Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 13669, for Benjamin Kneeland, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
New York
Keneeland, Benjamin
S. 13669
CONTENTS
carded

20.560 New York
Benjamin Analand
of Montgomery in the State of New York who was a Serj. Majr. in the Corps commanded by Captain Barron of the Regt commanded by Col. Van Dyke in the New York line for 7 M. Prio. $23.33 7. Serj. Mcy. 25 $58.23
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 58 Dollars 33 Cents per annum. to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 21. day of Sep. 1833 and to the Gen. E. Milroy Charleston
Arrears to the 4th of Sep. 33 $135.82 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 M. 34 29.16 $164.98
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by G. C. Stiles Clerk Book E. Vol. 1. Page 21.

14 138
Bury's Peninsula Montgomery Co. N York
adm d
14
P 380
May 8 33
116.66 29.16 155.82
Gen Blyth Wilson Charleston NY

BRIEF in the case of Benjamin Sneed and of Montgomery C. Sneed in the State of New York (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? open Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 85 years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days. As a Gen.     May In 1776 - 7 - Private Colt Deyar Colt Van Dyke   May 1777 5 Sergeant Colt Whiting   Oct 1780 1 15 " " Colt Wetmore   Dec 1781 21 " " Colt Wetmore  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? None  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Columbia Co. New York  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Living witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Papers attached as reg? 
X Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Richard L. D. Little Examining Clerk.

State of New York Montgomery County
On this 8 th day of September 1832 personally appeared before me John Hand one of the Judges of Montgomery County Courts (the same being a Court of Record) Benjamin Hurland a resident of the Town of Charleston, County of Montgomery and State of New York, aged 85 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 7 th June 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers and served as herein stated. In the year 1776 about the first of May enlisted for Seven months in the New York State Troops in Capt George Darrow's Company in a Regiment commanded by Col. Van Dyke, Mustered in the Town of Caanan, then Albany County now Columbia; and marched to Albany where the Company drew camp kettles and other necessaries and then marched north through Saratoga to Fort George standing on the shore of Lake George, where he remained a short time when Capt. Darrow's Company was ordered to repair to Fort Edward to guard that place and from thence again to Albany, then back north to Schenectady from thence to Fort Edward again where, the time having expired, at this last place the Regiment was for a short time together but was soon dispersed to guard different places; Capt. Darrow's Company remained until discharged. Recollects well that while yet on this tour the Northern Army returned from Canada during the small pox and that great mortality prevailed in all portions of that Army. Recollects that Col. Gansevoort commanded at Fort George. In the latter part of the month of May 1777 he entered the militia service on a requisition of Gov Clinton to repel the approach of Gen Burgoyne's army as a Sergeant Major in Col. Whittings Regiment, one half of the Regiment mustered in Caanan and marched through Albany and Saratoga to Fort

Edward and Fort George after remaining a short time at the latter place they returned to Fort Edward; while at Fort Edward Col. Long had a severe skirmish with a detachment of the enemy between Fort Ann and Fort Edward; and will remember the arrival of Col. Long at the latter place after the action. Gen Schuyler at this time had the command of the army which opposed the Army of Burgoyne when near Saratoga. He was sent home with orders to Major Bleebe to bring on the remaining half of the Regiment, doing the duties of an Adjutant until a junction was formed with the Regiment which took place at or near Stillwater the day after the first battle which took place on the 19 th September. At this time Gen Gates had superseded Gen Schuyler.
Continued maneuvering with the enemy until Thursday the 7 th of October when another action took place was in the battle on the left wing was Gen General Arnold, when he was wounded; after the surrender of Gen Burgoyne which took place on the 17 th the Militia were discharged, and on or about the 25 th he arrived home. In this Campaign saw Gen Schuyler, Gates, Lincoln, Arnold, Glover, Cols Warner, Long and many others; the above service was about or a little over 5 months.
In October 1780 was out in the Militia in Colonel Watermans Regiment as Sergeant Major on the requisition of Gov. Clinton; Regiment mustered at Albany, marched to Schenectady, and thence up the Mohawk on the south side of the river; crossed the river at Fort Plain and marched up as far as Palatine Street Church where we had a skirmish with the enemy. Gen Van Rensselaer fell back three miles, which gave enemy consisting of Regulars, Tories and Indians under Sir John Johnson an opportunity to escape; the next day after the skirmish Gov Clinton joined us when a pursuit of the retreating force took place; we followed as far west as Oneida Lake when it was found that the enemy had gained their boats and on party returned; the service in this tour as near as he can recollect was four or five weeks when he was discharged.

