Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 11,985, Nicholas Zee, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
New York
Jee, Nicholas Jeh, or Jeech, or
RR 11985
CONTENTS

Waddington & Law Co. N.Y. Oct 31. 1842
Dear Sir
Agreeably to instructions from your department, I have sent a brief of Nicholas Zee's alleged service in the Army of the Revolution to the Comptroller, for his certificate of the evidence which his records afford of such service. The Comptroller, has in reply sent me the accompanying document signed by his deputy Mr Phelps.
You will observe that there is a slight variation, though I think not material, as to the spelling of the S urname - in one case "Leech," & in the other two "Zeh". Then after the papers were executed & sent to the department, I received a line from the old gentleman, saying that in German or Dutch his name was spelt "Zeh or Zeech" and that in the neighborhood where he lived his name was spelt Zee. The spelling I took from a grandson who fell into the error of the neighborhood. I mention this to account for this slight dis-

crepancy, and as a guide in making further research- es, if it shall be deemed necessary. I presume you may be able to tell the meaning of the figures in the right hand hand columns whether they have reference to monthly pay for three several terms or not. I hope at least that the certificate may be found sufficiently explicit to entitle the old gentleman to his pension. However you are a better judge of the matter than myself - If any further evidence is necessary - although it will be extremely difficult, & probably impossible to ob- tain it I will make the attempt.
Please let me hear from you at your earliest convenience
Respectfully Yours William Lloyd Waddington. St Lawrence Co New York
Hon J. L. Edwards Comm of Pensions Washington D.C.

2035.405 In the matter of the pension of Nicholas Fee.
Application for pension under act June 1832. W.Y.

State of New York, St Lawrence County } ss. On this 20 th day of Septem- ber, in the year Eighteen Hundred and Forty Two, personally appeared in open Court, before the Court of Common Pleas of the Said County, now Sitting Nicholas Zee — a resident of the Town of Williamsburg, in the County of Dundas, in the province of Canada (formerly Upper Canada) aged Eighty five years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the ben- efit of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832
That he was born in the Town of Schoharie, at that time in the County of Albany, now the County of Schoharie, in the State of New York, in the year 1756 or 1757, but cannot tell with certainty which year, as no record of his age has been preserved nor does he know as there ever was any such record: That he entered the Service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated
That he first entered such service in the month of August or September in the year 1775 as a volunteer minute man, for six months That the names of his officers during such six months were as follows: Peter Brooman Colonel; Peter Seely, Lieutenant Colonel; his company officers, John Bouch; Christian Brunn Lieutenant; Jacob Burst, Ensign, but that du- ring such six months he was not called into actual service, but at all times kept him- self properly armed and equipped, and ready to perform service when ever he should be called upon. That the term for which he so volunteered expired in the month of Feb- ruary or March 1776.
That afterwards, in the month of May or June 1776 he volunteered into the Service of

the United States as a Soldier for the term of Six months. That the officers under whom he so volunteered were Col, Jacobus or James van Schaick; Lieut. Col Van Dike or Van Dyck whose Christian name this applicant has for- gotten - Capt. Henry Marseles but this applicant is not certain as to the given name, and Lieut David Baker, or Becker! That at this time he resided in the town of Schoharie aforesaid & had resided there since the commencement of the war - That the next day after he so vol- unteered he was marched, together with the com- pany to which he belonged to Albany where he stayed over night, and from thence he marched with his company on foot to Fort George on Lake George - That he remained at Fort George till about harvest time, mounting guard, carry- ing provisions to Tienderova to the main ar- my which lay there at that time and doing garrison duty generally: Was then marched down to within six miles of Albany, fired over, and was to go to some place on the Mohawk river, as there was an alarm about Indians - but before they arrived at the place of their destination the alarm subsided, and they returned and went to Fort Edward, where he remained a short time taking care of provisions, mounting guard, and doing other garrison duty - was sent from there with a part of his com- pany to work on the road between Fort Ed- ward and Fort Anne, & spent the remain- der of the said six months at work on such road, under the command of his of- ficer Capt Marseles, and in escorting pro- visions from one garrison to another. That his term of service expired about the first of

