Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 16,455, Samuel Van Vleck, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
New York
Van Vleck, Samuel Catharine
No 16,455
CONTENTS

Attica N.Y. 20298
Saml. Van Kleek
1 Oneida (in the State of NYON) who was a private in the Comp commanded by Captain Abely — of the Reg — commanded by Col Schuyler in the NYON one for 1 Mo.
Enscribed on the Roll of Work at the rate of 23 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 13 day of Aug 1833 and Suette B. P. Johnson Name
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. J. C. [Signature] Clerk, Book 6, Vol. 3, Page 6.

V 1906
Catharine Van Vleck Application for Pension
adm d Imo pni
23.33
deduct - died 18 Sep. 33
To commences on 19 Sept 1833 -
Hen. H. Vail

State of New York } Rensselaer County } ss. On this sixteenth day of March one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven, personally appeared before the undersigned, one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the county of Rensselaer aforesaid, Catharine Van Bleck a resident of the town of Brunswick in the County of Rensselaer and State of New York, aged eighty nine years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on her oath, make the following Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision, made by the Act of Congress, passed July 4. 1836, That she is the widow of Samuel Van Bleck, who was a private soldier in the Militia of the Army of the Revolution, and for a portion of the time, a Lieutenant. That she first became acquainted with her said husband, about ten years previous to the breaking out of hostilities in the revolutionary war, at the city of New York, where they both resided at that period. That her marriage with her said husband Samuel Van Bleck, took place about five or six years previous to the Declaration of Independence at the city of New York, the precise time, I cannot from age & debility now recollect. I well remember that in the year 1776, when the British made their attack, & fired upon the City of New York, my said husband acted in the Capacity of Lieutenant at that place, under one Captain Wilder, and that when the British took possession of New York, I with my said husband, and two of our children, went from New York up Hudson River, & settled at Lansing- burgh - How long he acted in the capacity of Lieutenant, before we left New York, I am unable to recollect - Some time after we came up to Lansingburgh, (how long after, I cannot remember) my said husband, enlisted in the service, at the place last mentioned, and went to German Flats, I remember one Captain Evans, one Tillman, and several by the name of Brewster, who went with him - According to my best recollection one Stephen Schuyler was Colonel of the troops, with whom my said hus- -band served at German Flats. After He was absent in the service at German Flats for several weeks, the precise time I cannot remember. After he returned from German Flats, he was frequently called out, and was in the service, a great many times during the war, as a minute- man; and was engaged in scouting parties & in the capture of Tories.

I well remember his taking a Dutch minister, who was a violent Tory, and carrying him to Albany - My said husband was thus engaged in the service, after we came from N. York, frequently and at short intervals during the remainder of the Revolutionary War -
I do not now know of any person alive, who can state upon oath the whole period of his service, but would refer for further evidence in support of the same to the papers on file at the War Department, which were produced in support of his claim for a pension, and a certificate for which pension, was issued and is hereto annexed.
She further declares, that she was married to the said Samuel Vanbleck in or about the year 1769. She has no record of said marriage nor is there any person now alive, who was present at said marriage. Said marriage took place in the Moravian Chapel in New York, and was performed by the minister of said Chapel, whose name she thinks was Nizer - That her husband, the aforesaid Samuel Vanbleck died on the eighteenth day of September 1833; at the town of Newton Oneida County N.Y. - And that she has remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed.
Catharine my Vanbleck mark
Subscribed & sworn before me this 16 th day of March A.D. 1837.
Henry Koon Judge of Rensselaer Common Pleas
I the above named Henry Koon Judge of the Rensselaer Common Pleas do further certify from satisfactory information & report thereon that I was acquainted with the above named Samuel Vanbleck, that I believe him to have been a soldier of the Revolution as above stated, that the before named Catharine Vanbleck is the widow of the said Samuel Vanbleck, & that the said Catharine since the death of her said husband has remained, & is now unmarried, & further that the said Catharine from age & bodily infirmity, cannot attend personally in Court, & from the same cause could not write her name:
Henry Koon Judge of Rensselaer Common Pleas

