Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 28,931, Claus J Van Vrancken, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
New York
Van Vranken, Claus J. Van Vranken
S 28,931.
born Jan. 27, 1761
CONTENTS

24.258 New York
Claus J. Vanranken
Schenectady in the State of New York who was a Private in the Co. A. commanded by Captain Fisher of the Reg't commanded by Col. Van Dyke, in the Schenectady line for 8 months
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 26 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 15 day of Nov. 1839 and sent to V. F. Yates Schenectady.
Arrears to the 4th of Sep. '33 $66.66 Pension allowance ending Apr. '34 13.33
$79.99
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Go. C. Sturs Clerk, Book E. Vol. 4. Page 86

19859 19
In the matter of the application of
Claus J. V. Vranken for a pension -
Proceedings -
Note. That there are two ap- licants whose names nearly resemble each other viz "Claus J. Van Vranken" & "Claus J. Van Vranken"
Ms 80. to the care of Giles F. Yates
Schenectady N.Y.

State of New York County of Schenectady.
On this eighteenth day of October in the Year of our Lord one thousand Eight Hundred and thirty two personally appeared in open court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said county now sitting Charles Van Marken — A Resident of the Town of Niskayuna in said county & State aged seventy two — years who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following declarations in order to obtain the Benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832
He was born in the Town of Niskayuna in the County of Schenectady then Albany on the day of 21 st day of January 1762. he has no record of his age
When he was called into the service of the United States in the Army of the revolution he was living in Niskayuna aforesaid and since the revolutionary war he has lived in the said Town of Niskayuna. He now lives in the Town of Niskayuna aforesaid
He entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
In the Spring of the year 1775, he was enrolled in the Company of militia commanded by Captain Vanning Fisher in the Regiment whereof James or Jacobus Van Schoonhoven was Colonel. The names of his other Company & field officers he cannot recollect except Col Van Dyke Col Van Schrick & Col. Willet Gen. Schuyler and Micho

- Col. P. Van Braren Lieutenant.
He continued to serve in said Company under one engagement until the end of said war. He was on duty whenever called upon, and when not out in the expeditions a few of the most prominent of which are herein after specified, he was engaged with detachments of militia from said Regiment in guarding the posts & passes along the Mohawk river from the incursions of Tories, and to intercept them while in the act of carrying intelligence to the enemy.
He performed military duty with said detachments that were from time to time ordered out, sometimes to cooperate with the regular troops, at other times to defend the inhabitants of different settlements on our frontiers from the depredations of the British & their savage allies. In these services he was employed for a longer or shorter period every year from the time he entered the service as aforesaid until the termination of said war.
He has performed garrison duty at Schoharie for the term of three weeks - at Canajoharie three weeks, at Palmertown four weeks - at Lake George three weeks, with Gen Clinton at Schoharie Fort Edward three weeks - was at Fort Edward when Tienderoga was evacuated - at Fort Miller - was on duty during the retreat of General Schuyler - was in the rencounter at Fort Miller - at Ballston two weeks
at Saratoga 1 mo guard duty

did military duty at Saratoga in 1781, When Caughnawaga & other settlements on the Mohawk river had been destroyed he marched with a detachment of militia to intercept the enemy on their way to Canada at Lake George
He has also served on sundry occa- sions as a scout, and in reconnoitering & pa- trolling parties.
He was after his enrollment to wit, in the year 1777 appointed a sergeant in said Company of Stannering Rifles & served as such sergeant until the end of said war

THE FOLLOWING are the names of some of the regular officers whom he knew, or who were with the troops where he served, and such continental and militia regiments or companies with which he served, or as he can recollect, viz : Col Schuyler Col Van Dyck Govern Clinton. Col Willet Col Van Schaick
He never received any written discharge from the service.
He has no other documentary evidence, and knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service except those whose depositions are hereto annexed.
The following are the names of persons to whom he is known in his present neighborhood, and who can testify as to his character for veracity, and their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution, to wit Joseph Beck the Rev. Jacob Van Keuren Henry H. Beck. Simon & Groot & c.
He 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.
Subscribed and sworn to the day and year first aforesaid
John S. Vrooman
Clerk.
Claus J Van Vranken

