Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12180, Herman Van Benscoten, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
New York
Van Benschoten Herman S 12/80
CONTENTS
carded

Co. 534 New York
Herman M c Beuscola of Dutchess in the State of N. York who was a Sgt. &c — in the Comp. commanded by Captain Terrence of the Regt. commanded by Col. Morgan in the N. York line for 1 Yr. Ser. $98
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 90 Dollars — Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 19 day of Sep. 1833 — and Martha B. Beuscola Livingston
Arrears to the 4th of Sep. 33 $ 273 Pension allowance ending Dec 24 45 $320
Revolutionary Claim, Entered June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Co. C. Kelly Clerk Book E Vol. 4 Page 84

In the matter of Herman Van Bontschoten The Applicant for a patent under the act passed by Congress Jan 7. 1832
Wadsworth Chas. E. Phelps Livingston Columbia County State of New York
adm 12 mo. Ser ft 12 " pri 100 $ 180 \frac{41}{235}

State of New York County of Dutchess 3/3 p:
In this 33 rd day of March in the Year of our Lord 1833 personally appeared before Stephen M c Lean Esquire One of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Dutchess Harmen Van Benschoten a resi- dent of Hyde Park in the County of Dutchess and State of New York aforesaid Age & about fifty Years and upwards 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 th 1832.
This Deponent or Declarant Harmen Van Benschoten says he was born in Staatsburgh now Hyde Park in the County of Dutchess was baptised as he understood in the Rhinebeck Church and was twenty five Years old on the 9 th of August last past This Deponent lived at Staatsburgh then Rhinebeck during the Revolutionary War the first service that this Deponent did was under the Command of John Hermance as Captain and Andrew Hermance as Lieutenant a Mr. Elmerdorph was Ensign. Henry Pauling was Orderly Sergeant was called out for three months in 1777 think he went about the first of August and remained till the first of November of the same Year This Deponent was at Van Schaick's Island at the time that General Gates took Command of the American Army from General Schuyler This Deponent marched from this place to Still Water - This Deponent was in the Battle at Still Water which took place as this Deponent believes some time in the Month of September 1777 the Battle began on the left wing of the American Army General Arnold commanded the left wing - Colonel Morgan commanded the rifle Corps who did much Execution This Deponent thinks that a Colonel Sprout and Colonel

Shepherd Commanded on the right wing - General Gage remained during the Engagement at head quarters about one mile from the Heights where the skirmish or battle was fought. Brims Camp was distant about two miles from the American's Camp and the Battle was fought on Brims's Heights where Brims was killed by the American troops. This Deponent understood and believes that the loss of the British in killed and wounded was much more than that of the Americans. This deponent recollects that there was very hot fighting in taking a trap piece which was a thirty six pounder it was first taken by the American troops and retaken by the British and again taken by the Americans and a second time retaken by the British then the Americans took it for the third time and kept it. Deponent recollects that he took four horses to draw it up Brims's Heights Deponent thinks the Battle commenced on the picket post just until the whole of the left wing got engaged the Americans retained their ground the English General Brimsone fell back to his Camp. This deponent under- stood at that time that one General Fraser who rode a white horse and who was the man acted Officer Brimsone had under him was killed by one of Morgan's riflemen and as this Deponent understood General Brimsone told Colonel Fraser to select twelve of his best marks men to watch the movements of that English Officer stating at the same time that he stood in the way of victory and if he could be removed victory would be certain to the Americans or would to that effect as this deponent understood at the time - This Deponent was at the second Battle or Engagement fought between the Americans and a part of the Enemy at Still Water