State of New York } ss: I, Cornelius Lansing of Lansingburgh Rensselaer County } ss: in said county, being eighty four years of age, depose and say, that as early as the year seventeen hundred and seventy five, I well knew Samuel Vanblick and Catharine his wife, who then resided in this place (Lansingburgh) which was then called New City. That the said Samuel and Catharine at that period, and for a number, at least twenty years, succeeding that period, lived, and cohabited together as man and wife, to my knowledge - though not all of the time aforesaid, residents of this place - and that they had children, about the time of my first ac- quaintance with them - And that the said Catharine lived & cohabited with said Samuel as his lawful wife until his death, which took place some few years since and that said Catharine is now, and since the death of her said husband, has continually remained un- married -
Cornelius Lansing
State of New York } ss: I certify that on the 8 th day of April Rensselaer County } ss: 1837, the above named Cornelius Lansing, personally appeared before me, and made oath according to law to the truth of the foregoing Deposition & Certificate by him subscribed, and I further certify, that the said Cornelius Lansing is a person of high credibility.
Marcus L. Filley Justice Peace

State of New York } ss: I. Eleanor Williams of Pittstown Rensselaer County } in said county hereby certify depose and say, that I am the daughter of Samuel & Catharine Vanbleck, in the foregoing Declaration named, and that from family tradition, as also from my father's family record, I am now in the sixty seventh year of my age. (born in the year 1770) - That at the period of my earliest recollection, our family resided in the city of New York. That I do not recollect any circumstances in particular in regard to my father's service in the Revolutionary War - as during the most of that period, I was put out to & resided with my Grandparents - I however well remember, hearing my father relate the circumstances of his service, and by general reputation he was in the service of the revolution - and I recollect that about the year 1777, our family was robbed by Hessian, of their household furniture &c. My said father & mother, from the period of my earliest recollection, until his death, in September 1833, always lived & cohabited together as man & wife - & she has since continually remained, & is now unmarried -
Eleanor Williams
State of New York } ss: I. William Vanbleck of Lansingburgh Rensselaer County } in said county hereby certify depose and say, that I am the son of Samuel and Catharine Vanbleck, named in the foregoing Declaration - and that from my father's family record (which I have often seen, & which my father took with him, when he went to the western part of this state, several years since) as also from family tradition, I am now in the sixty second year of my age, (born in the year 1775) - that my said father was always reputed & believed to have been in the service of the revolution - that he died on the 18 th of September 1833 at Ithaca in the County of Onondaga, that my said father & mother always lived & cohabited together, as husband & wife, & that since his death as aforesaid, my said mother has continually remained, & is now unmarried -
William Vanbleck
State of New York } ss: On the 15 th day of April 1837, the above named Eleanor Rensselaer County } Williams, & the above named William Vanbleck, personally appeared before me, and made oath according to law to the truth of the foregoing Depositions by them respectively subscribed, and I certify that I am well acquainted with said affiants, and that they, severally are respectable & credible persons. Marcus L. Gilley Justice Peace.

State of New York Rensselaer County Clerks. Office } ss. I, Henry R. Bristol Clerk. of said county Do hereby. Certify that Henry Koon Esq. before whom the foregoing and annexed declaration of Catharine Van Vleck, purports to have been sworn and whose name is subscribed to the certificates subjoined thereto was at the time of taking such proof one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Rensselaer duly qualified &c. And I further Certify that Marcus L. Filley Esq. before whom the foregoing & annexed dispositions of Cornelius Lansing and William Van Vleck & Eleanor Williams purports to have been sworn and whose name is subscribed to the certificates subjoined thereto was at the time of taking said dispositions one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the County of Rensselaer dwelling in said County duly qualified &c. And I further Certify that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of the said Henry Koon & Marcus L. Filley and verily believe that their signatures to the said Certificates respectively are genuine. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name & affixed the seal of said County this 9 th day of May A D 1837.
Henry R. Bristol Clerk

