Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 17112, for Alexander Mc Mechan, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
New York
McMechan, Alexander
W.17112
Margaret
B.L.Wt. 27646-160-55
CONTENTS

let to Hon. H. Wheaton Feb 24 '46
24. 24th New York
Alexander McMechan of Orange, in the State of New York who was a Private in the Comp. commanded by Captain Faulkner of the Regt. commanded by Col. Hardabyn in the New York line for 12 months
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 40 Dollars 00 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 15 th day of Feb. 1833 and due to Battle Mount Hope
Arrears to the 4th of Febr. 33 $ 100 Semi-annual allowance ending 1 st Febr. 34 20 $120
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by G. C. Stiles Clerk Book E. Vol. 4. Page 106

86.374 } { Act March 3/55 April 21 "
Cin. J. Little. Nov: 16 th 1855.
Margaret McMechan, wid of Alexander McMechan, P.O.
cash ————— bal —————
Rest Mar
27 P.M. Feb 48-2343
at 160 acrs. me. 20/56 B. J. Little
M
James Little Clay P.O. Ky
Vol M 1 page 101.

2343, New York, Albany. Margaret M c Mechan widow of Alex r M c Mechan who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Private ,
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 40 Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 13. day of Dec r 1847, and sent to
Hon. W. Patnam H of R
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 126 Vol. 4.
Certificate returned and sent to Hon Sam l Gott, Dec r 19, 1848, S t Hon W Patnam, Sec y , 18 Jan y 53 To Hon: A. Ellison
Reported
Dec r 13/48

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 17 th June, 1844, entitled "An act to Continue the pensions of Certain Widows."
State of New York, Onondaga County, p- On this 15 th day of September, 1846, personally appeared before the Court of Oyer & Terminer it being a Court of Record
Margaret M c Mechan, a resident of the town of Syracuse, in the County of Onondaga and State of New York, aged Seventy Six Years, Seven and a half months, who being duly sworn, according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed June 17 th 1844, entitled "An act to Continue the pensions of Certain Widows," That she is the widow of Alexander M c Mechan, who was a private in the Revolutionary Army, of whose services she knows nothing, but refers to the testimony now on the files of the Pension Office at Washington, upon which a pension Certificate was granted to him, the said Alexander M c Mechan, on the 16 th day of November, 1833, under the act of 7 th June, 1832.

She further declares that she was married to the said Alexander M c Mechan on the 27 th day of May in the year 1793; that her husband the aforesaid Alexander M c Mechan, died on the 12 th day of May in the year 1845; that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January, 1794, viz. at the time above stated.
She further declares, that she was united in marriage to the aforesaid Alexander M c Mechan, at the time above stated, at Lebanon Springs, in the State of New York; that the ceremony was performed by a Clergyman by the name of Gideon Gostwick, who is now dead; that the only witness present at the marriage, was Mrs Jane Van Schaeck, (wife of Henry Van Schaeck, Esq. then a resident of Pittsfield, Massachusetts) who is also dead; and that there was no record ever made of said marriage, to the knowledge of this declarant, excepting a family record, which was worn out or destroyed many years ago.
Witness my hand, Margaret M c Mechan
Sworn & subscribed } in open court this 15 th } day of Sept 1846.
Daniel Pratt Judge

State of New York
Onverfer Lee (p) - Jean M. Wyukarp of Lynden in said county -
Being duly sworn says that she knows Margaret McMechan, the widow of Alexander McMechan deceased, named in the foregoing declaration - & that she is the daughter of said Alexander & Margaret & was aged fifty two one years on the eighth day of October last. That from her earliest recollection said Alexander & Margaret deponents said father & mother cohabited together as husband & wife - & recognized each other & were recognized by their neighbors & friends as such husband & wife -
Deponent further says she was born on the eighth day of October 1794. & that she has heard her said father during his life time speak of the time, place & circumstances of his marriage with deponents said mother, in conversation with her - which circumstances are first in deponents recollection - as follows. said marriage took place at Lebanon Springs in the State of New York, at a public house, & away from home - her said Alexander being a resident of Kinderhook, & said Margaret of Pittsfield in Massachusetts - that the Rev. Mr. Boston- wick - a clergyman of the Episcopalian Church officiated at the marriage - That said Bostonwick was then officiating as a clergyman at Williamstown & Great Barrington in Massachusetts - and that said marriage took place on the twenty seventh day of May Seventeen hundred and ninety three - That deponent recollects of the record of said marriage being entered in an old Bible -

Something in the following words. Married, by the Reverend Gideon Bostwick at Lebanon Springs Alexander McMechan & Margaret Van Klief - in presence of Jane Van Schraack May 27 th 1792.
Deponent further says that the said record has become wholly obliterated & destroyed by time & use - & deponent being believe no traces thereof now exist -
Deponent further says that since Alexander McMechan drew a pension on account of his Revolutionary Services at the rate of forty Dollars a year - under the act of June 7 th 1832 - & held a certificate therefor -
And further that since Alexander McMechan departed this life at Lysander in said County of Onondaga on the 12 th day of May 1845 - & further says not -
Known to me in open court this 15 th day of Sept 1846 -
Jane Matilda Wijnkoop
Amasa H Jerome Judge of Onondaga County Court

