Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 18200, Nicholas Yates, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
New York.
Yates, Nicholas Van Vranken, Rebecca or Van Vrenken
W. 18200.
CONTENTS
(Former widow.)

Albany 3247
Rebecca Van Kliefken, who was widow of Nicholas Yates
who died on the 15. Sept. 1795 of Schenectady Co. in the State of N.Y. who was an Ensign & Lieut. in the company commanded by Captain Francis N.Y. of the regt. commanded by Col. Wemple in the N. York Militia line for 8 mos. & 2 days Ensign 80.66 " " " 27 " Lieut. 25.66 $106.32
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 106 Dollars 32 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 2 d day of March 1840 and sent to Hon. P. J. Wagner, H. R.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept. '39 903.72 Semi-annual allowance ending to Mar. 40 53.16 $956.88
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3. part of 3. March 1837 }
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk Book A. Vol. 2. Page 215
Paid at the Treasury under the Acts of April 6 th 1838 and Aug. 23 rd 1842, from Sept. 4 th 1840 to Mar. 4 th 1841 Actified Nov. 8 th 1842
866

In the matter 2651 of the application of,  Rebecca Van Vranken
Widow of V e Nicholas Yates dec d . for a pension under act of 4 th July '36.
See Vol 5. / 20 - $ 3.80 } 1780 7.85 }
21 31.44 } " 73 11.80 } 1779
54.89
2 Mod 10 days
2 " 27
2 " 4
8 " 7
21 Wampum 2 New York J. S. Fonda Cash 10 New York
Admitted
Lieut 1 Mod 27 days Ensign 8 " + 2 " 9 . 29
Hon J. J. Wagner Home Reps N.Y.
Married 3 March 1782 1 Husband and 1st wife 1795 2 " " 28 May 1783 13 Sept 1799 28 May 1782
J. L. Edward Esq
Sir
Be pleased to give your early attention to the application of Mrs Rebecca Van Vranken an old respectable Lady
Yours sincerely 21 Sept 1877
Agent Giles F. Yates Potsdam N.Y.

Declaration of Rebecca Van Vranken
in order to obtain the benefits of the 3 d Section of the Act of 4 th July 1836, and of the 1 st Section of the act of 3 d March 1837-
State of New York } ss.
On this 15 th day of July 1837, personally appeared before me one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Schenectada in said State, Rebecca Van Vranken , a resident of the city of Schenectada in said County aged eighty years, who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4 th 1836, and the act explanatory of said act, passed March 3 d 1837. That she was married to Nicholas Yates , who was an Ensign in the 2 d Regiment of Militia in the District of Schenectada, in the Regiment whereof Abraham Wemple was Colonel from the time of his appointment as such Ensign to wit from the 20 th day of October 1775, until the 28 th day of February 1780, when he was promoted to the office of Second Lieutenant in said Regiment in the Company commanded by Captain Gillis J. Gonda as will appear by the proof hereto subjoined - and that said Nicholas Yates continued to serve as such Second Lieutenant until the end of the revolutionary war - and that the particular terms or periods of his services as such Ensign and Lieutenant are set forth in the Depositions hereto annexed. She further declares, that she was married to

to the said Nicholas Yates on the third day of March (1782), one thousand seven hundred & eighty two, that her husband the aforesaid Nicholas Yates died on the fifteenth day of September 1795, that she was afterwards married to Cornelius Van Vranken, who died on the 28 th day of May 1803 and that she was a widow on the fourth day of July 1836, and still remains a widow, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed.
Subscribed & Sworn to, the day & year first above written } Rebecca Van Vranken before me S. W. Jones - First Judge of Sch ty . County.
4 in 1 . And the aforesaid declarant Rebecca Van Vranken, being further duly sworn, saith, that she remembers that her aforesaid husband Nicholas Yates served in the campaign which eventuated in the capture of Burgoyne & his army for a period of at least three months. When her said husband started on from the day he did so, until his return home he was absent for a term of nearly four months, and this Deponent verily believes he was during the whole of that period on duty as Ensign - and she further saith, that she cannot recollect the particulars of the other services of her said husband any further than that he served in all the expeditions he was called upon to serve in - at the Schoharie, Stone Arabia - when Canajoharie & other settlements along the Mohawk valley were destroyed by the enemy in 1780 on two occasions in the spring & fall of that year & for a period each time of not less than two weeks. 6 weeks

