Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R 21,682, John Van Orden, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
New York
Van Orden, John Polhamus, Rachel (Former Widow)
R 21,682
CONTENTS

V2948 Declaration of Richard Pollhamus
See Vol. 4 p. 20-
1778 - 4 Aug 20
1780 1. 16 - 1781
1781 2 -
1. 22,

State of New York. Rockland County, ss. On this twenty first day of November, in the year 1837, personally appeared before the judges of the court of Common Pleas, in and for the said county. Rachel Polhamus, a resident of the town of Clarkstown, in the said county, aged seventy eight 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 the 4 th , 1836, and the Act explanatory of said Act, passed March the 3 d , 1837. — That she was married to John Van Breden, who was a Privat. (as far as her memory now serves her) during the Revolutionary War, and served therein as follows. That in the month of March, in the year 1776, the said John enlisted for three Months, at Clarkstown in a company whereof Gilbert Cooper was capt d , and as she believes, in Col d A Hawks Hays Regiment, and went from Clarkstown aforesaid to New York, and was stationed at a place called Bunkers hill, near said City and served there making fortifications for some time, then returned to Nyack, and there served for some time and from thence to Clarkstown, where they remained until the term of enlistment was expired. —
That early in the month of July, in said year, the British having sailed up the Hudson River, and anchored in the Tappan and Haverstraw Bays, the Militia composing the Regiment of Col d A Hawks Hays was all ordered out to guard along the said River and at other important places, when capt d Hendrick Tenure, being a capt d , in said Regiment, was ordered out with the men composing his company, of which the said John Van Breden was one, and was stationed to guard along the River at Nyack, and continued so to guard (except those who enlisted in the five months service) until late in the month of November, except by permission some at a time was permitted to go home for a day or two at a time, and the said John did serve not less than three months and a half. —
That in the latter part of the following winter, or early in the Spring the year 1777, the company of capt d Tenure was put into classes of four men in each, so that each man had to serve the one fourth part his time in actual duty, or get a substitute in his place. That the nee,

guarding might be performed and the domestic concerns not altogether neglected, that guards, in small companies, was kept at different places, along the Hudson River, from Snedens Landing to Stony Point, at Haverstraw at the long and short Cloves, at Clarkstown, at Sickle town, at Nanuet, at Tappan town, and in the State of New Jersey, as Closter, Schraalenburg, and at the Liberty Pole, and that the said John did serve, not less than one week in each and every four weeks, from early in the Spring until in the Winter, guarding at one or other of the above named places, or moving from one station to the other, and served not less than two months in weekly tours as aforesaid. -
That early in the Spring, in the year 1778, the said John Van Buren, by the orders of his aforesaid Capt. did serve, performing his tours of duty as aforesaid, serving until in the Winter, and served not less than two months, in tours as aforesaid. -
That in the year 1779, the said John served with the said company at stations, and in duty as aforesaid, from early in the Spring until Winter, and served not less than two months, in weekly tours.
That in the year 1780 the said John served under the said Capt. Terrence or some one of his under Officers, from early in the Spring until Winter, service duty and stations as aforesaid, and served not less than two months, in weekly tours. -
That in the year 1781, the said John served under his said Officers, duty and stations as aforesaid, from early in the Spring until Winter, and served not less than two months, in weekly tours as aforesaid.
That in the year 1782, the said John did serve from some time in the Spring of the year until the month of September, in duty and stations as aforesaid, and served not less than one month in weekly tours. -
That as to the services of the said John Van Buren, by her above set forth that part performed previous to their marriage is stated from information received from the said John, but the part performed after their marriage if she could now set forth the time he was absent from home, and as she believes out on actual duty, she is confident it would far exceed the time by her set forth as the service done by him during the years, 1780, 1781 & 1782