State of New York } Onondaga County } ss. I, Borne Whiting, Circuit Judge of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, & Presiding Judge of the Court of Oyer & terminer held in & for said County of Onondaga, do hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with Margaret M c Mechan who this day made the foregoing declaration before the said Court of Oyer & terminer in order to obtain a pension, & also with Jane Matilda Wynkoop who has made the foregoing affidavit, & that I was acquainted with them more than forty years ago. That they are credible persons & that in my opinion, their state- ments above made in said declaration & affidavit respectively, are fully entitled to confi- dence & credit.
I further certify that I was personally acquainted with Alexander M c Mechan, the late husband of the said Margaret M c Mechan, & knew of the cohabitation of said Alexander & Margaret as husband and wife, & of their having a family of several children of whom the above named Jane Matilda Wynkoop was the eldest. That at the time of my first acquaintance with them my acquaintance commenced as early as the year one thousand eight hundred, & continued for several years thereafter, & that from the reputation & circumstances of the said family, & from the ages of the children of said Alexander & Margaret M c Mechan, I am fully satisfied that the relationship of husband & wife existed between said Alexander & Margaret M c Mechan prior to the first day of January 1794, & as early as is stated in the foregoing declaration & affidavit.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name this 15 th day of September 1846.
B. Whiting
Circuit Judge of the Supreme Court of the State of New York
N.B. Nearly one line interline in the above certificate after the word "eldest" B. Whiting

State of New York Onondaga County - ) ss - I Charles T. Hicks, Clerk of said County of Onondaga and of the Court of Oyer & terminer held in & for said County, do hereby certify that the preceding contains the original proceedings of the said Court of Oyer & terminer in the matter of the application of Margaret M c Mecham for a pension - & that the said Court are satisfied by the evidence produced before them, that said Alexander M c Mecham was a Revolutionary Soldier & a pensioner; & died at Lysander on the 12 th day of May 1845. leaving the above named Margaret M c Mecham, his widow him surviving - That the said Court are also satisfied by the evidence produced before them, that the said Alexander & Margaret intermarried at Lebanon Springs on the 27 th day of May 1793 - and that the evidence upon which such opinion is founded is sufficient to establish the fact of marriage & the existence of the relationship of husband & wife between said Alexander & Margaret M c Mecham, prior to the first of January 1794. in a civil suit, according to the laws of the State of New York -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name & affixed my Seal of Office, at Syracuse in said County this 15 th day of September One Thousand Eight Hundred & forty six -
Chas. T. Hicks Clerk.

State of New York Orange County
On the second day of September 1833 personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County none sitting being a Court of record Alexander McMechan a resident of the Town of Haverdon in the County of Orange and State of New York aged seventy five years last February 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 7th 1832 That he entered the service of the United States and served as herein stated.
That in the month of June 1776 he enlisted in Captain William Prentice's Company in Col. Halkburough's Regiment at New Rochelle in the County of Westchester (now Orange) in said State as a volunteer and was marched with said Company to the City of New York and was right near the City and at Greenwiche a few miles from the City until New York was taken by the British which happened while he was there during the said six months that he then retreated with our Army to Westchester County at Kings Bridge and White Plains he was at the Battle at White Plains he served his six months out and was marched to Peekskill and arrived in December the same year he then returned home and stayed nine days only and was again called out in the Militia as Captain William Dennis's Company in Col. McLaughlin's Regiment and was taken to Poughkeepsie and Rombout and served one month and was then dismissed and returned home and that in the following spring 1777 he was drafted

7 1777 8 mo 1778 1 mo 1778
for three months at Wallkill and served  in Captain  Depeyster's Company in Col. McLaughlin's Regiment and was marched to Fort Mout- gomery and served there in all about 100 days until Oct. and then returned home, and in the spring of 1778 he was called out in the militia and served one month at Poughkeepsie in Captain Coudert's Company protecting the frontier against the State of New York against the Indians, and that the same season he was called out and served one month at New Windsor Breaker hill and Newburgh in Orange County - And this applicant says that at all his said services above specified he served as a private And that Captain Woodward of Mount Hope in the County of Orange served with his appli- cant four of the terms above specified - And that he does not know of any one other person that did serve with him that is Amos Wheat of the said County of Orange and he is very aged and infirm but he is acquainted with many persons in the County of Orange and County of Columbia where he formerly lived who can testify to his character for truth and veracity Col. Benjamin Woodward, Capt. Robert Shaw, William Shaw, Esq., John Bee. and many others in the County of Orange - And this applicant says he has been in Je- -rome and came to this County in 1775, and lived in the Town of Wallkill in the County of Ulster then (now Orange) in the State of New York about four years during the Revolutionary war, except when in the United States service two or three years he traveled at different places and had no certain fixed residence, but after the Revolutionary war in 1783, this applicant

settled in the County of Columbia in the State of New York and resided there until the Spring  fall of 1831, he then removed to where he now resides and this deponent says that the reason why this applicant did not make his application in the County where he now resides is, that he is as charged there has lived there but little nearly two three years and that all who know anything of this applicant Revolutionary services reside in the County of Orange where this applicant resided when he rendered the said services and this applicant says that there is no settled clergyman in the immediate vicinity of this applicant and none in the County of Orange with whom he is acquainted, that he has no record of his age but was always informed he was born in the year 1758, which he believes to be correct, that he has no documentary evidence of his service never received any written discharge but always served the term for which he enlisted or was drafted or called out, and that he served with an embodied Corps each term of his service called into service by competent authority that he was either in the field or in Garrisons such as his term above specified, and for the time during  which the service was performed he was not employed in any civil business, and for such service I claim a Pension He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a Pension or annuity except the present and he declares his name is not on the Pension Roll of any agency in any State, he was acquainted with Gen. James Clinton
John