And the said Rebecca Van Vranken being further duly sworn saith, that she was married at the time in her declaration set forth by the Rev: Barent Brooman then pastor of the Reformed Dutch Church of Schenectada in the city, then township of Schenectada, and that the following named individuals were present at her wedding to wit - Margaret Swits, Harmanns Wendell, Harriet Wendell Cornelia Wendell, Robert Smith Ellis L. Fonda, John Brant & Margaret Yates all of whom have long since departed this life except the aforementioned Margaret Swits & Margaret Yates - and that she has no record of her marriage.
Subscribed & Sworn this 15 th day of July 1837, } Rebecca Van Vranken before me - J. W. Jones, First Judge of Schen. County.
The Deposition of Margaret Yates of the City of Schenectada in the County of Schenectada & State of New York aged seventy one years, who testifies and says, that she was during the life time of the aforementioned Nicholas Yates & Cornelius Van Vranken well acquainted with them and that they departed this life at the times specified in the foregoing deposition of Rebecca Van Vranken. This deponent is also well acquainted with, Rebecca Van Vranken, who is a next door neighbor of this deponent, and has been well acquainted with her since the year 1778 or thereabouts. This deponent was present at the wedding of said Rebecca & Nicholas Yates & knows they were joined in wedlock in the Spring of the

year 1782, and has no doubt but that it was at the time specified in the foregoing declaration of Rebecca Van Vranken. and this deponent further that she is now the widow of John Yates who was a brother of said Nicholas Yates, and the said Rebecca has been the widow of said Cornelius Van Vranken since the year 1803, that she never since remarried & that she was a widow on the 14 th of July 1836, & is a widow still. Margaret Yates
On this fifteenth day of July 1837, personally appeared before me the undersigned Margaret Yates widow of the late John Yates aforesaid to me well known, and made oath that the facts set forth in the foregoing deposition by her signed, are true, and I certify that she is a credible witness. S.W. Jones - First Judge of Schenectady County. County of Schenectady.
Margaret Swits of said city aged years, being duly sworn, saith, that she was present during the performance of the marriage ceremony of Rebecca Van Vranken & Nicholas Yates aforesaid, and that their marriage took place at the time in the foregoing depositions of Margaret Yates & Rebecca Van Vranken set forth, according to the best of her recollection - that her acquaintance with said Nicholas continued until the day of his death which occurred she believes in the year 1795 - that the facts set forth in the foregoing affidavits as to the marriage of Cornelius Van Vranken with said Rebecca & the day of his death are true - and that said Rebecca since the day of the death of said Nicholas Van Vranken in 1803, has remained single & unmarried & is still unmarried. Subscribed & sworn this 16 th day of July 1837, before me & I certify that said Margaret Swits is a credible witness & that she cannot write her name owing to a nervous affection in her right hand. Margt. J. Swits her mark. Will M c Clusky Justice.

that she cannot walk her right hand nervous affection on her right hand
William Lloyd
State of New York — Secretary of State's Office } ss
I certify that it appears from the Military Returns &c for the year 1775 in this Office, the following persons were appointed officers in the 2 d Regiment of Militia - Schenectady District, on the 20 th October 1775: to wit
 Abraham Wemple Colonel  Jacob Schermerhorn Lieut: Colonel  Abraham Swits 1 st Major  Nicholas Veeder 2 d Major  Arent N. Van Patten Adjutant  John Peck Quarter Master; and of the 1 st Company in said Regiment  Jellis I. Fonda Captain  Andrew Van Patten 1 st Lieut.  Myndert Wemple 2 d Lieut.  Nicholas Yates Ensign — 
And I further certify that it appears from the minutes of the Council of Appointment of this State also on file in this Office, that Nicholas Yates , was on the 20 th June 1778, appointed Ensign of said Company whereof Jellis Fonda was on the same day appointed Captain, Andrew Van Patten 1 st Lieutenant & Myndert A. Wempel 2 d Lieutenant. And it further appears from said Minutes, that said Nicholas Yates was on the 25 th day of February 1780, duly appointed Second Lieutenant of Captain Fonda's Com-

pany, vice Myndert A. Wemple promoted
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the Seal of this office on this thirteenth day of May 1837. —
Arch d Campbell Dep t . Secretary