December 1776, when the whole regiment to which he belonged was discharged and sent home. That during the said six months, he was engaged in No battles or skirmishes.
That he was at home during the winter of 1776-7 till Spring, in Schoharie aforesaid. That in the spring of 1777 he was draughted out and served as a minute man, and was out much during the whole summer, and in the fall until after the taking of Burgoyne, and until cold weather came on. During the whole of this time he was frequently ordered out as a militia man on duty, sometimes as often as once a fortnight. That the general place of rendezvous was at George Mann's in said Schoharie. This was the summer that Burgoyne was taken. A short time previous to the taking of Burgoyne it was reported that Sir Henry Clinton had taken Fort Montgomery, and he was ordered out with other militia, and marched to Albany to go and oppose Clinton. Stayed at Albany over night, and next day news came that Clinton had gone back. Previous to this some Germans belonging to Burgoyne's army had been taken prisoners, and he, the said applicant, with the company to which he belonged, went to escort eighty five of them from Albany to Schoharie, and that he formed a part of such escort. That the prisoners were there placed out among the farmers. That Christian Brown was their Captain at that time, very soon after Burgoyne  was taken was taken at Stillwater or Saratoga. Very soon after he arrived at Schoharie the company was discharged - was out about a week at that time. John Bouch was formerly Captain of this company, but had resigned and Brown formerly Lieutenant had been promoted - Shortly before he went to Albany, as above stated one McDonell a Scotch Iong, and some Indians came on

to attack Schoharie, that he was called out to op- pose them, but before the company had got to them they had retreated; That the company remained a week in a picket fort which they had there near- ly a week, when it was discharged - After Bun- goyne was taken he was called out one night & march Sixteen miles through a bush road to Char- lotte river emptying into the Susquehanna, on an expedition against the Scotch Tories, in Court- wright's patent. Col John Harper commanded the expedition, was out four of five days and re- turned to Schoharie
48 That in the month of January 1778 he volunteered for Six months, and went to Alba- ny. The Captain of his company was a man by the name of Noble, living on the East side of the Hudson river - Dont recollect the name of his Colonel, Lieutenant, or any other officer comman- ding him. That he laid at Albany doing gari- son duty till the beginning of March, when he was sent with a part of the company, un- der the command of Capt John Tillmans or Dillmans, from thence to Scouderoga to take some Cannon from there to Albany, on Sleighs The horses that they used were called Fry horses, and were pressed into the service. That on that expedition they got the Cannon and took them by Sleighing as far as the Half Moon, or Half moon point, and could get them no farther on account of the Sleighing giving way, and the ice was so weak that they did not dare to take them over the river. The horses they gave up to government. Was gone on that Expedition ten days. Remained in Albany till Snow had gone, and then went with the company to which he belonged & others, to take 225 Canadian pris- oners, part of Burgoyne's Army to Hartford

in the State of Connecticut. Capt Noble commanded the Company at the time, recollects no other officer accompanying the Expedition. After leaving the prisoners at Hartford, he returned to Albany, and soon after the Company in which he served was discharged.
That immediately after he was so discharged, he enlisted as a boatman in the batteau Service, at Albany, under Capt John Sefeller, who resided at Stone Arabia (Stone Arabia by) on the north side of Mohawk river at that time Tryon County, Now Montgomery County. After he had served sometime on the boats, he was selected by Col Hay, to go and work in a Sawmill to saw out lumber at Coeymans landing - that the lumber sawed out at that time was used in the construction of row galleries - after he had got through there, he was sent back to the river on the batteau Service, and spent his time in carrying provisions, troops, & munitions of war from one point to another - That while he was on the batteau Service his house and barn was burnt by the British or Tories, and more than a dozen head of cattle, and all his sheep driven off. That for his services in the batteau Service he was paid by government.
That after he received his discharge from the batteau Service he went to Schoharie - That about a month after such discharge, he was ordered out, with the militia, for a month, and during that time laid at Middle Fort, in Schoharie. A man from Catskill commanded the fort & camp - but cannot recollect the name. At the end of the month was dismissed - During the next spring 1779, the militia, and this applicant among the number was again ordered out for a month, and had their place of rendezvous at the same fort.