Gen Scott Gen Health, Col. Nichols, Field of the Regular Army.
Alex n McKim
Subscribed and sworn to before me this Second day of September 1893
Ala Dunning Clerk

State of New Jersey Orange County p: John Bell of Mount Hope in the County and State upon said being duly sworn - saith that he is well acquainted with Alexander McMechan lately of Columbia County in said State that in the time of the Revolutionary war the said Alexander McMechan lived with William Shaw now deceased in Wallkill Ulster County (Orange County said) that in the year 1776 the said Alexander McMechan enlisted in Captain William Frenchs new Company of volunteers for six months this defendant enlisted at the same time in the same Company, but this defendant was taken sick and did not go in said Company but that this defendant went after he recovered from his sickness in Captain William Com- pany and saw the said Alexander McMechan at Poughkeepsie Westchester when he was return- ing home from his six months service, this defendant lived in the same neighborhood with him and heard of his going so great many times in services during the war to the frontier and other places, but never served in the same Compa- ny with him but knows he was a Revolutionary soldier and believes from reports at that time that the said Alexander McMechan served one year or more at different times during the Revolutionary war, and that he is about seventy five years of age, that the said Alexander McMechan has not lived in the neighborhood of this defendant since the Revolutionary war but has - been here occasionally and this defendant says he has frequently heard him speak of, and always understood he was a -

person of good character, and this agreement says that he is, in his twenty ninth year and so informs that he cannot attend out business, without endangering his health.
John Bell
Subscribed and sworn
before me the 29th day of August 1833.
William Shaw Justice of the Peace
I certify that John Bell who subscribed and swore to the above statement before me is a receiver of the Town of Mount Hope County and State of Vermont and is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit.
William Shaw Justice of the Peace

State of New York Orange County ss. We the undersigned Woodward of Mount Hope in the County and State aforesaid being duly sworn depose and swear, that it is true to the best of our knowledge that Alexander McLean who is now alive making application for a Pension on account of services rendered to the United States during the Revolutionary war, that this Alexander was acquainted with him in the time of the Revolutionary war he then lived with William Shaw in the Town of Wallkill now Orange County then Ulster County now Ulster in the neighborhood of this Alexander and that on the fifteenth day of June 1776, the said Alexander Mc Lean and this Alexander both enlisted at Wallkill aforesaid in Captain William Dermot's Company of volunteers for six months in Col. Hadenburgh's Regiment and were both marched with the Company to New York and served in the neighborhood of New York the six months out, New York was taken by the British while we were there - we were then taken to Westchester County where at the Battle of White- Plains, and were taken to Peekskill and discharged on the fifteenth day of December following, and then returned home and stayed nine days and were both called out in the militia in Captain William Dermot's Company in Col. McLaugherty's Regiment and were marched to Raritan and Paramus in New Jersey and served

one month and returned home in Conquemon. And this deponent reciteth that in the following Spring 1777, the said Alexander McMechan - was drafted for three months in Captain Dumais Conquemon Company for three months in Col. McLaughlin's Regiment, and that he went with the draft and this deponent believes he served the three months out at Fort Montgomery as he heard of him and he did not return till after three months but this deponent was not drafted and did not serve the said last mentioned - term, but belonged to the same company where the draft was made and knew of it, And this deponent reciteth that in the following Spring the said Alexander McMechan was called out and served one month in Captain Coddleback's Company at Poughkeepsie on the frontier against the Indians in company with this deponent, and the said season - he served one month with this deponent at New Windsor Snack Hill and Newburgh Orange County in Captain Dumais Company in Col. McLaughlin's Regi- ment this deponent was a Sergeant most or all the said term he served with the said Alexander McMechan - And this deponent says that about or a little before the close of the Revolution- ary war the said Alexander McMechan - left the neighborhood of this deponent but he had respectable connections - residing in this deponent's neighborhood and this deponent hears frequently - heard from him that he resided in the

County of Columbia and hath always understood that he was a person of good character and he believes he is about twenty five years of age, and this experience with which he is now seventy eight years old and considerable income and that the next Court of Common Pleas which will sit next week is thirty miles from his present residence too inconvenient for his appearance to attempt to attend in person.
Hesekiah Woodward
Subscribed and sworn
before me the 29th day of August 1833
William Shaw Justice of the Peace
I certify that the of which Woodward who subscribed and swore to the above affidavit - will before me is a resident of the Town of Mount Hope in the County of Berks and is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit.
William Shaw Justice of the Peace
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the court 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 John Bell and Hesekiah Woodward who have subscribed and sworn to the preceding affidavits before William Shaw Esq are both residents of the place they state and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.