This Second Regiment was shortly after the first Engage- ment Genl. Burgoyne retreated with the Main Army towards Saratoga and left a body of Hessian in his Camp previous to storming the Camp of the Hessian. This Deponent recollects that Stratis asked the Deponent Same one to give his Horse some Whiskey or rum this Deponent replied that he had not got it or he would upon that Same one gave this Deponent a half pint bottle or a pint bottle filled with Rum and that Deponent  was poured the whole down the throat of Genl. Stratis horse the horse he rode was a light brown or a dark bay horse as this Deponent thinks. This Deponent says that the Hessian left their Camp the same night after the Engagement and the American pursued them this Deponent was second days out in the Camp any in which he heard this Deponent also recollects that when in pursuit of the retreating Enemy towards Saratoga this Deponent came up to a Battery where had powder and ammunition on board and a slow match had been applied but the train had not then taken and this Deponent lifted away the coal off fire and saved the Battery which had just been deserted by the Enemy. The term of service performed by this De- ponent in 1777 was from August till November three months at least.
This Deponent further says that he also served in the Year 1778. Nine months in all. Summer and fall of that year went south west of Hopk- to Wawarsing which was burnt by the Enemy went to Appenock, Haneck, Cookhouse, Stony ridge Mumbockus and other places called in this day as this Deponent now calls them in the County of Ulster what is now called Ulster County. This Deponent recollects of coming to a home where nine of our family had been butchered by the

Indian but only an female Escaped the Massacre it was near the Appenock or Nappanock Creek there were four brothers lived there by the name of Beavers. The Deponent served under James Wilson as Captain during the Revolution in Dutchess County and this Deponent was Sergeant in said Company. This Deponent believes that Major General Sullivan was Colonel who commanded this Expedition the active duty that the Deponent did with service of the United States as a volunteer was three months or this Deponent thinks from the latter part of March until the first of December 1778.
Service in 1778 is 9 months. This Deponent further says that the nature of the service was to force the Inhabitants in those places above mentioned by this Deponent out to repel the attacks of the Savages under Butler & Brant as this Deponent thinks.
The Expedition that this Deponent did was in 1779 when all were called out including old and young it was then called the Calling out of the Silver Gray as many a grey headed soldier bore arms on that occasion which gained the name of Silver Gray. This Deponent thinks that that Colonel Graham commanded that part of the Dutchess County Militia with whom this Deponent served and John Kennedy was this Deponent's Captain. Aid Andrew Kennedy was Lieutenant this Deponent was Second Sergeant in said Company during this Expedition. This Deponent lay a part of the time in the Highland Redoubt Montgomery and the Headquarters was at Fishkill this Deponent recollects of seeing the great chain that was placed

across the Hudson River near Fort Montgomery that it speedily grew the place was deemed to keep it in the top of the water it was placed on logs in logs so that the timber supported the weight of the men. And on the west shore was a windlass to raise or lower the chain as this Department supposed. The stone that this Department found in the United States during the year 1779 was three months from the middle of June until the middle of September as this Department thinks it is very likely to be used for length as last of December 1779. The sum of money in 1779 was 3 months his entire from the time that the middle of September he easily believes that it was not until the last of the 1779 this Department further says that in 1780 this Department again found in the United States during for nine months volunteers under Captain David Connelley, Lieutenant Henry Pauling - also from Poughkeepsie was created by with the force that a part of the time in Poughkeepsie where in latter Poughkeepsie at a place called Poughkeepsie also in parts of Ulster and Orange County for nine months months as a guard to protect the inhabitants from the Indians and Tories and British who were then in and about the country. The British villages were in both regions west of the Hudson River.
The garrison in 1780 was 9 months as a volunteer in the British in the service of the United States.
This Department further says that in 1781 when General Washington's Army moved we found this Department had volunteers to go to the north and some to Fort St. John and to go to the south Department served under Captain John Heermans under the rank of second leader Captain M c Fee Major by report found the first part of the term Colonel Livingston was from Livingston

