Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 11,849, Andrew Willson, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
New York
Willson, Andrew
S. 11849
Carded
CONTENTS
Feb. 16, 1761, Montgomery, Orange Co. N.Y. Herk Co. and in 1832

New York 29. 170
Andrew Willson
of Orange Co. in the State of N. York who was a Private in the Cont. comm. by Captain Millit. of the Reg. — comm. by Col. Lewis in the N. York line for 10 Mts.
Inscribed on the Roll of N York at the rate of 33 Dollars 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 8 day of Aug. 1832 and due the 4th of March 1833
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1833 $ 66.66 Pension allowance ending 4 Sep 1833 166.66 $ 233.33
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. C. Stiles Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 3 Page 29

In the matter of Andrew Wilson for a pension
20387
Indefinite service of two months disabled
acmd 10 mo. pri $33.33

State of New York Orange County ss on this third day of November  December 1832 personally appeared in open court before the judges of the court of common pleas in and for said county near sitting Andrew Wilson a resident of the town of Montgomery in Orange County and State of New York aged Seventy one years who being first duly sworn according to law oath and his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed 7 June 1832 that he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated-
That he served for two months as a substitute for his brother Thomas who had enlisted for four months and took sick before his time was out under Capt James Milliken of said town of Montgomery in the Regiment commanded by Col Pauding the Elder, at Fort Clinton on the North River opposite to Fort Montgomery - that it was in the year 1777 as far as he thinks and near the year the English were in possession of Long Island
that at another time in the fall of the year 1777 and two or three days after Fort Montgomery was taken by the English (6 Oct 1777) he served one month as a substitute for his father at Newburgh and

Newbern on the North River in the Com- pany commanded by Ensign Burns guar- -ding those places against the English - That Col. Milleshen of said Company had been killed at the taking of Fort Maud garrison and Col. McLean thereof taken prisoner, and that the Regiment in which he served was commanded by one George Bennett and that Gen. Samuel Clinton was in com- mand along the North River at the time
That at another time he served as a substitute for one Jacob Lawrence for two months under Capt. Jacob Conklin at Nick- -olds Point on the North River in Newp. County aforesaid and between Newbern and the highlands building forts. That his time was out and he left the service in the month of January when the weather was very cold but in what year cannot positively state
that at another time he served on his own account being ordered out one month at West Point in the Company commanded by Lieutenant Hunter under Major Phillips but in what year cannot accurately state
That in the year 1781 he served for a Class in the County of Dutches for the period of Four Months under Capt. Goddard in the Regiment commanded by Col. Mosenfelt

That he was mustered at Kingston and proceeded from thence to Fishkill Dutches Co. N York - was there about two weeks learning the manual of arms - then marched to White Plains Westchester Co. N York and staid only one night - then marched to Albany N York where the Regiment was divided and half sent to Saratoga and the other half to Johnstown to guard it against the Indians - that he went with the Division to Johnstown - that part of them latter named troops went to Fort Hunter on the Mohawk and he went with them - that from there he went with the troops to Fort Herkimer and then to Fort Stanwix - from there marched back to Johnstown and finally joined the Regiment at Saratoga and laid there till his term of pay was out and he discharged - that there were many militia and standing troops at Saratoga - Gen Stark was then in command - that the battle at Johnstown by the troops under Col. Willet with the Tories and Indians was on the same day that he arrived at Saratoga as above stated and fifty prisoners taken
That after Fort Stanwix was taken by the N. River was taken by the English and while fortifying Point and during the years 1778-1779 & 1780 he was ordered out on alarms and was engaged in building said fortifications very often, and frequently every few weeks - some times would be out ten days at others two and three weeks and at others shorter periods and in all this kind of service he was out in actual service not less than three months in the whole
That in answer to the Enquiries put by the War Department he states that he was born in the town of Mendon, Orange County N York on the 16 day of January 1751

That he has no record of his age
That he lived in said town of Mendon or Co N.Y. when called into service, that he has continued to reside there ever since and still resides there -
The 4 & 5 Interrogatories are answered in the body of the Declaration - that he never had a written Discharge and has no written evi- dence of his services, but that Samuel Brant and Nathaniel P Hill and John Newberd will testify as to the services and reputation of the applicant
The hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of the agency of any State I swear and subscribe
Andrew Willson
The day & year aforesaid
Asa Dunning Clerk

100 Nathaniel P. Hill & John Newkirk of the town of Goshen, Orange County, New York hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Andrew Wadsworth who has subscribed and sworn to to the above declaration that we believe him to be Seventy one years of age - that he is respected and beloved in the neighbor- hood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid John Newkirk Nath l P. Hill John D. Dunning Clerk
and the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states - and the court further certifies that it appears to them that John Newkirk and Nathaniel P. Hill Esqrs who signed the proposed affidavit and Samuel J. Brian Esq who signed the annexed affidavit are respectively creditable persons and their testimony entitled to credit and that they reside in the said town of Goshen in Orange County and State of New York

