Jenkins Clerk of the Marine Court of the City of New York do hereby certify, that the foregoing affidavits and the Schedule thereto annexed are truly copied from the records of the said Court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount in the value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is not exceeding twelve Dollars and eighteen cents -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal affixed the Seal of the said Court this Eighth - day of February 1822.

Wid Jenkins Clerk Marine Court
ad corpus

February 8, 1936
Hercules Wessels-S.43274 BA-J/AWT
Mr. Francklyn Hogeboom Hotel Plaza Fifth Avenue at 59th Street New York City
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Hercules Wessels of New York.
The data contained herein were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 43274, based upon the service of Hercules Wessels in the War of the Revolution.
The date and place of birth of this soldier are not given, nor are the names of his parents stated.
Hercules Wessels enlisted at West Point, New York, sometime in the year 1776, served as a private and was in the battles of Flatbush and White Plains. He enlisted February 15, 1777, served as a corporal in Captains Samuel Lockwood's and William Stevens' Companies, Colonel John Lamb's Continental Regiment, was in the battles of "Crompoes' Bridge" and at the surrender of Cornwallis, was discharged June 9, 1783 at West Point, New York.
He was allowed pension on his application executed April 3, 1818, at which time he was aged about sixty-two years and a resident of New York City.
In 1822 he was still living in New York City, his wife, Elizabeth, was sixty-eight years old at that time, and he referred to the following, as members of his

family "residing with him"-- a granddaughter, Catharine Gidney, aged about thirteen years, and to a boy, Abraham Vanorsdol, also aged about thirteen years.
The soldier, Hercules Wessels, died November 10, 1833, and his widow died February 17, 1838, leaving children, names not stated. The papers in this claim contain no further reference to family.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

Stearns July 27/35 Rev. L. L. Conant Calif.
Hercules Messrs
A. U. 78 m. 1818
Treasury Department, SECOND AUDITOR'S OFFICE.
J. C. Whiting Esq. Commissioner of Pensions

Charles H. Mitchell 119 Nassau St. N. York July 26. 1858.
In relation to Pension of Hercules Wepells dec d & requesting to be informed whether his heirs are entitled since his death
Rec d 27. July 1858 & Respect- -fully referred to the Commission of Pensions J. D. Fuller 2 Ells. ditto.

J. J. H. Fullen Esq.
Second Auditor of Treasury:
Dear Sir:-
Will you please inform me whether the heirs of a person under the following Circumstances are entitled to the amount that could have been drawn by their Mother who was a widow of a Pensioner of the United States? -
The Circumstances are as follows:-
Hercules Aspells the Pensioner died on the 10th day of November 1838. Having drawn his pension regularly up to his death. He left surviving him a widow who died the 15th of February 1838 who never drew a widows pension never having applied for it, thought she was about applying at the time she died. None are

the heirs of Weights entitled to and can they obtain the amount which their mother could have recd? - If so I will make out the necessary papers to obtain the amount due them--
Please let me hear from you as soon as possible, as these heirs are poor & are troubling me daily about this matter--
Yours fe
Chas H Mitchell 119 Nassau St New York
New York Monday July 26 th 1858.

Pension Office July 29, 1858.
Sir
In reply to your letter of the 26 th instant, addressed to the Second auditor of the Treasury, and by him referred to this office, you are respectfully informed that under the circumstances stated the children of the widow of Hercules Mersells would not be entitled to arrears of pension. Under a recent decision of the Department, founded upon an elaborate opinion of the Attorney General, the children or other representatives of revolutionary soldiers, and their widows, are entitled only to such arrears as may be due them when parents as pensioners
Charles N Mitchell Esq. 119. Nassau St. New York

1936 Feb. 8 - list to Franklyn H. G. ...
43274
INVALID.
Rev
File No. 43.274
Rescued Fossils
By Mr. ...
Act: 18 th March 18 th
Index: - Vol. 3 , Page 552
[Arrangement of 1870.]

EMPIRE STATE SOCIETY SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
ORGANIZED FEBRUARY 11, 1890 HEADQUARTERS: HOTEL PLAZA FIFTH AVENUE AT 59TH STREET NEW YORK, N. Y.
January 31, 1936
The Veterans Bureau Washington D. C.
Dear Sirs:
From the records of your office can you confirm the following service?
HERCULES WESSELS, born January 17, 1757, died in White Plains, N.Y., November 10, 1833, was a Corporal in the 2nd N. Y. Artillery, from February 15, 1777, to June 9, 1783. He was given a pension, which began on April 2, 1818. His wife's name was Elizabeth Addington (1754-1838).
We want to check up this service, to be sure it is correct, and as he got a pension, we hope the records of your office can confirm it.
Yours very truly,
Franclyn Hogeboom Franclyn Hogeboom Registrar
FH:S