The Deposition of Cornelius L. Van Santvoord of the City of Schenectada, in the County of Schenectada & State of New York, who being sworn testifies and says, that he is now eighty years of age, and a pensioner of the United States under the act of Congress passed 7 th June 1832. That he this Deponent was during the war of the revolution well acquainted with Nicholas Yates & his wife the aforesaid Rebecca the same persons referred to and described in the annexed documents. That he this Deponent was thus acquainted with said Nicholas & Rebecca previous to their marriage - as they were both born and brought up in said City then Township & were both schoolmates of this Deponent - this Deponent was not present at their marriage, but remembers hearing it reported, at the time thereof that they were joined in wedlock, and he this Deponent has no doubt of the fact, & believes it took place in the year 1782 - That since the year last named, they lived together as husband & wife & were universally reputed & believed to be such until the day of the death of said Nicholas - And this Deponent further saith, that he was during said war an Ensign in the Company of Militia commanded by Captain Abraham Oothout in the Regiment of Colonel Abraham Wemple. That he this Deponent occasionally performed tours of duty in his capacity as aforesaid in company and at the same

time with said Nicholas Yates but that the majority of the tours of duty perform- ed by said Nicholas, were on different occasions & at times when he this Depo- nent did not belong to the Detachment or party in which said Nicholas served On this account he this Deponent cannot specify or give a particular account of such services performed by said Nicholas. This Deponent however is privy to the following services of said Nicholas Yates. He this Deponent & said Nicholas who was then an Ensign in the Company of Minute Men commanded by Capt: Jellis J. Ponda in said Regiment of Colonel Wemple, marched together with the militia from Schenectada in the beginning of the month of June 1777, to join the Northern American army in their expedition against Gen: Burgoyne & his army, said Nicholas was on duty on this occasion with said Militia from Schenectada for the term of three months, at the least - for he this Deponent left him said Nicholas Yates on duty at Bemis's Heights when he this Deponent with others were dischar- ged and ordered back to Schenectada after three months service as aforesaid. In the year 1778, or perhaps in 1780, he this Deponent cannot now dis- tinctly remember which, he this Depo- nent with a Detachment of militia from said City marched to Stone Ara- bia where they performed garrison duty for the term of three weeks and this Deponent remembers that said Nicho- las Yates accompanied him in this ex-
3 -
3 weeks

petition to Stone Arabia, and served for said term of three weeks. The follow- ing named officers from Schenectada now all deceased also accompanied them in this expedition viz - Col. Wemple aforesaid, Major Swits - Adjutant John Van Dreissen, the the aforesaid Captain Jacob Jellis J. Kanda, and Capt. Jessie Van Slyck Lieut Myndert H. Wemple & others whom this Deponent cannot now remember - This Deponent recollects that said Nicholas was on duty at Fort Plain but cannot call to mind the partic- ular occasion, nor for how long a term - also that he was at Schoharie, but cannot remember the particulars -
Corn. Z. Van Santvoord
On this nineteenth day of June 1837, personally appeared before me the undersigned, Cornelius Z. Van Santvoord to me well known, who made oath, that the facts set forth in the foregoing deposition by him signed, are true and correct according to the best of his knowledge & belief - And I certify that said Cornelius Z. Van Santvoord is a credible witness - Russell Perry, Jr.

