Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 11616, Benjamin Van Orden, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
New York
Van Orden, Benjamin
S. 11616
CONTENTS
carded

10.061
84 New York
Benjamin Van Ordern of Coys of Rifles in the State of N. York who was a Capt. H.M. in the C. commanded by Captain _____ of the Regt. commanded by Col. D. Deyo in the N. York line for 3 Years
8486. H.
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of $20 Dollars per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 13th day of April 1831 and due to Mr. J. S. Brock Executor
Arrears to the 4th of March $640 Semi-annual allowance ending 4th July '35 160 $800
{ Revolutionary Cl } { Act June 7, 1832 }
Recorded by _____ Clerk, Book C Vol. 4 Page 38
Let. S. T. Deyo 24 th July 1850 Evans & Flint 27 Aug 1852
33

10.067
Declaration of Benjamin Van Orden of Coxsackie, Greene County State of New York for a Pension under the act of 7 th June 1832.
adorn d
2 years Reg t Quarter Master —
320 $

State of New York
Greene County ss 3. I William V. B. Keermance Clerk of the said county, certify that Dorrance Kirilant Esq. before whom the annexed supplementary affidavit of Benjamin Van Orden was sworn, was at the date of the same, First Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of the said County (being a court of record) and that his signature thereto is genuine — also that Abraham Van Dyck Esq. before whom the annexed certificate of Jeremiah Scarle and William Gay was sworn, was at the date of the same a Commissioner of the said County, authorized to take affidavits &c and that his signature thereto is genuine.
I do further certify that it was proved in open Court to the satisfaction of the Court aforesaid, that Peter H. Van Bergen, John Van Schaack, Parent Dubois and Wessel Salisbury, who have sworn to the annexed affidavits subscribed by them respectively, are credible persons, and that their statements are entitled to credit, and that I am personally acquainted with them, and that they are reputed to be such persons.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my hand and seal of office this fifth day of January 1833.
William V. B. Keermance Clerk

State of New York  Supplementary Greene County ss:  Declaration
On the fourth day of January one thousand eight hundred and thirty three personally appeared before me Dorrance Killland first Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Greene (the said court being a court of record) Benjamin Van Orden a President of the town of Hoosackie in the said County aged seventy six years, who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in addition & supplementary to the annexed declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7 th 1832 —
That this declarant was appointed a quarter master of the Regiment of militia in the County of Albany and State of New York where Anthony Van Bergen was Colonel — That his commission is annexed to his original declaration and bears date the 20 th day of June 1778 — That he served in the capacity of Quarter Master from the time of his appointment until the end of the Revolutionary war — That he was nearly all the time in constant service for the United States in supplying the militia called out in actual duty, or the United States troops — That he did duty as quarter master in the year 1778 three months —
That Philip Coine a Capt. Lieutenant in the New York line of the continental army (now deceased) commanded detachments from the militia in the years 1779. 1780. 1781 west of Catskill in the then county of Albany & State of New York on what was then called the Frontiers and the greatest portion of the time

at a place called in the Indian tongue Pat amiscossae - That during the last mentioned years troops were constantly stationed there to protect an extensive region of country from the incursions of the Indians and Tories - That this declarant furnished the troops during those years - That he believes that he was in actual service during the whole of those years - That he can confidently state and therefore does declare that he did nine months service for the United States as quarter Master in each of the years 1780 , 1779, 1780, 1781 - That during all that time Anthony Van Bergen aforesaid was Colonel of the Regiment to which he belonged -
And this declarant further says that it is not possible for him to procure proof of the length of time he served, that he does not know of any living witnesses by whom such proof can be made - That this declarant refers to the proof accompanying his main declaration to substantiate the fact that he served as quarter Master during the revolutionary war -
And this declarant says that he claims a pension for two years service as a Quarter Master -
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 & subscribed the 4th day
Benjamin Van Arden
of January 1833 before me
Dorrance Wortley First Judge of
The Court of Common Pleas of Greene County State of New York