I Asa Dunning Clerk of the Court of Common- pleas in and for the said County of Orange Do hereby Certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of the application of Alexander McMechan for a pension. and I further certify that William Shaw Esq before whom the foregoing affida- vits of John Bell and Hosea Woodworth purports to have been sworn were at the date of the same a Justice of the peace in and for said County and that I am acquainted with his handwriting and rightly believe his name subscribed to the said affidavits is truly his hand writing and signature - In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and Seal of Office this Second day of September 1833 Asa Dunning Clerk
Admitted Prior to 12 months
J. Chouteau Esq Mount Hope New York
27. 565 Alex d McMechan (pensioner)
J. Chouteau Mount Hope N.Y.

86.3 1/2 H

State of New York County of Onondaga } s.
On this 10 th day of April A.D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five, personally appeared before me, a justice of the peace, within and for the County and State aforesaid, Margaret M c Mechan, aged eighty-five years, a resident of Lysander, in the State of New York, who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of Alexander M c Mechan, deceased, who was a private in the War of the Revolution, in the Company Commanded by Captain _____ in the _____ Regiment of _____ commanded by _____ ; and that her said husband volunteered at _____ on or about the _____ day of _____ A.D. _____ for the term of _____ and continued in actual service in said War for the term of _____ and was honorably discharged at _____ on the _____ day of _____ A.D. _____.
She further states that she was married to the said Alexander M c Mechan at Lebanon Springs in the said State of New York, on the 27 th day of May, A.D. one thousand seven hundred and ninety three (1793) by the Reverend Gideon Boswick, an Episcopalian Clergyman, and that her name before her said marriage was Margaret VanBleck ; that her husband died at Lysander, aforesaid, on the 12 th day of May - A.D. 1845 and that she is now a widow.
She further states that she is unable to give the name of the Captain who commanded the Company in which her said husband served - or the number of the Regiment or the Commander thereof - or the time when he volunteered or the time he served, but verily believes he was in such service a term exceeding fourteen days. Neither can she tell at what time he was discharged.
She further states that there never was any public record of their marriage ; that there was once a private,

a family record of such marriage, but it has been totally destroyed by time or use.
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty found to which she may be entitled under "the act approved March 3, 1855."
Margaret M c Mechan
I, James Little, a resident of the town of Clay, County of Onondaga & State of New York, being duly sworn, depose and say, that the foregoing declaration was signed & acknowledged in my presence, and I believe from the appearance and statements of the applicant that she is the identical person she represents herself to be. And I further state that I have been a near neighbor to the applicant for over twenty years - that I was intimately acquainted with her husband, the said Alexander M c Mechan from the year, A.D. 1831 - up to the period of his death, which I verily believe occurred at the time stated by the said applicant, and during all that time the said Alexander M c Mechan, and the said Margaret M c Mechan cohabited as husband and wife, and were so reported.
And I further state that the said Alexander M c Mechan died a revolutionary pensioner, and that soon after his death, his widow, (to-wit: the present applicant) was inscribed on the pension list as a revolutionary pensioner, and has drawn her pension every half year since, up to the 11 th day of the present month of March, 1855.
James Little
I, James A. Lee a resident of Syracuse N.Y. being duly sworn, depose and say, that the foregoing declaration of Margaret M c Mechan, was signed and acknowledged in my presence, and I believe, from the appearance & statements of the applicant that she is the identical person she represents herself to be. And I further state that I was well acquainted with Alexander M c Mechan, late of Syracuse

and State of New York, deceased, for a period of over Twenty Years, and up to the time of his death in the year, A. D. 1845 - or thereabouts, and during all that time the said Alexander M c Sheehan and the said Margaret M c Sheehan Cohabited as husband & wife, and were so reputed.
James A. See
The foregoing application and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written; and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons; that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be, and that I have no interest in this claim.
Allan Sheldon, Justice of the Peace.
State of New-York, } ss. Onondaga County Clerk's Office, }
I Certify, That Allan Sheldon , whose name is subscribed to the Certificate of the Proof or Acknowledgment of the annexed instrument, was, at the time of taking such Proof or Acknowledgment, at Justice of the Peace in and for said County, and duly authorized to take the same; and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing, and verily believe that the signature to said Certificate is genuine.
And I further Certify, That the said instrument, and the Acknowledgment hereof, are executed according to the existing Laws of the State of New-York.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said County, at Syracuse, this 19 day of April , 1855.
Barnard Slocum Clerk.

Albany
New York. 366.
Letter to James Little May 2 nd June 1848.
Margaret M c Mechan widow of M c M c Mechan who was a Private in the N. Y. Line.
Husb d died 12. May 1845.
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 40 Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1844.
12. May 1845.
Certificate of Pension issued the 10. day of April 1847. and sent to
James Little, Esq. Essex, Onondaga Co. N. Y.
[Act of JUNE 17, 1844.]
Recorded in Book d.
Vol. 2. Page 80.

