Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 10,803, Gilbert Underhill, New York

(8-1770)
SERVICE
New York.
Underhill Gilbert
NUMBER
R. 10803
CONTENTS

Gilbert Underwood
35073
Pension &c June 22-1840
Gilbert Underhill -
NY -
35073
act 7. June '32
Cyrus White
East Chester
N.Y.

The Declaration of Gilbert Underhill A Soldier of the Revolution.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the United States passed June 7. 1832 —
State of New York } County of Westchester }
Court of Common Pleas for the } County of Westchester — } p
On the twenty first day of May A D 1840. Personally appeared before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Westchester, Gilbert Un- derhill a resident of said County, who first being duly sworn according to Law, with an his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed June Seventh 1832. entitled "An act supplementary to an act for the relief of the surviving officers & soldiers of the Revolution" That he was born in the year 1763. on the 20 day March — and at the age of 13 years he entered as a volunteer in the American Army as a private in Capt Israel Hennawell's Company in the Month of No- vember 1776. — That said Company was attached to the lower section of the Westchester Regiment — the Company were styled "Mi- nute Men" and were enlisted for six months.

and that he, the said Gilbert under his faith- fully served out his term of enlistment in the said Company - that the Colonel's name was James Hammond, and the Major's name was Strange - that after the comple- tion of this term of service he received his pay at White Plains at John Faulkner's - he thinks the name of the paymaster was Kemble - that his next Captain's name was Gilbert Dean - that the Continental troops in which he served from time to time were from Massachusetts Connecticut and Rhode Island - that the General's name at one time was Scott - after him was Colonel Sheldon in command - that he received a wound in the right arm near Dobb's Ferry, and at that time received nine bullets through his clothes - this was in consequence of a mistake made with our own men - that he was again wounded in a skirmish near Morrisania on the hip - he was also wounded again between East Chester and White Plains - that he was taken at Bedford in June of '79. or '80 by Colonel Salkeld's Troop. and made his escape - that he was in an engagement, under Capt. Daniel Williams, near Phillips Mill with the Younger Troops or Hessians - in which he and his comrades had to retreat. - that Col. Sheldon was in the engage- ment and commanded one division of the horse, and Col. Barker another division of horse and that he and the Americans retreated to North West of Bedford to their camp - that he then was in an engagement with a Lieutenant (whose name he forgets) & took

his house and equipments, when General Scott told him, this deponent, that he wanted his services to go and find out the movements of the enemy as he knew the country well - that Gen. Scott gave him a pass to go through our Lines into the English lines, that his orders were to return in fourteen days - that the only person who knew of his errand was the General's Col Drake - that he went down to Yonkers and viewed the troops and encampments of the British - that he was so young that he was taken for a country boy and loyalist and according to the General's orders pretended to be foolish - that he passed unresisted - that he then obtained the information desired by the General - to wit that the English were going into Winter quarters - that he then went down to Knapp's neck in the dead of night, as the General wanted also to know how strong the British were there, so that he might drive them off as they were cutting the timber and taking it to New York - that there was a man named Isaac Willett friendly to our cause, but who lived within the English lines who went with me - that he saw the destruction of timber - saw their troops - some militia & some horse troops and a few guns and repeaters lay in the harbor at Lord's neck - that he left that place and got into a Boat with some market women and rowed the Boat until he came to New York - that he went in the first place to see our prisoners at the Quaker

x Connally
meeting house in Queen Street, and slyly got a talk with some of our Officers, so as to learn what he could learn of Wallis army in the South - and see how they were used, - that he then went to the North Church - it was full of prisoners, yard and all - that he obtained entrance to see his brother (this was pretence as he had none there) - that he was nearly detained, but the Sergeant let him go, as he told him he came to see his rebel brother, but could not find him - that he then went to see one Thomas Gardner a merchant, as one of the Officers on parole told him that he was friendly and that he might be depended on, and safe to approach him, if with due caution - that he went and saw him - and com- menced by asking him if the British were going to kill all the Rebels in the South, - that after a little enquiry where he came from and where he lived, Gardner and answered "Oh no we are getting along better than be- fore - we will march them yet." - Gardner then gave him a newspaper, as General Scott wanted a newspaper and all the intelligence from the South - that he left the City - went up the river with a Market Boat with some women above Hill gate and went ashore at Willets Neck in West Chester County above Sam Hunts point - that having destroyed his pass when he entered the English lines, he made his way through the fields and woods and when ever hailed by the American