(see Clerk's certificate annexed)
State of New York Greene County ss
We Jeremiah Searle Clergyman residing in the town of Coossackie in the County of Greene and State and William Gay - residing in the same place, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Benjamin Van Orden who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy six years of age, that he is reputed & believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution of the grade of Quaster Master & that he concurs in that opinion.
Jeremiah Searle William Gay
On the 4 th day of January 1833 before me appeared Jeremiah Searle whom I know to be a Minister of the Gospel having charge of the Congregation in which the abovementioned Benjamin Van Orden resides, and on the same day before me appeared William Gay who as well as the said Jeremiah Searle have subscribed the foregoing Certificate - and they being respectively sworn declared that the matter stated in the said Certificate is true. And I do certify ... and the greatest portion of the time

that I am well acquainted with the said William Gay Jeremiah Searle, and know them to live in the same town and neighborhood with the said Benjamin Van Dusen. that they are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Abm Van Dyck
Commissioner of deeds in & for the County of Greene.
(see Clerk's certificate annexed)

State of New York Greene County ss
On this third day of September one thousand eight hundred & thirty two personally appeared in open court, before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County of Greene now sitting being a court of record Benjamin Van Orden a resident of the town of Coxsackie in the County of Greene and State of New York aged seventy six 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 th 1832
That he was born at a place called the Great Imbrought in the town of Catskill in the County of Greene on the 27 th day of August 1756 - that he lived there until 1786 when he removed to the village of Catskill in the town of Catskill where he remained until 1801 - That he then left Catskill, went to Coxsackie in 1801 & from that time has resided there & still resides there - That in the early part of the Revolutionary war and he thinks in the year 1775 he was enrolled as a private in a company of Militia commanded by Captain David Abell - of Catskill now deceased in a Regiment commanded by Col: Anthony Van Bergen of Catskill Coxsackie now deceased - That immediately after his enrolment orders were received by the Militia to be in constant readiness to march - That pursuant to such orders he kept himself in readiness, was prepared with arms and ammunition & has exercised and drilled almost every week; and from that time he considered himself

bound to military service for the United States until the termination of the Revolutionary war - That in the winter & he thinks in January 1776 he went as a private soldier to Johnstown in the county of Montgomery & state of New York between eighty and ninety miles from his place of residence to oppose Sir John Johnson - That he was commanded by Capt. Samuel Van Vranken of Catskill deceased - That Ignatius Van Orden also deceased was Major - That Genl. Schuyler commanded the troops - That he remained there until Sir John Johnson surrendered & saw the forces under him lay down their arms - That he thinks he was on duty at that time about a fortnight -
That in the fall of 1776 he was ordered to be stationed at a place then called Schenectady now Athens in the said county of Greene under Capt. David Abell of Catskill now deceased. That Ignatius Van Orden  Beesen of the same place deceased was Major - That a considerable number of the Militia were there at the same time - The whole were commanded by Col: Anthony Van Bergen also deceased of Coxsackie - That they were stationed there to protect American boats and to guard the adjoining country from the incursions of the Indians and Tories - that he did military duty there between five & six weeks - That he verily believes that from the fall of 1776 until the following summer he was called out almost every week on scouting parties and on sudden alarms and did duty upon there occasion in different parts of the adja

cent country - That in the summer of 1777 he went on north to oppose Burgoyne - that he was at Fort Edwards about the time Ticonderoga was taken by the British - that he was present when Fort Edward  George was evacuated & was present when the American forces retreated That he was in Col. Gossn Va - Schenck's regiment Genl. Schuyler was the commanding General - That Fort Edwards is between eighty & ninety miles from their place of residence - that he did duty at that time between five and six weeks - That he returned home and after a very short time was again ordered to join the Army under General Schuyler, that he immediately went on and met the army at a place called Toll's Ferry in the town of Stillwater - That the army was then on the retreat and the detachment to which he belonged retreated to an Island called Van Schaick's Island opposite Troy. That he was then commanded by the aforesaid David Abell - That he was then in actual service five or six weeks - That he left Van Schaick's Island about the time the army were ordered to march against Burgoyne. That two of his brothers were then in the Army His services being required in the vicinity of his father's residence below Catskill he returned home - That on his return it was understood the British were coming up the North River and that he was there employed in removing the property of his father & in making preparation to resist the British - That while at home the British Vessels anchored in the river in plain view of his father's house - That during the