remained there one month. The fort at that time was commanded by Capt George Christman, a militia Captain, and Lieut John Loyal, was then distressed, and went home. That during the said two months, this applicant was on garrison duty. That from this time to the end of the war he was frequently called out in case of alarm to do military duty, but during the last two years of the war was not called out so much. That during the whole of the war he was in no battle or skirmish.
That he did not become acquainted with any of the officers of the regular army. That he has no documentary evidence whatever now in his possession or power, and that he knows of no person except Abraham Becker living, whose testimony he can procure or who can testify to his service, or any part thereof. That the said Becker was in the same company with him at the time he was under the command of Capt Marsiles in 1776.
That after the said close of the Revolutionary war, he resided (this applicant) in different places in Albany County till the year 1795, when he emigrated to his present place of residence, in Williamsburgh aforesaid, and has resided there ever since.
That Capt Finck, & Major Finck, of the regular army - Capt De Boce, Col De Boce, and Lieut De Boce - and Capt Hemptenway of the Virginia troops laid at Schoharie one winter - That he recollects the name of Col. Ganesvort, as being at Fort Stanwix.
The the Militia officers that he recollects besides those above named, are Capt Christian Steinbrau, & Ensign Jacob Snyder, after a a Lieutenant

a discharge That he had a discharge from Capt Marsiles, which was burnt when his house was burnt by the British in 1813, while he was on the Batavian Service. That he received another discharge from the Batavian Service from Capt Seffler, which he wore out in his pocket and destroyed, and that during no part of the time that he was under the command of Capt Marsiles, Capt Noble, and Capt John Seffler, as above stated, and during no part of the time that he was engaged as above stated, was he engaged or Employed in any civil pursuit.
And this applicant further states that he is known to Abraham Becker, Henry Barclay, Adam Schwartfeger, Jesse Rose, Martin Casselman, John Doran, Richard Casselman, Rev. Hermann Hayunga a Clergyman, Henry Garlach, Anthony Oudekirk and others, residing in his present neighborhood, who can testify to his character for truth and veracity, and their belief of his services as a Soldier of the Revolution.
And this applicant further states that he cannot procure the attendance of the said Clergyman, Hermann Hayunga, and that of either of the persons abovenamed residing in his present neighborhood, at the present term of the Court of Common Pleas, without considerable expense and inconvenience, but that he has procured the affidavit of the said Clergyman, and the said Anthony Oudekirk to be taken before James Redington Esq., a justice of the peace, to the facts and opinions required by the War Department.
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 afore- said.
A. Smith
Nicholas his X Fee mark

State of New York } County of St Lawrence } ss: Abraham Becker, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith that he is now a resident of the Town of Williamsburgh, in the County of Dundas, in the province of Canada - That according to the best of his recollection and knowl- edge, he is now upwards of Ninety years of age, and is now a pensioner of the United States, un- der the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832, that he was acquainted previous to the revolutionary War, with Nicholas Zee, and that they were brought up together in Schoharie or Cobleskill which this deponent now believes is in the County of Schoharie, in the State of New York. And this deponent further saith that he was acquainted with the said Nicholas Zee during the Revolu- tionary War. This deponent further saith that in the Spring of 1776 he entered the service of the United States in the same Company with the said Nicholas Zee, but the length of the term of service this deponent does not now precisely recollect, but thinks the term commenced in the Spring. The Captain of the Company was one Marseles, but the given name this deponent does not now recollect, David Baker or Becker was Lieutenant. One Van Schaick was Colonel, and one Van Dike was Lieutenant Colonel, but this deponent does not now recollect their given names. Immedi- ately after volunteering the Company marched to Albany, and from there to Lake George. This de- ponent and the said Nicholas Zee lay together some time at Fort George, This deponent saw the said Nicholas Zee from time to time during such service, but was not with him all the time as they were sometimes separated when this deponent or the said Zee was sent on scouting parties and minor expeditions. They were sometimes sep-