State of New York Oneida County
I John D. Leland Clerk of the County of Oneida & of the Court of Common Pleas of said County do hereby Certify That on the 12 th day of September 1836 at a Court of Common Pleas held in and for the said County (before the Judges thereof, (the said Court being a Court of Record) it was proved to the satisfaction of the said Court by credible Witnesses that Samuel Van Vleck late of the Town of Trenton in said County, died in said Town on the 18 th day of September 1833, That he was a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States at the time of his death - That he left as his Widow Catharine Van Vleck who still survives
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name & affixed my seal this 12 th day of September 1836. "1833" partly on erasure -
John D. Leland Clerk
B4

Know all Men by these Presents, That I Catharine Van Vleck widow of Samuel Van Vleck late a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States, do hereby constitute and appoint Robert Chipperfield my true and lawful Attorney, for me, and in my name, to receive from the Agent of the United States for paying Pensions in the city of Albany  Albany of his my Pension, from the 4 th day of March 1833 to the 18 th day of September 1833. WITNESS my hand and seal, this 20 th day of September 1836.
Sealed and delivered in Presence of:
Samuel S. Van Vleck Wm. Van Vleck
Robert Chipperfield
STATE OF NEW-YORK, Rensselaer COUNTY,
Be it Known, That on the 20 th day of September 1836 before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, personally appeared Catharine Van Vleck widow above named, and acknowledged the foregoing Power of Attorney to be her act and deed. IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, the day and year last above mentioned.
before the signing and sealing the word his was Erased and his, Inserted
Wm. Van Vleck Justice Peace
N. B.—The Deposition, as well as the Power of Attorney, must be signed by the Pensioner; and every interlineation, erasure, or alteration of a word or figure, must be noted, in due form, by the Magistrate.

State of New York Rensselaer County ss. I Henry R. Bristol Clerk of said County Do hereby certify that William Van Neck Esq. before whom the within Power of Attorney purports to have been acknowledged, was on the day of the date thereof a Justice of the Peace in and for said County and that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his signature subscribed to the within Certificate is genuine.
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said County this 21 st day of September A. D. 1836.
Henry R. Bristol Clerk

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Revolutionary Claim.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Samuel Van Fleet of the State of New York who was a private in the Revolutionary Army is entitled to receive Twenty three dollars and Thirty three cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September in every year.
GIVEN at the War Office of the United States, this 13 day of August one thousand eight hundred and thirty- three
Lawson Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned. }
J. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions.
46 66 11 66 57 32

New-York (A. 1837) 2033
Catharine Van Vleck widow of Samuel Van Vleck, deceased who died on the 18 th of September, 1833 of Rensselaer co. in the State of N. York who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Steele of the 1 st Regt commanded by Col. Schuyler in the N. York line for 7 months private N. Y.
Inscribed on the Roll of New-York (A. 1837) at the rate of 23. Dollars 33 Cents, per annum, to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1833 19 th of September
Certificate of Pension issued the 18 th day of May 1838 and sent to Hon. No. Dail, A. R.
Arrears to the 4 th of March, '38 = $103.99 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept. '38 = 16.66
$120.65
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 d }
Recorded by S. A. Elliott Clerk, Book A, Vol. 2, Page 120.
Dead Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6. April 1838 from 4 th March to 19 th Oct 1839. Agent Notified 17 June 1841.

State of New York Oneida County
Samuel Van Bleek named in the annexed papers being duly sworn deposes and says that - In the Spring of 1776 he being a Lieutenant of the 16 th Bat of Col James Steele Regiment N.Y. Militia was called out and commenced fortifying at Bayard Hill since called Bunker Hill N.Y. and that deponent with said Company continued in service for the full term of Six months & more - but he cannot swear positively to the number of days over Six months -
And this deponent further states, that in the Summer of 1778 as he believes, this deponent volunteered in Col. Stephen T. Schuyler Regt. & under the Command of Capt. Lent Seaver as my company officer and marched from Sauensburgh to Caghnawaga on the Mohawk River, and remained there in service against the British and Indians for the full term of three weeks , And this deponent was again called out under the same Col Schuyler in the fall of the same year, and in Capt. St. Leaver's Company, and marched against the Tories and Indians in the County of Albany the full term of ten days .
Another deponent refers to the aff.