That she has no documentary evidence in support of her claim, and the annexed testimony is all she at this late period can offer to support the same.
She further declares, that she was married to the said John Van Breden, by the Rev. Samuel Verbruek, on the last of September or the first of October in the year seventeen hundred and seventy nine, not having any record thereof, her memory is not sufficient to enable her to state the day or exact month; that her husband, the aforesaid John Van Breden, died on the thirty first day of August, in the year seventeen hundred and ninety seven; that she was afterwards married to Abraham Polhamus, who died on the twenty fifth day of December, in the year eighteen hundred and thirty one, and, that she was a widow on the 4 th of July, 1836, and still remains a widow, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereunto annexed.
Sworn to and subscribed, on the day and year above written - In Open Court.
Rachel her  mark Polhamus
I, I, Abraham Hogenkamp, Clerk of the said Court, do hereby certify, that the above declaration was read, sworn to and subscribed in open court and being unlearned says she is unable to write her name. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said county, this twenty first day of November, 1837-
Abm. Hogenkamp Clerk

State of New York Rockland County. On this tenth — day of October 1837. personally appeared before me Peter T Stephens, a justice of the peace in and for said County. Abraham C Blanvelt, a resident of the town of Clarkstown in said county, aged 52 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth depose and say, That he was ac- quainted with John Van Breden, the first husband of Rachel, the present husband of widow of Abraham Polhamus, that the said John Van Breden died on the thirty first — day of August — in the year 1797: and, that the said Rachel was afterwards married to Abraham Polhamus, who died on the twenty fifth day of December in the year 1831  1797 : and that the said Rachel has remained a widow ever since that period — Sworn to, and subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me
Abra. C Blanvelt
Peter T Stephens justice
I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the above named Abram C Blanvelt and know him to be a man of unblemished reputation whose statement is entitled to credit
Peter T Stephens justice
I, Abraham Hogenkamp, clerk of the county of Rockland, do hereby certify, that Peter T Stephens Esq., before whom the above affidavit of Abram C Blanvelt and the annexed affidavits of John T Blanvelt, Jacob Van Breden, Garret O'Brien, Luke Smith and James Vanderbilt were taken, is a justice of the peace in and for said county, duly commissioned and sworn, and that his different signatures subscribed to the jurats and certificates, are his genuine signatures — In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said county, this twenty first day of November, 1837.
Abm. Hogenkamp Clerk

State of New York.
Rockland County. ss. On this twenty first day of September 1837. personally appeared before me Cornelius J. Blauvelt, a judge in and for said county. The Rev. Isaac D. Cole. Pastor of the congregation at Tappan, in said county, who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth depose and say: That the Book containing the record of Marriages of the formerly United Congregations of Tappan and Clarkstown, are in his possession, and that there is no marriage recorded therein from the year 1754 to 1784. and that there is no record of the marriage of John Vanorden to Rachel Tenure, therein, but it appears that the by the said records that the said Rachel VanBreden, or Tenure was married by the Rev. Nicholas Lansing to Abraham Polhamus, on the eighth — day of April 1803.
Sworn to, and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Before me
Corn. J. Blauvelt Judge
I, Abraham Hogenkamp, Clerk of the County of Rockland, Do hereby certify, that Cornelius J. Blauvelt, Esq., before whom the above affidavit of the Rev. Isaac D. Cole was taken, is a judge in and for the said county, duly commissioned and sworn, and that his signature subscribed thereto, is his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said county, this twenty first day of November, 1837—
Abm. Hogenkamp Clerk

State of New York. Rockland County. ss. On this thirtieth — day of August 1837. personally appeared before me Peter T Stephens, one of the justices of the peace in and for said county. John J Bloenwett, a resident in the town of Clarkstown, in said county, aged 84 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, did depose and say, that he was well acquainted with John Van Breden, now deceased, the first hus- band of Rachel Polhamus, now the widow of Abraham Polhamus deceased, whose maiden name was Rachel Tenure, during the Re- volutionary war, and until the time of his death, and knows that the said John did belong to, and serve in a company whereof — Hendrick Tenure was Capt. in Col d A. Hasches Hays' Regiment — during the said war. That in the early part of the month of July, in the year 1776, News was brought that the British had sailed up the Hudson River and lay in the Tappan and Haverstraw Bays when the company of Capt d Tenure was ordered out to guard along the said river, and to meet at Clarkstown (a small Village in said town) where the said company met, and the said John among others, and was marched from thence to Nyack, where they continued to guard, at different stations along the river, as the enemy moved up or down the same, until late in the month of December November, when they returned to New York, the men composing said company, in small parcels, was permitted to go home for a day or two at a time, otherwise the service was constant, and that the said John did serve not less than three months and a half. That in the following winter, at a meeting of the field and compa- ny Officers in Col d Hays Regiment, it was thought most Advisable, in order that the domestic concerns should not be neglected, to keep up a continued guard to consist of the fourth part of the Militia, and that the whole Regiment should be called in the field only when necessary, and in order that the duty might be equally born by all, the men composing the different companies were directed to class themselves, and furnish a man by hiring one or perform the same.

