Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 11,524, John Wilcox, New York.

SERVICE
New York
Wilcox, John
NUMBER _____
R 11.524.
CONTENTS

State of New York
Albany County ss. On this 23 d day of November 1835, personally appeared in open Court, before the Justices, Court of the City of Albany, (the same being a Court of Record) now sitting, John Wilcox of the Town of Coeymans, in said County, aged seventy nine years upwards, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 -
I entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as hereinafter stated -
In the year 1776, I resided at New Lebanon, then Albany County, now Columbia County, and in the month of June of that year, I was called into the service as a private in the Company of Militia commanded by Capt. Fitch , in Col. Whiting's Regiment - In the fore part of the month as near as I can recollect, we marched from New Lebanon to Greenbush & Albany - and from thence to Fort George, where we were stationed a spell - From thence to Fort Edward, & from thence to Half Way Brook, & back to Fort Edward - then to a place called Snook's Kill, a little below Fort Edward - & then to another little station lower down, called Moses's Creek - & from thence to Saratoga -
I served with said Company under Capt. Fitch , & Lieut. John Gillett , at the several places last mentioned, from June until the month of October following, when we were discharged & returned home - I think we returned home about 15 th or 20 th of October - after having served as a private in said Company, on said tour, not less than four months and a half - I think Genl. Schuyler commanded

the Army at the period above referred to -
2 d In the year 1777 being the year that Burgoyne was taken, I was again called into the service in the Company commanded by Capt. Beebe, in the and Lieut. Mancey, in Col. Baldwin's Regiment of Militia - I then resided in Stephentown, then Albany now Rensselaer County, being then at work there - But my home was, as I considered, at New Lebanon, with the family of Gideon Stevens Esquire - It was in the fall of the year when I was called into the service as last above stated, but I do not recollect the month - I went with my Company to Saratoga & was stationed part of the time at & in the neighbourhood of Bemis's Heights - & was with the American Army at the time of the surrender of Burgoyne -
Whilst we were there we had an engagement with a party of Indians & Tories, not far from a place called Snits Kill - In that engagement Lieut. Mancey was mortally wounded, by a ball which entered his body just above his hips - I saw him fall - & helped carry him off the ground - he died a few hours afterwards -
I also recollect a private in our Company named Reuben King who lost his Arm in the same action or on the same day - Also one Jarvis belonging to our Company, who had his eye shot out in the same action -
I do not know whether said King & Jarvis are now living or not - I also received two wounds in the same action - one wound a little above the left knee, and one on the back part of my head - both from musket balls - the scars of which wounds are both now visible -

He did not return home from this town until after the taking of Burgoyne - I am not able to state with certainty, the length of time I was engaged in this last mentioned town, but believe it was not less than two months , as a private in said Beebe's Company -
3 d . In the year that Cobleskill was burnt, the year I do not remember, I was again called into the service as a private in a Company of Militia belonging to the Town of Stephentown, where I was at that time working. I have forgotten the names of the officers of the Company, but I remember we marched to Albany, and then joined several companies of Militia. I do not recollect the name of our commanding officer - But I well remember we marched to Schoharie, & were stationed at the Stone Church which was then called a Fort - We arrived there after Cobleskill was set on fire, and whilst it was yet burning - We were engaged in scouting parties watching the Indians & protecting the inhabitants - Whilst I was stationed at said Stone Church, one Capt. Murphy who was an active partisan officer, returned to that place from an expedition against a party of Indians who had taken a number of prisoners, & were carrying them off, when they were rescued & brought back by said Murphy & his men - I was engaged in this town as a private , not less than three weeks -
4 th . In the year following the capture of Burgoyne, I was engaged in town of duty as a private in a Company of Militia belonging to Piltstown, then in Albany now

Rensselaer County - I think it was in the fall, but can- -not state the month, was ordered to go & went to Fort Edward, & kept garrison there about three weeks before it was discharged - I do not recollect the names of the officers of my Company - but remember there were several Companies there from Vermont -
In answer to interrogatories by the Court, I answer - 1 I was born in Dover, Dutchess County , on the 4 th day of October in the year 1756 - 2. I have no record of my age, but once had a record in a bible - which was burnt, as I believe - when my house was burnt about 30 years ago, when I resided in Middleburgh, Schoharie County - 3. at the several times when I was called into the service, I resided at the places already stated in the preceding declaration - I have resided since the Revolution my home, at New Schoharie, Petersburgh, Middleburgh, and Rensselaerville, & Broome, Schoharie County - Latterly I have resided in Middletown, (formerly Goshen) in the County State of Pennsylvania, at present I reside in the Town of Coeymans, Albany County, State of New York -
4 th I refer to my preceding declaration for an answer - 5 th - I never received any written discharge, that I recollect. It was not the practice to give written discharges to the Militia - 7 th I know Archibald Stewart Esq. & Gideon Stewart - & Nathan Stewart, Post Master, at Coeymans -
I am & subscribe this 23 rd day of J. G. WATSON of November 1835 in open Court - J. G. Watson Clerk