arated five or six weeks. Recollects seeing Lee at Fort Edward, Fort Ann, during the year 1776 on service. After that time this deponent was not particularly acquainted with the services of the said Lee but it was understood at the time that he was in the service, and served either as volunteer or a minute man in the militia during the whole war. At the time Mauseles was then capt in 1776 this deponent recollects of Lee going with provisions to Ticonderoga. This deponent further saith he recollects that sometime during the war Lee's house was burnt by Brandt, cor with some Tories and Indians. At the time this house (which was at Cobleskill or Schoharie) was burnt Lee had a brother killed, and this deponent a Brother-in-law - and this deponent helped bury them - at that time Lee was some where in the service, but this deponent does not know where - This deponent's Brother-in-law John Bouck, was the militia Captain of the said Lee, during the war sometime.
This deponent further saith that he is very lame and cannot walk alone, and that he can not see light, being perfectly blind, That he is easily fatigued, and cannot attend court on account of his infirmities and ill health.
Sworn & subscribed this 20 th day of September 1842 before me.
Abraham his X Beeker mark
James Redington J. Pease

State of New York
St Lawrence County } p: I Alvin C. Loo, clerk of the County of St Lawrence do hereby certify that James Redington, whose name is subscribed to the jurats of the preceding and following affi- davits, and to the following certificate, was at the time of taking such affidavits, and at the several dates in such jurats, mentioned, a jus- tice of the peace in and for the said County, elected and sworn, and duly authorized to take affidavits. And further, that I am well ac- quainted with the hand writing of the said justice, and believe that the signatures to the said jurats and certificate are genuine. In testimony whereof, I have here- unto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said County the 20 th day of September in the year of our Lord One thousand Eight hundred & fifty Two.
A. Smith

State of New York County of St Lawrence
ss: We Hermannus Hayanga a Clergymen residing in the Town of Williamsburg, in the County of Dundas in the province of Canada, being that part of Canada hereof called Upper Canada, and Anthony Ouderkirk also residing in the said Town of Williamsburg, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Nicholas Zee, and from our acquaintance with him, believe him to be of the age Eighty five or Eighty six years, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood in which he resides to have been a revolutionary soldier, in the service of the United States, and that we concur in that opinion. And I the said Hermannus Hayanga for myself say that for the last ten years that I have resided in his immediate neighborhood, and for the last sixteen years within three miles of his residence - and that since my acquaintance with him, he has always sustained a good character for truth and veracity; And the said Anthony Ouderkirk for himself says that he has been acquainted with the said Nicholas Zee for the last thirty years, and that he fully concurs in the above opinion expressed by Hermannus Hayanga.
Sworn and subscribed by each of the above named deponents, this 19 th day of September 1842, before me.
Hermannus Hayanga Min. Luth. Anthony Ouderkirk
James Redington Justice Peace
State of New York County of St Lawrence
ss: I James Redington a Sur-