following winter he was almost continually on duty of some kind & frequently on scouting parties -
That in the Spring of 1778 He went to Schoharie as a private soldier to protect & defend the forts there erected - That he was then under the command of Col: Vrooman of Schoharie & did duty at that time a month or more -
That he was appointed appointed a quarter master of the Regiment of Militia in the County of Albany and State of New York whereof Anthony Van Bergen was Colonel - That his commission bears date the 20 th day of June 1778 and passed the Secretary's office on the 5 th day of August 1778 and is signed by George Clinton then Governor of the State of New York - which commission is now in his possession - That from his appointment of quarter Master he did duty for the United States until the end of the Revolutionary war, and was almost constantly if not continually in active employment - That Philip Corne a Capt: Lieutenant in the New York line of the Continental Army (now deceased) commanded a detachment from the militia in the years 1779. 1780. 1781 west of Catskill on what was then called the Frontiers and a considerable portion of the time at a place called in the Indian tongue Patomiscossae - That he furnished the Troops under the said Philip Corne during those seasons; that the time he was on duty during those years as quarter Master was more than two years - That in the year 1779 he went to Johnstown afterward in the discharge of his duty as quarter - that

he remained there with the troops at that time about a fortnight —
That in addition to the foregoing services and which are herein particularly specified he did various other duties — That from the time of his enrolment until he received his commission as quarter master he was frequently called out and did duty on special occasions, on scouting parties and on alarms — That on occasions there, he was on duty sometimes a week, sometimes one, two, three four days and nights. That it is not possible for him to state with entire accuracy every time he was from home on duty, nor can he now remember every place, but he has no doubt but that he did duty as a private, besides what he did as quarter master, at least two years — That the several duties herein set forth he did on his own account and not as a substitute — That he has no discharge —
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 & subscribed the day & year aforesaid in open court before me
William W. B. Keermance Clerk
Benjamin Von Boden

we Peter H. Van Bergen & John Van Schaack residing in the town of Coxsackie — in the County of Greene aforesaid certify that we are well acquainted with Benjamin Van Orden who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be between seventy six & seventy seven years, 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 Sworn & subscribed Peter H. Van Bergen the day of year aforesaid John Van Schaack in open court before me William V.P. Heerma Clerk
| see clerk's certificate annexed and below /
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 applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states; And the court further certifies that it ap- pears to them that Peter H. Van Bergen & John Van Schaack Who have signed the preceding certificate are residents of the town of Coxsackie — and are credible per- sons and that their statement is entitled to credit —
Durram H. Holland First Judge of Peace Court

I William T B Hermance Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Benjamin Van Orden for a pension —
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the said County this third — day of September 1832 —
William T. B. Hermance Clerk

State of New York
Greene County ss. Barent Dubois of the town of Catskill in the County of Greene being sworn faith that he is well acquainted with Benjamin Van Orden of Coxsackie who has subscribed sworn to the Declaration to which this is annexed and has known him ever since his first remembrance - That the said Benjamin at the time of the revolutionary war resided at the great Imbight in the town of Catskill. That he knows the said Benjamin to have been in the service of the United States as a militia man during in the revolutionary war. That he went in Company with this deponent to Schoharie, and remained there one month keeping the fort and protecting the inhabitants under the command of Colonel Vrooman - That from the commencement of the war to its close he knows that the said Benjamin was frequently called out into service as a militia man and that for a period of the war he acted as quarter master.
Barent Dubois
Sworn to in open Court this fourth day of September
1832.
William V. D. Hermance Clerk
(see clerks certificate annexed)

State of New York
Greene County ss. - Wessel Salisbury of the town of Catskills in the said County of Greene being sworn first that he is well acquainted with Benjamin Van Orden who has signed and sworn to the declaration unto which this affidavit is annexed That the said Benjamin was to the knowledge of this deponent in the service of the United States as a militia man in the Revolutionary war and that he was often called out into actual service and that during a portion of the war he knows the said Benjamin to have acted as quarter master and supplied the troops at Pottamquank near the mouth of the Rondout - and that he acted as quarter master of the Regiment of Colonel Van Bergen, in which this deponent was a the lieutenant. -
Wessel Salisbury
Sworn & subscribed in open court before me September 4, 1832
William T. B. Freeman
Clerk
see Clerk's certificate annexed

