Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 43904, for Joseph Raffsnyder, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
New Jersey
Raf Snyder, Joseph NUMBER S 43904
CONTENTS

18,997.- New York.
Joseph Raffnyder.
of Ontario Co. in the State of New York, who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Scott, of the Regiment commanded by Colonel Maxwell in the N. Jersey line, for the term of 1 year in 1776.
Enscribed on the Roll of New York, at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 1 st of March 1823.
Certificate of Pension issued the 17 th of June 1823, and sent to R. H. Bayley Geneva, N.Y.R.
Arrears to 4th of March 1823 - $ 1 03 Semi anl. all'ce ending 4 Sept. 1823 48 00 38 49 03
{ Revolutionary claim, Acts March 18, 1818, and May 1, 1820, } 1 March 1823.

Original Claim
State of New York, Ontario County } S.S.
On this twentieth day of November 1822, personally appeared in open Court, being a Court of Record for the County of Ontario aforesaid proceeding according to the Courts of the Common Law with a jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount & keeping a Record of its proceedings Joseph Rafnyder aged Sixty five Years & residing at Geneva in the said County of Ontario who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the acts of Congress of the 18 th March 1818 and the 1 st May 1820, that he the said Joseph Rafnyder enlisted for the term of one Year on the latter part of the Year 1775 (the particular day he does not recollect) in the town of Wantage in the County of Sussex in the State of New Jersey in the Company commanded by Captain John Scott in the Regiment commanded by Colonel William Maxwell in the line of the State of New Jersey on the Continental establishment; that he continued to serve in the said Corps until the month of January 1777, when he

he was discharged from the said service at Sussex Court House in the said State of New Jersey — that he then received an honorable discharge which he has since lost, not supposing it could be of any use to him — That he was in the battle at Three Rivers (after the retreat from Quebec) in the month of May or June 1776 according to his recollection — that after his said discharge he was in the battle of German town as a volunteer in Captain Solomon Meadows Company of Militia — that he has no other evidence of his services now in his power except Solomon Meadows and Samuel Dunn —
And in pursuance of the act of the 1 st May 1820 I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18 th day of March 1818; and that I have not since that time by gift, sale, or in any manner disposed of my property or any part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War" passed on the 18 th day of March 1818; and that I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property or securities contracts or debts due to me; nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed

and by me subscribed
Schedule of my property -
No real property, or interest in real property personal property - A drawing knife $3.00 2 gimblets &c, One Jointer 12 in. one 8 in. 2.62 $5.62
One suit of Clothes now on his back — One straw bed and bedding — no debts due to him
That he is by occupation a Cooper — & by reason of having lost the use of his hand, is not able to do much labor — not enough to support him in the necessaries of life and old age — that he has six Children four sons and two daughters — the eldest of whom is twenty three & the youngest twelve years of age — that the eldest but one is with him in Geneva & has a family of his own — is a shoe maker by trade — has no property but his earnings from day to day — & is not able to assist the declarant in his support that all his other Children live in Upper Canada at what place or places he does not know — that they are all poor and just able to support

themselves - that they do not own any land and rely on their labor for a support - That his wife separated from him more than seven years ago & went to Canada with another man & by that means his family became broken up and he lost the control of his Children and cannot command their services
Joseph Raf his + Snyder mark
Sworn to and declared on the 20 th day of November 1822 before me a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in said County
State of New York Ontario County } ss. Clerks Office
Moses Atwater
Gavin Nicholas, Clerk of the said Court of Common Pleas of the said County of Ontario do hereby certify that the foregoing Oath and the Schedule thereto annexed are truly copied from the Records of the said Court and I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is five dollars and Sixty two Cents - In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court on this 20 th day of November 1822.
Gavin Nicholas Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Ontario

Joseph Raffsnyder
From the fall of 1875 to the spring of 1876 (in May or June) when he was disch.
not good.
Rejected.