ties of the peace, in for the said County do hereby certify that I know Hermannus Hayunga, whose name is subscribed to the above affidavit or certificate as a clergyman, by reputation, and that I am somewhat personally acquainted with Anthony Oudekirk, whose name is also subscribed to the said certificate, and that I believe the statement of both the said persons to be entitled to full credit.
James Redington I, 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 Hermannus Hayunga who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman residing in the Town of Williamburgh in the County of Dundas, province of Canada, being that part of Canada formerly called upper Canada; and that Anthony Oudekirk is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. And the court further certifies that in their opinion the personal attendance of the said Hermannus Hayunga, the said clergyman, & of the said Anthony Oudekirk, could not be procured in the said Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to the said applicant. And the said Court further certifies that in their opinion the personal attendance of Abraham Becker, who has subscribed and sworn to the preceding affidavit subscribed by him, could not be procured in court, without too much expense and inconvenience to the said applicant, and without

much personal risk to the said Witness, Abraham Becker, and that he is incapacitated by his infirmities from such personal attendance, That the said affidavit has been produced and read in evidence before us, on the day and year aforesaid, in open court and that we believe the same entitled to credit.
I, Alvin C. Love, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of St Lawrence in the State of New York, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Nicholas Fee, for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 20 th day of September, In the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty Two, A C Love Clerk

Rev.&1812 Wars Section. ADY
March 29, 1930.
Mrs. James K. Sparkman, Railroad Street, Brooksville, Florida.
Dear Madam:
I advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, R.11985, it appears that Nicholas Zee , Zeh or Zeech was born in 1756 or 1757 in Schoharie, Albany County, (now Schoharie County) New York.
He applied for pension September 20, 1842 while a resident of Williamsburg, County of Dundas, Canada, and alleged that while a resident of Schoharie he enlisted and served in the New York troops as follows: in August or September 1775, six months as a minute man in Captain John Bouck's Company, Colonel Peter Vrooman's Regiment. From May or June 1776, six months in Captain Marseles' Company, Colonel Jacobus or James Van Schaick's Regiment. From the spring of 1777 until after the taking of Burgoyne a minute man in Captain Christian Brown's Company. Was on an expedition against the Scotch Tories, commanded by Colonel John Harper, and served four or five days. From January 1778, six months under Captains Noble and John Tillmans or Dillmans. He then immediately enlisted as a boatman in the batteau service at Albany under Captain John Lefeller, length of service not stated. While in this service his house and barn were burnt by the British or Tories and his brother (name not stated) killed. He served one month at Middle Fort in Schoharie, date and officers not stated. In the spring of 1779, one month under Captain George Christman.
After the Revolution he resided at different places in Albany County until 1795 when he moved to Williamsburg.
His claim was not allowed as he did not furnish proof of six months military service as required by the pension laws.
It is not stated whether he was ever married.

The Revolutionary War records of this bureau fail to afford any information in regard to Jost Zeh.
Very truly yours,
E. W. MORGAN, Acting Commissioner.

1930 Mar. 29. Hist. to Mrs. James K. Sparkman. A.D.Y.
11. 985.
P. O.
Nicholas Jr
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: The printed list of 1852 shows reason for suspension "He did not Re-enlisted: serve six months"
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

James K. Sparkman
DISTRIBUTOR OF PURINA CHOWS
Sold only in Checkerboard Bags
Railroad St.
Brooksville, Fla. Jan. 27, 1930
Commissioner of Pensions Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir,-
In an endeavor to establish eligibility to D.A.R. membership I have in reply to a letter to the War Department a suggestion from them that you may be able to add information I can use.
✓ I am interested in records concerning David, Jost or Nicolas Zeh of Vrooman's Regt. (Albany County) New York Militia. I think David is most likely to be the one through whom I could trace lineage.
Thanking you for any information you might be able to give as to dates of pensions, family connections or anything which would be of value, I am
Your very truly,
Mrs. Jas. K. Sparkman
Mrs. Jas. K. Sparkman.