of John J. Schuyler, hereunto annexed - He being the only witness whom this deponent knows of, who can testify as to his services.
Sam d Van Klief
Personally appeared the above named Samuel Van Klief known as a man of truth to me and made oath to the foregoing affidavit - this 14 th day of May 1838.
Martin Rowley, Justice
Clerk's office J. George Brown Clerk of said Co. On this County Docket by certify. that Martin Rowley before whom the foregoing affidavit was taken, was on the date of the same a Justice of the Peace in and for said County - That I am well acquainted with his hand writing, and the above signature is his.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of office this 27 th day of May 1838. Geo. Brown Clerk J. B. Place Dep. Clerk

State of New York
Oneida County
John S. Schuyler of Westmoreland
On said County aged 71 years being duly sworn, deposes and says that he is well acquainted with Samuel Van Vleck of Trenton in said County, and knew him in the Revolutionary War — This deponent well recollects that the said Samuel Van Vleck served as a Volunteer under Col Stephen J. Schuyler who was the father of this deponent, in the year 1778 as this deponent believes, against the British and Indians, at Caghnawaga on the Mohawk River for about the term of three weeks — And also in the fall of the same year he was out again as a Volunteer under Col Schuyler against the Tories and Indians, in Albany County for about Ten days — And this deponent says he heard at that time from those acquainted with said Van Vleck that he had served for a considerable length of time, more than six months as a Lieutenant of militia — at New York during the year 1776 — and this deponent has no doubt he did serve there during that time — as this deponent knows him to be a man of truth and veracity —
John S. Schuyler
Personally appeared before the subscribers a justice of the Peace of Oneida Co. John S. Schuyler above named known as a man of truth & veracity made oath to the above affidavit. March 17 th 1833 Nurman Enos — Justice Peace

Clerks office Oneida County
I George Brown Clerk of said court do hereby certify that Simon Enos before whom the foregoing aff idavit was taken - was on the day of the date of the same a justice of the peace in and for said county. That am well acquainted with his handwriting and believe the signature to be his.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 20 th day of May 1833.
Geo Brown. Clerk Jos B Read Dep Clerk

Lieutenant Samuel Van Vleck Oneida County, N.Y.
12.191
Lieutenant in col Jas. Abell Regt N.Y. Mil. 1776 over 6 months
1778 volunteer 3 weeks do — do — 10 days under Col Schuyler
advised 7 mo. per. $23.33
Y. J. Johnson Genl. Rome N.Y.
Pension to be payable at Utica N.Y.

STATE OF NEW YORK, } ss.
On this 11th
day of
September 1872
personally appeared in open court
the court of
Common Pleas of Oneida
a resident of said county and
now sitting,
Samuel Van Deusen
state, aged
eighty four
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 act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated:
That he was born at the City of N.Y. July 1748 - has record of his age in family bible Resided at New York when he entered service - since war has resided at Lansingburgh, N.Y. Nine Partners, Dutchy Co. N.Y. and now Livingston, Oneida Co.
That in the latter part of the year 1775 he was elected a First Lieutenant of the 16th Bat of Col. Sal. D. Smith's Light Art. of N.Y. militia - John H. Ripley was 2d Lt. Peter Killian Ensign. In the Spring of 1776 the company of which this
deponent had command was called out and commenced foraging at Bayard Hill then called Bunker Hill, N.Y. - and said company after deponent as Lieutenant continued in service over six months. This deponent left New York when evacuated by the American troops and all his papers and effects fell into the hands of the British and were destroyed - papers which would have proved his rank and service.
In the year 1778 he, the deponent believing he volunteered in Col. Stephen S. Schuyler's Regiment and marched to Caghnawaga on the Mohawk River and remained there and in that region in service against the British and Indians about three weeks.
That during the fall of the same year this deponent again volunteered under Col. Schuyler and went against the Tories and Indians in Albany County and served on that tour about ten days - making seven months and a few days service. He has no writings they having been destroyed at New York. He refers to annexed certificate and affidavits as all the proof he has also as to his relation to Rev. Col. Rutgers and Schuyler's court officers.
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.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Joseph B Read Dep. Clk
Sam Van Deusen