troops he told them to "come along, as he could not stop - that he had accepted General Scott and not to delay him but come with him to the General" - that he hurried all night as his 14 days expired next morning - that he saw Col. Drake first - that the Col. went with him to General Scott - that he told him every thing - gave him the paper and that the General told Col. Drake to take him home, and that he (Mandeville) need not do any more actual service & that he should have a good proportion of the new Land - that he went home with Col. Drake and staid with him all winter - that on the next Spring about the first of June, he went with Colonel Sheldons gang, of his own choice to pre- vent being taken - they lay in the East side of the town of Bedford - that the troops were surprised by Col. Tullers horse - that he was also taken prisoner - that Colonel Sheldon jumped out of bed and fled - that he saw the British hold up Sheldon clothes and cap in triumph - that they started after him but could not catch him - that the regiment was mounted and came down to East Chester being in the night, the prisoners were stopped and the horse fled and that on being ordered to march, he stepped one side in a vacant tent and made his escape - that he went back to Bedford and became a Guide to the Eastern troops - that the French lay between White Plains

And I do hereby certify and that one John Anderson and his wife came their guide, and per- formed duty in Westchester County - - That he stuck to the Army and the good cause until the last - That he never left the Army but came down to the Battery and help to put up the American Flag that the English had struck the staff that he waited and saw the last sign of war of the English leave the harbor and then the war was ended -
We hereby relinquishes every claim whatsoever to a pension or annuity, except the present and declares that his name, to the best of his knowledge and belief is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any State.
Seen and subscribed the day And Year aforesaid, } John Anderson Before Me Augustus Lawrence Justice of the peace
STATE OF NEW YORK, COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER, } ss.
Thomas H. Fish Acting
I, Thomas H. Fish , Clerk of the county of West- chester, and Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said county, DO HEREBY CERTIFY, That Augustus Lawrence Esq whose name is subscribed to the certificate of the proof or acknowledgment of the annexed instru- ment and thereon written, was at the time of taking such proof or acknowledgment, a Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid, residing in the said County, commissioned and sworn, and duly authorized to take the same. And further, that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of such Justice of the peace , and verify believe that the signature to the said certificate of proof or acknowledgment is genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said County,
this 23 rd day of May
1840
Thos H Fish Act Clerk

We Thomas Griffin, Layman, and Cyrus White, Layman residing in the town of of Eastchester. ————— in the County of West Chester, and John H. Smith Cyrus White, Layman residing in the same place do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Gilbert Underhill who has subscribed and
STATE OF NEW YORK, COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER, } ss.
Thomas D. Fisher Acting
I, John H. Smith , Clerk of the county of West- chester, and Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said county, DO HEREBY CERTIFY, That Augustus Lawrence Esq. whose name is subscribed to the certificate of the proof or acknowledgment of the annexed instru- ment and thereon written, was at the time of taking such proof or acknowledgment, a Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid, residing in the said County, commissioned and sworn, and duly authorized to take the same. And further, that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of such Justice of the peace , and verily believe that the signature to the said certificate of proof or acknowledgment is genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said County,
this 23 day of May
1840
Thos D Fisher Act Clerk.

We Thomas Griffin, Layman, and Cyrus White, Layman residing in the town of East Chester. ————— in the County of West Chester, and State of New York  Layman Cyrus White, Residing in the same place do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Gilbert Underhill who has subscribed and sworn to the above annexed declaration that we believe him to be twentyseven years of age — that he is reported and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Re- volution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed to the Above. This 21 st day of May — A. D. 1840. Before Me Augustus Lawrence justice of the peace
Thos. Griffin Cyrus White

And the said Court do hereby declare their Opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories pre- scribed by the War Department, that the above named Gilbert Underhill was a voluntary Soldier and served as he states - And the Court further cer- tifies, that it appears to them that who has signed the pre- ceding Certificate is a Clergyman residing in the town of                                     and that who has also signed the same is a resident in the town of - and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of West Chester do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Court in the matter of the application of Gilbert Underhill for a pension,
In testimony whereof I have here unto set my hand and seal of office this day of May A 1840.

11 40 1-17-08 Bom 39th April - 17 08 82 Yours of County of Westchester p City & County of New York p
Deborah Secon, Agra Eighty two. Eighty five Years being only seven expressed and says that she knows Gilbert Van- Arckill and recollects of his being a Soldier in the American Army in the revolutionary War, and further says that she knows, of her own knowledge that he was wounded and that she saw seven bullet holes in his clothes, and two in his shirt - and that she remembers his being away with the Army one year before he returned home - that at the time he lived when home at the town of Greensburg in West- chester County - and that the British about that time was below about that neighbo- hood much to the annoyance of the Americans, and further says etc.
Sworn before me this 19th day of May 1840. Deborah Secon
STATE OF NEW YORK, CITY AND COUNTY OF NEW YORK, }
I, JOSEPH HOXIE, Clerk of the City and County of New York, and Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the said City and County, (said Court being a Court of Record,) do hereby certify, that William Wileys before whom the annexed deposition was taken, was at the time of taking the same, a Justice of the Peace in and for the said City and County, duly appointed and sworn, and that I believe the signature of said Justice thereto subscribed, is genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court and County, the 20 day of May 1840. Joseph Hoxie Clerk
is in the possession of all and produced her family the may be put in her W. Wiley Justice of the Peace