in tours, and in obedience to said orders, the men in Capt. Seniors company did class themselves, and among others the said John Van Buren, and in every class almost, each man served his tours of duty during the season of the year that guards were regularly kept, from the Spring of the year 1777. until the month of September 1782. after which time there was yet some guarding done but not constant or regular.
That agreeable to the above regulations, the said John did serve, doing guard duty or scouting, from as early in the spring of the year as the first of April until the first of December, and some years after that time, from the Spring of the year 1777. until Winter in the year 1781. and served as a private, not less than one week in each and every four weeks, a guarding or scouting at one or the other of the following stations: at some station along the said river from Snedens landing to Stony point, at Haverstraw, at the Long and Short Cloves, at Clarkstown, Tappan town, Sicklestown, Nanuet, and in the State of New Jersey, at Closter, Schraalenburgh, and the Liberty pole, or in scouting through the lower part of the now county of Rockland or the county of Bergen in New Jersey, and served not less than two months in each of the years 1777. 1778. 1779. 1780. and 1781. in weekly tours, this deponent being a fellow soldier. That in the year 1782. the said John served not less than one week in each and every four weeks, from the last of April until the first of September, a guarding along the river at Nyack or at Clarkstown, and served not less than one month in tours as aforesaid.
That if the memory was sufficient, or some record had been kept to refresh it, much more services could truly have been set forth than has above been done, as many of the tours far exceeded one week, and some, one month, especially from the year 1777 to 1780. besides all the duty on alarms, which were often, long and perilous, as many were killed and wounded, others taken prisoners and either perished in prison or on board of the Jersey prison ships, or after suffering every thing but death, after a long —

confinement were at last exchanged, but time has so destroyed the memory thereof, that an account of them, with their length and number cannot now with certainty be set forth, therefore they are left out, and those only set forth that is known to have been performed—
Sworn to and subscribed { John J Blauvelt the day and year aforesaid } before me.
Peter J Stephens Justice
I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the above named John J Blauvelt and know him to be a man of truth and veracity whose statement is entitled to credit
Peter J Stephens Justice

State of New York, Rockland County, ss. On this thirtieth ~ day of August. - 1837. - personally appeared before me Peter T. Stephens, ~ a Justice of the Peace, in and for said county. Jacob Van Orden, now a resident in the town of Clarkstown, in said county, aged 70 - years, who being first duly sworn according to law, did depose and say, that he was well acquainted with John Van Orden, (who was married to Rachel Tenure during the Revolutionary war, (being a brother of him) and knows that the said John did, in the month of March 1776, enlist for three months, at Clarkstown, in a company commanded by Capt. Gilbert Cooper, who was then a Capt. in Col d A. Hawks Hays's Regiment, and (as he was in- formed by the said John when he returned) went to New York, and was there engaged for some time a making fortifications at a place called Bunkershill, then returned to Nyack, at which place and at Clarkstown, he remained until the term of his enlistment was expired. That early in the month of July 1776. The British sailed up the Hudson River and anchored in the Tappan and Haverstraw Bays. The Militia in said Col d Hays's Regiment was all called out to guard along the said River. Capt. Hendrick Tenure's company was called out, of which company the said John was one, and went and guarded along the said River at Nyack, at which place they continued, this deponent being also one of the same, until the last of the said month or the first of August, when this deponent with many others of the said company enlisted in the five months service, and left those who did not enlist, to guard as aforesaid, where he understood they remained (with very little intermission) until late in the month of November, when the said Ships sailed for New York.
That in the year 1777. The company of Capt. Tenure's being put into classes of four men in a class. That a constant guard might be kept at places necessary, consisting of one fourth part of the Militia, that while part was a guarding, the others might attend to their domes- tic concerns, the said John Van Orden did serve not less than one week in each and every four weeks the from the first of April until December, during the time said Ships again lay in said