husband Nicholas Yates, the said Rebecca & Nicholas being then unmarried - this Deponent's acquaintance with Rebecca & Nicholas continued after their marriage in 1782, and this Deponent often saw them after such marriage, and knew that they lived together as husband & wife and was universally known & reputed to be such. This Deponent further saith, that he was enrolled in the company of the aforesaid Gillis J. Fonda whereof the said Nicholas was then Ensign in the spring of the year 1779 aforesaid, and served therein whenever called upon during said years 1779 & 1780. This Deponent knows that said Nicholas Yates served in several expeditions during said years, in which he this Deponent did not serve. But this Deponent accompanied said Nicholas Yates in the tours of service following, and for the terms herein stated to wit -
To Fort Hunter in the Spring of the year 1780, with a detachment of Militia from Schenectada aforesaid under command of Col. Wemple aforesaid for the term of at least ten days.
10 days
In the fall of the year 1780, with a like Detachment under command of said Colonel Wemple at said Fort Hunter for the term of at least fifteen days. The following named officers from Schenectada also accompanied said Detachment in both of the foregoing tours - John Van Dusen Adjutant, Major Swits Ensign Abraham Pruax - Ensign Cornelius Z. Van Sant
15.

voord Capt 2 Gillis J. Fonda - John Myn- duse, Jesse Van Slyck & Abraham Oot- hout & others not now recollected besides nearly the whole Regiment from Schenecta- da, there was there also the Regiment of Col. Philip P. Schuyler from Waterv- liet aforesaid -
So the Helderberg in pursuit of a party of Tories with a detachment of militia from Schenectada aforesaid in the summer or beginning of the fall of the year 1779. This detachment was under command of an officer name not recollect- & consisted of about thirty men - for the term of two or three days.
Ruben Schuyler.
384
28
On this tenth Eight day of July August 1837 personally appeared before me the undersigned Ruben Schuyler to me well known to be the person described in and who made oath that the facts set forth in the foregoing deposition by him signed are true and correct according to the best of his knowledge and belief. And I certify that said Ruben Schuyler is a credible witness
W. W. D. Justice of the Peace

The Deposition of Giles H. Yates of the City of Schenectada, in the County of Schenectada & State of New York, who testifies & says that he was well acquaint- ed with Jellies J. Fonda during the lifetime of said Jellies, who is the same person referred to and described in the preceding documents as a Captain of a company of militia during the war of the Revolution in the Regiment com- manded by Colonel Abraham Wimple in the District of Schenectada. That said Jellies was reputed & believed in the neigh- borhood where he resided to have been a Captain as aforesaid. That this Deponent found among the papers of said Jellies after his death, sundry payrolls, in the handwriting of said Jellies, with which handwriting this Deponent is well acquaint- ed, he this Deponent having transacted busi- ness with & for him during his lifetime, And this Deponent further saith, that the aforesaid Nicholas Yates was an uncle of this Deponent, & that said Nicholas as this Deponent has been informed, by those living at the time of the death of said Nicholas, was also well known & reputed to have been an Ensign & Lieutenant, as set forth in the foregoing documents, in the company of said Jellies J. Fonda. And this Deponent further saith that from said payrolls it appears, as will be seen by inspection, that said Nicholas Yates served as such Ensign from the thirteenth day of April 1777, inclusive, to & including the fifteenth day of the same month, to wit for three days over & above the time set

forth in any of the preceding affidavits - also that he served for the term of eight days in like manner from the 31 st May 1778 to the 7 th day of June 1778, & for five days from July 20 th 1778, to July 24 th 1778 - that said Nicholas served also, on the occasion of the burning of Raughnawaga before referred to as a Lieutenant from the 22 nd to the 29 th day of May 1780, for the term of eight days and for the term of one month & one day as such Lieutenant from the 17 th July 1780, to the 18 th August 1780, a term of service in addition to & other than that of the fall of the year 1780, when the Mohawk settle- ments were again destroyed, or rather the destruction thereof completed - From said pay- rolls it also appears, that said Nicholas Yates served in the months of July, August, September & October 1777, during the campaign which eventuated in the capture of Burgoyne & his army for the term of seventy-one days .
G. F. Yates
On this thirty first day of August 1837, per- sonally appeared before me the undersigned Giles F. Yates to me well known, who made oath, that the facts set forth in the foregoing deposition by him signed, are true, and I certify that said Giles F. Yates is a credible witness.
J. Mearman Commissioner of deeds &c.
State of New York County of Schenectady Clerk's office J. S. J. Jonathan C.
Rebecca Van Vleck
Off Vol 5 2 + 10 aug
50 71 127