Seven Months and a few days service. He has no Writings they having been destroyed at New York. He bears the annexed certificate and affidavits as all the proof he has, also as to his pension. He knows Col. Rutsens with Schuyler's corps. He is not 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.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. Joseph B Rea Dep Clerk
Sam Van Ruy
We, Stephen W. Burnitt Clappman and Robert A. Stitt residing in Trenton on the county of Mercer hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Samuel Van Vleck who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration: that we believe him to be about Eighty four 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. That he Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. is a man of truth and veracity. Joseph B Rea Dep Clerk Stephen W. Burnitt Robert A. Stitt
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 Stephen W. Burnitt who has signed the preceding certificate, is a resident in Trenton on the county of Mercer and that Robert A. Stitt who has also signed the same, is a resident in Trenton and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
By the Court E. Hayward, first page
I, Noah Brown Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, New Jersey do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Samuel Van Vleck for a pension. & B.P. Johnson was a Commissioner In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 11th day of Sept 1832 Noah Brown Clerk Joseph B. Rea (Dep Clerk)

Onida County ss. To all to whom these presents shall come, John S. Schuyler of Westmoreland in said County, aged 70 years, being duly sworn, depose, and say, that he is well acquainted with Samuel Van Vleck of Uninton in said County, and knew him in the Revolutionary War. This deponent well recollects, that the said Samuel Van Vleck served as a volunteer under Col. Stephen J. Schuyler who was the father of this deponent, in the year 1778, as this deponent then  then believes, against the British and Indians at Caghnawaga on the Mohawk River for about the time of three weeks , — and also in the fall of the same season, he was out again as a volunteer under Col. Schuyler against the Tories and Indians for about ten days . And this deponent says he heard at that time from those acquainted with said Van Vleck that he had served for a considerable length of time more than six months, as a Lieutenant of Militia at New York during the year 1776, and this deponent has no doubt he did serve there during that time — as this deponent knows him to be a man of truth and veracity —
John S. Schuyler
On this 13 th day of August 1832 before me personally appeared John S. Schuyler above named to me known as a man of truth and veracity, to me known to be the person described in and who executed the foregoing affidavit.

Marriages
   Names Names of their Parents Native places When married Witnesses Minister By the Rev.     Sam l Van Neck & Cath. Compton His parents John Vilem Van Neck New- York 22 d Oct. 1769 their relations according to Science Geo. Neifer  
State of New York } City & County of New York } ss. Charles J. Vliege of said City being duly sworn deposes and says that he is the Pastor of the Church of the United Brethren, situated in the City of New York That the above is a true and faithful copy from the Register of Marriages in said Church, for the Year 1769. affirmed before me the } 23 rd day of January 1838 } Charles J. Vliege
Franklin Brown Commissioner of Deeds
STATE OF NEW-YORK, CITY AND COUNTY OF NEW-YORK, } ss.
I, Joseph Hoxie, Clerk of the City and County of New-York, and also Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the said City and County, DO HEREBY CERTIFY, That Franklin Brown, Esq. before whom the annexed deposition was taken, was at the time of taking the same, a Commissioner of Deeds in and for said City and County, duly commissioned and sworn, and duly authorized to take the same, and that I believe the signature of said Commissioner , thereto subscribed is genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court and County, the 25 th day of January , 1838.
Joseph Hoxie Clerk.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
June 9 th 1841.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," Five of the six children of Catherine Van Vleck, dec d . a Pensioner on the Roll of the Albany N.Y. Agency, at the rate of Twenty three Dollars and 33 Cents per annum, under the law of the 4 th July 1836, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of March, to the 19 th Oct. 1839.
Respectfully yours,
William B. Harris
Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

No. 12,791
Samuel van Bleck
Oneida County
New York
5-16-16
P 370
4 May 33
B. P. Johnson
Ag! Rome, Oneida County
New York ✓

BRIEF in the case of Samuel van Klief  County of Oneida in the State of New York  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 84 years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days. As a Gen.     Elected In 1775- over 6 1 st Lieut. Col. Jas. Abeels   Vols " 1778 21 Private Col. Stephen J. Scuyler   " " 1778 10 "  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? New York City  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Living & Traditionary  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? correct 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Daniel D. Davidson Examining Clerk.