11985—

No 35,405
N.Y.
Stillman Foote Oct 1. '42 }
same Nov. 7. '42
same Aug 23. 43
Act of June 1832

600
— 70
600
 76. Marselles. Wetlands  77 Brown. several towns — Albany  78 Jany Noble.  79 Le felle 

Stillman Scoble Oct 1, '42
[Faint mirrored handwriting from the reverse side of the page]
[Faint mirrored handwriting from the reverse side of the page]

Gen H
Adv. 1 H 2
Sir
In the case of Nicholas Zee of Canada the should submit a brief of his alleged services to the Compt. at Albany and obtain his certificate as to the evidence which his records afford of each term.
The minute service in 75 is not a military service in the contemplation of the act. and the same may be said of his alleged service in the batteries & in the saw mill
William Foote Waddington St Lawrence Co NY.

S. Hoate
Nov. 7. '42
James Co S. Hoate Nov. 7. '42

69 In H Nov. 7. H2
Sir
In the case of Nicholas Lee of Canada the service in the Comptroller Certificate consisting of 3 terms under Militia Officers who have not been named by the claimant amounts to 1 mo 4 days and is not sufficient to entitle him to a pension even should it be admitted that he is entitled to the benefit of that evidence. No other
William Foulk Esq Waddington St Lawrence Co N.Y.

S. Foote
August 23. 1843
W. L. H. H. H. H. H. H. H. H. H. H. H. H. H. H. H. H. H. H.
[Faint, mirrored cursive text, likely bleed-through from the reverse side of the page]

Sir
20 New York Aug 23 43- 967
In reply to yours of 16 inst  inst respecting the claim of Nicholas Fee of Canada I would remark that as this his name is not found on the rolls of any officer named by him nor on the rolls of other officers for as as much as 2 mos service, it is not likely that he can establish any claim under the act of 7. June 1832. Any testimony however which he may adduce will be duly considered & liberally estimated.
Wadsworth Stillman Foote Esq. Waddington N.Y.

Sept 30 1842
Ms. Hon. Benjamin Russell Mch's Secy. Act 1832
FREE
Voluntary Slave
Ms. Benjamin Russell Washington D.C. 40. 30. 42 30 1126 120 40. 30. 42 30

Waddington St Lawrence Co - New York Sept 23. 1842
Dear Sir
Enclosed you will find an application for pension from Mr Nicholas Zee. Mr Zee is a man 85 or 86 years of age, as represented in his declaration and is incapacitated from from any exercise, in consequence of a fever saw, on his right foot, which renders him so extremely helpless that his obliged to be supported in going even the shortest distance. Otherwise, he is smart, and ablibodied for a man of his age. The declaration, I believe sets forth the facts and circumstances required by your Department, with as much precision as possible now to arrive at them. The fact that he resides in the province of Canada, will I think form sufficient excuse for the application not being made in the county in which he resides - it not being within the jurisdiction of the United States, and this county being the nearest to his place of residence will I think sufficiently answer the purpose of the Act under which he applies.
You will perceive also that the absence of the  clergymen & the other witnesses in the declaration is excused, and the opinion of the Court , certified that their attendance could not be procured without "too much expense & inconvenience". The language of the instructions being somewhat vague as to the necessity of the personal attendance of the Witness Becker , I had his deposition taken before a magistrate, and the certificate of the Clerk, inserted among the papers. Indeed it is impossible to procure the attendance of Becker , at Court, as he is about 95 years of age, totally blind, and in a very feeble state of health. He has not pretended to go across the house alone for a number of years, and residing

as he does, at the distance of more than 23 miles from the Court house his attendance in open court could not but be attended with a great deal of expense & inconvenience, but be very prejudicial to him . I hope therefore that the course taken, will be deemed a sufficient compliance with the directions of the Department.
Will you have the kindness there-fore to examine the papers, and if, in the opinion of the department, the old gentleman is entitled to any pension on the facts set forth - send me the a certificate of his pension - and also the necessary papers entitling him to his back pay.
If the papers are not sufficient have the kindness to point out the errors, and give me directions in what respect it is necessary they should be amended -
Also if you conclude to send a certificate on the papers enclosed, & the necessary papers for procuring back pay , please send directions how it is to be procured from the Agent .
The nearest for pension Agent is at Albany, so that if you conclude him entitled to pension, it would suit his convenience but to be placed on the Roll of the New York agency, to be drawn at Albany.
I remain Sir Your ob st Serv t Stillman Foote
Hon. Commissioner of Pensions Washington
P.S. Please direct to Waddington St Lawrence Co New York