When I stumbled upon - just then Regiment moved south to Doth Spring below the Highlands on the Hudson River. By then there were then marched from this place to Albany and then to Fort Edward lay at fort Edward. It was also lay at Fort Ticonderoga about fifteen miles to protect the American army country of all hours of the day. This Regiment was Captain of the Guard who lay at these stores with twenty four men under him continued there six weeks until the stores were moved used to the landing or headquarters at Field all the time. This Regiment received a letter from Colonel Livingston to meet the Army at Stone Point. This Regiment moved to Stone Point according to the the Regiment recollects that one Honda is the Regiment thanks my Eliza Honda at the Honda of Litchfield was at the at fort Edward for the Regiment who lay there. This Regiment further says the time of service of this Regiment in the United States service was at least three months. But the time expired on the fifteenth of October 1784. Therefore this Regiment entered the service this year on the 15th of July 1784.
This Regiment further says that he acted as a teamster for three weeks at one time in carrying flour from the mill at P'keepsie to headquarters got no pay for this service nor was this Regiment under any contract with Government or any other persons and therefore that the service was performed in the year 1778 thinks it was in the month of July.

This Department recalled that when the General Alarm came there were many who turned out with their arms, or household articles such as clubs were turned into the Company called the Company of Woodstock which is called independent they have sent to Elmwood at Washington point and as nothing has been provided for them they all left and returned home again - The other division that the Department did was at home on alarm to guard property and sometimes to patrol the Road sometimes would be on duty for a week at a time sometimes only one day or a night and sometimes done at such different intervals and different seasons that he cannot state definitely but is certain that such Service was rendered in all during the years 1878 & 1879 continued to three months at least - The Department is now in the custody of Burgoyne at least 200 men have marched through that part of the County now called the County of Mohawk in Paterson Township, Amsterdam, Albany, Ulster, Delaware, Washington and Green in the State of New York and to the following Service that to the late General Warren has been mentioned he answered as follows
1 st Question. When and in what year when you born? Answer. I was born in Hyde Park then called Steeple in the year 1757 the 9 th August 1757. 2 nd Question. Have you any parent or parents alive? Answer. Have you any parent or parents alive? My father was in the church at Methuen & stated above I have no other references except my mother's name. 3 rd Question. When were you living when called into service Where have you lived since the Revolution so far as you know. I think that during the Revolution in Middlesex & Bristol Counties have always lived there and still do. 4 th Question. How were you called into service? Answer. I was called as a Militia man I believe, and for myself and others volunteered.

5. Question - Did the name of the regular officer who was with the troops when you arrived - such continental and militia officers as you can recollect and the general circumstances of the time - Answer - At the Battle of Brandywine I was not in the line fully the circumstances attending my arrival there I have stated before in my deposition and I further refer to that for the circumstances and for the name of the officer in command at the time of my arrival -
6. Question - Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so by whom and when? Answer - I never received any discharge in writing but I was mustered out of service at the end of the war - To the 2nd Question - I state the name of Person to whom you are known in your neighborhood and who can testify to your character for honesty and that said your name is recorded in the muster roll -
7. Question - Who can testify to the character of the Deputy Sheriff of Livingston in the County of Columbia with reference to some of the services rendered by him as Deputy Sheriff at the time of the Revolution and subsequent services, that said Deputy Sheriff is now living and further would refer to the John Delle of Melon who has known him since and sent to the Coroner's Office at Pottsville in Gallatin in Columbia County who has known the Deputy Sheriff for upwards of forty years and that Deputy Sheriff would refer to other persons who know the Deputy Sheriff and can state what the character of the Deputy Sheriff was and the Deputy Sheriff would also refer to the John Delle Bent who at the time of the Deputy Sheriff is a person who can testify about the Deputy Sheriff's services - This Deputy Sheriff further says that he has no documentary proof or evidence that he can
[Handwritten signatures and initials]

produce And this Deponent 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 and Subscribed the day of year first above written before me
Horace Van Benschoten
Stephen Thorne Judge
of the Com. Pleas Court Dutchess Co. N.Y.