Certify, that Samuel W. Jones Esq, before whom the preceding declaration & supplemental declaration of Rebecca Van Vranken have been sworn, & the deposition of Margaret Yates taken, was at the time thereof First Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County, and that his signature to the same & to the certificates thereto subjoined, are genuine. and I also certify, that Albert A. Wedder before whom the preceding depo- sitions of Margaret Suits & Reuben Schuyler have been taken, was at the times thereof a Justice of the peace in & for said County, duly Commissioned & qualified, and that the signatures of said Albert for those purpor- ting to be his to the certificates subjoined to said last named depositions are gen- uine - And I further certify, that Roosevelt Perry Esq before whom the foregoing depo- sitions of Cornelius L. Van Santvoord purports to have been taken, was on the day of the date thereof a Justice of the peace, in & for said County, duly commissioned & qual- ified, & that his signature to the certificate annexed to said deposition is genuine - and I further certify, that Joseph Harman before whom the preceding de- position of Giles F. Yates purports to have been sworn, was on the day of the date thereof a Commissioner of Oaths in and for said County, duly commissioned & qualified, and that the signature to the certificate an- nexed to said last named deposition, purporting to be his, is genuine - and I further certify, that Rev d Jacob Van Vichten is the pastor of the Reformed Dutch Church in said City, and that the signature purporting to be his to the preceding Certificate of the...

is genuine -
In testimony of all which I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office this 16 th day of September 1837.
J. C. Burnham Clerk

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE,
October 22 d , 1842,
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," and the 3d section of the Act of August 23, 1842, extending the time within which pensioners may receive their pensions from the pension agents, Rebecca Van Franken , a Pensioner on the Roll of the Albany, N.Y. Agency, at the rate of one hundred & six Dollars and 32 Cents per annum, under the law of the 4 th July 1836 , has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of Sept. 1840 , to the 4 th March 1841 .  Respectfully, yours,
William L. Parris Comptroller.
To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS, Present.

a soldier of the Revolutionary War, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. Nicholas Yates W.F. 18200
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Oct. 20, 1775 Feb. 25, 1780 Ensign Jellis Fonda Abraham Wemple 2 d N. York   Feb. 25, 1780 2 d Lieut Jellis Fonda Abraham Wemple   Served To close of the war.  
Battles engaged in, ✓
Residence of soldier at enlistment, ✓
Date of application for pension, July 15, 1837. Her ch. was al.
Residence at date of application, Schenectady N.Y.
Age at date of application, She was 60 yrs. old. was born in Schenectady N.Y.
Remarks: Soldier was in Schenectady N.Y. at date of enlistment. He was born in Schenectady N.Y. March 3, 1782. He married Cornelia Van Frank and he died May 28, 1803.
Very respectfully,
Brother John
Commissioner.

Feb 10 97 Healy 1/2 1073 Wmble Albany NY 1912 Apr 29 Hist. Soc Frank P. Temple. V.L.H.
Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 18208
Rebecca Van Kranen Former Widow of Nicholas Gates Lieut. Rev. War
Act July 4. 1836
Index: Vol. M , Page 296
[Arrangement of 1870.]

State of New York.
Comptroller's Office.
Albany.
Feb. 5th, 1897.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:-
According to an old record recently found, it appears that Rebecca Van Vranken, widow of Cornelius Van Vranken, had received, up to the year 1840, about $900.00 in back pay, and $106.00 in pension. The widow Van Vranken was, previous to her marriage with Cornelius Van Vranken, the wife of Nicholas Yates, and lived in Schenectady, N. Y. By Nicholas Yates she had a son, Robert N. Yates, who was born November 11th, 1789, and died in 1814. He is reputed to have been a lieutenant in the War of 1812, and it is understood that the back pay and pension paid to the widow Van Vranken was through his services.
Will you kindly inform me whether this supposition is correct, and, if so, will you also state the information contained in the application for the pension as regards the regiment in which he served and the service performed by said Robert N. Yates?
The widow Van Vranken was born June 7th, 1757, and died March 7th, 1846.
Very respectfully,
M c . B. Wemple.