State of New York County of Schenectady
On this eighteenth day of October one thousand eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County now sitting Derrick Van Vranken a president of the town of Niskayuna in the County of Schenectady aforesaid who being duly sworn doth depose and say that he was in the time of the revolutionary war and is now well acquainted with Claus J. Van Vranken who has subscribed and sworn to the preceding declaration; that said Deposition was from the year 1775 until the end of said war private a sergeant in the Company of Captain Nanning Fisher referred to in said declaration, and that said Claus J. Van Vranken served in manner set forth in said declaration from the year 1775 till the end of said war.
Derrick Van X Vranken mark
Subscribed & sworn to as aforesaid —
John S. Vrooman Clerk
And the aforesaid Derrick Van Vranken being further duly sworn saith, that said Claus J. Van Vranken served as aforesaid in said Company of Captain Nanning

Fisher according to this Deponent's personal knowledge for the term of One month at the least at Lake George performing garrison duty there under General or Governor Clinton - at Fort Edward at least one month in the year 1777 - at the different posts along the Mohawk river under Captain Hicks at least two months - at Palmentown under said Captain Hicks more than twenty days - at Canajoharie performing garrison duty at least twenty five days - Than the above, this Deponent cannot be more specific as to the precise periods of time said Claus J. Van Vranken served during the war of the revolution
Subscribed & sworn this 3 rd day of September 1833 before me, and I do hereby certify that said Derrick Van Vranken is reputed to be a man of Credibility and I believe him to be such -
J. D. Hartman — Justice of the Peace
County of Schoharie ss. I, Nicholas P. Van Vranken late a Lieutenant in the aforesaid Company of Captain Starving Fisher, do hereby certify, that said Claus J. Van Vranken did serve in said Company as set forth by him in his said declaration - that I remember in particular to have seen him on duty at Palmentown not

less than two weeks - at Fort Edward in the year 1777 at least One month - at Forts & Fisher's ferry and other posts along the Mohawk river for more than two months and two weeks - at Lake George, & Fort Edward in the year 1776 not less than two months - at the Schoharie forts more than two weeks - and further than this, as to his particular terms of service, I cannot swear positively -
Nicholas his X P r Van mark Kraken
I certify that on the twenty third day of September 1833, the above deponent Nicholas P. Van Kraken to me well known, appeared before me & made oath to the facts set forth in the deposition by him signed, and I further certify that said Nicholas is a credible person, and that his statements are entitled to full credence & belief - Witness my hand -
J. D. Harman Justice of the peace
County of Schenectady ss. Claus J. Van Kraken the applicant aforesaid, being further duly sworn and examined, doth depose and say, that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his services in the war of the revolution, but according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below in the grade of a private soldier to wit in said Company of Captain Manning Fisher in the Regiment Commanded by Colonel James or Jacobus Van

Schoonhoven at Canajoharie performing garrison duty under the immediate Command of one Captain Hicks for a term exceeding three weeks - He has performed garrison duty as aforesaid under said Captain Hicks & the other officers of said company at the different posts & places along the Mohawk river for a term exceeding two months - at Ballstown performing the like duty under the same officers for a term not less than two weeks - at Palmentown he has discharged the like duty under said Captain Hicks for a term not less than one month - at Lake or Fort George & Fort Edward in the year 1776 not less than six weeks - at Fort Edward & other posts & places occupied by the American troops against Burgoyne in the year 1777, for a term not less than five weeks - at the Schoharie forts under the immediate Command of the officers of his said Company not less than three weeks - with a detachment of militia from said Regiment, at Saratoga & farther north in the year 1780 or 1781, to intercept the enemy in their way back to Canada after they had destroyed the settlements along the Mohawk river - three weeks - this Deponent served in a great many other short tours of a few days each which he cannot possibly specify & while he thus served he did not engage in any civil pursuit - and for the aforesaid service of at least eight months this Deponent claims a pension -
Note - three weeks interlined before execution hereof Subscribed & sworn this 23 rd day of September 1833 before me J. HARMAN Justice of the peace
Claus J. Van Franklen
I, John S. Woodman Clerk of said County, do hereby certify that Joshua H. Harman by before whom the preceding deposition of Claus J. Van Franklen Nicholas P. Van Franklen & Claus J. Van Franklen purport to have been sworn, was at the time thereof a Justice of the peace in & for said County, that I am well acquainted with his handwriting & verify believe the signature to the same purporting to be his, is genuine. Witness my hand & seal of office this 23 rd day of September 1833 John S. Woodman Clerk

