Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 7955, John Wickham, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
New York
Wickham, John
S. 7955
CONTENTS
Carded

Ohio - Pittsburgh Agency 26.160 26.160 John Wickham of Morgan Co in the State of Ohio who was a 1st Lt in the Company commanded by Captain Spencer of the Ky Light Artillery by Col Snyder in the Penna Key Stone Battery New York corrected Aug. 6-1931 D. B. P. $ 80.00
Recd Feb. 19, 1835 (919)
Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio at the rate of 80 Dollars — Cents per annum. to commence on the 14th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 21 st day of March and issued to 134 David M c Gary Ohio P.O. N Co Ohio
Arrears to the 14th of Feb 34 $40.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sept 34 40.00 Dued Feb 19, 1835 $ 80.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, As June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. W. Wagner Clerk, Book 6 — Vol. 8 Page 133

State of Ohio } Declaration of John Wicham to obtain a pension Morgan County ss. Personally appeared before me David McGary an associate Judge of the court of common pleas of the County of Morgan, State of Ohio. John Wicham Senior a resident of the said County & State, 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 the 7 th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers & served as herein stated.--- In New Britain Albany County. I was engaged as a drill sergeant for the term of three months in the springtime of the year 177 5 , under Captain Jacob Hunsberry to drill twenty five recruits for the service, remember Simon Beerman Zopher Smith & Joseph Wilber some of the number, when that term was expired I entered as a minuteman for one year, under the same Captain was principally employed against Tories Remember going to Kinderhook, & taking one out of a house in the night, but he made his escape before morning, was out so many scouting parties that his time was principally occupied thereby so that I could not attend to my farm that season. In the year 1776 I went out as a militia man under Captain Nathan Spencer, Lieutenant Henry Irvine, in a regiment commanded by Col. P. S. Smyth for the term of three months, to fort Montgomery which was then under the command of James Clinton, from there I was sent with 24 men down to Tappan bay to watch the movement of some vessels of war belonging to the enemy. The largest of them was called the old man of war, served out my time & got discharge signed by Clinton which is now lost. The next time I was called, (when Burgoyne was taken) to Bemis heights under Major Douglass, was out nearly a month, that time. But in fact I was called out on so many tours some longer & some but a week or so at a time that I can't remember, the length of time nor the number of tours of duty I served having been enrolled & ready to be called out during the whole war But to the best of my recollection I was out none after the fall of the year 1779, at that time I had a long spell of sickness & had to withdraw from the service. Having been out a soldier in the French war for the term of two expeditions during which I was at the taking of forts Niagara & Frontinas. I was solicited at the commencement of revolution to enter the service, & I continued from the beginning until the year 1779, serving on tours against the Tories. But the exact number of months I can't say but suppose that it was two years or three about

I was born in the State of Rhode Island in the year 1734 in the month of June removed at the age of eight years into York State in Dutchess County. Then to New Britain Albany County where he resided during the revolution war, (New Britain is now in Columbia County,) Soon after I moved to Rensselaer Co, there I resided eighteen years, then removed to Otsego County same State, from thence removed to Morgan County State of Ohio. Sixteen years ago where I now resides. That I know of no person but my eldest son Benjamin who can testify to his services. I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, & declare that my name is not on the pension role agency of any State
Interrogatories. 1 st Where were you born, Ans. In Rhode Island State
2 nd Have you any Record of your age, Ans. None
3 rd Where were you living when called into the service, Where have you lived since the revolutionary war & where do you now live, Ans. I was living in Albany County during the war, since I have lived in Rensselaer, & Otsego in York State, & now live in Morgan County Ohio. I volunteered & accepting one term of three months, And the names of officers whom I remember, were Genl Jas. Clinton Col. Jas. Salomage at fort Montgomery & Genl. Gates & Arnold, at Bemisheight the rest of my service was such as did not bring us often in the company of the regulars.
I recd a discharge from Genl. Clinton But have now lost it
4 Robt Elliott David McPary Dennis Gibbs & Benjamin Blake can testify to my character for truth & veracity &c
There is no regular clergyman residing in this neighborhood
Benjamin Wickham
Sworn to & subscribed this tenth of February A D 1834 John Wickham
David McPary associate judge
We Benjamin Wickham & William Wickham residing the first in Morgan County & the last in Muskingum County Ohio hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Wickham who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration & Benjamin remembers his terms of service William heard a conversation between his father John Wickham & the abovenamed Captain Fausberg wherein the particulars of the above declaration were repeated. They believe him to be nearly nine years of age & that he is respected & believed in the neighborhood where he