Boys, and was stationed at one or the other of the following stations. — at Clarkstown, Nanuwit Sicklestown, Tappan Town, the Long and Short Gloves, Haverstraw, along the river at Nyack, the Sloat, and in the State of New Jersey, at Schraalenburg, Closter and the Liberty pole — but the most of the service was performed at Nyack. —
That in the year 1778, the said John Kanouden served from early in the Spring until winter, duty and stations as aforesaid, and served at least one week in each and every four weeks, making not less than two months in weekly tours. —
That in the year 1779, the said John served as aforesaid from early in the spring until winter, and served not less than two months in weekly tours.
That in the years 1780 and 1781, the said John did serve from early in the Spring until winter in each year, stations and duty as aforesaid, and served not less than two months in each year in weekly tours.
That in the year 1782, after the Army of Cornwallis was taken, the depredations of the enemy seemed in a great measure to cease, but the British in the Spring of the year again anchoring in said Bays, it was thought prudent and necessary to keep a guard along the said river to watch their movements and to intercept illicit trade, the guard was still kept along the river, and at some of the most im- places portant, when the said John did perform his full proportion of duty from the last of April until the month of September, the time when the British ships sailed for New York and did not return there after, and served not less than one week in each and every four weeks making not less than one month in weekly tours.
And this deponent doth further say, that he belonged to, and did serve in the said company with to which the said John Kanouden belonged, but did not serve with him at each tour above stated, as it frequently was the case that while one was out on duty the other was at home attending to the domestic concerns, but is well satisfied both from his personal knowledge of the service of the said John, and

the time he was absent from home, that all the time above set forth was by him actually performed. And he feels confident that if each man in said company had kept a record of the time he was out on actual duty it would double the time set forth in weekly tours, especially during the years 1777, 1778, 1779 & 1780, as many tours in those years would last from two to four weeks at a time, the reliefs being out on alarms and scouting parties and when relieved, was a great part of their time engaged in the same duty, but from the great length of time that has since passed and the frailty of memory, he can only positively say that they served not less than one week in each and every four weeks as aforesaid, and the stations that were all more or less guarded at. And this deponent, doth further say, that the said John was legally married to Rachel Tenure, now the widow of Abraham Polhamus, by the Rev. Samuel Kerbych, in the fall of the year 1779, he being present at the marriage he does not now recollect, either the day or the month, but knows that it was at the time of threshing of Buckwheat, which is generally the last of September or first of October, and that the said John died many years ago, and that since his decease the said Rachel was married to Abraham Polhamus, who has died more than five years ago - he believes in the year 1831, and that the said Rachel has ever since that period remained a widow. S sworn to and subscribed — { Jacob Van Andr the day and year aforesaid { Before me.
Peter J Stephens Justice
I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the above named Jacob Vanorden and know him to be a man of truth and veracity whose statements is entitled to credit
Peter J Stephens Justice

State of New York.
Rockland County, S c . On this twenty fifth day of August 1837, personally appeared before me Peter T Stephens, a justice of the peace, in and for the said county, Garret Bolen, a resident of the town of Clarkstown, in said county aged 77 years, who, being first duly sworn according to law, did depose and say, that he was well acquainted with John Van Breden, (now deceased) who had for his wife Rachel Tenure — during the whole of the Revolutionary War, and knows that the said John Van Breden did belong to, and serve in a company whereof Hendrick Tenure was Capt t , in Col s A Hawks Hays Regiment during the said War, as this deponent did belong to and serve in the said company, as a fellow Soldier, in company with the said John, during a great part of the said War, and knows that early in the Spring of the year Month of July, in the year 1776 the said company was called out en masse, to guard along the shores of the Hudson River at Nyack, the British having sailed up and anchored in the Tappan and Haverstraw Bays, with some of their Ships of War, when the said John Van Breden did attend and guard along the said River until the last of July aforesaid, when this deponent enlisted for five months under Capt t Dorande, and left the said John attending to his duty as aforesaid, and was informed on his return home that the men who did not enlist in the five months service had to serve until in the month of November when the said Ships returned to New York, except at a few times they were permitted, a few at a time to go home for a day or two at a time, and that each man served at least three months on actual duty.
That early in the Spring of the year, 1777, the Militia being previously put into classes of four men each, and each class had to furnish one man for continual duty during the season that the said Ships lay in the said bays, which was from early in the Spring until for fear of Ice they returned to New York, that it was generally agreed by the said classes, to serve the time in weekly tours, and if each man could not leave home when his tour of duty did come, they would often serve, one in the others place, but each man had at some time to perform his