State of New York Greene County ss
Peter Vanbrahten of the town of Catskill County of Greene & State of New York being duly sworn deponeth and saith that he was well acquainted with Benjamin VanOrdern late of the town of Coeymans deceased, who was a pensioner of the United States for services rendered in the Revolutionary war as an officer, that he died in said town of Coeymans on the Seventh day of February in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven and left no widow and that Benjamin VanOrdern, and Katy Bogardus are the only surviving children of said deceased and that they are severally over twenty one years of age and further saith not.
Sworn and Subscribed before me this 19 th day of April 1850 Known to me to be a respectable citizen and qualified to full credit
Robt. Lorlon Justice of the Peace.
C. S. Bennett Peter Van Brahten
State of New York Greene County ss.
C. S. Bennett of the town of Catskill in said County being duly sworn deponeth and saith that he was well acquainted with Benjamin VanOrdern late of the town of Coeymans deceased who was a pensioner of the United States for services rendered in the revolutionary war as an Officer. That he died in said town of Coeymans on the seventh day of February in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven in said town of Coeymans and left no widow and that Benjamin VanOrdern and Katy Bogardus are the only surviving children of

said deceased and who are severally over twenty one years of age and further this deponent saith not Sworn and subscribed before me this 19 th day of April 1850 to me Catharine E. J. Bennet well known to be a respectable cit- izen entitled to full credit —
Robt. Lorson Justice of the Peace
State of New York
Greene County clerk's office
I Jacob Van Orden clerk of the County of Greene do hereby certify that Malbone Wat- son Esqr. before whom the foregoing declaration of Benjamin Van Orden purports to have been sworn and subscribed was at the date of the same a Judge of the Supreme Court of the State of New York duly elected and qualified to take the same.
And that Robert Lorson Esqr. before whom the affi- davits of Peter Van Keuren and Catharine E. J. Bennet purport to have been subscribed and sworn was at the date of the same a Justice of the Peace duly elected and qualified law to administer oaths, and that I am well ac- quainted with the hand writing of said Judge and Justice and verily believe their several signatures to the jurats of said declaration and affidavits to be genuine Note: a Justice of the Peace; introduced before execution In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official Seal this 19 th day of April 1850
J. Wein Orden, Clk

State of New York, Greene County ss
On this nineteenth day of April in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty personally appeared before me Malbone Watson a Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York
Benjamin VanOrden a resident of the town of Catskill in said County aged fifty Nine years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oaths make the declaration in order obtain the benefit of the division made by the Commissioner of Pensions under the act of Congress passed 7 th June 1832. —
That he is the son of Benjamin VanOrden deceased late of the town of Catskill in said County who was an Officer in the Revolutionary war, and served in the capacity of Quartermaster for which he was awarded a pension at the yearly rate of $320 under the act of 7 th June 1832 which he continued to receive until the day of his death. —
That since the death of deponents father the said Benjamin VanOrden, deponent was informed that a division had been made by the Commissioners of Pension at Washington allowing additional compensation to Revolutionary Officers who performed Staff duty, in addition to their pay in the line. And that this offi- davit & application is made for the benefit of the only children and surviving heirs of the said Benjamin VanOrden deceased. That he died, on the seventh day of February in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven and left no will and that this de- ponent and Katy Bogardus are the only surviving children who are severally over the age of twenty one years. for proof of of which statement is herunto annexed the affidavits of Peter Van Richten & C. M. Beman. And for further proof of the above statement. deponent

deponent would respectfully refer to the papers on file in the Pension Office at Washington in the application of the said Benjamin Van Orden deceased for a pension under the act of 7 th June
1832 (the year one thousand eight hundred & thirty seven intolined) Benjamin Van Orden
Sworn & subscribed before me on the day & year first above written, that I am personally acquainted with the said Van Orden, & that he is a respectable citizen & entitled to full credit
Malbone Watson a Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York

Rev. War
11616
INVALID.
File No. 11,616
Benjamin Van Orden Esq. L.M. Rev. War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. a , Page 389
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Benjamin Van Orden Regimental Quartermaster Rev. War State - New York
Ex by Thos. Neely Oct 21-51
Oct 15, 1857
Will McClellan please permit Mr Neely to do in these cases, he being authorized to do so John Lewis

St. Van Orden Dr. Master New York since Rev. War.
Papers filed by J. S. Scully Let Mr Evans have copies

Barent Dubois. Pensioner.