Born 30th April - 1788 110 40 88 2
Town of County of Westchester p City & County of New York p
Deborah Seare, Agra
Eighty two Years being only seven exposed  Twenty five Years being only seven exposed and says that she knows Gilbert Van- Arsdale and recollects of his being a Soldier in the American Army in the revolutionary War, and further says that she knows, of her own knowledge that he was wounded and that she saw seven bullet holes in his clothes, and two in his shirt - and that she remembers his being away with the Army one year before he returned home - that at the time he lived when home at the town of Greensburg in West- chester County - and that the British about that time was below about that neighbor- hood much to the annoyance of the Americans, and further says she
Sworn before me this 19th day of May 1840. Deborah Seare much
William Wiley Justice of the Peace
The above named Deborah Seare is in the possession of all her faculties, very interesting, and presented her family bible as to her age - full faith may be put in her above statements - W. Wiley Justice of the Peace

State of New York. Town of White Plains County of Westchester
Elizabeth Tompkins of Westchester County, being duly sworn deposes and says that she is now aged eighty four years, and knows Gilbert Underhill and knows him to have been a Soldier of the Revolution, and engaged in the American Army - that she knows the fact of his having been wounded as she counted nine bullet holes in his coat, and that at the time he was wounded, Capt. Israel Hume well quartered in her father's house, and that Gilbert Under- hill was at home there, and that he was very tall for his age, and that de- ponent further says that she has often heard her father say that said Un- derhill performed a piece of duty as a spy for General Scott, but does not know the nature of that service - and that her father is now dead, and she further says that she was born and always lived in Westchester County in the State of New York, and further says not
Sworn before me this 23 d day of May 1840.
Elizabeth Tompkins mark
Elijah G. Miller Justice of the Peace

STATE OF NEW YORK, COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER, } ss.
Thos H Fishkin Acting
I, Robert H. Fishkin Clerk of the county of West-
chester, and Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said county, DO HEREBY
CERTIFY, That Elijah Simon Esq whose name is subscribed to the certificate of the proof or acknowledgment of the annexed instru- ment and thereon written, was at the time of taking such proof or acknowledgment, a Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid, residing in the said County, commissioned and sworn, and duly authorized to take the same. And further, that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of such Commissioner, and verily believe that the signature to the said certificate of proof or acknowledgment is genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said County, this 23 d day of May 1848
Thos H Fishkin Actg Clerk.

Gilbert Vanderhill Volunteered with Captain White in Oct of 76- and served with him three months just before the Battle of White Plains the Col. Name was Angle His Father was taking who was also a Soldier He was taken by the Dutch Troops the British went to the siege of Fort Washington and they Quarters 20 or 40 Miles North West of River Wright Mill near White Plains the Connecticut Road Island & Massachusetts - Troops went into Winter Quarters as there was nothing a doing between the British and American lines there was one Col Rodgers who had a Company called "Rodgers Ringers" which disturbed the Inhabitants of the Country. He in Company with his Capt and a party of his fellow Soldiers Captured some at the Town of Marinick - and conveyed them to White Plains Prison - and broke up the Company of Ringers - and was discharged - at the Camp at Wright Mill near Bedford - in that Battle He was wounded on the Right Shoulder -

He Volunteered with Gilbert Dean and served 3 months they where called "Fighting Cams" they where laying above Pay Town most of the time they where employ'd on Scouting parties taking what was called the "Cow Boys" He volunteered with Gilbert Dean in the May of 77 and was discharged at Bedford He never received any pay but had the promised the leader was at that time there was no Paymaster on the lines — Gilbert Dean Gilbert Underhill
District Columbia } To wit Washington County }
On this 26 th day of June 1840, personally appeared before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County, Gilbert Underhill, who subscribed the above statement, and made oath on the Holy Evangely of Almighty God, that the matter and things set forth in the foregoing statement are just and true as they are there stated, to the best of his knowledge belief. Subscribed and sworn before me.
Henry J. Foote. V. Peace 

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
REFUGED
10803
P. O.
Gilbert Underhill
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contra
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18