State of New York County of Dutchess Co.
I John Pells of the Town of Milan in the County of Dutchess and State of New York aforesaid being duly sworn do declare and certify that I am well acquainted with Harmon Van Ben Schoten who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that I believe him to be seventy five years of age that he is respected and generally believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the American Revolution and I do fully concur in that opinion and that I the said John Pells do further certify that I have known the said Harmon Van Ben Schoten for at least fifty years and have no doubt but that the foregoing declaration made by the said Harmon Van Ben Schoten is correct and true - And I do further declare and certify that Harmon Van Ben Schoten is a man of fair character for truth and veracity and entitled to full credit, and I do believe that said Van Ben Schoten has performed the services as stated by him in his said declaration.
Sworn & Subscribed before me This 23 d day of March
1833
Stephen Thorne Judge of the County of Dutchess. N.Y.
John Pells

Dutchess County State of New York
I Stephen Thorne one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Dutchess do hereby declare my Opinion after the investigation of the Matter of Harmon Van Brantschoten an Applicant for a pension and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the said Applicant Harmon Van Brantschoten was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states in the American Revolution And I do further Certify that from age and infirmity and bodily debility the said Harmon Van Brantschoten is unable to attend Court in order to make his application and that his said Brantschoten son after witness is lame & unable to attend Court that I accordingly attended at the place of abode of the said Van Brantschoten And I do further Certify that I am well acquainted with John Pells that he is a man of fair character and a credible person and that said Pells resides in Milan in the County of Dutchess and that the statement of said Pells is entitled to the fullest credit. I do also certify that I am well acquainted & have been for many years with Harmon Van Brantschoten and that I believe him to be a man of truth and his statement contained in his declaration I believe true.
Stephen Thorne
One of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Dutchess County, State of New York
[Handwritten signature of Stephen Thorne]
[Handwritten signature of the Judge]

(Dutchess County State of New York)
Egnes Van Rensselaer of the Town of Pleasant Valley in The County of Dutchess being duly sworn according to Law before Stephen Thorn one of the Judges of the Court of Com- mon Pleas in said County of Dutchess Deposes and says That he is well acquainted with Harman Van Rensselaer who has made the foregoing & signed Declaration for the pur- pose of obtaining the benefit of the act passed June 7 th 1832 for Revolutionary Service That he is a brother of the Deponent wh is aged about twenty five years of age This Deponent well remembers that said Harman did enter into the Service of the United States for nine months by either enlis- ting or volunteering & that he entered the Service under the officers named in his Declaration and served the whole term of nine months as stated by him & This Deponent further says he was knowing of said Harman being called out several times into the Service of the United States during the war of the Rebellion one at the time that Washington army was taken how long he was out at that time this Deponent can not can not say & well remembers at one time he was under the Command of the officer named by him in the Service of the United States & was marched to the Town of Fishkill in Dutchess County & at the Highlands & West Point & This Deponent further says he no  for saw at said Harman served the length of time he states in his said Declaration and This Deponent further saith

That said Harm Harm and Linn at the place he states in his Declaration at the time he entered the Salem & Subscribed before Egner Egner Bringschotess me this 24 th day of June 1853
Stephen Thorne one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Dutchess County
I the said Judge do Certify that I am well acquainted with Egner Van Rensechotess who has made the above affidavit & that he is aged about Eighty years & that he is a man of truth and whose statements can be relied upon
Stephen Thorne
one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Dutchess County

In the matter of Harmon Van Buren an applicant for a Pension under the act of 7 th June 1832
address To Charles E. Ely Livingston Columbia County State of New York — " — " —

STATE OF NEW-YORK, County of Dutchess,
ss. I, HENRY T. TRAPER, Clerk of
the County of Dutchess, DO HEREBY CERTIFY, That Stephen Van Euren before whom the annexed Declaration & Examination were made & whose name is subscribed to the same attesting the same was at the time of taking the same a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas being a Court of Records having a Clerk and Seal — in and for the County aforesaid, dwelling in the said County duly commissioned and sworn and authorized to take the same.
And Further, That I am well acquainted with the handwriting of the said Judge and verily believe that the signature to the said Declaration & Examination is genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said county, the 24th — day of July — A. D. 183 3 —
Henry T. Traper Clerk