Letter in Relation to Raj. Van Orden Rept In Master New York Mail Revar
Colle Ex by F. S. Evans
M rs J. Keely June 23 d 52

Washington City Oct 21 1851
Dear Cousin
Sir
In the case of Benjamin Van Orden Regimental Quartermaster of the New York Mil. during the Rev. war. He states in his declaration that he served 2 years or more in said Company from 1778. And his Commission shows his appointment and approval in said Company 5 August 1778. Enclosed with his papers He has been admitted & placed on the Pension Rolls for 2 years service as Regt Quarter Master at 360 per annum but I claim that his service as set forth entitles him to $330 per annum and request an examination and allowance of the same under Res. 1778 -
Very Respectfully Yours J. M. T. Neely

Washington, June 24 th 1852.
Sir,
We are requested by Mr J. J. Keeley to call up the case of Benjamin Van Orden, New York, June 7 th 1836, No 8486, who was pensioned at $320 as 2 d Master to the Reg of Col Anthony Van Bergen. You will find Mr Keeley's authority with the papers, and a note from Mr Keeley, authorising Mr Evans to attend to it for him.
We claim an increase on the following ground, that Reg 2 d Masters, prior to the 3 rd Oct 1778 were paid $18 per Month, after that $27. 50/100 or $330. —
As this has been a late decision of the Pension Office, we do not think that it comes under the decision of the Secy of the Interior, and we have understood that this question has been lately decided in case of the Hon L. P. Waldo.
J. E. Heath, Esq r Counsel of Pensioners.
Very respectfully Evans & Hunt.

The People of the State of New York.
by the Grace of God, FREE and INDEPENDENT.
To Benjamin Van Orden Gent. n Greeting.
WE reposing especial Trust and Confidence, as well in your Patriotism, Con- -duct and Loyalty, as in your Valour and Readiness to do a good and faithful Service; Have appointed and constituted  we do hereby appoint and constitute you the said Benjamin Van Orden Quarter Master of Militia in the County of Albany whereof Anthony Van Bergen Esquire is Colonel
thereof. YOU are therefore, to take the said Regiment into your charge and care as Quarter Master thereof. and duly to exercise the Officers and Soldiers of that Regiment in Arms, who are hereby commanded to obey you as their Quarter Master and you are also to Observe and follow such Orders and Directions, as you shall from time to time, receive from our General and Commander in chief of the Militia of our said State, or any other your Superior Officer, Ac- -cording to the Rules and discipline of War in pursuance of the Trust reposed in you, and for so doing this shall be Your Commission, for and during our good pleasure, to be Signified by our Council of appointments. In Testimony whereof, we have caused our Seal for Military Commissions to be hereunto Affixed. Witness our Trusty and well beloved George Clinton Esquire, our Governor of our State of New-York, General and Commander in chief of all the Militia, and Admiral of the Navy of the same, by and with the Advice and Consent of our said Council of Appointment, at Poughkeepsie the Twentieth day of June in the Second year of our Independence, and in the year of our Lord one Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy Eight.
Passed the Secretarys Office Aug. 5 th 1778
By His Excellency's Command.
John B. Ketchum Secretary
Geo: Clinton

Hon: Lewis Cass
Secretary of war Washington

Cossackia Jan'y. 10. 18 33
To the Hon. Secretary at War
Sir
I now re-enclose to you the original declaration of Benjamin Van Orden together with the Clerk's certificate of the credibility of the witnesses. I also send annexed his supplementary declaration which together with certificates annexed remove I believe all the objections heretofore made by the war department - He claims a pension for his services as a quarter-master and his supplementary declaration is therefore confined to the setting out of those services.
I presume the war department must by this time be satisfied that it is not possible in eight cases out of ten to procure witnesses to swear to the length of time a militia soldier served during the revolutionary war - I have seen probably fifty persons, all who lived during the war respectable, I have conversed with them, and although they are satisfied that their neighbors have served one, two or even more years, yet as conscientious, religious or moral men, they dare not, nor ought they to be induced to swear, that their patriotic

neighbors have positively served any fixed number of months in any one year —
In the case I have transmitted, a number of persons might be obtained who could say under oath, that they had seen the applicant at various places & times, during the whole term, some- times acting as a private & at other times as a quite master, but to swear to specific periods of time they cannot —
This case I believe comes within the rules adopted by the war department & complies with instructions as originally given — With much Respect
Yours
8th Sept
John L. Moulk