33.417
In the matter of the application of John Wilson for a pension under the act of June
7. 1832
1752
Declaration etc

State of New York County of Albany ss Be it known, that on this 23 d day of November 1835 before the Justices Court of the City of Albany, (the same being a Court of Record) personally appeared Archibald Stewart, of Coeymans in said County, who being duly sworn, according to law, deposed as follows: to wit -
I am now sixty seven years of age - I was born on the 8 th of March 1768. I am well acquainted with John Wilson, the person who made & subscribed the annexed declaration, and have been acquainted with him ever since I was about five years of age - I well recollect that he lived in my father's family at different times during the Revolutionary War - My father then resided in Kinderhook, Albany (now Columbia) County -
I recollect that the said John Wilson was out on several times of duty in the Militia, during the Revolutionary War - but I cannot state how often, nor where he went - I re- member his going & returning - I remember that my Mother on one occasion fired a Knapsack for him - Also I remember that at one time he returned to my father's house after having been in the service, - he returned sick - when he arrived I recollect he fired off a gun in front of the house, and frightened a young woman who was living with us at that time - I also remember that whilst said Wilson was sick at my father's house, a Merchant by the name of Asa King, stopped one day at my father's house and inquired after the health of said Wilson, of my Mother - who made him some reply - I forget what - that King told her if Wilson wanted any thing to send to his store for

it and he should have it - that he understood that Wilcox had been a good soldier & fought well -
I also remember the Reuben King mentioned in said Wilcox's declaration - He was a son of the said Reuben King - He had lost an arm - the left arm - I under- -stood that he lost it in an action - owing to the bursting of his gun - I have heard the declaration of the said Wilcox hereunto annexed, read, and believe the facts therein stated to be true in substance - I consider him to be a man of truth and veracity, and such is his character.
Sum & subscribed this 23 d day of November 1835 in open Court J. Archibald Stephens J. G. Watson Clerk.
The court hereby declare their opinion that the said John Wilcox the above applicant for a Pension was a soldier in the Army of the revolution and served as he states in his annexed declaration and answers to the several interrogatories put  presented by the War department, and that Archibald Stevens Esquire who has subscribed the above affidavit is a resident of the county of Albany well known to the court and is a credible witness.
I hereby certify that the foregoing are the original proceedings before this court in the matter of the application of John Wilcox for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of the said court & subscribed my name as the clerk thereof this 23 d day of November 1835
John G. Watson Clerk.

State of New York
Albany County Ss. John Wilcose of the Town of Coeymans in the said County, an applicant for a pension under the act of June 7, 1832, being duly sworn according to law, deposes as follows. Viz. That owing to his age & encroachment defect of memory he is not able to state the particulars of his services in the Revolutionary War, and especially that his mem- -ory fails him in regard to dates. That his statement contained in his original declaration now on file in the Pension Office, dated the 23 d of November 1835 is substantially correct. But in regard to his service of four months & half therein first stated, he may be mistaken in the year in which those services were rendered. & he has no memorandum or other means of ascertaining whether it was in that year or not. He, however, recollects, that he served at four different times in the Militia, during the Revolutionary War. Once on his own behalf, at being drafted - once as a substit- -ute of Moses King, in Fitch's Company - once as a substitute for Thomas York of Stephentown - Company not recruited - once as a substitute for Levi Pierce of Pittstown - Company not recruited He served three times at the North in Saratoga County - & one time in Schenectady & the neighborhood - I am also under the impression that I received pay on one occasion - I think between twenty & thirty Dollars - and that it was sent to me from Albany, by one of the officers - but I do not recollect by whom -
Sworn & subscribed this 19 th day of
of February 1836 before me
General John Ruis
Com d . of Sleds
JOHN WILCOSE

State of New York Albany County. § ss:
I, Conrad A. Ten Eyck clerk of the said County do hereby certify that Lemuel Pratt Esq. before whom the preceding Affida- vit was subscribed and sworn to was on the day of the date of the same one of the Commissioners of Deeds in and for the County of Albany & that his signature thereto is genuine —
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and af- fixed the Seal of the said County this 19 th Feb. 1836,
C. A. Ten Eyck Clerk

11.5.24 P. O. _____
John Wilcox Service: _____
Enlisted: _____ REJECTED _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____ _____ _____
Re-enlisted: _____ _____ _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____ _____ _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contra
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

N. York
John Wilcox
Suspended
See letter to Samuel Jenkins, Esq. Albany, N. Y.
7. Dec. 1835
let to sum Feb. 12. 1836
" " Mar. 31. "
" " April 25. " to Hon. D.
" " Oct. 3. "
F. Butler husband of Nich a Hoyle No 9422
let to Giles F. Yates, March 6, 1841.