I Asa Dunning Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County of Orange do hereby certify that the foregoing and annexed contains the original proceedings in the matter of the application of Andrew Wilson for a pension
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and Seal of office this Third Day of December 1832
Asa Dunning Clerk

State of New York.
Orange county ss Samuel Stranahan of the town of Middletown in said county being duly sworn testifies that he is personally acquainted with Andrew Wilson who made the preceding declaration for a pension that they were boys together in the same town and neighborhood.
That to the personal knowledge of this Depo- nent the said Andrew Wilson and served the United States as a militia soldier in the year 1777 for one month at Newburgh and New Windsor in said county of Orange and the North River in Elisha Burns company in the Regiment under command of George Clinton guarding those places against the enemy and that said Deponent was at that time in service in the same company
and this deponent further testifies that he personally knows that said Wilson did in like manner serve the United States for two months at a place called Nicholas Pact in said county building forts for in Captain Clark's company and that said Deponent was at and for the same time at the same place and in the same service in Captain Folsom's company. But in what year can not state.
and this deponent further states that he

knows of the like military services of the said Andrew Wilson at least present in Lieutenant Hunter's company for about the period of one month - That this Deponent was at the time in service in the same company and at the end of said period this Deponent left said post to go to Overpach under Capt Van Ruren and from this time this Deponent will not swear in open court before me this 3 rd day of July December 1832 Sam l S. Crawford Adm l D r Wm m Clerk
On the matter of Andrew Wilson for a pension
20357
Indefinite service of two months duration
added 10 mo. pri $33.33

Andrew Nelson N7
Ex 6 Neal Hyland Dec - 30 - 1857

State of New York } Sullivan County }
On this 23 day of October A.D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty one personally appeared before me a Justice of the peace within & for the County and State aforesaid Abigail Miller aged 60 years a resident of Sullivan County in said State of New York who being duly sworn according to law states that she is a daughter of Andrew Wilson deceased a late resident of Orange County in said State & that her father applied for a pension under act of June 7 th 1832 & obtained a pension at the rate of thirty three dollars & thirty three cents per annum and that her father the said Andrew Wilson has since deceased
Abigail Miller
Subscribed & sworn before me } this 23 day of October 1851 } J. C. Gunning J.P. }
Know all men by these presents that I Abigail Miller of the County of Sullivan in the State of New York do hereby constitute & appoint H. H. Sylvester & B. B. French my true & lawful attorneys for me & in my name to call on the Commissioner of Pensions to examine the declaration & other proof on file in his office which contains the application of my father Andrew Wilson deceased above mentioned for a pension under act of June 7 th 1832
Witness My hand & seal this 23 day of October 1851
Witness Present J. C. Gunning
Abigail Miller
State of New York } 33. Sullivan County }
On this 23 day of October 1851 Abigail Miller came before me & personally acknowledged that she executed the above Power of attorney & I certify that I know the person who made the said acknowledgment to be the individual described in & who executed the above Power of attorney,
J. C. Gunning J.P.

STATE OF NEW-YORK : Sullivan County Clerk's Office.
I Certify That J. O. Dunning Esq., the person subscribing the annexed or foregoing deposition and before whom the same was taken was on the 23 day of October A. D. 18 57 a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly elected and sworn and authorized to take the same; and that his signature thereto is genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said County this 1 st day of November A. D. 18 57
Gad Wales
CLERK.

20387
Andrew Wilson
Orange county New York.
a. j.
Wolcott De Spinning Co Montgomery Co New York

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Andrew Wilson of Orange co. N.Y.
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Substituted for his brother Thomas Wilson 1776 2 private Capt. Millikin Col. Garrison Fort Clinton Ticonderoga 71 Orange co. N.Y. tradition   do for his father 1777 1 Ensign Burns   do for Capt. Lawrence 1778 2 Capt. Farblin Colonel Nichols Point Witnesses   1778, 1779 1 Capt. Goodwin General Fishkill White Plains Westchester Saratoga Mohawk deposition on the part of the applicant   1780 various times in all states at least 6 months 4  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.

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

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[e] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Br Br Ford

1892 apr 28 Visit to Rev J Wilson Shrewsbury 78
Oct 14 '98 Andrew Wilson nyciz
Rev. Mr. [unclear]
11849 INVALID.
File No. 11849 Andrew Wilson ★ Priv. Rev. War.
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 412
[Arrangement of 1870.]
★ Andrew Wilson. Records corrected. May 15/05. K.