This Bureau can furnish the military record of only such Revolutionary soldiers as were pensioned or whose widows were pensioned for their services.
Such of the original muster and pay rolls of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 as are now in the possession of the Government are on file in the Record and Pension Office, War Department. Original rolls and other records pertaining to service in the Revolutionary War may also be found on file in the archives of many of the original States.
L. W. B. W. 18200.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C.,
O. W. & N. DIV.
REVOLUTIONARY.
February 10, 1897.
Sir:-
Replying to your request for information concerning the military record of Nicholas Yates, a soldier of the Revolutionary war, and of Robert N. Yates, a soldier of the War of 1812, you are advised as follows:
Rebecca Van Vranken, former widow of Nicholas Yates, made an application for pension on July 15, 1837, at which time she was 80 years of age and residing in Schenectady, N. Y., and her pension was allowed for the actual service of her husband (Nicholas Yates) as an ensign for eight months and two days, and as a lieutenant for one month and twenty seven days, in the New York troops, Revolutionary war; a part of the time he served under Capt. Fonda and Col. Wemple. He probably enlisted at Schenectady, N. Y.
A very careful search has been made and from the data given the name of Robert N. Yates has not been found upon the War of 1812 pension records on file in this Bureau.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Mr. William B. Wemple,
Comptroller's Office, Albany, N. Y.

Rebecca Van Frank New York
Letter to Hon. J. J. De Graff
4. Oct. 1837.
Let. to Giles F. Yates, Novem- ber 4, 1837.

the People of the State of New York by the Grace of God, FREE and INDEPENDENT.
To Nicholas Yates Esq re Greeting.
WE reposing especial Trust and Confidence, as well in your Patriotism, Con- dict and Loyalty, as in your Valour and Readiness to do us good and faithful Service. Have Appointed and constituted, and by these Presents DO Appoint and Constitute you the said Nicholas Yates Ensign of Captain Vellie's Foot as Company of Militia in the County of Albany, in the Regiment whereof Abraham Wemple Esquire is Colonel.
YOU are therefore, to take the said Company into your charge and care as Ensign thereof, and duly to exercise the Officers and Soldiers of that Company in Arms, who are hereby commanded to obey you as their Ensign. 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, Accor- =ding 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 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 t 1 st 1778 By His Excellency's Command.
Abm B. Kancher D ty Secretary.
G. Clinton

In the matter of the application of Rebecca Van Vranken widow of Lieut: Nicholas Yates decd. late of the revolutionary army -
Supplemental Depositions Sep: 20 1833

The deposition of John DeGraff of the town of Mohawk in the County of Montgomery in the State of New York aged Eighty two years and upwards who testifies and says that he is now a pensioner of the United States under the Act of 7 th June 1832 having been during the war of the revolution a private in the Company of Militia commanded by Capt: John Van Patten in the Regiment of Col: Abraham Wemple in the District of Schenectada. That he this Deponent was during said war well acquainted with Nicholas Yates — the same person referred to and described in the annexed documents and was acquainted with said Nicholas Yates — since the year 1770 or for about fifteen years previous to the commencement of the Revolutionary war — this Deponent was also for fourteen years or thereabouts previous to the commencement of said war well acquainted with the present widow of said Nicholas Yates — whom she still bore the name of Rebecca Yates Van Vranken the said Nicholas Yates and Rebecca Van Vranken this Deponent being all at the time thereof residents of the Township of Schenectada. This Deponent served with a detachment of Militia from the District of Schenectada from said Regiment in the campaign of 1777 which eventuated in the capture of Burgoyne & his army at Bemis's Heights, Stillwater and the other forts and places then occupied by the northern American army for a term exceeding twentyfive days. On this occasion with the said detachment and for the same term of twenty five days at the least the aforesaid —

Nicholas Yates — served in company with this Deponent and said Nicholas Yates — continued on duty in this Campaign after this Deponent left the same and for a much longer period than said Deponent five days said Nicholas Yates — Served at this time this Deponent cannot testify.
John D. Cook
On this twentieth — day of July 1837 personally appeared before me the undersigned John DeWitt above named to me known who made oath that the facts set forth in the foregoing deposition by him signed are true; and I certify that said John DeWitt is a credible witness.
John DeWitt Esq Justice of the peace