Aug. 26-1903
Henry M. LeRoy. Cattillius N.Y.
Rev WIDOW, &c.
No. 17112
Margaret McMechan Widow of Alexander McMechan Pr. New War
Act: Feb 29 48
Index:—Vol. M , Page 24
[Arrangement of 1870.]

27.646
3
Ves Amys

350 Margaret McMechan New York Let to James Little Oct 24. 1846 to same Nov. 18 46 to Wm H Alheaton Dec 30 46
Act 17th June 1844

June 1 48  Libby N.Y. May 27 48  St. Louis. order McMeiky for Arrears Mr. E. S. 8.
Free
Hon. J. L. Edwards St. York Commissioner of Pensions Washington City D. C.

Alexander M c Mechan NY act 7 June 1832 $40 00 per Ann.
To what time was he last paid?
Pension Office, April 7 1847 }
El A Paid to 4 th March 1845.
B. B.

Pension Office { Jan'y 13 1855
Mr Cole - will please furnish me with a copy of the declaration of Alexander M c Mechan together with that of the two witnesses to the same - Also state the amount of Pension rec d by Mr M c Mechan per annum with the length of time received
= Also a copy of his widow's (Margaret M c Mechan) declaration - together with the amount pension she annually receives
Respectfully H
A. Ellison

N 350
Margaret M c Mechan Widow of Alexander NY
act 17 June 1844
Adm d 12mo per $40 00 per Annu
per 12 May 1845
James Little Esq Onondaga Co NY

Comptrollers Office Albany 28 th Oct. 1846
Sir
Yours of the 24 th inst. is recd. The name of Alexander M c Mechan does not appear on the books & files in this office relating to the Revolutionary period. We have no rolls of Capt. Dunsmore or Col. M c Laughrey.
Jas. Little Esqr Clay Post Office Montezuma Co. N.Y.
Yours Respectfully Philip Phelps Dep y Compt r

On or about the 21 st day of September 1846, I forwarded to you a certificate of the Certifying County Clerk, that by proof the fact of Alexander M c Mechan's death had been shown, and also that his widow survived him, and was still living. Attached to which was Mrs M c Mechan's affidavit stating that she was such widow - and following this affidavit was a power of Attorney authorizing either the Hon. Horace Wheaton, or Otis Allen, Esqr. of Albany, to ask for and receive the balance of Pension money due to her (the said Margaret M c Mechan) as the widow of the said Alexander M c Mechan, from the 4 th day of March 1845, to the 12 th day of May 1845, being the day of his death. These papers, or the balance spoken of, has never been heard from since. Will you be kind enough to give me the reason of the delay. Yours, in haste. James Little.

House of Reps: Washington Dec. 23. 1846
J. S. Edwards Esq.
Sir Sir, I enclose the affidavit of Ab m Vosburgh of the city of N. York, to prove the marriage of Margaret Van Vleck to Alexander M c Mechan - Who is now an applicant for a Pension as the Widow of M c Mechan - and also a letter of Mr Vosburgh, which I am requested to hand to you, If further proofs are necessary, please advise me -
Very Respectfully Yours H. Wheaton

Payments to be made at New York by Fred U. B. H. R. Agent for paying Pension- ers, in the Agency of
New York
Recorded in the Pension Of- fice, in Book E. Vol. 1. Page 186, by Robert Miles Clerk.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Alexander McMechan of the state of New York who was a private in the Revolutionary Army is entitled to receive — Forty — " — " — dollars and — " — cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this — 16 — day of November one thousand eight hundred and thirty= three
John B. M c Lean
Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned. }
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.

Clay, N.Y. Sept. 23 d 1846.
Sept 28 46
350
June 17 44
Wants Mr & Mrs Brown
30
Rev. J. L. Edwards, S Commissioner of Pensions, Washington City, D. C.

Clay Post Office Onondaga Co. N.Y. Sept. 23 d 1846.
Hon. J. L. Edwards:
Dr Sir: I enclose you the Application of Margaret M c Mechan for a Pension, together with such testimony as could be obtained. I hope there will be sufficient of the latter to ensure success.
You will also discover the papers in relation to the arrearage due the deceased.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
If, in the opinion of Yourself, there is any deficiency in the Application, or lack of necessary evidence, in the accompanying affidavit or Certificate, or otherwise, be kind enough to communicate the same to me, with instructions.
Yours, Respectfully, James Little.

Clay, N.Y. 33 Nov. 2 nd 1846.
Nov 6 1846
Dear Sir, can you Mr. McAndrew
a m c machines 10 at Y. 26.26, etc to 100 & 20 Oct 46
J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions Washington City D. C.

Clay Post Office Onondaga Co. N.Y. Nov. 2 nd 1846.
Hon. J. L. Edwards:
Sir: Immediately on the receipt of your letter in relation to Mrs. McMechan's pension I addressed a letter of enquiry to the Comptroller of this State, in which I copied all that part of your letter which related to the service of her late husband. The Comptroller's answer I enclose to you.
Is the want of evidence in the Comptroller's office a bar to Mrs. McMechan's claim? Or, is there anything further that can be done to make her claim good?
Write me at your earliest convenience, and much oblige
Yours, Respectfully James Little.