This Certifies , that as appears from the Register of Baptism belonging to the PROTESTANT REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH in the City of Schenectady, Clas , son of Jacob Van Vranken and Margareta Potman his wife, was baptized on the 15 th day of February in the year 1761.
CERTIFIED,
Jacob Van Vechten
V. D. M.
Schenectady, Oct. 8. 1882.
WE Simon J. Van Antwerp residing in the Town of Clarkstown in the county of Schenectady aforesaid, and Claus J. Van Vranken residing in the same place do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Claus J. Van Vranken who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be about seventy one 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.
Subscribed and sworn the { day and year aforesaid
John S. Voorhies
Clerk.
Simon J. Van Antwerp Claus J. Van Vranken
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 Simon J. Van Antwerp & Claus J. Van Vranken who have signed the preceding certificate are residents of said town, and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I John S. Voorhies Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, in and for the county of Schenectady do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Claus J. Van Vranken for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this Eighteenth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two.
John S. Voorhies Clerk.

No 19859
Blanc Van Brantzen
Schenectady 60
N. York
2/
Admitted
Private 8 months
Colus D. Yates age
Schenectady N. York

289 31
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 subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Claus J Van Braren Schenectady 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.     Enlisted 1775 to the close of the war 21 21 28 21 21 14 4 6 Private Capt. Sishu Col. Van Schoonhoven Col. Van Schoonhoven Col. Van Schoonhoven Col. Miller Col. Schuyler Col. Clinton Schenectady Canajoharie Palm Springs Lake Geo P. Lander St. Miller Saratoga Age 72 Schenectady Co. N.Y. Declarations of service from 1775 to the close of the war Testimonial   1781 21 21 8 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.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served. -
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. 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 , 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.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

2393 by INVALID.
File No. 23931
Class of 1891 Rev. Dr.
Adj: June 7 th 1897
Index: — Vol. 2 — Page 185
[Arrangement of 1897.]

To J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions

289-31
J. S. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Sir
I send herewith, and in an accompanying package the original papers with supplemental affidavits in the matter of the application of the following persons for pensions under the late act.
 Nicholas P. Van Vranken Lieutenant  Derrick C. Groot — orderly sergeant  Claus J. Van Vranken sergeant & private  Claus J. Van Vranken — private  Derrick Van Vranken sergeant 
The above named applicants together with Evert Van Vranken (whose pension warrant was granted by you some time ago) are the only survivors of the company of militia of a company of militia commanded by Captain Manning Fisher in

the Regiment commanded by Colonel James or Jacobus Van Schoonhoven. Nicholas Fort who belonged to the same Company, is now deceased. His testimony - was taken in two of the before named applications. As the Clerk of our Court was not sufficiently well acquainted with him, I procured a certificate of his credibility from Harmans Peck Esq. Recorder of this city & Justice of the peace & D. Boyd First Judge of our County Courts.
In the case of Nicholas P. Van Marken , in default of his commission, the certificate from the Secretary of State as to his appointment of Lieutenant is annexed to his papers. There are additional witnesses in each case.
I am yours respectfully
A. V. Mills
Albany Octo 7 th 1833 -