Albany Feby. 2 d 1836.
James L. Edwards Esquire Commis r of Pensions, Sir,
Permit me to call your attention to the case of John Wilson, whose application for a pension is still pending before you - but the consideration of which I am informed by your letter of the 7 th inst t was postponed - I should be glad to have a decision upon it as soon as may be consistent. I wrote you on the 21 st ult t requesting information respecting the application of Nicholas Hoagie. The favor of an answer is respectfully requested as early as your convenience will permit -
I am, Sir, with great respect
Yours &c. &c. D. Jenkins.
No 9722

Feb 17 1841
My Dear Friend
Edward Eng Commissioner of Finance Washington D.C.
per

Schenectada Feb: 11 th 1841.
J. S. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions.
Sir.
About five years ago, application was made for a pension under the act of 7 th June 1832 in behalf of John Wilcox - Lemuel Jenkins Esq of Albany Agent - Mr Jenkins and the applicant himself who is still living, have desired me to forward the claim. But in order thereto I desire to be informed what the objections are to its allowance. Mr Jenkins states that the Secretary of State of this State in 1836, furnished you with a certified Copy of a document showing that Hezekiah Baldwin was a Captain & Roswell Beebe 2 d Lieutenant in Van Schaick's Regiment. Baldwin afterwards was made a Colonel & Beebe a Captain.
Mr Wilcox's first service, was performed under Colonel Wm Whiting and Lieutenant Colonel Asa Waterman . He afterwards served in the Artillery under Col o  Meigs & Daggett for 6 months or more. Mr Wilcox's original & supplemental declarations are before you. It seems by one of your letters to Mr Jenkins in 1836, that the records in your office did not then afford the evidence necessary to establish the case. As this is a long while ago, I am in hopes that with the documentary evidence which has been accumulating since that time, that now on a review of the case, you will become

satisfied that the claim should be allowed. I enclose a letter of the applicant him- self on the subject.
Very respectfully
Your obed Servt
G. H. VANCE.

Canton January 14 th 1840
To Nathan Stephens Esq.
Mr Sir after informing you that I am yet in the land of the living - and enjoying tolerable good health - I would inform you that after I left that country I got a fall from a horse and badly hurt - have never yet got entirely over it - I am in need of some help from the government if it can be obtained - I think I have a right to a pension. I am told that if my discharge can be found there will be no difficulty in getting it - I think it may be found by examining the controller's office - in York State - I served first under Col l W m Whiting and Lieutenant Col l  Col l Sa m Waterman - my Captain's name was Hosea Beebe - I next served in the Artillery - under - Col l Mige and - Col l Dazet - six months or more - I want you to do me the favour to examine the records - and if you can find any record of my services or discharge or any evidence that will help me to obtain my pension - and send me a certified copy of the same - You will confer a favour on a friend - I left some writings with Esq r Sinking in Albany - I shall also want those writings or a copy - you will also send me those if you can find any thing which you think will help me to it - if not - please to write soon & let me know how my friends are all doing -
direct your letter to Canton Bradford County Pennsylvania
John M c Leod

State of New-York Secretary's Office }
I certify that it appears by the records in this Office that on the 20 th of October 1775 William Bradford Whiting was duly appointed and Commissioned by the Provincial Congress of New York Colonel of a Regiment of Militia in the County of Albany and that on the same day the following persons were appointed officers of a Company in the said Regiment viz:
Nehemiah Fitch Captain
Samuel Higley 1 st Lieutenant
John Smith 2 o Do
Jonathan Mott Ensign
And I further certify that on the 10 th of June 1778 the Council of Appointment of this State reappointed the said William P. Whiting Colonel of the said Regiment of Militia formerly commanded by him and on the same day appointed Nehemiah Fitch Captain Gideon King first Lieutenant (vice Samuel Higley dec.) John Smith Second Lieutenant and Peter Purker Ensign of a Company in said Regiment.
Given under my hand and the seal of this Office at the City of Albany the Sixth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two  Arch d Campbell Dep. Secretary

Albany August 25. 1836.
Dear Sir,
Some time since I made application to the Commissioner of Pensions, on behalf of John Wilson of Coeymans, for a Pension under the Act of June 7. 1832.
M c Edward thought the proofs in the case insufficient to establish his claim; - but the matter is still open, I believe, for consideration upon the addition of further proofs -
At the special request of Archibald Stephens Esq. with whom you are acquainted, I herewith send you his affidavit in support of Wilson's claim - He requests that you will do him the favor to present it to M c Edward in person, & make such remarks in regard to himself & the merits of the application, as you may deem proper -
If M c Edward should make a favorable decision, please request him to communicate it to me -
I am, Dear Sir, very respectfully Your obed Serv t Lemuel Jenkins
Honble B. F. Butler Atty Genl. U.S.