In the fall of 1758. News arrived at Albany that the regulars, Tories and Indians were invading the northern frontier and Gov. Clinton ordered out the militia to repel the invasion. Was in Colonel Walters Regiment, acted as Sergeant Major in said Regiment, mustered in Canaan, marched to Albany and thence north to Stillwater in Saratoga County, where he was stationed about twelve or fifteen days, when it was ascertained the alarm was false, and Regiment returned home; on this expedition was gone three weeks.
3 1/4 14 3/4 months 1 year & 2 mo 4 3/4
That he was born on the 22 d of November in the year 1746 in the town of East Haddam in the state of Connecticut. In the year 1767 moved into the town of Canaan then Albany now Columbia County in the State of New York where he resided at each and every time he was in the service. In the year 1783 removed to the town of Milton Saratoga County, same State. In the year 1793 he removed from thence to the town of Charleston
11 1/8 months
County of Montgomery and State aforesaid where he doth think of service of years plus from and in quarters months more times that he has no documentary evidence of his service and knows of no positive proof of his last campaign. He has a record of Link's Family Bible taken from the Family Bible of his Father. Does not recollect of ever having received a written Discharge
and from bodily infirmity he is unable to attend court.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
Sworn to and Subscribed The day and year aforesaid
Benjamin Kneeland
age in his intubance before signature also church and place of birth of some one of the time 1746 before me John Hand one of the Judges of the Montgomery County Courts

Mr. Elijah Herrick a clergyman residing in the town of Charleston and County of Montgomery and Samuel Hubbs residing in Charleston aforesaid - hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Benjamin Hurland who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be Eighty Five 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 to this the  first day of June 1833 - before me John Hand a Judge of the Montgomery County Courts
Elijah Herrick Samuel Hubbs
And the said Judge, does hereby declare his 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 said Judge further certifies, that it appears to him that Elijah Herrick who has signed the preceding Certificate is a clergyman residing in the town of Charleston and County of Montgomery and that Samuel Hubbs who has signed the same is a resident of Charleston and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit
John Hand one of the Judges of Montgomery County Courts

Montgomery County ss Benjamin Kneeland in further specifica- tion & proof of the declaration heretofore made by him for a pension being duly sworn doth depose and say that in the year 1776 he served in the capac- ity of a Sergeant in Capt Darrow's Company in Col Van Dyke's Regiment, and that in the year 1777 he served under Col Whiting in in the capacity of Sergeant Major by the appoint- ment of said Col W. which said service was five months a portion of the last mentioned service was rendered under the im- mediate command of Major Barker Beebe when this deponent performed the duty of Adjutant for the space of two weeks and that in the year 1780 was out under Col Waterman for the term of ten five weeks as Sergeant Major and in the year 1781 was again out under Col Waterman then acting also in the capacity or rank of Sergeant Major, all the above services were ren- dered dered as detailed in his declaration and for which this deposition is intended as in further explanation and proof and further this deponent saith not
Sworn and subscribed this Benjamin Kneeland 30 th day of May 1833 before me George D. Davis Justice of the Peace
State of New York, Montgomery County
Clerk's office ss - I, George D. Ferguson, Clerk of Montgomery
County do hereby certify that that George Davis before whom the above supplemental declaration purports to have been sworn was on the date thereof a Justice of the Peace of Montgomery County, that his name subscribed to the above is genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 4th June 1833.
Geo: D. Ferguson