his equal proportion of duty, in which manner the said John did serve from early in the Spring until the first of August in said year, serving not less than one week in each and every four weeks and not less than one month in weekly tours a guarding along the said River or at Clarkstown, at which time this deponent enlisted for three months under Capt t Gcorner and afterwards for three Months under Capt t Johnson in which last services he was wounded and did not perform any regular tours of duty in Capt t Tenures company company until the Spring of the year 1779. but has every reason to believe that the said John did serve, performing his tours of guard duty, both from the information he received from the men of the said company and his own knowledge of the said John's willingness always to perform his full proportion of duty during said War. That early in the Spring of the year the 1779. this deponent was again compelled to perform his regular tours of duty, and knows that the said John Vanorden did serve from early in the Spring until winter a guarding at Nyack at the long cove at Clarkstown at Tappan town, at Schralenberg, at Closter at the Liberty pole, that is at one or the other of the above named Stations, and served not less than one week in each and every four weeks, and served not less than two Months in Weekly tours.
That in the year 1780 the said John did serve in weekly tours from early in the Spring until winter, stations and duty as aforesaid and served not less than two Months in Weekly tours.
That in the year 1781, the said John did serve in tours, duty and Stations as aforesaid and served not less than two Months in weekly tours.
That in the year 1782, the said John did serve, two, three, or four tours a guarding along the River at Nyack, in company with this deponent, and he verily believes he did not serve less than one month in Weekly tours.
That he is perfectly conscientious that the said John did serve during the said war as is by him above set forth and that all

The said services was rendered as a private to the best of this deponants knowledge and belief— Sworn to and subscribed } Garret O'Brien the day and year aforesaid } Before me Peter T Stephens Justice
I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the above named Garret O'Brien and know him to be a man of truth and veracity who's statements is entitled to credit Peter T Stephens Justice
State of New York.
Rockland County, ss. On this First — day of November 1837. personally appeared before me Peter T Stephens, a Justice of the peace, in and for said county, Luke Smith & James Vanderbilt — residents of the town of Clarkstown, in said county, who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth depose and say, that they were personally acquainted with John Vanderveer, and his wife the present widow of Abraham Polhamus, and know her to be a person of truth & veracity and further, that it is reported and believed in the neighbourhood in which the said John Vanderveer resided, that he was a soldier during the Revolutionary war, and did serve therein, and we concur in that opinion —
Sworn to, and subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me —
Luke his mark Smith
James Vanderbilt
Peter T Stephens Justice
I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the above named Luke Smith and James Vanderbilt and know them to be men of truth and veracity whose statements are entitled to credit Peter T Stephens Justice
Alm. Hogenkamp Clerk

S/153 Nyack Jupiter Augt 28 th
NY
2948

Clarkstown August 29 th 1838.
Hon d Sir
Inclosed I send the Affidavit of John Hutton, proving the marriage of Rachel Petham with her first husband John Van Oelen. her marriage now stands proved by her Mr. Hutton and Jacob  John Van Oelen, and having proved his service by three credible persons. her claim is now submitted.
I remain Respectable Sir your Ob t Serv t .
Hon d . James L. Edwards
David Pyle

Rachel Polhemus, Shaham New York
Formerly Widow of 
John Van Orden
Suspended Capt. Custer NY mil
{ Dec 1st. 20 Feb 1838 B. Pye,
To same 9. April 1838.
to Hon. A. Vanderveer 9. April '38.
to David Pye 17. Sept. '38.
26
{ This is a joint letter, filed in the claim R. 10,838 Cornelius Vanderbilt, NY. &