State of New York Ontario County ss
On this ninth day of November 1821 personally appeared in open Court (being a Court of Common Pleas in and for said County and constituted a Court of record by proceeding according to the course of the Common Law with a jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount and keeping a record of its proceedings and recognized as such Court by the laws and judicial decisions of said State) Joseph Raffenyder aged sixty four years resident in the town of Seneca in said County who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath declare that he served in the Revolutionary War as follows: — he belonged to Capt. John Scotts company of Infantry in the second New Jersey Regiment commanded by Colonel Macfield and served one year from the fall of 1775 during which time he marched to Quebec the winter or spring of 1776 and was with the Army when it retreated from Quebec on the 8 th day of May 1776. was engaged with the enemy at Three Rivers. The last of May or beginning of June marched to Crown point and from thence to Ticonderoga where he was dismissed and returned to Sussex County in New Jersey where he was discharged — he afterwards served occasionally in the militia and was in the Battle of Germantown — and that he made application for a pension on or about the fifteenth day of May 1818 and that he received a pension certificate No. and I do solemnly swear that I was a resident Citizen of the United States on the eighteenth day of March one thousand eight hundred and eighteen and that I have not since that time by gift sale or in any manner disposed of my property or any part thereof with intent thereby to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War" passed on the 18 th day of March 1818, and that I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property or securities contracts or debts due to me nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed, viz.
  6 Drawing Knives (old) worth about . . . . . $4.00   1 Joint iron and smoothing plane . . . . . 00 12½   1 round Shave 1 Croze iron . . . . . 00 50   1 Compasses & 4 Gimblets . . . . . 00 50   $5.12½ 
On every day suit of clothes with which I am now clad — I have eight Children four of whom live in Canada — One in New Jersey — One in Steuben County in this State — and two with me in Seneca — the youngest of my Children is nine years old and the eldest is forty four years old — I have a wife living but do not know where she lives — but am informed she lives in Canada with her Children — I am not able to do much labor — one of my hands is disabled. My Children have no prospects, and are not able to do more than support themselves — (I never learned to write) —
Joseph his Raffenyder mark
Sworn in open Court this the 9 th day of November 1821 before me a Judge of the said Court of Common Pleas in said County —
Moses Atwater
J. Gavin S. Nicholas, Clerk of the County of Ontario do hereby certify that the foregoing Oath and the Schedule annexed are true copies from the Record of the said Court and I farther certify that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid Schedule is five dollars twelve and a half Cents. In testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court on this ninth day of November A. D. 1821 —
Gavin S. Nicholas — Clerk of the Court for the County of Ontario.

43904 Rev INVALID.
File No. 43.904
Joseph Raffsnyder Rev Rev
Act: 18 th March 18 th
Index:—Vol. 3. , Page 410
[Arrangement of 1870.] ✓

18,382.
Joseph Raffmyder, N. York. Revo:
Susp. o for explanatory state- ment: see letter May 9. 1823, to R. M. Bayly, Geneva, N. Y.

State of New York } I, Miles Finch, Deputy Clerk Tompkins County } of the County of Tompkins Clerk's Office } ss } ss. Deputy Clerk of } } the Court of Common Pleas } } in and for the said County do hereby certi- } } fy that Edward G. Pelton before whom } } the annexed affidavit was taken and } } who has duly testified the same, was } } at the time of the said affidavit a Commissioner in } } law for the County of Tompkins to take the proof and ac- } } knowledgements of Deeds and discharges of Mortgages } } and affidavits &c. duly commissioned and sworn } } and by the laws of said State authorized to act in } } that capacity. Further I am acquainted with his } } hand writing and will under the signature of } } Edward G. Pelton to the annexed affidavit to } } be his proper handwriting. In testimony whereof } } I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed } } the Seal of the said Court this Twenty fifth } } Day of October in the year Eighteen hundred } } and twenty two at Haver in said County } } Miles Finch Deputy Clerk } } "