State of New York, Montgomery County Clerk's office S t 3 J. George D. Ferguson Clerk of Montgomery County do hereby Certify that the in Hand before whom the annexed affidavit of Elijah Kenick and Samuel Hubbs, purports to have been sworn, was
on the date thereof a Judge of Montgomery County Courts: And that his name subscribed to said affidavit & to the certificate of good character of said Kenick & Hubbs, is Genuine.
And I further certify that George Davis, whose name is subscribed to the Certificate of good character of Nathaniel Wilcox & Elias Leady, was on the date thereof a Justice of the peace of said County, & that his signature to said Certificate is Genuine.
And I further certify that Jacob M c Conkey whose name is subscribed to the Certificate of Good Character of Samuel Doty, was on the date thereof a Justice of the peace of said County and that his name subscribed to said Certificate is Genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 4th June 1833.
Geo: D. Ferguson -

We do know that on the first day of August in the year of Our Lord 1832 personally appeared before me George Davis a Justice of the peace of the Town of Charlton in the County of Montgomery and State of New York — Nathaniel Willcox of the Town of Lexington County of Green and State aforesaid and being duly sworn deposeth and saith that in the year of Our Lord 1776 he the said Nathaniel Willcox was in the revolutionary service for the term of seven months under the command of Captain George Darrow in a regiment under the command of Col c Van Dyke of the New York State troops and was stationed at Fort George in the State of New York and thence at Fort Edward and thence at Albany thence returned and went to Skeneborough thence returned to Fort Edward and there discharged at the end of seven months and that the said Nathaniel Willcox personally knew Benjamin Rueland as an orderly sergeant of the said Captain George Darrow's company and that the said Rueland continued in the service in said company during said term and in the capacity aforesaid and further in the fore part of the summer of 1777 he said Nathaniel Willcox was in the Revolutionary service for about two months or more in a company under under the command of Captain Salisbury in a regiment commanded by Colonel Whiting of the New York State troops and that he knew Benjamin Rueland as Sergeant Major of said regiment during the term aforesaid and that the said Benjamin Rueland acted in that capacity for and during the term of two months in said company and that the said regiment were on the retreat for the principal part of said term of two months before General Burgoyne and that said say a part of said regiment were permitted to return home some time in the fore part of August as near as this deponent can remember and that said Rueland was one of them that went home

after serving out at least two months in said penitentiary Service and further the defendant with not
Nathaniel Wilcox
Sworn and subscribed before me this 1 st day of August A D 1832
George Davis Justice
I certify that Nathaniel Wilcox who was sworn to and subscribed his name to the foregoing affi- davit is a credible person and his statement is entire- ly true to the best of his knowledge.
Given at Charleston
This 31 day of May 1833
George Davis Justice

Affidavit of Elizabeth
18th Dec 1841 I the undersigned do hereby certify that the within is a true copy of the original now on file in my office
Notary Public
I hereby certify that the within is a true copy of the original now on file in my office
I hereby certify that the within is a true copy of the original now on file in my office
I hereby certify that the within is a true copy of the original now on file in my office
I hereby certify that the within is a true copy of the original now on file in my office
I hereby certify that the within is a true copy of the original now on file in my office
I hereby certify that the within is a true copy of the original now on file in my office
Notary Public

Town of Charlton County of Montgomery State of New York
§ §
Personally appeared before me George Davis
one of the Justices of the peace of said Town Elias Cady to me well known and being duly sworn deponeth and saith that he has known Benjamin Treadwell for more than sixty years past and during the revo- lutionary war knew that the said Treadwell was frequently out during said war in company with his being called into the service for the term of seven months and has understood or believes that he served out the term as required and that he was informed and believes that the said Treadwell at another time was called into the service of his country for the term of five months and believes he served out said term at one other time said Treadwell was called out as aforesaid in said service and was gone from home four or five weeks or more up the Mohawk river at one other time said Treadwell was called into the service of his country in the revolutionary war and was from home three weeks or more believes he was up the North river at this time deponent says that during the revolutionary he lived a near neighbor to said Treadwell and has the best means of knowing his business and believes the above statements to be true and further saith not
sworn and subscribed before me this 17th day of September 1832 George Davis Justice Elias Cady