(3-224.)
M. Casey
No. 21.682
, Ex'r.
REJECTED
OLD WAR WIDOW.
Rachel Polhamus widow of (formerly) John Van Orden Pvt Capt Cooper N.Y. mil
Died at _____
other claim.
, 18 .
Clerk.
Application filed: _____, 18 .
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____

Pension Office,
April 10. 1840.
Sir,
I have the Honor to return herewith the papers of Rachel Polhemus, and to inform you that her claim was not admitted at this office, because there is no satisfactory evidence that her dec d husband performed six months actual service.
I have the Honor to be Very respectfully, Your ob t Serv t . J L Edwards
Hon. John Carr, House of Representatives.

Incl. No. 3. N. Lucia
Rachel P. Stephens
James A. Edwards Compt. of Pensions Washington City D.C.
To
144

Clarkstown Feb'y 26 th 1838.
Hon d Sir
In your letter of the 20 th Instant, in the case of Rachel Polhamus who first husband was John Van Buren, you state that "There was no such service as alleged performed by the militia of New York, in the Spring of 1776 nor the fall of that year, except by those who engaged for five months" such information you could not have received from the declaration of pensioners from this county, as they state to the contrary, and if you will but examine the papers of John G. Bogert, John G. Blaauwett, Abraham Van Houten, John Hutton, Claus Van Houten, Andries Onderdonk, Garret Serwent, and a number of others, you will find that they swear that they did serve for three months, commencing in the month of March 1776 some of whom served under Capt s Gilbert Cooper, and some under Capt s John Blaauwett, in Col n Highard's Regiment, which term was three months, and was stationed at Bunkers hill on York Island, making fortifications, at that place, and perhaps I can refer you to more authentick testimony, the history of the Revolutionary War, where it is stated, that during the Spring and summer of the year 1776, unremitted exertions were made to fortify the City of New York, &c. In this crisis the people of that state acted with spirit and firmness. One fourth of the militia of the counties contiguous to the City, were called into the public service. As the five months service alluded to in your letter did not commence until the first of August in that year, that service could not have been intended. —
It was some time in the month of July 1776 when the British first sailed up the Hudson River, and lay in the Tappan and Haverstraw Bays, when the whole body of the militia was called into service to guard along the river, and other places, and a few days thereafter five companies of five months men was raised, and the remainder held to serve without intermission until late in the fall, (a day or two at a time excepted) until the British sailed for New York, in which way all did serve who did not enlist as aforesaid, and has been so set forth by each claimant and have been rated from three to five months service, and if they served from the middle of July to the middle of November, would certainly amount to not less than three and a half months, exclusive of the time each spent in going to and returning from home —

You also state "It has been ascertained that one week actual service in each month was not performed by the New York Militia from 1777 to 1782, from the spring to the fall of each year as alleged" from what source it has been ascertained I cannot conceive unless from persons unfriendly to the pension act. as I am led to believe there is no record stating the manner the duty was performed. and it would not be just to take the say so of any person in opposition to the bath of so many Old Soldiers. and before their affidavits is disbelieved, it should be outweighed by other testimony equally as binding and perilous if false and the pensioners have an opportunity to rebut it. They have set forth in their affidavits. that each class did divide the time between them, a continued guard was kept, and each class had to find a man, and if one could not conveniently leave home an other would take that tower, but finally each man performed his equal proportion, and they further say that they was also out much on alarms, being from two or three days to three and four weeks at a time, but that their memories did not enable them now distinctly to state their periods, so than none have been able to claim for all the time each was actually out on duty.
Her claim is supported by the affidavits of Jacob Van Buren, John J Blauvelt (not John G Blauvelt as you suppose was intended) and Garret O'Brien, three credible witnesses. throughout most all her claims for services rendered, and no claim for any service rendered but what is supported by at least one credible witness. she on her part has fully complied with the rules published, and only asks that the same may be performed on your Honors part.
You also state "The proof of the period of marriage is also unsatisfactory. if there be any record or documentary proof it should be exhibited." If any record of the marriages could have been found, it would have been offered in every case, but in that they have been unfortunate, for it appears by the record of the Dutch Church, that the Reverend Samuel Verbruyck was settled as pastor of the United Congregations of Tappan and Clarkstown in 1750. and for four years, until 1754. kept a record of the marriages by him performed, but from that time until his death in 1784 there is no record of Marriages to be found, altho I have used every exertion to find them, and the first thereafter to be found is entered by his successor The Rev d Nicholas Lansing in the fall of the year 1784 — which fact is substantiated by the oath of the Rev d Isaac Dole the present Pastor, annexed to her paper which has heretofore been judged sufficient testimony of the absence of any record, and parole