resides to have been a soldier of the revolution + we concur in that opinion.. Sworn to + subscribed the day + year aforesaid before me
David M c Garry asst judge
Benjamin Wickham
W m J n Wickham
I do declare that after investigating the matter + putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier + served as he states + also he is unable to attend court on account of bodily infirmity and there is no regular clergyman in his neighbourhood. I also declare that Benjamin + W m J n Wickham who have signed the above certificate are credible persons + their statement are entitled to credit. Feb 10 th A.D. 1834
David M c Garry Associate Judge
The State of Ohio Morgan County ss I Samuel A Barker Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County aforesaid do hereby certify that David M c Garry was on the tenth inst and now is one of the Associate judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County duly commissioned and qualified as such to whom acts as such full faith and credit is due and ought to be given. In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my official seal and subscribed my name at McConnelsville this twenty fifth day of February A.D. 1834
J. A. Barker Clerk C.C.P.M.C.

29. 8/17
John Micham sent Ohio
Adm 2 years $80
David M c Gary Oliver P. O Morgan County Ohio

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
19 th March 1834.
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subj d notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: } ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of John Micham Ser t
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     100 years.  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of } On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers :
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 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.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories 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 it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following ( m ) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. 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 _____; 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 that 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.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he 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.
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 papers 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.
Proof of Service.
[j] 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 claimant's 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.
□ The notes from [a] to [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

September 13, 1938
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mrs. Ernest R. Morgan 4524 Hickory Street Omaha, Nebraska
JOHN WICKHAM S. 7955 BA-J/SEL:MLB
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the record of John Wickham, of New York State, who, you state, served in both the Revolutionary War and War of 1812, also that he had a daughter, Susannah or Susan Jane who married Thomas Balis.
You are furnished herein the record of the only Revolutionary War soldier named John Wickham found in the Revolutionary War records of this office who served from New York. It is not shown in the papers on file that he served also in the War of 1812. No charge is made for this report. The data which follow in regard to John Wickham were obtained from pension claim, S. 7955, based upon his service in the Revolution.
John Wickham was born in June, 1834, in the State of Rhode Island. The names of his parents were not given. When he was eight years of age he moved to Dutchess County, New York, thence to New Britain, in that part of Albany County which was later Columbia County, New York.
During the French and Indian War, he served on two expeditions and was at the taking of Forts Niagara and Frontenac.
While residing in New Britain, Albany County, New York, he enlisted from in the spring of 1775, and served three months as drill sergeant under Captain Jacob Fausberry or Fousberry in the New York troops. At the expiration of that tour, he again enlisted, date not given, served one  three years year as a minuteman under the same captain, and was out on scouting parties against the Tories. He enlisted in 1776, served in Captain Ithamar Spencer's company, Colonel Snyder's New York regiment, went to Fort Montgomery, then commanded by James Clinton and was discharged by him; length of this service three months. He enlisted "at the time Burgoyne was taken" and went to Bemus Heights under Major Douglass, and continued to serve at various times on short tours until 1779, entire length of his service about two years.
he was
not given

After the Revolution, John Wickham moved to Rensselaer County, New York, where he resided eighteen years, then moved to Otsego County, same state, and moved about 1818 from there to Morgan County, Ohio.
The soldier was allowed pension on his application executed February 10, 1834, while a resident of Morgan County, Ohio. At that time he was referred to as Senior. He died February 19, 1835.
The name of John Wickham's wife was not shown in the claim, nor was any reference made to his marriage.
The only children of John Wickham whose names were designated in the claim were Benjamin, a resident of Morgan County, Ohio, and William, of Muskingum County, Ohio, in 1834; their ages not given.
In order to obtain date of last payment of pension in the case of John Wickham, and name and address of the person paid, you should write to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data: John Wickham, certificate #26160, issued March 21, 1834, rate $80 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act June 7, 1832, Ohio (Pittsburgh) Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

