Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 11784, John Williamson, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
New York
Williamson, John
S. 11784
CONTENTS
carded

140371 777
New York
John Williamson of Suffolk Co in the State of New York who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Griffin of the Regt commanded by Col Clinton in the N.Y. militia line for 9 mos.
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 30 Dollars 00 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 6 day of May 1833 and sent to M c M. Williams Stony Brook
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $60.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sept. 15.00 $75.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk. Book 6 Vol. 4 Page 36

Letter to J. Fleming. Sept. 1: 1834
" " Purvis " " "
" " Hon. A. Huntington Dec. 21. 1835 —
" " John R. Satterly Sep. 21. 1836
" " Same Oct. 14. — "
" " Purvis Algee " " "
" " " " Jan. 3. 1837
" " " " " 18 "
Out
led led

John Williamson
13.777
✓

State of New York } Suffolk County } ss-
On this twenty seventh day of September in the year eighteen hundred and thirty two, personally appeared before me John S. Mount one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said county, John Williamson a resident of Brookhaven in said county and state, aged eighty 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 th 1832 -
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated -
That he enlisted, as near as he can recollect in the month of June in the year 1775, at the town of Southold county and state aforesaid, into the company of state troops commanded by Capt Daniel Griffin in the third regiment commanded by Colonel James Clinton to serve for five months or during the campaign - That after the company was full and mustered he marched with it to Oysterpond point in said county, and there embarked on board a vessel and went through Long Island Sound to the city of New York - from thence the company was ordered to proceed to Albany by water. On the passage up information was received that a number of deserters were at Haverstraw - A detachment of which he was one was sent to apprehend them - They succeeded -
That when they got to Albany the company encamped, and a detachment from it, of which he was one, commanded by Serjeant George Chase was ordered to proceed on to the north with said deserters and others belonging to the same army, apprehended at Albany - That said detachment proceeded to Fort George with the prisoners, expecting to be relieved of the charge at that place, but was obliged to proceed to Ticonderoga where the prisoners were delivered up to Genl Schuyler - That the detachment at this time was out of provisions and was not permitted to draw from the public store unless the individuals composing it would consent to join and be transferred to the troops then raising to recruit the army at the north and in Canada

That the detachment was unwilling to comply until their private resources were exhausted. they then all joined the company commanded by Capt Daniel Denton and Lieutenants Merurah and Billings, and consequently never again joined the company into which they first enlisted - That he with the company under Capt Denton were then embarked on board of boats and proceeded up the Lake to St. Johns and joined the besieging army - That he was at the taking of that Fort. That he was one of the party which in the mean time attacked and took Fort Chamblee - That he with the company were then ordered and marched to Lapararie where information being received that the British troops on board of vessels were leaving Montreal for Quebec they were immediately marched to the river Sorelle and employed in constructing a battery to prevent their passage - That they succeeded in capturing eleven sail of the enemy and took them back to Montreal -
That he remained at Montreal with other American troops during the winter of 1775 excepting when ordered out upon excursions - That he returned with the company to Albany towards the latter part of March or the first of April in 1776, having he is confident served in the whole nine months, or more - but not being able to state the precise time of his enlistment or the day of his discharge he cannot say how much more.
That when at Albany he received a written discharge from Capt Denton but which accidentally has been lost - That he knew Generals Montgomery Worcester and Arnold and Col s Wyncoop and Clinton - That he has no documentary evidence in his possession relating to his claim - That he has resided in the town of Northampton in said county of Suffolk until the year 1826 since which he has resided in said town of Brookhaven -
That he was born in the town of Southold in said county on the 21 st day of July 1752 - That the record of his age is in the hands of his brother's family at Southold - That Zechariah Greene minister of the Parish and John R. Satterty both residing in his neighborhood can testify to his character for veracity and their belief that he was a soldier in the revolution -

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 John Williamson the day and year aforesaid. before me
John P. Mount
We Zechariah Greene a clergyman residing in the town of Brookhaven county and State aforesaid and John R Satterly residing in the same place, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with John Williamson who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be eighty years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion -
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. Zechariah Greene - before me John R Satterly
John P. Mount
And I the said John P Mount one of the Judges of the court of Common Pleas as aforesaid do hereby declare my 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 I do further certify that it appears to me that Zechariah Greene who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman resident in the town of Brookhaven and that John R Satterly who has also signed the same is a resident in the same place, and is a credible person and their statement is entitled to credit. And I do further certify that the above named applicant cannot from bodily infirmity attend the court -
John P. Mount

Suffolk County ss-
Capt Nathaniel Norton of the city of New York being sworn duly, deposes and says that he was a lieutenant in the company commanded by Capt Daniel Guffin and was knowing to the enlistment of John Williamson the above named applicant, and that having read the foregoing declaration of said Williamson knows it to be substantially true up to the time when the said applicant was sent from Albany to the north with deserters, and from the frequent accounts which the deponent received from time to time from the north he believes that the whole is true and correct - he knows from circumstances which have impressed the fact strongly upon his memory that the portion of the army which were stationed at the north in the winter of 1775 & 1776 did not get their discharge, and did not return home until some time in the month of April -
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid, before me,
Nathl. Norton
John Marmy a Judge of Suffolk Com Pleas
Suffolk County ss-
Jedidiah Williamson of Brookhaven county aforesaid being duly sworn deposes and says that he was knowing to the enlistment of John Williamson the above named applicant under Capt Daniel Guffing sometime in the summer of 1775. That he was absent in the service until quite late in the spring of 1776 - he is sure that it was warm weather when he returned home.
Jedidiah Williamson
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid, before me,
John Marmy a Judge of Suffolk Com Pleas