Washington City Feb 21/46
J. L. Edwards Esq
Sir,
Enclosed is a letter asking information, Will you furnish me a reply to it at your earliest convenience & return the letter to me
Respectfully yours &c H. Wheaton

P. Mcaster
James Little Esq.
Chas. O. Orosdaga County
- No Charge -

James Little Esq r
Dear friend
I send you the Inclosed filled up as near as possible to my recollections, It gives me great pleasure If I can render my particular old friend & school companion any thing to their benefit All what is said in the deposition is true & much more could be said
Their Family stood N o . 1 in Kinderhook and where ever they went. My dear Sir I am happy They have been so fortunate to find a friend as you, Mrs Margaret McMechan has had trials, but a Merciful God never will forsake her!! I know her piety almost from the first Letter in the alphabet - and the favorite of her teachers - God Bless her - Dear Sir accept my affectionate regard & best respects to her Family —
Ab m Vosburgh 310 Broadway Dec r . 12. 1846

No 350
charged at Lihouche N. Y.
17 June 1844
Married 1793
husband died 12 May 1845
Some admiral there very much to be regretted the station off America husband

m. 27 May 1793 d 12 May 1845 -

State of New-York.)
City of New-York & County ss. On this 12 th day of December in the year of our Lord One Thousand eight hundred and forty Six, before me Came Abraham Vosburgh who being by me duly sworn deposes and says that he was Seventy  Nine - Years of age last May - that he was born in the town of Kinderhook and County of Columbia - - - and State of New York - that he was intimately acquainted with Alexander M c Mechan, late of the Town of Gysander, County of Onondaga and State of New York, deceased; - that his acquaintance with the said Alexander commenced as long ago as the year One Thousand Seven hundred and Eighty Eight - - - , and continued with but little interruption until the time of his death, which occurred, as this deponent has been informed and verily believes, in the year One Thousand eight hundred and forty five, at the town of Gysander aforesaid.
The said deponent further says, that he is well acquainted with Margaret M c Mechan, widow of the said Alexander M c Mechan - that his acquaintance with her commenced as long ago as the year One thousand Seven hundred and Eighty. - - - and has continued with but little interruption up to the present time: that during his said acquaintance with the said Alexander and the said Margaret, he resided in the same village with them, to wit - in the village of Kinderhook,

County of Columbia, and State of New York, for a great length of time - to-wit, with the said Alexander for the period of thirty five - Years, or thereabouts - and with the said Margaret for the period of thirty five - Years. That he resided with them in the same place in the year One thousand Seven hundred and Ninety three, that he has been informed by the said Alexander and the said Margaret, that they were united in wedlock in the said year One thousand Seven hundred and Ninety three - that this fact was well understood in the neighborhood at that time, and that they claimed to be, and were admitted by their friends and acquaintances, husband and wife; that his impression is that said marriage took place as early in the said year as May or June; that the said Alexander and the said Margaret, continued to reside together as husband and wife, from the period above stated, to-wit, the fore part of the year One thousand Seven hundred and Ninety three, up to the period of the said Alexander's death, which occurred as this deponent believes, at the time above stated - that they raised a large family of children - to-wit, four boys and three girls, whose names are "Jane Matilda", "Sydia Mary", "Henry Van Schoick", "James", "John Shaw", "Margaret Eliza", and "Grace Van Pelt"; that the eldest of whom is "Jane Matilda", who was married to a man named Wynkoop - said Jane Matilda

is, as this deponent believes, still living - and resides in the said town of Syracuse - also the said "Henry Van Schoick", and the said "Grace Van Vleck", are living at the same place.
The deponent further says that from the time of the marriage of the said Alexander M c Mechan to the said Margaret M c Mechan, (whose maiden name was Van Vleck) up to the year One Thousand eight hundred and thirty one, his acquaintance with them was very intimate - that he visited them once since they resided in the aforesaid town of Syracuse - and judging from common report - from their own confessions, and from the character of the said Alexander and Margaret for respectability, he is well convinced that they were lawfully constituted husband and wife and that such relation existed as long ago as the year One Thousand seven hundred and ninety three. The deponent further says that he is at this time, and has been for the last twenty five years, a resident of the city of New York.
Sworn before me this 3 12 th Day of December A. D. 1846. } At ty Voorburgh
C. V. D. Marshall. Commr. of Plead.

May, N.Y. Sept. 2nd 1848.
Free
No Cover
Hon. J. L. Edwards - Commissioner of Pensions Washington City D.C.

Clay, Onondaga Co. N.Y. Sept. 2 nd 1848.
Hon. J. G. Edwards:
Sir: I enclose you two declarations from two old ladies whom you will recognize as old pensioners. If any further evidence is necessary, you will be kind enough to give directions as plain as possible.
Yours,
Respectfully
James Little.