State of New York County of Columbia Town of Livingston
Sp: Jacob Spaulding of the Town of Livingston in the County of State of New - York being duly sworn Deposed and said that this Deponent was seventy eight (78) years of age last New and is well acquainted with Harmen Van Bentschoten of Hyde Park this Deponent was born in Staatsburg and has known said Van Bentschoten ever since his infancy and has gone to School together when Boys and served in the American Revolutionary war together in the same Company and Regiment and gene- -rally moved together. This Deponent has heard the Declaration of said Van Bentschoten read over and this Deponent says that John Hermance was Captain and Henry Pauling was also an officer this Deponent thinks he was Lieutenant a part of the time and said Harmen Van Bentschoten was second Sergeant in said Company. This Depo- -nent recollects of being in the Expedition with said Van Bentschoten in 1778 West of the Hudson River and was at the places named by said Van Bentschoten and served under the officers named in said Van Bent- -schoten's Declaration and this Deponent also recollects the families of the Bevers and this Deponent thinks there were 14 persons killed in the family of one of the Bevers. This Deponent recollects that Colonel Moses Cantine was Colonel who was from Ulster County This Deponent says that the troops in said Expedition were engaged in the service of the United States

nine months and said Van Bentschoten was absent during said Campaign in the Company wherein this Deponent said the service was performed in the year 1778 and recollects that the troops were discharged on the 24 th day of December 1778 the day before Chris- =tmass and this Deponent recollects of being in the Expedition to the Northward at Fort Edward the greater part of the time lay at Fort Edward this Deponent says that said Herman Van Bentschoten and this Deponent were transferred from Captain Harmance's Company into the Company commanded by Captain Magee or M c Gehee served under Colonel Henry Livingston and recollects of being at Potters- =berg and at those places mentioned by said Van Bentschoten this Deponent says that he continued in the same Camp with Van Bentschoten and was engaged in this Expedition nine months and entered the service together with said Van Bentschoten and returned Home together - this Deponent says that he and Van Bentschoten entered the service of the United States on the same day both volunteered under Captain Herman Marched from Pottersberg to Fishkill and from thence to West Point and from thence was transferred into Captain M c Gehee's Company's Company and went up from thence to Albany and from thence marched to Fort Edward - had a skirmish with the Indians at Fort George - Mr. Honda was adjutant at the time as stated by said Van Bentschoten this Deponent says that he thinks the troops were discharged in the fall of the year and this Deponent thinks it was in 1779 - And is certain that said Van Bentschoten has not stated the time fully in his declaration because this Deponent knows that he served two terms

an Expedition with Von Bentebohm of New Month. Each and the Deponent knows that said Von Bentebohm was a Sergeant and was an active soldier and did duty during the whole time during each Expedition and the Deponent says that Herman Von Bentebohm has always sustained a fair character since his Youth and does now and the Deponent fully believes that said Von Bentebohm was in the Expedition west of the Hudson River at Shendaken under Colonel Von Bentebohm as stated before in 1780 and is certain that Herman Von Bentebohm has served more than two years in the United States Service that he was "a good man and true" during the whole war —
Sworn and subscribed to before me this 22 day of July 1833
His Jacob of Sparnburg mark Jacob Barringer Justice
Columbia County ss: I Jacob Barringer one of the Justices of the peace of the County of Columbia do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Jacob Sparnburg who has sub- scribed and sworn to the preceding affidavit that he is a resident of the Town of Livingston in the County of Columbia State of New York and is a person whose character for truth and veracity is fair and is a credible person and his statement is entitled to the fullest credit - Given under my hand this 23 rd day of July 1833
Jacob Barringer Justice