Suffolk County ss Clerks Office }
Joseph R Huntington Clerk of the said county and of the court of common pleas in and for said county. Do hereby certify that John Sillocut is one of the Judges of said Court, and being well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Judge am satisfied that the foregoing signature is in his proper hand writing — In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said County this 28 th of September 1832
Joseph R Huntington Clerk

13777 John Williamson
admitted 9 mo Private.
See Muster roll
Ent d 22 nd June 1775
Capt Daniel Dunlas Griffin Company - must. to 15 Oct
John M. Williams Stony Brook, Suffolk co. N.Y.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of John Williamson
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Enlis? 1775 9 1/2 months Private Cap Griffin  Col Clinton Ser! Khass Col Denton Lt. General Lt. Billings Col Clinton  Genl. Howe Genl. Montgomery Genl. Burgoyne Genl. Arnold Col. Hancoc Col. Clinton St. Johns  Fort Schuyler Marched to Sistrerford  Point from New York to New York then to Albany thence to Fort Schuyler then to Ticonderoga at the battle to St. Johns Fort Schuyler then to Saratoga then to Albany Ag? 80 Southold New York Traditional  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B.
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 
 6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
 7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance. (Proceedings from absence of declarant by bodily infirmity) is by a Judge.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that 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 shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

1812 Wars Section.
May 16, 1939.
Myrta B. Kelsey, 327 Huguenot Street, New Rochelle, New York.
Madam:
I advise you that photostatic copies of original papers on file in claim of John Williamson, S. 11784, the only soldier by that name of Long Island found on the Revolutionary War records of this bureau, will be furnished you upon request, at the rate of fifteen cents a page with twenty-five cents additional for certification if that is desired.
The number of pages to be copied is eight.
The proper amount should be forwarded to this bureau by money order drawn to the order of the Secretary of the Interior.
Respectfully,
E. W. MORGAN, Acting Commissioner.

1929. May 16 - Myrtle B. Kelcey adv. cost of pleads - Myrtle Refrain
11784 ✓ INVALID.
File No. 11784
John Williamson Pris. Rev. War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. A , Page 410
[Arrangement of 1870.]

327 Huguenot St New Rochelle N.Y.
May 4, 1929
Dept. of Interior Bureau of Pensions Washington D.C.
Dear Sir -
I wish to enquire if there is a pension record for John Williamson of Long Island N.Y. who served in the Rev. War under Col. Van Schaick, Capt

Rev. & M.H.F.
Andrew Finck, or for his widow either?
He died in 1844 aged over 90.
If so what would be the cost of a photo-stat copy of his record?
Thanking you very sincerely
(Miss) Myrtle B. Kelsey

We the subscribers inhabitants of Brookhaven in the county of Suffolk and state of New York Do hereby certify that we are and have been acquainted with John Williamson now of the town and county of Suffolk for a number of years past. That we have uniformly heard from others as well as himself that he was a soldier in the revolutionary war. That the statements made by the said John Williamson in relation to the duration of his service in said war has been the same before as well as since the passage of the late pension law. And that from the knowledge we have of Mr. Williamson's character for truth and veracity we have no doubt that he performed the service in said war for the length of time stated in his affidavit on that subject.
Brookhaven 3. October 1836.
Zachariah Greene.
S. Smith Jedidiah Williamson William Rudyard Stephen Hawkins
The Revd. Zachariah Greene is the Methodist free grace at Shelter, John S. Moore Esq. has been a judge of the County Courts of Suffolk County, Jedidiah Williamson and Stephen Hawkins are pensioners of the United States for Revolutionary services and William Rudyard is an old and respectable citizen of the County. Full credit is due to their affidavits.
John S. Satterly Esq. Schuylerville N.Y.
William C. Cummiskey

Suffolk, of Nathaniel Norton a Captain in the N. York line County of Infantry in the Revolutionary War being seven deposes and says that he is acquainted with John Williamson of Suffolk County, State of New York, that the said Williamson enlisted in June or July of the year 1775 in the company com- manded by Capt. Griffin of which company the said deponent was at the time Lieutenant. That the said Williamson joined the Company and soon after proceeded to the Northern part of the State aforesaid. That some time in the latter part of the summer of the year aforesaid the said Williamson was one of a small party sent forward into Canada under the command of Sergeant George Chase - for the particulars of the above men- at large, the deponent would refer to his affidavit now in the Pension office in relation to said Williamson claim. The deponent further says that he was acquainted with several officers, who was also in service and in Canada at the same time the said party of Sergeant Chase was there, and that he frequently heard them speak in terms of praise of the conduct of Chase and his party during the winter of 1775 and part of 1776 That this deponent being acquainted with the fact that the said John Williamson was one of the said party under Chase when it left the Northern Station for Canada, and distinctly remembering the report at the time that Williamson and a few other survivors of said party had returned in the spring following As the deponent has not now nor has he ever had the least doubt that the said John Williamson continued with said party in service until he was discharged there- from according to his statement in February 1776 - Given the 3 rd day of October 1836 before me Nathl. Norton Notary Public Commission