State of New York Tompkins County Ss
On the Twenty fifth day of October one thousand Eight hundred and twenty two, before me Edmund G. Peltzer a Commissioner of the Judges of the said County personally appeared Solomon Middaugh and made oath that he is acquainted with Joseph Raffnider of the Village of Geneva County of Ontario and State aforesaid, and that he knew him before and during the Revolutionary war - That he was well acquainted with the circumstance of said Raffnider enlisting in Capt. John Scotts Company in the latter part of the year 1775 - that the said company was marched for Quebec the Spring following, and as this de- ponent allways understood and verily believes did go to Quebec - that they returned late in fall of 1776 or beginning of Winter of 1777 to Sussex County in New Jersey and was about that time discharged, that during that time he always understood that said Raffnider was a good

faithfull, and obedient Soldier and done his duty to the satisfaction of his officers - and this deponent further say that said Ruffsnider served after- wards with the Militia on several occasions under the Command of this deponent as Captain - that he was in the battles of Germantown - and fur- ther this deponent saith not
Solomon Middaugh
Sworn and subscribed
this 25 th day of October 1822 }
before me Edward G. Bellon Commissioner
one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for Hampshire County

Recd. 16 June 1823—

Geneva 6 June 1823
To Edwards Esq
Sir
I herewith enclose you Joseph Raffmider's affidavit together with that of Mr Whiting's & my own to show you that Raffmider has been perfectly honest as regards his statements of services - I am well acquainted with Capt Dun, one of his witnesses, who served in the same company with him, and have had frequent conversations with him respecting Raffmider - he has allways assured me that the full term of services as stated in his affidavit viz about 13 months, was actually rendered - Capt Dun is a man of veracity and in independent circumstances and can have no motive whatever in misrepresentation - I hope this will be thought sufficient for Raffmider to be placed on the Pension Roll for certainly no man is in greater need of it
Respectfully Yours R M Bayly

Daniel Crier Esq (Late Member of Congress) Affidavit
John Marshall Clerk

State of New York
Steuben County ss. Daniel Buver of Bath in the County of Steuben and State of New York, being duly sworn saith that sometime in June in the year 1818 according to the deponents re- collection, he forwarded under an envelope Directed to the Secretary of War, the decla- ration and proof of Joseph Raffsnider, who then resided in the county aforesaid under the Act of Congress entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land and Naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War," passed March 18 th 1818, and that the same was made out agreeably to the then instructions from the War Depart- ment & duly sworn to before a judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County of Steuben - And further saith not
Sworn to & subscribed
This 15 th day of Jan y 1822
before me David Hall J. G. D.
I do hereby certify that the above named Daniel Buver is a credible witness -
David Hall J. G. D.

State of New York Steuben County Clerk's Office
Is I do hereby certify. That David Hall Esquire before whom the within
affidavit and Certificate were taken was at the time of taking the same, one of the acting Justices of the Peace in and for said County duly Commissioned and sworn and that full faith and Credence ought to be given to his official acts as such and further that I am acquainted with the signature of said Justice and verily believe it to be the signa- -ture of said Justice
In testimony whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and affixed the Seal of said County at Bath this 15 th day of January 1822
Daniel Brugger Esq (late Member of Congress) Affidavit
John Metcalfe Clerk

Samuel Dunn affidavit
The credibility of the evidence of the witness was not impeached - it was true.

State of New York Ontario County ss.
Samuel Dunn being duly sworn, deposeth & saith, that he belonged to Cap John Scott, Company of Infantry in Col. Maxfield's Regiment in the Rev War, in the years 1775 & 1776, that he enlisted and served for the term of One Year, and was at the retreat of the American Army from Quebec the 8 th of May 1776 — That during all that time he was well acquainted with Joseph Raffsnider who enlisted in said Company in Sussex County in New Jersey in 1775 for the term of One Year, that said Raffsnider was with the American Army at the retreat from Quebec the said 8 th of May 1776 — that he was engaged with the enemy at Three Rivers & at Corral, and that his term of service expired when at Ticonderoga in the summer following — That said Raffsnider always conducted himself as a good and faithful soldier and with the approbation of his officers, and was as this deponent verily believes, honourably discharged in Sussex County & New Jersey —
Subscribed / sworn to This 14 th day of Nov. 1821 before me
Samuel Dunn Jacob Dux Noty. Public