State of New York Columbia County } ss. I Joseph D. Monnell Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Columbia do hereby certify that the
State of New York Columbia County } ss. I Joseph D. Monnell Clerk of said County do certify that Jacob Barringer before whom the preceding affidavit purports to have been taken was at the date of the same one of the Justices of the peace in and for the said County of Columbia and that I am acquainted with his hand writing, and verily believe his name subscribed to the said writing or Certificate above set forth and subscribed to the preceding affidavit taken in the proper hand writing of said Justice and the same to be his signature. Witness my hand and seal of office this 24th day of July A.D. 1833
J. D. Monnell

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section
MOS/RDM
December 7, 1929.
Miss Laura Marshall 901 Rio Grande Street Austin Texas.
Dear Madam:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 12180, it appears that Harmon Van Benscooten (pensioned Herman Van Benscooten) was born August 9, 1757 in Staatsburgh, Dutchess County, New York.
While residing in that place he enlisted and served with the New York Troops as follows:
From August 1, 1777 until November 1, 1777 as Second Sergeant in Captain John Hermance's Company and was in both battles of Stillwater and at the capture of Burgoyne; from late in March 1778, nine months as Sergeant in Captain James Wilson's Company in Colonel Moses Cantine's Regiment; from the middle of June 1779 three months as Second Sergeant in Captain John Hermance's Company, Colonel Graham's Regiment; from late in September 1779 three months, officers' names not given; in 1780 nine months in Captain Edward Cornwall's Company in Colonel Elias Van Benschoten's Regiment; from July 15, 1781 until October 15, 1781 as Captain of the Guard under Captains John Hermance and McGee or Magee and Colonel Henry Livingston, and was engaged in protecting American stores. He also served various short tours during 1777, 1778 and 1779, amounting in all to at least three months.
He was allowed pension on his application executed March 23, 1833, at which time he was a resident of Staatsburgh, New York, and he stated that he had always lived there.
There are no data relative to wife and children.

The Revolutionary war records of this Bureau fail to afford any information in regard to Hermanus Van Benschoten, and the above noted is the history of the only soldier of similar name that is found on said records.
Very truly yours,
EARL D. CHURCH Commissioner.

Van B
West Point N.Y. Aug 20 th 1898.
Hon. H. Clay Evans, Commissioner of Pensions, Sir:—
I thank you for the information conveyed by yours of the 17 th August to the effect that in addition to Elias Van Benschoten application seems also made by Herman, Jacob and Aaron (widow Margaret) Van Benschoten for Revolutionary Pensions.
As formerly stated I have a copy of Elias' statement of services rendered on which he applied for a pension. This came

to me at about that same years ago. Will it be ask- ing too much of you - Duncan to please furnish me copies of the services rendered, as stated by them- selves, in their applications for pensions of the above Herman, Jacques & Aaron? If this demand seems excessive or accessory to our the clerical work kindly pre- sent me to pay any thing the excess occasions, but do not withhold the infor- mation from me.
Why I set so much value on this information is that I am engaged on a genealogy and history of the Van Deus cholera family and of course wish to make

as complete as may be the Revolutionary account. It is for this sole purpose that I make the above request.
Also will you kindly specify under what act of Congress these pensions were granted and the amount of pension secured to each of the above, and also to Elias.
Under the head of Van Benschoten comes the older form of the name: Van Buschoten - also through correspondence Buschoten and Buschoten and some other slight variations. All of these were considered in your recent search, I suppose.

I trust that my request keeps within your limitations I am
most Resp. yours M. H. Van Deusen

Rehrman
12.180 INVALID.
File No. 12,180
Hoerman Van Benscoten Serg Peter War
Act: June 7 th 1932
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 889
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Oct 26 '98 W H Van Benscoten West Park NY
1929 Dec 7 hist. to Miss Laura Marshall N.Y.

Austin, Texas - Oct. 5 th 1929.
Commissioner of Pensions - Dear Sir:-
I would like to know if Hermann Van Benechoten of Dutchess County N. Y. fought in the Revolutionary War and I'll appreciate all you can give me about him - Thanking you most kindly.
I am Miss Laura Marshall, 901 Rio Grande St Austin - Texas -