Albany Feb. 20. 1836.
James L. Richards Esquire Commis n of Pensions, Sir,
I enclose an additional declaration or affidavit in the case of John Wilson, the applicant referred to in your letter of the 1 st inst. I hope it will be deemed sufficient, in connection with his original papers, to entitle him to a pension.
I am, Sir, with great respect,
Your ob t Serv t
Samuel Jenkins

Albany April 20. 1836.
James L. Edmunds Esq. Commissary of Pensions
Sir,
Your letter of the 31 st ult o respecting the application of John Wilson was duly received - I have not had an opportunity of communicating with him on the subject, but have obtained a Certificate from the Depy. Secretary of State, which contains in relation to Capt. Fitch - I do not find any thing in the Records of the Secretary respecting Capt. Beebe & Col. Baldwin -
But I find a document there of which Mr. Campbell says a copy has been furnished to your Office, bearing date New York August 4. 1775 & signed by Genl. Blackwell Chairman , & John McKesson and Clerk, by which it appears that General Baldwin was a Captain & Colonel Beebe a 2 d Lieutenant in Van Schaick's Regiment - Whether these are the officers referred to by Wilson I do not know - It may be that he served under them in a detachment of Militia, but has forgotten their ranks & the other circumstances attending the service -
I must leave the case to be decided upon the evidence now & heretofore furnished -
Very Respectfully
Yours & V. L. S. 4
General Van Rensselaer

Dear Sir I here State Some Trifeling Facts in the Case of John Wilcox a Revolutionary Soldier, praying for a Pension In addition to what I Have Before Stated, I am in the sixty ninth year of my age, John Wilcox is nearly eighty, I remember that the said John made my father's House his home several years in the Revolutionary war, I remember that John Wilcox the same person, above named was several times, brigaded out as a soldier, it was said and I believe truly that John, was gone a soldier very, he was gone some times longer, and some times shorter, and when he came home I used to enq- -uire of him where he had been and what had seen etc. I remember his saying at the time then that he had been at Saratoga Stillwater Fort Edward Schobarie Cobbs hill, and I believe Chorivally all in the State of New York as well as other places at one time he told me that that they had taken gen Burgoine with a host of Hessians that I then thought was a dreadful people, I remember that one time he said he had been in an engagement with the Indians, and Tories, and that his company Retracted, and in the tumult and smoke he did not perceive it till he had shot all his cartridges but one and that in his gun

memories Short. he was then a True man and Has Over been Since. it was by such men that our Inde- pendance was secured I Believe he ought to receive some Reward
Sir your Sincere Friend and Slave Servt 44. Stephenville (Coeymans) Albany Co. N. York
I Do Solemnly and Sincerely Swear and Declare that the foregoi- ng Items are just and true according to the best of my belief and understanding
Achibald Stephens
Swore before me this 26 th day of July 1836 Henry Heatsted, Justice of the Peace for & in the Town of Coeymans & County of Albany
NB I Remember at one time when John came home he said he had been some time taking care of the sick and wounded as he belonged to a family of Natural Doctors and Has Over since practiced it he is a man in Indigent Circumstances not Property Enough to bury a Revolution Soldier in a State suitable to their grave though Always a Temperate man

when he Started to overtake His Company when three Indians Started up before Him Behind Some Logs and he Shot the one Neare- most to Him and the other two Shot at him - but Did Slightly wound Him in His thigh and on the Top of His Head, in this escape he at that time was a Nervous Spy man he came to his Company the Indians following and were Both Shot Down one of them fell within the Length of His gun Rod of their feet and the other a little Back. I Remember his bringing Home at one time Some Rusty Looking musket Balls he Said he got them out of the north River where it Runs over Rock Bottom I Remember His telling of Severy Cobbels Hill Village Burnt by the Indians but they got off - Clear I Remember that it was often Spoken then that John was a good Soldier I Remember His telling that in the Engagement his gun by firing was so Hot that he could Hardly hold it in His Hands and was afraid the Powder would take fire when Pouring it in the gun - I Have been of acquainted with the Said John Wilson Ever Since that time and know that he Has been Considered a man of Truth and Veracity he is an old man and his