The Deposition of Giles H. Yates of the City of Schenectada, in the County of Schenectada and State of New York, who testifies and says, that he was well acquainted with Jellis J. Donda, during his life time, the same person referred to & described in the annexed documents as a Captain of a company of Militia, during the war of the Revolution in the Regiment Commanded by Colonel Abraham Wemple in the district of Schenectada that said Jellis was reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resided to have been a Captain as aforesaid & before his death received a pension as such. This deponent found among the papers of said Jellis now deceased sundry payrolls, in the handwriting of said Jellis with which handwriting this deponent is well acquainted, he this deponent having transacted business with & for him during his life time & this deponent further saith that from said payrolls (which are now on file in the department of war at Washington) it appears that Nicholas Yates the same person referred to & described in the annexed documents served as an Ensign in said Company as follows, to wit, for the term of seventy-one days from the 1 st to the 21 st day of July from the 7 th to the 28 th day of August from the 19 th day of Sept r to the 16 th Oct r 1777 as by reference to one of said payrolls marked Aa - will fully appear. It also appears by another of said payrolls marked Dd that said Nicholas Yates served as Ensign from the seventeenth day of July to the 18 th day of August 1780 to wit for the term of one month & one day . By payroll marked Bb , that said Nicholas Yates served for the term of sixteen days from the 13 th to the 16 th April 1777 & from the 31 st May 1778 to the 7 th June 1778 & from the
2 111
1.1
16
3.25

3.28
20 th July to the 24 th July 1778 - also from pay roll marked C.C. that said Nicholas Gates served as a Lieutenant from the 22 nd to the 29 th day of May 1780 viz for Eight days
[Signature: J. H. Van Ops]
On this first day of September 1837 - personally appeared before me the un- dersigned Giles T. Gates above named who made oath that the facts set forth in the foregoing deposition by him signed, are true; and I certify that said Giles T. Gates is a credible witness.
[Signature: J. H. Van Ops] Commissioner of Oaths
State of New York County of Schenectady Clerk's office —
I Jonathan C. Burnham Clerk of said County, do hereby Certify, that John H. Van Ops; before whom the preceding deposition of John M. Knapp purports to have been sworn, was at the time thereof, one of the Justices of the peace in & for said County duly Commissioned & qualified, and that the signature of said John H. Van Ops to the certificate subjoined to said deposition is genuine. And I further certify, that Joseph Harman before whom the preceding deposition of Giles T. Gates has been sworn, was at the time thereof a Commissioner of Oaths in & for said County duly Commissioned & qualified & that the signature purporting to be his to the certificate annexed to said deposition is genuine. Witness my hand
& official seal this twentieth day of September 1837 [Signature: J. C. Burnham Clerk]

widow of Nicholas Yates dec.
Act of July 4. 1836 & supplemental.
Hon. P. J. Wagner A.R.
Agent
Giles H. Bates
Schenectady
N.Y.

The deposition of Ahasuerus Wendell of the town of Charlton in the County of Saratoga & State of New York aged eighty two years & upwards who being duly examined deposes & says that he was a Soldier in the War of the Revolution & is now a pensioner of the United States under the Act of Congress passed 7 th June 1832. That during said war he was well acquainted with Nicholas Yates whose widow Rebecca Van Wauken is now an applicant for a pension under the Act of 7 th July 1838. Deponent saw said Nicholas Yates on duty as a Lieutenant in the Company of Militia commanded by Capt. Jellis Finsler. In the month of October 1781 when the battle of Johnston occurred said Nicholas served as such Lieutenant in said Company for a period of at least ten days according to this Deponent's recollection how much longer this Deponent cannot say
Ahasuerus Wendell
On this 20 th day of Sep r 1838 personally appeared before me the undersigned Ahasuerus Wendell & made oath in due form of law that the facts set forth in the above deposition by him subscribed are true & I certify that said Ahasuerus Wendell is a credible witness
J. A. Sweetman Com d & Sec y

Nicholas Gates
Professor Merrill
erary A.H.