State of New-York, } ss. COUNTY OF Onondaga }
I, Charles T. Hicks
Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas  Oyer & terminer of said county, (the same being a Court of Record,) do hereby certify, that at a Court of Common Pleas  Oyer & terminer held in and for said county, before the Judges thereof, at the Court House in Syracuse on the Seventeenth day of September 1846 it was proved by the adduction of testimony satisfactory to the said Court, that Alexander M c Neish late of the town of Syracuse in said county, died on the twelfth day of May 1845 at Syracuse aforesaid ; that at the time of his death, he was a pensioner of the United States under the Act of June 7 th 1832 and that he left a widow him surviving, named Margaret M c Neish who is still living and resides in said town.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said Court, this Seventeenth day of September 1846 - N.B. - "Common Pleas" being first erased in two places, & "Oyer & terminer" interlined in two places, in the above certificate before execution.
Chas. T. Hicks Clerk
STATE OF New York } ss. County of Onondaga }
Margaret M c Neish of the town of Syracuse in said county, being duly sworn, deposeth, that she is the identical person named and described in the above certificate, as the widow of Alexander M c Neish in said certificate mentioned.
Sworn and subscribed this 21 st day of September 1846, before me,
N.B. "21 st " written on erasure before Sworn to
Margaret M c Neish
Philander Childs Justice of the Peace
Know all Men by These Presents, That I, Margaret M c Neish above named, do hereby constitute and appoint Hon: Horace Wheaton or Olig Allen Esq. of Albany my true and lawful Attorney, for me and in my name to receive from the Agent of the United States for paying Pensions in the City of Albany, the balance of pension due to me as the widow of Alexander M c Neish above named, from the fourth day of March 1845, to the twelfth day of May 1845 being the day of his decease.
WITNESS my hand and seal this 21 st day of September 1846.
SEALED AND DELIVERED IN PRESENCE OF
Philander Childs James Little
Margaret M c Neish
STATE OF NEW-YORK, } ss. Onondaga County, }
Be it Known, that on the 21 st day of September 1846 before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, personally appeared Margaret M c Neish above named, and acknowledged the above power of attorney to be her act and deed.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, the day and year last above mentioned.
Philander Childs Justice of the Peace

State of New York, Onondaga County, } Clerk's Office, } ps:
CLERK'S OFFICE
I certify, at the dates of the within affidavit & certificate, the said Philander Childs, was a Justice of the Peace in for the said County, commissioned and sworn, that I am well acquainted with his hand writing & verily believe that the within signatures purporting to be his, are genuine, Given under my hand and the seal of the said County at Syracuse, this 22 d day of September 1846,
Levi J. Smith, Dep. Clerk of Onondaga County, Clerk absent.

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress of 2 nd February, 1848, entitled, "An act making further provision for surviving Widows and Soldiers of the Revolution."
State of New York } Onondaga County } ss.
On this 26 th day of August 1848, personally appeared before the subscriber one of the Justices of the Peace of the said County, Margaret M c Mechan, a resident of Syracuse, in the said County of Onondaga, aged seventy eight years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed on the 2 nd February, 1848, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war. That she is the widow of Alexander M c Mechan, who was a private under Capt. Faulkner, in Col. Hardenburgh's Regiment, and others, in the War of the Revolution; for which service the said Alexander M c Mechan drew a pension of Forty Dollars per annum. She further declares that she drew a pension as such widow, up to the 4 th day of March last. She further declares that she is still a widow.
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written, before me; and I certify, that the declarant is personally known to me - -
Philander Childs Justice of the peace
Margaret M c Mechan

State of New York Onondaga County, } ss: Clerk's Office, —
I, Vivus W. Smith Clerk of said County do certify that Pilander Childs, Esq. before whom the within Affidavit purports to have been sworn, was at the date of the same a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County duly elected and sworn: and that his signature within is genuine. Given under my hand and the seal of said County, at Syracuse, this 1 st day of September 1848.
V. W. Smith, Clerk.
100 366.44

Washington
Jun 14. 1848
Colo J. K. Edwards,
Sir, I do not find
The Case of Margaret M c Mathan on my Book - If you find any letter in relation to it you will please remit the Certificate and I will go to work and try to find for it a home .
With the same I am Certificate for
Martha Spencer
Sarah Lewis
Sarah Harrison
Sarah Simmons -
and all right -
Respectfully
Yours &
H. Putnam

Clay Post Office, Onondaga Co. N.Y. March 16 th 1847.
Hon. J. G. Edwards:
Dr Sir: I enclose to you the affidavit of capt. Abm. Postburgh and an original letter from Mrs Jane Van Schaeck &c. in relation to the Pension of Margaret M c Mechan, and hope they will be conclusive as to the time of her marriage. —
On referring to the first papers sent you on this business, you will perceive an application for the balance of pension money due to Alexander M c Mechan at the time of his death. I have just received a letter from the Hon. Mr Wheaton (who was named as one of the agents to receive the money) saying that he had not attended to it. Will you be kind enough to transmit the necessary papers to Otis Allen Esq. (the other agent mentioned in the power of attorney) at Albany, that he may draw the money and forward it.
Yours, Very Respectfully, James Little.