proof of the time of marriage has been admitted, as would be admitted in a court of law—
More remarks could be made, but having reasoned more largely on some points of objection, in the accompanying letter, in the case of Mrs Vanderbilt, I leave her case in your hands for a decision, only wishing you to do what in law and equity is justice
I remain Respectable Sir
Your Humble Serv t
David Pyle
Hon d James L Edwards
It during made to with

State of New York, Rockland County. On this twenty fourth day of August, 1830, personally appeared before Peter T Stephens, a justice of the Peace in and for said county, John Hutton, a resident of the town of Clarkstown in said county, aged near 70 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, did depose and say, that he was personally acquainted with John Van Breden, the first husband of Rachel Polhamus, now the widow of Abraham Polhamus Dec d , during the Revolutionary War, and was at the wedding when the said John was married to the said Rachel, then Rachel Tenure, and did see them legally married by the Rev d Samuel Kerbyck, in the fall of the year seventeen hundred and seventy eight - the day or month he does not now recollect, but recollects that it was at the time of cutting or threshing of Buckwheat, which is generally in the month of September or October, and was well acquainted with the said Rachel previous to her Marriage - and knows that the said John Van Breden did faithfully serve during the Revolutionary War in Capt s Tenure's Company in Col n Hays Regiment and was out on duty much of his time during said War and was a willing and faithful soldier -
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
John Hutton
Peter T Stephens Justice
I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the above named John Hutton and know him to be a man of truth and veracity whose statement is entitled to credit,
Peter T Stephens Justice

Rockland county. ss
I, Abraham Hogenkamp, Clerk of the county of Rockland. Do certify, That Peter T Stephens Esq. before whom the within affidavit was taken, is a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, duly commissioned and sworn, and that his signature to the same is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said county, this Twenty fifth day of August, 1830. —
Abm Hogenkamp Clerk

Rachel Polhemus
Feb y 5 1840
Ref d to the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions
The Petition of Rachel Polhemus to be placed upon the roll of Revolutionary Pensioners
on revolutionary Pensions
Mr Montanya
288.
Montanya

To the Honorable the Senate and house of Representatives In Congress assembled.
The Petition of Rachel Polhamus, widow of Abraham Polhamus, and formerly the widow of John Van Orden, of the town of Clark- town, in the County of Rockland and State of New York.
Humbly sheweth.
That your petitioner, under the act of Congress, passed the 4 th of July 1836. and the act of March 3 d . 1837. presented her Declaration to the Honorable the Commissioner of Pensions, setting forth that her first husband, the said John Van Orden, did serve during the Revolutionary War, serving first three months, commencing in the month of March in the year 1776 under Capt. Gilbert Cooper, and after that tour was ended, commenced under Capt. Hendrick Simons under whom he continued to serve at different tours during said war and did set forth the said tours of duty as particularly as her memo- ry, or the information she could obtain, would permit her to do. and to substantiate her claim did offer such proof as at this late period she was enabled to do, as nearly all his fellow soldiers had departed this life - All which is fully set forth in her declaration, and the accompanying affidavits, to which she begs leave to refer the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives
That owing to the great length of time since the close of the said war your petitioner was unable herself, nor could she by any proof she could procure set forth the time the day that each tour commenced or ended, but did set forth and prove that her said husband had served not less than such time mentioned in each tour, for which reason, her claim was rejected
Your petitioner therefore humbly prays that Congress will allow her such pension her claim justly merits, and she, as in duty bound will ever pray &c. January 15 th 1840
her Rachel Polhamus mark