State of New York } County of Schenectada } ss.
James Barhyte
of Saratoga Springs in the County of Saratoga in said State, aged nearly seventy-nine years, being duly sworn saith, that during the war of the revolution he this Deponent was well acquainted with Nicholas Yates. That he this Deponent know said Nicholas as an ensign in the Regiment of militia under Command of Colonel Abraham Wemple in the District of Schenectada, and for the few last years of said war said Nicholas Yates served as a Lieutenant in the said Regiment, viz in the Company commanded by Captain Jallie J. Fonda. That this Deponent served in a diffe- rent brach or company stout in the Company of Captain Jesse Van Slyck in said Regi- ment & is therefore unable to specify the particular periods of the service of said Nicholas Yates, and the particular expe- ditions he engaged in, except two viz - When he this Deponent was on duty at Fort Paris in Stone Arabia in the year 1780, in the month of November for the term of one month under command of Major Abraham Smith from said Regi- ment, he remembers seeing said Nicholas Yates also on duty at said fort, but for how long a term said Nicholas served on this occasion, this

Deponent cannot specify, yet is sure it could not have been for less than two weeks - And this Deponent further saith, that when he this Deponent performed garrison duty at Fort Hunter in the month of June 1782 under command of Lieutenant (or Captain) Walter B. Rooman who headed a small detachment of 12 or 14 men from said Regiment, he remembers that said Nicholas Yates as Lieutenant was in said garrison performing the like duty with himself, as was also Dan- iel Kittle and others from Schenectada con- stituting said detachment whose names this Deponent cannot now call to mind - that the whole garrison consisting of about 32 men was under the command of an officer named Major Newkirk - and further this Deponent saith not.
Subscribed & sworn this } James Barkyte 19 th day of November 1839, I certify that said James Barkyte is to me well known to be a credible witness - Russell Perry J. P. C

State of New York. County of Schenectada. } ss. Clerk's Office.
Theodorus R. Van Ingen Deputy Clerk of said County do hereby certify that Russell Perry, before whom the foregoing deposition of James Parkhurst purports to have been taken was at the time thereof a Justice of the Peace in & for said County duly Commissioned & qualified & that his signature thereto is genuine
Witness my hand & Official seal this 28 th day of February. One thousand Eight hundred & forty
J. R. Van Ingen Dep Clerk

In ab NW 3°
NY
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Ward Delavantie
Washington D.C.
1844

In the matter of the application of Rebecca Van Vranken, widow of Nicholas Yates, late a Lieut: in the army of the revolution -
Sir.
In order to a decision in the above matter I have been ap- prised that it is necessary to prove that milita- ry service was rendered by said Yates subse- quent to his marriage in 1832.
In consulting with Mr. Cornelius Z. Van Santvoord of this city, who was an Ensign in the same company with Yates, he informs me, that when I made out his application for a pension under the act of 1832, there was forwarded to your Department with his papers, an order signed by Colonel Abraham Wemple di- rected to Lieut Yates, & directing him to

place sentinels &c in the Schenectada garrison in the year 1832. As this order may afford evidence of the service of Yates in 1832, I would like to avail myself of it. It may be the only evidence direct save perhaps the affidavit of Mr Van Santvoord, which it will be in the power of the widow to produce to forward her said application
very respectfully Yours ob Servt
Giles H. Yates
Schenectada Oct. 30 th 1837.

NY B. Van Varen Esq. J. G. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions War Department Washington D.C.
Hon. P. J. Wagner H.R.

Schenectada Feby 19 1840
J. L. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions Sir.
No communication relative to the claim of Rebecca Van Vranken, widow of Nicholas Yates under the act of 4 th July 1836, has been received from you since October 14 th 1837. The objections made in your letter of that date, to the allowance of this claim, are obviated by the affidavit herewith sent. This is one of "the few instances" referred to.
The fact sworn to by Mr. Wendell, having been proved by other witnesses, I send his deposition without the usual certificate which it would be troublesome & inconvenient to obtain -
Very respectfully Your Ob t Serv t Giles P. Hays.