Aug 22 o 43
My Dear Friend
J. L. Edwards Commission of Pensions Washington D.C.
PAID

Waddington Augt 16. 1843.
Hon J. L. Edwards
Dear Sir,
I sent you sometime since the declaration of our Nicholas Zee for the purpose of obtaining his pension. You returned answer that it was necessary to furnish some evidence from the records at Albany. I procured a certificate of all the evidence which those records furnished, and still you considered it insufficient. An attempt is now to be made to procure further evidence of Zee's services in the revolutionary war. It is proposed to procure the affidavits of persons who served in the war with him, or who have personal knowledge of his so serving, if such evidence will be admissible, and of any avail to supply the deficiency of the record. It is well known, I believe at your department, that these records are very imperfect, and that the absence of any record of the enrollment & service of any particular individual, is far from furnishing conclusive evidence that he did not serve. It is with this idea, principally, that I am inclined to think other testimony corroborative of the applicant's declaration, admissible. But if the applicant takes this course, it will be at considerable trouble & expense. He resides at the distance of about 200 miles from the persons whose affidavits he proposes to procure, and will be obliged to procure the services of some young man to go to the residence of his witnesses to attend to the business. This trouble and expense, he of course would not incur, if the evidence would not be heard when procured & transmitted to the department. Without asking to you

prejudge the effect of the testimony which we pro- pose offering, I would be extremely gratified, if you will go so far as to say whether it is your practice to receive affidavits, supplementary to a declaration, as evidence upon which to grant a pension. And if so - and you do not deem it incompatible with the duties of your office Will you have the kindness to give me the general outlines of the further testimony necessary in this case, and the manner of the execution and attestation of the at depositions
Perhaps I am asking more than your duty as an officer of the government will permit you to grant - if so I can only beg your pardon for my unintentional error - as I would not willingly ask of a public officer, any thing inconsistent with his duty. But I have a duty to discharge toward my Employer, whom I sincerely believe to be honestly entitled to a pension, however much he may have failed to present to the Department, the necessary amount of evidence to induce its payment
An early reply is respectfully requested -
Your obedient Servant
Stillman Foote

In pursuance of a law passed the 27th of April, 1784, entitled "An act for the settlement of the pay of the Levies and Militia, for their services in the late War, and for other purposes therein mentioned," the following certificates have been issued, bearing interest at five per cent per annum, viz :
  1779 Oct 6 15393. Mich d Lech Pir — 12 5 2 / 3   1779 Aug 18. 14754 Mich d Leh " — 14 2 2 / 3   1779 Oct 10 14980 Mich d Leh " 1 6 8   1 mo. 4 ds. 
STATE OF NEW-YORK, COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE, Albany, Oct 25 1842
I hereby certify the above to be true extracts from Book No. 3. 4 now remaining in this office, and that the service for which the certificates above named were issued, were performed under the following officers, viz :
  First—under Capt.  Ephraim Vroman  in  Col.  Peter Vroman  Regt.    Second, " " Capt  George Riehlmyer.  "  "  Peter Vroman  "    Third, " "  Christian Brune.  "  "  Peter Vroman.  "    Fourth, " "   "  "   "    Fifth, " "   "  "   "    Sixth, " "   "  "   "    Seventh, " "   "  "   "    Eighth, " "   "  "   "    Ninth, " "   "  "   "    Tenth, " "   "  "   "  
Philip Schuyler D r Comptroller