I do hereby certify that Elias Cady the person who sworn to and subscribed his name to the within affidavit is a credible person and his statement is entitled to credit.
Given at Charleston this 31 st day of May 1833
George Davis
Justice
George Davis Justice

Benjamin Russell 14138. Declaration for Pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 28th day of September 1832.
Geo: D. Ferguson
I do hereby certify that Samuel Doty the person who has sworn to and subscribed the within af- fidavit is a credible person and his statement
is entitled to credit Given at Charleston this 31 day of May 1833.
J. M. Conkey

State of New York Montgomery County
On this Seventh day of September 1832 personally appeared before me Jacob McConkey one of the Justices of the Peace of said County Samuel Doly of the Town of Canaan County of Columbia and State aforesaid, who being first duly sworn doth depose and say, that he is of the age Seventy Six Years. That in the year of our Lord 1777, in the said Samuel Doly was a Soldier in the revolutionary Service, And this deponent further saith he personally knew Benjamin Kierland as a Sergeant Major in a Regiment of New York Militia commanded by Col. Whiting, and he further saith, that the said Benjamin Kierland was ordered to return to Canaan, the place where the said Regiment mustered, and in a few days the said Benjamin Kierland returned to the Regiment accompanied by Majors Briebe and Douglas and continued in the Service until the Surrender of Gen. Burgoyne. And this deponent further saith, that he personally knew that the said Benjamin Kierland, in the Capacity of Sergeant Major, accompanied Col. Watermans Regiment, on a requisition of Gov. Clinton up the Mohawk River, and that he accompanied said Kierland on his march to Warner's Tavern in Chatham where this deponent returned and further saith, that according to the best recollection and belief of this deponent the said Regiment was absent five or six weeks. And this deponent further saith, that he has always understood and verily believes, that the said Benjamin Kierland performed other services during the said revolutionary Service and further this deponent saith not.
Sworn and Subscribed before me This 7 th day of September - 1832 aforesaid J. McConkey Justice

State of New York Montgomery, County. ss. — I, George D. Ferguson, clerk of Montgomery County, do hereby certify that John Hend Esquire before whom the preceding declaration of Benjamin Kneeland purports to have been sworn, was on the date thereof one of the judges of the courts of Montgomery County, and that George Davis before whom the preceding affidavits of Nathaniel Wilcox & Dear Lady purports to have been sworn, was on the date of said affidavits a justice of the peace of Montgomery county. And also that Jacob McConkey before whom the preceding affidavit of Samuel Doty purports to have been sworn, was on the date thereof a justice of the peace of the said county. And that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said John Hend, George Davis, & Jacob McConkey & truly believe that the name of the said John Hend subscribed to the said declaration is Genuine, & that the name of the said George Davis subscribed to the said affidavits is Genuine; And also that the name of the said Jacob Mc Conkey subscribed to the said affidavit is also Genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office this 28th day of September 1832.
Geo: D. Ferguson
Declaration for Pension 14138. Benjamin Kneeland
I do hereby certify that Samuel Doty the person who has sworn to and subscribed the within af- fidavits is a credible person and his statement
is entitled to credit Dated at Charlton this 31 day of May 1833.
J. McConkey Witness

Rev. War
✓ 13.669 INVALID.
File No. 13.669
Benjamin Koneland Serg. Maj. Boer War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. / , Page 215
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Benjamin Bruns
grade of Sergt. in first term not alliged in open court & dis allowed
Abm
Ymo feri Ymo Sergt. Majr.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Benjamin Pineland  Montgomery G. Wight which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? Yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? No VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? no
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? no
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? no
XIV. †If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? no
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? no
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? no
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? no
XVI. †Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? no
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.