Samuel Dunn Affidavit

States of New York Ontario County } ss.
On the eleventh day of January One Thousand eight hundred and twenty three before me the Lewis a commissioner to perform certain duties of a Judge of the Supreme Court of the State of New York of the said County personally appeared Samuel Dun of Phelps town in the County aforesaid and made oath, that he is well ac- quainted with Joseph Raffenider of the Village Geneva, County and State aforesaid, and that he knew him during the Revolutionary War - That the said Raffenider enlisted in Captain John Scott's Company, in the Second New Jersey Regiment Commanded by Col. William Maxfield, in the latter part of the year 1775 and that this deponent enlisted in said Company about the same time - That the said Company marched to Quebec in the year following - that they were at the retreat from Quebec in May 1776 - that they were in the engagement with the Enemy at the Three Rivers on the last of said month of May or beginning of June - from thence they marched to Crown point and Ticonderoga - they remained at Ticonderoga until the expiration of their en- listment which was for one year - they then volun- teered to remain fifteen days longer, and were then marched to Sussex County in New Jersey.

where they were discharged about the first of January 1777 - That this deponent was with said Company during that time and is well knowing to the fact that the said Joseph Raffenider was also with said Company during the whole time and that he always conducted himself as a faithful soldier and to the satisfaction of his officers.
State of New York. } Joseph Dunn
I the subscribe a commissioner to perform certain duties of a judge of the Supreme court of said State, certify, that on the eleventh day of January eighteen hundred & twenty three Samuel Dunn who is to me well known & whom I know to be the person named in the foregoing deposition, personally appeared before me, & being duly sworn testified that the facts stated in the foregoing deposition are true and the said Samuel subscribed the same in my presence. Officer And I do further certify that the above named Samuel Dunn, whom I have long known, is a credible witness. Jan. 22 d 1823. Officer
State of New York } Samuel Dunn
Ontario County } S I certify that Daniel W. Davis whose signature appears to the above certificate was on the day of the date thereof a Commissioner residing in said county and duly authorized by law to take the foregoing deposition. In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of said county this 18 th day of January 1823.
Ralph Sester Dep. Clk.

State of New York Ontario County ss: Joseph Raffsnyder of the said County being duly sworn deposeth & saith, that the Statements heretofore made by him in order to obtain a pension for his revolutionary services, to Boren Whiting Esquire of the said County, who took down the same in writing at both times, were substantially the same, as to time, date, and circumstances, - and that if any variance exists as to the time of his services in the revolutionary Army as set forth in the said Statements, such variance must be the effect of misunderstanding or misapprehen- sion on the part of the said Whiting in setting down his said Statements, - and he fur- ther saith that the Statement last made by him is true in all particulars, - and that he enlisted in the latter part of the year 1775 & was discharged in the beginning of the year 1777, having actually served thirteen months or more in Capt. John Scotts Company of Infantry, in Col.

Maxwells Regiment. New Jersey Line. any Statement heretofore made to the contrary notwithstanding - And for the truth of all Subscribed & sworn to his this 2 o day of June { Joseph X Ralston 1823 before me } Mark R. Hagarth one of the Justices of the peace for Ontario County
State of New York } ss: Ontario County }
Richard M. Bayly of the said County being duly sworn deponeth that the Statements of Joseph Ralston to the deponent in relation to his revolu- tionary services have always been un- iform & consistent; that the deponent was engaged by the said Joseph to find him his pension & he fully believes that the

Statement of the time of service of the said Joseph as contained in his deposition first sent to the War department was erroneously taken down by Bower Whiting who did the business - That the deponent is well acquainted with the said Joseph Rasmussen, and believes him to be a man of integrity & truth, and entitled to full credit upon his oath; And the deponent further saith that the statement contained in the last deposition of the said Joseph heretofore sent to the department is in conformity with the declarations of the said Joseph to this deponent, & the deponent fully believes that the first statement was intended to have been supported with the last, but for the error aforesaid in taking down the same - and further saith not -
Subscribed & sworn to this 2 nd day of June 1823 before me P. Bogarth Justice of Peace for the County of Ontario
R. W. Bayly