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 16455
Catharine VanHeck
Widow of Samuel VanHeck
Pr. Rev War
Act July 4 th 86
Index: Vol. M , Page 196
[Arrangement of 1870.]

New York
Catherine Van Vleck
Suspended - Let to
M. L. Filley June 27. 1837
to Hon. H. Vail 4. April 1838

in e Van Kleek $23.33/100 N.Y. Albany. out 7 June when last p 2
G.M.C.
8 May 38
p 2 to the 4 Sep 1833
214
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 970
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 9.70 \quad 23.33 \\
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Amherst
FREE
Hon. Henry Vail M.P. Washington D.C.
H. Vail M.P.

Lansingburgh May 3. 1838.
Dear Sir,
I received yesterday the enclosed Certificate from the Secretary of State, in relation to the application of Catharine VanBleck of Brunswick for a pension - The Commission of Pensions, you will recollect, informed us, that her husband, in his application (some years since) had stated that he served under Col. James Abell in the City of New York in '75. And that there was no evidence on file in the Department, that James Abell was appointed a Colonel, or of the existence of such a Regiment &c. But that if such was the fact, evidence of it might be obtained at our Secretariat office. It will be seen from the Certificate, that one Perret Abell was once a Captain & then a Major in 1775. of a Regiment in New York. When the date and the place of service, and the Surname of the officer, as stated in the appt. are thus corroborated by the public records, and when such service is otherwise substantiated, may not the discrepancies, so referred to, be justly attributable to the extreme debility, old age, great lapse of time, & loss of memory, under which statements in such cases are always made! especially when that memory alone, is relied upon. will you have the goodness to present these considerations to Mr Edwards - You might perhaps add, as probably from personal acquaintance, you are able to do - that the family of Mrs. VanBleck & of W m VanBleck Esqr. her son, are of a character, that would forbid the idea of an attempt on their part to obtain any thing, which they did not conscientiously believe her entitled to, by Law. I am very Respectfully Yours & M. S. Filley

The A Dail A72

State of New York Secretary's - Office
Certify that it appears by the records of the provincial Congress of New York in this Office that on the 15 th day of September 1775 Garret Abeel was appointed Captain of Militia in the City of New York and that on the 3 rd day November 1775 Garret Abeel was appointed First Major of the Second Regiment of Militia in said County whereof John Jay was Colonel
Given under my hand and the seal of this Office at the City of Albany the 2 nd day of May A.D. 1838.
Arch d Campbell Dep. Secretary

12-791
Sam Van Vleck
B. Johnson
First Rome NY

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Samuel Van Bleek 1st Lt. which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes V. * Has he mentioned 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? yes  Applicant required to state the date & length of each term of service, and the names of officers under whom rendered, with the best evidence to support his declaration that he can obtain. VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes Complied with in new affidavit VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? yes
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? The court has
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yes No certificate of the character of the officer who qualified John S. Schuyler to his affidavit. New affidavit made & certificate
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes duly affirmed
XVI. † Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes No Complied with B.P.
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. 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 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 shewn 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.
†QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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.
†QUERE XVI.  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 paper 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.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.

Hon. J. L. Edwards Pension Office Washington D. C.

N.Y. Lansingburgh, May 10. 1837
Dr Sir,
I am requested by Mrs. Catharine Vanbleck, to forward the enclosed papers, in reference to her Claim for a Pension under Act of July '36 - It will be observed, that she has neither Documentary, nor other positive evidence of the time of her marriage - and it is believed, such evidence cannot be obtained - Though the testimony of two of her children, both of whom are very respectable - stating their ages to be such as that the marriage must have taken place before the commencement of her husband's service - and the testimony of their having during that period & subsequently, cohabited as husband & wife. It is presumed can leave no doubt upon that matter - She requests that you communicate your Decision to
Your obt. Servt
Marcus S. Filley
Wm. J. S. Edwards Commissioner