R

Address: "Chief of the Record and Pension Office, War Department, Washington, D. C."
Record and Pension Office,
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, August 14, 1903.
Respectfully returned to
Mr. Henry M. Le Roy, Camillus, New York.
As extended an examination of the records as it is practicable to make from the data submitted by you has resulted in failure to find any evidence of service of a soldier named Alexander McMechan as of any organization of Revolutionary war troops.
In view of your statement that the man in question was a pensioner, it is suggested that a statement setting forth the designation of the organization in which he served can probably be obtained upon application to the Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C., who is the custodian of the pension records of the Revolution.
The two-cent postage stamp received with your letter is herewith returned.
BY AUTHORITY OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR:
Chief, Record and Pension Office.
Per
(300a)

Henry M. LeRoy.
Camillus, N. Y., Aug. 20 th 1903.
Commissioner of Pensions.
Hon Sir.
Will
you please to give us the Regt and Co that Alexander S. & Meehan a Revo- lutionary Soldier. Served in. His enlistment papers signed by John Jay have been mislaid His pension is signed by Genl Gaps Secy Wag dated Nov. 13-1833 and shows that he was to draw a pension of $40.00 per year from March 4. 1831. No mention of Regt or service given on them. He died in Onondaga Co. N. Y. town of Ly sander May 12-1845 age 88. The above information is desired for a monument to be placed to his grave.
Yours. Very Truly.
Empire State Society S.A.R. Henry M. LeRoy

State of New York
Onondaga county } ss. Margaret M c Mechan, of the town of Syracuse, County of Onondaga, and State of New York, Widow of the late Alexander M c Mechan, formerly of Windermere, in the said State, being duly sworn deposes and says that the letter hereunto attached (marked A.) dated "Garrytown, October 10 th 1793", and signed by "Jane Van Schuack" is a genuine and original letter, and was received by her the said Margaret, from the said Jane, after her, (the said Margaret's) marriage with the said Alexander M c Mechan to-wit: Soon after the date thereof, to-wit: the 10 th day of October 1793.
Subscribed & sworn this 15 th day of March 1847, before me Philander Childs Justice of the peace
Margaret M c Mechan.
State of New York
Onondaga county } ss. James Little, of the town of Clay, County of Onondaga and State aforesaid, being duly sworn, deposes and says that the letter hereunto attached (marked A.) and bearing date, "October 10 th 1793" and signed by "Jane Van Schuack", was by him a short time ago, enclosed to Abraham Vosburgh, of the city of New York, who soon after returned it to him (the said Little) and also sent him the annexed affidavit, marked B.
Subscribed & sworn March 15 th 1847, before me - Philander Childs Justice of the peace
James Little.

B
A
Tarry Town October 10. 1799.
My dear child
Here we are with the wind nor tide to speed us on, but we hope to get to Nyack to morrow morning. our passage not unpleasant, the weather very fine. I hope you are now in your House I am sorry I advised you to make your own Bed upstairs I think you had best keep the best room below stairs for yourself you will then be near your dining room & Kitchen. Had I not best, do you think, Buy you a B. furniture Callier for one of your child's beds. I do if you think so let me know & which kind you would wish to have. Will you be so good and tell Lydia that I am very sorry, because and that I fear it will be out of my power to buy her things for her, as I have not money enough by me to complete my own memorandum, I hope M rs M c Michael has received the money of Francis.

as I would be very sorry to make use of his money If I was not sure of his being repaid, have you desired Francis to do it, I wish I could know before I left NY - Let your uncle know that I am well and wish much to return to him and you my dear children I am most think her self included in this wish I am most affectionately My dear Margaret you
Affectionate Mother
Jane Van Schaick
The Capt. & I have given The new sloop your name The Margaret

Conn 10 Oct 1793 m a State of New York. § City & County of New York. § 55
Abraham Vosburgh, of said City, and County, being duly sworn, doth depose & say, that he is & has been, for the last seventy years, acquainted with Margaret M c Mechan widow of Alexander M c Mechan dec d of the town of Kinderhook, in the County of Columbia, in said State; That he, this deponent, lived, during the first years of his life in their immediate neighbourhood, in the Town of Kinderhook, in the County of Columbia in said State, & that in the year 1793, he this deponent was a partner in business of the said Alexander M c Mechan, & that during that year they built a sloop for copartnership use, & that such sloop was named Margaret after the wife of the said Alexander M c Mechan who were just then married. Deponent further saith that he, together with the aunt of the said Margaret named the said vessel; that said aunt was also present at the marriage of the said Margaret to the said Alexander M c Mechan, & that as he has been informed and believes, said aunt is now dead  & that she is now dead . That her name was Jane Van Schaack. Deponent further saith that he has seen an original letter from the said Jane to the said Margaret, & that in the said letter she the said Jane informs the said Margaret M c Mechan of the fact that the said vessel was named after her, - That the date of the said letter is 1793 the 10 th of October 1793. Deponent further saith that he has read the said letter, & that he knows the hand writing of the said Jane Van Schaack, & that he believes the said letter is a genuine & original letter from the said Jane. Deponent further saith that

he is positive, from reference which he has had to the said letter, that the said Margaret M c Mechan was legally married to the said Alexander M c Me- chan in the year 1793 aforesaid.
Sworn before me this 2 27 th day of Feby. A.D. 1847. }
Ab m Vosburgh
C. T. D. Russell Cannon: H. H. H. in & for the City & County of New-York .
State of New-York