State of New York } ss: Bower Whiting of the Ontario County } ss: said County being duly sworn deponeth that he was engaged by Richard M. Bayly in preparing the papers of Joseph Ralston upon which to obtain a pension for revo- lutionary services; that the statements of the said Joseph were the same at the time of drawing the first deposition, as at the time of drawing the last; and that if an error was committed in stating the time of his service in the first deposition, it was owing to misapprehension on the part of the deponent of the said Joseph's meaning or declarations, as at both times he declared that he had served more than one year & the deponent so intended to have stated the same in the said deposition, but owing to its having been done while the deponent was attending engaged at Court, the error as to the time, escaped his notice - In the faith not subscribed & sworn to this 3 rd day of June 1828 before me } D. Whiting R. Bagarth one of the Justices of the Peace in & for Ontario County.

State of New York Ontario County } ss I certify that Richard Hogarth before whom the foregoing Affidavits were taken was on the 2 d day of June instant a Justice of the Peace in and for said county duly appoint- ed and sworn, and that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said Richard Hogarth and verily believe that the signatures to the foregoing articles are his proper hand writing; And I further certify that I am acquainted with Richard M. Bayly and Owen Whiting named in the foregoing affi- davits, and that full faith and credit are to be given to their depositions. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said county this 5 th day of June 1823
Gavin S. Nicholas Atty

Jonathan Eastman affidavit -

State of New York Tioga County } ss.
On the Eleventh day of March one thousand eight hundred and twenty three, before me Iedediah Gay a Commissioner for taking the acknowledgment of deeds, affidavits &c - personally appeared Jonathan Costantine of the Town of the Town of Owego County of Tioga and State of New York and made oath that he is well acquainted with Joseph Raffsnider of the Village of Geneva and County of Ontario, and that he knew him during and previous to the Revolutionary War - That this deponent was a soldier in the Revolution in Cap John Scott, company in the Second New Jersey Regiment commanded by Col. William Maafield, and that the said Joseph Raffsnider enlisted into the said Company in the latter part of the year 1775 in Sussex County in the State of New Jersey, for the term of One Year - That this deponent and the said Joseph Raffsnider marched with the said Company to Quebec the year following, that they were at the retreat from Quebec in May 1776 - that they were in

the engagement with the Enemy at the Three Rivers in the latter part of the said Month of May or begining of June - that they Marched from thence to Crown point and Ticonderoga - that they remained at Ticonderoga untill the expiration of their enlistment - that after the termination of their said enlistment of one year they volunteered to remain fifteen days longer, and were then marched to Sussex County in the State of New Jersey, where they were discharged about the first of January 1777 - and this deponent further saith that said Roffsnyder served during the whole of the above specified time and that he always conducted himself as a true and faithfull Soldier and to the satisfaction of his Officers - and further this deponent saith not
In presence of - Jonathan his  + Casterline mark
John M. Brownson
State of New York Tioga County ss Be it remembered that on the 11th day of March A.D. 1823 came before me Lediah Gay a Commissioner appointed to take the acknowledgment of Deeds, affidavits &c. the above named Jonathan Casterline, known to me to be the person described in & who executed the foregoing deposition, and being duly sworn testified that the facts stated in the foregoing deposition are true, and the said Jonathan subscribed

The same in my presence - And I further certify that the above named Jonathan Casterline whom I have long known is a Creditable witness
State of New York Froga County
Frederick Hay Carmichael & Co
I Daniel E. Brown Deputy Clerk of the County of Tioga do hereby certify that Seddiah Fay was a commissioner in and for said County commissioned and sworn and duly authorized by law to take the proof of Deeds and affidavits etc. That I am acquainted with the handwriting of the said commissioner and verily believe the signature of Seddiah Fay subscribed the above certificate is his own proper hand writing In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said County this Eleventh day of March 1823
Daniel E Brown Deputy Clerk