Return of Pension M rs ...
Oct 10 th 18...
To the Hon. ... Secy of War
March 17 th 1836.
Albany March 11 th Free.
To the Hon. Louis Cass Secretary of war

Be pleased to attend as soon as convenient to the within. it is the application of one who hath seen an hundred years, & served his Country in both the French & Revolution war, his circumstances are very low but little above common, charity, at present, & and if his country gives him any thing for his services it will undoubtedly be a righteous discharge of its duty.. For I presume there has not been a more needy applicant or one more deserving
Your humble Servant
David M c Parry
Cass
Secretary of War
28.73.
Let any communications, which may be sent in return be directed to David M c Parry Haver post office Morgan County Ohio, D.M c P.

Omaha, Nebr., Aug. 8, '38 Pension Dept. of Veterans Administration Washington, D.C.
Dear Sirs: -
Do you have on file a record of a pension as having been granted to "John Wickham", descendant of New York "Wickhams", whose daughter, Susannah or Susan Jane married Thomas Balis,
I understand that he served in the "American Revolution"
also War 1812
Am especially desirous of the American Revolution record.
If so, I am desirous of having a summary of the papers, please
If any charge for service, please advise;
Mrs. Ernest R. Morgan 4524 Hickory St., Omaha Nebr.
I understand a stamped self-addressed envelope is unnecessary.

John Wickham, a private in the Pennsylvania militia, 1834.
Very truly yours,
(Miss) Nettie D. Henerly. McConnelsville,
O.

Mc Connelsville, O.
May 4, 1931.
Dept. of Interior, Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen:
Will you please send me what information you may have about Peter Walter, a private in Virginia troops, 1832, and (over)

John Wickham, a private in the Pennsylvania militia, 1834.
Very truly yours,
(Miss) Nettie D. Henerup. McConnelsville,
O.

1931-Aug 6 - Hist to Miss Nettie T. Hensley Galt 1938 Sept. 13 - Hist to Mrs. Ernest R. Morgan — Ed. M. D.
Revman
7955
INVALID.
File No. 7955
John Wickham Sr.
Prin B.W. Thatch
Act: June 9 th 1832
Index: — Vol. 105 , Page 410
[Arrangement of 1870.]

August 6, 1931
Miss Nettie T. Hener McConnelsville Ohio
Rev.& 1812 Wars Section EEL
Dear Madam:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.7955, that John Wiclham was born in June, 1734, in the state of Rhode Island, and when eight years of age, moved to Dutchess County, New York; then to New Britain, Albany(later Columbia) County, New York.
During the French and Indian War, he served on two expeditions and was at the taking of Forts Niagara and Frontenac.
While residing in New Britain, Albany County, New York, he enlisted in the spring of 1775, and served three months as drill sergeant under Captain Jacob Fausberry or Fousberry in the New York Troops; at the expiration of this service, he again enlisted, date not given, served one year as a minute man under the same captain and was out on scouting parties against the Tories; he enlisted in 1776, served in Captain Ithomar Spencer's Company, Colonel Snyder's New York Regiment, went to Fort Montgomery, then commanded by James Clinton and was discharged by James Clinton, length of this service, three months.
He enlisted "at the time Burgoyne was taken" and went to Bemus Heights under Major Douglass; and continued to serve at various times on short tours until 1779, entire length of his service about two years.
After the Revolution, he moved to Rensselaer County, and resided eighteen years; then moved to Otsego County, New York and from there, about 1818, to Morgan County, Ohio.
He was allowed pension on his application executed February 10, 1834, while residing in Morgan County, Ohio. At that time he was referred to as Senior.

AB He died February 19, 1835. He is referred to as Smith.
His oldest son was named Benjamin and another son, William, is referred to. The name of his wife and date of their marriage are not given.
It does not appear that this soldier ever lived in Pennsylvania or that he ever served in the Pennsylvania Troops. There are printed lists upon which his name appears as a pensioner and upon which he is credited with having served in the Pennsylvania Troops, which is a typographical error.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator.